MJ-12 shifted ufologists from observing saucers to decoding government plots.

Evidence

In the years since the MJ-12 papers became widely known, they have taken on a life of their own. Additional, related documents periodically appear, some as recently as 1998. … These claims allowed some ufologists to shift from observation of fl ying saucers to attempts to unravel alleged government machinations. The proliferation of MJ-12 documents and theories not only identifi ed the enemy as a segment of the government, but—inasmuch as this “secret government” was supposed to have hidden all relevant information—allowed great latitude in what might be “revealed.” — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 443

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The MJ-12 papers arrived anonymously as undeveloped film in the mail in 1984. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 439; Ufology’s dark side fused alien narratives with fears of secret government tyranny. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 479