10 Mysteries That Apparently Exist Solely To Mess With You

6. Majestic-12 Document

Time Traveller
Eidos

The Majestic-12 document is a rare example of mystery that really was probably deliberately created to mess with people. Specifically, created to mess with UFO enthusiasts to keep them chasing nonexistent conspiracies instead of looking into real US Government projects.

The document was sent anonymously to a UFO enthusiast in 1981, and described 'Operation Majestic Twelve' that covered up US involvement with aliens. Truman was alleged to have created a council of twelve in response to the Roswell crash in 1947 to discuss how to exploit alien technological goodies and engage with extra-terrestrials.

The MJ-12 document was so perfect a 'smoking gun' for ufologists that it immediately became part of UFO canon, and further documents emerged supporting the council's existence.

The Majestic-12 documents are almost certainly fake, but where they came from is less certain. The most tantalising theory is that the US military, probably the Air Force, created them to get ufologists to waste their time instead of running the risk of accidentally revealing real state secrets.

Wherever the documents came from, they have caused the ufologist community to divide over the authenticity, which probably suits the US military just fine.

Contributor

Ben Counter is a fantasy and science fiction writer, gaming enthusiast, wrestling fan and miniature painting guru. He was raised on Warhammer, Star Wars and 1980s cartoons that, in retrospect, were't that good. Whoever you are, he is nerdier than you.