We talk with journalist Garrett Graff about his new book, UFO: The Inside Story of the U.S. Government's Search of Alien Life Here – and Out There. It's about reported sightings, how they've been investigated by the military, what secrets the military keeps and why, and the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence. He says that the government is absolutely covering up information about what's in the skies, but not for the reasons you may think. Later, John Powers reviews the new romantic comedy, Fallen Leaves. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
On the TED radio hour, linguist Ann Curzan says she gets a lot of complaints about people using the pronoun they to refer to one person.
I sometimes get into arguments with people where they will say to me, but it can't be singular.
And I will say, but it is.
The history behind words causing a lot of debate.
That's on the Ted radio hour from NPR.
This is FRESH AIR.
I'm Terry Gross.
As a journalist and historian who has covered the White House and issues related to national intelligence, my guest Garrett Graff, thinks that some of the conspiracies about the so called deep state have their roots in conspiracy theories about UFO's.
His new book, which begins in the 1940s, is about the history of reported UFO sightings, how the government investigates those sightings, what the military knows and what it keeps secret, and how UFO conspiracy theories start and spread.
The book is also about how scientists and astronomers are searching for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence.
What pop culture has had to say about UFO's and extraterrestrial life is also covered.
The title of his book is the inside story of the us government's search for alien life here and out there.
Graff is the author of previous books about the history of the FBI, the Cold War plans to protect government leaders in case the US is attacked with a nuclear weapon, and an oral history of 911.
His book Watergate was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in history.
Graff is the former editor of Politico magazine and a contributor to Wired.
Garrett Graff, welcome back to FReSh Air.
It's a pleasure to be back with you.
Thank you.
So do people start backing away when they found out you were writing a book related to UFO's?
Do they start saying, oh, excuse me, I'm late for an appointment.