The Stanton Friedman interview and old stars

[Mothra]

It's interesting that Stan can talk about the arrogance of our species while still attributing any possible motives of "aliens" to human motives (maybe they're tourists; maybe they're students; maybe they're jail wardens). This is a subtle arrogant because it accomplishes the age-old trick we humans love to play of presupposing that wherever we are right now is the highest, correct place. Here, he's supposing that human consciousness as we experience it is all there is and anyone "out there" is going to act as an offshoot of it in terms we can understand. How is this different from the disclosure people with their galactic federation?

I agree, Its like when we made up a God and gave him human emotions so we could relate to it.

I don't Think Stanton actually believes that, I think he was just throwing "what if's" out there.

 

[Apocalypto]

It's interesting that Stan can talk about the arrogance of our species while still attributing any possible motives of "aliens" to human motives (maybe they're tourists; maybe they're students; maybe they're jail wardens). This is a subtle arrogant because it accomplishes the age-old trick we humans love to play of presupposing that wherever we are right now is the highest, correct place. Here, he's supposing that human consciousness as we experience it is all there is and anyone "out there" is going to act as an offshoot of it in terms we can understand. How is this different from the disclosure people with their galactic federation?

You're being a bit harsh on him in regard to that particular comment. I read it another way. Giving many examples like that is an open admittance that he doesn't know the real "motive" of the "aliens". Ironically - in some way, shape or form - I have no doubt that humans could imagine and/or understand alien motives, once given the opportunity. We can, after all, see their crafts. We have even - in some instances - touched them. So why would we not be able to understand their motives? Given some sort of explanation, information, hint etc., it's not too much of a stretch. We can always speculate, of course. There's always room for hyperbole in the discussion of UFOs. Why not? It's fun. But in regard to "where we are" as humans, and the smugness of thinking we are the "highest", no. I firmly doubt an old wolf like Stanton would make the mistake of asserting that we're at some peak of the evolutionary process where we can easily and accurately discern all alien actions. That's a mistake he's not likely to make.

Interesting side note. I just watched a fascinating movie over the weekend. Lately I've been on a "seek and watch all of the science fiction movies I may have missed over the years" kick. This latest one is called
"Kin-Dza-Dza", a crazy Russian movie from 1986. An 8.3 on IMDB with 2,674 votes, not too shabby. I enjoyed it. I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone else who might want to watch it. Suffice to say, it gives an interesting perspective on what an alien culture might be like. It's pretty funny. If you can watch that movie and have a sense of humour about it, you're pretty much ready for any motives that an alien might toss at you.

Good interview. Thanks GAD.

 

[7 String]

Great interview, I love Stanton, but I gotta say I really didn't feel like he brought anything new to the table. I should probably buy his new book and really dig into so that I can have a really good grasp of "where he's coming from".

I would love to sit in a smoky old bar somewhere in the middle of no where where David, Gene and Stanton listening to some unknown jazz player ( 7 stringer ) playing his ass off softly in the back ground and just talk frik'n shop!

~A

 

[Ankhes]

But in regard to "where we are" as humans, and the smugness of thinking we are the "highest",

I know I cut that out of an entire paragraph but for some reason it bothers me every time I hear that being said. I sincerely wonder why I keep hearing on the Paracast that we as a species think we know all the answers and that we are the highest, that we are all vain, and that we know everything. Just who is this "we?"

I know it is a niggling thing but it bugs me. I personally have never felt that way, nor does anyone I know. I've done some reading and no author I've read ever asserted any such thing. I'm sure there are people who think like that, but on the show it sounds as if there was some poll given to every person on this planet and every single human said, "yes, we know it all and we are the highest form of life anywhere!"

That said, I am almost finished with Stanton's show and I find I like him much better when I just listen to him as opposed to seeing him on tv. On tv, to me, he comes off as a pompous all-knowing ass. I'm sure he isn't, since so many people here like and admire him, so I withheld my opinion and just decided to listen to the man at length. I like him much better and he makes more sense. And on tv, of course so much is edited. I probably just saw some very unflattering footage of him.

But he COULD trim his eyebrows a little!

 

[exo_doc]

Great interview with Stan, and I was happy to hear some "off-the-cuff" stuff instead of his well rehearsed monologue I hear from him so often.
To join in the "How does an Alien think" debate, all we can do is make conjectures.
We have an absolutely zero knowledge base about anything alien. They could very well have emotions and thought processes like we do, or not. We just do not have any data at all from which to study. So to say something like "There's no way aliens think like us" or "Aliens think just like us" is pure supposition and uninformed guessing.
The positive thing about this situation is that everyone is both equally right and equally wrong. At least until we make actual contact.

 

[The Pair of Cats]

Gene & David.
Great interview with Stanton!!! Keep up the good work!

 

[Live at the Witch Trials]

I like Stanton T Friedman. He gives credibiltiy to UFO knowledge finding which is sorely needed.

It would be great if Stanton T Friedman was a close personal friend and i could pop round to his house with a six pack of Lager and we could throw this U.F.O chestnut onto the table and tear it apart.

He is somebody who i could talk to for hours. A realy gifted and interesting man.

Good show by the way

 

[Gene Steinberg]

I like Stanton T Friedman. He gives credibiltiy to UFO knowledge finding which is sorely needed.

It would be great if Stanton T Friedman was a close personal friend and i could pop round to his house with a six pack of Lager and we could throw this U.F.O chestnut onto the table and tear it apart.

He is somebody who i could talk to for hours. A realy gifted and interesting man.

I made have a chance. He owes me a dinner, because I edited out 99% of his coughs during that episode. He was apparently recovering from a cold at the time of the interview.

 

[Aaron LeClair]

Came across this just now, thought I'd post it.

"Stan Friedman - The Skeptic arguments against UFOs"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7GSmG8aln28&feature=related

 

[ikez78]

Very good interview, as usual. I'll be seeing Stan next month in Tinley Park. I hope it's not all repeat.