Richard Thieme's essay "Stalking the UFO Meme" brings a very important issue to light. This essay questions the legitimacy of UFO information on the Internet. By the author's definition, "Memes are contagious ideas that replicate like viruses from mind to mind" (50). The author's main questions are: Are we getting scammed by the Internet? Can we trust what we see on a computer screen? No, we cannot.

Thieme's first concern is that people are making money off of "so-called" evidence of UFO and alien existence on earth. He states, "There's no way to know if we're looking at a copy of an original, a copy of a copy, or a copy that has no original" (50). I believe that this is a valid concern. People all over the world are putting faith in other people that hide behind computers. I personally have heard professionals in various fields, including photography, video, and paranormal activity and UFO studies, and I have seen them discredit much of the information on the Internet.

The language the author uses is to the point yet casual in tone. In comparison to Ted Gup's essay, "The End of Serendipity," Thieme is almost humorous. We can see points being made though questions. For example, he asks, "Was there a Roswell incident? Or was there a so-called Roswell incident?" (51). These simple questions can make one stop and question many other issues related to the one of illegitimate information posted on the World Wide Web. His style draws the reader into his world of skepticism and questions. This is a good thing; people should look before they believe.

Thieme makes a great point when he says, "Without correlation with other data, no digital photo or document can be taken at face value" (50). These warnings are strong and warranted, and a blessing to those searching for proof of some kind. Considering his target group, I would say that UFO skeptics are skeptical about the wrong things. They are skeptical about the unknown until they see pictures or some other type of supporting information on the Internet; then, they buy into what they see. The author's point is clear; skeptics should be even more skeptical about what they are reading and seeing on the Internet.

This essay, in my opinion, is strong and has a very definite goal. It is meant to help others be aware of the scams on the web that steal their money. Readers should heed his warnings, not only in the area of UFOs, but concerning other sites on the net as well.

Thieme, Richard. "Stalking the UFO Meme." Cyber Reader. 2nd ed. Ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 49-56.