A spectrum of belief
There are many theories to explain UFOs. The following are not the only possibilities. More than could be right - or they could all be wrong
1. The phenomenon is nonsense, caused by hoaxing, hallucination, unreliable radar and misinterpretation. For: Many UFO reports are explicable in these terms. When a Soviet booster rocket unexpectedly re-entered the atmosphere over Europe in December 1978, reliable witnesses reported a crashing craft with lit up portholes. Against: Even discounting 99 per cent of the sightings since 1947, its hard to explain the other one per cent.
2. UFOs are caused by natural processes. According to "tectonic strain theory", huge voltages at geological faults ionise the air, cause odd atmospheric effects. For: Sightings do cluster around geological faults. And we have a lot to learn about how our planet works. Against: Youd have to throw out a lot of eyewitness accounts of space vehicles. But see (1) above.
3. Its a government plot. The "federal hypothesis" claims governments are using belief in UFOs to mask their own military technology. For: Governments are capable of disinformation. Against: Where did the widespread beliefs come from? The air force can pretend its craft is a UFO only because UFOs exist.
4. Alien spacecraft really are investigating the earth, for reasons of their own. Aliens are already among us, or are living inside the earth, or come from "another dimension" rather than a distant star. For: Explains almost anything. Against: Explains almost anything.
5. Its a plot between governments and aliens. According to the "dark-side hypothesis" ordinary Americans are abducted and aliens run the military. For: See (3) and (4) above. Against: Youll never sleep again. Besides, Western governments cant keep secrets.
6. UFOs are real but created by psychic powers. For: You dont have to believe in aliens. Against: You do have to believe in psychic powers.
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