1976 05 00 SAGA - John Keel - Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries

Magazine Overview

Title: Ancient Astronauts Modern Mysteries
Issue: SAGA, Vol. 14
Date: June 1977
Cover Headline: UFOS - 30 YEARS OF INVESTIGATION

This issue of SAGA magazine, dated June 1977, features an in-depth article by John A. Keel titled "UFOS - 30 YEARS OF INVESTIGATION." The cover art depicts a stylized title with the subtitle and author's name.

UFOS - 30 YEARS OF INVESTIGATION

John A. Keel's article commemorates the 30th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's famous sighting of flying discs over Mt. Rainier on June 24, 1947, which is considered the start of modern ufology. The term "flying saucer" was coined by Arnold, and "Unidentified Flying Object" (UFO) by Capt. Edward Ruppelt of the U.S.A.F.'s Project Blue Book.

Keel notes that for nearly three decades, thousands of people have dedicated themselves to investigating UFOs, making the phenomenon a common element in popular culture, influencing books, movies, and television. He observes that nearly every nation has civilian organizations studying UFOs, and many scientists and government officials, particularly in Europe, have publicly expressed concern.

What Have We Learned?

Despite 29 years of study, the origins and purpose of UFOs remain unknown. However, Keel argues that the phenomenon has had a profound, albeit subtle, effect on society. It has prompted contemplation of cosmic questions previously confined to science fiction and may have even spurred advancements in space exploration, such as the missions to the Moon and Jupiter. The presence of UFOs has made humanity more aware of its "pitiful smallness in a vast universe."

Who Profits?

The most significant outcome of the UFO mystery, according to Keel, has been the heightened interest in extraterrestrial life. He contrasts the skepticism of astronomers in 1950 with the widespread acceptance of the possibility of life on other planets by the 1960s, leading to the development of exobiology. Keel attributes this shift not to scientific proof but to financial incentives. He claims that governments, NASA, and foundations began offering generous grants to scientific institutions and individuals to search for extraterrestrial life, turning the pursuit into a profitable endeavor.

Keel details NASA's creation for three primary reasons: to compete with Soviet space technology, to provide a substitute for war by shifting the economy towards space manufacturing, and to search for extraterrestrial life as a public relations strategy to justify enormous expenditures. He states that the space program consumed billions of tax dollars annually, benefiting the aerospace industry and providing lucrative opportunities for scientists and engineers.

In contrast, Keel points out the relatively meager budgets of intelligence agencies like the CIA and NSA during the same period.

High Costs and Low Comedy

In 1966, Keel investigated the non-hardware research spending in exobiology, finding that while astronomers, biologists, zoologists, and anthropologists were engaged in various studies, no official could provide a clear budget. His estimate was around $150 million annually spent on these matters.

He highlights the irony that while the search for extraterrestrial life received substantial funding (estimated at $150 million), the U.S. Air Force's UFO study by Colorado University received only $300,000, later increased to $500,000. Keel describes the Colorado Project as a "monumental disaster."

The article discusses how radio telescopes discovered chemicals in space, which exobiologists termed "building blocks of life." However, Keel dismisses this as unrevealing, given that all matter in the galaxy is essentially the same.

Progress or Retrogression?

Keel reflects on the shift from the early ufologists' call for space exploration in 1947 to the reality of the 1960s. He notes that the flying saucer syndrome created complex and often foolish causes that overshadowed the actual exploration. He criticizes the claims of famous "contactees" like George Adamski, who falsely reported seeing trees and rivers on the Moon, contrasting them with the astronauts' findings of dust and rocks. Similarly, claims of alien cities and friendly beings on Mars were disproven by space probes revealing only dried riverbeds and craters.

Keel concludes that the scientific frenzy of the early 1960s, which led to the Moon landing, has left humanity "more alone now than then." While in 1960 there was hope for intelligent life in the solar system, by 1976, it was clear that Earth is an "island-a cosmic oasis-in a great sea of black emptiness," a realization that came at a significant cost.

He questions whether the "strange lights" that led humanity on its "greatest collective adventure" will fade into myth or remain, and whether humanity will understand them better by 2007.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The article expresses a critical stance towards the financial and political motivations behind the scientific study of UFOs and extraterrestrial life, suggesting that much of the funding was driven by public relations and economic interests rather than pure scientific inquiry. Keel emphasizes the lack of concrete answers regarding UFOs despite decades of investigation and highlights the profound philosophical impact of realizing humanity's isolation in the universe. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official narratives and a focus on the societal and psychological effects of the UFO phenomenon.