Jacques Vallee on the National Institute for Discovery Science

This document is a blog post by Keith Basterfield, dated May 19, 2019, which examines the history of the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) founded by Robert Bigelow. The post relies heavily on diary entries from Jacques Vallee's book, 'Forbidden Science: Volume Four,' to provide insights into the formation and internal operations of NIDS between 1995 and 2004. The narrative details the initial establishment of NIDS, which replaced Bigelow's funding of the 'UFO Coalition,' and describes the recruitment of a Science Advisory Board (SAB) that included notable figures such as Hal Puthoff, Dr. Kit Green, and others. The document chronicles the first fifteen meetings of the SAB, highlighting the evolving focus of the institute, which shifted from a granting agency to a research-oriented body investigating UAP, cattle mutilations, near-death experiences, and consciousness. The author notes that the mission of NIDS frequently changed at Bigelow's instigation. Furthermore, the document explores the potential connections between NIDS and the later Defense Intelligence Agency's Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), specifically referencing the involvement of James T. Lacatski and Senator Harry Reid. The author highlights a contradiction regarding the focus of the Utah ranch in both NIDS and BAASS investigations, noting that while the ranch was a primary site for NIDS, the DIA solicitation for AAWSAP remained silent on ranch-based activities. The post concludes by reflecting on the challenges of maintaining scientific rigor within such organizations and the difficulty of tracing the evolution from NIDS to BAASS and AATIP.