I'm trying to think of any sci-fi stories where the aliens are lost tourists or similar. They are usually presumed to be scientists or government representatives checking out Earth and/or humankind.
Maybe ET? -- I don't think that's explained? It's been a lot of years since I saw it.
The reality is that the government is interested in unexplained phenomenon primarily for security reasons. That statement does not say nor imply "Belief in aliens means you're a nutter!" I just get really tired of people acting like "They study this stuff because they know there really are aliens visiting Earth!"
The novel Waiting for the Galactic Bus is about two immortal energy beings who get stranded on prehistoric Earth while on the immortal-energy-being equivalent of a Spring Break bender, and decide to help these cute li'l apes develop civilization to pass the time.
Maybe ET? -- I don't think that's explained? It's been a lot of years since I saw it.
The reality is that the government is interested in unexplained phenomenon primarily for security reasons. That statement does not say nor imply "Belief in aliens means you're a nutter!" I just get really tired of people acting like "They study this stuff because they know there really are aliens visiting Earth!"