It is a wonderful experience to get the
opinion of a very selective group of people at an international level and get
them together giving answers to just 8 questions referred to the Unusual Aerial
Phenomena.
We give a big thanks to all those colleagues
who are answering our survey and we are very pleased to present to you their
ideas. We hope that what they say would be useful to you in your own work with
the U.A.P. and that their criteria would help to shape your own one.
We continue today the publication of the
answers of these colleagues, and we are doing so in the order they were
received.
DR.
ROBERTO E. BANCHS
His interest in UFOs starts with the rise of
astronautics and space, to define his line of research as a psychology imbued
by the social. He focuses his interest in the psyche and human behavior. His
purpose has been to carry out a task of clarification of the reports presented
and learn what these episodes reveal.
In the field of ufology, he developed a pioneering activity characterized by a scientific or rational approach, including a laureate doctoral thesis on the UFO phenomenon. His work is very extensive. It covers from the global study of casuistry (starting with the first catalog of sightings, essays on the historical-cultural development of the phenomenon, analysis of the waves, of the journalistic information, of the psychological evaluation of the witness and its report, etc.) , up to the investigation of classic cases and high strangeness, exposed in the monograph The Identified.
It has six published books, offering different and complementary visions, defined by the evolution of the investigative process. In his first book, "Evidence of the UFO phenomenon", he presents the distinctive features of the phenomenon, as links in a chain. The challenge was to baste them all, in search of an answer. In "The UFOs and their occupants" he offers the cases of the highest strangeness (EC3), occurred in Argentina, giving the keys to interpreting what these stories mean and the phenomenon as a whole. It will be followed by a project of several years, partially materialized in the monograph titled "The Identified", imposing himself to travel all corners of the country, interviewing witnesses and investigating in situ where the vast repertoire of reports referring to the Argentine casuistry on UFOs with occupants was produced.
In "UFOs - Pilgrims of Silence", after a detailed examination, he proposes a research method based on the so-called experiential ufology (of direct experiences), where -without adhering to any explanatory attempt- he formulates the systematic and behavioral study of the perceptive stimuli, testing their presumed responsiveness. It is followed by "Unusual Aerial Phenomena - A Biopsychosocial Approach", the first work that an Argentine university publisher dedicates to the problem, in which it presents UFOs as an eidetic phenomenon, that is, with a social and discursive existence, while at the same time approach us decidedly to the investigation of the human percipient and the environment in which these events are reported.
Faced with the need to investigate the genesis of this unique phenomenon that bursts into the culture of the twentieth century, he makes a contribution to the thematic historiography, through the "Biographical guide of Argentina ufology - the first twenty-five years (1947-1972)" , a condensed biographical record of ufologists and a description of the bibliographic material published in that period, with an annex where it examines the social plot in which the flying saucers appear, taking into account the public and journalistic repercussion that the news had during 1947 in Argentina and other South American countries. A retrospective glance, far from the context in which the facts have been developed.-
1.
Do you use the acronym UFO or other designation, and if so, why?
The word in Spanish "OVNI", equivalent to the English denomination
"UFO", used by the United States Air Force, was adopted for the first
time in Castilian speech at the proposal of the director of the Argentine
Aeronautics Library, Vice-Commodore Juan José Güiraldes, in a series of three
articles written by Army Captain (R) Jorge Milberg, favorable to the
extraterrestrial hypothesis, for the National Aeronautics Magazine, between
April and May 1955, under the title "Believe or not believe", and in
the translation of the book of Major (R) Donald E. Keyhoe "Flying saucers
from outer space", edited for the Argentine Aeronautical Collection, of
the Argentine Air Force.
This word comes from the criteria used by the USAF commissions in their research programs which tended to pragmatically eliminate reports to conventional identification categories. Thus, there remained a residual category of reports of cases for which no explanation had been found. In the case of an essentially technical task, the lack of identification placed these unusual episodes out of the focus of interest. The purpose was to identify the phenomena reported, on the presumption that something new might be found or that it would pose a risk to national security, and not specifically to dedicate itself to the scientific task of examining that set. Over the years, due more to public pressure and commissioned by the U.S. Air Force, the subject would be derived to the University of Colorado.
For many years the original popular expression of "flying saucers", translated throughout the world, had been used. However, it downplayed remained seriousness and requiring a more appropriate and formal speech, it extends until to impose by itself the acronym OVNI (UFO), already applied by official commissions, although the social sub-significance acquired from the beginning remains. In effect, this aseptic voice is not at the popular level. Surveys indicate that, in general, when talking about UFOs they are referring to "manned extraterrestrial ships", or its variants; assigning even purposes or objectives. (monitoring, help, exploration, etc.).
The frequent use allows me to nominalize, in the 70s, the acronym U.F.O. for "ufo". In the same way that had been words like radar, laser, AIDS, and others.
A definition, however, must explain what the term means, and not what it does not mean; there are too many things that do not mean that a negative definition can cover all of them. It is about finding an operational labeling where they are not introduced speculative or conjectural elements, nor subscribe to any of the explanatory hypotheses conceived. And make it clear that it is focused on the witness.
To that effect, I have proposed the following preliminary definition:
"It is the stimulus that originates a report on the observation of a phenomenon (object or lights) seen in the terrestrial sphere that, by its appearance or dynamic behavior, can not be identified by the human percipient in conventional or known terms".
The most appropriate technical expression is "unusual aerial phenomenon". Let's see the scope of each term:
Phenomenon, as any manifestation that is expressed in consciousness, of any nature. In philosophy, the phenomenon (of the Greek: appearance, manifestation) is the aspect that things offer before our senses; that is, the first contact you have with things, in what is called experience.
Aerial, adjective that has its origin in the Latin word aereus and that makes mention of that belonging or relative to the air. By extension, it will be used to name the environment in which these phenomena usually develop.
Unusual, an adjective that comes from the Latin inusuālis; prefix in privation or negation and from the Latin usuālis which means usual. It is said of a fact, event, occurrence, element or a particular thing that is not usual, frequent, ordinary, customary, habitual, common, normal or current.
I do not agree with the widespread word "anomaly", applied to this matter. Although something strange, rare, unusual, etc. can be interpreted as anomalous, as abnormally (outside the norms, of the norm), in the epistemological field of the sciences, the term is applied in a strict sense , according to the theory of Thomas Kuhn, exposed in his work “The Structure of Scientific Revolution”. There he explains that the perception of an anomaly understood as a fact that puts into question fundamental aspects of knowledge, inaugurates a stage of crisis that can lead to a scientific revolution.
Although not all anomalies cause serious conflicts, the word "anomaly" is too excessive to define or designate "UFOs", as there are no concrete indications, still less proven, that they are outside the norms of science. The laws do not stumble or are in trouble to explain the observations. Not all momentarily unexplained phenomena are anomalies. Most of the difficulties faced by scientific researchers are settled with the tools and processes of the paradigm (set of valid theories, accepted and in force).
In the event that, in the set of reports on unusual observations, an anomaly that generates a crisis is detected, scientists will then have to dedicate their efforts to test different methods and develop new theories to solve the crisis, establishing a new model or paradigm.
In short, in ordinary terms, I use the acronym U.F.O., but when I apply it in a technical or scientific framework, I usually use the term unusual aerial phenomena.
This word comes from the criteria used by the USAF commissions in their research programs which tended to pragmatically eliminate reports to conventional identification categories. Thus, there remained a residual category of reports of cases for which no explanation had been found. In the case of an essentially technical task, the lack of identification placed these unusual episodes out of the focus of interest. The purpose was to identify the phenomena reported, on the presumption that something new might be found or that it would pose a risk to national security, and not specifically to dedicate itself to the scientific task of examining that set. Over the years, due more to public pressure and commissioned by the U.S. Air Force, the subject would be derived to the University of Colorado.
For many years the original popular expression of "flying saucers", translated throughout the world, had been used. However, it downplayed remained seriousness and requiring a more appropriate and formal speech, it extends until to impose by itself the acronym OVNI (UFO), already applied by official commissions, although the social sub-significance acquired from the beginning remains. In effect, this aseptic voice is not at the popular level. Surveys indicate that, in general, when talking about UFOs they are referring to "manned extraterrestrial ships", or its variants; assigning even purposes or objectives. (monitoring, help, exploration, etc.).
The frequent use allows me to nominalize, in the 70s, the acronym U.F.O. for "ufo". In the same way that had been words like radar, laser, AIDS, and others.
A definition, however, must explain what the term means, and not what it does not mean; there are too many things that do not mean that a negative definition can cover all of them. It is about finding an operational labeling where they are not introduced speculative or conjectural elements, nor subscribe to any of the explanatory hypotheses conceived. And make it clear that it is focused on the witness.
To that effect, I have proposed the following preliminary definition:
"It is the stimulus that originates a report on the observation of a phenomenon (object or lights) seen in the terrestrial sphere that, by its appearance or dynamic behavior, can not be identified by the human percipient in conventional or known terms".
The most appropriate technical expression is "unusual aerial phenomenon". Let's see the scope of each term:
Phenomenon, as any manifestation that is expressed in consciousness, of any nature. In philosophy, the phenomenon (of the Greek: appearance, manifestation) is the aspect that things offer before our senses; that is, the first contact you have with things, in what is called experience.
Aerial, adjective that has its origin in the Latin word aereus and that makes mention of that belonging or relative to the air. By extension, it will be used to name the environment in which these phenomena usually develop.
Unusual, an adjective that comes from the Latin inusuālis; prefix in privation or negation and from the Latin usuālis which means usual. It is said of a fact, event, occurrence, element or a particular thing that is not usual, frequent, ordinary, customary, habitual, common, normal or current.
I do not agree with the widespread word "anomaly", applied to this matter. Although something strange, rare, unusual, etc. can be interpreted as anomalous, as abnormally (outside the norms, of the norm), in the epistemological field of the sciences, the term is applied in a strict sense , according to the theory of Thomas Kuhn, exposed in his work “The Structure of Scientific Revolution”. There he explains that the perception of an anomaly understood as a fact that puts into question fundamental aspects of knowledge, inaugurates a stage of crisis that can lead to a scientific revolution.
Although not all anomalies cause serious conflicts, the word "anomaly" is too excessive to define or designate "UFOs", as there are no concrete indications, still less proven, that they are outside the norms of science. The laws do not stumble or are in trouble to explain the observations. Not all momentarily unexplained phenomena are anomalies. Most of the difficulties faced by scientific researchers are settled with the tools and processes of the paradigm (set of valid theories, accepted and in force).
In the event that, in the set of reports on unusual observations, an anomaly that generates a crisis is detected, scientists will then have to dedicate their efforts to test different methods and develop new theories to solve the crisis, establishing a new model or paradigm.
In short, in ordinary terms, I use the acronym U.F.O., but when I apply it in a technical or scientific framework, I usually use the term unusual aerial phenomena.
2) Have your idea about UFOs changed along the time?
My
first written essay, very modest, is called "False interpretations."
There I present various journalistic reports that were easily explained:
balloons, astronomical bodies, etc. The attitude of separating the noise to isolate the signal, which would properly be a
genuine phenomenon, was always present in my years of research.
I
always inquired from different viewpoints, perspectives. Freedom of thought
should not be limited for such a complex and challenging phenomenon. What's
there, after the "unidentified"? Going all the way to nothing is a
long process.
There
are ideas that have not changed. The search for research methods, rigor, and
intellectual honesty have been constant.
The
testing of the extraterrestrial hypothesis was the first impulse, which is
still valid. All the others were added to it without preferences The
exploration of the truth about the factual
and eidetic realities is the main engine of the investigation.
The
perception that there is a human component has been a first finding, as obvious
as it may seem. Humanization reaches a point where I notice a kind of territory
in common with this phenomenon that is described so frequently. The
construction that the witness makes of his vision is decisive. The unconscious,
theoretical concept, which actually becomes an instance -with a certain
autonomy- to which the conscience is hardly attainable or definitely
inaccessible, is revealed in formations such as dreams and other
manifestations. We have to travel through the controversial collective unconscious
and Jung's archetypes and find traces in the psyche that correspond to UFOs. It
was a path that led me to put the witness and the human being in general at the
center of my research in the focus of my investigation: to notice how much of
the human is in the word, in the perception, in the psychic processes that
unfold around the observations. The framework that is woven and deployed in all
its forms, erecting a volatile and mutable model. The psychosocial dimension
became unavoidable. I got my Ph.D. with honors in that area, being the first
Argentinian doctoral thesis addressing the issue.
An
important change was to go from perceiving a universe that exploded with life,
to a certain distant or cosmic solitude. It was then that I produced a point of
inflection and sentenced that from so much looking at the sky, we have
forgotten who was watching
Happily,
my ideas about UFOs have changed as the investigations were developed and
counted with greater precision. The varied approaches, multidisciplinary, allowed
me to have a global vision, as a whole, which includes not only the physical or
natural sciences but predominantly the humanistic ones.
In
that regard, I went defining my line of research as a psychology imbued with
the social. From a rational perspective, I focus my interest on psychism and
human behavior, through the analytical and contextual study of unusual
experiences. As a psychologist, my purpose is to carry out a task of clarifying
the reports and learn what those episodes reveal about human nature.
3) Should the UFO investigator become an expert in IFOs?
Every
researcher requires a foundation of support, that is, a technical or scientific
formation –even if he is an amateur-, rigor, and dispassion, a broad culture, a
huge curiosity, and vocation to undertake the task.
In
the early days of ufology, and even later, amateur UFO researchers used to be
convinced that they had enough evidence to support ETH. Their work was
concentrated in looking for probative elements of such a hypothesis, or lucubration.
Their perception was focused on one segment of the problem: the unidentified.
To do this, they gathered those data or references that supported their belief,
relegating or neglecting the evidence to the contrary. It was necessary to
convince an incredulous, distrustful or indifferent public about the unusual
presences.
However,
the naïve look at the novelty that prevented them from understanding that the
UFO phenomenon comprises the totality of casuistry, and that from all of them
you learn, gave way to a broader vision that redefined the role of the UFO
researcher, to transform it into an expert versed in IFO.
The
task is the identification of unusual lights or objects. And they must be
honest in this. Of course it won’t be their purpose to become encyclopaedists, but they must be
sufficiently educated and have the necessary experience to deal with phenomena
with many edges, and usually traversed by multiple disciplines (physics,
astronomy, chemistry, meteorology, medicine, psychology, sociology,
anthropology, etc.) .-
4) If there were still
some unexplained phenomena, what could they be?
I
believe that there have always been, and there will be phenomena that, in the
eyes of the witnesses, whatever their skill, expertise or technical,
intellectual, physical or psychic aptitude, will not be explained. Here comes
the so-called the residue fallacy and the Ockham's razor.
Regarding
the residue fallacy: "The subterfuges of the statistics
include diverse fallacies and some paradox that another. The best known is the
so-called "waste fallacy". Many statistical samples contain a
percentage of data that does not fit or have no explanation. This statistical
"waste" is usually small and tends to be neglected. The problem is
that sometimes the waste is used as evidence of something without there being a
real basis for such a conclusion. That's why it's a fallacy. A well-known case
is that of ufology, which "argues" that if about 5 percent of UFO
sightings do not receive an explanation, this is a "proof" that UFOs
exist "- Source: Blog" Público ", Spain, The tricks of
statistics.
Regarding
Ockham's razor: "in its
simplest form, the principle of Ockham (or Occam) indicates that explanations
should never multiply causes unnecessarily, since the simplest explanation is
probably correct, following the so-called principle of economy, principle of
parsimony or simplicity. By the way, a common mistake is to call it
"Ockham's or Occam's razor", as a synonym for shaving, when in fact
the expression "strickle" refers to a kind of wooden stick or roller
that was formerly used to scrape (level, smooth, equalize) the content of the
container used to measure cereals and grains, and also used in the manufacture
of tiles and bricks. In the same way, its object is to make up the paste that
is poured into the racks or mold, removing the excess with the strickle. "
The
hypotheses, conjectures or assumptions can be grouped into three categories: a)
One or several physical phenomena still unknown; b) A social psychological
phenomenon, driven by real observations of rare objects and molded by different
interpreters; and, c) A non-human intelligence.
It
is common to believe that there is a unique and genuine phenomenon, and not -
as I suspect - a heterogeneous variety of events of a different nature.
5) How do you consider this issue in general? What do you think
about the whole subject?
The issue proposes three fundamental
stages to begin its study:
1) The recognition of the phenomenon
as a problem,
which due to its "unidentified" condition requires a positive and
satisfactory identification, that is: a solution or response;
2) Recognize the importance
of the problem, whatever its nature; and,
3) Conduct comprehensive technical and
scientific research focused on the identification of reported phenomena
(technical work). And, at the same time, in an academic, university
environment, delving into the unexplained reports, which include both the
observer and the phenomenon perceived, and their contexts, tending to achieve a
solid and safe knowledge (scientific work).
Encouraged by this interest capable of providing genuine knowledge about unusual aerial phenomena, I advocate:
1) That the study should be framed in a rigorous methodology, examining the problem in a systematic way from a totalizing perspective.
2) That the researchers be adequately taught and trained in this activity.
3) That the sole and exclusive purpose of the investigation should be the resolution of the problem and not that of invigorating a certain system of pseudo-scientific, philosophical, political or religious beliefs.
4) That the dissemination of studies be maintained within the framework of seriousness that the hierarchy of scientific work imposes on it.
Ufos (in lowercase, substantive, as a social phenomenon that has become and not as a technical acronym that gave rise to the word) have become a myth modeled by the culture of the different periods in which it travels, by the go and coming from information, from half-way information and even from rumor. Nothing invalidates his inexorable reality. The contradictions are substantial parts of the phenomenon.
It also happens that after surprising for some time, it acquires a certain familiarity and loses its substantial part, the fascination. Said as a metaphor, it is like a virus that must mutate, transform itself to subsist, to remain. It is an amorphous mass. It is nourished of everything: a mythological being, a forged document, a shaman, a ufologist well disposed to publicity.
In my opinion, UFOs have become a cultural object, a product of popular confusion that tends toward a collective construction stimulated by events of a different nature. I consider it unlikely that they are extraterrestrial ships, as there is no proven scientific evidence to support this hypothesis.
However, I encourage the possibility
of finding in the set of reports, indications of some original and novel
phenomenon. And as bold as it may be, the contingency of finding ourselves
facing an intelligence of a non-human nature.-
6) Is it possible to do something effective to bring the truth to
the public and to change the mind of those who still proclaim or believe that
extraterrestrial beings are living with us on Earth?
The most effective that can be done to
bring the truth to the public is to work with technical-scientific foundations,
prudence, honesty and transparency. Afterward, critical judgment or clinging to
a fascinating plot will remain.
Changing
the mentality of those who proclaim or believe that extraterrestrials cohabit
the planet Earth, and infinity of variant, is a complex issue. For most, there
is a weak concern or an ill-founded idea. For such cases, interest and learning
is required. In some others, strong adherence to a particular belief system
covers more psychological, existential issues. It is their point of support. It
is not about logic and reflection. Instruction is not enough, there is a demand
that goes beyond scientific knowledge and reason.
Anyway,
it's about educating people. From the psychology, it is doing it for health. In
the due circumstances, it is necessary to expose our disagreement with many of
the arguments used to sustain varied speculations, sometimes, as impregnable
dogmas of faith. I am convinced that we must move, then, towards a scientific
ufology, founded, worthily recognized.
I reject sectarian preachers or unscrupulous merchants. Because I intend a serious ufology, without concealment. Because I am comforted by the idea of stirring up the intellectual stagnation to which ufology is prone, in order to encourage new inquiries and establish a firm basis for discussion, without claiming possession of some alleged absolute, unappealable truth. And because I recognize myself as a demystifier, because I try to remove the mantle of obscurantism and deception that disfigures reality.
I reject sectarian preachers or unscrupulous merchants. Because I intend a serious ufology, without concealment. Because I am comforted by the idea of stirring up the intellectual stagnation to which ufology is prone, in order to encourage new inquiries and establish a firm basis for discussion, without claiming possession of some alleged absolute, unappealable truth. And because I recognize myself as a demystifier, because I try to remove the mantle of obscurantism and deception that disfigures reality.
Thus, the conspiracy theorists promote the idea that there are extraterrestrial beings who live here on Earth, even with underground bases, and that the US government knows this, but it is kept top secret, for fear of what would happen if the news came into the public domain. This current is not new. Egyptian hieroglyphs, reptilian rulers, men in black and descendants of extraterrestrials make up the menu that stokes the belief. In this regard, one can be convinced of the existence of extraterrestrials and their presence on the planet, but when it comes to earthly matters (non-spiritual, concerning the faith) it is necessary to exhibit evidence. As long as there is none, there is no demonstrable reality and it lacks value.
In the same vein, the abductions, or kidnapping by the supposed aliens, is one of the most notable issues, to which the subsequent implantation of micro-systems and the genetic manipulation of the alleged abductees has been added for a few decades through generations, tending to a new race.
This lucubration, originating in the
United States, comes from the hand of the developments on computing and genetic
engineering, with a somewhat paranoid component: the control and programming of
the human species. It is no longer, as in the 50s or 60s, the ETs that were
there, in view of the witnesses; nor extra-sensory (telepathic) contacts,
accompanied by a rich production of books and allegorical films. The
extraterrestrial is neither distant nor near, it is inside the head, in the
mode of a modern demonic possession of worldwide reach.
As a psychologist working in mental health, I observe some of the dangers that this collective nonsense entails: feelings of persecution or strangeness, depersonalization, loss of reality judgment, experience of influence (bodily and psychic), fear or anxious expectation, and all a set of sensory, volitional, affective and thought-course disorders. The groups of abductees, who proliferated a few years ago, only reinforce the belief and generate a certain disturbance.
It also constitutes the potential for some nefarious saucerian sect, alienated and capable of complying obediently with what the ETs "taught" it. Although without the bait of the saucer, remember J. Jones or D. Koresh. Hence, my concern goes beyond whether or not there are UFOs, whether the experience of contact is real or not, but the damage that may occur in the minds of the adepts.
In
short, these stories represent for most people a vulgar knowledge that does not
disturb them neither they try to discover and for others, moved by faith in
aliens, are a point of support for their existence. Their dogmas are usually
very consolidated in the psyche. We must reflect on the reason for the vital
need that a subject has to believe in that existence and, if necessary, give
him a containment and subjection to reality, and if it is appropriate, how he
could be dispensed of it. Or replace it. In other words, occupy the space that
abandonment would leave to a belief that is judged harmful; a belief that does
not usually come from an intellective, rational process, but from an affective,
emotional need.
7) Do you
think SETI and similar searches are valid activities?
It
is a theme of astrobiology "The peculiar thing - says the biologist Javier
Yanes - is that, without having yet found any trace of living beings outside
the Earth, there is no evidence that astrobiology has any reason to be. It
seems natural that science studies that whose existence we have evidence of,
but unlike other disciplines, astrobiology is based on a belief, the widespread
faith among humans that there is something alive out there. Even the need to
think that we are not alone. And since the absence of proof is not proof of
absence, it is impossible to refute the existence of extraterrestrial life. In
other words: from Popper's approach, the study of extraterrestrial life has a
difficult fit as a scientific proposition. " Of course, it is fascinating
that there is a search for extraterrestrial intelligence, like that of the SETI
Institute in California. That scientists point radiotelescopes at a multitude
of precise coordinates in the sky to try to detect any radio signal that
reveals an intelligent origin is a captivating challenge. But, until now, the
news is not favorable. There are no signs, nor as a remote possibility, of
intelligent life. The expectation wakes up as long as their radio telescopes
seek intelligent life in the closest red dwarf stars, or perhaps in other
possibilities.
What
would happen if a signal is detected and it is answered, is to enter a
conjectural field. In any case, the scientist takes the challenge. The
sensation of the cosmic emptiness encourages the hope of finding another
civilization at some point. The answer to the eternal question would come from
the hand of science and technology.
Find
out if we are alone or if, on the contrary, there are other planets that harbor
intelligent civilizations is an issue that intrigues many people and that the
novel and the cinema has exploded on numerous occasions.
However,
it is reasonably suggested that a more developed civilization would eventually
destroy or make the inferior disappear. The most palpable example is the
conquest of America, and the disappearance of native peoples. Of course, they
are other times, but the destructive nature of man has not changed. The story
is written in blood. And he does not object to his own house, his planet.
Hence, as has also been said, a civilization must be intelligent enough not
only to develop technology, but to survive it. Hope that the youngest and
future generations know how to take advantage of the possibilities of science
to make our civilization last a long time.
In
the opinion of the British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, alerting our
presence to aliens and trying to contact another intelligent civilization not
knowing what intentions they will have towards humanity, may involve certain
risks. The debate about the probabilities of life outside the Earth, and if
there is one, of the convenience of trying to locate it, remains open.
Even
when the issue is far from over, I continue with moderate interest the attempts
of SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and I am excited about
the idea of finding ourselves one day with the long-awaited news.-
8) What is your idea about multiple universes?
It
is a fascinating hypothesis for physics. It touches science and fiction.
Basically, it is explained like this: the three dimensions that we perceive
-and through which we move- are called real or "not compact" and they
are long, wide and high, since we can move forward and backward, to the right
and the left, up and down.
Now,
the mathematical equations that sustain the string theory, also called Theory
of Everything is a theoretical scheme to explain all the particles and
fundamental physical forces of nature in a single theory.
The
String theory states that all particles are, in reality, tiny strings that
vibrate at a certain frequency. It replaces the concept of elementary particle
with the string in its unifying character, considering all the subatomic
elements –photons, neutrons, quarks, neutrinos, etc.- as different manifestations of a single
primordial element called "string" which is not verified in a
universe of 4 dimensions (3 spatial and 1 temporal), but only in one of 11
dimensions (10 spatial and 1 temporal). Then there is the concern about where
the other 7 "hidden" or compact spatial dimensions are.
It
has been tried to find these hidden dimensions by means of the Large Hadron
Collider, better known as "The Machine of God", but so far without
result. Gravitational waves have also opened the possibility of detecting them.
The investigation continues. After all, it may be possible to determine if such
hidden dimensions really exist, or it is a chimera.
Prof.
Rubén Novella argues that, “if it were to be proven, it would explain many
facts and phenomena that astonish, such as certain flying objects that,
suddenly, have disappeared without a trace. According to their hypothesis,
these objects "can displace in any of the 10 spatial dimensions, but they
are only observable when they travel through the 3 real dimensions,
disappearing from our sight when entering any of the hidden dimensions. Indeed,
in order to pass from a real dimension to a hidden dimension -according to
quantum mechanics- it is necessary that the object possesses a great kinetic
charge, which means, in the case of UFOs, that it reaches a speed comparable to
that of the light".
In
short, feeding the imagination of the creators of science fiction for decades,
the notion of universes or parallel worlds refers to the existence of several
universes or relatively independent realities. It is interesting to note that
this concept seems to have a scientific basis, since the development of quantum
mechanics (which deals with the study of the material world at the microscopic
level), the search for a Theory of Everything (that explains and connects all
known physical phenomena) ) and other hypotheses of current physics have made
glimpse the possibility of the existence of multiple dimensions and parallel
universes forming a multiverse (a universe composed of multiple universes) .-
Do
these theories, even without proof, have to do with the UFO phenomenon? At the
moment, the scaffolding that supports both issues is weak and its connection is
fortuitous. The eventual confirmation of parallel universes would not be enough
to explain the UFO appearances that have not yet been resolved, but it would
open a fertile field for the imagination. Let's give time to the advance of
research and firmness to found scientific knowledge.-
Next and last publication: the answers of Thomas Tulien (U.S.A.)
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