My father always claimed that he saw a UFO flying over our reservation in the 70s. And I'd tease him and say, "Damn, even the alien anthropologists are obsessed with us Indians."
Thank you for this review. My interest dates back to a late 1960s flap in Newfield, NY. We spent a lot of time at night on hills watching, or tramping around in search of circles. Folks from the surrounding area would gather at our house once a month and share their stories. My first hearing of the Men in Black, then reported as a local phenomena. Decades later I held up filming of Men in Black II as I was working for the MTA on the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel ventilation building--the MiB headquarters in the film. Otherwise I have a collection of books on the subject and have an interest in both the mythology and reality of the phenomenon. When living on Long Island we had a local event in Southaven Park and I had an interesting time relating with folks in regard of that, including a brief exchange with John Ford, who seemed to think I may have been an FBI informant. I also learned about photon proton cannons and alien-human breeding programs. Despite the fringe social aspects, the fact that something unexplainable is occurring and just how people react to it is worthy of study. Also to note, during the more recent drone sighting events, I saw one and spent nearly twenty minutes watching it.
Glad to see the closing note of appreciation, observing the opportunity for a larger story without faulting the author for what he might have written but chose not too. Also delighted to see thoughtful appreciation for the scholarly detective work!
Why did someone have to have the name Stringfield? As if I wasn't already thinking about The Simpsons and The Springfield Files! But, this is a great read about that "kooky and mystical" and oh so American topic.
A very good review. I had no idea that the hills and hollers that gave us the Mothman also gave us an influential ufologist. Often, the lives of these researchers or even publicists are more interesting than the UFO encounters themselves or the musings of the more prestigious authors in this scene like Vallée. I recently finished a book on J. Posadas and this might be a good UFO follow up.
Thanks! Ray Palmer, who John Keel said was “the man who invented flying saucers” (even if that wasn't quite true), is another one of those great characters.
Fascinating analysis of how Barker basically turned ufology into a narrative craft. The distinction between "belief in belief" versus actual conviction is underrated when it comes to paranormal entrepreneurship. I rememberreading accounts of 1950s contactee culture and thinking most of the major figures seemed more interested in building community than proving anything empirical. The Men in Black mythos especially feels liek a proto-creepypasta that became embedded in serious discourse.
This is a great review. Also nicely highlights that the academic newcomers to UFOs will so often under estimate the complexities, while the old heads, mad with case examples going back centuries, will continue to self publish lol
My father always claimed that he saw a UFO flying over our reservation in the 70s. And I'd tease him and say, "Damn, even the alien anthropologists are obsessed with us Indians."
Great line!
Thank you for this review. My interest dates back to a late 1960s flap in Newfield, NY. We spent a lot of time at night on hills watching, or tramping around in search of circles. Folks from the surrounding area would gather at our house once a month and share their stories. My first hearing of the Men in Black, then reported as a local phenomena. Decades later I held up filming of Men in Black II as I was working for the MTA on the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel ventilation building--the MiB headquarters in the film. Otherwise I have a collection of books on the subject and have an interest in both the mythology and reality of the phenomenon. When living on Long Island we had a local event in Southaven Park and I had an interesting time relating with folks in regard of that, including a brief exchange with John Ford, who seemed to think I may have been an FBI informant. I also learned about photon proton cannons and alien-human breeding programs. Despite the fringe social aspects, the fact that something unexplainable is occurring and just how people react to it is worthy of study. Also to note, during the more recent drone sighting events, I saw one and spent nearly twenty minutes watching it.
Thanks for the tip on the Newfield sightings. Will check those out.
Glad to see the closing note of appreciation, observing the opportunity for a larger story without faulting the author for what he might have written but chose not too. Also delighted to see thoughtful appreciation for the scholarly detective work!
I love scholarly detective work!
No atheists in an archive.
Why did someone have to have the name Stringfield? As if I wasn't already thinking about The Simpsons and The Springfield Files! But, this is a great read about that "kooky and mystical" and oh so American topic.
Ha! Thank you for reading.
Pleasure! Really enjoyed.
A very good review. I had no idea that the hills and hollers that gave us the Mothman also gave us an influential ufologist. Often, the lives of these researchers or even publicists are more interesting than the UFO encounters themselves or the musings of the more prestigious authors in this scene like Vallée. I recently finished a book on J. Posadas and this might be a good UFO follow up.
Thanks! Ray Palmer, who John Keel said was “the man who invented flying saucers” (even if that wasn't quite true), is another one of those great characters.
Fascinating analysis of how Barker basically turned ufology into a narrative craft. The distinction between "belief in belief" versus actual conviction is underrated when it comes to paranormal entrepreneurship. I rememberreading accounts of 1950s contactee culture and thinking most of the major figures seemed more interested in building community than proving anything empirical. The Men in Black mythos especially feels liek a proto-creepypasta that became embedded in serious discourse.
Great point about MIBs. I think Morris Jessup’s annotated Varo edition of The Case for the UFO is an example of what you talk about.
This is a great review. Also nicely highlights that the academic newcomers to UFOs will so often under estimate the complexities, while the old heads, mad with case examples going back centuries, will continue to self publish lol
Thank you!