By Zeynep Tufekci
In 1954, a small group of residents in Bellingham, Washington, began reporting unusual pockmarks on their windshields — possibly vandalism. Authorities quickly established roadblocks. This incident made headlines in Seattle, leading many to inspect their windshields. Subsequently, thousands claimed to have encountered similar mysterious marks, spreading from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada.
As fear took hold, theories about the cause emerged. Some suspected cosmic rays, a nearby naval base’s radio transmitter, fallout from hydrogen bomb tests, or sand-flea eggs hatching in windshields. The Seattle mayor pleaded for assistance from both the governor and the White House. Drivers began flagging police cars to report their experiences. Scientists were recruited, and Geiger counters were deployed.
However, it turned out that the so-called mysterious windshield marks of 1954 were not the work of vandals, aliens, radioactivity, or sand fleas, but rather a facet of collective human psychology. Investigations showed these were ordinary, longstanding imperfections—everyday wear and tear that had simply gone unnoticed, as few people examine their windshields meticulously.
Currently, a comparable situation is unfolding beneath the skies of New Jersey. Numerous drone sightings have sent individuals in the vicinity—and beyond—into a heightened state of concern.
The insufficient and ineffective response from government officials should serve as a valuable lesson in how not to manage these occurrences in our digital era.
In reaction to a lack of precise information, some citizens have started pointing lasers at unidentified flying objects, a practice the FBI has urgently discouraged. Joe Rogan amplified a theory linking the sightings to potential radioactive leaks. Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., asserted that new technology was essential for local law enforcement to determine “what’s actually going on.”
Larry Hogan, a former governor of Maryland, shared footage claiming to depict “numerous large drones hovering above my home,” criticizing the “lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of federal authorities.” Donald Trump, who canceled a visit to his New Jersey golf course, stated, “the government knows what is happening,” which sounded alarming.
This wave of conjecture and insinuation is particularly frustrating because many elements of this enigma are far from enigmatic.
We are still uncertain about what initially triggered the drone sighting reports. Many occurred near a military installation, leading to the possibility that the unidentified objects were U.S.-owned — or belonged to a rival nation attempting unauthorized surveillance. This distinction is vital. Nonetheless, the purported swarms of drones subsequently reported are another matter entirely.
Experts are scratching their heads trying to convey that these sightings shouldn’t be alarming; they are merely products of the panic. Many of the unidentified artifacts are airplanes. Planes landing and departing from Newark, one of the busiest airports in the country. Alternatively, they could be hobby drones launched by other amateur investigators hoping to catch a glimpse of the phenomena. Or, they might even be celestial bodies; atmospheric scientists examined the lights Larry Hogan observed and promptly classified them as stars from the Orion constellation.
People struggle to accept the straightforward explanation for the same reason that residents of Seattle did in 1954: because they had never closely scrutinized their surroundings before.
It can be exhilarating to induce fear in oneself occasionally, or to participate in a large-scale puzzle-solving endeavor in real time. However, the enjoyment quickly diminishes in this context. Irresponsibly directing lasers could indeed lead to a genuine tragedy, including potentially bringing down an aircraft filled with passengers. But why risk it? Some politicians are already advocating for the authority to shoot down these objects preemptively. How long will it be before civilians decide to take shots at illuminated objects they misidentify as drones?
To quell mass public panic, prompt and decisive action from authorities is crucial. Any ambiguous or evasive response only intensifies the chaos and erodes the public’s already fragile trust in government. The greater the panic exhibited by our leaders, the more people disengage and grow cynical, making it progressively challenging to alert the public about genuinely alarming issues. Just consider the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
While this has always been the case, it is particularly true in the digital era. During the Seattle windshield panic, mainstream media outlets amplified the public’s fear. In the age of the internet, ordinary individuals can propagate this anxiety, whether due to believing they possess crucial insights or merely seeking attention and engagement.
So what should the authorities have done? Aviation enthusiasts and atmospheric scientists are already mapping reported sightings to established aircraft or constellations. Officials could compile a rapid database featuring dozens — perhaps even hundreds — of these events and publicly share the findings, alongside the explanations they verify. That would be a significant first step.
Federal authorities — including Homeland Security, the FBI, the White House, and intelligence agencies — should have swiftly addressed the issue with clarity, starting with communication to anxious politicians. Finally, just this past Tuesday, members of the House Intelligence Committee received a classified briefing on the matter. By now, the public should also be informed about some details. Besides this, unauthorized drones present challenges that necessitate improved regulations and technology to address the situation. That’s what we should be discussing, rather than fostering a baseless and dangerous panic.
Politicians from both sides — especially the House Intelligence Committee — should convene a press briefing to transparently share what’s known and acknowledge any genuine concerns that may exist, ideally today, before a real disaster transpires.
Until then, we have individuals like state Senator Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania asserting that “it is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to investigate the unidentified drones.” Alongside this claim, he shared an image of a “crashed drone” purportedly being taken to “an undisclosed location for further investigation.” The object depicted was unmistakably a TIE fighter from the “Star Wars” franchise. He later clarified that this was intended as a joke.
Although it’s not my top choice, I must say, America: If Darth Vader appears in New Jersey aboard an Imperial spacecraft, I will finally join you in a state of panic.
