Talk:Men in Black

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[edit] Police

Should this page make a reference to legitimate and public Police agencies of similar appearance to MiBs? In the UK "Man in Black" often is taken to mean a member of SOCA or previously, Special Branch, as they wear black suits and drive unmarked black vehicles. If this is what readers were looking for there may be some confusion. -Yasha80.41.48.212 13:00, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Official Interest section

Minor technical point, the link in the text to OSI goes to a disambiguation page with several possibilites as to what might be being referenced to, a more specific link would be good.

On a less specific note, I have just read the stories of MIB encounters on this page and, while interesting, I am not certain that Wikipedia is really meant for these since they offer only anecdotal evidence. Basically, they cannot be put into an article because they are effectively unsourced but they are interesting. Perhaps there should be somewhere stories can be placed and examined, separate from this page. Any ideas? Hydraton31 10:41, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

I was going to link directly to the correct OSI, but I wasn't sure which one that was. Office of Scientific Intelligence?
The problem you describe is a common one. Pages are inevitably edited by those with a strong interest in the material. For most pages involving conspiracy theories, UFOs, and the occult, what should be a factual description of a sociological phenomenon turns into a back-and-forth between true believers and skeptics, with both sides producing 'evidence' and trying to make their case. Tom Harrison Talk 17:27, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] When?

Question: did "men in black" appear first in conspiracy theories, or in culture (either pop culture or roleplaying games)? -- Pde Answer: Actually "Men in Black" reports date back some as far as biblical times. There have been reports before the conspiracy theories they just gained more popularity due to the UFO phenomonon

phenomenon; add the MIB cartoon series lysdexia 23:11, 19 Oct 2004 (UTC)


I've removed the following text from the article:

==Other proposed origins==

A proposed origin of MIBs are police forces that protect the NSA headquarters in Maryland, who wear black paramilitary uniforms. (However, the police at Fort Meade in 2002 wear completely normal uniforms.)

In actuality, the NSA's emergency protective unit are referred to by NSA employees as the Men in Black, due to their black paramilitary uniforms. The above text is, well, confused. --Prospero 05:55, 28 Nov 2004 (UTC)

The above text says *police forces* and *police*, not *emergency protective unit*. I've never seen the emergency protective unit, all I've seen are lots of police-types not wearing black -- I was the person who added the note about normal uniforms. You should feel free to correct the text to be better instead of removing it and calling it confused, which isn't very constructive or polite. And hey, you should expect explanations of conspiracy theories to be confused! Greg 06:33, 1 Dec 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Anime

I didn't catch this mentioned in the article so far so I shall mention it. There is another piece of animation that plays off of this myth and that is Super-natural Beast City, American title is known as Wicked City. The two lead characters are secret agents who live a covert life, 24/7 it seems like. Their jobs are to protect the world from demons. One is a man, who carried a gun that can harm these demons. He dresses in black, wears shades in the begining. The other is a woman, who is a demon who's shifted from the side of hell to Earth. It has a sort of film noir style to its slick characters and is horror without question. There are several erotic scenes but, the story takes precidence and the use of MIB mythology is clear. Good quality animation too.

To me, it seems strange to let a phenomenon like MiB, revert to summing up Anime titles. Off-topic, as far as the 'serious' topic of the MIB phenomenon is concerned. If there is enough material I would suggest making a 'MiB fiction' reference page similar to the MiB motion picture page. Intinn 12:12, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Removed text

I have removed the following text from the "Actuality" section because of obviously questionable veracity:

The belief does seem to have some slight basis in fact however, as on more than one occasion police have reportedly chased what some believe to have been MIB vehicles.

The statement is easily revertable given proper evidence - a news article or a verifiable police report, for instance. Until then, as it stands, the statement is unverified and unsourced and the context is innapropriate when considerring it as "fact." --Jeffrey O. Gustafson - Shazaam! 5 July 2005 07:45 (UTC)

[edit] Bunch Of BS

This is the biggest BS I have found on Wikipedia so far.

Witnesses who report MIB sightings often describe "foreign looking" men with exotic features; it's as if they're "from elsewhere." They look "Oriental" or "Indian" and have "deeply tanned" skin, although sometimes their complexions are extremely pale and speak in monotonous machine-like voice. The eyes of the MIB or usually described as slanted or "bulging," as if from a thyroid condition. Their noses and chins are often "point," and their cheekbones are set high on their faces. Though some are tall and thin, with naturally long fingers, others are short or stout. They may or may not have fingernails or fingerprints.

I would love to know how they determined these people have no finger prints. Guess they just noticed it while they were busy being "roughed" up. I would put up a tag for this article, but since it's "alleged secret government organizations" no need for it. Still pretty ridiculous--Elysianfields 07:00, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

I find "roughed up" a change choice of words, slang-esque even. Changed to assaulted. Also rewrote part of the sentence to make it flow better. And I agree with Elysianfields, they also may or may not have green hair and orange lips.... Intinn 11:39, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

If something like green hair and orange lips was speculated instead of observed, it wouldn't belong. If the lack of fingernails or fingerprints was reported by a witness, it should have a place in the article, though one should question how the lack of fingerprints was established. The lack of fingernails can be observed. It should be mentioned, however, that both can be explained by GLOVES. Gentaur 17:16, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

Fact. Elysian Fields = Working for US Government.

[edit] Stranglers "obsessed"

someone removed the phrased "by their own admission" from the little paragraph on The Stranglers. I presume they felt that this was unnecessary PoV - however, I think it's the other way round - to claim some pop stars are "obsessed" with something is quite a subjective PoV thing to say - however the 4 members of the band have repeatedly stated in interviews, over many years, that they were literally "obsessed" by the MIB. Of course, you may note they were all off their faces on heroin and cocaine at the time as well, but that's another matter... ;-)--feline1 08:24, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] no info about this paragraph !!!

Hello! I read the Men In Black article and I would like to have more info about this statement : "On a separate note, deceased Irish journalist, P. O'keefe, two days before his death reported that his wife was making claims that aliens had impregnated her. When he saw strange markings, resembling scars, but not risen, in circles around her pelvic area, he tried to admite her. He filed a report with local authorities, then died two days later. His wife, Mary-lynn, went missing 7 months later. No leads were ever found. Her mother, Victoria Toby, whom she was living with at the time, had no recollection of her leaving. Upon interview she stated that "she never heard her leave". (United Kingdom Press)" I think the author should give some references about this "fact"... I tried looking on google but I didnt find ANYTHING about "P. O'Keefe" and his unlucky wife.... gee it sounds difficult to believe. Goodbye :) Arleigh Burke

I agree. That kind of claim most certainly requires a good solid source. Jonas Liljeström 11:08, 17 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] NPOV

This article needs to be more careful about what it reports as fact vs. what it reports as claims of fact. -- Beland 22:59, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

The whole article sounds very speculative. I support adding an NPOV tag at the top. Tronno (talk | contribs) 03:30, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
Me too (82.170.100.222 14:56, 2 July 2006 (UTC))


[edit] wasn't there a pic before?

I am 90% sure that there was a pic of a "supposed" MIB in this article. If it wasn't posted directly on this topic there was at least a link to the pic. I vaguely remember seeing it and it creeping the hell out of me. I want to find it again so if anyone has removed it or knows where it is i'd appreciate the info.


Please sign your statements. Martial Law 00:49, 20 January 2006 (UTC)

It was likely destroyed by the CIA as well as all other evidence of the spooks (MIB)Avianmosquito 02:56, 11 October 2007 (UTC)avianmosquito

Here's another movie for the Adaptations section:

The Shadow Men, 1998


[edit] UFO Casebook and Malevolent Alien Abduction Research

Also go to www.maar.us for more info. on these aliens. It may be suggested that these aliens and/or the human counterparts function as "enforcers". Also, the article UFO Casebook may also have more info. on these personnel/creatures as well. See, and use the "Search" icon on the UFO Casebook Homepage to examine the different alien entities. Type:Alien Races" to get the known list of aliens that people has claimed to have been in contact with. Martial Law 08:13, 26 March 2006 (UTC) :)

On the Malevolent Alien Abduction Research website, click either on "Alien Species" or "Alien Races".

Also, on the UFO Casebook website, go to the "Alien Contact" Files, and find on these, classified by the year, reports of alien contact that includes MIB encounters, Bigfoot-like creature and other creature encounters. Martial Law 08:25, 26 March 2006 (UTC) :)

[edit] Robot/ Android

If these creatures were robots, one had malfunctioned. If they're not robots/ androids, then one has made a error. See RE.:"Peter Rojceicz" about the MIB that got him interested in UFOs and flying saucers, aliens. Martial Law 09:10, 2 April 2006 (UTC) :)

[edit] "Robert McNeill founded it in 1997"

Founded what? Does this mean "Robert McNeill coined the term in 1997"? Katr67 06:18, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

Taken care of. Katr67 00:53, 26 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Sherwood hoax

Added a reference and link to John Sherwood's article in which he admits that he and Gray Barker made up the "men in black" out of whole cloth. Cactus Wren 16:54, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Murphy

I'm pretty sure this is made up. I can't find more info about this anywhere else on the net.

[edit] Actuality

I removed the second paragraph:

"On the other hand, as noted in Col. Freeman's statement quoted above, the U.S. Air Force seemed interested in the phenomenon, and seemed to accept some reports as genuine, or at least as intriguing."

There is no statement from "Col. Freeman" anywhere on the page. Kakashi64 15:18, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] BS?!

how could any one call this article "BS", they (the men in black) have been accounted by to many seperate individuals to simply be written off as "BS" or hallucinations, it is likely if the government or a seperate organizations recognizes the existence of extra terrestrial life then they could act as E.T. police, and with that i have complety lost where i was going. HHS.student


This is a much more rational theory. I mean a massive government conspiracy spanning over literally decades with out so much of a single word being leaked to the public ever, keeping back information about a inconceivably advance alien race who has mastered faster than light travel and found an inconceivably small (in comparison to the entire universe)rock in the middle on no where for nothing more than "mysterious purposes". I mean, besides, no one could afford a black suit unless they worked for a top secret government organization that is older than the CIA and the USAF. All this because some people saw a few "purdy lights in da sky". (HHS.student, I fixed your spelling for you while I was in here. Spell check dude, seriously) --Tim--


[edit] Merge Black Hat and Mirror Shades into Men in Black

I've proposed the merge of Black Hat and Mirror Shades into here on what I think is a pretty obvious bit of redundancy. Most of Black Hat & Mirror Shades seems to be unattributed speculation on a sort of "G-man" archetype. I've proposed a merge, but considered proposing a deletion of it & a redirect; I don't even know how much of BH&MS is worth saving. Thoughts? --mordicai. 21:30, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

  • No Merge - from what I read, It is not quite synonymous with the closely-related term Men in Black, as it implies that they can 1) not be men, and 2) not necessarily wear all black, and 3) still be sinister. which notes that the two are not related and that these black hat peronal do not have to be dressed in black yet is that not the characteristic of Men in Black? (:O) -Nima Baghaei talk · cont 23:27, 2 April 2007 (UTC)
Comment: well, I'm not suggesting they are the same thing, just that the articles should be combined into one- the overlap is such that I think Men in Black makes a better heading for both. --mordicai. 13:37, 7 April 2007 (UTC)
  • Support - this article seems like a stub. It'd look better as another paragraph in Men in Black. Although I'm not sure on the overall heading - perhaps a change of name is in order. Conspiracy Theorists maybe? EvokeNZ 01:23, 8 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] WTF. Didn't this article used to be bigger and much more interesting? I'm looking at you, Mr. US Government.

Oh noes, govt conspiracy expands into Wikipedia? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.67.80.165 (talk) 05:13, 9 April 2007 (UTC).

I was just thinking so myself. Any group with the ability to cover up alien conspiracies obviously has the ability to edit Wikipedia... 86.146.174.75 13:20, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

Having had a hunt through the history, the main change seems to be the near-removal of the popular culture section made on the 7th March 2007. I would suggest that, rather than losing the information, it might be better to create a seperate article entltled "Men In Black in popular culture" or somesuch. Darth Fanboy 13:39, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

I thought it water rather queer too...--142.68.49.87 06:52, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Wikipedia NOT accepting edits !

I've placed two edits. Only place they're in are in the History section. What the hell is going on ? Vandalisim ? One edit was in response to a citation request. 205.240.146.147 22:19, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Just seen it. Looks like some kind of bug is fouling things up - AGAIN. 205.240.146.147 22:21, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] External links

Why is The Brother from Another Planet at the Internet Movie Database in the External links? 192.88.212.68 14:29, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] CIA

These people are CIA operatives, i ought to know. the first thing they do is threaten, threaten, and threaten you again. they are there to eliminate any leak, any breach of secrecy, not just UFO sightings. And i must add, the sunglasses and the surprisingly not noted extreme amount of makeup is to hide facial features, and the suits are just to add to intimidation, they also try to slip truth serum IE Ethanol into your food if they meet you at diners, whitch will always be totally empty. how do i know? i was a 'victim' Anonymous

[edit] MIB image

The black and white image of the "look" of a man in black is hokey. I'm sure someone can come up with something less hokey looking and more professional. If you'd like, I can do up a MS Paint image to go along with that one. And when I remove it, it's not vandalism. There was a reason given. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.57.195.9 (talk) 01:47, 24 October 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Security issue

Mcafee Site Advisor says this link www.maxpages.com/mapit/Men_In_Black tries to load a browser exploit of some sort. I didn't have any noticible problems -- just a head's-up. --72.95.197.90 08:42, 14 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Longetivity

Please lock the page, so that the CIA soesn't erase more informative sections, particularly tha ones that blatently point out their involvement. leave the talk page open to edits though. please give you're opinoin.--Avianmosquito (talk) 07:47, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Sector Seven Reference

The reference to sector seven in the movie Trasnformers (2007), links to the punk rock band sector seven which does not pertain to a goverment organization.

"In the 2007 movie Transformers, agents of Sector Seven -- a secret organization of the United States government -- are portrayed as MIB's." --24.46.97.106 (talk) 19:38, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Speculation and rumors

This article is full of them. The whole thing reads like a conspiracy theory website. I see there are some books referenced at the bottom; can they be matched up with the statements they support? The whole thing is presented like fact: "Men in Black always seem to have detailed information on the persons they contact, as if the individual had been under surveillance for a prolonged amount of time". Says who? If the article is really about "alleged secret government departments", as it says in the hatnote, it should not be presented like verified facts. FlamingSilmaril (talk) 01:27, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Alien Explanation

Some of the External Links in the article indicate that the "Men In Black" are aliens. Please see the links in the External Links section in this article. 65.173.105.197 (talk) 06:15, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

These links should be removed, due to WP:OR, WP:RS concerns. Talked to Lomn about this matter. I'd remove them myself, but a bot would hollar VANDALISM!. 65.173.105.197 (talk) 18:31, 1 June 2008 (UTC)