Yes, they are real! But in order to say that, we have to come up with a definition that excludes all post-observational interpretations. Thus the following definition is based on the original observers’ on-site, real-time interpretation, not someone else’s subsequent interpretation: A BML is any nocturnal light, seen in the vicinity of Brown Mountain, with an origin that is unknown to the observer at the time of the observation
A BML is any nocturnal light, seen in the vicinity of Brown
Mountain,
with an origin that is unknown to the observer
at the time of the observation
This definition is purposefully broad to
include all sightings by everyone who has seen lights that they identified as
unexplained in the area since the late 1800s. It is the assumed or presumed unknown origin that makes the lights
mysterious in the first place. Each
person's sighting is real and significant to them and none are
dismissed as not-real. Since the
distinction of 'unknown origin' is the determination of the observer, then all
lights visible in the area must also be BMLs! Let me explain.
Eye-Witness sightings
Every light visible in the area of Brown Mountain probably has been called a mysterious unknown-origin
light (in other words a BML) by someone either recently or in the past---remember it is left up to each
individual observer to label the light they saw as explained or unexplained. Over the past two years, our research team has
amassed a vast collection of BML eyewitness descriptions, both recent and historical. Although these descriptions are often
conflicting and vary greatly in the details of what was seen, none can be
dismissed, even those that can be easily identified by others as
misinterpretations of normal lights. It
is clear from these varied descriptions that people are not always seeing the
same thing, but rather they are seeing a large number of different light
phenomena; none of which should be rejected as not real. Certainly for many observers their sighting
was not only memorable, but also unique, fascinating, and in some cases,
life-changing. Therefore, to include all
mystery light sightings as BMLs, the definition given above is based on
the observers' characterization of the light as having an
'unidentified-origin'. However, just
because a light is unknown to an observer doesn't mean that light is also
unknown or unknowable to someone else.
The difference between an identified light and a mystery light
is often the difference between an informed observer
and an uninformed or misinformed observer
Identification of Light Origins
While misidentification of lights plays a major
role in the Legend of the BMLs, observation of lights defying easy
explanation also plays a role. The difference between an identified light and
an unidentified light is often the difference between an informed observer and
an uninformed or misinformed observer. One
person’s BML is another person’s street light. One person’s BML is another person’s
flashlight, or communication tower light, or airplane, or campfire, or car
headlight, or firefly, or International Space Station, or planet, etc. And yet some lights defy all attempts to
identify them by scientific or scholarly investigation. However, those lights that seem to defy
scientific or otherwise scholarly explanation are generally from sightings that
lack sufficient details to classify them as anything; as a result those lights
are temporarily listed as 'unclassified' until such time that their actual
origin might be determined.
To know the BMLs, First Know the Observer
The level of one's nighttime outdoor experience,
familiarity with nature, supernatural beliefs, and understanding of science
vary greatly amongst observers, yet each of these plays a major role in how an
observer interprets what they see. As
expected, an informed observer is much less likely to misinterpret what they
see, while an uninformed or misinformed observer is more likely to misinterpret
what they see.
Don't Mess With my BMLs
Everyone enjoys a good mystery and the desire
to believe in unexplained or unexplainable lights is strong and even highly
emotional for many people. In fact, most
people aren't receptive to hearing something that threatens their beliefs,
favorite mystery, or opinions. "I
know what I saw, and it wasn't a manmade light" and "Some things just
can't be explained" are common reframes from those unwilling to give up
the mystery, or to even consider alternatives. On the other hand, there
are those who sincerely believe they witnessed aliens, UFOs, disembodied
spirits, ghosts, secret government projects, or otherwise unexplained
paranormal phenomena. To everyone, no
matter what you believe, the BMLs are real! It's just our interpretations of what we see
that differ. 
