Why do people make Crop Circles?

Some of the following explanations are apparent, some are more suggestive:

1. For fun
Manufacturing Crop Circles in nocturnal fields in secrecy is an exiting and mysterious process. An activity like this can fascinate people just because of the mysterious conditions. The risk of being caught, ducking low when cars are passing by, to some people this kind of excitement might act as a welcome variation to the dullness of everyday ordinary life. The risk is actually very small; it is highly unlikely that somebody would happen to check out just the spot on the field you have selected, in the middle of the night. In the morning it is exiting to observe people's reactions. In UK practically all Crop formations are photographed from above, and the aerial pictures displayed in the Internet. It must be rewarding to see your work of art in its full glory - at the ground level it is not possible. It's not hard to imagine one can get hooked in this kind of activity.

2. An effort to co-operate or be in contact with unknown forces
The Crop Circle artists (or hoaxers, as they are commonly called) often claim to experience anomalous light phenomena, feel pretences etc. The possibility of interacting with "supernatural" forces, or even taking part in some Earth healing ritual can be quite intriguing. Some people may expect to get an "answer" in the form of a genuine Crop Circle. People familiar with the Earth energies can even follow the ley lines and create a formation in their crossing, faithful to the genuine phenomenon.

3. Research or an effort to prove something
By creating Crop Circles with physical tools, somebody may try to prove that all formations can be man-made. On the other hand, somebody else may attempt to prove the opposite; by putting your best effort to duplicate the most elaborate properties of the genuine formations, you can find out what is possible to accomplish and what is not. As a matter of fact, it is very hard to know the difference between man-made and not man-made formations without creating one yourself or at least by following the process on the spot.

4. Deception, mockery, disturbing the research, disinformation
These are generally seen as main motives for "hoaxing" Crop Circles, though they might not actually be. The researchers look at all formations and even man-made ones can be mistaken as genuine (especially if the researcher is not familiar with the properties of man-made designs). In such cases the hoaxer may experience satisfaction from the misinterpretation he's managed to cause. The researcher, on the other hand, want to examine the genuine phenomenon. Trying to sort out which formations are "real" and which are not, is extra work, taking energy from the more important research. Some hoaxers may actually take money for making Crop Circles in order to mislead the media and scientists away from the true phenomenon. History has proven this can be accomplished all too easily!

5. Calling, obsession, outer guidance
Some Crop Circle artists say they receive instructions or suggestions from unknown outside forces. An impulse to make a Crop Circle can be received spontaneously in normal daytime consciousness, while sleeping or in an altered state of mind. Somebody may also listen to information channelled by others, then act upon this information.