UFOs and Iceman

This week has an aeronautical theme. While I cannot avoid the topic of the most recent nostalgic/cultural phenomenon of Top Gun, perhaps I’ll share an angle you haven’t read or seen yet. I mixed in some solid UFO sighting material which I find interesting, especially from a government perspective, and as always some quotes that will get you thinking! 

Videos I am Watching

With the Top Gun sequel, Maverick, killing it at the box office, I thought it might be cool to listen to a real Top Gun pilot and instructor talk about the movie and his career experiences. Here is Jocko Willink’s interview with Dave Berke, a real life Top Gun.

Additionally, I think real life met the movie in a beautiful way. Val Kilmer is NOT the same person that he was in the first Top Gun movie. He has been through a ton personally and health-wise. Val Kilmer has starred in some iconic movies including Top Gun, The Doors, and Tombstone (note that I didn’t mention Batman). But there is probably no film as important as his documentary about his own life called Val (Free with Amazon Prime). 

The film follows the life and career of the actor, including footage of Kilmer shot by himself throughout his career, footage of his childhood, and home movies. The film showcases his battle with throat cancer and gives a behind-the-scenes view of his personal life. I was skeptical about the film, but I was pleasantly surprised. Kilmer has had an amazing life. It is full of tragedy, personal growth, huge life experiences, and some incredible life choices that I did not expect, and that’s on top of a two-year battle with throat cancer.

Articles I am Reading

Full disclosure…I ripped the idea for this content from Tim Ferriss’s weekly newsletter. He’s got a fantastic newsletter. Feel free to subscribe to it.

Aliens are so interesting. Some fantastic material on the topic: “How the Pentagon Started Taking UFOs Seriously” and “The Unexplained Phenomena of the UFO Report“. Both are written by Gideon Lewis-Kraus for The New Yorker.

Quotes I am Pondering

It’s never too late for us to become what we might have been.  

~ George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), English novelist

You must tell yourself, “no matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, I’m going to make it.”  

~ Les Brown, motivational speaker, former Ohio politician

It is not how you start the race or where you are during the race. It is how you cross the finish line that will matter.  

~ Robert D. Hales, American businessman