Awareness - 1979 - Vol 08 No 4 - Winter

Magazine Overview

AWARENESS, The quarterly journal of Contact (UK), Volume 8, no: 4, Winter 1979. The cover features the title 'AWARENESS' prominently, with the subtitle 'The quarterly journal of Contact (UK)' and the publication date 'WINTER 1979'. A handwritten date '01.04-89' is also present.

Editorial

The editorial, titled 'EDITORIAL', reflects on the importance of readers engaging with the publication's content. It looks back at the 1970s, noting a surge of interest in UFOs that has since waned, coinciding with a facade of disinterestedness from officialdom in the UK. The editorial highlights the proliferation of UFO study groups and organizations in the 1970s, both in Britain and internationally, mentioning the formation of the Centre for UFO Studies by Dr. Alan Hynek in America and MUFON. It discusses the economic challenges faced by such groups, emphasizing that membership subscriptions are often insufficient for acquiring dedicated premises for storing records and equipment. The editor posits that there are too many groups, leading to a thin distribution of resources, and suggests that amalgamation, particularly of the four well-established British groups, could be beneficial. The piece concludes by urging for a practical approach to ensure the future of ufological unity amidst spiraling inflation and collapsing economies.

Articles

"Are UFOs A Product of the Mind?" by Dr Sarath de Silva

Dr. Sarath de Silva's article explores the question of whether UFO sightings are objective phenomena or merely products of the human mind. He begins by stating that the unknown is typically explained through known mechanisms. If an individual cannot explain a phenomenon, they might describe it as 'strange' or 'mysterious,' or even believe they are ill. He notes that people may keep unexplained experiences to themselves or, if reported, the listener might dismiss them as the reporter 'seeing things.'

Dr. de Silva considers three possibilities if UFOs do not exist objectively: 1) UFO reports are lies, 2) UFOs are illusions, or 3) UFOs are perceptual abnormalities. He argues that the 'lies' explanation is improbable given the qualifications and potential risks for many witnesses. The 'illusions' explanation is also deemed insufficient as it requires a physical stimulus, which may not account for all reported observations. The article then delves into perceptual abnormalities, discussing:

• Eidetic imagery: Found in children, where they can see a picture in objective space after looking away. This is dismissed as a UFO explanation because it's limited to children and requires a specific stimulus (the picture).
• Hallucinations: Defined as perceptions without physical stimuli. These can be caused by extreme fatigue, boredom, sensory deprivation, or extreme psychological states. Such hallucinations are usually momentary, fragmented, and the individual is often aware of the aberration.
• Drug-induced hallucinations: Caused by hallucinogenic drugs like cannabis, LSD, or mescaline. These can involve moving lights, colours, shapes, and scenarios, and the person is aware of the experience.
• Hallucinations in psychiatric illnesses: Including psychosis, drug withdrawal, organic brain damage, etc.

Dr. de Silva states that in his nine years of psychiatric work, he has not encountered patients whose perceptual abnormalities matched UFO descriptions. He emphasizes that UFO witnesses typically provide objective accounts, their experiences are not integrated into their personal lives in a way that suggests delusion, and they generally function well. He concludes that UFO sightings are unlikely to be psychiatric phenomena and are not products of the human mind, though he acknowledges the brain's susceptibility to perceptual abnormalities and stresses the importance of gathering detailed witness information, including medical history and drug use, when collecting reports.

"Selected UFO Reports" by D.N.Mansell

This section presents a compilation of UFO reports received by Data Research headquarters during January and February 1979. The author notes that these represent about one-sixth of the total received for those months.

January 1979 Reports:

• 1st: Paignton, Devonshire: A 16-year-old student reported a yellow-orange bugle or cone-shaped object hovering for over 20 minutes, emitting vapour. It was estimated to be 2 miles away.
• 3rd: New Elgin, Scotland: A 28-year-old man observed a golden bell-shaped object, pea-sized at arm's length, with a blurred outline. It moved horizontally, made a 90-degree turn, and disappeared quickly.
• 5th: Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire: Six red globular lights in line-ahead formation were seen for about 1.5 minutes, progressing from left to right in an undulatory fashion before abruptly dematerializing.
• 6th: Daresbury, Cheshire: A white globe exhibiting orange, green, yellow, and bluey-purple lights emitted a humming sound as it disappeared.
• 8th: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear: A car-sized rectangular object covered in bright pink and blue lights, resembling a flying carpet, passed overhead at an estimated height of 50 yards, emitting a humming sound.
• 9th: Aston, Cheshire: A fast-moving white sphere, appearing to be at a great altitude, was seen for about 90 seconds, moving silently from right to left.
• 11th: Warrington, Cheshire: Several witnesses saw a round red object followed by two more, which hovered soundlessly before disappearing. Two were cricket-ball sized, one football-sized at arm's length.

Canadian Reports (January 12th-20th):

• 12th: Edmonton, Alberta: A cone-shaped object with a long tail was observed.
• 12th: Cambridge, Ontario: An object of unknown origin, larger than the full Moon, was seen moving silently and erratically.
• 12th: Pierceland, Saskatchewan: A huge yellow star-shaped object passed overhead.
• 12th: Sudbury, Ontario: A fast-moving green object of great size was observed.
• 14th: Edmonton, Alberta: A yellow tear-shaped object was seen moving in the sky.
• 15th: Edmonton, Alberta: Four large objects of singular shape, leaving vapour trails, were seen passing in unison.
• 15th: Hammer, Ontario: A globe with smaller spherical protrusions was sighted.
• 16th: Barrhead, Alberta: Two spheres moving at high speed were seen at a great altitude.
• 16th: An oblong object emitting white 'smoke' appeared to fall in slow motion and was observed for 10 minutes.
• 17th: Bonavista, Newfoundland: A large grey oval-shaped object with red and green flashing lights was observed.
• 18th: Baie Comeau, Quebec: A large but slow ball of fire passed across the sky.
• 20th: Port Cartier, Quebec: Observers saw three oval-shaped objects displaying red, green, and blue lights.

Late January UK Reports:

• 22nd: Hove, Sussex: A flashing semi-circular object hovered soundlessly and then suddenly disappeared.
• 30th: Windsor, Berkshire: Five very small, bright, arrow-shaped objects were espied in a clear starry sky.

February 1979 Reports:

• 1st: Butterton, Staffordshire: An oblong object, essentially white with a red or deep orange tinge, hung motionless below cloud level, exhibiting 'strange' motion.
• 2nd: Ealing, London: A very bright circular object, the size of a sixpence at arm's length, moved fast and disappeared into low cloud.
• 6th: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire: A bright circle of silvery-white light was seen, disappearing rapidly.
• 8th: Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire: A bright white star-shaped object, the size of a sixpence at arm's length, was stationary before moving away and disappearing in black smoke.
• 8th: A whole family witnessed an exceedingly bright white light that followed their car, altered shape to a crushed cigar, and then accelerated away.
• 10th: Craigie, Western Australia: A cone-shaped object with red and white lights was stationary, directing a beam downwards.
• 10th: Christie's Beach, Western Australia: A cone-shaped object, white with red and green flashes, descended with a rocking motion.
• 11th: Kersbrook, Western Australia: A globular object was stationary for hours, appearing silver by day and orange by night, before moving off horizontally.
• 17th: Stourport on Severn, Staffordshire: A dish-shaped object, spinning and changing colour (blue, green, red, white, orange), appeared to be descending over a field before changing course and disappearing.
• 23rd: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands: An 'eye'-shaped object, dull red with a shining red 'pupil', was seen near an aircraft's wing before suddenly dematerializing.

The section concludes by thanking field investigators Nigel Brown, Rey Fisher, and Kathleen Waldron, as well as UFOSIS for their work on specific cases.

Contact (UK) Directory

The issue includes a directory for Contact (UK), listing key personnel and their addresses, including National Chairman F.W.Passey, Hon. Secretary J.Loveridge, Hon. Treasurer D.N.Mansell, Hon. Membership Secretary Mrs S.Robb, Public Relations Officer P.Flatman, Research Enquiries J.Sears and P.Flatman, Senior Research Officer D.N.Mansell, Librarian J.B.Delair, and Archivist E.Cox.

Other Sections

• Readers' Letters: A section for correspondence from readers.
• Reviews: Reviews, presumably of books or other media, by J.B.Delair.
• Advertisements: A section for advertisements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting detailed reports of sightings and exploring potential explanations. The editorial stance, as evidenced by the editorial piece, leans towards encouraging greater unity and professional investigation within the ufological community, while Dr. de Silva's article critically examines psychological explanations for sightings. The publication appears to be a platform for sharing and analyzing UFO experiences, with a clear emphasis on documented reports and reasoned discussion rather than sensationalism. The recurring theme is the serious investigation of UFOs, with a critical eye towards dismissive attitudes and a call for more cohesive efforts within the field.

This issue of the magazine, identified as issue number 10 and part of volume 8, is dated October 1979. The cover headline and main article title is "WHAT THE U.K. NEWSPAPERS DON'T TELL US: SOME INTERESTING FOREIGN UFO CASES" by J.B.Delair. The magazine is published by Skyquest and priced at £3.00p. The content focuses on the perceived lack of coverage of significant UFO events by British national newspapers, contrasting this with foreign media and historical accounts.

British Newspapers' Neglect of UFO News

J.B.Delair's lead article criticizes British national newspapers for consistently ignoring UFO phenomena and significant cases, despite their claims to bring worldwide news. The author notes that available UFO accounts in British papers are often relegated to local tabloids. He speculates that this silence might stem from apathy or a more sinister 'cover-up'.

The 'Sunday Express' Case

An exception mentioned is an article in the 'Sunday Express' on November 11th, titled "Forester 'attacked by visitors from space'". This case was under investigation by Data Research and local police. Although the article was significant, no further announcements were made in subsequent editions, leading the author to believe that, based on past newspaper performance, further information is unlikely to be published.

The New Delhi Tornado Incident

The article details a sobering account from the 'National Enquirer' (Nov. 20th) about a tornado-like disaster near New Delhi, India, which killed 28 people. Paul F. Levy reported that a glowing orange metallic-looking sphere was observed buzzing the suburb just before the storm. Physicists later discovered a trail of high radioactivity along the two-mile path of destruction. Prof. Kumar Trikha of the University of Delhi declared that the disaster was not natural but caused by a UFO propelled by a nuclear reactor. Arun Chacko, a New Delhi journalist, reported that photographers were barred from taking pictures and bodies were cremated swiftly. Dr. Shatrughan Shukla, an assistant professor at the University of Delhi, witnessed the UFO, describing it as a blackish metallic spheroid, glowing orange, with a long white tail, moving erratically. Dr. Shukla later found trees cleanly cut 10-12 feet above the ground and bent metal utility poles, further supporting the UFO hypothesis. The author laments that no British national newspaper reported this dramatic event.

Dr. Richard Niemtzow on UFO-Induced Paralysis

The magazine then discusses an admission by American medical doctor Dr. Richard Niemtzow concerning paralysis effects related to UFO behavior. Dr. Niemtzow, a physician in Houston, Texas, suggests that aliens possess apparatus capable of causing selective paralysis (e.g., legs or speech, but not breathing) that earthly medical science cannot replicate. He notes that many people who have had close encounters report suffering from this temporary, selective paralysis. He believes this paralysis is caused by an electrical or magnetic field, or an unknown energy field, affecting nerve cells and electrical systems, as car motors and radios often fail during these events.

Bermuda Paralysis Case

The article highlights a case from the Ohio 'Star' (Oct. 23rd) about two Bermudan children, Laquita and Melvin Dyer, who claimed they were paralyzed in their beds for 10 terrifying minutes after being woken by a loud buzzing noise. This occurred the night after dozens of Bermudans sighted an unknown glowing object. The children were released from their paralysis when the noise stopped. The object sighted earlier was a huge yellow sphere that dematerialized. The incident was witnessed by an energy consultant, a geography teacher, and a radio technician.

Historical UFO Accounts and Media Selectivity

The author questions the selectivity of British newspapers, noting that cases like a remarkable teleportation case from an Argentinian magazine ('Radiolandia') and alleged Russian disclosures about UFOs using Saturn's moon Titan as a base have also been ignored. The article argues that these events are newsworthy enough for national newspapers. It posits that the press might be genuinely free but 'impartial' to the point of omitting significant news, or that their selectivity is unbalanced. The possibility of editors being poorly informed or simply neglectful is also raised. A more serious possibility is that newspaper editors are directed by an 'over-ridding authority' to suppress UFO information, suggesting officialdom operating a cover-up.

The 'Seventeenth-century Meteorite' Case

Cyril D.Blount contributes a letter discussing a 1646 pamphlet titled "Signes from Heaven: or severall apparitions seen and heard in the Ayre, in the Counties of Cambridge & Norfolk on the 21st.of May last in the afternoone 1646". The pamphlet describes various aerial phenomena, including a ball of wild fire, a fleet of ships in the air, a pillar ascending from the earth, and a descending pike or lance. While some suggested a meteorite fall, Blount re-interprets it as an unidentified flying object. The article critically examines Blount's interpretation, noting that the described phenomena are not meteor-like and that the historical context and the nature of the observations suggest a UFO event rather than a meteorite shower. The author also points out that the flints found in Breckland, mentioned in relation to the case, are likely from known prehistoric flint workshops, not from a meteorite impact.

Cassette Specials

The issue concludes with an advertisement for "SOME CLOSE ENCOUNTER CASSETTE SPECIALS", offering twenty-four titles including sightings, humanoid encounters, and contact experiences, narrated by Norman Oliver. Each cassette is priced at £3.00p.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the perceived bias and neglect of UFO-related news by mainstream British media, particularly national newspapers. The editorial stance is critical of this media behavior, suggesting it hinders public awareness and may indicate a deliberate suppression of information. The magazine advocates for greater attention to UFO phenomena, drawing on foreign reports and historical accounts to highlight significant events that are seemingly overlooked by the UK press. There is a clear implication that the public is being kept ignorant of potentially important phenomena.

This issue, number 20, of 'Awareness' magazine, published by Contact International (UK), focuses on an upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the election of a new National Chairman. The date of the AGM is February 9th, 1980, and it will be held in Oxford.

Special Announcement: Annual General Meeting

The AGM for 1979/1980 is scheduled for February 9th, 1980, at the Town Hall, Oxford. The program has been slightly modified from previous advertisements. Doors open at 2:15 pm for subscribing members only. The AGM officially begins at 2:30 pm, also for subscribing members. The AGM is expected to close around 3:30 pm, after which the meeting will be open to the general public.

The afternoon's agenda includes a lecture by Randall Jones-Pugh titled "The Dyfed Enigma – And After" at 4:00 pm, followed by a lecture by J.Bernard Delair on "UFO Origins – The Alternatives Considered" at 5:15 pm. At 6:30 pm, John Sears will present a round-up of recent significant UFO cases. The event will conclude with the presentation of special new awards at 7:15 pm, with the meeting closing around 8:00 pm.

The meeting will also feature a new exhibition, a section for the sale of magazines, and short breaks for informal discussion. To ensure well-positioned seats, members are advised to inform the Membership Secretary in advance of February 9th, as seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Members are encouraged to state their membership numbers when requesting seat reservations.

Election of a New National Chairman

F.W.Passey, the current National Chairman of Contact International (UK), has announced his retirement, effective February 9th, 1980. A new Chairman will be elected at the aforementioned AGM.

Eligibility for candidacy requires a fully paid-up membership of Contact International (UK) for more than three consecutive years. Candidates must be proposed and seconded by two fully paid-up members. Details of intending candidates, including their names, addresses, age, sex, membership number, and the details of their proposers and seconders, must be sent to the Membership Secretary by February 1st.

Readers' Letters

This section presents a selection of letters from readers of 'Awareness'.

• P. Roberts disagrees with the magazine's labeling of Erich von Daniken's books as "rubbish." Roberts believes that thousands of years ago, extraterrestrials visited Earth, interbred with humans, constructed monuments, and that a minority remained, continuing to observe us. Roberts considers these UFOs to be evidence of this, viewing von Daniken's work as "Reality." The editor (Ed.) responds that while individuals are entitled to their conclusions, they should be based on sound evidence. The editor criticizes many UFO publications, including some of von Daniken's books, for deliberately taking information out of context, making them untrustworthy.

• Mrs B. Chittenden from Pinetown, South Africa, inquires if any members of Contact International (UK) are keen to correspond with UFO enthusiasts in her region. The editor encourages members to respond, noting the appeal of receiving stamps from South Africa.

• Alfred Stoneham expresses delight after reading a friend's copy of 'Awareness', finding it "tremendous stuff and so informative," and intends to become a member.

• Rex Costain writes to Mr. Delair, complimenting the magazine but questioning why it is not printed "properly, as in a book," suggesting it would look better and sell more copies. The editor (Ed.) explains that the magazine's printing method is letterpress, which is very expensive. Contact International (UK)'s policy is to charge members just enough via annual subscriptions to cover costs like paper, ink, and postage. Any surplus is used for exhibition material or purchasing UFO publications. The editor estimates that to afford letterpress printing, annual subscriptions would need to increase to between £8 and £9 per head, which might be difficult for junior and senior members with reduced subscriptions. The magazine is a membership publication and is not sold on newsstands, so enhanced sales are not a factor.

Reviews

This section reviews several books and magazines related to ufology and related topics.

• "THE AIRMEN WHO WOULD NOT DIE" by John G. Fuller (Souvenir Press, £5.95p): This book, though not strictly a UFO book, is by a celebrated writer on the UFO theme. It details the case for life after death and communication from the recently deceased, linking these themes to early aeronautical disasters like the R101 airship crash. The reviewer praises its documentation, illustrations, and readability, recommending it even for borrowing from a library.

• "UFOS AND RELATED SUBJECTS: AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY" by Lynn E.Catoe (Gale Research Co., Detroit, price not stated): This is an updated, massive bibliography covering a vast amount of ufological information, including UFO abductions, landings, and propulsion methods. It lists over 1600 items, each with basic bibliographic details and a brief resume. The reviewer recommends obtaining a copy from the publishers or a specific London address.

• "Fortean Times: The Journal of Strange Phenomena", edited by Bob J.M.Rickard (Dark They Were and Golden Eyed, London): Now in its 30th issue, this quarterly publication is described as the world's leading Fortean publication, covering UFOs, stigmata, monsters, anomalous sky falls, and more. It is considered a worthy successor to the writings of Charles Fort.

Space Age Publications

This section lists books available from Space Age Publications, including their prices. Titles cover a range of UFO-related topics, such as "Close Encounters: The Strange Truth About UFOs," "UFO Review," and "UFOs Around the World." It also lists "New Realities Magazine" back issues. Information is provided on how to order, including postage and packing costs, and the need for a stamped addressed envelope for enquiries. Orders and enquiries should be directed to Miss Susanne Stebbing.

Additionally, "LANTERN," a quarterly journal of East Anglian oddities edited by Ivan Bunn, is recommended for its interesting contents, with a one-year subscription costing 85p.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently addresses ufological matters, featuring announcements for events like the AGM, discussions on UFO theories, and reviews of relevant literature. The editorial stance, as seen in the response to P. Roberts' letter, emphasizes the importance of evidence-based conclusions in ufology, while acknowledging the reader's right to their own interpretations. The magazine also engages with practical matters such as printing costs and subscription rates, highlighting the financial constraints faced by such publications. The inclusion of reader letters fosters a sense of community and dialogue among members.