For generations, humans have pondered the existence of alien life on other planets. But have you ever thought about what aliens might think of us? This question often leads to some uncomfortable realizations about our own species.
“If I were looking at Earth from a distance, I would be pretty disappointed,” says theoretical physicist Avi Loeb. He points out that much of our energy seems directed towards conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, rather than towards cooperation and progress. To him, this doesn’t reflect intelligence.
The conversation about whether extraterrestrial beings—or even UFOs—are among us gained momentum earlier this year when former President Barack Obama confirmed that aliens are “real” during a podcast. He stated that he hasn’t seen them and assured listeners they aren’t hidden away in Area 51. Following that, President Donald Trump indicated he would release government files on UFOs due to public interest.
Interest in UFOs is also on the rise as NASA prepares for its Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts around the moon. This mission serves as a reminder that while we are exploring space, we might also be observed by others.
In a world marked by chaos—war, climate change, and social division—it’s intriguing to consider how newcomers to our planet might perceive our struggles. Despite everything, many Americans still hold onto the idea that “the truth is out there,” echoing the slogan from the popular series “The X-Files.”
According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, about two-thirds of Americans believe intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe. Furthermore, about half of U.S. adults think that military-reported UFOs are “definitely” or “probably” evidence of intelligent life beyond Earth. Bill Diamond, president of the SETI Institute, remarks that this desire reflects a fundamental human fear of being alone in the universe.
The fascination with extraterrestrial life in America can be traced back to the infamous Roswell incident in 1947, where debris was initially claimed to be from a flying disc, only for the military to later state it was from a weather balloon. This incident sparked a cultural obsession with flying saucers and aliens, leading to a rich tapestry of media representations, from classic sci-fi films to the iconic “Star Trek,” which celebrates “First Contact Day” each year.
Interestingly, much of this media tends to portray aliens as aggressive. Priscilla Wald, a professor at Duke University, suggests this reflects our own behavior. “We project onto aliens the way we treat each other,” she explains, suggesting that if aliens were to invade, it might mirror our own history of conflict.
In 2024, the Pentagon released numerous reports on unidentified aerial phenomena, but none confirmed alien origins. That has not stopped people from observing strange lights in the sky. Debbie Dmytro, a medical professional from Michigan, reported seeing greenish objects that didn’t resemble planes or helicopters, indicating that there is still much we don’t understand about our skies.
The term UFO has evolved into UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena), which encompasses a wider range of mysterious sightings. Bill Diamond asserts that while there are certainly unidentified objects in the sky, we must approach these observations with a careful and scientific mindset.
Many, like Dmytro, seek transparency from the government, believing there is more information available. “I have an open mind,” she states. “It’s always about scientific proof.”
Retired Rear Adm. Timothy Gallaudet insists that the evidence of UAPs is undeniable. He states, “The nonhuman intelligence that operates them or controls them is absolutely real.” Gallaudet has worked extensively with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and believes public interest in these phenomena is warranted.
With billions of galaxies and countless stars in the universe, the probability of life existing elsewhere is high. Edwin Bergin, an astronomy professor at the University of Michigan, believes that if intelligent beings were to come to Earth, they would likely want to make themselves known, regardless of humanity’s chaotic reputation.
“I would think that they would look at us like we were crazy … but they would come out,” Bergin suggests. He believes that their motivation would be to observe humanity rather than to invade.
Avi Loeb, director of the Institute for Theory & Computation at Harvard, shares a similar sentiment, suggesting that if extraterrestrials exist, they might be watching us to ensure we don’t pose a threat to them.
The government’s secrecy surrounding UFOs and UAPs often relates to national security. Diamond explains that advanced technologies are monitoring the skies and sometimes pick up unidentified objects. Understanding what these objects are is crucial for ensuring safety.
As Gallaudet emphasizes, “When has ignorance ever been a good national strategy?” Seeking the truth about these phenomena, regardless of how scary or benign they may be, is in humanity’s best interest.
Ultimately, Diamond believes that if there were any genuine alien encounters, they could not be kept secret. “If any civilization has mastered interstellar travel, they have technology beyond our wildest comprehension,” he concludes. “If they want to interact, they will; if they don’t, they won’t.”
