UFO Spike

The Mutual UFO Network reports UFO sightings virtually doubled in August compared to the usual average rate. Over a thousand sightings were reported that month.

Over the latest six decades or so, at least, the UFO phenomenon has been marked, even sustained, by a series of such spikes, or "flaps." There are many possible explanations for that pattern, from the mundane-- people tend to look at the sky more when space-related news is prominent, as coverage of the retirement of the space shuttle was last summer-- to the exotic-- the time between spikes is related to transit time from Wherever to Earth.

One possible explanation of the entire phenomenon has been stress. The modern UFO period roughly arose alongside the Cold War. Social scientists have suggested the stress of living with the threat of possible nuclear annihilation may have led some people to embrace stories of spectacularly advanced aliens coming to Earth. Well, the American jobless rate is extremely high. The economy is struggling. People are worried about keeping their homes and their futures. In late July and early August, the U. S. Government looked unable to function. That's stress.