Para-Luxury

It's all fun 'n' games 'til real problems come along. 

The United States is far and away the global leader in number of annual reported UFO sightings and similar such phenomena. It could be debated whether my country has so many UFO researchers and organizations because we're such a hotbed of activity, or whether we have so much reported activity because so-called researchers and pop culture manufacture it, directly or indirectly. As a friend of mine used to say, "If you don't want to be abducted by aliens, move to France." 

To cut to the chase, many of our fellow UFO buffs throughout the world would be justified in asking if Americans tend to so frequently perceive brushes with aliens and Bigfoot for reasons that include we have enjoyed a relatively spoiled and entitled existence. In other words, when your nation is not being occupied by a hostile invader or food supplies are not cut off, you have the luxury to begin suspecting you're menaced or blessed by paranormal creatures.

This is not to necessarily suggest there is no unknown phenomena worthy of deeper investigation, or that people may not on occasion cross its path. Maybe they do.

However, a valid point can be made that many Americans have indeed enjoyed several decades of having the resources to travel to interesting places to attend UFO conferences and such. We then discuss the perils of government cover-ups and alien agendas with friends while dining in upscale restaurants. Perhaps while this has been taking place, we allowed real problems to gain traction, and the bill has come due. 

The UFO genre is obviously not the only aspect of American culture with leanings towards neglecting issues of higher priority. It is arguably an American characteristic that many believe our country is simply exempt from substantial epidemics and similar life-altering hardships. "It just doesn't happen here," many seem to continue to believe in the face of all evidence.

An attack on science and fact-based information has been underway, the likes of which would require the mention of disturbing regimes of years gone by to offer analogies of such propaganda and populism. The UFO genre most certainly has done more than its share of dismissing qualified experts and critical thinking in lieu of entertaining empty and unfounded claims, subsequently contributing to the 'stupidification' of America. This is often done by people claiming to be professional reporters and trustworthy experts.   

While much of the rest of the world has been rolling its collective eyes over the last three years at what us crazy Americans got ourselves into this time, teams of disease experts - experienced scientists - were dismantled. They would have really come in handy lately.

We also managed to turn our Department of Justice, a fundamental government branch designed to operate independently and uphold, you know, justice, into a counterproductive, partisan-led agency. Inspectors General, traditionally charged with conducting oversight, have been under partisan attack, as have heads of intelligence agencies. The consequences are many and broad, including but by no means limited to the appalling treatment of immigrants, travel bans, and human and civil rights movements lost decades of progress. Unless we all matter, none of us matter.

These are just some of the issues now at stake for Americans. We should each, as individuals, act responsibly on a daily basis, whether that means respecting social distancing recommendations to protect ourselves and communities, or working in potentially dangerous situations for the common good. Many people were suffering hardships even before the pandemic, so our abilities to isolate and take care of ourselves vary, depending on socioeconomic conditions and responsibilities. Stress levels are high and stand to get worse before things get better. This is as good a time as any to do something kind for someone or pad a few extra bucks on a tip for a service worker if you are able. 

Then, when the opportunity presents itself, we should vote, and vote responsibly. Each and every one of us. Please register and vote. Perhaps, at some point, we may then resume arguing about intergalactic travelers stalking the U.S. Navy.