The Debunkers by David M. Jacobs

This document, titled 'The Debunkers' by David M. Jacobs, is an analytical critique of the individuals and methods used to dismiss the UFO phenomenon. Jacobs posits that skepticism is a necessary component of research, but distinguishes between legitimate scientific inquiry and 'debunking,' which he characterizes as a crusade to protect society from 'pseudoscience.' The author identifies three prominent scientists—Carl Sagan, Donald Menzel, and Edward Condon—as having expended significant effort to debunk UFOs, often through what Jacobs describes as character assassination and factual distortion. He further highlights the role of 'lay-debunkers' such as Philip J. Klass, Robert Sheaffer, and James Oberg, who are associated with the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. Jacobs argues that these individuals frequently use ad hominem attacks, ignore evidence, and create straw-man arguments to maintain the position that UFOs do not exist. The text details how these debunkers often attack the credibility of UFO researchers, specifically citing the treatment of J. Allen Hynek, who was frequently targeted by critics. Jacobs suggests that the debunkers' approach is driven by a fear of the unknown and a desire to maintain a specific scientific worldview, often at the expense of objective analysis. The document concludes by drawing parallels between the anti-communist 'witch-hunts' of the 1950s and the tactics employed by modern UFO debunkers, suggesting that both have stifled free speech and rational inquiry. The text is excerpted from the 'Proceedings of the First International UFO Congress' held in Chicago in 1977.