The Government that Cries Aliens: From Star Wars to Startups - Crafting Authentic Narratives in an Age of Distrust

Hey there, fellow netizen! Pull up a chair, maybe grab a coffee (or tea if that's your jam). I haven't written an article on linkedin for quite some time, so I figured I would drop some thoughts, for little more reason, than to put them somewhere.

As with everyone else, I've been consuming a lot of this “out-of-this-world” news (see what I did there?). From Whistleblower and Former Pentagon employee David Grusch has dropped a bombshell, saying, “UFOs are real, and they've been here for a while.” following the USS Nimitz Tic-Tac UFO's last year and apparently more info being dropped by NASA on it's way - looks like Mulder and Scully were in fact right.

But, if you pay attention to the public sentiment. No one seems to care.

And THAT is the thing to REALLY pay attention to.

I mean, in 1938, when the audience listening to the wireless radio, heard Orson Welles radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’s?The War of the Worlds, and accidentally thought it was real - there was there was nationwide hysteria! From a radio show!

But it's 2023, and to be blunt. We've gone through so much stuff over this handful of years, and continue to do as a society. We just don't receive news such as "E.T. is actually home" as being of an important issue, when on the side of the tv screen, we're having a harder time understanding how we are going to feed our kids and put gas in the car.

Or worse still - Is it just another distraction?

The New Age of Skepticism:

Now, conspiracy theorists often get a bad rap, I'm fine to call myself one nowadays. They’re painted as these tinfoil-hat-wearing folks, obsessed with Area 51. And sure, some of them might be a tad overenthusiastic. But, guess what? Many of these folks are informed. Yep. They're the ones diving deep, gathering intel from a myriad of sources, and stitching together a narrative that mainstream media often glosses over.

Do I wear a tinfoil hat? Nope. Do I buy every word the government feeds me? Haha, absolutely not. It's like trusting Palpatine in Star Wars. Spoiler alert: Bad idea.

And now because of learned behaviour, our users are doing the same, and they should be! SO it's up to us as communicators to work with that information.

When Narratives Go Off Track:

Remember when we were kids, and there was that one friend who always exaggerated stories, like Chunk from The Goonies? That’s mainstream media for you. The boy who cried wolf too many times... or in this case, the government that cried aliens. They haven't been consistent, or in fact, they've been flat our wrong, or caught in lies - As a company, if that happened with you messaging, you would be taken to pieces for it. Stay true to an ethical narrative!

The Business of Narratives:

Think about your favourite startup. What drew you in? I bet it was their story. From Apple's garage days to the iconic "Just Do It" from Nike. We thrive on narratives. But just like in the movies, there’s a thin line between a gripping story and a cheesy sequel nobody asked for. The Narrative for your company needs to be true, believable and consistent.

Tips for the Future Spielbergs of Startups:

• Keep It Real: Authenticity is like the salt in your dish. Too little, and it's bland. Too much, and well... let's not go there.
• Diversify Your Information Diet: When it comes to backing up your claims, Always, always have a second source. Or a third. Heck, go for a fourth! Remember, variety is the spice of life.
• Engage Don’t Preach: Talk with your audience, not at them. Remember the last time someone kept yammering on and you zoned out? Yeah, you don’t want that.
• Avoid Echo Chambers: It's like watching reruns of a show. Comfortable? Yes. Constructive? Not so much. Go into the backstory, prequel, character development - you have more to work with than you think.

Big News? Prep Well!

When you have something big to announce, prep for it. Don’t drop it like it's hot without any groundwork. Because when you do, it's like dropping a new Game of Thrones season out of nowhere. People will be like, “Whoa, where did that come from?”

Riding the Waves of Modern Communication:

Digital age communication is like surfing. Sometimes you ride the wave, sometimes you wipe out. But with the right board (see: ethics) and the right technique (see: authenticity), you’re in for a smooth ride.

Let’s Wrap It Up:

So in an age where our screens flash through news stories faster than the Millennium Falcon's jump to hyperspace, it's crucial to pause, reflect, and filter.

Do I regret some decisions I’ve made based on the news? Oh, for sure. But hey, that's the journey. We live, we make decisions, and we learn.

So the next time someone says aliens are real, or their features are an absolute game changer, take a moment, dig deeper and make your own mind up.

And remember, just as in life and business, your narrative matters so pay attention to it.

The Truth is Out There.

K