In a full-show appearance, veteran UFO observer and reporter Keith Thompson discussed complexities surrounding UFO phenomena, including sightings, government responses, researchers' interpretations, and the fields of consciousness and the paranormal. He highlighted the government's typical response to UFO sightings, which often downplays the significance of these events. Their pattern, he said, has repeated throughout the UFO phenomenon since 1947: "Go away, people. There's nothing to be seen here." He pondered whether the current drone phenomenon (such as mysterious sightings over NJ) could be a test of public reaction, suggesting that non-human intelligence might be observing human responses to these ambiguous situations.
Thompson emphasized the need to reassess the terminology surrounding UFOs, noting that the shift from "UFO" to "UAP" (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) was an attempt by the Pentagon to distance itself from the stigma associated with extraterrestrial life. He pointed out that "UFO means unidentified flying object," yet the term has become conflated with extraterrestrial narratives, limiting our understanding of the phenomenon. He also touched on the cultural implications of UFOs, stating, "The deeper you dig into it, the wider the discussion gets." He urged listeners to consider the broader historical context, hinting at connections between UFOs and ancient myths, as explored in Jacques Vallee's work.
Drawing parallels between UFO experiences and shamanic traditions, he compared some UFO encounters to unusual states of consciousness, like a near-death experience he had in Hawaii. In comprehending the topic, he advocated for thinking beyond conventional boundaries. "Some of what were called UFOs are probably interdimensional rather than extraterrestrial," he continued. Addressing his influence on Dr. John Mack, the late Harvard psychiatrist who studied alien abduction phenomena, Mack told Thompson that if he had not read his book Angels & Aliens (published in 1991), he might not have gone down the road of delving into the subject.
Thompson spoke about his research into the 1994 Ariel School incident in Zimbabwe, where over 60 children reported an encounter with extraterrestrial beings, and the profound psychological impact of this experience that followed some of the witnesses into adulthood, such as Emily Trim. The conversation shifted to the political landscape surrounding UFO disclosure, with Thompson recounting his involvement with Lawrence Rockefeller in efforts to persuade the Clinton administration to release information about UFOs.