Kate Middleton MIA, UFOs, and How Conspiracies Got Fun
Mar 17, 2024
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From Kate Middleton conspiracies to UFO sightings surpassing her, this podcast covers it all. Explore the Pentagon's UFO report, TikTok bans, and the drummer of Blink-182's role in mainstreaming UFOs. Delve into royal family conspiracy theories and the evolving narratives surrounding mysterious disappearances. Unravel the psychological factors behind belief in conspiracies and the search for control in uncertain times.
Kate Middleton's absence sparked internet frenzy surpassing UFO sightings, delving into conspiracy theories.
Collaboration between unlikely figures like a Blink-182 guitarist and former defense official in UFO investigations.
Journalists and activists played pivotal roles in mainstreaming UFO narratives and pushing for government investigations.
Deep dives
Christopher Mellon and Tom DeLonge Convene on UFO Investigations
Christopher Mellon, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, and Tom DeLonge, the guitarist of Blink-182, collaborate in investigating UFO sightings. DeLonge's interest in aliens leads Mellon to join the Stars Academy, a think tank focused on UFO studies.
Luis Elizondo Leads Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program
Luis Elizondo, a former counterintelligence officer, heads the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program established by funding secured by Harry Reid and Robert Bigelow. Elizondo investigates videos of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) recorded by Navy personnel.
Leslie Kean and Ralph Blumenthal Join the UFO Discourse
Journalist Leslie Kean, known for her book on UFO experiences, and retired New York Times veteran Ralph Blumenthal, a believer in extraterrestrial phenomena, play key roles in publicizing UAP footage and pushing for mainstream awareness through their writing and connections.
The Mainstreaming of UFO Stories in the New York Times
Kean and Blumenthal craft a story based on UAP videos provided by the Stars Academy, focusing on the Pentagon's involvement and credible witnesses like Navy aviators. Their pitch to the New York Times successfully lands a front-page feature on the unexplained aerial sightings, contributing to a broader cultural shift in accepting UFO narratives.
Unusual Circumstances Surrounding the Front-Page Investigative Story
Two outsiders, not affiliated with the New York Times, wrote a front-page investigative story pitching it directly to the executive editor, landing it on the front page in just two months. This swift process was uncommon for the paper, involving an activist-adjacent co-author and direct engagement with the executive editor, hinting at unusual methods.
Evolution of the UFO Story in the Media and Government Response
Initial UFO stories, gaining traction in 2017 and 2020, spurred government investigations leading to the release of preliminary reports. Congressional hearings featured testimonies from individuals such as Elizondo and Mellon. While the media covered the UFO claims extensively, subsequent government investigations highlighted visual artifacts or misinterpretations, leading to skepticism and revealing the complex narrative's faltering credibility.
Kate Middleton sightings have dipped below UFO sightings, and the internet is having a heyday! It’s conspiracy theory week at Offline, with Max and Jon offering up their own takes on the missing Princess of Wales. Then, they break down the latest developments of the House’s proposed TikTok ban––including content creators’ ludicrous theories behind what’s really going on. To cap it off, Max sits down with Vox Senior Correspondent, Dylan Matthews, to talk through a new UFO report from the Pentagon. They tell the story of how UFOs were mainstreamed by an otherworldly alliance between the drummer of Blink-182, a former Senate Majority Leader, and the New York Times.
Tour dates & cities: crooked.com/events
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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