Mapping 'UFO/ET' Research Across a Multidisciplinary Metatheory Framework

The above Metatheory Framework is based on Integral Theory.

Each of the four quadrants shows different ways of researching based on fundamentally different data and ways of knowing within objective (right hand quadrants) and subjective realities (left hand quadrants). 

In UFO/ET research there are very different sources of valid data within each quadrant of this Metatheory Framework. 

The following graphic attempts to position each of 7 UFO/ET books within this Metatheory Framework according to their dominant sources of data and research methodologies.

While all these books don't necessarily exactly fit the position allocated to them within the Metatheory Framework they do illustrate how UFO/ET research across multiple disciplines can help to present a bigger and fuller picture of the phenomenon. 

Metatheory frameworks help to recognise that focussing on only one or two quadrants is likely to give rise to only a partial view of the phenomenon - which may also give rise to misconceptions. Anomalies found within a quadrant can sometimes be resolved by considering research in other quadrants. 

By comparing assertions made across different quadrants we may increase or decrease our confidence in those assertions. 

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Mapped Books - Click images to go to Amazon Books link.

Hidden Megatrends and Probable Futures

Reading the July 2022 Australian CSIRO megatrends report reminds me of other trends that are rarely considered when predicting probable futures. For example, the following trends are likely to have a surprising impact on our lives over the next decade or two.

Outer Space Exploration - Planned exploration, commercialisation and militarisation of space for the next decade is significantly more than most people probably realise. Through initiatives such as the Artemis Accords many more nations than in the past are involved in missions to Cislunar space, the Moon, Mars and other bodies within the solar system. 

The Hubble and Webb telescopes have increased public interest in exo-planets and acceptance of the high probability of extraterrestrial life. Perceptions of our place in space are changing. 

Inner Space Exploration - Interest in consciousness studies, quantum realities and new cosmologies has been growing steadily in recent years. The validity of decades of research into Life After Death and the Paranormal is being reinforced by personal experience. The notion that humans are multidimensional beings with capacities far beyond those which have been generally accepted in the past is gaining momentum. 

Prevailing scientific assumptions about the relationship between consciousness and the body are being questioned in many disciplines. And there’s an increasing recognition that our inner world impacts our outer world in accordance with contemporary understandings of quantum reality and consciousness studies.

Disclosure and Transparency - Since 2001 the disclosure of institutional and organisational knowledge of hidden UFO and extraterrestrial activity has been steadily increasing. The extent of government, whistle-blower, experiencer and research revelations over the last five years have surprised many who have followed these issues for decades. 

It’s becoming clear that much more is likely to be revealed over the next decade. Public interest in exo-politics and exo-diplomacy is also likely to increase. UFO disclosure has profound implications for issues such as energy use, militarisation and climate change to name just a few.

Worldview Expansion - In these times of fake news, disinformation and sensationalism many are questioning fundamental beliefs and assumptions. This questioning is also partly driven by the increasing realisation that past thinking and behaviour will not address current global challenges. 

A shift from national to planetary to galactic perspectives and cosmologies is evident - as is a retreat to the apparent safety of “the good old days” for some. There’s a call to move beyond disciplines and research methods that are grounded in positivistic materialistic worldviews and cosmologies. 

Exo Studies is an example of a multidisciplinary post-positivist scientific approach.

Exploring Our Multidimensional Cosmos

 

I've just signed up to my 4th course at the Exo Studies Institute.

This 6 month course is about making contact with non-human intelligences (NHIs) that inhabit our multidimensional cosmos.

Over the last few years I've learned a great deal about human and non-human life across the cosmos, including life across many planets within our solar system.

I twice participated with extraordinary people from across this planet in the year long Exo Studies Master Course. The gap between what I knew and what is known was embarrassing - I had to repeat the course to catch up 😀

Over the last 5 years public revelations from governments, researchers and experiencers have confirmed what many have known for decades: UFOs exist and many are not from Earth. 

Exploring the psychological, sociological, and scientific implications of the UFO phenomena in the Exo Studies Master Course helped me to understand much of what is happening on Earth today - as well as in the distant past.

My next step is to learn how to better communicate directly with non-human intelligences - as some have already done. 

In the meantime I'll continue to learn as much as I can about the human and non-human history and politics of our solar system and the Milky Way Galaxy. 

“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” 

(Winston Churchill)

 

2022 - Same Planet, Different World

The world changed in many ways during 2020-2021 and so did the views and beliefs of millions. One change which isn’t widely known concerns UFOs. As the UFO story continues to unfold it’s likely to change our world.

The new ‘UFO Office’ within the 2022 US defence bill points to some significant shifts in dominant (western) beliefs and assumptions about the world in which we live. Worldviews have been expanding in recent decades to include new understandings of studies in consciousness, quantum realities and the cosmos.

An emerging ‘galactic worldview’ moves beyond an Earth centric notion of evolution to a galaxy full of intelligent life. NASA has consulted theologians to advise on how humans will react to news that intelligent life exists on other planets.

The historic release of confirmed UFO videos by the New York Times in 2017 and the US government’s June 2021 public admission that UFOs (now called UAP) ARE REAL signify deep changes in the way many people are seeing and experiencing reality.

In a sign of a weakening UFO taboo, award winning investigative journalists have written news stories and books covering decades of UFO research. In 2021 Australian Ross Coulthart published ‘In Pain Sight: An investigation into UFOs and impossible science’ as well as related documentary films some of which reached some very large audiences.

The 2020 documentary ‘The Phenomenon’ is one of many that bring a credible story of UFOs to larger audiences.

While much public UFO conversation is currently dominated by nuts and bolts physical evidence there are many groups discussing a wide range of issues that recognise decades of research, recently released classified documents and the validity of information from those who have experienced UFO related phenomena.

It seems likely that public awareness and conversation of UFOs and related phenomena will now progress through stages beginning with the following.

1. UFOs are real and some are most likely off-planet in origin with very advanced energy sources and manoeuvrability
2. Consciousness plays a major role in UFO and related phenomena
3. People have had close encounters with UFOs and their occupants
4. Some groups/organisations have ‘meta-materials’ that are most likely off-planet in origin
5. Some groups/organisations have recovered crashed/landed off-world vehicles
6. Some groups/organisations have recovered non-human/ET bodies

There are indications that this public conversation will become much more widespread during 2022. 

Those that comfortably engage with this conversation are likely to embrace (or already embrace) a more galactic worldview with very different beliefs about the nature of the cosmos. This more galactic worldview allows for the possibility of off-planet intelligences, including some visiting Earth. 

Governments and organisations that continue to publicly deny the reality of UFOs are likely to lose credibility.

Many groups and organisations have taken the UFO/UAP conversation much further than the 6 stages listed above. Participation in those conversations is like being in a different world. A world with very different approaches to many of today's global challenges and very different ideas for a future planet Earth and humanity within the Milky Way Galaxy.

 

UAP/UFOs - An Integral Meta-Theory Exploration

 

(Click to enlarge each graphic)

[This post is available as a PDF]

Recent public and special interest UAP/UFO conversations appear to be getting broader and deeper. I've been learning how to explore this complex topic using a meta-theory framework of research methodologies based on Integral Theory. 

This integrative meta-theory process uses a '4-quadrant' framework that helps to determine our level of confidence in different UAP/UFO data, stories and claims. 

The 4 quadrants identify fundamentally different ways of perceiving and experiencing our world.

For each of these quadrants there are well established ways of knowing, collecting and processing data, and validating claims about the nature of reality.

These 4 quadrants bring different lenses to UAP/UFO research and analysis through Objective (IT), Subjective (I), Inter-subjective (WE) and Inter-objective (ITS) realities.

For example, different ways of exploring UAP/UFOs and related phenomena might sit in each quadrant as follows.

Let's consider a few common UAP/UFO topics in each quadrant. Each of these represents a data source which may be analysed leading to claims about that topic. 

The following lists one possible claim (in green) for each type of evidence. 

In the past most UAP/UFO conversation privileged the 'IT' quadrant - and for many this quadrant of 'Objective Reality' is still a key focus. It often involves conversations about observable empiric physical data. 

Integral theory reminds us that there are many other ways to explore reality that are just as important. Any claim based on evidence from just one quadrant can only ever be a partial view - part of the bigger picture.

One benefit of a 4 quadrant integral approach is that we can increase our understanding of, and confidence in, a particular claim by looking for corresponding claims based on data points in other quadrants. This approach to research is known as Integral Methodological Pluralism.

For example highlighted below are claims in different quadrants that are related to the assertion that Non-Human Intelligences (NHIs) are visiting Earth with UAP/UFOs. 

When we discover similar claims based on  data points in multiple quadrants we may become more confident in a particular assertion.

Highlighted below are claims in different quadrants related to an assertion that some groups on Earth may know more about UAP/UFOs than they have publicly revealed.

When similar claims appear in multiple quadrants we may gain increasing confidence in those claims. We might choose to rate our level of confidence as follows:

The ratings below are indicative of my current levels of confidence in some UAP/UFO related claims arising from multiple research methodologies based on data points from different quadrants.

Different researchers may privilege particular quadrants, while completely ignoring others, which necessarily results in a partial view of a phenomenon.

In addition, a researcher's worldviews can colour their perceptions.

Individual worldviews may limit or expand our perceptions. Shared worldviews may do the same within disciplines or communities of practice. We can be blind to data points we "know can't possibly exist" because of our unquestioned beliefs and assumptions.

For example, those with positivistic classical views of the world may discount or not even recognise data points in the subjective or intersubjective quadrants. In the example we have been considering this may make 25% of data points invisible, or even if they are seen they may be easily discounted. 

Extending this example to those who may hold positivistic materialistic worldviews results in much more data becoming invisible or designated as 'nonsense' or 'immaterial' to "rigorous research". 

Taking this to its extreme we may consider a researcher with dominant worldviews that are world centric, positivistic and materialist who may not see any evidence of UAP/UFOs deemed worthy of consideration.

Of course we all have our blind spots. This is one reason why a 4-quadrant integral approach emphasises the importance of using multiple research methodologies spread across the quadrants.

The more we consider UAP/UFO research claims the more we are challenged to expand our worldviews. 

In many UAP/UFO conversations it's often apparent that 'experts' may only be expressing partial truths. Collaborative multidisciplinary international research is very much needed - as are scientific worldviews that expand beyond positivistic beliefs and assumptions.

This post has only been an introduction to a simple 4-quadrant integral approach. For a deeper consideration of integral approaches to the UAP/UFO issue see the following.

Piacenza, Giorgio (2019) Integral Ufology, Part Five

Piacenza, Giorgio (2012) Extraterrestrial Contact and Integral Theory

Esbjorn Hargens, Sean and Salzman, Jeff (2019) Taking Aliens Seriously - Interview Video and Transcript

Esbjorn Hargens, Sean (2020) Integral Ufology Panel Discussion - Video

Esbjorn Hargens, Sean (2020) OUR WILD COSMOS! An Exo Studies Exploration of the Ontological Status of Non-Human Intelligences

50 Years of UAP/UFO Intelligence

 

Click to enlarge

The above table compares public statements made about UAP in 2021 with those made publicly (and secretly) about UFOs before 1971. The left hand side represents statements made in a 2021 report by US National Intelligence while the right hand side has statements made in an archived 1971 report by Australian Intelligence which is publicly available through National Archives Australia or The Black Vault.

The striking similarity between public UAP/UFO statements made 50 years apart makes one wonder if the underlying beliefs and agenda are still the same.

While the short public unclassified 2021 report doesn't explicitly unpack all those beliefs and agenda the 1971 report does so in some detail which may lead to helpful insights when interpreting today's 'Disclosure' environment.

Let's examine the underlying processes, beliefs and agenda considered in the 1971 report for each of the types of statement listed in the above table. 

UAPs/UFOs are real and need further study

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: Official US investigations as early as 1947 believed that some reported UFO phenomena were real, and initially Soviet advanced aircraft were suspected. Further study was called for which was publicly stated to be for the collection and analysis of more UFO incidents while for some government agencies it was more about determining UFO propulsion methods. Considerable funds were later allocated to investigate and control gravity through six Gravity Control Centres.

We don't know what they are?

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: While initially suspecting Soviet advanced aircraft, by 1948 most US investigators were focussing on an interplanetary origin. The Pentagon rejected any interplanetary conclusions due to a lack of hard evidence. In 1949 US Intelligence recommended placing more effort on collecting factual evidence that included photographs, radar, physical evidence and data on size and shape, rather than recording, analysing and evaluating all UFO incident reports. 

During the 1950s several recently retired US Intelligence Officers repeatedly stated that it was already known that some UFOs were extraterrestrial. In 1960 it became an offence under the Espionage Act for retired service personnel to reveal data on UFOs.

UAPs/UFOs are a threat to national security

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: UFOs being a threat to national security was often expressed although this view wasn't universally accepted. UFO data collection became classified and attempts were made to discredit any acceptance of UFOs. During 1949 official investigating personnel were replaced "with personnel willing to ridicule the concept of UFOs". 

In 1953 an intelligence report based on the work of a panel of scientists concluded that there was no direct threat to national security. 

There are UAP/UFO safety concerns

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: In 1952 there was a twenty fold rise in reported UFO activity which raised concerns that overcrowded military communications and defence forces involvement lessened the level of national alertness against possible enemy attack. In 2021 the concern expressed about UAP activity in the public report was more about air traffic safety.

We have limited data on UAPs/UFOs

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: Throughout the years of the UFO phenomenon, there has been a persistent official view that the percentage of unknowns would be reduced if more data was available. This is a misleading view since thousands of incident reports were available. By the mid 1950s 900 incident reports were considered to be 'Good' or 'Excellent' and formal reporting procedures were in place for many government agencies. 

Scope: Narrow

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: In the past formal public reports on UAP/UFOs narrowed the range of incident reporting years that were considered to reduce the perceived number of unknowns "no matter how senseless the identification became". This was more about a process of managing public perceptions than honest reporting. During 1953 the purpose of Project Blue Book was changed to be "a means of publicly "debunking" UFOs".

Natural explanations are most likely

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: Many UFO incidents can be attributed to natural phenomena however this fact has been deliberately over emphasised to imply that most UFO incidents are natural phenomena and those that remain unknown will eventually turn out to be natural phenomena. 

In 1949 a 600 page report on UFOs concluded that all incident reports "were the result of misidentifications, mass hysteria and hoaxes".

In 1953 an Intelligence report called for the public to be educated to recognise balloons and meteors, and that "a policy of "debunking" should be introduced to reduce public interest". "The public is to be only informed of the results of individual cases where "the object is positively identified as a familiar object". "

The 2021 UAP report only identified one incident. "We were able to identify one reported UAP with high confidence. In that case, we identified the object as a large, deflating balloon."

Trained observers with instrumentation provide more reliable reports

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: The value of trained observers was recognised in both the 1971 and 2021 reports. It was also recognised by the public. In 1954 airline pilots "were coerced by military intelligence... to agree to not informing the public of their UFO sightings".

Control of public awareness of the UFO situation was tightened in 1953 when service personnel were prohibited from discussing UFOs and threatened with 10 years jail and up to a $10,000 fine. 

By erecting a façade of ridicule the US hoped to "allay public alarm" and provide a "cover for the real US programmes developing vehicles that emulated UFO performances".

The 1971 report noted that many countries gave credence to the public façade and uncritically accepted information that had been widely discredited by retired US service personnel as well as by scientists.

The 2021 report noted that there was a 'stigma' associated with reporting UAP incidents. (See UAP Collection Challenges.)

We need a more scientific approach

Processes/Beliefs/Agenda: In 1966 well-publicised Michigan sightings were officially identified as being 'swamp gas' which caused a public outcry. There was a call for a more scientific approach and that university teams should be involved. However this move was discredited when the academic called on to lead the project publicly stated that "my attitude right now is that there's nothing to it, but I 'm not supposed to reach a conclusion for another year". A memorandum was also revealed outlining a method to trick the public. 

There have been constant calls for greater scientific involvement however even the 2021 report noted that stigma and "reputational risk" complicates scientific pursuit of the UAP topic. The 2021 report believes that "the effects of these stigmas have lessened as senior members of the scientific, policy, military, and intelligence communities engage on the topic seriously in public."

Moving forward...

It's clear that UAP/UFO incidents and studies have a long history coloured by many factors. I'm not really interested in finger pointing. I am interested in processes to move forward and co-create preferred futures.

UAP/UFO 'Disclosure' as some have noted is a long and complicated process. Some of the beliefs, attitudes and successful management of public perception through the 1940s to 1960s became deeply ingrained in society and culture - and not just in the US.

It's also clear that through the 1940s to 1960s there were competing processes, beliefs and agenda between and even within government agencies dealing with UFO phenomena. That's probably still true today. 

However while there may be many similarities between the 2021 and 1971 reports we live in a very different world today. As the preliminary June 2021 report notes there is now public engagement by senior members of scientific, policy, military, and intelligence communities.

Christopher Mellon and others believe there has been significant progress towards open transparency. 

Over the last couple of decades in parallel to the intelligence/military conversation many credible scientists, academics and investigative journalists have been progressing our understanding of the UAP/UFO issue through a range of publications. There are even comprehensive courses on Exo Studies. It's in this space that we find a deeper understanding and conversation of both UAPs/UFOs and related phenomena - including the nature of extraterrestrial intelligences.

Since 1971, and particularly since 2001, many more ex service personnel and others have credibly spoken out about alleged 'secret projects' in the UAP/UFO space. Much more has potentially been revealed since the 1971 report. It remains to be seen how the next ODNI report will address these complex issues and the long standing competing agenda discussed above.

Fifty years ago the 1971 Australian Intelligence report hopefully asked for increased transparency that was "scientifically sound and intellectually honest towards unravelling the UFO mystery". This is now emerging as a multidisciplinary and global conversation.

2021 UAP [Threat] Report

The 2021 public USG Preliminary Assessment: UAP Report is actually a UAP Threat Report in that it responds to a USG request "to submit an intelligence assessment of the threat posed by unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)".

I believe that even though the scope of the report is narrow it represents a significant step in the direction of an open conversation leading to broader government and public understanding of UAPs.

Before outlining this significance my summary of the most important findings from this preliminary report is as follows. 

1. UAP are real and need to be taken seriously
2. Some UAP may pose a risk. Further investigation and analysis is required
3. Stigma associated with UAP has hampered USG reporting, data collection and investigation
4. UAPs are likely to fall into a number of categories when identified

• airborne clutter
• natural atmospheric phenomena
• USG or U.S. industry developmental programs
• systems from a foreign adversary or a non-government entity
• a catchall 'other' bin

A close examination of data collected by some of the most sophisticated instruments on the planet concluded that most Navy encounters examined for this report probably fit into the ‘other’ category. Of the 144 cases included in the report 143 remain unidentified.

What makes this 2021 Preliminary UAP risk assessment report different from past government UAP related reports?

1. Further investigation by USG has been announced

2. This unclassified report is being received by a public that is more informed, educated and connected than when the USG released reports on UAP/UFOs last century.

3. Reputable investigative reporting, quality formal disclosure research/events/documentaries, and advances in academic exo/astro studies and consciousnesses studies over the last few decades have reduced the stigma/taboo/ridicule associated with UAP and related topics.

4. UAP experiencer literature has matured and experiencers are now better informed, networked, supported and documented.

5. A growing proportion of the public already accept the existence of non-human intelligences and are successfully participating in structured ‘contact experience’ practices (eg CE5).

6. UAP researchers are better equipped to recognise witness/experiencer ridicule or intimidation, cover-ups and disinformation.

7. Current UAP related research strongly suggests that the report’s “catchall ‘other’ bin” for UAPs contains a complex range of technologically advanced, intelligently controlled phenomena rather than something that has a single simple explanation.

This last point is very significant because it has become clear over the last few decades that an examination of technical data alone is far too limiting. Meta-integrative post-positivistic scientific approaches are required that include the range of anomalous phenomenon often associated with UAPs.

Any final USG 'UAP threat assessment report' will very likely also be narrow in its scope and utilise methodologies and frameworks that are unlikely to reveal any real understanding of UAP. 

UAPs are no longer a topic of ridicule

It's time for a more open public conversation that includes media, government, scientific and academic communities, experiencers and more. 

• Why are some UAP dancing around certain places and events? 
• To what are they trying to draw government and public attention? 
• Why do we appear to have significant gaps in our understanding of reality?
• In what ways do we need to question our assumptions and expand our worldviews? 

There are many more questions down the UAP rabbit hole than "Do they pose a threat?"

Fortunately the conversation is quickly becoming mainstream. There have been leaders among the media, government, scientific and academic communities, and experiencers who in spite of entrenched UAP/UFO stigma have significantly progressed our understanding over the last decade.

The 2021 public USG Preliminary Assessment: UAP Report clearly states that UAP are real and need to be taken seriously. This is a significant government admission and one which should promote much more open and respectful research and dialogue.

Change is in the air!

This preliminary AUP threat assessment is not a government report into the likelihood of the existence of non-human intelligences. It was never intended to be. Reliable information and conversation about that can be obtained from other respected sources.

This report seems to surface an interplay of old and emerging beliefs/assumptions/worldviews across and within some USG agencies. There appear to be changes in thinking within USG even though the word “balloon” (much over used since the 1940s) appears 5 times across the 9 pages of the unclassified public report 😉

The report is a small and important step forward for humanity in the 21st Century as we engage with several existential global challenges. These challenges require a better understanding of our current realities. 

We can't expect to solve problems using the thinking and worldviews that created them.

UAPs may provide an important window onto new perspectives and possibilities.