Beware of the so called "skeptics"

 

"Whatever you do ... don't go West." Uploaded on YouTube channel 1967sander on the 11 August 2020. Duration: 5:15 minutes.

Among UFO skeptics he is considered as a main source of information and many debunkers see in him a real image guru but is he really that professional as they say? We are of a different opinion!

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 The reason I post this video is that I agree with what the representative of the imagery analysis team, 1967sander, says about the self-proclaimed "sceptics" of the UFO phenomenon. In this case, the "sceptic", or debunker, is Mike West. I do not know Mike West personally so I cannot judge his character, values, etc. Neither am I agreeing with 1967sander on the "Area 51 UFOs" mentioned in the video above. 

More specifically, I agree with 1967sander (the representative of the team) when he in the video says that criticism and scepticism are important and welcome if done professionally. My experience with most of the so-called sceptics, or what I call unsound sceptics, is that they seem to have gone to the same course in "unsound scepticism 101." It seems like that course is teaching people to become cognitively rigid, close-minded, and to repeat the same sceptical-sounding phrases. Also, to have an extremely stubborn attitude, and at no cost change an opinion. 

Of course, you have the same rigid thinking and stubbornness among the halleluja-believers in UFOs (referring to people believing all ETs are about peace, love, and understanding).

So how hard can it be not to place oneself in one of the two extremes? How hard can it be to realize that the truth of the UFO phenomenon (or of any subject) has nothing to do with what I want, wish, or believe to be the truth? Unfortunately, the world/reality do not bend itself to our beliefs. We have to adapt our thinking, belief- and value systems based on how the world is structured. Most importantly, we have to accept and deal with what the data tells us about the world. That is, if you believe in epistemic externalism as I do.

I do not know about Mike West, but I am wondering if some of the so-called sceptics would shit their pants if the reality of the UFO phenomenon - and that it is not originating from Earth - was proven indisputably? Is it fear that is behind the curriculum of "unsound scepticism 101"? If so, I can sympathize. The fear of change, the unknown, the uncertain, and the unpredictable is very human and deeply ingrained in all of us. In some personalities more or less than in others. 

But fear is not a valid reason for ignorance. It is not a valid reason for not doing one´s homework. 

In the video above, you can listen to 1967sander state the reason to why Mike West has not done his homework in this particular case, but also, I would like to add, in some of his other attempts at debunking genuine UFO sightings, as, for example, the Tic Tac and the Gimbal videos. 

To be clear: I do not have anything personal against the people in the debunking business. I do not know them on a personal level, so how can I have an opinion about them as human beings? What I am against, is that some of their methods and approaches are disguised as critical thinking and (sound) scepticism. That is just as bad as blind faith that all UFOs are extraterrestrial or inter-dimensional, or whatever. 

It is quite possible to entertain two different thoughts/perspectives/opinions without believing or agreeing with any one of them. It is ok to say: I do not know, let me think about it. Furthermore, it is ok to admit: I was wrong (especially when confronted with new evidence or reasons which goes against one´s initial standpoint). 

This post is neither objective nor professional. It is more of a rant. I seldom let the nonsense in the ufo community get to me, but, I guess, everyone has a limit. 

Take care!

Janne