Originally Posted By: Shannow
http://rbth.ru/science_and_tech/2013/04/12/former_kgb_agent_reveals_soviet_ufo_studies_24927.html
Soviet Russia didn't have real scientists, only evil henchmen whose sole purpose was to destroy freedom loving Americans at all costs, so it doesn't count for this thread
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Something just occurred to me.
This thread is an excellent demonstration of how a person can get away with the wildest speculation just by using the language of "maybe." If you book-end your comments with phrases like "what if" and "I wouldn't be surprised," you can say whatever you want with impunity. If someone calls you out, all you have to do is accuse them of closed-mindedness -- because hey, all you're doing is pointing out possibilities, right?
This actually is completely fair and understandable to me, based on my understanding of the psychology of argumentation (I won't bore anyone with the details). It's still just a really bad way to get anywhere in a discussion.
My thoughts exactly. There is no point presenting logical arguments to someone who just lets their imagination run wild.
I thought I would give it one more try, but I think I'm done with this thread.
And perhaps that is the answer to the original question. Scientists did and still do study UFO phenomenon, but probably either do it in secret or abandon the idea after they deal with the "opposition" or the "believers"...
http://rbth.ru/science_and_tech/2013/04/12/former_kgb_agent_reveals_soviet_ufo_studies_24927.html
Soviet Russia didn't have real scientists, only evil henchmen whose sole purpose was to destroy freedom loving Americans at all costs, so it doesn't count for this thread
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Something just occurred to me.
This thread is an excellent demonstration of how a person can get away with the wildest speculation just by using the language of "maybe." If you book-end your comments with phrases like "what if" and "I wouldn't be surprised," you can say whatever you want with impunity. If someone calls you out, all you have to do is accuse them of closed-mindedness -- because hey, all you're doing is pointing out possibilities, right?
This actually is completely fair and understandable to me, based on my understanding of the psychology of argumentation (I won't bore anyone with the details). It's still just a really bad way to get anywhere in a discussion.
My thoughts exactly. There is no point presenting logical arguments to someone who just lets their imagination run wild.
I thought I would give it one more try, but I think I'm done with this thread.
And perhaps that is the answer to the original question. Scientists did and still do study UFO phenomenon, but probably either do it in secret or abandon the idea after they deal with the "opposition" or the "believers"...
