Here’s Stan, holding up his latest book for the cameras and audience:
Stan wasn’t talking about his book, no one was. He was just getting some camera time.
Yes, Stan has made a living from the UFO mystery, and one of the few ufologists who have.
But Stan has become, more and more, a promoter of goods rather than a promoter of his ideas.
On the King show, Mr. Friedman made pronouncements that flying saucers – that area of the UFO phenomena he prefers – are from outer space and the evidence is overwhelming.
Yet, he didn’t provide, and never does on such shows, supply that evidence, nor even make an attempt to do so.
He pronounces, from on high, like Moses, that flying saucers are extraterrestrial and the data, the evidence, shows that.
Mr. Friedman doesn’t even trot out one sighting that makes his case, and the time allotted to him allows him to do so.
But Stan Friedman needs to sell books, and get booked, for UFO conferences, et cetera.
He needs to supplement his retirement funds apparently, and that has become his cause primare ever increasingly.
His goal may be self-serving and not evil, but it is bad for ufology, in that it leaves a bad taste in the mouths of those who want to see objectivity about the enigma and not be subjected to persons who are selling wares or themselves.
We like Stan, even adore him almost, but as the face of ufology – the flying saucer part – he is doing a disservice to the whole UFO panoply by appearing to be a guy who wants to support himself rather than get at the ultimate truth.
God bless you Stan Friedman, but please consider the image of ufology that your promotional appearances create….
4 comments:
Good Day Gentlemen,
You wrote:
"But Stan has become, more and more, a promoter of goods rather than a promoter of his ideas."
I'm afraid I have to respectfully (and vehemently disagree). Stan is unequaled in his effort to get the proverbial "word out in regard to the UFO cause"; he is unsurpassed in disseminating UFO omniana often times at a financial loss to the Friedman machine-he's the energizer bunny of Ufology! He is generous of his time, person and knowledge and in my view unparalleled in that regard.
More often then not, honorariums for speaking are minuscule, or nonexistent; he is there nevertheless, unwavering towards his goal of educating the public.
Opposed to the general idea that appearing on the Larry King show is lucrative, the fact is one only walks away with an "LK cup." Much like radio, the only compensation for your time is to hawk one's wares; Stan being "the Godfather of Ufology" is of course a veteran guest of all medium venues, most certainly radio where this deed is not only blessed it is encouraged because it's a given the guest isn't getting paid.
I personally made comment during the show that "some" might think "he was all about selling his book" as it might appear that way to the nescient, given the environment King and crew concoct, i.e., to many guests, inadequate time to answer a question etc.; however, that is not the case.
Frank:
We accept your view and we are happy to place it here, as it offsets our view, which is about impressions not reality.
We know that Mr. Friedman is an untiring advocate for flying saucers, which enthuses us.
But there is an impression that he promotes his books more than his ideas.
But that's just an impression apparently, since you have better access to the Friedman persona than we do.
Thanks for the corrective.
RR
Why shouldn't he promote his book with some camera time? It certainly makes a refreshing change, a Ufologist not having to provide evidence or vindicate themselves everytime they set foot in front of the camera.
Normally this aspect is reserved for debunkers and critic's alike.
Stan Friedman's one of the few genuine leading lights within Ufology, your comments along with Paul Kimble's just belittle the guy.
Stefanos:
We're too meager to belittle Stan Friedman.
He stands above us and others who have a limited knowledge of UFOs compared to him.
Our post was cautionary mostly: Stan cannot and should not do anything that leaves the impression he's more obsessed with book sales than flying saucers.
Paul Kimball treats Mr. Friedman (his uncle) with deference and good-will, only attacking some of Mr. Friedman's ideas, not the man himself.
RR
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