The Hesitant Headline · chapter 3

The Unwanted News

The novelty value of extraterrestrial life on Earth is not only great, according to countless scientists and philosophers, it is the biggest news in world history. So big that it's hard to believe?

Imagine the effect of an official confirmation that we are not alone in the universe, and have been visited! It would change our understanding of humanity, our place in the cosmos and our relationships with each other. Yet it is as if this news is met with skepticism, as if it threatens to upset the stability we have built around our worldview. The loss of confidence our institutions risk if they were wrong..? Or what could the response be due to?

Despite the enormous news value that this information brings, it is clear from my own bitter experiences that both the media and society are unwilling to even slightly embrace this reality today.

The discovery of extraterrestrial life on Earth has enormous news value for several reasons:

1. Global impact

• Such a proper announcement would affect all of humanity, making it relevant to a wide audience. People around the world would be interested in understanding what it means for our existence and our place in the universe.

2. Scientific significance

• The news would revolutionize scientific disciplines such as astrobiology, astronomy and physics. Scientists who are currently firmly within consensus would gain new perspectives on the origin and evolution of life, which would lead to extensive research and new hypotheses.

3. Cultural and philosophical influence

• The discovery would challenge our fundamental beliefs about the unique position of humanity. This would lead to in-depth discussions about philosophy, religion and ethics, which would further increase the news value.

4. Media involvement

• Media would likely provide extensive coverage of the topic, including interviews with experts, analysis, and reports on the social and cultural consequences. This would create a continuous news cycle.

5. Political and military implications

• The discovery would also have significant political and military implications. Governments would have to deal with issues of security, diplomacy and potential threats from extraterrestrial life forms.

In short, the news value of the discovery of extraterrestrial life on Earth would be incalculable. It would not only change our understanding of life itself, but also affect every aspect of human existence, from science and philosophy to politics and culture. Such news would likely be the center of global attention for a long time to come.

It's about more than just news value; we're facing a paradigm shift. Recognizing extraterrestrial life would mean questioning many of our fundamental assumptions about science, religion, and human existence. How would our institutions respond? How would we deal with the existential questions that arise? This creates a sense of uncertainty that many seem to want to avoid.

But according to surveys in the US and globally, acceptance of aliens as a reality tends to be between 20 and 55%. In the Pew Research Center's¹⁶ 2021 survey, 51% of participants expressed a belief that sightings made indicate aliens, a figure that has increased in line with more military reports and public discussion.

We must dare to ask ourselves: why do we continue to avoid? Instead of dismissing or ignoring these opportunities, we should embrace them and discuss them openly. It is time for us to stop being reluctant and instead begin to explore the amazing potential of understanding our universe and our place in it. We must not lose ourselves in the fear of the unknown, but instead see it as an opportunity for growth and insight. Let's start an honest UFO debate in Sweden!

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