I also noticed that there is an inverse cultural relationship between the belief in magic, witchcraft, spirits/fair folk etc and the belief in UFOs. Which makes me think aliens simply fill the Post-Enlightment gap in the legendarium for cultures that want to pretend they are “too reasonable” to believe in magic, but open to a belief in “sci fi” myths; ie: Fair Folk kidnapping folk—nah, Aliens kidnapping folk—yah.
I also noticed that there is an inverse cultural relationship between the belief in magic, witchcraft, spirits/fair folk etc and the belief in UFOs. Which makes me think aliens simply fill the Post-Enlightment gap in the legendarium for cultures that want to pretend they are “too reasonable” to believe in magic, but open to a belief in “sci fi” myths; ie: Fair Folk kidnapping folk—nah, Aliens kidnapping folk—yah.