Welcome to The Other Topic – a newsletter about UFOs, UAPs, and all the other things we call them now. You’re here because you’re interested in learning more about the UFO phenomenon. You want to know if any of it is real or not. I’m here because I want to find that out with you.
I’ve started this newsletter because I believe that people are hungry to have this discussion in a serious way. At the same time, I’ve found it personally difficult to navigate this space and find clear, sober answers that help me do that. It’s taken a lot of work to sift through the many books, podcasts, and documentaries that shine a light on “The Phenomenon” and I’ve noticed some significant gaps that have left me wanting more. If you’ve ever felt the same way, I hope you’ll find a home in these pages and:
In the meantime, you might be interested in my …
Close Encounters (of the Almost Useful Kind)
I spent most of my life thinking that UFOs anchored some quirky subculture with all the seriousness of fairies and leprechauns. I believed that most encounters could be explained rationally but were hyped-up because they made for great TV. And when my perspective started to change and I became interested in approaching the UFO phenomenon seriously, I found it very hard to find a good 101 explanation to give me a soft landing. There were inside references, there was jargon, and there were significant credibility debates about every piece of information and the people presenting that information to me. Worst of all, there was a frequent unwillingness to say “we genuinely don’t know.” Podcast after podcast, book after book, I was just looking for someone to explain to me what was going on in a clear and accessible way. I couldn’t find it. And so I started to make it for myself.
But as I was piecing that 101 together, one of the most frustrating things I encountered was this constant refrain of “you’ll hear about that soon.” The folks I would listen to wanted you to buy their book, and then their next book, and listen to four other podcasts, and join the members-only section of their website. They leaked little bits of information and always teased more. I’m not here to slam them—many of them have to sell books and appearances to make a living. But in the meantime, I would find myself looking for answers and constantly being disappointed and underwhelmed. One of the things I’m hoping to do with this newsletter is to cut out that frustration for you. When I can connect the dots and succinctly explain a point that’s made across four 2-hour podcasts, that’s a win. If I can do it in a way that makes you comfortable sharing it with your friends and family, that’s a triumph.
That ability to share information is something I’ve thought about a lot. I’ve wrestled with my own discomfort talking about UFOs and that’s reflected in the fact that I’m starting this newsletter under a pseudonym. We still live in a culture where expressing an interest in The Phenomenon puts you in “drunk uncle at the wedding” territory and one of the ways I’m hoping to change that is by closing the credibility gap and instilling confidence in the way I present you with information. I want to make sure you’re clear on what is claimed, what is fact, and what is speculation. And to set this newsletter apart, I’m going to thoroughly source those points so you can see where I’m getting them from. It’s my hope that that kind of intellectual rigor will empower you to share this content and make this topic more accessible to academics and journalists who want to get involved.
Finally, I want to talk a little bit about what good communication looks like. Like many of you, I’ve been really disappointed in the way some people have tried to describe core aspects of The Phenomenon. Sometimes there’s an issue around someone’s ability to communicate. I can’t help that. But I find that many times, the advocates for this topic seem unable to add the right cultural and historical context to make their point. Coming to believe in the UFO phenomenon is a big pill to swallow. It has massive implications for our species, our beliefs, and our relationship with government. It takes a little bit more than pointing at an old memo to advance this conversation and I think we could all stand to approach it with more psychological finesse and a basic human touch. To that end, you’ll find I’m going to engage with the culture both inside and outside Ufology. If I’m succeeding, this newsletter will help frame the way we talk about UFOs and pave the way for a better, more serious conversation.
My Commitment to my federal employers at the CIA You
If you’d like to take this journey with me, I’d like to commit to a few key things that you should come to expect from The Other Topic. If you subscribe, you’ll get:
Clear Information
That helps you understand the UFO phenomenon. No need to sit through hours of confusing content. Just the key facts and connections that matter to you.
Good Sources
That talk about what is credible and what is not. I cite my work so it can meet your academic, journalistic, or personal fact-checking needs.
One Focus
That doesn’t stray from the topic or mission of this newsletter. No unrelated politics. No kooky shit.
A Friendly Voice
That keeps things accessible for Ufologists and newcomers alike. I try and write so that you can be comfortable forwarding these posts to friends and family. If I can make you laugh occasionally, that’s a bonus.
Thanks for your time (and space) and I look forward to seeing you in the comments section.
Best,
The Author of The Other Topic
The Other Topic is a weekly newsletter that goes out every Tuesday at 9:00 am (EST). Want free, high quality coverage of the UFO phenomenon? Join our growing community and: