From: Joe McGonagle <joe.mcgonagle.nul>
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 18:21:26 +0100
Fwd Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 13:44:02 -0400
Subject: Re: The Acronym 'UFO' - McGonagle


>From: Joe McGonagle <joe.mcgonagle.nul>
>To: <ufoupdates.nul>
>Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 17:19:42 +0100
>Subject: Re: The Acronym 'UFO'

>>From: Sheryl Gottschall <gottscha.nul>
>>To: <ufoupdates.nul>
>>Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 17:03:35 +1000
>>Subject: Re: The Acronym 'UFO'

>>>From: Terry Groff <terrygroff.nul>
>>>To: UFO Updates <ufoupdates.nul>
>>>Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2005 11:48:36 -0700 (PDT)
>>>Subject: The Acronym 'UFO'

<snip>

>>>I just wonder sometimes if it isn't the acronym "UFO" itself
>>>that is always putting people off of the subject. If you ask
>>>someone if they believe in UFOs I can guarantee that the extreme
>>>majority will instantly think you are asking if they believe in
>>>alien spaceships.

>I have heard the same argument, for instance, from Jenny
>Randles. My view is that it doesn't matter what you call it, the
>"new agers" will start using whatever acronym is used to replace
>it. We could then finish up changing acronyms every 3 years,
>which would not be very helpful, especially for any future
>historians!

Jenny Randles saw my remarks on this list, and posted the
following comments via ufologyinuk:

-----

Hi,

I note that on UpDates there is a debate on whether the term
'UFO' is responsible for all the ills of Ufology. Someone has
suggested replacing it with UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena)
as an answer. Joe has responded by saying that I have previously
argued for this but he disputes its likely success.

Just wanted to note that I don't think this would solve the issues
raised on Updates for exactly the reasons that Joe noted there -
any term will come to mean what UFOs means now in popular
consensus, just as UFO did when it replaced Flying Saucer. It's not
the words, but how society abuses them.

However, my point has always been not that adopting UAP would
change the world - although it would get us away from the stigma
somewhat. But rather that it is a more correct definition of
what we are dealing with. UFO 'assumes' a craft or at least an
object, whereas phenomenon is a far more accurate and none
presumptive word.

I think some of the problems within Ufology do stem from
ufologists making the assumption, up front, that is instilled
into them by the use of the word 'object' (aka craft), as
central to our most basic terminology.

Oh, and I always refer to UAP as 'Unidentified Atmospheric
Phenomena' (not aeral) because the word aerial also has an
implication of flight that is not correct with certain kinds of
event - for instance atmospheric mirages.

Just wanted to explain my perspective on this.

Best wishes,

Jenny

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