Originally posted by nablator
Originally posted by Xtraeme
The most interesting category to investigate is knowledge-based proximity. It's easy to look for spatial / dimensional and time-oriented correlation.
Whereas knowledge-based proximity requires a functional analysis of that which might be counter-intuitive, but is evidenced through repeated testing.
Interesting approach. Very interesting. I'm not sure I understand what it means. I have looked for correlations in many cases without much
success.
I'd say the study of UFOs isn't much different from how a cosmologist goes about probing the fabric of the universe. On the high-level there's
physical cosmology and
meta-physical cosmology.
We already have something that resembles this. For instance, physical ufology, uses mathematics and observation in the analysis of the UFO phenomenon.
On the flip-side of the coin we have something perhaps less structured than metaphysical ufology (oh alright lets be honest it's unorganized
off-the-wall speculation), but certain people try to ground themselves in a historical or mythological context.
Vallee is a good example of what I would call a metaphysical ufologist and Brad Sparks is a wonderful example of a physical ufologist.
In my mind knowledge-based proximity (or nonlocal correlation) is any association that is not evidenced by directly observing physical space, n-th
dimensional space, time, and where there
is verifiable evidence supporting causality.
For example, the psychological hypothesis is based on the idea that we as humans can misinterpret sensory input. This is something we learn. Thus
it's an example of knowledge-based proximity. However it does partially take on the properties of spatial proximity in the sense that we observe the
world through our bodies. So the spatial distance is specifically the sensory organ / brain to the object.
Quantum entanglement, or "spooky action at a distance," is another great example because if it weren't for repeated tests demonstrating the
relationship between one particle and another we would have never made the link that two disparate objects could be linked together over an arbitrary
distance.
To get even more abstract math is a fantastic example of knowledge-based proximity. Humanity created simple rules using physically observable reality
(spatial / time-based proximity). Now imagine trying to prove something like the associative property for addition using all real numbers without
mathematical notation and human understanding (knowledge-based proximity). There is nothing physically observable in the world that demonstrates (-1 +
-2) + -3 = -1 + (-2 + -3). However using physically grouped objects (spatial proximity) we can show (1 + 2) + 3 = 1 + (2 + 3). Performing arithmetic
we know both statements are true, but the former is not observable (other than as a vector on the Cartesian plane). Using induction (knowledge-based
proximity) and the fact that the numbers balance we trust that the associative property holds.
Transcendent proximity is very similar. The only difference is transcendence implies, "there is no verifiable evidence supporting causality and never
can be verifiable evidence supporting causality."
You have started this wonderful wiki project to explore the implications and semantic links between all the known and unknown facets of the UFO
mystery. Very good.
Why thank you Nab
. I hope it turns in to a useful resource.
The most difficult problem in ufology is methodology. Applying the scientific method to ufology is very difficult. What is the best way to make
progress, and not fall into the many traps that so many ufologists have fallen into?
- How to get uncontaminated data. Statistic analysis has failed due to 1. the huge number of sightings that cannot be confirmed or dismissed as
hoaxes. Discriminating between the real unidentified, the misidentifications and delusions is nearly impossible. 2. the socio-psychologic aspect of
UFO flaps.
You nailed the problem on the head. However I think this is solvable. Bluntly, the problem is the mechanism used to capture the report.
My current area of interest is computational and distributed tracking of UAPs using widely available technology (i.e./ GPS-enabled camera phones /w
tilt-sensors). I'm currently developing a
distributed
mobile UFO detection, analysis, identification, and reporting platform for the iPhone that I later intend to port to the RIM BlackBerry Storm
and Palm PRE.
The idea is simple, use the iPhone location services to notify other users within a certain radius of a persons UAP sighting to distribute the
workload of recording numerous angles of photographic data and to rapidly deploy people with additional sensory equipment to the location.
Not only would this software package increase public awareness it maximizes the number of people recording data (more first-hand reports); decreases
the lag between a sighting and the time it takes experts with equipment to analyze the event; and gives investigative reporters access to
up-to-the-second sightings which may have the happy side-effect of a professional camera crew recording a UAP live, up-close and personal.
One thing I'd like the application to do is attempt to automatically identify various obvious UAPs. For instance if a person is observing the night
sky and they see a bright object that isn't moving on the horizon I would want this application to use the accelerometer and the GPS device to
determine heading (ie/ have the person walk in the direction of the object thus determining N-E-S-W orientation) and then using the tilt-sensor
(oriented with the horizon transposed to the position of the object in the night-sky) to calculate azimuthal position.
With that kind of data I can quickly search a starmap database to quickly locate night-sky objects with a negative magnitude. Likewise I can query
against meteorological databases to check for weather balloon releases to try and auto-rule out obvious explainable sightings.
I've tried to contact some of the bigger names in the field, with the hopes that I can get a little funding, so I can properly execute on the
application.
[edit on 6-4-2009 by Xtraeme]
