Do UFO posts really belong here?

January 22, 2006 12:20 PM

Is Metafilter an appropriate place to promote UFO myths? Especially from extremely dodgy sources. I think this stuff (like the recent top ufo photos post, and other ufology junk) are something of the worst of the web, not the best. Is this what mefites want?
posted by skallas to Etiquette/Policy at 12:20 PM (55 comments total)

Yes. Why not?
posted by Snyder at 12:25 PM on January 22, 2006

Indeed, why not? The video, if you can get it to play, is curious enough. Isn't this kind of thing self-policing anyway? I mean, if it doesn't generate any conversation/comments, it would be obvious if it's what MeFites want, yes?
posted by undule at 12:29 PM on January 22, 2006

I'm not saying we should crack down on things I dont find believable. In fact, I think the recent 9/11 conspiracy theory post is pretty on-topic here. It may not be the best of the web but:

1. There are real people making real claims. Using their real names. They state x, y, and z. X, y, and z may be garbage but at least someone is taking a stand.

The UFO posts tend to not have these things. Just a quickie ebaum-like "Check this shizz out!!!" With the unsaid assumption that is all about aliens, and grays, or whatever.

A single link to some blurry video is just a bad FPP in itself. Well, two videos this time, the second one is to remind us that this isn't a meteor.

A good UFO post, if such a thing exists, would involve links to people talking about ufology, their claims, their beliefs, and perhaps a rebuttal.

These drive-by "spacemen might be among us, Scully" posts are terrible.
posted by skallas at 12:29 PM on January 22, 2006

>>if it doesn't generate any conversation/comment

Bulk of commenary is kinda useless. Something very controversial like a video of decapitation would generate lots of comments. The quality of comments is pretty telling. Half are jokes the other half are about other explanations than the UFO hypothesis. What are people supposed to talk about from some contextless blurry video unless the context is "This is proof aliens are among us" or some other real claim.
posted by skallas at 12:33 PM on January 22, 2006

Skallas, you have a good point -- but then I've always figured there will always be a section of metafilter which generates and enjoys "drive-by" FPP's and snarky one line comments. I sympathize with your position, particularly the "a good ufo post, would involve" bits -- but it all seems harmless and whimsical so long as it doesn't become the dominant trend.

Then again, I've been guilty of trolly one line snarks myself, so I'm leery of casting around blackened pots.

Ah also, what about this post? It seems more or less structurally identical to the one you called out, but without the shade of psuedo-science. Do you object to it as well?
posted by undule at 12:43 PM on January 22, 2006

Add it to the Frown Upon column!
posted by Captaintripps at 12:43 PM on January 22, 2006

Is this what mefites want?

yes. no. indifferent.
posted by shmegegge at 12:46 PM on January 22, 2006

skallas, treat us to a y2k-like UFO post which backs up your skepticism and a grateful MeFi will fawn upon you. Really, it seems like a round-up of ufology liks and sites met with a round-up of Randian objections would be a killer post.
posted by mwhybark at 12:50 PM on January 22, 2006

No worse and no better as a topic than any other. Call it an exercise in critical thinking, if you must.

Slightly mystifying, this thread is.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:54 PM on January 22, 2006

look there are no UFO's.

now, on to a more important question: can anyone explain this anal probe I found this morning?
posted by jonmc at 1:42 PM on January 22, 2006

can anyone explain this anal probe I found this morning?

Yeah, but that costs extra.

Seriously, since when have UFO / Paranormal / Conspiracy Theories not been the best of the web? This post baffles me.
posted by Jimbob at 1:45 PM on January 22, 2006

Weird, "promoting" ufo stuff is bad? It's freaking UFO stuff. I treat it exactly like stories about bigfoot, the loch ness monster, and the dutch... all completely false, made up stuff. Is it really that hard to keep true and fake stuff separate in our minds?

Leave it to people reading to get the joke and blow it off as silly instead of worrying about any possible promotion of alternate realities.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 1:46 PM on January 22, 2006

bigfoot, the loch ness monster, and the dutch

Lollerskates.
posted by gleuschk at 1:47 PM on January 22, 2006

The anal probe question belongs in AskMeFi.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:51 PM on January 22, 2006

Yeah, but that costs extra.

Well, I was drunk in the West Village the other night. I can't help it oif I'm irresistible.
posted by jonmc at 1:54 PM on January 22, 2006

UFOs,
looney WTC 7 bombing theories, and now
Flight 93 shootdown nonsense comes along.

Is it a full moon? Why did all the loonies come out at once?
posted by caddis at 1:56 PM on January 22, 2006

Yeah, looks like a front page tinfoil trifecta.
posted by fixedgear at 1:57 PM on January 22, 2006

There was some seriously funny stuff in this Bigfoot thread from last month. "Should I say 'Enhance!' out-loud to my computer and everything'll become clear?" Still makes me laugh out loud.
posted by Gator at 1:59 PM on January 22, 2006

MetaFilter: Tip of the Hat to Timecube Dude. Wag of the Finger to UFO Dude.

Because consistency, it ain't in our vocabulary.
posted by five fresh fish at 2:07 PM on January 22, 2006

Well, we all just need to keep an open mind, y'know, I think if we can all just agree to get along, see each others points here, it could mean a whole new enlightenment for our society. Plus we could use more sexy midgets.
posted by mk1gti at 2:10 PM on January 22, 2006

The linked thread is fine. This one sucks.

Since you asked what MeFites want, I'll suggest that at least a few of us would like to see less enthusiasm for "tattling" on other members about what's appropriate for the site. If you absolutely must object, flag it and move on. But it'd be better if you could skip the first step.
posted by cribcage at 2:31 PM on January 22, 2006

What cribcage said. Also, this whole post is part of a bigger conspiracy to silence the mortals. Don't tell them anything.
posted by sjvilla79 at 2:37 PM on January 22, 2006

Obviously, skallas thinks we're all too stupid to think for ourselves and to decide whether something is worth considering or not.
posted by crunchland at 2:58 PM on January 22, 2006

I think he's afraid it's really Ezekiel's Wheel.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:46 PM on January 22, 2006

I think Skallas is actually worried that we'll Uncover the Truth. Whose side are you on, pal? ETs go home! If this was V I think we all know who Skallas would be, the dirty quisling. What did they promise you - your own planet near Kolob? Hovertank? What did it cost to sell out your species to the aliens' (literal) astroturf campaign, and when the Earth is a meatfarm for Greys will it seem worth it?
posted by freebird at 4:34 PM on January 22, 2006

I think Skallas is actually worried that we'll Uncover the Truth.

That extraterrestrials run the TV networks? We knew that.
posted by jonmc at 4:39 PM on January 22, 2006

I'll suggest that at least a few of us would like to see less enthusiasm for "tattling" on other members about what's appropriate for the site.

Good god, yes.
posted by five fresh fish at 4:53 PM on January 22, 2006

Seriously, since when have UFO / Paranormal / Conspiracy Theories not been the best of the web? This post baffles me.

This comment baffles me. UFO / Paranormal / Conspiracy Theories are childish tripe; if that's what Mefites want to see on the front page, more power to them, but I'd rather see it full of techie posts, and I don't even like techie posts.
posted by languagehat at 4:55 PM on January 22, 2006

For about half the people here a wacky UFO post would be a self link.
posted by srboisvert at 4:56 PM on January 22, 2006

Mind, I've been led to believe that skallas has good reason to be, ah, 'sensitive' about the topic of anal-probing aliens.
posted by five fresh fish at 4:56 PM on January 22, 2006

Why not? What are you afraid of? What are you trying to cover up? THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!
posted by loquacious at 5:00 PM on January 22, 2006

If-and-only-if by "OUT THERE" you mean meatfarms, robot hyperdrive cattlecars filled with the preserved flesh of countless millions, and Ancient Galactic Masters to whom the extermination of a planet is but the work of a soon forgotten moment.

I want to know what the Government is doing about the hyperdrive cattlecars - I suggest writing your congressperson but with a fake name because You Never Know.
posted by freebird at 5:13 PM on January 22, 2006

In this case, it's "THE TRUTH IS IN THERE!"

And like most truths, it's gonna be a little discomforting.
posted by five fresh fish at 5:26 PM on January 22, 2006

My congressperson with a fake name? You're right - I never know.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:27 PM on January 22, 2006

>>What did they promise you - your own planet near Kolob?

No, no, nothing like that. Just an island. You know it as Australia.
posted by skallas at 5:35 PM on January 22, 2006

Kolob? Don't you mean Molod?
posted by Captaintripps at 6:05 PM on January 22, 2006

What Languagehat said. There seems to be widespread agreement that it was a bad post. Why not nuke the sucker?
posted by LarryC at 7:07 PM on January 22, 2006

Because people believe stuff like this.
posted by skallas at 7:18 PM on January 22, 2006

It's called evolution, man. People who believe shit like that are doomed.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:30 PM on January 22, 2006

we're all doomed. why sweat the details?
posted by jonmc at 7:44 PM on January 22, 2006

I'm just upset at the rense.com ad for a psychic pill. WTF, an oral psychic pill? When did this happen? I've been taking the suppository for years!
posted by skallas at 8:10 PM on January 22, 2006

It's speculation: neither true, nor false, nor verifyable. Live and let live.
posted by moonbird at 9:10 PM on January 22, 2006

Kolob is Elohim's (big G) god's, home planet,in Mormon mythology,and the title of a hymn "If I Could Hi' to Kolob" just so you know. also a part of Zion NP. on preview I prefer
Molad.
posted by hortense at 9:24 PM on January 22, 2006

Hyperdrive Cattlecars is the name of my new band. All of our lyrics are lifted from Douglas Adams books.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:56 PM on January 22, 2006

Young Zaphod Plays It Safe, A Short Story By Douglas Adams
posted by hortense at 10:35 PM on January 22, 2006

posted by quonsar at 10:56 PM on January 22, 2006

UFO myths

party pooper
posted by matteo at 12:10 AM on January 23, 2006

That picture of quonsar's has to be a fake. Everybody knows you can't get cinnamon rolls in outer space.
posted by languagehat at 5:22 AM on January 23, 2006

[cancels trip to outer space]
posted by ND¢ at 6:20 AM on January 23, 2006

Show a little initiative, ND¢. Start a CinnaBon franchise up there. "In space, no one can hear you order the MochaLatta Chill™ and make fun of you for being a girly-boy as a result."
posted by Gator at 6:34 AM on January 23, 2006

Let's post every freaking Art Belly thing we can find, people!
posted by cellphone at 8:21 AM on January 23, 2006

I'm against removing that FPP because:

1. We would not see Skallas' masterful post.
posted by storybored at 8:41 AM on January 23, 2006

I'm beginning to think that Pretty Generic has hacked Skallas' uid.
posted by crunchland at 8:43 AM on January 23, 2006

2. Also there is an educational component here. There are plenty of folks who may be new/passing thru MeFi who haven't made up their minds or who have not been exposed to the skeptical side.

3. As a skeptic, i find it interesting to see the human side of weirdness and why people believe weird things. I don't want to go looking for it because there's plenty out there. But having the occasional MeFi look-in suits me well.
posted by storybored at 8:46 AM on January 23, 2006

Like cats, aliens are terrified of vacuum cleaners...
posted by Captaintripps at 9:08 AM on January 23, 2006