A thought on the potential reaction by the masses to "disclosure"

[Gareth]

While pondering the potential implications and possible reactions of an out right acknowledgement and disclosure of a non-human intelligence visiting earth a thought occurred to me..

We always talk about the great revelations and discoveries of the past. In particular Im talking about when it was understood that the world was actually a sphere rather than a flat land mass.

I submit that the paradigm shift associated with the unequivocal knowledge that the earth is a sphere today, but yesterday believing it was flat, would be far greater and more life-disrupting than the disclosure of non-human intelligence in the universe.

What do you guys think? Are there reports of the reaction back in the day?

 

[Aaron LeClair]

Life out there that doesn't come here and kidnap people etc. might not be as Earth shaking. But life coming here? I think more. Especially if they played a role in our creation, know about God or lack their of, evolution, physics etc.etc. etc. etc. It depends on so many factors my head is spinning and don't really know where to begin. A whole book could be written on it.... no, many books.

 

[macavity]

Yes, I agree with Paranormal Packrat, I think the discovery of non-human intelligence would be a more powerful mindfuck than the flat earth issue.

With that said there are clearly those who would no doubt be able to keep their feet on the ground if a couple of comments doing the rounds in some recent podcasts are to be believed. Apparently the latest thing in disclosure circles is that the government/NASA/whatever aren't going to disclose because they're worried about a class action lawsuit from abductees. There are two equally sad things about that theory -

1. The people suggesting it actually believe it.

2. If there were disclosure (which I don't think there will be) they might actually be right about the lawsuit.

If anyone's listening up there it's time to beam me back to the mothership - it's gone fuckin' nuts down here (sorry - I've got a real bee in my bonnet about the overly-litigious in society).

 

[Paspro]

I have the impression that an announcement to the public of the existence of alien life will have no significant impact on the population.

I believe that the majority of people have become apathetic to really important news, scientific discoveries or even what their government does against their will. They are more interested in managing their day to day life, trying to survive and pay the growing bills so news of extra terrestrial life would probably not attract most people's attention. It will certainly be a subject of interest and it will be covered by the media for a few days but then it will be completely forgotten. Hollywood may get inspired to produce a few more alien killing movies to take advantage of the news in order to make some more money, but that will be all. Of course, the UFO researchers and fans will go mad with happiness and they will start contemplating the future and the impact of these news to the world but they have always been small in numbers and mostly loonies for people to take them seriously even with "official" proof that extraterrestrial life exists.

As for the religions, I am sure they will find a way to include the existence of extraterrestrials to their stories in order to survive. Religions are masters in the art of survival, there is no question about that!

I also believe that this is the ultimate purpose of the so-called "New World Order", that is making people indifferent to government actions of great significance like starting a war, reducing personal freedom and privacy, allowing corporations to do anything they want without any control or consequences etc. And the way to achieve that is to make people so much engrossed with trying to survive as well as subjects of no importance they are bombarded by the media (e.g. is Angelina Jolie going to have twins or not?) so that they have no time or interest for things that do matter. And I am afraid that this has already been achieved to a large degree.

 

[louis belanger]

However ,it took only a taxe increase to start "the Boston tea party"

 

[Graphimancer]

The public reaction will be minimal. If it doesn't affect their bank accounts, most people will barely care.

 

[mike]

one of our ingrained programs is to protect our offspring.
and people can be very strange when it kicks in, i once had a lady and her 2 kids move into the house next to us, and she confronted me over my rottweiller dogs demanding to know "what i was going to do about the danger" i replied there was none the dogs stay in the yard and as long as the kids stay out there should be no problem, but that didnt wash. she said she might not be watching and her 4 year old might climb the fence..... the responsibility was all mine...

of course instead of climbing a fence when she wasnt watching he may slip out the front door and onto the road and under a car, but for her that was an abstract possibility. the dogs were a clear and obvious source of worry and she wanted something done.

i think disclosure will provoke a similar situation.

the moment you admit we have "visitors" whos manners seem uncomprehensible to us, ppl will start demanding to know what provisions are being made to protect them and their offspring

 

[Paspro]

However ,it took only a taxe increase to start "the Boston tea party"

These were very different days...

 

[louis belanger]

tell me that again if the price of gas go to 10 dollars a gallon during this summer.

 

[Aaron LeClair]

However ,it took only a taxe increase to start "the Boston tea party"

These were very different days...

Funny, you got the times confused. Those were different days, or these are different days. Anyway, I agree. The days were/are different, I am wondering if you could elaborate on how the people are much different today? I know we are in some ways, just wondering about your thoughts is all. Speaking of differences, they may differ.

 

[Paspro]

However ,it took only a taxe increase to start "the Boston tea party"

These were very different days...

Funny, you got the times confused. Those were different days, or these are different days. Anyway, I agree. The days were/are different, I am wondering if you could elaborate on how the people are much different today? I know we are in some ways, just wondering about your thoughts is all. Speaking of differences, they may differ.

I cannot imagine people today starting any kind of revolution against their government for any reason regardless of how serious it might be. I think that people today are more passive and willing to obey figures of authority than in the past and they are scared and not willing to sacrifice their comfort and what they consider as "high quality of life" in order to fight for their rights and ideas.

Perhaps the main difference with the past is the fact that people used to be passionate about ideas while today they are passionate about things and their level of comfort.

 

[Aaron LeClair]

However ,it took only a taxe increase to start "the Boston tea party"

These were very different days...

Funny, you got the times confused. Those were different days, or these are different days. Anyway, I agree. The days were/are different, I am wondering if you could elaborate on how the people are much different today? I know we are in some ways, just wondering about your thoughts is all. Speaking of differences, they may differ.

I cannot imagine people today starting any kind of revolution against their government for any reason regardless of how serious it might be. I think that people today are more passive and willing to obey figures of authority than in the past and they are scared and not willing to sacrifice their comfort and what they consider as "high quality of life" in order to fight for their rights and ideas.

Perhaps the main difference with the past is the fact that people used to be passionate about ideas while today they are passionate about things and their level of comfort.

I can think of some reasons. Take away American Idol and this country will go to war.

People are passionate about ideas today. Our guns are no match for what the gov. has though, so no war within.

 

[Daedalus]

Most polls show that 1/4 to 1/2 of North Americans believe that extra-terrestrial life is already visiting us here and about 2/3 to 3/4 believe extra-terrestrial life is possible. I think as long as there is a large enough segment of society; broad enough over all cultural and social segments, it would be enough to anchor the rest of the population (Fundamentalist Christian etc..) 1/3 maybe of people would intially freak out but it would be incorporated into their world view quickly in order to return to a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible (Survival instinct) Humans dont like change and they dont like surprises. In addition I think if 'disclosure' ever happened in the 'US President at the desk... my fellow Americans ...' kinda way, the people who cant accept or dont believe would look to the leadership of their religion or the country to provide guidance (even if they are the ones who have been lying to them for many many years about it) All of that would be forgotten quickly. All and all I would HOPE it would be an experience that would unite mankind, but I'm kinda idealistic maybe I would go looting and set my neighbors car on fire. LOL

 

[Gareth]

I want to know what morons dont think its even possible... not likely, sure - but possible? Give me a break.

 

[Aaron LeClair]

I want to know what morons dont think its even possible... not likely, sure - but possible? Give me a break.

My mother was one. Still might be, not sure though.

 

[7 String]

I personally think that the world has been desensitized to the entire Alien thing long enough that the impact wouldn't be so great. The Vatican gave the "thumbs up" for the Catholics to believe in the possibility of life else where, hell in my opinion they sort of "stuck claim" on them, labeling them as "brothers and gods children". Bam! labeled, stamped and sealed! Sure there will hysteria here and there but certainly not mass hysteria. Personally the thought is exciting for me and would give me a sense of peaceful knowing. I doubt it will ever happen,,,but the thought is very alluring.

My question is: upon disclosure beyond the shadow of a doubt,,,,, "What then?" The dust would settle as the truth lay there for all to see,,, but like with any big news it too shall pass,,, then what?
Unless there is a borg ship waiting to asymilate ( sp? ) us. There is really nothing else. Sasquatch will become a focus again, because why, because it hasn't been proven so the excitement of the chase begins.....lol. Run big guy, and watch out for game cams.

~A

 

[Gareth]

I want to know what morons dont think its even possible... not likely, sure - but possible? Give me a break.

My mother was one. Still might be, not sure though.

My apologies to your Mother :shy:

Im sure you understand what I mean though.

 

[TClaeys]

The level of disclosure and the message will dictate the reaction. Is the message that there are "other" life froms buzzing around our planet and we don't know what they want or where they come from? Is it that we are in contact with "them"? Is abduction a part of this disclosure? Can we or do we need to defend ourselves? Are "they" part of the disclosure as they want to be identified? There are many variations to the disclosure scenario.

What if there isn't disclosure on the UFO topic, but just a BTW "we found life on Mars"? This is even a lesser degree of disclosure affirming life outside of our planet. But, while many of you may disagree, I think varying forms of disclosure will have profound impact on our society. We have to picket, and bitch, and write letters, and argue bitterly so that gay people don't have equal rights. This is such an important topic that people spend countless hours fighting equality. In Boston, a few years ago, all hell broke loose(cops scattered, bomb squads, etc) due to an advertising campaign of a cartoon character placed around the city. We are a somewhat paranoid society. Now there is this enigmatic intelligent life from in our world? Ladies and gentlemen, tighten those buttcheeks.

There is a BIG difference between saying you can accept an "alien" lifeform and actually coming to the grand realization that it is actually true. This may be akin to thinking that there are UFO's and actually experiencing and seeing one for yourself. I think of Biedneys sighting Caracas(sp?). There must be a huge step(both frightening and wondrous) involved between thinking and knowing. I've read recent polls that over 50% of the US is some type of fundamentalist Christian. That means, in my book, we have major problems with that type of knowledge. And we have major reactions to it as well. Coalitions, bunkers, tinfoil hats, mass suicides, paranoia, etc.

Now, while I always reserve the right to be wrong, I don't think this is something that calms down in a few days or weeks. This is the most major paradigm shift the human experenience has ever encountered. Again it does depend on what disclosure we are talking about. It may not be as extreme if it were given in digestible chunks as opposed to "Zordon would like to speak to everyone".

 

[Atrayo]

Everyone has an unhealthy fixation that "Disclosure" can only come out of the Grand USA. Another nation or something like the EU or the UN can steal the proverbial thunder and make the disclosure themselves.

After such an announcement i suspect the wackos will come out of the wood work ala the Billy Meyers beseeching their alien saviors for this or that. Once the initial uproar begins to stabilize globally. Rumours will begin circulating wonder if the ET's are hostile or what not. Than perhaps Christian, Jewish, or Islamic fundamentals will be proclaiming their own version of the "End of the World". Much like the BS with Y2K back in the year 2000. It'll be du jour once more to build a bunker in your back yard.

"Disclosure" when it is revealed may follow a big sucking vacuum sound. When after the first few initial UN Summits where everyone is glued to their TV sets to learn about this "New Deal". The aliens themselves may be "no-shows" to such a global summit. Which years can go by until we learn more about the ET's that we know exist, but do not know who they really are in reality.

Giving many world governments the chance to intimidate their citizens. Much the same way the US Bush Administration has intimidated Americans with Terrorism for its own gains. The bogey man cometh could be a very viable psych ops dispersed through out gullible masses.

I would love "Disclosure" as much as the next man, woman, or child out there. But i suspect we're too immature as a sentient species. We may knee jerk into a Nukem all mentality. Which may be why abduction victims say they feel like they're treated like cattle instead as people. Perhaps they're actually treated as "children", since we continue to act like them en mass.

 

[7 String]

Atrayo, very interesting thoughts I agree. If we learned today the "truth",,,, tomorrow the powers that be would be spinning the next phase of deception or as you put it the bogey man cometh. The concept is disheartening at best when you realize that the reality of so many things is colored and diluted by the few. For every truth we learn, 3 more mysteries come to light.

~A