Debunking Humor...

John J.

Active Member
In the "How have descriptions of UAPs changed over the years?" thread over in Chitchat
https://www.metabunk.org/threads/how-have-descriptions-of-uaps-changed-over-the-years.12619/,
there was some discussion of the 1947 Kenneth Arnold sighting.

It's widely accepted that the term "flying saucer" originated from a journalist mis-quoting Arnold (Arnold said the objects moved like saucers skipping over water, or words to that effect).

Duke raised the (I think very real) possibility that the use of "flying saucer" influenced the reports, or interpretation, of subsequent sightings (I've edited this quote a bit)
...the term "flying saucer"...defined what was routinely reported by witnesses for at least a couple decades. If the reporter who coined the term had used different terminology, would the description of what was being sighted/reported and even occasionally photographed have been different? I think the answer is yes, but there's no way to prove it.

Arnold said that he first thought that he was seeing a flock of geese. He ruled this out, citing his altitude and the object's apparent speed.
Frankly, I think Arnold may well have seen geese (my 11 year-old self would be furious that I've said that!)
If Arnold had stuck with his first impression- rather than the stuff about saucers- maybe popular culture would have taken a different path...

goose.jpg
 

Mendel

Senior Member.

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Galaga

New Member
I'm new and sure this has been posted, but it's still my favorite:

"Three conspiracy theorists walk into a bar.
You can't tell me that's just a coincidence!"
 
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