Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind
In J. Allen Hynek’s 1972 book, The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry, he created a now infamous Close Encounter Scale to begin to measure and classify the types of experiences people would have with UFOs. Close encounters of the first kind were visual sightings of a UFO less than 500 feet, Close encounters of the second kind are UFO events in which a physical effect is alleged, for example, physiological effect or affected vegetation. Finally, the third kid was UFO encounters in which an entity is present, such as humanoids, robots, or even humans who seemingly seem to be pilots or otherwise in the UFO. But, since that’s been published additional classifications have been added, including Close encounters of the fifth kind.
Close encounters of the fifth kind are unique and strange and refer to human-initiated contact with extraterrestrial life forms and can claim direct communication between these aliens and humans. It was first coined by Steven M. Greer. Dr. Greer is a physicist and is considered an authority on the subject of UFOs. He had decades of experience providing briefings for government officials across the globe, lectures, and documentaries reviewing his work. Close Encounters do not only assume that alien visitation is real, but that they communicate with us. In his documentary, of the same name, Dr. Greer shows countless videos of the night sky with strange lights in specific formations. He believes this may be the aliens trying to check in with us, by communicating something with light and movement. But, we haven't figured out how to answer back. In particular, Dr. Greer and the documentary focus on the fact that this communication has been hidden or obscured by the government. Why? Because of national security the "national security state" has obscured this to save the knowledge for themselves.
However, the concept of the importance of Fifth Kind experiences isn’t wholly owned by Dr. Greer. In fact, we’ve seen it in countless movies, like Arrival, play out the importance (and difficulty) the communicating with aliens who may be far more advanced than us (and avoid any violence or war in the meantime).
In April 2020, the Defense Department infamously released videos recorded by infrared cameras on U.S. Navy aircraft that documented the planes’ encounters with a variety of “unidentified aerial phenomena.” There were plenty of reports from pilots who reported seeing objects flying across the sky at hypersonic speeds and changing direction almost instantaneously, capabilities far beyond that of any known aircraft. While we’ve pondered about what these could be…what if they were trying to visit us to communicate something?
But, that's going to change. Every year we get more and more technologically sophisticated and the likelihood of being able to reach and communicate with aliens, we also run the risk of communicating poorly and perhaps bringing catastrophic consequences to fruition. Without oversight, and plenty of hobbyists with access to surprisingly complex equipment, the chance of unfettered access increases.
While we have sent out signals before, it is incredibly risky. I mean, we have our own history here on earth to prove that: when civilizations with unequal technology and no similar language meet...catastrophe often follows. Exposing ourselves is an initiation to potentially be preyed upon. Or, who knows, if it goes well maybe we'll reap the benefits of contact with a more advanced society. Douglas Vakoch of METI International argues that it’s unrealistic to worry about the danger of an alien invasion. We have, after all, been sending radio and television emissions into space for a century, and a civilization far more advanced than our own will probably have already detected these. However, Vakosh argues that we shouldn't cease sending out signals. In fact, he believes that without the chance of contact, we may be missing out which could enhance our sustainability, especially regarding the environment.
While no prohibitions or guidelines currently exist on how we communicate (or try to) with aliens, we may want to reconsider this. SETI is currently recording more signals than ever before but we still don't know how close (or far) we are from making contact. But, with the current funding, technology, and team behind SETI, it is estimated that our chances are at least 100 times greater than they were in the last decade or so.
But what would these rules be? How should we communicate with aliens? And what protocols should we put in order to protect those who may one day experience Close encounters of the fifth kind?
That remains up in the air.
Thanks to Emily F. for suggesting this blogstonishing topic!
The image depicts the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), a satellite hoping to find proof of life on other planets deep into space. As part of camera commissioning, the science team snapped a two-second test exposure using one of the four TESS cameras. The image, centered on the southern constellation Centaurus, reveals more than 200,000 stars. The edge of the Coalsack Nebula is in the right upper corner and the bright star Beta Centauri is visible at the lower left edge. TESS is expected to cover more than 400 times as much sky as shown in this image with its four cameras during its initial two-year search for exoplanets. This file is in the public domain in the United States because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted".
