Podcast Summary: The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast Episode 563: “Something Non-Human Has Been Here A Long Time” | Dr. Garry Nolan Release Date: July 17, 2025
In this compelling episode of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson engages in an in-depth conversation with Dr. Garry Nolan, a distinguished professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University. Dr. Nolan's remarkable career spans immunology, gene therapy, biotechnology entrepreneurship, and, intriguingly, ufology. This episode delves into his multifaceted professional journey, groundbreaking research, the rise of artificial intelligence, and his captivating interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs.
1. Introduction to Dr. Garry Nolan
Dr. Garry Nolan is introduced as an immunologist, academic inventor, and serial biotech entrepreneur with a notable interest in ufology. Peterson emphasizes Dr. Nolan’s extensive background, setting the stage for a discussion that bridges rigorous scientific inquiry with the enigmatic realm of UAPs.
Notable Quote:
- Jordan Peterson [01:11]: “Dr. Garry Nolan is an immunologist, academic inventor and biotech entrepreneur, Serial biotech entrepreneur. He's a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and somewhat surprisingly, a ufologist.”
2. Academic and Entrepreneurial Journey
Dr. Nolan elaborates on his academic pursuits, focusing on the immune system and the development of technologies to collect intricate data on immune and cancer cells. Over his 30-year tenure at Stanford, he has pioneered techniques like the 293T cell method for gene therapy, leading to the creation and successful exit of multiple biotech companies.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [02:06]: “All the retroviruses and lentiviruses that are used in the world today for gene therapy were developed based on a technique that I came up with called the 293T cell technique.”
3. Innovations in Atomic Imaging and Artificial Intelligence
Transitioning to his recent ventures, Dr. Nolan discusses the fusion of atomic probe tomography and field ion microscopy, resulting in groundbreaking atomic imaging technology. This innovation allows for sub-angstrom resolution, enabling detailed analysis of bond structures across various applications, from biology to nanotechnology.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [03:56]: “We can get down to what's called sub angstrom, like the bond length between two atoms... And that has a range of applications all the way from biology through to metals, alloys, nanotechnology, et cetera.”
4. Scientific Philosophy and Creativity
Peterson highlights Dr. Nolan’s unique blend of creativity and scientific rigor. Dr. Nolan explains his approach to scientific discovery, emphasizing intuition and the ability to rapidly iterate hypotheses. This mindset has been pivotal in both his scientific and entrepreneurial successes.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [08:33]: “If you can see that it's something that's going to happen and has to happen and you have a solution for it, it might not be currently the best solution, but it's a solution. Get to it first and own the market.”
5. Transition to Ufology: The Atacama Mummy
Dr. Nolan recounts his foray into ufology, starting with the analysis of the Atacama mummy—a purported alien specimen. Through rigorous genetic testing, he debunked the alien hypothesis, identifying the mummy as a human infant with genetic mutations explaining its unusual features. This venture unexpectedly positioned him as a controversial figure within the UFO community.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [39:42]: “And so we arranged to get a small piece of the body, a rib... We showed that it was a human baby probably.”
6. Investigation of Havana Syndrome
Following his work on the Atacama mummy, Dr. Nolan was approached by representatives from the CIA and aerospace industries to investigate individuals affected by what is now recognized as Havana Syndrome—a series of unexplained medical symptoms reported by intelligence and military personnel. Utilizing his advanced blood analysis techniques, Dr. Nolan identified patterns consistent with this syndrome, contributing valuable data to national security concerns.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [43:44]: “We saw that it was some kind of energy weapon, just a microwave weapon. Just imagine you could focus the beam of your microwave in a very narrow path towards a person's head. You'll bake the brain cells in their head.”
7. Establishment of the Sol Foundation
In response to escalating interest and reports of UAP-related phenomena, Dr. Nolan co-founded the Sol Foundation with colleagues Peter Scafish and David Grusch. The foundation serves as a nonpartisan umbrella organization fostering collaboration among scientists, anthropologists, and material scientists to investigate UAPs systematically and professionally.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [70:29]: “The principal reason for starting the Sol foundation was that I was, because of, let's say, my public Persona about this. More and more scientists were coming to me and saying, hey, I want to help.”
8. Analysis of Anomalous Materials
Dr. Nolan shares his work analyzing materials purportedly linked to UAP landings. Through atomic-level analysis, he discovered significant isotopic anomalies in samples from various UAP incidents, such as the Ubatuba, Brazil, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, cases. These findings indicate materials that do not conform to known Earthly manufacturing processes, suggesting extraterrestrial or highly advanced technological origins.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [68:03]: “We measured it and it was 99.999% silicon. That's not hard to make today, but it's not something in the late 1950s or early 1960s you drop giant pieces of all over a beach.”
9. Sky Watcher Program and Aerial Surveillance
Dr. Nolan discusses his involvement with Sky Watcher, a privately funded initiative aimed at deploying sensor systems in cleared areas to monitor and collect data on aerial anomalies. This program seeks to capture repeatable measurements of UAPs, utilizing advanced sensors and sensor fusion technologies to gather comprehensive data for scientific analysis.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [75:13]: “We're setting up sensor systems in what we call cleared areas where we know that there's no overflight... And we're seeing stuff that doesn't make sense.”
10. Characteristics of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Dr. Nolan outlines five key characteristics that define UAPs:
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Instantaneous Acceleration and Deceleration: UAPs exhibit sudden changes in speed and direction that defy conventional physics, requiring immense energy beyond known capabilities.
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No Apparent Flight Surfaces or Exhaust: Unlike traditional aircraft, UAPs lack visible means of propulsion or aerodynamic structures, moving without detectable plumes or exhaust trails.
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Transmedium Travel: Ability to transition seamlessly between different mediums (air, water, space), a feat not currently achievable with existing technology.
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Energy Output: Minimal to no detectable energy signatures despite high-speed maneuvers.
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Advanced Maneuverability: Movements such as rapid zigzags and silent hovering, challenging our understanding of inertia and momentum.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [81:06]: “Instantaneous acceleration and deceleration takes more than the nuclear output of the United States for a year.”
11. Provisional Conclusions and Implications
Dr. Nolan concludes that the evidence gathered suggests the presence of non-human entities capable of technological feats far beyond current human capabilities. He posits that these phenomena have likely existed on Earth longer than human civilization itself, raising profound questions about their origin and purpose.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Garry Nolan [88:15]: “That there's something non human here and it's been here for a long time is my provisional conclusion.”
12. Closing Remarks
Peterson acknowledges the complexity and controversial nature of Dr. Nolan's conclusions, appreciating his credible background and open-minded approach to investigating UAPs. The episode closes by inviting listeners to explore further discussions on the Daily Wire platform, promising additional insights into the narrative and political dimensions of UAP research.
Conclusion
This episode offers a rare convergence of cutting-edge scientific research and the enigmatic investigation of unidentified aerial phenomena. Dr. Garry Nolan's unique blend of scientific expertise and open-minded inquiry provides listeners with a thought-provoking exploration of phenomena that challenge our understanding of physics and the potential existence of non-human intelligences. Through meticulous research, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to uncovering the truth, Dr. Nolan exemplifies the pursuit of knowledge at the intersection of established science and the mysterious unknown.