[chipdart]

> Although this characterization does not represent a lot of the analyses, and I think it's silly to "homogenize" a group of people and misrepresent them via stereotype.

You certainly aren't being serious. The term UFO has been so abused by crackpots and conspiracy loons that it managed to be synonymous with unbelievable reports of aliens.

[keepamovin]

Oh, I'm being serious. But the point about 'UFO' is different to the point about mischaracterizing people: which you seem to be doing. That seems to be an abusive thing, definitely.

[keepamovin]

Also, I think the 'UFO' term is good. Detected on radar, probably means object. UAP is too nebulous possibly deliberately so to confuse. UFO's the better term I think. I honestly think the chracterization of people interested in that as 'crazy' or 'crackpot' is not only abusive, and stupid (and not serious), it's not true at all, I don't think it ever was.

I think that idea is some kind of 'propaganda'. There has been an information war about this topic because the existence of a more powerful outside force directly challenges the authority of our Earth governments, so in the face of no other means to contest these things, they've sought to belittle interest in them to empower themselves. Controlling the narrative rather than the nuts and bolts. But the kind of abuse of the public is untrue, and like wartime propaganda against the Japanese as "they will eat your babies and take your women."

The crazy thing is having that view, and the non serious thing is characterizing people like that. That's what I think, and I think that's the right way. I mean, you can't make progress on understanding something if you try to shame anyone who wants to talk about it, get interested in it or study it.

Seriously tho, if you were an invading alien force wouldn't you want people to discount your existence as crazy? What better way to run cover for your infiltration? Hahaha! :) So the whole thing is bizarre but I think it's not profitable to go that way. It's only good to treat people well, and this topic is no exception. Not just for the reality of treating people well, but so we can study it properly. The serious way is to take it seriously. :)

And what is better, seriously, than something that could help bring about a Star Trek future? Fucking cool I think. So I think people who bring a negativity or an abusiveness there are just projecting, either their own shit, or the shit that's been fed to them by propaganda. And if you really want to be a free thinker you just have to get outside of that. I think that's the best way to move forward on this. Positive and fun. open and curious. And lookin to the future and seein what we need to see as risk and opportunity. Yeah! :) Haha

[revscat]

I see this frequently asserted, but rarely substantiated.