Allexperts question on UFOs

[kittynh]

I do volunteer "exoert" work at Allexperts.

this is typical of the question I get. You might think this person is joking. I used to think questions like this were almost silly. But I've found that people have a real fear. Now you may say you can't change people's minds, but I always answer these questions with as much information as I can, and offer suggested books and web sites. I usually include something on the hardship of space travel and how fast a UFO would have to travel to get here. I never try to belittle anyone, or even say that people see ing UFOs are crazy. I like to point out how hard it is for anyone to judge size and distance plus speed when just looking up. I even encourage them to go out at night and really LOOK at the sky and they will see all sorts of things they don't know.

Oddly enough, I get great response from people. I also have a very high postive feedback rating. Since I take the skeptic viewpoint this was really heartening to myself. I think skeptics can change minds and make a difference.



Thanks for generously volunteering your time to help others.

Question is shown below
hey
im so confused about UFOs and aliens! ARE THEY REAL?! i jsut saw on the
news that some people saw some UFO thingys near some usa crafts in iraq
or
something. its hard because everyone has their own view on whether a
UFO
and aliens are real or not. so i dont knwo what your answer could be
but
im confused as to whetha they are real or not! and if they are real,
are
they going to come and destroy our earth and take over one day and why
have they done some weird things to people or is it that those people
are
crazy?
please help!

Bri

[Nigel]

Originally posted by kittynh
I do volunteer "exoert" work at Allexperts.

*snip*
Oddly enough, I get great response from people. I also have a very high postive feedback rating. Since I take the skeptic viewpoint this was really heartening to myself. I think skeptics can change minds and make a difference.
*snip*



kitty, I'm not surprised you get a positive response. People tend to respond in kind - as long as you treat their questions seriously (that is, respectfully), and give the proper type of answer (with appropriate skeptical reasons, resources, etc.), then they'll be reasonably satisfied. You can change some minds, others are just too dogmatic to be changed.

I've mentioned to certain store owners (particular a small deli I frequent near my work) that the reason I keep coming back is the way I've been treated. Of course, if I'm treated badly, I don't go back. No reason a q&a situation like yours should be different.

Having said that, my hat's off to you for having the patience to go through what I imagine you must. I'm not sure I could. :)

[richardm]

So, what did you tell him? "Yes, they're coming to get you! Get ready for a probing!" ?

I hope he's not talking about the recent Mexican UFO business. That would indicate a good deal of confusion :(

[kittynh]

My answers go back and forth usually, she's already sent another question, but she's much more calm now. Saw a link on the internet that shows planes in Iraq being chased by UFOs. Now I can go and view it.

Also, when I get people who think they have been kidnapped by aliens (yes I do!), I always reccomend they avoid hypnotism and direct them to books such as the one by Phillip Klass. But I also cover the science behind the brain thinking you've been kidnapped (for instance, did you go right back to sleep?). If there are more questions I direct them to see a good psychiatrist. Do I say what they experienced was wrong, no! three people have told me that they did go to psychiatrists (and they no longer believe and thanked me). One way I try to persuade people to "get help" is to say they could be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from their experience. Think about it, these people THINK they've gone through something that if real would topple most of us over the edge. I'd like to say that these people have had real help, because I know there is a terrible danger these people could be used by a psychologist with an agenda and hypnosis.

[Thomas]

If we're talking about allexperts.com, then it's no wonder you get those questions. The so called 'experts' in there are telling people that UFO's are for real, that they have had contact with several alien species, that the goverment is covering up the whole ting for technological reasons and that the pyramids most likely are build by aliens.

Are we talking about the same site? :)

[kittynh]

don't laugh, it is! But, in my efforts to be a skeptic, I decided to also sign up as an expert. I've read up on my stuff, and I know from my feedback and ratings that people are really happy to get the truth rather than other stupid answers. I've had people ask me questions and start out with, "you really helped my friend. She said I had to ask you my question as you are the only one telling the truth." Sometimes you have to hang out with the woo woos to reach the few people who will listen.

I tell people in my profile that I explain "things that you see in the night." and am up front that I'm a skeptic. If you have a question and all you get is stupid answers, then you are going to accept that as the truth. A lot of these people are frightened, and the woowoos just feed into that.

[plindboe]

Thumbs up kittynh. ;)

In my experience the friendly approach is by far the best, instead of an aggressive one, otherwise people won't listen. Sadly not all skeptics understand how effective a little diplomacy can be.

[Thomas]

Originally posted by kittynh
don't laugh, it is!

You're infiltrating the woowoo camp. Excellent :)