ALIEN FEVER: Growing UFO Belief Poses Risks

As reports of UFO sightings continue to rise, a new study warns that the growing belief in alien encounters is increasingly harmful to society. A paper by Tony Milligan, a philosopher at King’s College in London, claims that UFO conspiracies have gone from fringe speculation to a significant societal issue. His findings were recently published in the Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, and he cites concerning statistics from the United States.

• Nearly a quarter of Americans now believe they have witnessed a UFO, which Tony Milligan describes as a dangerous societal shift. The paper notes that public fascination with UFOs is at an all-time high, partially fueled by recent government disclosures about UAPs.
• The study emphasizes that belief in alien visitation is distorting public perception of legitimate scientific research, such as astrobiology. The focus on conspiracies has overshadowed more evidence-based studies of microbial life elsewhere in the cosmos.
• Milligan warns that UFO beliefs are undermining trust in democratic institutions, especially when combined with theories that the U.S. government is withholding information about extraterrestrial life. This distrust could have long-term effects on political stability.

According to Tony Milligan, the rise in public belief about UFOs and aliens has moved from being a quirky cultural phenomenon to a real societal issue. Citing recent statistics, Milligan’s research reveals that nearly a quarter of Americans now claim to have seen a UFO. This belief, he argues, is being dangerously amplified by federal disclosures and congressional hearings about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). These events, while meant to bring transparency, have instead inflamed public fascination and conspiracies about alien encounters. Milligan suggests that these beliefs are now more than just harmless speculation; they are starting to have serious consequences on public trust in government institutions and science.

The paper also points out that UFO-related conspiracies are interfering with legitimate science, particularly in the field of astrobiology, which studies the potential for life on other planets. According to Milligan, scientific research on microbial life in faraway planets and within our solar system is being overshadowed by UFO conspiracies. These theories, although lacking evidence, often have louder and more sensationalized publicity than serious scientific efforts to discover extraterrestrial life. Milligan’s work highlights how this noise could be detrimental to genuine scientific discourse and exploration.

In addition to its impact on science, Milligan warns that the increase in UFO beliefs could also have broader social implications. He mentions that alien conspiracy theories, especially those suggesting government cover-ups, are causing people to lose trust in democratic institutions. A Gallup poll from 2019 found that 68% of Americans believe the U.S. government is hiding information about UFOs. This distrust is particularly alarming as it comes at a time when political stability is crucial. Milligan warns that unchecked belief in alien visitation and government secrecy could fuel further division and skepticism about the functioning of political institutions.

Term	Definition
UFO	Unidentified Flying Object, often associated with sightings of alien spacecraft, though lacking conclusive evidence.
Astrobiology	The scientific study of life in the universe, focusing on the search for microbial extraterrestrial life.
Tony Milligan	A philosopher at King’s College London, researching ethics and societal issues related to UFOs and space exploration.
UAP	Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, a term used by the U.S. government to refer to unexplained objects in the sky.
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union	A scientific journal where Tony Milligan’s paper on UFO conspiracies was published.
Gallup poll	A well-known polling organization that revealed 68% of Americans believe the government is hiding UFO information.
Conspiracy theory	A belief that events or situations are the result of a secret plot by powerful groups, often involving government secrecy.
Extraterrestrial life	Life that may exist outside of Earth, potentially in other planets or solar systems.
King’s College London	A leading UK university where Tony Milligan conducts his research in philosophy and ethics.

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