2000.05.06 Intruders Foundation lecture by John E. Mack, M.D. [1080p]

Dr. John Mack at Budd Hopkins' Intruders Foundation conference, New York Hall of Science in Corona, May 6, 2000.

Nick Pope, who spoke at the same event, wrote a summary of Mack's presentation: "Mack wondered why it was, given the volume of data that has been amassed, that the abduction phenomenon wasn�t a bigger story than it is. He saw evidence of an individual and collective cultural resistance to the idea, caused by a 'Western material worldview'. He commented on the arrogance of this belief system, pointing out that no previous culture has ever put itself at the peak of the intelligence hierarchy in the cosmos. Mack explained that given this worldview, alien abductions would represent 'a Narcissistic blow of unimaginable proportions', and went on to say that the ego would do anything to defend itself against such an attack. This defense takes the form of denial. Mack criticized the level of personal attacks within ufology, and also expressed the interesting view that researchers should not be afraid to inject a little humour into their work. He then proceeded to list a hilarious 'top ten reasons why you suspect you�ve been abducted by aliens', which had the audience (abductees included) in fits of laughter. These ranged from 'you went to sleep in Manhattan and woke up in a cornfield in Illinois' through to 'you just realized you�ve accumulated thirty billion frequent flier miles'. One of Mack�s most interesting points was when he asked what happens when reliable witnesses aren�t believed. Citing the examples of parent/child and teacher/student relationships, Mack speculated that the whole basis of our social structure would be in danger of collapse if trust is absent from these most fundamental relationships. This thought-provoking comment certainly poses some interesting questions with regard to the consistent, detailed and cross-cultural testimony of thousands of abductees from all around the world."

This presentation has been lightly edited, primarily to smooth over the use of PowerPoint slides - though most of the laughter from the "Top 10 Signs You've Been Abducted By Aliens" slides was retained; see below for what may have been that Top 10 list (the list below comes from an event held earlier in November 1999; it may have been rewritten for the Intruders Foundation event):

10. You went to sleep in Manhattan and woke up in a corn field in Illinois.
9. You always thought My Favorite Martian was the most sophisticated show on TV.
8. Hybrid roses bring out your maternal instincts.
7. Someone has installed runway lights in your driveway.
6. The AT&T campaign �Reach out and touch someone" makes you break out in a cold sweat.
5. You're convinced that Judy Garland was referring to the Pleiades when she sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
4. You secretly hope Al Gore will choose Mulder as his Vice President.
3. You would vote Republican if George W. Bush would put Scully on the ticket.
2. Your colonoscopy exam seemed eerily familiar.
And the number one reason why you suspect you've been abducted by aliens:
1. You just realized you've accumulated 30 billion frequent flier miles.

Recording: � 2000 Intruders Foundation; used by kind permission
Content: � 2000 John E. Mack, M.D.