My e-mail is often larded with interesting nuggets, like this revelation:

”The aliens are in touch. Whenever I prefer my computer, they underline certain strange words in the screen . It’s a message.”

Possibly. On the other hand, probably the correspondent should turn the spell-check off on his word processor.

It’s as predictable as a sitcom that is low-grade but every day I arrive at my office understanding that before quitting time, I will get at least one phone call or e-mail from someone who has news so startling, it should rock the planet like Mick Jagger on tour. Generally, these people are ringing or writing to report something strange into the sky or an oddity in a photo. Occasionally they inform me that smooth-skinned beings from another global world, clearly overstepping the bounds of polite behavior, have abducted them for some hours of malicious molestation.

These correspondents, all of whom are patently sincere, mostly want to share proof that is incontrovertible of presence or influence. A few claim to have developed a breathtaking theory of physics that renders all graduate-level courses in the subject obsolete.

Either would be familiarity with a high order. Either would affect the future trajectory of humankind. I should feel flattered that someone wants us to be one of the primary to learn.

Over the years, i have dealt with thousands of such communications, and I also suppose it’s inevitable that i have become slightly jaded by the stories — which are largely repetitive. It really is hardly a secret that I’m skeptical of declarations that the aliens are on trips on the planet.

Still, I try to answer each one of these mails and phone calls because, after all, it isn’t a violation of physics to visit from 1 star system to some other. Difficult because it’s, I resist the temptation to become so hardened during my skepticism that I erect a shield against considering possible new evidence.

Indeed, an mind-set that is inflexible one of several two principal arguments produced by the UFO community to spell out why mainstream scientists are doubtful of these claims: They lament that pointy-headed scientists just won’t glance at the evidence. And so I take that as a caution.

Their other argument, that the evidence that is best is being hidden by the government, is silly. It implies a world-wide conspiracy of governments, in addition to an uncanny ability that is alien make sure that all evidence of their presence is exclusively collectible because of the military or secret federal agencies.

But i must say i do endeavor to keep an open mind. All things considered, anybody can make a discovery that is scientific. If that someone is beyond your cozy halls of academe, and unburnished by both professional credibility and a wall of framed sheepskins, how can they generate their case? Unlike the research establishment, they neither know — nor would know — how to deal with the refereed journals that are the billboards of science.

So they plead their case to someone they might be aware of or can easily find, like me.

However, I wish to offer an FAQ service for those who would call or write with extraordinary claims. They are things to avoid, or at the very least be aware of, before you reach for the telephone or open your laptop:

1. Don’t assure me which you have unique proof of aliens on Earth. Everyone says that. It really is a flag that is red. So just let me know what the data is.

2. Do not ask us to happen to be look at evidence. Write it up, or photograph it.

3. Don’t expect me to ”finish the analysis for you.” Newton didn’t ask someone else to focus the details out of classical mechanics once he saw an apple fall.

4. If you mysterious objects in photos, seek the advice of a photographer friend first. All of the supposed ”otherworldly craft” i have seen on photos are generally candidates that are good airplanes or are well-known camera artifacts, such as for instance internal reflections within the lens. If your evidence is no more than a blob that is bright a photo, it really is totally ambiguous and will not convince anyone.

5. Take into account that you can find organizations that concentrate on investigating UFO sightings and similar events. MUFON (the Mutual UFO Network) has a button on its home page where a sighting can be reported by you. Most academic and research organizations are unlikely to assist you much. They don’t have enough time, money or requisite background.

6. Don’t send e-mails to everyone it is possible to think of, including the current occupant of this White House, the Pentagon, NASA and all the experts you have seen on TV — you satisfaction to pad their spam folders unless it gives.

7. Me”I know what I saw!” Everything you see is filtered through your visual system (imperfect) and your brain (also go now imperfect, despite what your mom told you) if I sound skeptical, please don’t tell. Witness testimony may be the kind that is worst of evidence in science.

I don’t promise to be convinced, but I really do attempt to listen.