Are We Alone?

The Anatomy of Belief in Alien Life and the Unexplained

This week, I watched a Hellfire missile hit a flying orb. It didn't explode. The orb didn't break apart; it just kept going. The video, shown in a House hearing on UAPs, is striking.

Also this week, NASA announced that a spotted rock on Mars may carry the fingerprints of ancient life. And Astronomers continue tracking 3I/ATLAS, a giant object from outside our solar system hurtling toward the sun, its unusual chemistry sparking speculation that it's more than just a comet.

Are these signs of extraterrestrial life?

I remember spending most of my childhood in the "unexplained" section of the library. I devoured books on alien abductions, watched Chariots of the Gods multiple times, and believed. I still want to. But I've learned that belief alone isn't enough. Until we are presented with undeniable evidence, all we can do is speculate and wonder.

As of now, the Mars rock has possible biosignatures, but nothing has been confirmed. 3I/Atlas, by all scientific accounts, is just a comet, but people online are convinced they see exhaust ports in the images, and that it shows evidence of alien technology. I've watched dozens of convincing influencers give reasons why this isn't a comet, but in fact, a visitor from another galaxy. All of it is convincing but ultimately just speculation.

The facts alone are fascinating.

There's no need to look beyond them, yet the louder story is what we're telling about them... That this must be proof of extraterrestrials. Which raises the real question: why do we want to believe?

Mysteries themselves are enough to inspire awe. But instead of letting them remain mysteries to be appreciated, we rush to solve them with answers that say more about us than about the universe.

We can't stand uncertainty. Ambiguity gnaws at us. We're not wired for it. What we are wired for is quick answers. A spotted rock, a giant interstellar object, and a mysterious flying orb all allow our brains to rush in and fill in the blanks that help us to explain the unexplainable.

It gives us a sense of belonging. Belief in aliens is rarely a solo act. It's a community. The forums, the documentaries, the influencers... They all create a tribe where doubt is replaced with validation. Following people like George Knapp or Luis Elizondo is more than consuming information; it also signals, I'm a part of this, too. Shared belief is powerful, even in the unexplained. It tells us we're not crazy, that we're not alone, and that there really might be something to all this.

We don't trust authority. After decades of cover-ups, secrecy, and classified programs, it's no wonder the public assumes governments are hiding something extraordinary. For many, believing in UFOs is less about proof in the sky and more about disbelief in our institutions here on earth. It's one of the longest government mysteries. From Area 51 to the leaks of alien technology labs, alien autopsies, there appears to be cover-up after cover-up, which leads us to assume, "there must be something".

Finally, we are searching for meaning. A rock that bears the fingerprints of life on Mars feels like evidence that existence isn't random. That there is something larger, even purposeful, at work. We love to make order out of chaos. That's also hardwired into us. It's why we believe lies so easily. So in a world that feels chaotic and indifferent, aliens are an easy answer and can serve as a stand-in for faith.

Maybe one day we'll get the undeniable proof we crave: a fossil on Mars, an alien transmission, a mother ship hovering over the White House lawn. Mystery has followed us since we first drew on cave walls, and it will follow us into the future. So will the stories we invent to explain it. In the end, the universe might reveal less of its secrets to us and disclose the truth of who we are to ourselves.

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The Orb/Hellfire Missile Video:

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Thanks for being here. Stay Curious. Question Everything.

–Luis

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