BAE 4.2

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, Volume 4, Number 2, dated April 1993, focuses heavily on the controversial topic of False Memory Syndrome (FMS) and its intersection with the study of anomalous experiences, particularly UFO abductions. The editorial and several articles explore the nature of FMS, its potential impact on therapeutic practices, and its implications for researchers in the field of unexplained phenomena.

Editorial: False Memory Syndrome

The editorial introduces False Memory Syndrome (FMS) as a significant change affecting those interested in anomalous experiences. FMS is defined as the recovery of long-repressed memories of childhood abuse that lack factual basis. The editorial describes how individuals, often prompted by therapists, may recall past abuse, leading to family rifts and legal actions. It highlights the distress of families who maintain these memories are fabricated, sometimes providing evidence to disprove them. The formation of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) is noted, along with their production of informational kits and a newsletter. A book, 'Confabulations: Creating False Memories, Destroying Families' by Eleanor Goldstein, is also mentioned. The core premise of FMS is that memory is not infallible and can be 'reinvented' through fragments of events, subsequent discussions, suggestions, and present beliefs.

The FMSF advocates acknowledge the possibility of repressed memories but question the unquestioning acceptance of all memories, especially those lacking corroboration. They aim to balance the historical bias against believing abuse survivors with the risk of creating false memories.

Mail and Correspondence

The 'Mail' section includes several letters and comments:

• David Ritchey writes about FMS and anomalous experiences, expressing concern that the FMS Foundation's newsletter dismisses phenomena like past lives, alien abuse, and after-death experiences as 'splinter notions' unworthy of response. He argues that this stance polarizes opinions and damages credibility, especially for hypnotherapists who work with individuals reporting such experiences. Ritchey emphasizes that while he works to avoid implanting memories, he treats reported experiences as real for the individual, arguing that dismissing them as 'delusions' is a disservice to the search for truth.
• Richard Neal, Jr., M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist, issues a notice for UFO researchers and abductees regarding the 'missing embryo/fetus syndrome,' where alien humanoids are reported to intervene in pregnancies or inseminate females. He states his research has not found documented cases and offers $500 for verifiable evidence, to be reviewed by a Blue Ribbon Panel.
• Hilary Evans provides an update on the Street Lamp Interference Data Exchange (SLIDE) project, which studies people who cause street lamps to malfunction. She notes that the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP) will publish her report. Evans laments the difficulty of finding academic support for such research and hopes to find a retired businessperson or scientist to fund further study. She also reflects on how the abduction debate forces a confrontation with the fabrication of alternate realities and suggests that parapsychology might quietly enter mainstream science.

Feature Articles

• "Symbolic Messages: A Study of 'Alien' Writing" by Mario Pazzaglini, Ph.D.: This article is not fully visible in the provided scan, but its title suggests an analysis of symbolic communication potentially associated with alien encounters.

• "Buzzes and Smells In Strieber's MAJESTIC" by R.J. Durant: This article likely explores sensory experiences reported by Whitley Strieber in relation to his 'MAJESTIC' encounters, possibly linking them to abduction phenomena.

• "The Italian Martians: An Early Alien Encounter" by Hilary Evans: This piece delves into historical accounts of alien encounters in Italy, suggesting that such phenomena are not solely a modern or American occurrence.

Commentary on "Abductions and Abortions"

This section features a debate between Filip Coppens and Dennis Stacy regarding Stacy's article on "Abductions and Abortions."

• Filip Coppens responds to Dennis Stacy's article, challenging several points. He argues that perceptions of alien "accusatory eyes" are subjective and linked to the abductee's thought patterns. Coppens attributes lower birth rates in Spain and Italy to economic factors rather than a societal preoccupation with abortion, as Stacy implied. He questions Stacy's comparison of UFO situations between the U.S. and Europe, suggesting that abduction phenomena might be localized. Coppens also dismisses the idea that abduction experiences are nightmares stemming from abortion concerns, proposing that Jungian archetypes might offer a better explanation for shared dream elements. He points out that children, who are unlikely to be concerned with abortion, also report abductions, and notes that partners often sleep through abductions.

• Dennis Stacy replies to Coppens, clarifying that his theory suggests "UFO abduction memories stem from abortion experiences" is a misstatement. Stacy's theory posits that "typical" abduction involving genetic sampling can be interpreted as a psychological drama rooted in repressed guilt or shame about abortion (or miscarriage), affecting individuals even if they haven't personally experienced one. He argues that societal and cultural influences, including media portrayals of fetal imagery, can create a "cultural template" for such experiences. Stacy defends his use of the word "accusatory" as symbolic, referring to concepts of watching, conscience, and guilt, citing Raymond Fowler's book 'The Watchers.' He refutes Coppens' explanation for low birth rates, suggesting that education and wealth, not poverty, traditionally correlate with fewer children. Stacy also defends comparing abduction rates across countries, arguing that sociologists and economists do this routinely. He criticizes Coppens' assertion that Western Europe is unaware of abduction cases, citing translations and publications. Stacy also questions Coppens' contention that abduction "nightmares" are not similar, stating that there is variation and that investigators and abductees often select cases. He challenges Coppens' explanation for paranormal gifts and the lack of them in millions of others, suggesting that no single theory can account for every instance. Finally, Stacy questions the premise of children reporting abductions outside a UFO context and the lack of such reports in mainstream pediatric literature. He also highlights that most abductions are solitary, partners often have no recollection, and abductees are frequently paralyzed.

"Abductions and Abortions" and "Alien Abduction Workload" by Dennis Stacy

Dennis Stacy responds to comments from Dr. Leo Sprinkle and Bob Durant. Stacy clarifies his theory, stating it does not propose that UFO abduction memories stem directly from abortion experiences. Instead, he suggests that the "typical" abduction involving genetic sampling can be psychologically interpreted as a drama reflecting repressed guilt or shame related to abortion or miscarriage. He argues that societal and cultural influences, including media, create a "cultural template" for these experiences. Stacy criticizes Sprinkle's dismissal of his theory and Durant's attempt to rationalize Roper Report numbers, finding them overly complex. Stacy presents his own calculations suggesting a massive scale for abductions and the potential need for extensive cover-up operations, questioning the feasibility of such a large-scale conspiracy without more evidence or whistleblowers.

Stacy further critiques the "New Revised Abduction Scenario," finding a "fundamental philosophical flaw" in its logic when compared to contemporary genetic engineering and medical practices. He questions why advanced aliens would use medieval medical practices and repeatedly abduct individuals, suggesting that simpler methods like beaming up sperm or ova should be possible. He concludes that the motivation for such extensive abduction activity, if physical, would need to be a "particularly perverted form of spectator sport," or that the phenomenon is primarily psychological, with "we have met the enemy, Pogo, and I'm afraid they are us."

Book Notice: The Interrelationship Between Mind and Matter

This section likely reviews a book exploring the connection between consciousness and the physical world.

Literature Review: Comparing Trance Channeling and Multiple Personality Disorder

This review compares two distinct psychological phenomena, trance channeling and multiple personality disorder, likely examining their similarities and differences.

Recent Abstracts of Interest

This section provides brief summaries of recent relevant research or articles.

Experiencer's Section: Comment on resisting unwanted UFO contact, by Chris McLachlan

This personal account offers advice or reflections on how individuals can resist unwanted contact with UFO phenomena.

Video Review: Sky Magic: Revisionism at Work

This review discusses the sixty-minute CBC-TV program "Sky Magic," which examined UFO abductions. The reviewer finds it intelligent and thoughtful, focusing on the experiences and therapies of abductees rather than a debate between proponents and skeptics. The program is noted for its production values and its inclusion of interviews with individuals like Dr. John Mack and Peter Rojcewicz. The reviewer highlights the program's exploration of anomalous trauma, the potential for revisionism in ufology, and the focus on the experiencer's situation. The review also touches upon the Roswell incident and the work of Budd Hopkins and David Jacobs, suggesting a shift towards more sympathetic therapists and medical theorists in the field.

Networking

This section features Dr. Maurice Kouguell, a hypnotherapist who works with abductees and offers training for other hypnotherapists. He welcomes referrals and aims to foster regional networking among professionals interested in anomalous experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of memory, the validity of recovered memories (particularly in the context of abuse and abduction), and the ethical responsibilities of researchers and therapists. There is a clear tension between those who view anomalous experiences, such as alien abductions, as potentially real phenomena requiring investigation, and those who interpret them primarily through the lens of psychological distress, memory distortion, or cultural influences. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the complexities and potential pitfalls in studying these phenomena while advocating for a balanced and responsible approach. The publication seems to encourage dialogue and the development of rigorous methodologies, even while grappling with controversial theories and the potential for misinterpretation or fabrication of experiences.

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 4, No. 2
Date: April 1993
Publisher: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience delves into several intriguing topics within the realm of anomalous experiences, with a strong focus on "alien" writing, UFO abductions, and the psychological underpinnings of such phenomena.

Symbolic Messages: A Study of "Alien" Writing

The lead article, "Symbolic Messages: A Study of 'Alien' Writing" by Mario Pazzaglini, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Delaware, explores the challenges and complexities of analyzing purported alien scripts. Pazzaglini, who has a long-standing interest in this area, has collected numerous samples of such writing. The book, "Symbolic Messages," is described as an insightful and accessible introduction to the study of writing and other symbolic systems, applying them to the understanding of alien intelligence. The review highlights that the book presents the study of "alien" symbols as a model for understanding alien intelligence itself. The book is available for $30 plus postage from Arcturus Books Inc. Dr. Pazzaglini is seeking more samples and requests written permission for their use in research. The article outlines five key unknowns when approaching extra-human or extra-terrestrial script: the language and grammar structure, the meaning of symbols (concepts, ideas, words, letters, etc.), whether the script has any meaning at all, if comparable forms are already known (dismissing claims of "Egyptian" or "Sumerian" scripts as often lacking knowledge of the original languages), and the origin of the script. Potential sources include terrestrial or extra-terrestrial sources, memory errors, subconscious manipulation, or even dictation through telepathy. The author notes that in one instance, a script offered as alien was a reproduction of the script used in the dictation of the Book of Mormon.

The Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Hypothesis and UFO Abductions

Another significant section of the magazine, "Buzzes and Smells in Strieber's Majestic" by R. J. Durant, discusses the Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) hypothesis as an explanation for UFO abduction reports. The article examines Whitley Strieber's books (Communion, Transformation, and Majestic) for symptoms consistent with TLE, as proposed by Persinger. These symptoms include paranormal/mystical experiences, enhanced imaginings, widening affect, vestibular sensations (floating, vibration), anomalous smells, and intense episodes of personal meaning. While Strieber's own tests for TLE were negative, the article suggests that sporadic episodes could still be possible. The analysis of Strieber's works reveals that Communion and Transformation heavily feature symptoms 1, 2, 3, 4 (floating), and 6. Majestic, while a fictionalized account of the Roswell crash, also exhibits these symptoms, with symptom 4 (floating) and symptom 5 (anomalous smells) appearing powerfully and frequently, the latter being nearly absent in his earlier works. The author meticulously lists numerous instances of buzzing sounds and anomalous smells described in "Majestic," noting that while these elements are not always out of context, their obsessive use appears strained. The article clarifies that it does not aim to "medicalize" abductions or stigmatize abductees, but rather to alert researchers to Persinger's symptoms and offer a method for analyzing texts for TLE correlations. The author suggests that TLE symptoms might result from interaction with highly energetic electromagnetic fields.

Trance Channeling vs. Multiple Personality Disorder

A literature review compares trance channeling and multiple personality disorder (MPD). The review notes that trance channeling is often equated with MPD in Western psychological thought. However, research using the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS) and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) indicates significant differences. While both phenomena involve co-consciousness, trance channels do not meet the strict DSM-III criteria for MPD and generally lack histories of substance abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse. Trance channeling is characterized as a psychobiological response to overwhelming trauma, while trance channeling is presented as an activity promoting personal growth through meditative techniques and visualization, often learned in classes. Trance channels experience trance states and supernatural/ESP experiences more frequently than MPD subjects, but these are not necessarily indicative of psychopathology. The key difference lies in etiology, function, control, and pathology, with MPD being trauma-induced and compulsive, while trance channeling is culturally contextualized and under conscious control.

Other Research Abstracts

The issue also includes several abstracts from scientific literature:

• The feeling of a presence and verbal meaningfulness in context of temporal lobe function: This study by Persinger and Makarec suggests that the feeling of a presence, especially during creative writing, is a cognitive phenomenon linked to enhanced burst-firing in the left hippocampal-amygdaloid complex, allowing access to nonverbal representations perceived as "a presence."
• Enhanced incidence of "the sensed presence" in people who have learned to meditate: This research by Persinger supports the hypothesis that meditation, by facilitating interhemispheric electrical coherence, enhances experiences of "the sensed presence," particularly in females and left-handers.
• Right hemisphericity and low self-esteem in high school students: A replication study by Lazure and Persinger found a correlation between greater right hemisphericity and lower self-esteem in high school students.
• Relative right temporal-lobe theta activity correlates with Vingiano's hemispheric quotient and the "sensed presence": Munro and Persinger found a positive association between right hemisphericity, theta rhythm activity, and the "sensed presence," suggesting that hemispheric mismatch in temporal-lobe theta activity may encourage mystical experiences.
• EEG alpha activity and hallucinatory experience during sensory deprivation: Hayashi, Morikawa, and Hori studied the relationship between hallucinatory experiences under sensory deprivation and EEG alpha activity, finding increased alpha band amplitude before button-presses and right-hemisphere EEG activation during double button-presses.
• Hemisphericity style and belief in ESP: Roig and Neaman found that students preferring a right hemisphericity style scored higher on belief in ESP than those preferring a left style.

The Italian Martians: An Early Alien Encounter

Hilary Evans contributes an article about the Italian case of Rosa Lotti from November 1, 1954. This case, occurring on All Saints' Day, involved Rosa encountering two small creatures near a strange object. The creatures spoke an unknown language and took her flowers and stockings. Investigators found no reason to suspect hysteria in Rosa, a peasant woman. Her parish priest associated the event with "flying saucers" and "Martians." The case is presented as an early and enigmatic encounter, with Rosa's husband expressing hope for future capture of such beings to confirm his wife's account.

Book Notice: The Interrelationship Between Mind and Matter

A book notice highlights "The Interrelationship Between Mind and Matter," edited by Beverly Rubik. This multidisciplinary compilation of 15 papers addresses novel perspectives on consciousness, challenging the notion of a split between mind and matter and exploring a new science of the mind-matter interrelationship. The review by Maralyn Teare describes it as a "must" for mainstream and scientific readership alike, offering a wake-up call to bridge the split and a primer for a paradigm shift.

Experiencer's Section

Chris McLachlan responds to recent discussions on resisting unwanted UFO contact. He argues that the issue is not whether contact can be resisted, but whether it should be. McLachlan posits that his experiences, both desired and undesired, act as catalysts for adaptive growth, teaching life skills and attitudes. He emphasizes that each individual must learn to judge which circumstances warrant participation or avoidance, and that deriving the life lesson from the experience is paramount.

About Bulletin of Anomalous Experience

An "About" section describes the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience as a networking newsletter for UFO abduction phenomenon researchers, mental health professionals, and interested scientists. It serves as a forum for ideas, information, and debate, encouraging contributions of articles, book notices, and opinion pieces. The editorial policy aims to "comfortably tread the narrow path between the groves of academia and the dust and heat of the marketplace." The "Experiencer's Section" was recently added to recognize the valuable perspective of those who have had direct experiences. Instructions for participation and subscription information are provided, along with copyright details and contact information for the editors, David Gotlib, M.D. (Editor), and Joanne Hager, Ph.D. (Associate Editor).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of consciousness, the interpretation of anomalous experiences, and the intersection of psychology, science, and the unexplained. The editorial stance, as described in the "About" section, is one of open inquiry, encouraging diverse viewpoints and scholarly discussion without necessarily endorsing any particular theory. The publication aims to bridge academic and popular interest in anomalous phenomena, providing a platform for researchers, professionals, and experiencers alike.