Thrift Store Philosophy is a space that welcomes readers that can’t help themselves from buying thrift store books, mostly based on tantalizing titles and covers alone. Many of these purchases purport to teach us new-found wisdom, paths to wealth and happiness, and even the secrets of the universe. Do they deliver? Highly doubtful. But come along with me anyway as I read my way through some of the books found at my local thrift stores.
Now Reading
Here To Help: UFOs and the Space Brothers
Month
February 2026
Author and date
Gerard Aartsen, 2011
From the Cover:
Exploring the facts behind the myths, this book reframes the debate about the reality of the space visitors in view of the unprecedented changes engulfing the world today.
After the early contactees had been ruthlessly debunked by an organized disinformation campaign, a new context was carefully constructed by clandestine government agencies in collusion with the media, with only one purpose: to ridicule or instill fear of the extraterrestrial presence. And while the experiences and messages of the original contactees are now largely being ignored amid the frenzy of fear-based speculation that has resulted from decades of cover-ups and subsequent conspiracy theories, the author shows that they are in fact more relevant today than ever before by bringing together the spiritual and the practical strands of Ufology.
From historical records, documentary evidence and testimonies of early and contemporary contactees, against the background of the Ageless Wisdom teaching, this book uncovers the patient and sustained efforts of the space people to interact with people of Earth. In the process it reveals the true motive for their presence – to help humanity through this historical time of transition by sharing their wisdom and technology.
According to the author, the message from space can be summarized as: “Life is One, so live as one, or perish.”
Latest Discussions
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Review Entries
Chapter 3: Meanwhile, in reality
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Review Entries
Chapter 2: From Cover-up to Conspiracy
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Review Entries
Chapter 1: The Extraterrestial Presence
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you select the books that you’re reading?
I browse the local thrift stores in my area and pick books to feature that caught my eye based on a short perusal of the shelves. Most often the title or subject matter stood out as something that promises enlightenment or entertainment.
Do you take recommendations?
Not at this time. Part of the fun is seeing what I can find locally. Perhaps in the future, I will take suggestions and source them from shady online used book stores, promising books that only come from smoke and pet-free homes, but arrive complete with pet hair and reeking of cigarettes.
What subjects do you gravitate towards?
Topics that I find particularly interesting are fringe religious beliefs, conspiracy theories, paranormal events, pseudoscience, and pop psychology.
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