A review by angus_mckeogh
The Unidentified: Mythical Monsters, Alien Encounters, and Our Obsession with the Unexplained by Colin Dickey

4.0

All about why humans buy into crazy theories and believe in the unknown. Exposes the origins of many of these beliefs and the inconsistencies, but the book also talks about the importance of questioning and seeking answers. Reprimands science and the government to some degree for perpetuating these odd beliefs by failing to respect or acknowledge the search associated with various beliefs as being legitimate. I found the part about “FEMA camps” and their connection with a 1968 government plan called Operation Garden Plot extremely fascinating. In 1968 the government had created a reactionary martial law plan to contain and suppress “minority groups who had grown weary of social inequality and were revolting”. However, the most recent reappearance of this trope was in the last decade where it was claimed right-wing extremist groups were going to be suppressed and herded into these camps (and beheaded?) so that the strong arm of the government could take control of citizens’ inalienable rights. Jade Helm. Just weird...actual left-wing government suppression plan morphs into right-wing present day threat in some people’s minds...and ultimately nothing happens. The world is a strange place.