Former Intelligence Secretary Christopher Mellon's Fascination with UFO's | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Former government official reveals lifelong interest in UFOs and encounters political obstacles while trying to investigate sightings.

Key Insights

• 👽 Childhood encounter with a UFO sparked a lifelong interest in UFOs.
• ✳️ Political risks and stigma hindered investigations into UFO sightings within the government.
• ❓ The Robertson Panel in 1953 initiated intentional debunking of UFO reports.
• 🤗 Perception of discussing UFOs in Washington changed post-2017, granting permission for open dialogue.
• 🙂 Project Blue Book and Dr. Heineck's experiences shed light on intentional debunking of UFO sightings.
• 😀 UFO discussions faced challenges due to Cold War national security concerns.
• 🇨🇫 New York Times article in 2017 catalyzed a shift in public and governmental perception of UFO discussions.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Questions & Answers

Q: How did a childhood encounter with a UFO influence the speaker's interest in the subject?

The speaker's encounter with a UFO at a young age sparked a lifelong curiosity and interest in UFOs, leading to a continuous pursuit of information on the subject.

Q: What challenges did the speaker face in discussing UFO sightings within the government?

The speaker encountered political risks and challenges in raising the topic of UFO sightings within the government, where stigma and dismissal were common responses, limiting meaningful investigation.

Q: When did the perception of discussing UFOs in Washington change?

The perception changed after 2017, following the New York Times article that provided credibility and permission for individuals, even within the government, to openly discuss UFO sightings.

Q: What historical events contributed to the stigma surrounding UFO discussions?

The Robertson Panel commission in 1953 concluded that UFO reports could threaten national security, leading to intentional debunking and discrediting of UFO sightings, perpetuated through projects like Blue Book.

Summary

In this video, Jurgen interviewed a former government insider about his interest in UFOs and his experiences discussing the topic within government circles. The insider spoke about his early fascination with UFOs, his cautious approach to discussing the subject in government, and the changing perception of UFOs in recent years.

Questions & Answers

Q: When did the insider first become interested in UFOs?

The insider became interested in UFOs at a young age of seven when he saw a video of a UFO flying in the sky. This sparked his curiosity and led to a lifelong interest in the subject.

Q: Did the insider ask questions about UFOs while he was in government?

Yes, the insider waited for opportunities to ask about UFOs due to the stigma surrounding the topic. He once asked a colleague to inquire about UFO sightings at a tracking facility in Hawaii, which resulted in the discovery of a videotape showing strange objects. However, the response from authorities was limited, and the issue did not generate much further interest.

Q: Was it politically risky to discuss UFOs within the government?

Absolutely, the insider concealed his interest in UFOs for many years and confided in only a few trustworthy friends. The stigma attached to the subject could lead to dismissal or being labeled as a "loon." It was a politically sensitive issue that required careful handling.

Q: Did the insider ever bring up the topic of UFOs with President Clinton?

The insider received a request from President Clinton to find a tape of a UFO sighting at Edwards Air Force Base. However, the Air Force denied the existence of such a tape, leading to conflicting and irreconcilable information. This is a common occurrence in the field of UFO research.

Q: What was the perception of UFOs in Washington?

The perception has changed considerably in recent years. The general attitude has become more open, and people feel they have permission to discuss UFOs openly. This shift in perception came after the New York Times article in December 2017, which opened up the conversation about UFOs.

Q: When did the stigma surrounding UFOs begin?

The stigma can be traced back to the 1953 Robertson Panel Commission, which concluded that UFO reports could be a potential threat to national security. The commission recommended debunking and discrediting UFO sightings to avoid public spooking and manipulation by the Soviets. This led to the successful debunking efforts by the government, starting with Project Blue Book.

Q: Who was running Project Blue Book?

There were different people involved in Project Blue Book, but one notable figure was astronomer Dr. J. Allen Hynek. Initially, Dr. Hynek was instructed to debunk UFO cases, but he eventually became a believer himself and openly discussed his belief after leaving Project Blue Book.

Q: Did Dr. Hynek experience backlash for his debunking efforts?

Yes, Dr. Hynek faced criticism and embarrassment when he declared that a UFO sighting in Michigan was misconstrued as swamp gas. This led to Dr. Hynek changing his view publicly and becoming critical of Project Blue Book's approach.

Takeaways

The insider's experiences shed light on the early interest in UFOs, the cautious approach to discussing the topic within government circles, and the changing perception of UFOs in recent years. The stigma surrounding UFOs traces back to the government's efforts to debunk sightings in the 1950s. However, with increased media coverage and a more open attitude, the discussion about UFOs has become more acceptable and no longer requires secrecy.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Early childhood encounter with a UFO sparked lifelong curiosity.

• In government, discreetly sought out information on UFO sightings.

• Political risks and challenges in discussing UFOs within government and society.