BAE 3.3

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 3, Number 3
Date: June 1992

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (BAE) is noted as being the largest ever and was slightly delayed due to unavoidable responsibilities. The editorial team anticipates another issue before the summer concludes, promising a followup to Nicholas Reiter's work on the Magnetic Implant Response.

The editorial emphasizes the importance of submitting contributions in computer-readable format, ideally using Word for Windows, or via E-Mail. It also provides a specific note for Macintosh users regarding diskette compatibility.

Virtual Conference Results

The magazine reports on the results of a virtual conference regarding opening up subscriptions and participation to "experiencers." Following feedback, a special category of participation for experiencers has been created, allowing them to acquire subscriptions at the same price and contribute articles or comments to a dedicated section.

Initial feedback included four "ayes," no "nays," and two "each case on its own merits." Subsequent votes included one "no" and two "yes" with remarks. Keith Basterfield believes opening subscriptions to experiencers is crucial for studying the abduction phenomenon. H. Ezell Branham suggests a case-by-case approach based on a background sketch.

Dick Hall's "Quick Alert" Proposal

The issue discusses Dick Hall's proposal for a "quick alert" system for new abduction cases. Previous counts showed three readers in favor and two against. Two new "ayes" were received. One reader elaborated, noting the value of the proposal and referencing a MUFON Journal article that pointed out the confidentiality of data pools among UFO abduction researchers. The need for an international database to correct this lack of open access is highlighted, with the reader currently documenting abduction events in Australia.

Networking and Publications

This section provides profiles of key individuals involved in anomalous experience research:

Keith Basterfield

Keith Basterfield, a community worker with a background in social sciences, believes the UFO phenomenon, particularly abductions, deserves serious scientific attention. He has no absolute position on what these phenomena represent. His involvement in UFO research dates back to 1968, having served as a field investigator for APRO and a co-ordinator for MUFON. He currently operates the UFO Research Australia network. His articles have appeared in various publications, and he has co-authored research on the fantasy-prone personality hypothesis. He is currently collaborating with an Adelaide psychologist on abduction studies.

Ann Druffel

Ann Druffel, based in Pasadena, CA, has co-authored books such as "The Tujunga Canyon Contacts" and "The Psychic and the Detective." She has published over ninety articles on psychic phenomena, UFO research, and related topics. Her professional experience includes work as a research/consultant for Mobius Society and assisting on psychic archaeology projects.

Joanne Hager

Joanne Hager, with degrees in Philosophy and Psychology, has a background in behavioral medicine research. Her work with the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) and her practice involving individuals experiencing spiritual emergence are detailed. She has been involved with John Mack's abductee group and research, providing therapy for stress management and spiritual emergence phenomena. Her background in physics and philosophy informs her interest in the ontological status of UFOs.

Bruce Maccabee

Dr. Bruce Maccabee holds a Ph.D. in Physics and has worked for the U.S. Navy in physics research since 1972. He has received awards, holds patents, and has published extensively in physics and ufology. He has investigated numerous famous UFO sightings and has researched the history of ufology, including government coverups and MJ-12 related documents.

Paradox: Newsletter of the Center for Treatment and Research of Experienced Anomalous Trauma

This section reviews "Paradox," a newsletter similar in format to BAE but with a broader interest in anomalous experiences beyond UFO abductions. It highlights an essay on the "dark side" of the anomalous, an anomalous event from a UFO crash site, information on the CREEI Dream Institute, and work on comeditation. It also mentions the "International Journal of Paleovisitology."

Experiencers Recommended Reading List

This list, compiled by Peter M. Rojcewicz and others, suggests readings for experiencers, including works on "The Idea of the Holy," "The Final Choice," "Heading Toward Omega," "The Folklore of the Men in Black," "The Shaman," "Realms of the Unconscious," "Angels and Aliens," "Mysticism," "Life After Life," and "The Terror That Comes in the Night."

Book Review: Jerome Clark's UFO Encyclopedia

This review praises Jerome Clark's "UFOs in the 1980s: The UFO Encyclopedia, Volume 1" and "The Emergence of a Phenomenon: The UFO Encyclopedia, Volume 2." The reviewer finds the volumes informative, comprehensive, and objectively written, serving as an invaluable resource for mental health professionals. The review highlights the extensive coverage of abduction phenomena, contactees, crashes, and key individuals and organizations in UFO studies.

Bibliography for Fantasy-Prone Personality

This bibliography, compiled by Keith Basterfield, lists articles related to the "Fantasy-Prone Personality" concept, acknowledging its relevance in conversations with skeptics regarding abductees.

Literature Review

Several literature reviews are presented:

• Psychoreligious or Psychospiritual Problem: This review discusses David Lukoff's proposal for a new Z code in the DSM-IV to categorize experiences that are troubling but not necessarily indicative of a mental disorder, such as near-death experiences and mystical experiences.
• Persistent Hallucinations Following Childhood Sexual Abuse: This article from the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry discusses how hallucinations can persist for years after childhood sexual abuse and may be misdiagnosed as psychosis. It suggests post-traumatic stress disorder as a potential diagnostic fit.
• Transpersonal Perspectives on Manic Psychosis: Creative, Visionary, and Mystical States: This review of David Lukoff's article in the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology explores Bryan, a manic-depressive artist who experienced abduction-like events that contributed to his personal mythology.
• UFO Contactee Phenomena from a Sociopsychological Perspective: A Review: This review of John A. Saliba's article in "Syzygy" discusses how sociopsychological literature explains UFO phenomena through social and psychological factors rather than objective evidence. It highlights issues raised by social and behavioral scientists regarding the meaning of UFO sightings.
• The "Men In Black" Experience and Tradition: Analogues with the Traditional Devil Hypothesis: This article by Peter M. Rojcewicz discusses the "Men In Black" (MIB) phenomenon, its connection to the Devil hypothesis, and the importance of distinguishing observations from interpretations.

Recent Abstracts of Interest

This section provides summaries of recent journal articles:

• Overt and covert pacing of suggestions to phases of the breathing cycle to enhance hypnotic responding: A study that failed to demonstrate a relationship between pacing of breathing phases and hypnotic response enhancement.
• Hypnotizability in post-traumatic stress disorders: An article summarizing hypnotic interventions for PTSD sufferers, noting their typically above-average hypnotizability.
• Myths in action in hypnosis: An exploration of how myths influence hypnotic phenomena and the differences between classical and Ericksonian approaches.
• A study of the correlations between subjective psychic experiences and dissociative experiences: Research examining the relationship between psychic experiences and dissociative experiences.
• The effects of brief expectancy manipulations on hypnotic responsiveness: An assessment of how expectancy influences hypnotizability.
• The first report of hypnotic treatment of traumatic grief: A historical summary of an early case of hypnotic treatment for traumatic grief.
• The savant syndrome and extrasensory perception: A questioning of ESP claims in autistic savant children.

Feature Article: Can Unwanted "UFO Contact" Be Resisted?

Ann Druffel's article explores the concept of resistance to UFO entities. It challenges the notion that witnesses are powerless and suggests that successful resistance has been reported in cases of "bedroom visitors." The article outlines various resistance techniques, including mental struggle, righteous anger, appeals to spiritual personages, protective rage, physical struggle, meditative techniques, supportive family links, and intuitive detection. It emphasizes that the effectiveness of these techniques often depends on the witness's conviction in their rights and the strength of their faith.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the experiences of UFO abductees and contactees, the psychological and sociological aspects of these phenomena, and the exploration of related anomalous experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging contributions from experiencers and researchers alike, while also critically examining evidence and methodologies. There is a clear interest in bridging the gap between traditional folklore and contemporary UFO reports, and in understanding the psychological impact of these experiences on individuals.

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 3, No. 3
Date: June 1992
Publisher: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Country: CANADA

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, a networking newsletter for mental health professionals and interested scientists focusing on the UFO abduction phenomenon, presents a series of essays and discussions exploring complex theories related to UFOs, extraterrestrial intelligence, and the nature of reality.

Abduction Experiences and Resistance Techniques

The issue begins by detailing personal accounts of UFO abductions, highlighting the psychological impact on witnesses. It describes how individuals like Jean, Robert Nolan, Lori Briggs, and Morgana Van Klausen have experienced encounters involving paralysis, examination, and attempts at communication. The importance of resistance techniques is emphasized, with witnesses finding that mental struggle and proactive measures can sometimes thwart or deter entities. The article notes that while entities may appear technologically superior, their tactics often exploit human fear of the unknown, and paralysis might be partially self-induced or a result of altered states of consciousness.

The UFO Problem: A Logical Analysis

An essay titled "Some Thoughts About the UFO Problem" by an anonymous long-time observer attempts to explain the UFO phenomenon through logical thinking, primarily relying on the causality principle. The author questions common arguments against the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations, such as the lack of proven planets outside our solar system or the absence of successful communication via radio signals. The essay posits that the evolution of life and intelligence might be more common than assumed, with carbon-based life potentially arising wherever conditions permit. It also touches upon the vastness of space and the potential for life to evolve in various forms, suggesting that intelligence is a significant evolutionary advantage.

Arguments Against Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Counterarguments

The author systematically addresses arguments that dismiss UFOs as products of extraterrestrial civilizations. These include:

1. The vast distances between stars: The author counters that while distances are immense, technology could overcome them, and the universe's age suggests ample time for colonization.
2. The lack of contact: The author suggests that civilizations might not be interested in revealing themselves or that their methods of communication differ from our expectations.
3. The life cycle of civilizations: The argument that civilizations self-destruct before developing interstellar travel is challenged, with the author suggesting that curiosity and survival instincts might drive them to overcome such hurdles.
4. The cost of interstellar travel: The author argues that such ventures could be long-term investments for survival, especially given potential cosmic threats like asteroid impacts or galactic collisions.
5. The behavior of UFO crews: The author contends that UFO behavior, including abductions, does not preclude an extraterrestrial origin and might be explained by advanced technology or even parapsychology.

The Role of Causality and Information Theory

The essay strongly advocates for the causality principle as the foundation for analyzing information. It suggests that information content is a key aspect of universal evolution, and any action that reduces this information, such as a single civilization colonizing the entire galaxy, would violate a fundamental law. The author finds it unlikely that Earth has only recently been discovered, citing widespread myths and legends of alien intelligences throughout history.

Evidence for Non-Human Intervention in Human Evolution

Several points are raised to suggest potential extraterrestrial influence on human evolution:

• Circadian Rhythms: The difference in human day-night cycles compared to animals might indicate genetic origins from a planet with a different rotation period.
• Inbred Fears: The specific fears humans have (e.g., of spiders, reptiles, mice) are contrasted with their lack of fear towards potentially more dangerous animals, suggesting these fears might be linked to ancient threats from other planets.
• Aquatic Life Characteristics: Certain human traits resembling those adapted to aquatic life, but not found in apes, are noted.
• Dating of Human Evolution: New dating methods suggest modern humans co-existed with earlier hominids like Homo Neanderthalensis without clear evolutionary progression, hinting at external factors.

The Abduction Phenomenon and the Biological Robot Theory

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the abduction phenomenon, drawing on the work of Bud Hopkins and Dave Jacobs. The authors describe typical abduction scenarios, including the collection of genetic material (egg cells and semen) from both men and women, often starting in childhood and continuing into adulthood. The theory is presented that UFO crews might be biological robots, possibly hybrids, created by an advanced civilization. These robots are described as humanoids with specific physical characteristics (oversized heads, large almond-shaped eyes, no hair, etc.) and are believed to possess strong telepathic abilities. This theory attempts to explain the seemingly deceptive behavior of the entities and the large-scale operation of collecting genetic material, suggesting it might be for reproduction or to maintain a declining galactic empire.

Galactic Empire and Potential Threats

The issue speculates on the existence of a vast galactic empire, possibly driven by the need to maximize information production. It suggests that this empire might be in decline, leading to increased pressure on Earth for its role as a 'mother race' for biological robots. The author posits that the lack of available planets for colonization and the potential for conflict with other aggressive species could be contributing factors to this decline. The possibility of an enemy attempting to disrupt the empire by destroying Earth is raised, along with the question of whether another alien civilization would be interested in humanity's survival.

Research and Future Perspectives

The authors discuss the challenges of UFO research, including the difficulty of obtaining concrete evidence and the potential for government cover-ups. They suggest that governments might have been influenced by alien intelligence or were concerned about the psychological impact of UFOs on society. The issue encourages continued research and the collection of information for future generations, acknowledging that the best policy might be to 'wait and see' while remaining vigilant. The probability of a more optimistic future is estimated at 75 percent, contingent on the emergence of a more intelligent civilization.

Editorial Stance and Contributions

The Bulletin of Anomalous Experience positions itself as a platform for discussion and inquiry, aiming to bridge academic rigor with the practical realities of anomalous experiences. It welcomes contributions from mental health professionals, scientists, and experiencers. The newsletter also provides information on subscriptions, copyright, and how to submit material, including options for electronic submissions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFO phenomena, particularly abductions, and the potential explanations rooted in advanced technology, extraterrestrial intelligence, and even speculative theories about biological robots and galactic empires. The editorial stance, as presented through the essays, is one of open inquiry, critical analysis, and a willingness to explore unconventional hypotheses, particularly those grounded in logical reasoning and scientific principles like causality. The publication encourages a rigorous yet open-minded approach to understanding these complex and often controversial subjects, aiming to contribute to a growing body of knowledge for future researchers.