If you've ever spoken to people about the UFO phenomenon, you've probably noticed how some people can get restless. They may even think you are not normal. Why is it Taboo when it comes to UFOs? I find this question very interesting, let's look at five possible explanations.
Most people think UFOs = aliens. I am not saying that UFOs are aliens, but I believe that this assumption is at the heart of the taboo problem. Almost all of the reasons the topic is taboo seem to be related to this assumption.
Before we start, let's take a look at the definition of the word taboo according to Wikipedia:
A taboo is an implicit prohibition against something (usually speaking or behaving) based on a cultural feeling that it is too disgusting or perhaps too sacred for ordinary people."
I think it's safe to assume that taboos can also include beliefs and opinions - which applies to UFOs as well.
Reason # 1 - Government and State
The cornerstone of political governance is the idea of the nation's sovereignty. A nation or state promises to all citizens a set of rules that are very important to our daily life.
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We pay our taxes and are called to be good citizens, and in return we get security, basic health care, the rule of law … a working modern society.
In this relationship between citizens and the state, it is imperative that we can trust the state to protect the sovereignty of the nation.
Why, then, is UFO taboo?
If UFOs can invade any airspace and have complete control over that airspace, this raises questions about the state's ability to control its own territory.
It is easy to see why a topic that so clearly questions the dominance of the modern state would be suppressed by those in power. These phenomena undermine the power of the state.
Reason # 2 - Science
Our modern society is highly dependent on science. We have to thank science for improvements in many areas, and we prefer to rely on scientific facts when deciding on an important issue.
Many people rely on the "scientific method" and this method sets strict rules. Theories must be supported by repeated observations and experiments. There is evidence, say ufologists, but scientists answer - there is no evidence, and in this case scientists believe.
Our societies today have nurtured many generations to have strong faith in the scientific method. Most of us want to see evidence, and if there is not enough evidence, then the subject is questioned and not taken seriously.
Over the past 70 years, any scientist with a public interest in the UFO topic risked being expelled from the scientific community.
Reason # 3 - "raving UFO sleepwalker"
The UFO phenomenon covers everything from individual UFO sightings, to full-fledged scenarios of multiple abductions or telepathic contacts with aliens. The range of different views and beliefs within the ufological community is wide.
This is just speculation, but that is what we are doing here. I believe that when people talk about UFOs, they are afraid of being perceived as a UFO maniac - the person who most needs professional psychological help.
We are afraid of being ridiculed and talking openly about UFOs to friends, colleagues or acquaintances, as this simply makes us an easy target for ridicule.
Some people may view the sightings of military pilots and radar operators as credible, they may even believe the stories are true. But they won't come out and say it because of the taboo.
They feel that they run the risk of joining together with every "ufologist" and becoming the object of ridicule.
I want to end this point by saying that we are all entitled to our own beliefs, this is important. But only a few are able to really defend them in spite of everything.
The fear of being ridiculed and perceived as a "raving ufological lunatic" sums up reason 3 of the UFO taboo.
Reason # 4 - Is fear for safety a taboo?
Fearing and confessing fear can be difficult, especially for adults. Most of us want to be perceived as competent and confident.
What's the connection, why is UFO taboo? If aliens visit Earth, they are much more advanced than us, their technology is at a level indistinguishable from magic for us. The combined military force of Earth has no chance of protecting us if the aliens are hostile.
Again, the assumption that UFOs = aliens is at the center of this reasoning. Some people put a taboo in their mind when it comes to UFOs = aliens because they are afraid. Afraid for their own safety and the safety of those close to them.
The need for physical security is the first human need for compliance. This could explain the fear taboo around UFOs.
Reason # 5 - Taboo as a Strategy
Let's think again, if the government and the military know more about the UFO phenomenon, and possibly that UFOs = aliens than they say.
If they have known for a long time that UFOs are not American, Russian or Chinese vehicles, but they exist and they have air superiority, then it seems very likely that:
They would like to hide this fact from the public so as not to cause unrest or even panic.
If they can't make NLo just not appear on Earth, why not create a strong taboo around this topic in human society?
When it comes to most of the mysteries that people want to understand and expand our knowledge, even more so if the mystery is about national security or deep, fundamental issues affecting all of humanity - then the whole world will probably come together to solve this mystery, right?
But not in the case of UFOs. Instead, a taboo was created around this one through ridicule and ostracism.
Over the years, reputable institutions, be it NASA, the US Air Force or Roscosmos and the Russian Air Force, have been doing the same thing:
- depict ufology as a pseudoscience.
- claim that UFOs “are not a threat to national security,” implying that we do not need to seek answers.
- very often, especially for stubborn people trying to take the UFO topic beyond the scope of a taboo to the general public, they were threatened and warned to shut up.
- ridiculed trustworthy eyewitnesses.
- Investigations were organized with predetermined conclusions, where the result is known.
Why is UFO taboo?
All of these actions create taboos, and that was probably the intention - taboo as a strategy used in the military and government.
Why is UFO taboo? - Conclusion
There are many reasons, from government structures and science to fear and military strategy.
In the future, we may see changes in this taboo. We are already seeing some UFO-related reports, such as the recent Pentagon confirmation of the reality of the UFO incident and the publication of three videos of these UFOs, and the military has done so without becoming the subject of ridicule.
Another change that can be caught is how the US military and DOD have changed their tone when talking about UFO sightings.
In addition, policy changes have recently been made regarding how pilots report UFO sightings. This was done in Western countries, and it will probably be done in Russia someday.
Maybe even scientists will "come to their senses" and study reliable unexplained observations in the future … we can only hope that this future will not be very distant and maybe we will soon see changes?
Global changes, change of the whole world, science, states, military and the main society to the UFO theme. After all, it is public opinion that can give impetus to these changes. If we want to know the truth about UFOs, then we must start with ourselves.
If human society itself destroys the created Taboo, then everyone else, including the authorities, scientists and the military, will eventually be forced to lift this ban on the UFO theme.