Introduction

In all categories of UAP, the most important factor in observation is linked to the human witness and their psychological state prior to recording the anomalous phenomenon. Although this conclusion is obvious, it has been neglected by the majority of researchers. Vallée (1969) was one of the first analysts of the phenomenon to recognize the witness as the primary key to understanding its aspects.

Among the classical categories of observations, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (CE3) appear to represent those cases where the abundance of available data could contribute to a much better understanding of the phenomenon. However, the extensive presentation of CE3 reports by Jose Antonio Caravaca (2019, 2022, 2023), along with the introduction of the “Distortion Theory,” has raised serious doubts regarding the usefulness of broad statistical analysis of such cases.

1.2. Elements from Caravaca’s Distortion Theory

The Spanish ufologist writes in his latest book The External Agent (2023):

UAP researchers can study only the “during,” because the “before” and “after” of the projection simply do not exist. It is due to this “psychic mechanism” that, to this day, we have not managed to formulate many solid hypotheses about UAP, since their action is spontaneous, not pre-planned, and in reality orchestrated not by the phenomenon itself, but by the “creativity” of each witness interacting with the external agent. Everything is “created,” “managed,” and “projected” at the moment of connection between the human witness and this unknown external factor, including the aesthetics of the alleged extraterrestrials, their behavior, and their actions. In every ufological episode, we witness a new staging of the concept of “alien contact,” but under the particular “perspective” and “decoding” of each witness, who significantly modifies the internal framework that defines this paradigm (e.g., how the spacecraft and its occupants are constructed). The phenomenon seems to draw data related not only to Ufology or space travel but almost any content that can be reused in this creative process. This is why ufologists “amuse themselves” by attempting to speculate about an unstable psycho-dimensional process that may neither include nor reflect the inherent nature of the phenomenon, but is instead the product of personal fantasy.

1.3. The Ideographic Data Bank Hypothesis or the Collective Unconscious

The French sociologist Bernard Méheust, in his book Science Fiction et soucoupes volantes (1978), noted some very strange coincidences between early 20th-century French science fiction stories and various CE3 incidents. The general pattern was that ufological incidents had in some way been described many years earlier in science fiction narratives, although the witnesses had no conscious knowledge of those stories. It should be noted, however, that while the coincidences were indeed impressive, they were not statistically proven.

Hilary Evans, in his book Visions, Apparitions, Alien Visitors: A Comparative Study of the Entity Enigma, proposed the idea of a collective unconscious as the generative force behind these visual associations. Theoretically, each individual could have access to such information (under certain conditions), which could be subtly channeled, either imposed by the witness (even unconsciously) or under the will of the “unknown external factor,” according to Caravaca’s hypothesis. The main problem with Evans’ theory is how specific information is selected from an infinite Data Bank. In contrast, it is fully understandable that when the human mind is confronted with data it does not recognize, it uses “familiar” elements to interpret what it perceives, possibly distorting information gathered through human senses (more comments on this point in the section on microwaves).

1.4. Joseph Burkes’ Virtual Experience Model

The high number of CE3 reports has concerned ufologists for many years, beginning with Vallée (1968, 1990). As a result, the theory of “staged UFO events” has become quite popular. This theory proposes that CE3 incidents are fictional, do not correspond to reality, and that the staged contact experience has been transmitted to the witness through some technological means.

In 2019, American ufologist Joseph Burkes developed the Virtual Experience Model. Burkes proposes that the witness perceives and interacts with a projected hologram, which could certainly explain why there is not always tangible evidence in third-kind encounters. He believes this type of technological illusion is deliberately used for specific purposes.

1.5. Extending the Illusion Hypothesis to CE4 Cases

As mentioned in previous sections, CE3 cases display uniqueness. The elements of contact (characteristics of the craft, its pilots, communication elements with the witness, etc.) do NOT repeat. They are unique experiences of a witness interacting with an unknown phenomenon.
In contrast, CE4 cases (abductions) display MANY common patterns. The witness is abducted from their bed, usually by grey aliens, subjected to a series of strange medical examinations, various implants are inserted, and finally they are returned to their bed. All this information typically emerges through hypnosis.

From a comparison of these two categories, one could argue that the phenomenon behind third-kind encounters is NOT the same as that causing fourth-kind encounters. However, the parallel details in CE4 reports could also suggest an earthly origin. Disinformation in the CE4 domain need not be deliberate but can easily be shaped by recurring narrative scripts. Of course, no one can question the work of researchers such as the American psychiatrist John Mack (1994, 1999), who extensively studied CE4 cases. However, other elements in international literature raise many questions regarding CE5 cases. Psychologist Andrew Lawson (1977) hypnotized 16 normal volunteers and instructed them to imagine an alien encounter involving a UFO sighting, boarding the craft, undergoing physical examination, receiving a message from aliens, etc. Lawson concluded that hypnotically suggested reports were not substantially different from CE4 reports.

These findings suggest the possibility of reproducing imaginary events under certain conditions in which the human mind receives specific “instructions.” The fact that normal individuals can reproduce memories of “abductions and strange medical examinations” implies that the initiating stimulus perceived by CE4 witnesses may be any cultural or social factor.

1.6. How Electromagnetic Radiation Can Create Auditory and Visual Hallucinations

In a chapter written by Michael Persinger in the book UFOs and Abductions, edited by David M. Jacobs, titled “The UFO Experience: A Normal Correlate of Human Brain Function,” the author states: “All of your experiences are created within your brain. Consequently, any subtle stimulus that can provoke specific patterns of activity within clusters of brain cells can create experiences that are as real and as compelling as actual events.”

Persinger suggests that some observations may be remarkably subjective, not because of sensory deficiencies, but because auditory and visual senses can be affected by specific electromagnetic radiation. One such radiation is microwaves, which can alter or damage human biological functions. This type of radiation has a significant “informational advantage.” Because it is characterized by very short wavelengths, it is highly focused and capable of transmitting information with minimal signal loss.

Over the past seven years, Dr. Stefano Panzeri’s research group (Neural Computational Laboratory, University of Trento, Italy) has studied the transmission of visual information to the human optic nerve via microwaves. Although this technology is still in its infancy, Dr. Panzeri is convinced that in the near future it will be possible to transmit information to the human optic nerve that could generate a form of “visual virtual reality.” This artificial reality is essentially a visual hallucination. In this context, the observer may see something that exists only for them and not for nearby individuals. Ufological literature abounds with such cases.

Another electromagnetic application affecting the human brain is the Ganzflicker effect. This effect can be achieved by rapidly turning a light source on and off or alternating bright colors in a rhythmic pattern (like a strobe light). It can induce immediate psychedelic experiences. People may see geometric shapes, illusory colors, and sometimes complex objects such as animals and faces — all without chemical stimulants. It may even lead to altered states of consciousness (e.g., loss of time or spatial awareness) and emotional shifts (from fear to euphoria). In ufological literature, there are many reports of disc-shaped objects with rotating colored lights. It is possible that such techniques prepare the observer to accept specific visual and auditory hallucinations.

1.7. Final Thoughts

The evidence presented suggests that a human observer can be easily “deceived” by auditory and visual false stimuli and convinced that what they observed (CE3 & CE4 cases) was real. Even if we accept that a witness may be technologically manipulated (by earthly or non-earthly agents), many questions remain regarding the vast diversity in CE3 scenarios and testimonies.
What could be so unknown that each observation becomes a unique experience?
Chapter 3 was based on an article by Mr. Chatzopoulos presented at Vortex 5, 2024, published by Locus-7 & Alloste.

About the Author

Stavros Chatzopoulos was born in 1957 in Athens. He is a professor at the University of Ferrara (Department of Neurosciences) in Italy. His background is in Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, with emphasis on Hearing Science and medical Audiology. His interest in the UAP phenomenon began in the early 1970s after meeting Giorgos Balanos and Homer Karatzas. In 1975 he became a founding member of the Panhellenic Association of Researchers of Unknown Phenomena (PEEAF). Since the early 1980s, following Jacques Vallée’s research data, he has developed a paraphysical model for approaching the UAP phenomenon.

He is an active member of the Italian Center for Ufological Studies (CISU), the European groups EuroUfo.net and UAPcheck, the American Society of UAP Studies (SUAPS), and the Greek group GRUFON – ErEnZo.
Dr. Chatzopoulos can be contacted at: sdh1@unife.it
If you would like, I can also format this as a publication-ready academic translation (more formal tone, standardized terminology such as “Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind,” etc.) tailored for ERENZO publication.