A Loss the UFO Subculture has Never Overcome.

Greetings. Dr. James E. McDonald. 

The gentleman's name is synonymous with the scientific method, and its application to UFO research and investigations. Dr. McDonald was a senior physicist at the Institute for Atmospheric Physics and a professor of meteorology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. His educational credentials are beyond compare, with a B.A. in chemistry from the University of Omaha, a M.S. in meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in physics from Iowa State University. Case closed.

Dr. McDonald is perhaps best-known for his work on the UFO problem, starting with a public discussion which occurred in Washington, D.C. on October 5th of 1966 before the American Meteorological Society. His groundbreaking lecture, entitled "The Problem of UFOs," advocated for a scientific examination of the UFO issue, directed at what he termed as "unknowns." During the course of his investigative work on UFOs, Dr. McDonald found that approximately 1% of UFO sighting reports qualified as unknowns, with the rest being explained by mundane phenomena. 

During an appearance before the U.S. Congress in 1968, Dr. McDonald stated, and I quote: "UFOs are entirely real and we do not know what they are, because we have laughed them out of court. The possibility that these are extraterrestrial vehicles, that we are dealing with surveillance from some advanced technology, is a possibility I take very seriously." Dr. McDonald's words speak volumes about his dedication to the work, and his scientifically grounded approach to the UFO problem. Today's UFO researchers would do well to emulate Dr. McDonald's method of investigations. 

Some of Dr. McDonald's peers, Richard Hall from the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP,) Coral and Jim Lorenzen from the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO,) and Dr. J. Allen Hynek, may not have always agreed with the good doctor, but they all had to respect his methods and dedication to the work. I often wonder what might have been accomplished had Dr. McDonald lived out a long and productive life.

Today's UFO investigators and researchers, at least the majority, don't seem to want to apply scientific standards to the work they are conducting, with far too much guesswork and  supposition going on. The scientific method demands an objective look at the available information, and an adherence to the pathway that is provided by the information, no matter where the investigative conclusions ultimately land. Personal and subjective beliefs are not part of the process, nor are personal biases, for such pre-conceived thoughts can taint the scientific process, which can lead the researcher astray. We can all learn from Dr. McDonald, from his work, his conclusions, his professionalism, and his adherence to the scientific method. 

Dr. James E. McDonald passed away on June 13th of 1971. He was only 51 years old.

Thank you for your time and consideration.