One of the most quoted authors in the field of Ufology, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jacques F. Vallee discussed his work on UFO phenomena, as well as his interest in remote viewing and parapsychology. Remote viewer Paul H. Smith joined in during the conversation, noting that Vallee will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Remote Viewing Conference in Las Vegas.

Vallee, who distanced himself from ufology for a number of years, said the study of UFOs became less focused on science and more embroiled in a debate over belief systems. He spoke about first witnessing a saucer-shaped craft in 1955, and his years working with investigator J. Allen Hynek. Over time, Vallee began to doubt the extraterrestrial hypothesis for UFOs. He looked at unusual sightings dating back centuries, where such incidents were thought to be associated with ghosts, demons or supernatural forces. The phenomena is saying we don't understand space-time, and that our universe is a subset of something else, he asserted.

Vallee discussed his long-standing friendship with Ingo Swann (considered the father of remote viewing) and their participation at SRI at the very beginning of the RV program in 1971. Remote viewing's funding by intelligence agencies such as the CIA has been both a blessing and a curse, said Vallee. Mission-oriented projects were pushed forward before the science was fine tuned, he explained.

Nuclear Waste Issues

Diane D'Arrigo of the NIRS spoke about plans to build a new metal "sarcophagus" around the Chernobyl plant to contain radiation, and also addressed radioactive waste issues. She expressed concern that waste from nuclear reactors will be recycled into the marketplace rather than safely disposed or buried.