Getting Oriented
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Introduction to Classification Systems
A typology is the name given for a set of non-overlapping categories used for classification. Such classifications are typical in sciences such as archaeology and botany, and in other fields, such as criminal justice.
Even if there were only a few extraterrestrial races, having a typology would come in handy for getting perspective and for sharing information. However, indications are that there are hundreds (or more) extraterrestrial races and thus, typologies are even more helpful for research, decision-making and communication purposes. The experts at exopolitics.org explain that extraterrestrial races have been classified in different ways such as by physical characteristics, ethics, technological advancement and political approach. Depending upon the situation, each of these typologies has benefits and disadvantages in terms of helping to support understanding and decision-making.
- Expolotics South Africa reports 120 races described in-depth here.
- Alex Collier reports thousands here.
Physical Characteristics
- Being aware of the physical characteristics of various extraterrestrial races can be invaluable for simply being prepared for contact. Knowing that you might encounter a being who has human-like or animal-like features or who is 4-feet or 12-feet tall is knowledge most of us would appreciate having had in advance of contact.
- A typology based on how the beings look also helps people communicate with others about their experiences with extraterrestrials.
- However, physical characteristics are not reliably associated with anything other than race and are not related to motivation or behavior. Just as it’s misguided to assume something about a person based on their skin or eye color, individuals of all races behave in their own particular ways no matter their physicality or race.
- Further complicating any assumptions based on appearance is that some extraterrestrial races are said to be capable of changing their appearance or to affect how they are perceived.
- Further, there have been reports of negative humans tricking other people into thinking contact has been with a particular extraterrestrial race, thereby creating a false association with that group, and then using that as cover for committing offensive acts.
- Despite all the disadvantages to making assumptions about beings based on their physical characteristics, many researchers have identified trends among particular civilizations, and beings from those civilizations are often identified by their appearance. So although mistakes can be made and assumptions can be wrong, such generalities may at times have a purpose. (See more below.)
Intent
Of course it’s of prime importance whether a race or being has an intent to conquer or harm, or an intent to help or inspire. Another way to look at this might be a general “service to self” or “service to others” orientation.
- In the case of an individual, intent is typically something that can only be determined after the fact.
- Historical experience with civilizations as a group, however, tend to lead to a categorization of a group as a whole. Groups have been found to have intentions for their interactions with Earth humans that can be classified as benevolent, malevolent or neutral. (Neutral orientation is exemplified by beings who visit Earth to collect soil and water samples for their research.)
For example, in a 2002 article where he was correcting what he saw as a misinterpretation of a group’s intent, Dr. Salla writes:
The Tall Whites are likely a genetic variation of the Tall Grays, and most likely originate from the Rigel star system of Orion where a Nordic world was allegedly infiltrated and taken over according to the testimonies of a number of contactees. This Nordic world whose genetic material is used along with other races such as the Arcturians is used to build hybrids that ultimately appear to be Nordic ETs, but are much closer to the `tall Grays’ and their questionable agendas. The Tall Whites should be treated with extreme caution and suspicion. I recommend that individuals choose to establish contact with more benign extraterrestrial races such as the Sirians, Pleiadians and Andromedans who don’t have a track record in abductions or intimidating humans
– Michael Salla, Ph.D.
Technological Advancement
Another useful classification is the level of technological advancement. This not only informs us of what a group is capable of, it can indicate its needs and interests. This, of course, is only fully useful when we understand the intent of the group as it pertains to the Earth population.
- In 1964, Russian astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev “who was looking for signs of extraterrestrial life within cosmic signals” created a scale to measure a civilization’s technological advancement based on its access to energy and the amount of knowledge the civilization has access to. (source)
- Michio Kaku expanded on the typology to discuss the important “Typo 0” civilizations as Dr. Lamiroy explains below.
After Kardashev created his typology, Michio Kaku elaborated on it. Where Kardashev only talks about Types I, II and III, Kaku observes that we haven’t even reached a Type I civilization yet. He therefore also talks about Type 0 civilizations, i.e. those that are at our level of energy production / consumption, using non-renewable resources like fossil fuels. Even today, there are plenty of indications that Earth is still being visited by Type 0 extraterrestrial civilizations. [Agreements focusing] on an exchange of resources and technology… belong in the realm of Type 0 civilizations.
– Manuel Lamiroy
Exopolotics
Exopolitics is “the study of the key individuals, political institutions and processes associated with extraterrestrial life.” (source) As Dr. Michael Salla of exopolotics.org has demonstrated, using this criteria offers vital insight as there are dramatic differences among groups.
Particularly noteworthy in Dr. Salla’s analysis is an extraterrestrial civilization’s attitude toward entering into agreements with Earth governments.
- Salla reports that some extraterrestrial groups have been oriented toward entering into agreements in which there was an exchange of extraterrestrial technology or information for “various earth-based resources, basing rights, permission to abduct civilians, or some other tangible asset.”
- Other groups, Salla reports, “refused to enter such agreements since they, correctly, perceived that the military would use whatever technology was provided for weapons research.
Salla’s colleague, Manuel Lamiroy, notes that Alfred Webre’s typology, which includes categorization of hyper-dimensional civilizations is also a useful criteria:
Webre distinguishes between… third-dimensional civilizations, hyperdimensional civilizations, and extraterrestrial governance authorities. I agree that it is a good idea to have a multidimensional approach, and, in all likelihood, such an approach will become more important as time progresses… But at the same time, Webre’s typology is methodologically flawed since it uses non-related criteria to distinguish categories at the same level… Therefore, from a methodological viewpoint, Webre’s classification is not a valid typology.
– Manuel Lamiroy
Classification Summaries
- Exopolotics South Africa — Exophenotypes — includes organized overview
- Huyghe, Patrick and Dennis Stay — The Field Guide to Extraterrestrials — 1996 book
- Dickinson, Terence and Adolf Schaller — Extraterrestrials: A Field Guide for Earthlings — 1994 book
