The Facts
On Wednesday, NASA held its first public meeting since it launched a study into unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) a year ago. The team includes 16 scientists and experts.
NASA said the main objective of the four-hour session was to hold “final deliberations” before the panel issues a report in late July.
The Spin
Narrative A
Data is crucial to properly investigating these sightings, but it’s difficult to accumulate because of the stigma surrounding those who report unusual objects. Even pilots and military service members can face harassment, so instead they remain quiet. Having a public meeting and issuing this report should lead to people being more inclined to report anything unusual.
Narrative B
Although NASA and other organizations must accumulate enough data to conclude these unknown objects, it’s somewhat disconcerting that government organizations are considering using individuals’ cell phone data to further this cause. This could lead to a violation of privacy that shouldn’t be part of trying to explain the unexplained. This committee should proceed with public input — but without privacy violations.
