system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: If aliens exist and have been to this planet, why would the government have to keep it hidden and "top secret?"

The whole Area 51 conspiracy and such. Why does it even have to be hidden? Assuming aliens are there, a large amount of the population already believes they are there, so why even continue to hide it if it's already largely speculated? For technological reasons?

Edit: Thank you all for clearing up my misunderstanding of Area 51. I've never done research on it and had always associated it with aliens. My ignorance!
gpt
Edwards: Why the big secret? People are smart. They can handle it.

Kay: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.

From the Documentary: "MIB"