As I began my research my main goal was to first find out about the UFO phenomenon in general. To my surprise, there were many websites dedicated to UFO’s and the many sub-topics that go along with UFO’s. It was quite obvious that I would need to narrow my search to focus in on a more specific topic within "UFO's."
I began a search of the different websites to see what each one contained. As a technique for these searches, I found that I had to explore many different search engines, things that I was really not familiar with until my research for this paper. It was in using these different search engines that I realized how greatly one differs from another. For example, when I looked up websites on America Online, I didn’t find nearly as many options as when I looked up websites on Alta Vista or Ask Jeeves.
As I proceeded with my search I knew that not only would I have to find my focused sub-topic about UFO’s but, I would have to find online communities where people gather to discuss these topics. I was on a mission...
After sifting through many of the websites that pertained to the UFO phenomenon, certain themes became quite clear to me. Some talked about the history of UFO’s, dedicating a good part of it’s site to area 51 and secret government cover-ups of alien autopsies. Others took on a more cult-like quality, focusing on prophecies sent to earth from alien beings. What I did notice, however, throughout most of the sights that I searched, were accounts of alien abductions. I thought this to be the perfect topic of research for the paper. Though it falls under the heading of UFO’s, it is specific enough to do intense and meaningful research.
As I journeyed into the world of alien abductions, I noticed that discussions on websites focused mostly on personal accounts as well as the debate of truth versus fiction. To first gain knowledge of my topic, I decided that my starting point would have to be the debate. From there I could look deeper into personal accounts of people who have been abducted and find the online communities in which they discuss their experiences. As I began, I searched for credible websites pertaining to discussions on this debate. The following is what I found...
A PBS website entitled "NOVA Online" dedicated a page to the phenomenon of alien abductions. There were links to interviews with three believers and three skeptics. The door was now open to begin my quest for knowledge on this phenomenon. I began with the believers.
Alien abduction, much like the existence of angels and ghosts, has created quite a debate over recent years. What I found in reading these interviews was the specifics on why each side believes what it does. Like I said, I began my research with the believers. John Mack, a psychiatrist from Harvard University, along with other believers, attempts to explain the validity of the these alien abductions at hand ("NOVA Online/Kidnapped By UFO's").
One of the most profound things that was uncovered was the similarity of the stories of abductees. Mack is very descriptive in his attempt to explain the experience of an abduction. He first tells of a blue light that surrounds the people in question, paralyzing them into a frozen state. The person will then be carried upward in a beam of light and be welcomed by alien beings. It is then that the abductee will be subject to surgical probes and procedures (i.e.: sperm and egg samples). Many abductees have reported coming into contact with hybrids...a cross between human and alien beings. It is believed that this is the reason that reproductive samples are being taken from humans. What is the reason for this hybrid? John Velez, and abductee who was interviewed by NOVA, feels that these alien beings have always been here. Velez believes that these aliens are incapable of reproduction. The hybrids are being created to keep their race from becoming extinct ("NOVA Online/Kidnapped By UFO’s?").
Another occurrence that has been described in abduction stories is the view of the destruction of the planet earth. Abductees have been shown, on television screens, scenes of the earth’s environment being destroyed--showing how pollution has killed the planet. With the creation of hybrids and these scenes of destruction that are shown to the abductees, it is a possibility that aliens are preparing to inhabit the earth after it’s destruction... for the sake of evolution ("NOVA Online/Kidnapped By UFO's?").
So I have been let in one side of the debate. Now it’s time to see what the skeptics say...
Thought there are many things that are associated with the alien abduction, skeptics of this phenomenon seem to believe that there is an explanation for every occurrence. The media portrays UFO’s and aliens in such a fashion that it creates specific, familiar images in the minds of "abductees." When looking at characteristics of these abductions, skeptics have a logical explanation ("NOVA Online/Kidnapped By UFO’s?").
John Mack, a believer mentioned earlier in the paper, has talked to many people who have claimed to have had an extraterrestrial experience. Many have said that they have woken up one morning with a distinct scar on their leg or other part of their body. They have no recollection of where or when they got the scar. They insist that it happened over night and while in contact with alien life. Well, skeptics like Philip Klass beg to differ. He argues that almost everyone has a scar somewhere on their body that they are not able to explain. In his mind, saying that a scar shows up overnight is a ridiculous claim ("NOVA Online/Kidnapped By UFO’s?").
And what about the devices that have been implanted into the many humans who have been abducted? This seems to be one of the characteristics common to this society of abductees. And while John Mack claims that no real physical evidence can be found, Philip Klass begs to differ yet again. If these abducees have been implanted with different devices, wouldn’t that serve as the physical evidence that is needed to prove the existence of extraterrestrials?("NOVA Online/Kidnapped By UFO’s?")
With every characteristic of an alien abduction, it seemed to be countered with an explanation by a skeptic. But, with a little bit of knowledge about each side, I now had the background to venture into online communities. I wanted to read accounts of people who claim to have been abducted by aliens. I wanted to chat with people about abduction and sightings. I wanted to be part of the action!
I began a new search on the Internet. I was now on the hunt for chat rooms and bulletin boards. I was thirsting to know more about these communities. I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to hold back and just observe conversations taking place or if I was going to be an actual participant in these conversations. I decided to play it by ear...do whatever felt right at the moment. I was sure I would obtain information about these communities no matter how I chose to do my investigation. And so I began...
My next step was to join a chat related to alien abduction. Unfortunately, my efforts were shot down. Though I did find many places on the Internet that allowed for chats related to UFO’s and alien abductions, I had absolutely no luck joining any of them. I found that I needed to have Java to be able to participate in a few of these online discussions. Since I apparently didn’t have Java on my home computer (where I did most of my research), I kept on with the search. I finally discovered a couple of places where I was permitted to obtain a character name and participate in a chat. Exhausted by my efforts and excited by the fact that I made it into a chat room, I logged on. To my utter disappointment, I was the only one in the room. I didn’t think much of it and told myself that there would be more people in the room later. Wrong. I tried throughout the day and night and still found no one in the room except myself.
Completely frustrated and yet still needing to discover a community, I stumbled across a website entitled, "Alien Abduction Experience and Research." Contained in this site was an "Alien Abduction Discussion Group." Perfect. I began reading as many different postings as I could--to get a well-rounded look at what this community is all about. I became a little skeptical when the first message was titled, "I’m from Mars!!" Despite my skepticism, I scrolled down a little further and began to read messages that appeared to be more on the serious side of matters ("AAER").
Not only do these people seem to share many characteristics of the abduction experience, but they share a sense of camaraderie and comfort among each other. If one person posted a concern about an experience or an opinion about a topic; many people would respond with answers to questions, similar stories or just a word of encouragement. I almost got the feeling that it was more of a support group than anything else. And, in doing the research on the abductions themselves, it seems quite appropriate that people would be searching for others with similar experiences. There is a need for explanation, for comfort, etc. And although I was not a part of this community, just by reading the postings and responses I felt an undeniable sense of community.
The process was long but well worth the effort. I came out of this paper learning three things. The first of these was online investigation and research. I became aware of the different search engines available on the Internet and how to edit my searches according to what I was looking for. For example, when I initially began my search I focused primarily on UFO’s. Having found that to be such a broad subject, I was able to narrow it down to a commonality I had found in many of the sites--alien abduction. Further still, after obtaining general information on alien abductions, I narrowed the search down further to chats about alien abduction.
I saw both the positive and negative sides of doing research on the Internet. As mentioned earlier on in the paper, I ran into problems when trying to join online chats. As someone who really only knows the basics about computers, I found it extremely frustrating to encounter roadblocks that I didn’t know how to get around.
The second thing I learned in this paper was the basic information I sought regarding alien abduction. As I said earlier in this paper, I wanted to be able to get the most amount of information in the least amount of time. I absolutely accomplished that goal. While investigating the NOVA website, I was able to obtain all of the information I desired about believers and skeptics of the UFO and alien phenomenon. It may have been beneficial to search through various websites trying to get the same kind of information from many different sources. However, having three sources representing each side (believer and skeptic) within one website gave me exactly what I was looking for.
The third and final thing I learned while doing this paper was the value of online community. Though I was not able to participate in and benefit from live chats with other people that are part of the community, reading the postings in the discussion group gave me the sense of community I was seeking. True, I have no way of validating what these people were saying. Each and every person could have been making up all of those stories about abduction. But that wasn’t the point. The point was that in this discussion group people answered each other’s questions, responded to ideas, gave encouragement and offered opinions. These are the characteristics of any kind of community. Millions of communities exist all over the world. As human beings we are lucky when we come into contact with one that is different from our own. I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to encounter this unique community and expand my own worldly knowledge.
