Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Conversation
The Conversation
Tony Milligan, Research Fellow in the Philosophy of Ethics, King's College London

Belief in alien visits to Earth is spiralling out of control – here’s why that’s so dangerous

Earth United States UFO Donald Trump John Podesta Pentagon Extraterrestrial NASA UAP United Kingdom
DanieleGay/Shutterstock

The idea that aliens may have visited the Earth is becoming increasingly popular. Around a fifth of UK citizens believe Earth has been visited by extraterrestrials, and an estimated 7% believe that they have seen a UFO.

The figures are even higher in the US – and rising. The number of people who believe UFO sightings offer likely proof of alien life increased from 20% in 1996 to 34% in 2022. Some 24% of Americans say they’ve seen a UFO.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
The Beach Boys’ Mike Love returns to the stage despite ‘facing serious health challenges’
The 85-year-old was helped on stage by actor John Stamos, who shared an emotional message about his ‘musical hero and mentor’
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Columbia woman spends $10 on a tiny Chipotle burrito and complains online. Then she finds out she allegedly offended the entire ‘burrito community’
That's a character-building experience.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Kelly Clarkson Slams Brooklyn Store After Being Treated Like She Couldn't Afford Its Products in 'Pretty Woman' Moment
Kelly Clarkson says an Art of Play employee treated her as though she could not afford its products. The Brooklyn shop has shared positive reviews but has not publicly explained the encounter.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Kelly Clarkson Blasts Brooklyn Store After Employee Allegedly Assumes She Can’t Afford Their Products: ‘You’re An Idiot’
Kelly Clarkson shared an alleged unpleasant shopping experience at a Brooklyn store, prompting fans to react and sparking backlash against the business.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Walmart shopper buys a Frigidaire ice maker and heads home. Then she opens the box and realizes she brought home a roach motel: ‘Want my money back’
What Should You Do If You Find Cockroaches in a Boxed Appliance You Just Bought?
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Massachusetts man delivers tanks to a basement. Then he turns a corner and finds a life-size lion figure: ‘Everything cool, everything normal’
"Why is it so realistic?"
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play