Serious UFO Researchers: How do you cope with the ridicule factor?

I have spent a lot of my time these last few years researching the UFO topic, and it is becoming more and more obvious to me that I just can't casually mention UFOs. I have to keep quiet about something that occupies a lot of my time. I often find myself outright avoiding the topic in company. This creates yet another element of secrecy, which just adds to the potential ridicule.

How do you cope? Do you have any stories or advice?

I wouldn't say I am a "real" researcher. I couldn't care less if the world knows about this stuff or not. I just want to know the truth. My biggest critic growing up was my grandfather. He was stuck in his ways, so I never argued. The only question he ever had was, "Where do they put all their sh** with all the time in travel?"

As far as everyone else I've had discussions about this, I always made sure that they understood that this was all theory, but the stories dictate as such... This helps open minds by not letting them out and out admit they believe in UFOs, but let's them open their minds more like a detective trying to figure out a crime scene. You'd be surprised how many regular folks come up with some great ideas when they are in speculation mode, and not in "must protect my point of view" mode.

Seems you have run into trouble. Don't stop just because other people can't or will not consider the subject. At this time there are no official ways to find out about aliens that has any true accuracy or validity at this time.

Some people just have a hard time accepting the subject. Those that are a bit lacking on observation will miss that the reaction that many people have and the reason this subject remains underground as much as it does is because of an unspoken factor. People are afraid of aliens. This may seem illogical to some but that is because it is illogical. There is no known and truly valid reason for why people would dodge the subject like this and thus it remains at the back of peoples minds and if brought to their attention will get a reaction that is out of place and is nothing more then an effort to dodge the subject. Don't take the reaction or what people say wrongly, it is not you they have a problem with, it is the subject and you are speaking it.

This subject is touchy. There is in fact a subconscious factor involved that reeks havoc on people at this time. And a effort on the part of people to subjugate subjects that are all too often related to insanity. It becomes a point of respecting people wishes. This subject has hidden subconscious factors that are not at this time understood.

The fact is that no civilization is possible without a level of sanity on the part of it's people. This and a number of other subjects has in the past proven that it is a source for irrational behavior. So putting it down and keeping it down is a moral obligation. And morals by their nature are not always rational and this point becomes more so as time enters in and things change. Morals are not evaluated logic, for a moral to form logic had to become lacking.

Not everyone has the same reaction to aliens. Not everyone starts seeing things that are clearly not there where aliens are involved. This moral activity is keeping a subject that deserves serious study form getting the attention it deserves.

Here are a few rules to live by as you research the subject:

Do not accept that aliens are not real just because others are not willing to seriously consider the subject.

Do not attempt to start a conversation with another on the subject of aliens unless you already know they have an interest in the subject. Assume they are not interested.

Public sites like this one are a fine place to speak your mind and talk on aliens as people that come there do have an interest. Feel free to ask questions and seek your own interpretation.

Realize there is no reason of any kind that life can't exist completely independent of this planet and humans.

As public recognition that space is real and not all empty filters into general awareness, interest in what it contains is inevitable. But the subject is highly irrational. Many people will bring "evidence" and personal accounts that should not be taken at face value, it is you and you alone that must filter reality form fiction. At this time the subject has very little fact and is thus mostly conjecture. Interpret it as such but seek more fact minded sources.

As this subject relates to things that man has yet to understand, you will hear of phenomenon that can not be understood. Realize that anything is possible but when a person speaks of something he does not understand it really becomes impossible. Do not judge on the basis of what you think is real, judge it as an account form someone that has a (and often very poor) understanding of what he saw. Reality has no exclusive laws, just exclusive circumstances.

Personal integrity is the recognition that you have perceived something and are willing to speak it to others, but that does not mean others always want to hear it. Know what you know and be willing to speak what you know, you may however need to find others that are willing to receive what you have to say. This however should not compromise your personal integrity.

If someone is persistently harassing you in an effort to lower your public reputation or to harm your personal integrity, that person is insane and you should separate from that person. All it takes to blind a person into thinking he is getting endless attacks is an assault on a person's willingness to perceive or speak. Recognition of the source of harassment and separation form it will resolve the need to "cope" and end any overwhelming aspect.

This post has been edited by ScottMan: May 6 2008, 02:47 AM

In the many decades I have studied and researched this subject, I have rarely had trouble speaking about it with people.
I have on occasions turned hard nosed, joking, skeptics into believers.

A lot of the response you get, will depend greatly on how you open the subject up to them.
If you do not know their stance on the subject, I found it goes well to open up by talking about some reports that were mere pranks and gradually nove to the most reliable of reports and the declassified documents that were blackened out. This works by introducing them to a report they easily can believe but you gradually bring them to a point they have a difficult time to laugh at.
I have found that many open skeptics are actual believers, but they fear the idea of alien visitors thus acting as a fun-poking skeptic helps them to deal with it. I know this because I got a few beers in some over the years...and they opened up.