Cringeworthy Promotion, Dolan Style.

Greetings. Mr. Richard Dolan is one of the most well-known figures in the UFO subculture. Known as a historian of the UFO topic, Mr. Dolan has commented at length about the UFO problem on various platforms, on broadcast media, during his own show, and on various social media outlets. 

Mr. Dolan is a highly active participant on the UFO circuit, making appearances at many UFO themed festivals and conferences, actively promoting himself throughout. Now the simple act of promotion is not necessarily a negative course of action, but it is strongly suggestive of a change of course. In UFO circles, the act of self-promotion is a slippery slope, one that many well-known public figures have fallen into, some seemingly by accident, others by choice. Mr. Dolan seems to have chosen his course of action, and is apparently quite comfortable in his new surroundings.  

Some UFO researchers have lost their professional credibility and integrity in the name of fame, notoriety, and financial gain. It happens all the time, with the list of victims long and sordid. Steven Greer lost his way decades ago. Cheryl Costa is a lost cause, completely comfortable appearing on lowbrow entertainment like "Spaced Out Radio," and other illegitimate shows that embrace and shamelessly promote excrement. Grant Cameron has completely bought into the ufotainment industry, with no regrets readily apparent. Multiple "researchers" and broadcasters have no qualms about interviewing liars like Richard Doty on their shows; Dave Scott, Jimmy Church, Cameron Logan, and Daniel Alan Jones numbered among them. No wonder credible and accomplished researchers of the UFO problem like David Marler and James Clarkson find such amateurish choices disgusting and disgraceful. 

Circling back to Mr. Dolan, digital downloads, mobile screens, posters, wallpaper, and of course, signed copies of his books are all available for purchase, so you too can have Mr. Dolan's youthful face close at hand. No sign of peer-reviewed papers, or investigative results, just the peddling of merchandise. Not exactly legitimate investigative efforts, and certainly not an essential part of the scientific method. It reeks of celebrity, and not much else of any real consequence, and that is truly a shame. 

Even drawings and giveaways are part of the promotional effort, with tickets to UFO events at stake, including the upcoming Contact in the Desert, at which Mr. Dolan will be appearing. The rampant and shameless self-promotion is mind-boggling and disconcerting, but not really surprising considering the current state of the UFO subculture, and its singular focus on the almighty dollar. 

In my humble opinion, this entire situation is cringeworthy, and an embarrassment to the entire UFO research community, of which Mr. Dolan claims to be a card-carrying member. It will never change, nor will Mr. Dolan's place in the UFO entertainment industry, for he has a seat at the self-promotional table. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.