In the Orbit of UFO Enthusiasts

Mine was Nov. 10, 2002. It was a rectangular, impossibly large, dark object, with a strange texture, miles away in the sky. There was not a cloud in the sky; it was about 1:30 in afternoon on Route 295 in New Jersey. It was much larger than any man-made thing. Slightly moving. Extremely weird, and I didn't go and report it. . . . You're so confused by it that you sort of doubt yourself. But I saw it as clearly as I saw a building.

What is it that most convinces you that UFOs exist?

I'm not interested in the unidentified objects. I'm interested in ones that are clearly identifiable and piloted by things that are not human and are clearly intelligent. The volume and quality of the evidence is what's convincing.

Why do you think UFOs are visiting Earth?

"Why is this happening?" is a very loaded and dangerous question. Any answer is in danger of being shot down. . . . Many people, including my wife, view the abduction phenomenon as complete fiction and as a psychological aberration. . . . The implication, and this is dangerous to extrapolate and somewhat fringe theory, is that they are in the process of integrating with us. I know it sounds crazy and like the movies, but that seems to be the case.

How do you deal with skeptics?

I personally try not to because they [tick] me off so much. It doesn't have to be a matter of belief; there are studies that can be read. There's no end of reputable books. Most skeptics either know nothing about the field or they simply echo back the bogus reports that have been made.

Has your involvement with the subject of UFOs hampered your relationships or career plans?

I am reluctant to talk about it. It's the one subject that you can't talk about in polite company. [Laughs.] I've been lucky because I've been a freelancer. I know people who have full-time jobs, particularly with government or military, and they have to be more careful. It has caused some rough edges in some personal areas. [Laughs.]

What would it take to make acceptance of UFO phenomena more widespread?

There are highly credible witnesses, people who we entrust, and when they say, "I saw this thing" . . . you can't just whisk this away. I mean, even Jimmy Carter saw one. [Laughs.]

Don Berliner, 77, Alexandria

Job: Aviation and science writer, Fund for UFO Research chairman