When America’s leading scientists declare, “it’s aliens” and simultaneously announce their retirement, one has to wonder if they’ve lost their passion for humanity or if they’re simply acknowledging a grim reality: “humanity is in trouble, and I'm heading home.” Recent discussions in TIME suggest that aliens might be involved, hinting at a level of knowledge from the government that contradicts earlier claims of no evidence. Just a few months ago, NASA and UFO Chief Dr. Kirkpatrick asserted there was no proof of extraterrestrial life. Now, a metaphorical Disclosure Clock has ticked closer to midnight, suggesting a pivotal moment is upon us—one in which we might finally accept that we are not alone. Are we prepared for this revelation? Was Kirkpatrick?

It's not only TIME that’s raising eyebrows. An article from NDTV World titled Pentagon UFO Chief Resigns After Warning About Aliens, Rival Tech indicates that mainstream media is starting to leak information about what has been discussed quietly behind closed doors.

Why the gradual unveiling?

Everyone suspects the truth. Even without full clarity on their knowledge, if you were to ask, “Do you think governments are aware of aliens?” most would respond affirmatively. In this era, few would be astonished to find that aliens exist; rather, they'd be shocked to learn that we might be the only intelligent beings in the universe—a notion that would send scientific minds into a frenzy.

Moreover, asserting that humanity is the sole intelligent life form is as unprovable as denying the existence of a higher power. To claim a single number as the largest within infinity is impossible; there's always another number to consider.

It's worth noting that we share this planet with numerous sentient beings. Our human-centric view often blinds us to this reality. We frequently assume our intelligence is unique, overlooking the fact that even our own brains demonstrate different types of thinking based on their hemispheres. Intelligence comes in many forms, and no single type is superior.

If evolution holds true, we are not exceptional. Just as Koko the gorilla learned to communicate through sign language with the help of a human, perhaps ancient beings aided early humans in the development of writing and agriculture. The next phase of our evolution might involve enhanced cognitive abilities, including telepathic communication—whether through technology or otherwise.

A forthcoming book, UFO: The Inside Story of the US Government’s Search for Alien Life Here and Out There, set to release on November 14, has already gained attention in the Washington Post. Journalist Garrett M. Graf, who spoke with TIME about UFOs, acknowledged that much of what we understand about physics has emerged in the last century, leaving vast mysteries yet to unravel.

The universe's complexity is beyond comprehension. We may need to re-evaluate our understanding of time and space. Scientists hesitate to quantify the possibility of extraterrestrial life because they recognize it isn’t a matter of zero chance; even a modest probability could lead to significant implications, such as the existence of telepathy.

TIME is engaging in a familiar narrative: suggesting that it’s likely aliens—not a mere 50/50 chance, but a significant probability leaning towards certainty. In light of scientists' reluctance to commit to hard data, personal beliefs about the subject can influence interpretations.

Dr. Kirkpatrick, appointed by the government to investigate UFOs, has seemingly made the conversation about the existence of aliens a 50/50 debate, yet his flight from this topic suggests he might be aware of the overwhelming likelihood that aliens are indeed real.

Science can be subjective; just ask a string theorist. Even Einstein recognized the relativity of scientific understanding. It appears either the media and scientists are deliberately misleading us or are cautiously preparing us for the revelation of our cosmic neighbors. Alternatively, they might be gradually revealing evidence of a larger cover-up.

Time continues to march on, and this narrative has been developing for a century. While some fear it, perhaps there is reason to be concerned. Our track record as a species is dismal. Individually, many excel, but collectively, we exhibit childish behavior.

Now, consider the implications of telepathy. UFO sightings are confirmed, and if telepathy accompanies this narrative, we must reckon with how volatile our human interactions could become. A simple shift in communication could lead to chaos—imagine a world where everyone suddenly has telepathic abilities. The aftermath could be disastrous.

Humans often wield their intelligence to dominate rather than uplift. If people view intelligence as a tool for exploitation, the prospect of encountering more advanced beings would understandably instill fear.

However, what if intelligence was instead a means to gather knowledge and foster compassion? This shift in perspective could change everything. We shouldn't use our intelligence merely to assert dominance but to seek understanding and cultivate empathy.

In his farewell address, Dr. Kirkpatrick made a statement that UFOs could either be alien technology or advancements from rival nations and then expressed his desire to "move on."

This raises questions. How could a scientist announce the existence of aliens and walk away without seeking further answers? Wouldn’t the urge to establish communication with extraterrestrial scientists be overwhelming?

For Kirkpatrick to declare, “IT’S ALIENS” and then step away indicates a deeper layer of intrigue. There’s a game at play; he may possess more knowledge than he reveals, or he could be acting to prepare humanity for this new reality without truly understanding it. Alternatively, he might not even be human—perhaps he’s a robot, given his detached demeanor.

This peculiar situation raises eyebrows. It’s astonishing that his monumental declaration is followed by his resignation. Why is there a lack of media coverage on such a groundbreaking revelation? The slow trickle of information—like a forgotten article from decades past about Roswell—suggests something larger at play.

Are we prepared for this reality? If Kirkpatrick is truthful in his assertions, we may have known about aliens since the 1930s.

I would love to be present at the next presidential press conference. Can one make a statement as monumental as “it’s aliens” and then simply resign? Scientists of his caliber cannot just walk away; they are now inextricably linked to this revelation.

In fairness to Dr. Kirkpatrick, as knowledgeable as he may be, perhaps he and his scientific peers are the least equipped to handle such a reality. Most of humanity is already aware; they've known deep down. If anyone is likely to need time to process the revelation of extraterrestrial life, it will be those who have spent decades denying the evidence.