UFO Potpourri No 427

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: No. 427
Date: September 1999
Publisher: John F. Schuessler
Content: This issue features an article discussing a paper by Dr. James W. Deardorff titled 'Possible Extraterrestrial Strategy for Earth,' which explores the concept of a galactic embargo on contact with developing civilizations.

Extraterrestrial Strategy for Earth: Are We Under An Embargo?

The central theme of this issue revolves around Dr. James W. Deardorff's paper, published in the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. Deardorff, from Oregon State University, posits that the universe is likely teeming with advanced extraterrestrial life, potentially millions of years ahead of humanity technologically. He suggests that the lack of detected extraterrestrial presence is not due to humanity's uniqueness but rather to a deliberate 'embargo' or 'biogalactic law' that prevents premature contact.

The Galactic Embargo Theory

Deardorff proposes that this embargo serves to protect developing civilizations from premature interaction with more advanced ones. It's suggested that civilizations must prove their fitness to mingle with alien life, and self-destruction is seen as a primary indicator of unfitness. This selection process might place an embargo on direct contact with planet-bound civilizations, preventing them from being 'encouraged or aided to quit their planets prematurely.' The vast number of advanced civilizations could also lead to a range of benevolent actions, with some potentially keeping hostile civilizations in check.

Communication Under Embargo

If extraterrestrial signals were discovered, the article questions whether governments would disclose this information. It's argued that governments typically classify such discoveries for military or economic advantage. Deardorff suggests a strategy for extraterrestrial communication that circumvents governmental and scientific detection. This strategy involves emplacing communications in a form accessible to the general public but not readily accepted or understood by scientists. This approach would allow for gradual public awareness without triggering immediate government action or repressive measures.

The Role of Scientists and the Public

Deardorff's proposed scenario involves communicating with one or a few individuals globally, providing them with comprehensive messages and evidence over an extended period. These recipients would be allowed to witness the extraterrestrials and gather public acceptance. To avoid alerting scientists, the messages might contain vague descriptions of technology, read like science fiction, or include deliberate absurdities. This would lead scientists to dismiss them as hoaxes or fiction, especially since the events would not be reproducible at will. The messages would then be published and distributed worldwide, creating a 'leaky' embargo that gradually gives way to the general public while holding against scientists and governments.

Government Reaction and Public Suspicion

The article notes that governments could easily disclaim any announced signals as hoaxes, especially if they are not government-sanctioned. This has allegedly happened with past announcements of space signals. The scenario suggests that extraterrestrial communications would likely progress over generations, designed to reach people whose value systems can accept the message. The strategy aims to ensure that governments do not find out or cannot take repressive action, and that scientists are not alerted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the possibility of a deliberate, managed contact strategy by extraterrestrial intelligences, focusing on an 'embargo' to govern interactions with developing civilizations. The editorial stance, as presented through the discussion of Deardorff's paper, appears to be open to the idea of advanced extraterrestrial life and the complex, potentially covert, ways in which contact might occur. The publication seems to question official narratives and government transparency regarding potential extraterrestrial phenomena.