By Tim Binnall
An enlightening new survey regarding UFOs suggests that more Americans are open to the possibility that they are extraterrestrial in nature, though they also expressed doubt that we will meet these hypothetical aliens any time soon. The fascinating poll of 1,000 adults in the United States was conducted by the website YouGov in early September. The survey first asked participants if they thought UFOs were aliens, something that has a "natural scientific explanation," or if they simply did not know. The response was remarkably divided with 34% embracing the proverbial ET hypothesis, while 33 percent chose for the prosaic option, and 34% had no answer for the phenomenon.
The 34 percent in favor of a possible alien origin for UFOs is a dramatic increase from a 1996 Newsweek poll which found a mere 20% of participants thought the phenomenon was alien in nature. While recent events surrounding government interest in unidentified aerial phenomena may have some wondering if first contact could be on the horizon, it would appear that most Americans are not nearly as optimistic. A mere 7% of the survey participants expressed confidence that we will meet aliens within the next decade, while 13% think it could occur sometime in the next 50 years. A far greater percentage of people were particularly pessimistic with 21% saying it will happen within 100 years and 28 percent suggesting it could take two more centuries before first contact happens.
As for what these hypothetical aliens might be like, 66% postulated that they are probably more technologically advanced than humans, while 17% suggested that is somehow not the case. With regard to the ETs' intentions, 41% of participants believe that they will be peaceful, while 35% fear that the visitors could be hostile. An amusing final question included in the survey explored belief in aliens versus other 'mythical beings' and saw that 57% of the participants indicated that ETs definitely or probably exist. Sadly, just 31% of the respondents expressed similar feelings about Bigfoot, 28 percent believe that the Loch Ness Monster might be real, and only 18% gave the proverbial nod to the infamous chupacabra.