The Michael Shermer Show The UFO Files Were Declassified Today
6 snips
May 8, 2026 A solo critique of newly released UFO files, highlighting blurry photos, redactions, and low-quality evidence. Discussion of why extraterrestrial visitations are unlikely given astronomical distances. Analysis of staged or misidentified images and social media hype. Examination of political misuse of UFO reports and what convincing proof would actually look like.
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UFO Means Unidentified Not Alien
- Shermer emphasizes that 'U' in UFO means unidentified and does not imply extraterrestrial origin.
- He cites Leslie Kean's estimate that roughly 95% of sightings have mundane explanations, leaving a small unexplained residue.
Recreating UFO Photos With Hubcaps And Candy Boxes
- Shermer recounts making fake UFO photos using hubcaps and dangling candy boxes to show how easily camera artifacts can fool observers.
- He notes X‑ray tests showed no string and that film/emulsion often hides threads, producing convincing images.
Redactions Undermine The Claim Of Transparency
- Shermer criticizes the extensive redactions in released files, arguing redacted location, dates, and camera details undermine transparency.
- He says redactions prevent independent assessment of images and make the 'transparency' claim hollow.
