The New Jersey Drone Panic: Unpacking the Mass Hysteria
Introduction
In this episode of The 404 Media Podcast, hosts Joseph Cox, Sam Cole, Emanuel Mayberg, and Jason Kebler delve into the recent drone sightings in New Jersey, exploring whether the ensuing panic is justified or merely a mass hysteria akin to previous incidents. The discussion provides a comprehensive analysis of the situation, drawing parallels with past events and examining the role of media and political figures in amplifying public fear.
1. Surge in Drone Sightings in New Jersey
Jason Kebler initiates the conversation by outlining the recent spike in drone sightings across New Jersey. Residents have reported observing various drones—ranging from small to large sizes—with different lighting patterns moving swiftly through the night sky. These sightings mirror traditional Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) reports.
“More than a week ago, residents of New Jersey started reporting seeing drones in the night sky... a very traditional, stereotypical UAP sighting.” [02:32]
The proliferation of videos on social media platforms like TikTok has further fueled public concern, drawing attention from lawmakers who are now demanding explanations from law enforcement agencies.
2. Historical Context: Colorado 2019 Drone Sightings
To provide context, Jason references a similar incident from December 2019 in Colorado. At that time, numerous drone sightings initially caused alarm but were later attributed to commercial planes, hobby drones, agricultural drones, stars, and even SpaceX satellites.
“In December of 2019, in Colorado, there was a series of mystery drone sightings... the drones that they found were commercial planes or other passenger planes.” [04:34]
The Colorado episode concluded without any substantial findings, showcasing how initial panic often subsides once rational explanations emerge.
3. Intersection of Drones and UFO/UAP Narratives
Joseph Cox highlights the overlap between drone sightings and UFO/UAP discussions, emphasizing how both phenomena often feed into each other, complicating public understanding.
“Jason, you wrote an article that put this panic into context. We're not here to debunk every single video... Your article actually demonstrates that as well.” [04:34]
Jason adds that many reported UFO sightings are later identified as drones or other explainable aerial objects, making it challenging to address each incident individually.
“A lot of things that are reported as UFOs end up being explainable drones.” [10:40]
4. Political Amplification and Public Fear
The hosts discuss the role of political figures in escalating the situation. Notable politicians like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Larry Hogan have made sensational claims linking the drone sightings to foreign entities or astronomical phenomena, furthering public anxiety.
“Marjorie Taylor Greene is threatening to shoot these drones down herself... Larry Hogan tweeted a photo that turned out to be stars in Orion's Belt.” [10:40]
Sam Cole remarks on the politicization of the issue, noting that conspiracy theories about government or foreign interference are more divisive than whimsical alien theories.
“People are using it as this way to kind of stoke fears about your own government, other governments.” [19:15]
5. The Vicious Cycle of Reporting and Panic
Jason elaborates on how media coverage perpetuates the panic. Each new sighting triggers more reports and media attention, which in turn leads to more sightings—a self-perpetuating cycle that only breaks when public interest wanes or other news takes precedence.
“It's a no win clusterfuck for everyone except the attention seeking grifters within the government... It's not going to go away until there's some other news story to distract people.” [15:27]
“All of this has become a no win situation here.” [15:27]
6. Reflections and Call for Rationality
Emanuel Mayberg and Sam Cole express their frustration with the irrational fear surrounding the drone sightings. They advocate for the public to remain calm and rely on verified information rather than sensationalist theories.
Emmanuel: “Keep your eyes on the road. Look at your beautiful family. Get back to work.”
Sam: “I would rather people speculate about aliens. It’s a much nicer conspiracy theory to have than like, it’s China or something.”
Jason shares personal anecdotes about the impact of the panic, including receiving anxious messages from family members worried about the drones.
“I have family members texting me, literally scared. And I'm just like, okay, maybe not so good.” [20:02]
Conclusion
The hosts collectively underscore the importance of skepticism and critical thinking in the face of widespread panic. By drawing lessons from past incidents and highlighting the role of media and politics in exacerbating fears, The 404 Media Podcast encourages listeners to approach such events with a balanced perspective.
“It's nothing. It's not even a thing to talk about.” [17:36]
Additional Discussion: Cellebrite and Phone Privacy
In a subsequent segment, the podcast shifts focus to discuss Cellebrite, a company known for unlocking mobile phones for law enforcement. Joseph Cox and Jason Kebler explore alarming reports from Amnesty International about Serbian authorities using Cellebrite's tools not just to extract data but to install malware on journalists' phones.
“They get the phone, they then use Celebrate to unlock it... then used that unlocked phone... to install very powerful malware.” [29:23]
The conversation delves into the implications of such misuse, the response from Cellebrite, and Google's role in mitigating the threat by removing malicious apps from affected devices.
“Cellebrite is not an active surveillance technology... Celebrate told me in an email, and then they sort of double down in a statement.” [34:43]
Final Thoughts
The episode wraps up with a reminder of the importance of digital privacy and the ongoing challenges posed by technological advancements in surveillance. The hosts encourage listeners to stay informed and support ethical journalism.
Notable Quotes:
- “The vast majority of the things that people have been freaking out about have been explained, can be explained.” — Jason Kebler [10:40]
- “It's a no win situation here.” — Jason Kebler [15:27]
- “Keep your eyes on the road. Look at your beautiful family. Get back to work.” — Emanuel Mayberg [20:23]
Timestamp Highlights:
- 02:32 — Introduction to the New Jersey drone sightings.
- 04:34 — Comparison with Colorado 2019 drone incidents.
- 10:40 — Discussion on UFO/UAP and drone overlap.
- 15:27 — The cyclical nature of media reporting and panic.
- 20:02 — Personal impact of public fear.
- 29:23 — Introduction to the Cellebrite and phone malware issue.
- 34:43 — Cellebrite's and Google's responses to the malware reports.
This comprehensive analysis by The 404 Media Podcast provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the New Jersey drone panic, emphasizing the need for rational discourse in an era dominated by rapid information dissemination and sensationalism.