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Archives of the Impossible conference | First plenary session, March 3, 2022: Jacques F. Vallée

Rice Humanities・38 minutes read

Dr. Jacques Valle, a prominent figure in ufology, has conducted extensive research on UFOs, connecting historical beliefs in angels and ghosts to contemporary sightings. His work emphasizes critical thinking and collaboration, bridging the gap between religious interpretations and scientific analysis within the realm of UFO phenomena.

Insights

  • Dr. Jacques Valle's diverse career, spanning from astronomy to computer science, led him to become a prominent figure in UFO research, emphasizing critical thinking and documenting hoaxes, while also bridging the gap between religious interpretations and scientific analysis of celestial phenomena.
  • The evolving nature of UFO studies, focusing on military data and threats, showcases a shift towards increased classification and complexity, necessitating a more sophisticated and open approach similar to the challenges faced in mathematics, hinting at potential connections between UFO research and information theory in the future.

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Recent questions

  • What sparked Dr. Jacques Valle's interest in UFOs?

    Dr. Jacques Valle's interest in UFOs began in 1954 after sightings in Europe, including one he and his mother witnessed in 1955. This sparked his curiosity and led him to delve deeper into the study of unidentified flying objects.

  • How did Dr. Jacques Valle contribute to UFO research?

    Dr. Jacques Valle contributed significantly to UFO research by publishing books like "Anatomy of a Phenomenon" and "Challenge to Science." His work, including "Passport to Magonia," linked UFO sightings to historical accounts of fairies and angels, becoming a significant work in ufology.

  • What was Dr. Jacques Valle's involvement with SRI International?

    Dr. Jacques Valle worked with SRI International in the 1970s on remote viewing and telepathy programs, contributing to the creation of ARPANET, the precursor to the internet. His collaboration with SRI International expanded his research into various phenomena beyond UFOs.

  • How did Dr. Jacques Valle emphasize critical thinking in his work?

    Dr. Jacques Valle emphasized critical thinking in his research by investigating UFO religious movements, documenting hoaxes, and collaborating on projects related to computer science, UFOs, and biomedical technology. His books like "Messengers of Deception" highlighted the importance of discernment in the study of unexplained phenomena.

  • What is the significance of Dr. Jacques Valle's research collaborations?

    Dr. Jacques Valle's research collaborations, including work on computer science, UFOs, and biomedical technology with individuals like Robert Bigelow and groups like the Galileo Project at Harvard University, have expanded the scope of his investigations. These collaborations have allowed Valle to explore diverse aspects of unexplained phenomena and scientific inquiry.

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Summary

00:00

Jacques Valle: UFO Researcher and Innovator

  • Dr. Jacques Valle was born in 1939 in France during World War II, with his initial academic interest being astronomy.
  • In 1958, at 17 years old, Valle's report on an object in the sky was published by the French Astronomical Society, likely a part of the Sputnik satellite booster rocket.
  • Valle's interest in UFOs began in 1954 after sightings in Europe, including one he and his mother witnessed in 1955.
  • Valle worked at the Paris Observatory from 1961, connecting with UFO researchers like J. Allen Hynek, who advised the U.S. Air Force on UFO projects.
  • Valle moved to the U.S. in 1962, contributing to the first computer-based map of Mars at the University of Texas.
  • He completed a PhD in computer science at Northwestern University, publishing books on UFOs like "Anatomy of a Phenomenon" and "Challenge to Science."
  • Valle's "Passport to Magonia" in 1969 linked UFO sightings to historical accounts of fairies and angels, becoming a significant work in ufology.
  • In the 1970s, Valle worked with SRI International on remote viewing and telepathy programs, contributing to the creation of ARPANET, the precursor to the internet.
  • Valle emphasized critical thinking, researching UFO religious movements and documenting hoaxes in books like "Messengers of Deception."
  • His research collaborations include work on computer science, UFOs, and biomedical technology with individuals like Robert Bigelow and groups like the Galileo Project at Harvard University.

21:36

Religious Influence and Scientific Skepticism in UFOs

  • The notion of truth taught in religious settings like churches, temples, or synagogues has been a significant influence throughout history, including beliefs in extraterrestrial beings such as angels, ghosts, and jinns.
  • Scientists in the 17th and 18th centuries began challenging religious doctrines with observational arguments rather than relying on doctrine or revelation, similar to modern challenges to government or common sense regarding UFO phenomena.
  • In the Middle Ages, religious tradition explained celestial movements by attributing them to angels moving celestial bodies according to a divine plan, illustrating this concept with angels depicted moving celestial bodies.
  • Despite scientific skepticism about angels since the 18th century, the concept of gravity as an invisible force acting on physical bodies has been increasingly well-described, yet science still lacks a mechanism akin to the angels' cosmic crank for controlling gravity.
  • Speculation exists about angels' powers being able to explain UFOs without invoking technological innovation, with some books arguing for an angelic explanation of UFOs.
  • The story of the Three Kings visiting Christ's manger at his birth, as told in the New Testament, has been analyzed scientifically, with speculation about the role of a luminous orb guiding the kings to the newborn Christ.
  • The Miracle of Fatima in 1917, preceded by repeated apparitions of a luminous orb before shepherds, has been interpreted by some as a possible instance of extraterrestrial contact, prompting speculation about the orb's nature and message.
  • Live unicorns were once reportedly present in Mesopotamia, created by merging pluripotent stem cells in newborn baby goats to grow a single horn, challenging the notion of unicorns as mythical creatures.
  • Scholarly debates and investigations into UFO phenomena, including reports of luminous orbs and interactions with invisible beings, bridge the gap between religious interpretations and scientific analysis, highlighting the complexity of understanding such phenomena.
  • Archives related to UFOs post-1975 should be scrutinized for potential fakes originating from classified projects playing on human expectations of celestial phenomena.

44:35

Secret Experiments: UFOs, Math, and More

  • Various experiments, including aircraft prototypes and biological tests, are conducted in secret to maintain confidentiality.
  • Projects like MK Ultra continue in a hidden manner, challenging researchers, ufologists, and even military and intelligence personnel.
  • A project at SRI and SAIC in the 1970s and 1980s focused on remote viewing abilities, with techniques like Grill Flame developed.
  • UFO research remains largely classified, unlike projects like Grill Flame, with only limited declassification.
  • The focus of UFO studies is shifting towards military data, emphasizing threats and novel aspects, leading to increased classification.
  • The complexity of UFO phenomena requires a more sophisticated and open approach, moving beyond traditional intelligence structures.
  • Mathematics, once seen as a source of certainty, faces contradictions and uncertainties, challenging the notion of absolute truth.
  • The future of mathematics may involve information theory and complexity, similar to the topics explored in UFO research, hinting at a potential connection between the two fields.
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