Abstract and Works Cited

 

Abstract

Meant to be hidden from the public eye, Area 51 has been popularly known for its lack of transparency concerning its contents and purpose. This paper explores the idea that government secrecy has led to and promoted the conspiracies surrounding Area 51. The paper debunks the conspiracy theory regarding alien aircraft at Area 51, arguing that the base has not been conducting UFO research but simply testing AirForce aircraft. The paper comes to the conclusion that regardless of the government’s reasoning behind concealing the activities at Area 51, it has created distrust between the public and the government that only advances the conspiracy theories that have arisen.


Keywords: Area 51, conspiracy theory, secrecy, government, spy planes, testing base, U-2, witness, UFO, aliens


Works Cited

Armstrong, Martin. "Belief in Conspiracy Theories in The United States." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 May 2019, https://www-statista-com.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/chart/18196/belief-in-conspiracy-theories-in-the-united-states/

Corbell, Jeremy, director. Bob Lazar: Area 51 & Flying Saucers. Netflix, 18 June 2019, www.netflix.com/watch/81083891?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2C8995a24b205d04006eb931002e157d753a56e69d%3A85ccfb179356d69cc1011a14ac8168c85c61c8d5%2C8995a24b205d04006eb931002e157d753a56e69d%3A85ccfb179356d69cc1011a14ac8168c85c61c8d5%2C%2C.

Donald R. Prothero, and Timothy D. Callahan. “Area 51: What Is Really Going on in There?” UFOs, Chemtrails, and Aliens, Indiana University Press, 2017, p. 39–.

Fortin, Jacey. “Storm Area 51? It’s a Joke, but the Air Force Is Concerned.” The New York Times, 15 July 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/07/15/us/area-51-raid.html. 

Greenspan, Rachel E. “The Area 51 Festival Alienstock Is Coming Back for More Because the Storm Rages On.” Time Magazine, 18 Feb. 2020, time.com/5785735/area-51-festival-alienstock-2020/. 

Jacobsen, Annie. Area 51 - An Uncensored History of America’s Top Secret Military Base. Orion Publishing Co, 2012. 

Jung, C. G. Flying Saucers; a Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies. Routledge & Paul, 1959.

Krishnan, Armin. “Teaching about ‘Area 51’? How to Cover Secret Government Technology and Capabilities in Intelligence Studies Courses.” Journal of Strategic Security, vol. 6, no. 3, 2013, pp. 187–196. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26485069. Accessed 16 Apr. 2021.

“Transcription for #1315 - Bob Lazar & Jeremy Corbell - The Joe Rogan Experience.” PodScribe, 20 June 2019, podscribe.app/feeds/http-joeroganexpjoeroganlibsynprocom-rss/episodes/31d35c7d3eeb49c2a35ce759af3a3e23.

  Weigmann, Katrin. “The Genesis of a Conspiracy Theory: Why Do People Believe in Scientific Conspiracy Theories and How Do They Spread?” EMBO Reports, vol. 19, no. 4, John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2018, doi:10.15252/embr.201845935.

YouGov. "To What Extent Do You Believe in The Conspiracy Theory That The Government Is Hiding Aliens in Area 51?." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 Jan 2019, https://www-statista-com.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/statistics/959529/conspiracy-belief-government-aliens-area-51/

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