BELIEVIING IS SEEING: A question of perception

In this article, Janet Bord explores the psychological and perceptual dimensions of UFO and paranormal sightings. She posits that the human mind plays a significant role in shaping these experiences, often conforming them to pre-existing cultural or personal expectations. Bord references various researchers, including Lyall Watson, John Keel, and J. Allen Hynek, to support the idea that witnesses may unconsciously structure their observations to make sense of the unknown. A central case study discussed is an incident from approximately 1912 on the Island of Muck in the Inner Hebrides. Two young boys encountered a 'tiny boat' with a cabin, occupied by small entities who spoke English and Gaelic. The author suggests that the form of the craft—a boat—was a culturally appropriate manifestation for the islanders, rather than a literal representation of extraterrestrial technology. Bord argues that if we accept the possibility of faulty perception, many 'fairy' encounters of the past can be viewed as historical equivalents to modern UFO sightings. She concludes by advocating for a more active, multidisciplinary approach to UFO research that incorporates the study of human psychology and the limitations of objective observation.