My speculations here are based on the conjectural premise that there may be something to the many reports of odd creatures that stretch back almost to the beginning of recorded history.

If ETI is here, then it is here for some purpose.

Let me take a step back.

It is my opinion that some eyewitnesses accounts are at least somewhat accurate.

Consider that pilot down in Texas who saw the rocket or missile fly under his 737. The news articles did not contain much detail, so it would be futile to speculate about what it was he saw. Rather, the immediate question concerns the reliability of his sighting. That is, did he really see something out of the ordinary? Assuming that the news account accurately reflects what transpired, i.e. it's not a disinfo plant, then can we assume that this pilot with his reported military background has accurately reported what he saw, an unusual event involving a UFO?

Again, I'm not suggesting that the UFO in this case is ET, far from it - there's simply not enough (released) information to advance that conjecture in this case.

The immediate issue is the pilot's competency to accurately report what he saw.

I am a birder. The birder's challenge is to spot and identify birds, some of them tiny and restless. From many years experience in the field engaged in this type of activity, I am quite convinced that many people, birders at least, can be extremely accurate observers who are capable of noting and recording the kinds of tiny details that differentiate between similar species, such as the wood warblers.

Going out in the field with novices has taught me that some people are extremely sharp-eyed and able to recall what they've seen, even a fleeting sighting of a tiny bird. Others less so.

Therefore, if we accept that all people are not liars, and some people are good or even excellent observers, we may consider that there just could be something to some of the reports of odd creatures which have been made down through history. Along with the more familiar reports of various alien entities (sometimes in conjunction with reports of unknown aerial craft), I include tales of elves, fairies, trolls, demons, succubi and other semi-mythical creatures of this type which can be found on the pages of folklore in many cultures, and which may represent either ETI or unknown terrestrial species.

Again, if ETI is here, then it has some purpose. If you accept that working premise, then I don't think we could rule anything out. It might be for some reason we could understand, like food or fuel, or it might be something completely inscrutable.
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Whatever the case, our hypothetical ET is apparently usually stealthy, and goes about its affairs without much (apparent) interaction with our species, but with curious lapses that possibly account for the unusual reports cited above. Of course, there are reports of very close encounters with alleged aliens.

I don't think there's much cost to keeping an open mind about this possibility. The greater risk, I think, is to summarily dismiss it all as so much BS.

S