A frequent objection to UFOs as presented in anecdote, rumor, lore and scientific data is that they behave elusively, and that such evasive behavior contra-indicates intelligence. “Why don’t the ETs just contact the authorities?” This very common challenge reveals more about the assumptions of the objector than provides evidence for precluding the existence of UFOs.

1. They may not be extraterrestrials as commonly understood — that is, from “other planets.” The ET Hypothesis is only one explanation among many for the phenomena. I lean to some form of “inter-dimensional” presence.

2. If the UFOs are directed by time travelers (which is one form of inter-dimensional), evasion might be completely explicable: to avoid time paradoxes.

3. If the UFOs are directed by crypto-terrestrials, the operators may resist being discovered forfear of destruction — if they are hiding out in the oceans, lithosphere, Antarctica, or the Moon, for instance. They would be vulnerable, so evasive behavior would be utterly explicable.

4. If the UFOs are directed by beings who have a long history with our species, our knowledge of this history might ruin their experiments on us or manipulations of us.

5. If the UFOs are run by super-advanced species (as the ET hypothesis almost necessitates) their interest in collaborative interaction could be very low, since we would not be anything like our equals. I do not try to interact with local ant colonies or bother to treat the ants (or any wild species) as my equals. The very assumption is absurdly hubristic.

6. We should not rule out angels and demons here, or some near-equivalent. A history of religion suggests we might be thankful that they usually sport an elusive, as opposed to publicly interactive, form of sociality.

The objection to evasive behavior also assumes that ETs have not contacted the authorities. Why would we think the authorities not also take an elusive approach?

In fine, I find this common objection to UFOs to be kind of witless.

twv