I think the most likely explanation is that someone saw a drone or two at night and posted a photo on social media. It can be very hard to determine the actual size of something in a photo, so it probably looked a lot bigger than it was. That got everyone worked up and now every light in the night sky is a "drone".
this post was submitted on 17 Dec 2024
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A bunch of the “drones” are just distant aircraft that appear ro be moving slowly like a drone might because of the distance. Called out a couple that were super-obvious with features like landing lights, anticollision lights, beacon, etc. all in the correct places for an airplane and not a drone. Promptly got blocked by the person I replied to.
They want their conspiracies and mysteries for clicks, they’re also posting fakes deliberately.
Some politician posted a video of "drones" in the sky and it was literally the constellation of Orion.
Given that the former Governor of Maryland mistook the constellation Orion for a drone, I’m going with mass hysteria as my theory of choice.
Also, a Pennsylvania Senator thought a fake TIE Fighter strapped to a trailer was a drone that crashed. It’s silly season.
The list is also missing the Red Cell theory, which could be a sort of penetration test contracted by the US government. I think that’s distinctly different than a psy-op or government conspiracy. Penetration testing of military bases and other core infrastructure makes complete sense combined with the hysteria theory, where now people are reporting normal flight traffic out of paranoia.
there's also the fact that dji released its first large form factor commercial lifting drones just a couple of years back. those things are big and bright and fast and typically used in areas where you wouldn't expect to see drones otherwise. they've quickly been getting more and more popular for so many uses. from painting roofs and tall buildings to clearing snow from power lines. they're starting to show up everywhere.
i bet these alien conspiracy theorists would shit themselves if they saw one of those hauling a crate in the distance. or God forbid, spraying "mysterious" chemicals on our food supply (fertilizer).
The Copycat Theory certainly accounts for a portion of the sightings. Anybody that doesn't think there are a lot of people with drones that would go flying them during this just to mess with their neighbors is a fool.
Mass hysteria also certainly accounts for more of the sightings. You only need 1 out of every 600 people to see an airplane/satellite/bright star and think they're seeing a mysterious object to have over half a million Americans saying they've seen one. I've personally known several people in my life that would easily fall into this camp. Need I remind anyone about rainbow sprinkler lady?
As for what got this all started or any current sightings (if there are any, anymore) that don't fall into the above categories? 🤷
It’s me practicing drone swarm formation flying. My ultimate goal is to draw out a moving picture of an erect penis over manhattan. I’ve thought about this since I was 7. Started as a floppy penis but then as I grew older I realized there could be other more fun animations. Once I’ve synced all drones properly I’ll stop. Sorry people.