2018 03 08 Astropolitics - Vol 16 No 1 - Adam Dodd

Magazine Overview

Title: Astropolitics: The International Journal of Space Politics & Policy
Issue: Vol. 16, No. 1
Date: 2018
Publisher: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group

Article: Strategic Ignorance and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: Critiquing the Discursive Segregation of UFOs from Scientific Inquiry by Adam Dodd

This article, published in Astropolitics, critically examines how prominent scientists engage with the topic of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and how this engagement contributes to a phenomenon the author terms "strategic ignorance." The central argument is that a persistent disconnect between popular interest and professional disinterest in UFOs has led to the discursive segregation of this topic from mainstream scientific inquiry.

The Rhetoric of Dismissal

The author focuses on Stephen Hawking's 2008 TED talk, "Questioning the Universe," as a case study. Hawking, a highly recognizable scientist, briefly addresses the question of whether humans are alone in the universe and includes a dismissal of UFO reports. Dodd argues that Hawking's treatment, while brief, reveals a public position shaped more by "common sense" and popular stereotypes than by rigorous scientific engagement. Hawking's dismissal is characterized as a rhetorical strategy that raises the UFO subject only to negate it, implying that UFO reports do not represent anomalies worthy of scientific investigation.

Dodd identifies Hawking's argument as an "argument from ignorance," where the absence of evidence for alien visitation is treated as evidence of its absence. This is further compounded by focusing solely on overt contact as the criterion for visitation, thereby setting an impossibly high bar for evidence and ignoring subtler forms of interaction.

Scientific Boundary-Work and Agnotology

The article draws on concepts from the sociology of science, including Hilgartner's "appropriate simplification" and Gieryn's "boundary-work." Boundary-work, in this context, refers to the social and methodological construction of a boundary that defines certain activities as "non-science." The author contends that this process, applied to UFOs, results in their marginalization and the production of ignorance, which he terms "agnotology" or the social construction of ignorance.

Scientists, when addressing UFOs publicly, often shift their rhetorical footing to maintain their professional "face" and reaffirm the boundary of science. This involves presenting simplified representations for lay audiences and using the notion of "distortion" to discredit alternative views. The article posits that this active production of ignorance hinders public understanding of science and discourages academic inquiry.

Critiquing the ETI Hypothesis and the Fermi Paradox

The article delves into the arguments used to dismiss the Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI) hypothesis for UFOs. It discusses how the Fermi Paradox—the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for them—is frequently deployed to argue against the ETI hypothesis. However, Dodd critiques this application, suggesting it often relies on anthropocentric assumptions about the universal drive for expansion and conquest, projecting human historical trends onto hypothetical alien civilizations.

The "Extraordinary Claims" Dictum

Further analysis is given to the dictum, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," famously articulated by Carl Sagan and echoed by scientists like Alan Hale and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dodd argues that this dictum is problematic because there is no clear consensus on what constitutes "extraordinary evidence." Applying it rigidly risks making the confirmation of such claims intrinsically impossible and inhibits the reexamination of evidentiary standards.

The article highlights how scientists like Sagan and Hart misrepresent the nature of hypotheses, treating them as propositions to be "believed" rather than tested proposals. They also tend to trivialize or ignore substantial bodies of UFO data, such as the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book, framing the evidence as merely "claims" from "one or two witnesses."

Conclusion and Themes

The article concludes that the way scientists publicly address UFOs often involves logical fallacies and historical inaccuracies, actively producing ignorance rather than facilitating understanding. This "strategic ignorance" not only affects the public perception of science but also dissuades academic inquiry and influences space policy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Astropolitics features an article that critically examines the intersection of scientific discourse, public perception, and the phenomenon of UFOs. The journal appears to provide a platform for rigorous analysis of topics related to space politics, policy, and the societal implications of scientific inquiry. The article's stance is critical of how certain scientific communities construct and maintain boundaries around topics like UFOs, advocating for a more open and less dismissive approach to potentially anomalous phenomena.

Themes: UFOs, Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Scientific Inquiry, Discourse Analysis, Strategic Ignorance, Boundary Work, Agnotology, Science Communication, Public Understanding of Science.

Tags: UFOs, ETI, Scientific Discourse, Strategic Ignorance, Boundary Work, Agnotology, Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan, Public Understanding of Science, Rhetoric, Logical Fallacies, Fermi Paradox, Anthropocentrism, Science Communication, UFO Hypothesis.

This issue of ASTROPOLITICS, spanning pages 85-93, delves into the scientific dismissal of UFO phenomena, particularly focusing on the rhetorical strategies and underlying assumptions employed by prominent scientists like Stephen Hawking. The analysis critiques the tendency to marginalize UFO evidence, often by associating it with stereotypes of 'cranks' and 'weirdos,' and by demanding a type of empirical evidence that is not always applicable to anomalous phenomena.

The Problem of Scientific Verification and ETI Hypothesis

The article begins by addressing the challenge of scientific verification for the Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI) hypothesis. It highlights how figures like physicist Tyson and astronomer Carl Sagan perpetuate a demand for physical samples amenable to laboratory study, a standard not applied to other scientifically verified astrophysical phenomena. This selectively materialist demand is seen as a barrier to serious consideration of UFO evidence.

The personal statement of astronomer Hale is presented as an example of extraordinary requirements for scientific confirmation. Hale desires to examine physical aliens, their spacecraft, and understand their home world's conditions, essentially demanding a 'meet and greet' scenario. The author argues that this anthropocentric demand, rooted in cosmic hubris and influenced by Cold War science fiction tropes, hinders objective assessment and dismisses evidence that doesn't fit these preconceived notions.

Stephen Hawking's Portrayal of UFOs

The issue then examines Stephen Hawking's portrayal of UFOs, particularly in his series 'Into the Universe.' An episode titled 'Aliens' is described as presenting a dramatized, stereotypical abduction scenario involving a 'hillbilly' character, which serves to associate UFO reports with alien abductions and B-movies. Hawking's voice-over questions the logic of aliens traveling vast distances to abduct lone individuals, framing such tales with suspicion and linking them to his undergraduate experiences with B-movies.

The article questions Hawking's use of 'we' when stating that 'we don't appear to have been visited by aliens,' suggesting a conflation of 'the scientific community' with 'all members of the human species.' This rhetorical maneuver aims to create a rapport and agreement with the audience by aligning with the perceived authority of an eminent scientist.

Discounting UFO Reports: Rejection vs. Dismissal

The phrase 'I am discounting the reports of UFOs' is analyzed as a totalizing statement that dismisses all UFO reports prior to examination, based on the assumption that none are scientifically useful or interesting. This is contrasted with rejection, which implies a conclusion based on examination, whereas dismissal is an a priori judgment. The late psychologist Stuart Appelle is cited, noting that UFO studies are not simply rejected but categorically dismissed.

Project Blue Book and the Nature of Evidence

In 1969, the U.S. Air Force collected 12,618 reports as part of Project Blue Book, with 701 remaining 'Unidentified.' The article refutes Sagan's characterization of these as 'claims of one or two witnesses,' pointing out that this represents an average of two legitimate unidentified sightings per month over 22 years. Significantly, Blue Book found that more detailed reports were more likely to be classified as 'Unidentified.' This data suggests that anomalous aerial phenomena have been observed and reported thousands of times, yet the willingness to confront this evidence is often lacking.

The 'Cranks and Weirdos' Argument

The article addresses the rhetorical question, 'Why would they appear only to cranks and weirdos?' posed by Hawking. This question functions as a statement, implying that UFOs only appear to such individuals. This is identified as a straw man argument that casts doubt on witness reliability by focusing on their perceived character rather than the evidence. The terms 'cranks' and 'weirdos' are used to stereotype and discourage UFO reporting.

The definition of a 'crank' from a 1906 review of 'Nature' is provided: a man who cannot be turned. In contemporary parlance, it means being anti-science, refusing to accept dogma, and eschewing self-correction. Astronomer Royal Martin Rees is quoted using a similar dismissive tone, associating UFO witnesses with 'cranks' and crop circles.

Historical Reality vs. Stereotypes

The claim that only 'cranks' and 'weirdos' see UFOs is contrasted with the historical reality that initial UFO investigations, like the U.S. Air Force's in 1947, were prompted by reports from pilots, military personnel, and credible civilians. The article argues that Hawking and Rees are not referring to these credible witnesses, making their declarations historically erroneous and scientifically vacuous.

Hawking's explanation is that UFO witnesses do not 'see' UFOs, but rather UFOs 'appear' to them, akin to hallucinations. This removes the phenomenon from the physical cosmos into the fallible domain of the human mind, without offering an explanation for this collective hallucination.

Government Conspiracy and Dismissal by Association

Hawking's dismissal is further extended by associating UFO proponents with conspiracy theorists through a hypothetical scenario about government conspiracy to suppress UFO reports. He claims that such attempts have failed, implying that if there were no successful suppression, then there are no genuine anomalous UFOs. This is contrasted with his own documentary series, 'Into the Universe,' where he suggests governments are doing a 'much better job' at cover-ups than anything else, highlighting contradictory statements.

The Fallacy of Centrality and Complete Reporting

Sociologist Ron Westrum's concept of the 'fallacy of centrality' is introduced, where scientists believe they would personally know of anomalous phenomena if they were real. This is linked to the 'fallacy of complete reporting,' where the argument against anomalies is partly sociological, assuming that if something were real, they would have heard about it.

SETI and Anthropocentric Bias

The article critiques Hawking's use of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project's lack of detection of alien 'television quiz shows' as a 'reductio ad absurdum' to dismiss the ETI hypothesis for UFOs. Hawking is accused of ridiculing both UFO proponents and the SETI project itself, simplifying and dismissing the enterprise without explaining its methodology or limitations.

Furthermore, the anthropocentric notion of searching for alien civilizations 'at our stage of development' is highlighted. Hawking's claims that there are no aliens 'like us' within a few hundred light-years are based on technological similarity, ignoring the possibility of vastly older and more advanced civilizations. The article suggests that this elides the question of how disparities in age and development might affect our ability to recognize extraterrestrial civilizations.

Conclusion: The Work of Ignoring UFOs

The conclusion emphasizes that the dismissals discussed are incompatible with a scientific position and are to be expected when considering the cultural impact of extraterrestrial intelligence. The article posits that the idea of UFOs representing extraterrestrial intelligence conflicts with a modern view of an 'essentially orderly totality.' Institutions invested in order tend to resist the ETI hypothesis and the idea of genuine physical anomalies.

Knowledge about UFOs is described as 'knowledge out of place' and 'information pollution.' While evidence for immediate UFOs is ignored, considerable resources are devoted to searching for extraterrestrial life in distant realms, where such a discovery would be less disruptive to the anthropocentric order. UFO knowledge is deemed 'dangerous' because admitting it could undermine organizational principles. The work scientists do to segregate UFOs from scientific inquiry is characterized as 'collective terrestrial boundary-work' that upholds an anthropocentric, Earth-based exceptionalism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes include the critique of scientific skepticism towards UFOs, the analysis of rhetorical strategies used to dismiss anomalous phenomena, the concept of 'boundary-work' in science, and the pervasive influence of anthropocentrism in scientific discourse. The editorial stance is critical of the dismissive approach taken by prominent scientists, advocating for a more open and rigorous examination of UFO evidence and phenomena, free from preconceived notions and biases.

This document is a bibliography or reference list, likely from a publication titled "A. DODD," with page numbers 94 and 95. The content primarily consists of citations for academic papers, books, and other media related to the study of UFOs, extraterrestrial intelligence, and related scientific and philosophical concepts. The date "2018" is inferred from a reference to a SETI website accessed in February 2018.

Key Articles and References

The references cover a wide range of topics and authors:

• Extraterrestrial Encounters and Exploration: A quote suggests that if aliens visit Earth, their purpose would likely be exploration, and Earth would not be their first encounter due to the age of the universe.
• Academic Study of UFOs: Stuart Appelle's work is cited for addressing "Ufology and Academia: The UFO Phenomenon as a Scholarly Discipline." Leslie Kean's book, "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record," is referenced multiple times.
• Scientific and Astronomical Perspectives: References include Michael H. Hart's "An Explanation for the Absence of Extraterrestrials on Earth," Alan Hale's "An Astronomer's Personal Statement on UFOs," and discussions related to Neil deGrasse Tyson's "Cosmic Quandaries." Martin Rees's work on "Life's Future in the Cosmos" is also cited.
• Government and Historical Records: A link to the National Archives' "Project Blue Book" is provided.
• Social and Policy Implications: Ron Westrum's research on "Science and Social Intelligence about Anomalies" and "Social Intelligence about Hidden Events" is frequently cited, exploring the significance of these topics for scientific research and social policy.
• Detection Efforts: The "Breakthrough Listen" initiative, scanning stars for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence, is mentioned, along with a Nature article by Zeeya Marali.
• Cosmology and Earth Science: References include Nicolas Dauphas on the U/Th production ratio and the age of the Milky Way, and G. B. Dalrymple on the age of the Earth.
• Theoretical and Philosophical Works: Citations include Bernard McGrane on "Beyond Anthropology," Zygmunt Bauman on "Legislators and Interpreters," and Steve Rayner on "Uncomfortable Knowledge."
• Media: References are made to the "Cosmos" miniseries and "Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking."

Notable Quotes and Statements

A notable quote from an unspecified source suggests that extraterrestrial visitors would likely be explorers and that Earth would not be their initial destination due to the vast age of the universe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document's content, derived from its extensive bibliography, indicates a focus on the scientific, academic, and social dimensions of UFO phenomena and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. It highlights the intersection of these topics with established scientific fields, government records, and broader philosophical discussions about humanity's place in the cosmos. The inclusion of diverse sources, from academic journals to popular science media, suggests an effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the discourse surrounding these subjects.