Alien Abduction Question ?

[TrueDave]

WHere did the "probing" start on this urban Legend? How did it go from HG Wells to that sort of thing?

[Mikey]

The way I understand it alien Mego collectors came to Earth looking for a brown cornelius and their intentions were misunderstood by most people they encountered.

[TrueDave]

Holy Crow! ALIENS collect mego TOO?

[Brazoo]

A lot of what I've read ties the first records of alien abduction to one specific source - I can't remember the exact source now, but I'll find it and post it in a bit!

Basically most of alien lore is prompted by single events in popular media. One airport pilot reports a "cigar shaped" unidentified flying object - the reporter called it a "flying saucer" because they thought it sounded better, then all over the world people have been seeing "flying saucers". Never happened before - coincidence?

[Brazoo]

As I recall Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine give a nice little summary of the history of alien phenomena in this (very entertaining) speech:

TED Blog: Skeptic founder Michael Shermer on TEDTalks


EDIT: I must have been mixing this talk up with another one. I'm remembering one where he talked more about aliens - I'll try to find it!

[Brazoo]

Okay - this is the one I think he goes more into a brief history of Alien phenomena in general. I use to know where the probing thing supposedly came from, but I forget now.

TVO.ORG | Video | Big Ideas - Michael Shermer

[johnmiic]

The earliest 'probe" story I recall hearing was Betty Hill. She stated that when she was abducted they inserted a mysterious needle probe into her stomach. At the time the proceedure was unfamiliar to Betty Hill but some years later a pregnancy test was developed which was eerily similar. That would have to be the early 1960's? If you specifically mean anal probing. I'm not sure but it could have been Whitley Streiber in the 1980's. On that note:


"Folks, let me tell you that it only takes 1 anal probe to figure out the how the rectum works. Either everyone is lying or these aliens are so stupid they just don't get it!!!" -Haralan Ellison

[Bill]

I love Harlan.
Maybe the probe thing started as a bit of one-upmanship?
"Sure you were abducted, but I was abducted and they poked me in the butt!"

[LonnieFisher]

Maybe they just like to probe anal canals. Just for kicks. A bunch of alien teen-age kids get together and come to earth to probe some humans and get home before the folks know they stole the ship while they were sleeping. Typical alien behavior!

[Brazoo]

Yes Betty and Barney Hill! That's the one!

[Brazoo]

Budd Hopkins is involved in furthering belief in abductions as well.

[captact]

Anyone here ever been abducted?????? i have my story....

[johnmiic]

Travis Walton was pretty familiar name in abduction too but I don't think he ever claimed anyone tried to probe him.

[jwyblejr]

What always gets me is they have figured out how to travel vast distances like that yet are obsessed with our butts. And our cattle.

[Brazoo]

I was abducted just this week, I was suppose to work late and my friends made me go out and drink with them way past last call. They're making me do it again tonight. I'm sure they're in league with The Greys!