@ Gluoni

Outline

1. Introduction.
2. Setting the Ground with Definitions: UFO, UAP and The Phenomenon.
3. About the Author: Luis Elizondo.
4. Skeptical Approach.
5. Non-Skeptical Approach.
6. Spiritual-Metaphysical Component of UAP.
7. Worldview Frameworks.
8. Making Sense of UAP.
9. The Stickiness of The Phenomenon.
10. Possibilities for UAP.
11. Spiritual-Metaphysical Beings.
12. Human Nature.
13. UAP Intentions.
14. Psyop Hypothesis.
15. Conclusions.
16. References.

From Lights in the Sky to the Fallen

Expanding the Conversation from Imminent by Luis Elizondo

### 1. Introduction

Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. -Oliver Wendell Holmes.

During the past few years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the UFO-UAP topic. If you have been paying attention, you know by now that the phenomenon is real: there has been an acknowledgment of what people have been saying for years. However, if you are not aware of the current state of affairs, you might need to catch up. Imminent by Luis Elizondo [1] summarizes the latest events and his role in them. I think this book is not for UAP beginners, and I still consider myself as one. For this reason, it was not the book I was expecting, but it was the book I needed to challenge my approach to this topic. I had to make a mental shift in order to think about this issue more broadly. I will elaborate more on the challenges I faced later.

Luis “Lue” Elizondo explains his role as the Head of AATIP (Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program) run by the Pentagon and why he resigned due to the secrecy. As you can imagine, it is very difficult to make sense of someone else’s experiences, especially when they also involve the phenomenon. From my perspective, the book brings to the forefront yet another layer of this mystery —the spiritual and metaphysical component of UAP—, which is hard to process (it certainly was for me). I initially planned to write a review of the book, but I have decided instead that I will continue the conversation that Lue started, specifically about this aspect of UAP.

Keep in mind that whether you believe they live among us or think it is all nonsense, you may already have a strong bias that confirms your beliefs and dismisses any new information. This is part of what makes this topic so strange—most people seem to fall into one of two categories: either fully invested or completely indifferent. In my experience, the most common nuanced opinion among those who have not delved deeply into the subject but still want to appear open-minded is: “Of course, there are aliens somewhere in the universe, but it is ridiculous to think they have already visited us.” However, if you look closely at the discussions over the past few years, people are not necessarily talking about aliens visiting Earth—that is just one possibility being considered. I think claiming that aliens exist somewhere but have not shown up yet, and probably never will, is a comfort zone stance.

Furthermore, I am not inclined to convince anyone that this topic is relevant. But, if you already think that transparency is worth your time, then let’s think about the puzzle together!

Notes: 1. I think you should read the book, but if you prefer a summary and review of the key points made by Lue, I recommend watching Richard Dolan’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uazfN6CqUeQ. 2. I have been careful with the quotes I am sharing here. Having listened to several hours of Lue’s interviews and podcasts, I have only included quotes he has publicly discussed. 3.

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2. Setting the Ground with Definitions: UFO, UAP and The Phenomenon

I want clarify the meanings of UFO, UAP and the phenomenon, as I understand them:

• UFO: Unidentified Flying Object. This is a well-known acronym, often associated with flying saucers. It carries a lot of stigma, taboo, and conspiracy theories. Because of the recent surge of interest in the topic, the term "UFO" is not as commonly used anymore; instead, most people now refer to UAP. Additionally, the term UFO does not encompass the full range of the phenomenon.

• UAP: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena[^1]. It was previously defined as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, but the phenomenon is not only aerial; it is transmedium (moving through air, space, and water—USO refers to Unidentified Submerged Object), and possibly transdimensional. Therefore, “anomalous” is a more accurate word, as it better captures the broader nature of the phenomenon.

• The Phenomenon: This is the core of the issue and what we are trying to understand. The way that I see it, the phenomenon involves the interaction[^2] between humans and a non-human intelligence, which may be more advanced than us. The elements of interaction include:

Objects: These are observed in the sky, in the ocean, or coming from outer space. Objects can also be inserted into the human body. Examples include crafts, lights, and drone-like objects. These objects may appear tangible or not.

Entities or Beings: These are sometimes seen near or inside the objects, or on their own. They may communicate messages through unusual means. Their origin is uncertain—whether material or metaphysical in nature.

To summarize:

From a human perspective, the interaction with the phenomenon can be both material—occurring through devices, human senses, and visible changes in the body with biological effects—and psychological. Even more puzzling is that the phenomenon may enclose what some refer to as paranormal activity[^3].

Whatever the phenomenon is, it seems to have both material and non-material components. So, when we talk about evidence (photos, videos, vehicles, etc.) we might only be seeing one side of the coin, not the whole picture. I am being very deliberate in using the terms material and non-material because I am referring to the materialistic interpretation of the universe. I will expand more about this later.

[^1]: As for the word "phenomena," I do not think it is necessary to use "UAPs" to refer to the plural form. However, it is very common to see “UAPs” used everywhere. I will just stick with "UAP" in this discussion. [^2]: If they are seen or detected, that counts as interaction. When I mentioned earlier that some people say that “life exists somewhere else in the universe”, they are missing the point. The life forms that might exist elsewhere, which we do not yet know about, are not interacting with humans. [^3]: Some suggest that a subset of what we call paranormal activity can be caused or related to the phenomenon. Therefore, in the end, certain instances of paranormal activity could have a material explanation.

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3. About the Author: Luis Elizondo

Luis Elizondo was recruited as a senior intelligence officer to help establish counterintelligence and security for the Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Applications Program (AAWSAP), which later became the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). This program was focused on “unconventional technologies” (p. 6), “unusual phenomena” and investigated unidentified aircraft, specifically ones that seem to display beyond-next-generation technology and capabilities—what we now call unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP, or what were long referred to as UFOs (p. 8).

Some interesting details discussed at the podcast Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal [2] include: * Lue still keeps his security clearance. * Lue’s book went through a year-long review process by the Pentagon, resulting in certain parts being redacted.

Due to these factors, some speculate that he could be a disinformation agent. However, I do not agree with this notion, as other whistleblowers[^4] have come forward and support some of Lue’s claims. Additionally, Lue’s coming out appears to have caused an internal struggle within the Pentagon. It is very confusing to say the least.

[^4]: Lue does not view himself as a whistleblower but rather as a “patriot”. The fact that he retains his security clearance and continues to work as a government consultant makes people wonder who is really behind this disclosure movement. He has stated that: I would never in a million years violate my security oath. The damage inflicted by people such as Bradley (now Chelsea) Manning and, later, Edward Snowden arguably did more harm than good. Yes, the truth got out, but people lost their lives, and intelligence was compromised in the process (p. 193).

In my opinion, the most important claim made by Lue is the following: Unidentified craft with beyond-next-generation technology—including the ability to move in ways that defy our knowledge of physics and to do so within air, water, and space—have been operating with complete impunity all over the world since at least World War II. These crafts are not made by humans. Humanity is in fact not the only intelligent life in the universe, and not the alpha species… While there are valid reasons for secrecy around some aspects of UAP, I do not think humanity should be kept in the dark about the fundamental fact that we are not the only intelligent life in the universe. The United States government and other major governments have decided its citizens do not have a right to know, but I could not disagree more. You might be thinking this all sounds crazy. I’m not saying it doesn’t sound crazy, I’m saying that it’s real (pp. 1-2).

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4. Skeptical Approach

In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story. -Walter Cronkite.

Before sharing my opinions, assuming that the claims made by Lue and others are true, I need to outline some of the reasons for skepticism about the information being presented (in his book and in general during this disclosure process):

1. Lack of evidence: Lue has not provided concrete evidence, only his personal testimony. The Pentagon denies his claims.

2. Quality of evidence: The evidence that is presented is often of poor quality: blurry pictures and out of context videos that could be anything.

3. Lue Elizondo’s Credentials: Right after the release of the book, there was considerable debate on #UFOTwitter regarding his position at AATIP.
4. Government secrecy: Many think that it is impossible for a government to keep a big secret like this one from the public for so many years. They argue that the cover-up and secrecy are just conspiracy theories.
5. Persistent Claims of Imminent Disclosure: Ufologists keep claiming, for decades, that disclosure is just about to happen any day now.
6. Questionable Sources: A lot of the reported encounters come from people who might be unstable, seeking attention, or trying to scam others. Even those who seem genuine might be misinterpreting what they experienced.

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5. Non-Skeptical Approach

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend. -Henri Bergson.

The goal here is not to focus on the skeptic view. I am well aware that one can just say “Show me the evidence”, and move on if no one points to anything convincing and irrefutable. Also, given the fact that there are many other relevant issues affecting our daily life—like inflation, climate change, geopolitical instability, wars, and surveillance— dedicating mental energy to the UAP issue seems like a waste of time. It is totally reasonable to set this discussion aside due to other priorities.

However, I think it is unfair to dismiss the UAP issue as unscientific, nonsense and full of fraudsters (and there are definitely some of those) without spending a decent amount of time trying to understand what it is really about before criticizing it. Ridiculing a subject you do not know much about and do not understand is not scientific. In my opinion, one of the best critics in this area is Dr. Michael Shermer^5. He is a well-known skeptic with a deep knowledge of various UFO cases, has read a vast amount of information and talked to experiencers and witnesses. I recommend following his work.

In the previous section, I mentioned that some people think it is impossible for a government to keep a big secret[^6] like this for so long. I agree with that perspective and it seems that whistleblowers are starting to come forward. Not just one, but several whistleblowers with military backgrounds have been sharing their stories. It is up for you to decide how trustworthy you think they are. They have appeared in interviews, podcasts and some have even testified before the US Congress. While it is possible that they could all be lying or working together, I am going to assume for now that this is not the case so I can focus on the information they are providing.

[^6]: Some people believe that if there was anything significant to the UAP issue, we would have seen it revealed in Wikileaks by now. Interestingly, the “Podesta emails” include exchanges between Tom DeLonge and John Podesta, both of whom are mentioned in the book because of their interest in the topic.

Sometimes it is important to state the obvious: if something is engaging humanity, we do not need any government to tell us whether it is real or not. As Dr. Avi Loeb^7, Head of the Galileo Project^8, puts it: The sky and oceans are not classified and we can survey them ourselves [3]. People all around the world have been sharing their experiences on this topic for years. Sure, some of these people might be fraudsters, attention seekers, or simply confused, but others might be recounting genuine experiences of events that truly happened to them (even if we do not agree on their nature). That is why the testimonies of whistleblowers who have encountered unusual phenomena during their military service are very significant. Their credibility and training to identify anomalies while staying objective make their accounts worth considering.

There are also people who have had more intriguing encounters with the phenomenon, often referred to as experiencers[^9]. If you’re a good listener, you might have heard some unusual stories from people you know, and you might even know someone who falls into this category. For those who might be unaware, experiencers do exist, and many of them choose to stay quiet. As Dr. Garry Nolan^10, Executive Director of the Sol Foundation^11, points out: I think that what [ridiculing] does is a disservice to people who come forward with stories because they have a double trauma, they have the trauma of seeing something they do not understand and doesn’t fit with their worldview, and then they have the trauma of everyone making fun of them [4]. [^9]: I think this term was originally reserved for abductees, but recently, I have heard it used more broadly to refer to anyone who has had an experience related to the phenomenon. So, I’ll use “experiencers” in this broader context.

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6. Spiritual-Metaphysical Component of UAP

It is not the answer that enlightens but the question. -Eugène Ionesco.

Worldview Frameworks

To ensure we are all on the same page, let’s take a moment to discuss Materialism, which is the predominant worldview among scientists and philosophers for explaining the nature of reality.

Materialism holds that the universe is entirely physical and governed by the laws of physics.

Reductive Materialism refers to the notion that all mental states—such as emotions, beliefs, perceptions, desires—can be reduced to physical phenomena, hence, mental states correspond to physical states. Most Materialists identify with Reductive Materialism.

Eliminative Materialism takes a step further by suggesting that mental phenomena do not exist at all.

Mental phenomena is an interesting case of study because it seems to be something different. However, most scientists argue that mental states can be explained through materialistic means, suggesting, there is no need to postulate another substance[^12] or property. Nevertheless, consciousness does not seem to be reconciled in a materialistic way due to its subjective nature and we still lack a clear definition of it. This is one of science's greatest mysteries, sparking extensive debate among philosophers, psychologists, and neurologists. In recent decades, computer scientists have also joined the conversation, due to the advances in Artificial Intelligence. I mention this because, as we explore the unknown characteristics of the phenomenon later, some have proposed that moving beyond a materialistic interpretation might be necessary, especially since the phenomenon seems to interact directly with human consciousness.

[^12]: Cartesian dualism divides the world in two parts: the physical and the mental, leading us to the mind-body problem—how does the interaction occur? We have shifted toward a form of monism, assuming that the world is only made of physical stuff (materialism), thus dismissing the mind-body problem, by claiming that the mind is material (reductionism). However, phenomenal consciousness—the realm of subjective experiences or qualia—seems to escape materialism, drawing us back to reconsider dualism and other flavors of it. This scientific challenge has been famously formulated as the Hard Problem of Consciousness by the philosopher Dr. David Chalmers.

Professor Dr. Mark Harris, physicist and theologian, in his essay Faith and physics states that: Physics is widely said to have a unique ability to shine light on physical reality at its most fundamental level. But in order to do so, physicists must make many assumptions. Indeed, the widespread assumption that physics is the most fundamental of the natural sciences, and that all others relate to it, is a consequence of reductionism, a metaphysical belief which can’t itself be established empirically in any direct way. Moreover, whether theorists or experimentalists, most physicists assume a form of realism –in spite of the fact that quantum physics has led to various anti-realist challenges– and a strong belief in the uniformity of nature, that physical reality is systematic, regular and patterned everywhere, and that these patterns may be understood rationally (the idea that is often expressed as the ‘laws of nature/physics’). This requires reliance on physical models to explain or summarise observations. A model is effectively a scientific metaphor, or an analogy, a way of explaining something we don’t understand in terms of something we do… The next assumption is that the uniform patterns we think we see in nature, which we try to describe using models, are universal. This means that we can eliminate local variables. For instance, in an experiment we discard the vast array of data we observe which are not universally systematic in favour of those (usually much sparser) data that are. Note that this means that we inevitably bring theoretical expectations to the lab: we can’t perform an experiment without having a pre-conceived theoretical framework already in place. This is often summarised by the famous phrase of N. R. Hanson that, ‘All data are theory-laden’. In other words, our observations come with theoretical baggage which already goes some way towards interpreting them [5].

Hence, the scientific lenses through which we understand reality are also grounded in suppositions or metaphysical beliefs because we cannot prove: materialism, realism (reality exists independent of the observer), determinism and reductionism, and that all reality can be understood by rational means. These notions certainly help us effectively interpret, understand and predict the physical world we are familiar with. There is a common belief that if something appears to be outside this worldview, it is either because: 1) We have not yet discovered the scientific explanation for it, or 2) It simply does not exist. I find the first possibility compelling, as we should indeed strive to understand the world around us. However, if we encounter phenomena that truly[^13]defy scientific explanation and challenge our established notions of reality (such as the concept of God), dismissing them as non-existent might reflect a personal bias or attachment to a specific worldview rather than an objective search for truth. I do not think that we should just abandon ourselves to all possible explanations every chance we get, but if after a thorough examination of the issue following the scientific method we remain puzzled, maybe, it is time to consider alternative perspectives.

[^13]: We cannot be sure about this.

Making Sense of UAP

Once you find true knowledge, ignorance is no longer an option. And if the knowledge you find is unusual then strange becomes a way of life. -Thomas Campbell.

The UAP issue challenges our scientific understanding in two significant ways:

1. Behavior of UAP: The behavior of UAP do not align with our current understanding of physics. This discrepancy leads many to speculate that we might be encountering intelligence and technology far more advanced than our own. This idea often implies that these phenomena could originate from a more technologically advanced civilization, potentially from somewhere else in the universe. In this regard, Lue mentions the 6 observables that should be explained (p. 156): * Instantaneous acceleration. * Hypersonic velocity. * Low observability. * Transmedium travel. * Antigravity. * Biological effects. *

2. Interaction with Humans: The way experiencers describe their interactions with UAP could challenge our materialistic worldview. This aspect introduces what I refer to as the spiritual-metaphysical component.

When I used to think about the UAP issue, I never felt the need to consider anything beyond science. I was comfortable sticking to a materialistic interpretation of the world (although I do not subscribe to it as the ultimate explanation of reality), and this was reflected in my approach to the phenomenon—I would just ignore anything metaphysical. I was aware of some of the claims but they seemed too overwhelming to process. I also thought that once we understood ‘the observables’, we would be able to explain the rest. While I have not completely changed my perspective on how to study this topic, I am now open to the idea that we need to explore the spiritual-metaphysical side in parallel.

As I was reading and Lue mentioned Robert Bigelow^14 in the first few pages, I thought to myself “Oh no, please don’t go there…” But sure enough, he did touch on the paranormal aspects later in the book. I was disappointed and felt he might be making a mistake: if he wanted to draw attention to this topic from a broader audience, focusing only on concrete data—such as sensor readings, the capabilities of the crafts, and how they seem to defy our understanding of physics—would be more effective. Introducing the more unusual aspects of the topic might turn off physicists and the scientific community, potentially leading them to dismiss the discussion.

To be fair, Lue does not imply that the phenomenon cannot be explained materialistically and it is spiritual in nature. In fact, he references Arthur C. Clarke’s idea that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”, and he appears frustrated with the attitude of some Christian fundamentalists in government regarding this topic. But I will address this in more detail later.

I believe that Lue is intentional with his choice of words and the information he presents as he retains his security clearance. Early in the book, he mentions: Over time, my colleagues and I gained insight into how these mysterious UAP operate (p. 2). From this, I concluded: * He is signaling to a certain group. The book is not meant for beginners looking for a general overview of the UAP issue. * The spiritual-metaphysical aspect of the phenomenon is so significant that it cannot be ignored. * He may be an experiencer himself (he refers to personal experiences), and by acknowledging them, he is validating others, encouraging them to come forward.

Now that the spiritual-metaphysical part of this issue was brought front and center, I had to confront it as well, even though I had been mentally resisting it.

Remote Viewing and Orbs

Lue dedicates a whole chapter to remote viewing: Recruits were trained to spy upon enemies, but not in the usual way. Stargate trained “supersoldiers” to spy on hard targets using their psychic gifts. No, I am not kidding, this was an official US government program. They called the highly controversial technique “remote viewing.” The program, pioneered at Stanford University in the late 1960s, was led by none other than Hal Puthoff, whom I met at the dinner meeting I described earlier. Hal had been a Stanford University researcher and an employee of the NSA when he and his colleague Russell Targ were approached by the CIA and told that Russia had a remote-viewing program. The US needed to catch up and beat their efforts. That’s how it all started. Extrasensory perception had won over supporters in government who were initially dubious, then shocked that the technique worked. No one understood the mechanism. The CIA didn’t care why it worked; the only thing that mattered was that it did (p. 33). This whole story is really captivating but I was under the impression that it was unnecessary for the reader who is only interested to learn about UAP.

It turns out that Lue connects his involvement in AATIP to some unusual incidents that were occurring to him, his family and colleagues. He explains that they started seeing orbs in their homes: I was shocked to find that a lot of my colleagues and I began experiencing firsthand some of these orbs at our homes...The object behaved as if guided by some intelligence. It parked itself in the air, then drifted off down the hall before disappearing entirely (p. 68).

For those of you who do not know about orbs this is how he describes them: One of the most common types of UAP that are often reported is what we call orbs, which are small, luminous balls of light or, in some cases, smooth and metallic spheres. This is nothing new. In World War II, orbs were reported regularly in and around Allied and Axis aircraft, so much so that they were nicknamed “foo fighters” (p. 67). The orbs have been reported: by commercial pilots or military pilots or by eyewitnesses on the ground, particularly around military test ranges and sensitive US military facilities. This is not just a military phenomenon. Now, with the pervasiveness of home security systems and advancements in cell phone cameras, private civilians are capturing these orbs, just like the military is (p. 67). At this point, I was quite surprised because I remembered being part of a conversation with some colleagues in an academic setting where they expressed how much they would like to study orbs. I had no idea what orbs were, and I had never heard about them before, let alone their potential connection to UAP. Reading that chapter made a lot of things from that old conversation click into place. I wish I could go back and ask more questions about orbs, but they sounded too esoteric for my taste back then, and I was not in the right mindset to show genuine curiosity.

There is another interesting point he makes about orbs: The classification of these orbs really varies quite a bit. There are different colors and sizes; some of the colors reported were white, yellow, blue, red, and green. Reports I have seen suggested the blue orbs in particular had a very negative biological consequence, meaning if you got close to one of these, you could expect to be injured (p. 67). This example highlights that the phenomenon is not entirely harmless.

The way I see it, the connection between remote viewing and orbs in the book (not that these two are necessarily related) is that they might both be some kind of surveillance mechanism and ways to collect intel (this much information we have with remote viewing in a military context). This raises interesting questions about the nature of both remote viewing and orbs, as we venture into the blurry area between physics and metaphysics. I was under the impression that remote viewing was debunked, but Lue says that it works and is still used by the CIA, which does not care why it works but just that it does. What is going on here?

Stickiness of The Phenomenon

At the beginning of Lue’s involvement in UAP related work, he was warned that: “You should be prepared for the possibility that some of that strangeness will impact your personal life. These portfolios are sticky” (p. 12). Later, he linked this initial warning to his experience with orbs. I had heard about the Hitchhiker^15 effect but it took me a while to make the connection.

In a particularly eye-opening section of the conversation about Imminent in the podcast hosted by Post Disclosure World, the guests Christopher Sharp and James Iandoli, clearly highlight the concept of stickiness: If you engage with the phenomenon the phenomenon engages back. They raise an intriguing argument against widespread disclosure or confirmation of UAPs: There is this idea that we should not disclose because if we disclose that’s going to open a door for the phenomena to start engaging us in a much more proactive and unambiguous way. Do we want to all wake up at 3 am and see green orbs in our bedroom like Lue Elizondo and his family experience?[6]. Isn’t this a fascinating question?

There does seem to be a reactive aspect to the phenomenon. Personally, I lean towards the idea of transparency. After all, many of us have wondered whether we are alone in the universe and if human intelligence is the highest form. While the stickiness of the phenomenon might be a consequence of this new knowledge, we would eventually learn how to manage it. However, it is easier said than done. No one wants to live in fear, and this reactive part of the phenomenon appears to exacerbate that emotion. Additionally, in times of collective anxiety, there is always the risk of powers emerging “for our protection”—as Winston Churchill famously said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”

On the other hand, how deeply do you need to engage with the topic for it to become sticky? I am not sure. I have not had any experience myself.

I have noticed a common pattern among those who have opened up to me about their experiences: they often express confusion, shame, and fear. Many of them wish to forget what happened to them entirely. None of the experiences shared so far have been described as positive or exciting. But I recognize I cannot draw broad conclusions.

Possibilities for UAP

We sometimes get all the information but we refuse to get the message. -Cullen Hightower.

This classification is where things start to get even stranger. Physicist Dr. Harold Puthoff (mentioned several times by Lue), in his paper titled “Ultraterrestrial Models”, published in the Journal of Cosmology, states: It is currently unknown whether the phenomenon is exclusively extraterrestrial, extradimensional, crypto-terrestrial, demonic/djinn, proto/ancient human, time-travelers, etc., or some combination or mutation of any or all of these. However, it appears highly likely that the phenomenon per se is not constituted exclusively of members of the current human population [7]. At this point, I do not even want to speculate on what we are dealing with. The current information available to the public makes it almost impossible to even guess.

Professor Dr. Kevin Knuth[^16], physicist and member of the Advisory Board of the Sol Foundation, in his podcast appearance with the Scientific Coalition for UAP studies shares his thoughts to the very interesting question: How do you empirically study something where the very definition of just kind of a question mark, we don’t know what it is, it’s a phenomenon, it’s a thing, it's an object in the traditional sense at all? [Answer]: The first thing we need to do is to develop some kind of taxonomy. We need to come up with a way to classify things whether it's based on appearance, behavior and situation… We are faced with the difficulty in that there is a stigma attached to one of the hypotheses of what some of these things might be: the extraterrestrial hypothesis, which to me I don’t actually see very unlikely anymore, I think that’s actually very probable. But once you develop some kind of taxonomy then you can start to tease apart what you’re looking at and what you’re trying to study. These things aren’t clearly not all alien spacecraft: some of them are weather balloons, atmospheric phenomena that we don’t know anything about, pictures of birds…. It’s a very interesting and complicated problem, there is a lot to be discovered here. They are not just one thing… I’ll sometimes joke, I’m only interested in the ones that are craft, you cannot always tell which ones are craft and which ones aren’t, it’s not that simple…. We’re in a position where we really don’t know much at all and it really is smart to keep all the hypotheses on the table: the natural phenomena, the craft phenomena, the extraterrestrial hypothesis, the ultraterrestrial hypothesis, time travelers (from the past and future). There’s a lot of possibilities and there could be several of these hypotheses being true, which can be confounding and it'll be difficult to sort things out [8].

[^16]: https://www.albany.edu/physics/faculty/kevin-knuth https://thesolfoundation.org/people/

I know I mentioned things were getting weird, but now they are about to get even weirder. Lue recounts a conversation that left him stunned: “Lue, you know we already know what these things are, right?” …“It’s demonic,” he said to me. “There is no reason we should be looking into this. We already know what they are and where they come from. They are deceivers. Demons.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This was a senior intelligence official putting his religious beliefs ahead of national security. (p. 84, 85). I guess you are not disappointed by how bizarre things have become with this twist.

I was not entirely surprised by this interpretation. I agree with Lue that a senior officer’s religious beliefs should not be more important than national security. The real question is whether this officer arrived at this conclusion purely based on his religious beliefs, or if there is additional information that is being withheld from the public and from special agents like Lue, who were investigating this topic from within the government.

Spiritual-Metaphysical Beings

Believe those who are seeking truth. Doubt those who find it. -André Gide.

Tucker Carlson shared his views, and it is worth noting his perspective because of his significant influence on public discourse. In this conversation he appears with another important public figure, Joe Rogan. Also, what Carlson says is how I expect many people to react and interpret the nature of the entities associated with the phenomenon.

Carlson says: They are spiritual beings, it’s a binary, they are either team good or team bad… The template that you’re using to understand this is, science fiction or an advanced race of beings from somewhere else but the template that every other society before us has used is the spiritual one. There is a whole world that we can’t see that acts on people, the supernatural world, it’s acting on us all the time for good and bad. Every society has thought this before ours, in fact, every society in all recorded history has thought that until, I'll be specific, August 1945 when we dropped the atom bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and all of the sudden the West is just officially secular, we’re God, there is no God but and that’s the world we have grown up. But, that’s an anomaly, no one else has ever thought that… Once you discard your very recent assumptions about how the world works, well, that kind of seems like the obvious explanation [9]. I applaud Carlson for openly talking about this, especially bringing up the spiritual beings interpretation. However, amidst the confusion, we should apply caution when listening to people who emphatically tell us with certainty what they are.

On the other hand, Dr. Avi Loeb expresses his stance on this discussion: Shawn asked whether I believe that UAPs have a spiritual component. I explained that spirituality or consciousness are likely an emergent phenomenon of complex systems, like the human brain and advanced AI systems. Their behavior is difficult to predict because they have a large number of degrees of freedom and are influenced by input from uncontrolled environments. Whether there are intelligent UAPs remains to be documented by the Galileo Project. If such UAPs exist, I would add psychologists to our research team, because they are trained to deal with intelligent systems [3].

We can analyze the nature of these beings from different angles: 1. Non-Materialistic Point of View: I have not gone into a deep level of study of the UAP beings —commonly known as aliens—but I have heard people talk about these entities. They seem to be embodied although their appearances vary. When they interact with humans, some people report both physical and psychological effects, such as body marks, paralysis, telepathic communication, missing time, memory loss, and fear. This does not suggest they are intrinsically spiritual beings, such as angels and demons (the fallen ones) from the Bible. These entities seem to have a dual nature. But one could argue that angels and demons are spiritual in essence and they also have the ability to materialize, and this observation would lead us into theological territory. This shows how easy things get messy when trying to relate something unknown with something else that we think we know. 2. Materialistic Point of View: Let’s forget all the spiritual stuff and demons, nothing of that exists, and even if it does, these entities could just be material. In this case I would say pretty much what Lue keeps repeating “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. Maybe these creatures have learned how to access our consciousness in a way that we do not even think it is possible.

In my opinion, we are dealing with a mix of different types of entities although I cannot say anything about their ontology. I would not rule out the spiritual beings, demons, or dual nature entities interpretation. For those who have experienced encounters with these beings, sharing their experiences is crucial so we can gather enough data to better understand and categorize them[^17]. But unfortunately, there is always the fear of ridicule. We need to understand what is and isn’t part of the phenomenon. I would also like to hear what other religions and traditions think.

[^17]: Esoteric groups have already developed some taxonomy, but the information they have gathered falls into the category of revelation (by the beings themselves) rather than an accumulation of data.

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. -Albert Einstein.

For example, Dr. John E. Mack^18, a renowned psychiatrist from Harvard who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2004, made significant contributions to the field. I first encountered his work through a documentary about the Ariel School UFO landing. Dr. Mack was deeply interested in speaking with the children who witnessed this traumatic event and sought to understand it. His book, Abduction, explores UFO abductions and encounters with these beings. It is important to point out that he was also a well-regarded expert on nightmares.

In an interview, journalist Ralph Blumenthal^19, who wrote a biography about Dr. Mack titled The Believer, noted that Dr. Mack's research highlighted fundamental differences between experiences of the "old hag syndrome" and UFO abductions. The former often involves reports of an evil presence that sits on the bed and causes suffocation, while abductees typically describe being given information telepathically and undergoing medical procedures.

Although these accounts are disturbing, they provide valuable insights by helping us distinguish between similar but distinct experiences. However, the question of the ontology of these beings and their origins still remains unresolved. Blumenthal adds: What are we to draw from this? Well, first of all, there is a whole kind of anomalous experiences that seem to operate in a world that we do not recognize, another reality, that penetrates our world, as John Mack said, somehow, in ways we can’t explain, we have a clear idea of reality, we think we do; reality is what you can see, smell, taste, and touch, knock on the table, feel it... So maybe there are other dimensions, aspects to the universe that we don’t understand” [10]. In addition, Professor Dr. Garry Nolan, whom I mentioned earlier, says the following: It’s interesting, religions have been dealing with extra dimensions and non-human intelligences for centuries: angels and demons, the spirits of the forest, the jinn of the Quran, etc. Where is heaven and hell? It’s another dimension. Are heaven and hell even in the same dimension? Are they different places altogether? Religion struggled with these ideas and the human mind can already encompass the possibility that they exist and had done so since the most primitive of men. That’s amazing to me [4].

This naturally leads us to ask: Are these realities and dimensions “real”? And more importantly, What do we understand by “real”?

About experiencers, Lue expresses that: In the end, abductees report feeling that these beings did not care one way or another if they lived or died. Many experiencers reported feeling completely vulnerable, helpless, and afraid. As a former special agent, if a witness reported being whisked away against their will, I would consider that an act of kidnapping, a federal crime. And if the witness said they were touched against their will, I would consider that assault, yet another crime in human terms (p. 173). I totally agree with Lue on his opinion right here.

I now think it is a mistake to rely solely on physicists, astronomers, and engineers for answers, yet that is where most people tend to focus. The phenomenon we are dealing with is not just about lights in the sky, mysterious crafts, or extraterrestrial beings. The problem is far more complex, and narrowing the scope to only the physical aspects limits our understanding. To fully grasp what is happening, we need insights from a much broader range of perspectives—psychologists, psychiatrists, philosophers, theologians, heads of different religions, anthropologists, and historians. Each of these fields offers a piece of the puzzle, whether it is understanding human consciousness, exploring ancient interpretations of similar phenomena, or delving into the spiritual implications. It is only by bringing together all of these viewpoints that we can begin to form a more complete picture of the UAP phenomenon.

Human Nature

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Ancient Buddhist proverb.

I also believe that we need to start looking inwards and understand our true nature—what makes us humans.

1. *Materialistic Point of View: We have the poetic words of the physicist Sean Carroll, PhD: I want to argue that, though we are part of a universe that runs according to impersonal underlying laws, we nevertheless matter. This isn’t a scientific question — there isn’t data we can collect by doing experiments that could possibly measure the extent to which a life matters. It is at heart a philosophical problem, one that demands that we discard the way that we’ve been thinking about our lives and their meaning for thousands of years. By the old way of thinking, human life couldn’t possibly be meaningful if we are “just” collections of atoms moving around in accordance with the laws of physics. That’s exactly what we are, but it is not the only way of thinking about what we are. We are collections of atoms, operating independently of any immaterial spirits or influences, and we are thinking and feeling people who bring meaning into existence by the way we live our lives* [11].
2. Non-Materialistic Point of View: Professor Mattias Desmet, PhD, expert on the Theory of Mass Formation expresses that: Young science, too, starts from a belief that the object being studied can be fully understood by means of logical reasoning. Facts are logical—how could they not be? However, the further the logical analysis of the phenomenon under investigation is carried, the more clearly one sees the emergence of a core that is intrinsically illogical and inaccessible to the human mind. And just like with a child, that moment gives rise to an awareness of the relativity of all logic as well as a heightened sensitivity to forms of language that don’t aim to be logically understood but lead to a more direct affinity, to resonance with the object (poetry, mysticism, etc.). In the same way, man also has to come to know himself as a psychological being, as a confluence of subjective experiences, thoughts, feelings, especially as they arise in relations with others. The ability to sense one’s own experience and to put it into words and to express it in relation to another is what constitutes the core of our existence as human beings… we exist as human beings when we can give something of our individuality to another through full speech—a kind of speaking in which something of the human being we are vibrates and resonates. It is through the art of full speech—which is the art learned, for example, in psychoanalytic therapy—that we are able to realize a real connection with others and the world around us (without thereby losing ourselves) [12].

If we truly understand who we are and how it feels to relate to each other in our human form, I think that we would be able to recognize what is not us and perhaps discern what kind of entity or intelligence is trying to engage with us. However, if we do not fully grasp our own humanity and the ways in which we are interconnected, how can we even begin to comprehend a non-human intelligence that might be more advanced than we are?

One of the most intriguing insights we have so far about the phenomenon is the possibility that this intelligence is reactive. This is one of the reasons why we need to start talking about our experiences with it. We may be part of a transformational process without even realizing it, and I also believe that this intelligence is being affected by our interaction—it is a two-way street. This is, of course, speculation.

For example, in the Christian worldview, Jesus was a non-human intelligence that transfigured His divinity when He adopted human form, altering His essence through His humanity and interactions with people. He is now both God and human. So, how are we planning to influence this other intelligence?

This process of understanding who we are and our purpose in the universe is entirely subjective, and/or revealed. This is a different kind of knowledge, —more like wisdom—, and, in my opinion, it cannot come from science. How could it? This is why I am now more inclined to consider the phenomenon from perspectives beyond the scientific. The wisdom and knowledge humanity has acquired over thousands of years will be crucial when addressing this subject.

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7. UAP Intentions

Lue begins his book by discussing the Colares UAP case in Brazil during the 1970s. If you research about what happened you will see that the phenomenon engaged with humans in a very harmful way. This contradicts the belief held by some in the UFO community that these entities are here to help humanity. This belief is often linked to numerous reports of sightings near nuclear weapon sites and facilities, with the suggestion that they are trying to warn us about the dangers of nuclear technology. Moreover, Lue also talks about a case in 1982 in Ukraine: UAP flew over Byelo Air Base in the former Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Seconds later, the launch sequence for the base’s missiles switched on without any human ever entering the launch codes. Operators frantically rushed to shut the system down but could not. When the launch sequence reached its very last rung, it shut down of its own accord (p. 54). Moreover, he says that: “Adults taking matches out of the hands of children,” some say. That’s a nice hopeful thought, but reality has proven us incorrect. At no time have UAP stopped our nuclear ambitions. As examples: They did not stop us from dropping atomic bombs on Japan. UAP did not stop us from making the leap from atomic to nuclear weapons. UAP did not stop the disasters at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, or Fukushima. UAP did not stop the proliferation of nuclear technology from getting into the hands of more nations. Most recently, UAP have not interfered with North Korean, Indian, or Pakistani nuclear testing. And switching on nuclear missiles? That is not so benevolent (pp. 54-55).

Also, Lue on multiple occasions throughout the book expresses his concerns about national security: Humanity acts as if no one else is watching us, like we are alone. But a more advanced intelligent life is likely observing us. Humanity needs to become more aware of our place in the universe and the potential consequences of our actions. Regardless of their motivation, if this tech is cracked by another nation-state with bad intentions it will be an existential threat to our nation and the planet as a whole. Those are the urgent national security concerns and urgent concerns for humanity at large (pp. 168-169).

Regarding national security, I do not believe we have enough information to assign benevolent or malevolent intentions to UAP yet. Additionally, if this is a non-human intelligence, we cannot necessarily think about it in terms of human-like intentions or motivations aimed at accomplishing a specific purpose.

That being said, I appreciate the fact that someone who was in charge of studying UAP from a national security perspective, shares his concerns and makes evaluations based on his background and experience. UAP should be closely monitored. I believe that the US Congress has already briefed on this matter specifically, and they are requesting yearly reports.

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8. Psyop Hypothesis

To test a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. F. Scott Fitzgerald.

We are facing a trust crisis.

A frequent argument among UAP skeptics is that the recent surge of interest in this topic could be part of a psyop (psychological operation), with the ultimate goal of instilling fear in the population to justify increased surveillance and control. This is a valid point, I have been thinking about this a lot. While I personally believe that the phenomenon is real and engaging with humans, I could also see a scenario where the phenomenon could be exploited—weaponized, even—with half-truths to serve nefarious purposes.

The pressing question then becomes: How can we discern what is real from manipulation?

After reflecting on the book, now I believe that bringing up the spiritual-metaphysical component of the phenomenon was a clever move. At the beginning I thought it was a total mistake, but I have changed my mind. If the phenomenon is used by a government or an elite group for control and manipulation, they would need a common narrative that influences people’s behavior and convinces them that they know and possess ‘the truth’. This approach might work for the material component of the phenomenon but clearly not for the spiritual-metaphysical side. What could be more diverse than people’s spiritual and metaphysical beliefs (and non-beliefs)?

If we start talking to one another about the strange experiences related to UAP, asking for opinions about their meaning and nature, and even disagreeing on interpretations, then two things could happen: 1) Through the process of open discourse, we are more likely to approach the truth, and 2) It becomes much harder for a powerful group to control the narrative. Even if such a group possesses hard evidence and attempts to use certain elements of truth to steer the public toward a specific outcome, open discussion could counteract that influence.

Regarding evidence, there is always an element of trust involved. Imagine that we are finally shown, by “official channels”, a vehicle displaying non-human capabilities: What would convince you that it is “real” and not fabricated to provoke a reaction? Who would need to validate the evidence for you to believe it? The government? Which government (don’t they all have secret programs)? Independent scientists? Scientists affiliated with institutions or organizations? And what kind of institutions or organizations are truly trustworthy?

I believe that a government or elite group can never have control of what is most intimate to a human: their subjective experiences and the meaning they attach to them which is an individual process. This is why we should not allow a particular faith, tradition, or worldview to dominate or lead the discourse related to the spiritual-metaphysical aspects of the phenomenon. Even if you believe there is no such component, you should still have a voice. This is what we, the people, can control—because we are not the ones trying to reverse-engineer retrieved craft in our backyard, but we may have an intuition about the kind of intelligence we might be dealing with. Therefore, we need to start having these conversations, open to all hypotheses, so when disclosure happens (if it does), whether real or fake, it will not catch us off guard.

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9. Conclusions

The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. The opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth. -Niels Bohr.

Lue was a human who found himself in a very strange position. His decision to come forward has been complicated to digest because he is not the usual whistleblower we are used to seeing. Unlike many, he still retains his security clearance and speaks carefully, only about what is not classified. This unique position makes Lue different from typical whistleblowers. Even for those who are not interested in the UAP topic, Lue argues that it is still worth considering how taxpayer money is being used and whether resources are being properly allocated to investigate these sightings and encounters. Whether or not you are personally invested in this subject, the implications for national security and public accountability are real concerns that deserve attention. By coming forward, Lue has opened up a wide range of discussions, not only about the nature of the UAP phenomenon itself but also about the role of transparency in government and the public’s right to know.

Personally I find this topic fascinating. There are many angles to explore and here I chose to focus on the dual nature of the phenomenon, with special attention to the spiritual-metaphysical component. I understand this can also be frightening given all the possibilities we are faced with when considering the phenomenon’s nature. I have faith in humanity, and whatever we find on the other side, I am sure we can handle it. Moreover, during this time of many questions and very few answers, we should learn to embrace the discomfort of not knowing.

Despite the fear of the unknown, there is also the potential for great discoveries. If we are to fully engage with the phenomenon, we have to address not just the external mystery, but also the internal one: it seems like the phenomenon interacts with us on a deeply personal and psychological level, challenging our established ideas about the nature of reality. Understanding ourselves might be a crucial step toward understanding whatever this phenomenon represents because we are the ones extracting meaning. Maybe it is not just about figuring out what the phenomenon is, but why it engages us in the way it does—and that starts with a deeper exploration of our own human experience.

If this topic resonates with you, there are many ways to keep the conversation going: ask others for their thoughts, share your own experiences, and explore the multiple perspectives surrounding the issue. The more we talk openly about UAPs, the harder it will be for any narrative—governmental or otherwise—to control our reactions. This is not just about the phenomenon; it is about our collective right to transparency, understanding, and the courage to face the unknown together as a species.

There are many topics I would have liked to cover, and I know I am only scratching the surface of what has been discussed for years—but at last, I have arrived.

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10. References

[1] Elizondo, Luis. Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs: the Former Head of the Program Responsible for Investigating UAPs Reveals Profound Secrets (p. 19). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

[2] Pentagon’s UFO investigator breaks two year silence:

[3] For the Love of the Unfamiliar by Avi Loeb: https://avi-loeb.medium.com/for-the-love-of-the-unfamiliar-9d9a7612bd8e

[4] Garry Nolan on UFOs, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Eric Weinstein:

[5] Pritchard, Duncan; Harris, Mark. Philosophy, Science and Religion for Everyone (pp. 17-18). Taylor and Francis. Kindle Edition.

[6] Elizondo’s Imminent Round Table:

[7] Ultraterrestrial Models by H. E. Puthoff, Ph.D.: https://thejournalofcosmology.com/Puthoff.pdf

[8] Kevin Knuth on Studying Scientific Anomalies, Simulating Star Systems, & Possible UAP Origins:

[9] When Tucker Carlson Changed His Mind on Aliens:

[10]: The Harvard Psychiatrist Obsessed with Alien Abduction:

[11]Existential Therapy from the Universe: Physicist Sean Carroll on How Poetic Naturalism Illuminates Our Human Search for Meaning: https://www.themarginalian.org/2016/05/31/sean-carroll-the-big-picture/

[12] Desmet, Mattias. The Psychology of Totalitarianism (p. 223, pp. 225-226). Chelsea Green Publishing. Kindle Edition.