People feel threatened when someone has a different worldview from them, even if that worldview is completely harmless to their existence

 

I can't entirely agree here; I would mathematically modify your quote as follows: -1 (Erich) +1,000,000,000,000 (full blown idiots) - Which, in plain summary, would mean the following: "Erich von Dänicken reached the dumbest people the world has ever seen, he still does." In my opinion, it would have been okay with me if he had turned them into fictional stories that would have charmed young readers just as much. Essentially, his life's work consists of FRAUD, very good fraud, as can be seen from how many people now romanticize him.

Should I seem hysterical or not open-minded, let me explain: In Germany, these paranormal activity pseudo-science programs are on heavy rotation 24/7, and I think that shows they're popular. I think these programs should at least be thrown in the trash or put on a VHS tape, if not banned.

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2026

I'll never forget that interview Mr. von Daniken gave where he said he loved REAPER (espousing it's amazing customizability) and that Cubase was crap these days. He theorized that FabFilter was using stolen alien tech that RADIUM stole from some ftp server back in the day.

R.I.P. Sir.

 

Harmless and diabolical can be closely intertwined. "Tatunca Nara" told similar stories from Brasil, only in his case, some who found it fascinating didn't return alive. This can be as example seen in a German documentary by Rüdiger Nehberg's (German survivalist) daughter.

 

RIP, He got people everywhere interested in aliens and supposed alien technology. I remember the TV documentaries it was a nice change from the usual TV programs of the time.

 

Last edited: Jan 13, 2026

His literary works accompanied me throughout my youth and remain in my possession to this day.
Däniken’s theories changed my worldview and served as a significant inspiration for my music.
It is regrettable that he passed away before having the chance to see the arrival of alien life become a reality.

 

I think if the world wasn't such a mess and so many countries weren't so angrily ideologically divided, we would have much more civilised conversations online, but the aggression and tribalism is infectious and subconsciously leaks in everywhere now. I just spent an hour catching up on political issues you tube, and now I despair for/slightly loath half the planet, and feel a bit sick.

 

Except none of Daniken theory ever did this.

 

Neither does Santa Claus, and I find his stories, speaking for myself, 1000 times better.

 

I love UFOs, yes one can seriously and scientifically research that topic (and there are serious researchers / scientists) amidst all the bullshit that is admittedly flying around. Check Jacques Vallee for example. RIP Daniken, whatever one things about him one can't underestimate the impact he had on popular culture (ancient aliens tv show etc).Maybe also making the UFO topic more mainstream.

 

Last edited: Jan 13, 2026

I was abducted as a 5 year old on Christmas eve in 1965 (but never read any of his books or listened to him on Art Bell's radio show so can't comment on his trip...go figure!). It scared the fuck out of me. My parents didn't believe me even though there was concrete evidence as one of my slippers that I wore to sleep was left behind somewhere, wherever, and was never found.

RIP

 

That's the question, that always occurs to the rational folks: "Who believes that stuff?" ... and then you find this thread.

 

Before he became extremely rich with his grift, this guy was convicted (and went to jail) multiple times for theft and fraud.

And most of his "theories" were stuff other people came up with he plagiarized without citing any of the original authors.

 

All he did was write what people wanted to hear in exchange for cash.
Consider that Erich's books helped save many jobs at the printing plant.

Most people like being lied to, and most don't want to hear the truth.

 

Not to defend him or anything but he was trying to raise money to finance his first book and research that went into it, yeah with questionable methods sometimes I guess.

 

Last edited: Jan 13, 2026

In November 1968, Erich von Däniken was arrested at Vienna Airport upon returning from a trip to South America; Interpol had issued a warrant for his arrest. The Graubünden public prosecutor's office charged him with fraud and forgery. Using forged documents, von Däniken had fraudulently obtained loans totaling 400,000 Swiss francs.

The public prosecutor's office considered his "tarnished reputation, thirst for recognition, hedonism, and complete lack of insight" to be aggravating factors. He had already been convicted four times previously: in 1955 for theft (four months in prison), shortly thereafter for fraud (16 months), again for theft, and once more for fraud (one month) in 1963.

This time, he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, of which he spent three and a half months in solitary confinement. When Erich von Däniken was released early for good behavior at the end of 1971, his books had already sold six million copies.

Source: https://www.shaz.ch/2019/01/02/und-er-dreht-sich-nicht/

 

Lmao, he needed money to rephrase what others wrote ?