Escaping Illusions About Ourselves
In “Escaping Illusions About Ourselves and Aliens,” Richard Dolan discusses the challenges of understanding UFOs and the broader issues that limit our view of reality. He explains that the UFO subject is difficult because it involves advanced intelligences with their own agendas, operating at a level beyond human understanding. Adding to this is the secrecy maintained by governments worldwide, especially the United States, which prevents the public from learning what might already be known.
Dolan argues that this secrecy reflects a larger problem: the illusions people live under, including a false sense of freedom. While some freedoms exist, he believes many aspects of society are controlled and that people overestimate their ability to access information or create meaningful change. He also critiques the common belief in progress, acknowledging scientific and technological advancements but questioning whether progress always leads to better outcomes. Dolan points out that society often assumes new things are better than old ones without critically examining this belief.
These illusions, he says, prevent us from fully understanding ourselves and the world, including the UFO phenomenon. Dolan emphasizes the need to question these assumptions to gain a clearer view of reality and approach the UFO issue with greater honesty and awareness.
Dolan continues by questioning long-held beliefs about societal progress and the public’s influence within democratic systems. He challenges the assumption that society will naturally grant more rights and freedoms over time, arguing that this belief is overly optimistic and unrealistic. According to Dolan, many people, particularly in Western nations, have been led to believe they live in open, democratic societies where their voices and votes shape decisions. While he acknowledges some level of public influence, he argues that its extent is significantly overstated.
Dolan reflects on the historical context of UFO disclosure efforts, particularly in the 1950s, when Americans had greater trust in their political system and believed that institutions like Congress could uncover the truth about UFOs. This trust was based on the belief in a free and democratic society. However, Dolan suggests that if people recognized their societies as more authoritarian or even totalitarian in nature, their expectations and strategies for disclosure would differ significantly.
He asserts that societal power has always been concentrated in the hands of a small group of elites. These individuals, Dolan claims, have become increasingly skilled at controlling events and information to maintain their dominance. He argues that true power lies not with elected officials but with hidden elites who manipulate public perception and maintain control behind the scenes. Dolan further suggests that these elites are connected to the UFO phenomenon and may even have links to extraterrestrial influences.
Dolan highlights the disconnect between public belief in democratic processes and the reality of secretive decision-making by a select few. This lack of transparency becomes particularly problematic when considering evidence of UFOs and potential extraterrestrial presence. He points out that advanced beings seem to be operating within our world, pursuing their own agendas without public awareness or meaningful discussion. Meanwhile, humanity remains trapped in a cycle of misinformation and manipulation, both self-imposed and externally orchestrated. This situation, Dolan concludes, hinders the ability to take effective action or fully understand the implications of the UFO phenomenon.
Dolan continues by examining the mechanisms behind the illusion of democracy, focusing on how media, education, and political systems are structured to maintain control. He argues that while the internet has revolutionized communication and created a flood of information, this freedom has made controlling narratives even more crucial for those in power. Dolan sees modern education as a tool for conformity, producing individuals who adhere to societal norms rather than fostering critical thinking or genuine understanding of reality. This conformity reinforces the illusion of personal empowerment and awareness while masking the deeper truths about power and control.
He then critiques elections, describing them as a form of political theater that gives the appearance of democratic participation while ensuring that power structures remain intact. Dolan suggests that most candidates are pre-selected by elites, making elections largely symbolic rather than transformative. While he acknowledges occasional challenges to the system, such as populist movements or the election of figures like Donald Trump, he questions whether these moments lead to genuine change or merely reinforce the system’s resilience.
Dolan uses historical examples, like Barack Obama’s 2008 election, which was celebrated as a symbol of change but ultimately upheld the same power structures. As we approach 2025, he warns that the illusion of meaningful choice and change keeps people complacent, participating in a system designed to perpetuate the status quo rather than dismantle it. This false sense of empowerment, he concludes, is one of the most effective tools for maintaining control over society.
Richard Dolan expands on how elites control the flow of information to maintain their grip on power. He emphasizes that the illusion of democracy and transparency persists through increasingly sophisticated methods of manipulation. As technological and media tools advance, these tools are used to curate a carefully controlled narrative. Despite the appearance of openness in the modern world, information is filtered through measures like selective release, censorship, and propaganda.
Dolan critiques the education system, likening it to a bureaucratic machine designed to produce conformity rather than critical thought. He sees this as a foundation for creating a population that believes it is empowered while being groomed to follow pre-established norms. This conformity is then reinforced by political theater, where elections provide the illusion of choice, but candidates and outcomes are largely orchestrated by elites to ensure continuity of their agenda.
He describes how elites have historically adapted to challenges by tightening their grip on major institutions, including financial systems, manufacturing, and, most notably, media. Initially, new technologies like newspapers and the internet posed threats to this control. However, over time, elites incorporated these mediums into their structure, using methods like corporate consolidation, propaganda, and, more recently, algorithms to shape public discourse. Internet platforms, once seen as a haven for free speech, are now subjected to shadow banning, censorship, and other forms of digital suppression.
Dolan discusses the use of disinformation as a tactic to obscure truths. He cites historical examples, like fabricated claims during the Gulf War, to illustrate how public sentiment has been manipulated to support elite agendas. This extends to recent events, such as misinformation surrounding major crises, which are strategically managed to maintain control over public opinion. He warns that while the truth may emerge over time, it often takes decades, long after the events have lost their relevance.
Furthermore, he highlights the legal and surveillance frameworks that deter dissent. Heavy penalties for whistleblowers, extensive monitoring of online communication, and infiltration of dissenting groups are used to stifle resistance. The ongoing development of algorithmic tools to manipulate search results and online visibility raises further concerns about the future of information freedom.
Dolan concludes by acknowledging some pushback against these measures, though he remains cautious about the effectiveness of such resistance. The balance between control and freedom in the information age remains precarious, with elites continuing to refine their strategies to maintain dominance.
Dolan shifts focus to the sustained efforts to manage and control the flow of information about UFOs, highlighting how these strategies have evolved over decades. He underscores the role of extreme compartmentalization, which keeps information about UFOs and related technologies restricted to a select few, even within high levels of government and military. This approach ensures that most officials, including those in positions of considerable authority, are often denied access to sensitive programs. He references key examples like General Carroll Bolender’s memo, which revealed that significant UFO reports bypassed Project Blue Book entirely, contradicting the public narrative at the time.
In October 1969, Brigadier General Carroll H. Bolender authored a memorandum that significantly impacted the U.S. Air Force’s approach to UFO investigations. In this memo, Bolender stated that terminating Project Blue Book would not hinder the investigation of UFO reports pertinent to national security, as such reports were never part of the Blue Book system. This acknowledgment implied the existence of separate channels within the Air Force dedicated to handling sensitive UFO information, independent of Project Blue Book. Consequently, the Air Force concluded Project Blue Book in December 1969, asserting that UFOs posed no threat to national security and that no evidence indicated extraterrestrial origins.
Dolan also discusses the Obama administration’s denial of any active UFO investigations, which was later disproven with revelations about programs like AATIP and AAWSAP. He uses these examples to demonstrate how disinformation and secrecy are systematically employed to mislead both the public and elected representatives. He also revisits the Davis-Wilson notes, which provide evidence of high-level officials being barred from accessing classified UFO-related projects, despite their rank and responsibilities.
Private contractors are another layer of obfuscation Dolan emphasizes, as they allow the government to sidestep oversight and avoid public accountability through mechanisms like Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. This strategy ensures that even whistleblowers face significant challenges when attempting to bring information to light.
Dolan addresses the historical and ongoing use of ridicule, disinformation, and intimidation as tools to suppress UFO-related inquiries. While ridicule has become less prevalent in recent years, he reminds us of its dominance during the 1950s and beyond, particularly following the recommendations of the 1953 Robertson Panel, which advised using mass media and infiltrating civilian groups to debunk UFO claims.
The weaponization of national security exemptions is another tactic Dolan highlights. Agencies like the NSA have a long history of using such exemptions to heavily redact or withhold UFO-related documents, often citing vague justifications like protecting sensitive sources or methods. He notes that even modern entities like AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office) have continued this practice, exemplified by their reliance on law enforcement exemptions to deny FOIA requests.
Finally, Dolan warns about the growing prevalence of disinformation, both deliberate and incidental. He explains that the lack of clear and reliable information has created a fertile ground for false claims and unverified narratives. This, in turn, further obscures the truth and complicates efforts to achieve transparency and accountability in the study of UFO phenomena.
Dolan reflects deeply on the difficulty of uncovering truth in a world overwhelmed by distractions and deliberate deception. He points out that much of the information available is either irrelevant or designed to mislead, keeping people focused on trivial matters while profound truths remain hidden. Dolan emphasizes that truth-seeking requires discipline, effort, and an ability to challenge both external lies and personal self-deceptions.
He explores the transformative power of pursuing truth, highlighting that it forces individuals to confront uncomfortable realities. Truth-seeking, according to Dolan, is not about finding all the answers but about growth and understanding. It involves stripping away illusions to face reality in its complexity, encompassing both its beauty and its harshness.
Dolan connects this pursuit to the broader societal context, suggesting that most people remain unaware of the extent to which their perceptions are controlled. He critiques the prevalence of distractions, from entertainment to algorithmically curated content, which he sees as tools to divert attention from the deeper issues shaping the world, including the mystery of UFOs.
He also examines the human tendency to avoid hard truths, noting that self-deception is a barrier to understanding both external and internal realities. Dolan frames the journey toward truth as a personal struggle against these forces, requiring courage and persistence. Despite its challenges, he argues that truth provides a unique sense of purpose and freedom, qualities essential for navigating the complexities of modern life and the mysteries of the universe.
Dolan invites listeners to engage actively in this process, urging them to prioritize truth as a means of giving life meaning. He positions truth-seeking as a moral and existential journey, vital not only for personal fulfillment but also for addressing the profound questions posed by the UFO phenomenon. While acknowledging the difficulty of this path, he emphasizes its worth, offering hope that even in a fractured and manipulated world, the pursuit of truth can lead to understanding and wholeness.
