Nick Pope on The Paracast

[schticknz]

Originally Posted by GSB

Hmmmm. A little bit disappointed with Nick. BTW did you guys know hes spent 21 years in GOVT? 21 years!

...

There was something else he declined to comment on too that I thought was BS, but I cant remember what it was.

Just listening to the episode at the moment. I went into the episode expecting my anti-nick-pope devices to start beeping straight away ... but no. So I was genuinely surprised to find I was enjoying the episode and finding what Nick was saying to be quite interesting.

However ... ... its now 1hr 22 mins into the programme, and my hackles are starting to play havoc with the things around me. In fact they've kind of gone beserk, and I'm having to move breakable objects out of harms way.

So I ask myself again ... what is it that I find so ... I don't actually know what the word is ... about Nick Pope??

Thinking very hard about this ... Maybe its the way that he states time and time again the "right things"??

He really pushes the fact that "he doesn't know everything" or he doesn't "know what the ufo phenomenom" is ... but ... there is something telling me at the back of my head that he is not being 100% ... and not in a good way either.

That bit where he declines to talk about the "nuclear" subject ... was it me?? ... or did that feel rather ... odd as well????

Anyway ... I'll finish off listening to the episode tomorrow ... but hmmm ... something tells me I'm going to leave this episode with a strange taste in my mouth.

[Oh and his opinion about hypnosis was a bit odd too ... considering he's not an expert in the fields of psychology/psychiatry etc ... hmmm]

[Gareth]

I forgot to mention too that I was really hoping Gene or Dave would ask how he reconciled his thoughts that anyone that claims to know what the sourcing of UFOs are shouldnt be trusted with the fact that he also seems to respect Timothy Good.

Good is someone who pretty openly seems to be for the ETH and has even on the Paracast talked about Alien bases and interactions with alien beings. When Pope mentioned him I was really hoping that the subject would be raised, but it didnt unfortuneately.

[Siani]

Haven't had the chance to listen yet, as I've been busy making my home and garden safe for the disabled dog I'm adopting. For those of you who find Nick Pope's refusal to discuss certain subjects a bit fishy, there's something you should bear in mind.

Nick used to work for the British Ministry of Defence. Every UK government employee above basic grade has to sign an agreement under the Official Secrets Act, not to discuss certain topics, mainly those relating to the defence and security of the UK. They are bound by this agreement for life, or for as long as a certain subject matter is classified. If Nick Pope breached the terms of the Official Secrets Act, he could find himself in jail - for a long time. So when he gets cagey, he's just honouring the agreement he signed and remaining loyal to the UK's interests - and of course, protecting himself.

[Irishseekers]

Nice one Gene you got me ' just listening to the interview now

[digigeek]

Originally Posted by GSB

Hmmmm. A little bit disappointed with Nick. BTW did you guys know hes spent 21 years in GOVT? 21 years!
...
There was something else he declined to comment on too that I thought was BS, but I cant remember what it was.

I completely agree. I found his answers to be, for the most part, totally weak. I don't think he offered anything interesting at all. Sure, he seems nice enough, and is not spewing some insane story, but that does not make for an INTERESTING guest.

Actually, I think my problem is that I just don't GET Pope. I can't see his angle at all. Other than to profit from people's interest in the field...and to do so it would behoove him to remain vague and keep people thinking that he MIGHT drop something big on day. In fact, I can't find any indication of him having said anything I did not either already know or which adds nothing to the discussion.

Sorry, I was looking forward to this one, but he's a dud in my book. There was nothing Gene or Dave could have done short of screaming at him to say something ORIGINAL and meaningful.

Does anyone have any sense of what he is DOING in this field? What is his motivation? He seems so pointless. If he wants to say something then he ought to spit it out, otherwise WHAT GOOD is his past experience? He does not use it to offer anything NEW so I don't imagine it ought to be mentioned or taken in to account at all. It's like blurting out in a crashing plane that you are a high-level test pilot for 20 years, but, sadly, you can't help with the plane. Then I guess you might have just zipped it, eh?

[Rocketsauce]

Originally Posted by Siani

Haven't had the chance to listen yet, as I've been busy making my home and garden safe for the disabled dog I'm adopting. For those of you who find Nick Pope's refusal to discuss certain subjects a bit fishy, there's something you should bear in mind.

Nick used to work for the British Ministry of Defence. Every UK government employee above basic grade has to sign an agreement under the Official Secrets Act, not to discuss certain topics, mainly those relating to the defence and security of the UK. They are bound by this agreement for life, or for as long as a certain subject matter is classified. If Nick Pope breached the terms of the Official Secrets Act, he could find himself in jail - for a long time. So when he gets cagey, he's just honouring the agreement he signed and remaining loyal to the UK's interests - and of course, protecting himself.

That does make sense and makes me think I may be way too paranoid about Nick.

I haven't listened yet but from looking through posts it appears the chain was yanked regarding how long the interview was. I totally missed the 'wink wink'. It's funny how sometimes I'll get an email or read a message board and totally miss the tone of what's written particularly when at some level I want to jump to that conclusion anyway!

[David Biedny]

Originally Posted by Rocketsauce

I haven't listened yet but from looking through posts it appears the chain was yanked regarding how long the interview was. I totally missed the 'wink wink'. It's funny how sometimes I'll get an email or read a message board and totally miss the tone of what's written particularly when at some level I want to jump to that conclusion anyway!

It's my weird sense of humor - sometimes I randomly come to the forums and post the most ridiculous things, just to be a troublemaker. It's in my blood, what can I say?

And yeah, I found Nick to be a very nice guy, but he holds the cards a bit too close to his chest. Given his background, I can't say I'm surprised.

dB

[digigeek]

Originally Posted by David Biedny

And yeah, I found Nick to be a very nice guy, but he holds the cards a bit too close to his chest. Given his background, I can't say I'm surprised.

dB

You should have gone car salesman on him.

"Nick, what's it gonna take for me to get a sensational, revealing statement from you a UFO-related matter? I mean, you are HERE to discuss UFO's in SOME way that is unique to YOU and offer some sort of insight that only you possess. We're not here to have tea and crumpets with small talk about the weather, my man...now, tell me what you need to start yakking and it had better be good."

Okay, so maybe he is merely positioning himself as just another researcher and author. If we don't gain anything measurable from his past experience (which seems good, but not anything as deep as I think he tries to make it seem...his UFO case files work was mostly nothing more than clerical) then his experience is moot and he should not be using it so much to promote himself. IMO - he seems to fall into the "insert generic UFO researcher/author guest here" group.

I guess I thought he had a lot more to say. I was wrong. He is definitely going to do well enough on the "circuit" and as a supposedly "Credible" reference or guest on shows related to UFOs - by using the MOD history as his hook...too bad he has nothing new to say.

Boyd Bushman was a MUCH more entertaining and provocative guest.

[Siani]

Part of Nick Pope's relevance as a UFO researcher, for me, is that it is his work as a Government official that got him interested in the UFO subject. Quite by accident, he found himself manning the 'UFO desk' at the MoD, and initially saw it as just a part of his job. But some of the more intriguing reports he dealt with, convinced him that the UFO subject warranted closer investigation. He has also made statements about UFOs, regardless of what they are, possibly being a threat to civil aviation, security, etc. I get the sense he's forever walking the very thin line between what he can and cannot say, due to his former employment. Most ex-MoD officials probably wouldn't even go there, so he has my respect for going as far as he does with the UFO subject. And best of all, love him or loathe him, his is a rational voice. There simply aren't enough of them in ufology.

[digigeek]

Originally Posted by Siani

Part of Nick Pope's relevance as a UFO researcher, for me, is that it is his work as a Government official that got him interested in the UFO subject. Quite by accident, he found himself manning the 'UFO desk' at the MoD, and initially saw it as just a part of his job....

Most ex-MoD officials probably wouldn't even go there, so he has my respect for going as far as he does with the UFO subject. And best of all, love him or loathe him, his is a rational voice. There simply aren't enough of them in ufology.

I think I simply realized today that he just does not offer me anything I can't get from dozens of other authors/researchers. That makes his MOD experience totally moot in my book.

It's like Michael Phelps showing up at a drowning, just for moral support. Okay, maybe not JUST like that, but along those lines.