Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind: Selected Writings of John A. Keel (47 page)

When one reviews the history of the past twenty-three years objectively, we are confronted with a set of appalling facts. The emotional (“Disclosure”) causes and anti-government tirades of the past served no purpose and obtained no results. The endless personality clashes and publicity-seeking “ego trips” of the leading ufologists have only contributed to the ridicule and nonsense. Ufology has made virtually no discernible progress since 1947. Indeed, the interested scientists and journalists of the 1947-55 period made stronger statements and conducted more systematic research than any of the present crop.

Virtually nothing of importance has been said or done since 1955. Instead, the modern UFO witnesses choose to remain silent rather than involve themselves with the “kooks” engaged in UFO research. The Air Force has abandoned the field altogether, thus eliminating the favorite target of the emotionalists.

If we are to restore ufology to even the 1955 level, we must first introduce a sense of responsibility and rationalism. Witnesses must be approached with courtesy and understanding, not with rude suspicion. Logic and a sound methodology must replace the hysterical speculation. Before flying saucers can become respectable, the flying saucer enthusiasts must find respectability themselves.

-John Keel

(From
Flying Saucers
magazine, June 1971)

John Keel (left) and Andy Colvin (right) prior to the unveiling of the Mothman statue in Pt. Pleasant, WV, 2003.