Ah. And may I presume you ARE in fact privy to these secrets? And that is why you know them to be true. And of course you are going to leave us with some verifiable evidence of these secrets….right?

No?

I didn’t think so.

why presume they are superior to us?
Because, if, as you seem to be convinced of, the aliens have managed to find Earth despite overwhelming odds against it, and have managed to stay alive, even in your scenario where they are drifting around space, then they in fact have superior technology to us. We have no idea how to do this.

They may not be superior beings, no one is presuming that.

there are big secrets out there that YOU are not privy to.

And what are these secrets?

small-minded, ego-centric people like yourself simply cannot handle the possibility that you might just be as puny and insignificant as the reality of alien life might make you seem.

Is this really what you think from my writing? I suggest you re-read two paragraphs above, starting with the one that says “We are humans…”. I freely admit I’m puny and insignificant!

why presume they are superior to us?

Again, re-read the two paragraphs mentioned. I answer this question there.

You’re in for a big surprise in the next few years. Mark my words on that.

I will, if you give me more information:

1) What is the surprise?

2) How long is “a few years”? Three?

Andy

I’m humored by your smug posturing on this. They may have removed this chapter in subsequent editions… not because the information was invalid… but because small-minded, ego-centric people like yourself simply cannot handle the possibility that you might just be as puny and insignificant as the reality of alien life might make you seem.

You’re in for a big surprise in the next few years. Mark my words on that.

For those interested, there is now indeed “a (very cheap) subscription”.

More detail here.

This was an interesting and hilarious article. Perhaps it should have been titled – Human Histeria – War of the Worlds to Armageddon, or “The Sky is Falling”

Citing War of the Worlds as an example of a peace that must be kept was definitely interesting choice, and a very good example of irrational belief gone awry. But you’re equally right about using Biblical Armageddon for the same results.

Further, a UFO need not refer to an alien attack, just an unexplained one. It wouldn’t mean that poeple wouldn’t jump to those conclusions. Riots would happen regardless.

-JMO

Thanks, Techskeptic! I strive to at least be lukewarm. :)

If10% of your listeners gave you 1 dollar, would that help? 20% gave you 5 dollars?

Yes, that would be great, but it would have to be continual. The (always increasing) hosting costs are the sticky point here.

I’ve been tossing around the idea of a (very cheap) subscription. But I’d like to be able to offer something to those who subscribe, and I don’t yet know what that would be. Unless I can assume DBS die-hards will be willing to give DBS unconditional, continual money! Realistically, I don’t think that’s wise to assume.

Justifying how much you need and how little you are asking of each of your readers/listeners may be helpful if you keep it short

Thanks for this advice. I generally want the podcast to be ONLY the article. But yes, I may consider a short announcement at some point.

Thanks again for the feedback. I rarely get it, so hearing any is greatly appreciated!

This was a bizzarre thing you found! I just want to say that after now listening to a number of your podcasts, my initial luke-warminess towards it has much improved. Some of it was probably just getting used to your format. I had the same sort of adjustment period even with SGU.

Keep up the good work. I wish I had good ideas for you on how to keep the cash rolling in. May I suggest a paypal donate button? Even on This American Life, they are asking for as little as a dollar just to keep going (just listen to the last episode or the one before, you’ll its not that bad). He is apologetic and shares information about the costs of doing the podcast. Its short and not very obstrusive. If10% of your listeners gave you 1 dollar, would that help? 20% gave you 5 dollars? We are critical thinkers and like information. Justifying how much you need and how little you are asking of each of your readers/listeners may be helpful if you keep it short (npr has 3-5 day fund drives, its the most irritating thing!).

cheers