ACUFOS Journal vol 4 no 3

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Journal of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies" from May/June 1983 (Volume 4, Number 3) is primarily dedicated to a detailed debate on the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) versus the Internal Intelligence Theory (IIT) as explanations for UFO phenomena. The journal is published by the Australian Centre for UFO Studies (ACUFOS) and is based in Prospect, S.A., Australia. The subscription price is $10 Australian Currency annually.

Editorial: The Significance of an Extraterrestrial Connection

The issue opens with an editorial, likely by John Prytz, titled "UFOS: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL CONNECTION." The author posits that not all UFO theories are equal in significance. The Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) is presented as having disproportionately high significance, potentially offering "THE ANSWER" to whether humanity is alone in the universe and impacting our understanding of life, biology, and humanity's place in creation. The editorial suggests that the potential damage or benefit to terrestrial institutions—political, economic, social, educational, scientific, military, religious, and diplomatic—is staggering if the equation UFO = ETH can be proven. It argues that no other UFO theory makes such profound claims and therefore warrants greater attention. The author concludes that no ufologist need feel ashamed for being interested in ETH.

More on Internal Intelligence Theories versus the ETH: The ETH Strikes Back (conclusion)

This lengthy article, authored by John Prytz, directly addresses and refutes criticisms of the ETH and argues in favor of it, while dissecting Keith Basterfield's arguments for Internal Intelligence Theory (IIT). Prytz tackles several criticisms leveled against ETH and IIT:

• Criticism Three (Spatial Distribution): Prytz, quoting Frank Gillespie, argues that UFO sightings should correlate with population density if they are an 'internal' phenomenon. He contends that cities, with better media coverage and higher populations, should report more UFOs if IIT were true, but the distribution doesn't solely align with this. He also questions the idea that country people are inherently different in reporting UFOs.
• Stimulus for IIT: Prytz suggests that interest in life in the universe would be higher in city populations, which should lead to more 'imaginary' UFO activity there, contradicting the notion that rural areas are the primary source of IIT-driven reports.
• Day of the Week Cycles: Prytz dismisses Keith's argument that IIT explains 'day of the week cycles' by stating that neither IIT nor ETH can explain them, and they are likely due to modern man's weekly routines.
• Multiple Witness Reports: Prytz argues that genuine, hard-core UFO reports have contained multiple, independent witnesses, which cannot be dismissed by 'known psychological factors' as Basterfield suggests.
• International Uniformity: Prytz counters Keith's argument about international uniformity by questioning the introduction of sexual symbols (discs, cigars, buttocks, legs, vulva) as a universal linking factor, calling it "complete balderdash."
• Physical Evidence: Prytz criticizes Keith's attempts to debunk physical evidence (motion pictures, radar, ground markings) as weak, suggesting that phrases like "may be an alternative" and "probably explainable" indicate a lack of confidence in IIT.
• Abduction Cases: While acknowledging that some abduction experiences might be psychological, Prytz uses the Travis Walton case as an example where IIT fails to explain his five-day disappearance after a UFO abduction. He also highlights the similarity of reports from unrelated witnesses.
• Physiological Reactions: Prytz notes that ETH and IIT are tied here, as mental and physiological health are connected. He suggests that 'nuts & bolts' spacecraft and 'medicals' during abductions could leave physical traces, citing Budd Hopkins' work on physical scars.
• EM Effects: Prytz challenges IIT's ability to explain multiple and independent EM cases occurring simultaneously in the same area, suggesting this points to real ETI.
• Angel Hair: Prytz questions how 'Angel Hair' became associated with UFOs if IIT is the explanation, stating it's a real phenomenon that doesn't fit IIT.
• Pre-1947 UFO Reports: Prytz argues that the massive increase in UFO sightings around 1947 (or 1944-1945) is a critical point that IIT struggles to explain. He suggests that either something extraordinary happened to human psychology/society, or advanced extraterrestrials arrived.

Prytz concludes that Keith's theories do not stand up to scrutiny and that ETH is a far more likely contender. He references works by Ronald D. Story and Harley D. Rutledge as evidence supporting ETH.

He also addresses Frank J. Tipler's argument that if intelligent extraterrestrials existed, their probes would be here, and since they are not, none exist. Prytz dismisses Tipler's argument as non-events and not worthy of consideration in the ETH/IIT debate.

Internal Intelligence Theories Versus the ETH: Note in Reply

Keith Basterfield briefly responds, stating that he has debated the subject of ETH versus IIT as far as he can with the present evidence and proposes to leave his contribution as it stands, inviting other readers to enter the fray.

UFOCON 7

This section reports on the Australian UFO Conference Number 7, held in Hobart, Tasmania, from February 12th to 14th, 1983. Despite being a small event, it was successful due to the representation from across Australia. Topics discussed included a code of ethics for UFO investigators and the use of home computers for UFO information processing. The conference concluded that many early UFO theories are untenable, but progress is being made in testing remaining theories. Advances in technology, such as inexpensive remote magnetic detector units, are expected to aid research. The delegates agreed that the current period of low UFO activity is an opportunity to explore existing data and prepare for future reports. The report encourages attendance at future conferences (UFOCON 8 in Alice Springs, 1984, and UFOCON 9 in Melbourne, 1985-6) and emphasizes the importance of cooperation in UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The dominant theme of this issue is the ongoing debate between the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) and the Internal Intelligence Theory (IIT) for explaining UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, strongly articulated by John Prytz, clearly favors the ETH, presenting it as the more significant and potentially more accurate explanation due to its broader implications and ability to account for various aspects of the UFO phenomenon that IIT struggles with. The issue also highlights the importance of scientific methodology, evidence-based reasoning, and the role of technological advancements in advancing UFO research, as seen in the report on UFOCON 7. The journal appears to advocate for a rigorous, evidence-driven approach to the study of UFOs, while remaining open to the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.

This document is a transcription of an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio program, "The Niree Creed Show," aired on Friday, October 15, 1982. The main focus is an interview with Quentin Fogarty about a UFO incident that occurred over New Zealand in 1978, which he has detailed in his book, "Let's Hope They're Friendly!"

The U.P.O. Incident Over New Zealand: Interview: Quentin Fogarty

The interview begins with Niree Creed introducing Quentin Fogarty and his book about a UFO incident. Fogarty believes the book will reopen old wounds and keep the story alive, as the subject is inherently left with a sense of negativity and unidentified flying objects.

Fogarty recounts the events of the night in 1978. He and a television film crew were on an aircraft, possibly for another story, when they observed a number of extremely bright lights in the sky. These lights were also picked up on radar. Initially, they appeared as a row of lights, possibly up to five or six or seven, in the direction of Kaikoura. These lights then blossomed into a great ball of light and at times illuminated the sea or clouds. Later in the journey to Christchurch, they continued to see bright balls of light. On the return leg from Christchurch to Blenheim, a bright light appeared to the right side of the aircraft, stayed with them for about twelve minutes, and apparently paced the aircraft. This particular object was filmed extensively and was also picked up on the aircraft's radar. The pulsating lights seen at the start of the journey were also observed again.

Fogarty describes his immediate reaction as excitement, but this turned to extreme fright later in the flight when radar at Wellington indicated targets behind them that they could not see. The title of his book, "Let's Hope They're Friendly!," stems from a commentary he recorded during this time, expressing his genuine fear.

Regarding explanations, Fogarty dismisses mundane theories put forward by debunkers, skeptics, and astronomers, stating they fail on several counts. He specifically refutes explanations involving planets like Jupiter or Venus, noting that the lights were detected on the aircraft's radar at close range, which is not possible for planets. He states that every conventional explanation has failed, leaving a "puzzling mystery."

He emphasizes that the lights were extremely bright and behaved in ways that conventional light sources do not. Twenty scientists in America examined the film and concluded that the light sources behaved in ways not known to manmade sources.

Fogarty explains that the brightness is a key factor, as achieving such brightness with a conventional source would require focusing it into a beam. He questions why a manmade light source would be off the coast of New Zealand at that time of night, following an aircraft. The behavior and brightness of the lights convinced scientists that they were not manmade.

Regarding follow-ups, Fogarty mentions that people have returned to New Zealand to investigate, and there have been attempts to film squid fishing boats to contrast their lights with the UFOs. However, Safe Air, the company operating the aircraft, has been reluctant to allow further filming due to negative publicity and debunking efforts.

The film itself is considered valuable, but it is stored in the vault at Channel Ten in Melbourne. It would require approximately another hundred thousand dollars for further scientific testing to reach a logical conclusion, a sum that has not been available.

Fogarty admits he was naive about the potential for personal criticism when he released the story. He wouldn't have come forward if he didn't believe the story was important and different. He highlights that the aircraft had two experienced pilots who were familiar with conventional lights in the area and were amazed by what they saw, especially with the radar confirmation. Despite scientific investigations failing to find conventional explanations, he continues to face criticism, which he finds frustrating.

The experience was personally traumatic for Fogarty. He admitted himself to a private hospital suffering from "nervous exhaustion" shortly after the incident due to hassles with the Channel, copyright issues, and lack of sleep. He also received death threats. He describes the experience as frightening, and upon release from the hospital, he became obsessed with the story. The ordeal strained his marriage and family life, with two marriages collapsing among people connected to the story. He acknowledges the difficulty in writing about personal traumas and the breakdown he experienced.

When asked if he sometimes wished he hadn't seen the lights, Fogarty admits he does, but he is a realist. He is part of the story, and he realizes it will likely be discussed for the rest of his lifetime, as UFO cases from forty years ago are still being discussed. He has had some regrets but is now living with it and does not intend to run away from it. It is no longer a total obsession but a major interest.

Bibliography Updates

The latter part of the document consists of extensive bibliographies, categorized by subject:

• Bermuda Triangle: This section lists numerous books, book extracts, and journal articles related to the Bermuda Triangle, compiled by John Prytz. It includes works by authors like L.D. Kusche, Charles Berlitz, and others, covering various aspects from historical accounts to scientific investigations and fictional interpretations.
• Sagan, Carl - About: A brief mention of a work by Carl Sagan.
• Cosmic Chemistry: A list of journal articles on topics such as ammonia observations, interstellar medium, carbyne forms of carbon, and caustics in interstellar space.
• Panspermia: Journal articles discussing comets, creationism, and the origin of life.
• Exobiology: This section is further divided into:
• Bibliographies: Including a bibliography by J. Prytz on Exobiology & Ufology.
• Book Reviews: Reviews of books like "Cosmic Dawn" and "Life in the Universe."
• Monographs: Books on "Life in Space" and "Search for Life Beyond Earth."
• Book Extract: An article on "Recent adventures in our search for life beyond the Earth."
• Life in the Solar System - Moon, The: An article on "Man in the Moon, and all that."
• Life in the Solar System - Jovian Planets & Satellites: Articles on Jupiter's icy moon and organic chemistry on Europa.
• Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI): Articles on UFO updates and "Cosmic brains."
• Human/Dolphin Communication: An interview with John Lilly.
• Space Colonization: An article on "Lunar habitats."
• Astro-Archaeology (with "Ancient Astronauts"): This section includes monographs and journal articles on topics like the Andes, ancient landscapes, and "plastic megaliths."
• UFOs: This is a very extensive section, divided into:
• Bibliographies: Including a UFO Guide and a bibliography by J. Prytz.
• Monographs: Books such as "World's Greatest UFO Mysteries," "Crack in the Universe," "Earth Lights," and "Alien Contact."
• Book Extract: An article titled "'Close encounters of the third kind.'"
• Journal Articles: Numerous articles on UFO updates, geophysical variables, neglected UFO science, SETI, and physiological reactions to close encounters.
• Novelty Items & Fiction: Books like "Flying Saucers" and "Flying Saucer Mystery."
• Monsters: This section includes monographs and journal articles on topics like "Monsters of North America," "Wild Men: Yeti, Sasquatch," and the "Loch Ness Monster."
• Artificial Intelligence: This section includes a monograph on "Computers That Think?" and journal articles on "Mind of the machine" and "Thinking machines."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the ongoing mystery and controversy surrounding UFO sightings, exemplified by the detailed account of the 1978 New Zealand incident. The editorial stance, as presented through the interview with Quentin Fogarty, acknowledges the persistent nature of these phenomena and the failure of conventional explanations to fully resolve them. There is an implicit validation of the experiences of witnesses like Fogarty, despite the personal toll and public skepticism they often face. The extensive bibliographies suggest a commitment to providing a comprehensive resource for researchers interested in a wide range of unexplained phenomena, from UFOs and the Bermuda Triangle to monsters and artificial intelligence, indicating a broad scope for the publication's interests.