Unidentified Flying Objects

Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.

## Dr. Robertsen

data on false alarms to fire departments and "fleps" in several military situations (such as North Africa in 1942). I have been intrigued with the electronic analogue of a communications system with feedback. The circumstances leading to instability of such a system might be measured if a simple theory can be postulated; e.g., if something analogous to impedance of the circuit determines instability.

## Mass Psychology

It is clear that a simple statement has not and will not convince the public. A psychologist may have some theoretical framework in which past "flaps" of this kind can be analyzed and the results extended to the present difficulty.

## General Requirement

It seems to me that the major difficulty as present is the lack of a well-defined attitude among responsible officials: either there is or there is not convincing evidence of significant phenomena. To resolve this question it must be decided in advance what level of completeness is necessary in explaining reports, and what indications of hostile intent are necessary to make reported objects of importance. It might help to point out the difference between open-mindedness and indecision, and to suggest some level of credulity below which reports will not even be considered.

Dr. Aden B. Meinel who is an assistant professor of astrophysics at the Terkes Observatory, who has been concerned with the photography of eurora and who has designed complex wide-angle cameras for the Air Force under a subcontract with Boston University, might be helpful in discussion of cameras noted above and of auroral phenomena. However, the Air Force authorities here have no record of his clearance. If you are interested in him, we could ask him by telephone what his clearance is and with what organization.

Yours sincerely,

Thornton

Thornton Page