# I apologise in advance: Crop Circles **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 5, 2003, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653 "2003-09-05T03:28:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MrAndrewV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@MrAndrewV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAndrewV)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/1 "2003-09-05T03:28:50Z")
Hi there. I have this friend (no really, it’s not me it really is a friend) who is a staunch believer in the theory that crop circles are caused by aliens. One of the points of ‘evidence’ that he cites is the fact that radiation levels are said to be sigificantly higher around crop cirlces that have not been exposed as fake. Has anyone heard anything about this and if so can you give a more rational explanation? Thanx -Andrew V ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/2 "2003-09-05T03:37:42Z")
I’ve not heard even ONE reputable investigation that indicates that crop circles might have an extraterrestrial origin. I’ll stick my neck out and say that _not a single crop circle_ has ever been produced by beings from someplace other than Earth. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/3 "2003-09-05T03:46:39Z")
Actually, it is false. There are no higher radiation levels, and the people who claim there are higher radiation levels are simply mistaken. For a good website for crop circles as performance art, see: [http://www.circlemakers.org/](http://www.circlemakers.org/) They have some photos of really amazing works in their galleries, definately worth seeing. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/4 "2003-09-05T04:09:38Z")
It’s amazing. The people who fake these things have _admitted_ that they fake them. It is an open secret that this is performance art. IIRC, this fad was originally started by a couple of blokes in England who hatched the idea while having a few pints in a pub. They came out a few years later and admitted that they were the original hoaxers but by that time copycat hoaxers had spread the fad all over the world. I agree with **Lemur** that some of the work is quite stunning. ---
**Author:** ![MrAndrewV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@MrAndrewV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAndrewV)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/5 "2003-09-05T05:08:00Z")
Yeah but what about all of this “evidence”? [http://www.lovely.clara.net/biophysical.html](http://www.lovely.clara.net/biophysical.html) I have found alot of great info that explains away most of the so-called suspicous phenomena around crop circles but what about all that stuff in the link above? Alot of it is obviously stoopid. For example getting excited because the plants experienced a slowing of their growth pattern at the time the circle was made. After all being bent over by a guy with a plank is likely to damage a plant’s growth potential a BIT. But some of the other stuff like this bit: > [@](#): > > A strange brown “glaze” covering plants within a British formation was the subject of Levengood and John A. Burke’s 1995 paper in the Journal of Scientific Exploration. The material was a pure iron that had been embedded in the plants while the iron was still molten. Tiny iron spheres were also found in the soil. > > In 1999, British investigator Ronald Ashby examined the glaze through optical and scanning electron microscopes. He determined that intense heat had been involved – iron melts at about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit – administered in millisecond bursts. “After exhaustive inquiry, there is no mundane explanation for the glaze” he concluded. Pleeeeeez tell me that he is just making this stuff up. My friend is getting painfully self-righteous about the alien involvement story. thanx again -Andrew V ---
**Author:** ![ambushed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3bc359/32.png) [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/6 "2003-09-05T05:34:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MrAndrewV \* > **Yeah but what about all of this “evidence”?** > [http://www.lovely.clara.net/biophysical.html](http://www.lovely.clara.net/biophysical.html) > > … > > > [@](#): > > > > A strange brown “glaze” covering plants within a British formation was the subject of Levengood and John A. Burke’s 1995 paper in the Journal of Scientific Exploration… Ah, yes. The infamous “Journal of Scientific Exploration”. For another perspective (my own) on that august vessel for high-concept crackpottery, see: [The Society for Scientific Exploitation](http://members.tripod.com/~ssehome/) (I’ve got to get around to updating that thing one of these days!) ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/7 "2003-09-05T05:43:11Z")
If we humans traveled a thousand light years to a distant and fantastic world, do you think we would introduce ourselves to the locals by stomping on their wheat? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/8 "2003-09-05T06:02:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Torque \* > \*\*If we humans traveled a thousand light years to a distant and fantastic world, do you think we would introduce ourselves to the locals by stomping on their wheat? \*\* Teehee! ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/9 "2003-09-05T08:03:46Z")
Well, what if it were done by the little green Martians? They wouldn’t have to travel a thousand light years, and Earth wouldn’t be all that fantastic a world for them… They could then use their 1920’s style Death Rays to make the crop circles and… bye now! ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/10 "2003-09-05T09:58:53Z")
**MrAndrewV,** much of that “evidence” reduces to wishful thinking. In order to see much of it, you have to “believe” it first. I have seen reports that said the crop circles were “genuine” because the stalks were bent, not broken. I have seen other reports that said they were genuine because the stalks were broken, not bent. Without knowing in advance what caused _any_ of them, how can you make either determination? Now do you have any evidence that was so good that data collection was anonymously analyzed by a reputable lab, a scientific paper was written up and independently reviewed, then published in a reputable scientific journal? _Then_ we can talk. I’m afraid the [Weekly World News](http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/) does not qualify. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/11 "2003-09-05T10:21:01Z")
I’m sure I’ve done this before, but:- _Hypothesis 1_: Crop circles are made by bored men with planks and bits of string. _Hypothesis 2_: Crop circles are made by space aliens trying to communicate with Earthmen. _Evidence supporting hypothesis 1_: People have come forward admitting to making crop circles, described the techniques involved, videotaped themselves making crop circles in front of witnesses, etc., etc. _Evidence supporting hypothesis 2_: Pretty much stuff all. _Conclusion_: left as an exercise for the alert reader. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/12 "2003-09-05T10:55:39Z")
I think it is time to call on our old friend Mr Burden of Proof - that crop circles are created by aliens is the affirmative argument; it must be substantiated by those arguing in favour - it isn’t up to anybody else to ‘disprove’ it. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/13 "2003-09-05T13:57:02Z")
It turns out that Zeta Reticuli has a vast expanse of cereal- like plant growth; the animal-analogue organisms that have evolved there learned to pass simple messages to each other long ago; they do this by trampling the cereal in simple patterns (similar to the well-known ‘waggle dance’ of honey bees on Earth). When intelligent lifeforms developed there they extended this cereal language into a graphic form capable of conveying abstract thought. They have been communicating with us in this fashion for years; only now are we talking back, thanks to the efforts of circlemakers like Bob Irving and company. Unfortunately Mr Irving does not talk cereal very fluently, and has come close to declaring war on the Reticulans several times. * * * SF worldbuilding at [http://www.orionsarm.com/main.html](http://www.orionsarm.com/main.html) ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/14 "2003-09-05T15:28:44Z")
no suggestions about other explanations between extraterrestrials or deliberate hoaxsters? Freak wind patterns? Geo-electro-manetic energy shifts? Elementals decking out the fields to have their dance parties? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/15 "2003-09-05T16:23:02Z")
Non-aligned electron-plasma vortex swirls? Paradigm shifts? Helicopters flying upside-down? ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/16 "2003-09-05T16:26:49Z")
Demonic possessed, “Death Ray” toting world wide secret organization leaders are passing on secret messages. They are special death rays and only do damage to blood cells. This accounts for all the cows found with no blood. All those Demonic possessed Conspirators are worried about the Angelically possessed cows trying to stop them. ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/17 "2003-09-05T17:23:10Z")
Oh, come ON, people! Does anybody seriously think that aliens have traveled thousands of lightyears, with apparent disregard to the laws of physics, just to leave intricate patterns in remote wheat fields? That’s just plain ridiculous, and anybody who believes it is a complete and utter moron. Besides, everybody knows that crop circles are _really_ caused by plasma vortices. Barry On preview, I see that **Musicat** already beat me to it. But I’m gonna go ahead and post this anyway… ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/18 "2003-09-05T17:25:31Z")
Personally, I advocate recallibrating the main deflector dish and emitting a beam of tetryon particles. That oughta take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/19 "2003-09-05T17:37:03Z")
Deflector dishes with tetryon particles? Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays.” ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653/20 "2003-09-05T18:14:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ilsa\_Lund \* > \*\*Deflector dishes with tetryon particles? > > Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays.” \*\* We already did the Death Ray joke for this post. Didn’t you get the schedule? I hate to admit it, but they just had one of these hoaxes where I live. I mean, how far behind the times can we get? Of course, there were people who bought into it. Turns out it was a wacky radio station stunt. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-apologise-in-advance-crop-circles/199653.md?page=2)