Loving the Alien: Three Days in the Mirror World of Modern UFOlogy (w/ Eric Benson)

Aug 24, 2025

01:20:37

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We are joined by investigative reporter, writer, and podcast creator, Eric Benson. Benson is well-known for his hit podcasts, Project Unabom, Suspect, and Death County, PA. However, he recently dipped his toes into the murky waters of UFOlogy, having embedded himself in a UFO conference recently held at Rice University. In his fascinating long-form article for Baffler, titled, "Loving the Alien: Three Days in the Mirror World of UFOlogy, he describes his experiences at the "UFO and the Impossible" conference, where a diverse mix of scientists, experiencers, and spiritual seekers gathered to explore UFOs (or UAPs) through both empirical and mystical lenses. As Benson will discuss, he found the conference's blend of rigorous science, conspiratorial narratives, and deeply personal testimonies a bit unsettling, but nonetheless, compelling. This is no more apparent than when he meets Nancy, an artist who shared both skepticism and raw vulnerability. We break down the piece and where he stands today on the fascinating community we call "home."

Read the article: https://thebaffler.com/latest/loving-the-alien-benson

Find Eric's work at: https://ericbensonwriter.com/

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