Alien Life Is No Joke.

This article explores the changing perception of the search for extraterrestrial life, from being dismissed as a joke to being taken seriously as a scientific pursuit. It acknowledges the influence of popular culture in shaping public opinion, as well as the association of UFO sightings with fringe culture. The article emphasizes the need for high standards of evidence in the search for extraterrestrial life and discusses the challenges faced by scientists in gathering and evaluating this evidence. It also highlights the negative impact of political interference on funding for SETI research, but notes that recent advancements in exoplanet discoveries and detection methods have revitalized the search. The article concludes that while there is no evidence to support UFO sightings, the scientific study of life in the universe is now possible. [Extracted from the article]