Chapter 9: Belief in Aliens Summary and Analysis

In 1999, Shermer met with Joe Firmage a Silicon Valley phenom who wanted to discuss a method to transport humans to the stars and beyond. Firmage's interest stemmed from an encounter he had in 1997 in which he claimed he was awoken one night by an alien who was floating over his bed. After the experience, he left his corporation behind and founded the International Space Sciences Organization which was established to advance human understanding of the universe. Firmage wrote a book entitled, "The Truth," which was an appeal to the scientific community to consider the reality of UFO's and the advanced scientific technologies that would facilitate rapid space travel. He also founded "Project Kairos" to prepare humans for future contacts with aliens. This young Internet genius did all this because he believed in aliens and the...