Mick West

West has emerged as a key figure in the world of skepticism. A former video game designer, he is active on #UFOTwitter and tends to adopt a less aggressive stance than some of his peers. While he occasionally presents valid arguments, he also misses the mark at times. This week, however, he made headlines when he tweeted the following:

> UAPs could be aliens.

The next day, he elaborated:

Credit must be given where it is due. In discussions about UFOs, I've always held that if scientists largely agree that life could exist elsewhere in the universe, then that possibility should remain on the table when considering phenomena that suggest advanced non-human intelligence.

Yet, West's perspective becomes muddled when he responds to inquiries about his shift in thinking. He stated:

> I'm basing it on the lack of evidence. The overwhelming number of UFO sightings that fail to demonstrate extraterrestrial visitation contributes to my stance. While it only takes one credible case, there are no signs that support this.

It's worth noting that over 700 UFO cases remain unsolved, as documented in Project Blue Book from the 1960s. Surely, West is aware of countless other well-documented instances that defy rational explanation. Skeptics often dismiss witnesses as unreliable, labeling them as dishonest, delusional, or misinformed, which conveniently allows them to disregard all evidence.

This approach can be quite convenient, as West now writes a monthly column titled "The Practical Skeptic" for Skeptical Inquirer, where he delves into various conspiracy theories in ufology. This topic will be explored further in our ongoing series, Twilight of the Skeptics.

Robert Sheaffer

Sheaffer, a long-time skeptic from California, seems to have joined Medium primarily to redirect readers to his rebuttals posted on his Bad UFOs blog. It's entertaining to challenge him to defend his assertions.

Nevertheless, discussions often lead to an impasse, though Sheaffer’s recent responses to our critiques are unintentionally amusing.

Sheaffer previously supported the Federal Aviation Administration's dubious claim that the Chicago O'Hare UFO was likely a "hole-punch" cloud. However, the conditions that day made such a formation impossible, as we demonstrated in our report.

In his rebuttal, Sheaffer downplays the O'Hare case yet again, suggesting that if a hole-punch cloud existed, it was likely created by an airplane. Though planes can create holes in clouds, the specifics of the reported sighting do not align with this explanation, which indicates a lack of skepticism on Sheaffer’s part.

Keith Kloor

Kloor, a freelance writer and journalism educator based in New York, recently criticized a tweet I made regarding NASA Director Bill Nelson's remarks about UFOs. He humorously compared my expectations to Charlie Brown's repeated failures to kick the football in the Peanuts comic strip.

Kloor's analogy falls short, as recent developments in the UFO discourse suggest significant progress, contrary to his assertion that hope is futile.

A quick summary of notable events in the past few years includes:

• September 2017: The formation of To the Stars Academy, with connections to former intelligence officials.
• December 2017: The New York Times reveals the Pentagon's investigations into UFOs.
• May 2021: Increased media attention on the Pentagon's UFO program.
• June 2021: Release of a preliminary report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, acknowledging numerous unsolved UAP cases.
• October 2021: NASA's newfound willingness to investigate UAPs.

Kloor's metaphor fails to account for the significant leaks in the dam of skepticism, as new information continually emerges.

Jason Colavito

My interactions with Colavito, another skeptical figure, often reveal the limitations of his viewpoint. Recently, we discussed an upcoming forum at the National Cathedral addressing space and extraterrestrial life.

Colavito expressed discomfort with the gathering of high-ranking officials discussing religious implications of UFOs. I countered that it raises intriguing questions about their motivations, especially given the current climate of international tension.

The forum has a history of discussing relevant topics, yet Colavito’s dismissal of any hidden agenda reveals a narrow perspective.

In conclusion, the intellectual stagnation seen in some skeptics' approaches to UFOs underscores the need for a more open-minded dialogue. The evolving conversation around UAPs suggests there is much more to explore, and skepticism should adapt accordingly.

Trail of the Saucers is edited by writer/producer Bryce Zabel and published by Stellar Productions. Zabel co-hosts the popular new podcast, Need to Know, with Coulthart and Zabel, available on all major platforms.