BAE 5.4

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 5, Number 4
Date: August 1994

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (BAE) is a networking newsletter focused on the UFO abduction phenomenon and related anomalous experiences. It serves as a forum for mental health professionals and interested scientists, encouraging reader participation and debate. The publication aims to tread a path between academia and the marketplace, publishing a wide range of ideas and information, regardless of editorial agreement.

Editorial: Results of Reader Survey

The editorial section presents the results of a mail-in survey concerning BAE's size and frequency, as well as potential expansion of its scope. Regarding size and frequency, 31% of respondents preferred the current format (24 pages, 6 issues/year). A larger group (40%) favored smaller, more frequent issues, while 23% wanted more content (larger or more frequent issues). Many readers commented that the quality of the publication was more important than its size or frequency. The editor acknowledges financial pressures, stating that 20-page issues will be the norm for the near future.

The survey also explored the possibility of expanding BAE's mandate to cover a broader range of non-ordinary experiences, such as paranormal, psychic, shamanic, out-of-body, and near-death experiences, while maintaining the current format and reader participation emphasis. While some readers supported this broader scope, arguing for a "bigger picture" and context for abduction research, others felt it would dilute BAE's niche focus. The editor ultimately decided to maintain the primary focus on the UFO abduction experience, but will continue to cover broader paranormal experiences as they relate to it.

A networking directory will be included in the next issue, inviting readers to submit their contact information and areas of interest.

Mail Section

This section features several responses and commentaries on previous articles and topics, particularly concerning John Mack's book "Abduction" and related reviews.

Response to Reviews of John Mack's Abduction

One contributor, identifying as an "experiencer" and a cross-cultural psychologist, offers comments on the reviews of John Mack's "Abduction." While agreeing with criticisms regarding Mack's scientific argumentation and methodology, the author emphasizes the personal significance of abduction experiences. They argue that while personal memories may not be scientific data, their significance to the individual is undeniable. The author suggests that everyday judgments of improbable experiences often rely on factors like emotional force and the trustworthiness of the source, and that personal experience can incline one to accept such reports. They note that while they don't personally know Mack or his clients, the overall tenor and details of reported experiences are strikingly similar to their own, leading to a complex position regarding acceptance.

Charles Sweet, Ph.D.

Sweet critiques Mack's suggestion that a therapist's role is to help patients "co-create" reality, calling it "soft-headed nonsense" that undermines credibility and reinforces skeptics' positions. He laments that individuals with notable degrees, like Mack and Jacobs, are not providing the best theoretical insights into abductions.

Steve Mizrach

Mizrach finds the critical analyses of Mack's book valuable, noting that they highlight that scholarship alone does not guarantee expertise. He criticizes debunkers like Sagan and Kurtz for making pronouncements without personal study. Mizrach argues that Mack's cases, regardless of their "reality," warrant scientific attention, suggesting that even if no physical phenomenon occurs, psychological and sociological factors are at play. He questions the prevalence and nature of "Traumatic Abduction Syndrome."

Chris Rutkowski

Rutkowski suggests that John Mack may not have met the expectations of UFO enthusiasts seeking a definitive scientific analysis. He believes Mack's approach of documenting abductee accounts, similar to other researchers, is sensitive and valuable. Rutkowski notes that Mack's work, like Karla Turner's, includes accounts that are amazing or unbelievable, without judgment. He asserts that Mack has expanded the understanding of the UFO abduction phenomenon beyond simple ET visitation and interbreeding, introducing new evidence. The controversy, he suggests, stems from an expectation of "proof" regarding hypnosis and the phenomenon itself.

Filip Coppens

Coppens challenges Stuart Appelle's view on the preeminence of science, citing Feyerabend and suggesting that understanding anomalous phenomena requires confronting them within an "ontological political arena." He advocates for becoming depoliticized, deideologized, and desocialized to fully grasp these events.

R.E. Sawchuck

Sawchuck provides a list of references, primarily related to Noam Chomsky and Paul Feyerabend, focusing on themes of knowledge, society, and science.

Science, Experience, and the Abduction Phenomenon

Stuart Appelle, Ph.D., responds to the preceding comments, clarifying his position on the role of science and experience in understanding the abduction phenomenon. He asserts that the debate hinges on one's premises about causality and the motivation to demonstrate it. Appelle emphasizes that the scientific method excels at distinguishing between competing hypotheses through demonstration. He provides an exercise, asking readers to consider whether their questions focus on scientific inquiry (e.g., factors responsible, veridicality of recall, prevalence) or on metaphysical aspects (e.g., aliens' ultimate purpose, their origin). Appelle argues that the latter are beyond contemporary scientific methodology. He clarifies that the scientific method requires personal testimony to be related to other data for evaluation, but does not require it to be ignored. He also addresses whether the abduction phenomenon is beyond science's scope, stating that aspects are testable, but much remains to be done, such as determining prevalence and examining details in abduction accounts. He concludes that while science has limitations, it is a mistake to devalue its role, and dissatisfaction should lead to demanding more from science, not less.

On Persinger

Chris Rutkowski discusses Michael Persinger's work, noting its prominence in BAE despite criticisms. He distinguishes between Persinger's temporal lobe research (potentially significant) and his Tectonic Strain Theory (TST) of UFOs (likely spurious). Rutkowski points out flaws in Persinger's UFO studies, including the use of unreliable data sources and the need for long temporal lags and spatial diffusion for correlations to appear. He suggests that Persinger's correlations might not be meaningful due to these issues and the high probability of conventional explanations for the UFO data used. Rutkowski finds Persinger's work on temporal lobe phenomena within the laboratory more promising.

Response to "Careless Citations"

An open letter from an unnamed author to David Hufford addresses criticisms of "careless citations." The author admits to unintentional errors, attributing them partly to a "learning style difference" and a desire to avoid the label "learning disability." Despite graduating with honors and earning two doctorate degrees, the author explains that their writing style is experiential, intuitive, and holistic, which may differ from "professor types." They assert that they will continue to write in a way that honors their strengths, even if it means deviating from conventional academic standards. A postscript notes that individuals with learning style differences are more likely to have anomalous experiences.

Praise and Suggestions

Joan Seager expresses enjoyment of BAE but requests explanations for technical jargon. She suggests smaller, more frequent issues to curb verbosity and proposes diversifying content, citing "UFO Abductions and Race Fear" as an example of an under-edited article. She also inquires about UFO sightings in Brazil, Mexico, and Russia, and suggests better reporting methods for UFO appearances.

Reviews

The Anomalist

This review praises "The Anomalist," a new twice-yearly journal edited by Patrick Huyghe and Dennis Stacy. The journal is described as a "delight," offering informative and serious articles that satisfy critical minds while remaining entertaining. Topics covered include cargo cults, alien writing, dinosaurs, spontaneous human combustion, and astrology. The review highlights the editors' frustration with the lack of courage and wonder in scholarship, and their intention to showcase enigmatic data and radical ideas. The journal aims to explore all layers of reality, even critically examining science's stance on anomalies. Excerpts from the introduction by Stacy and Huyghe emphasize the journal's broad, interdisciplinary approach, seeking to solve multiple unknowns at once. An interview with Mario Pazzaglini discusses his work with alien writing, focusing on pattern recognition and avoiding the "lust of results." Paul Rydeen's article "Cargo of the Gods?" is discussed, drawing parallels between cargo cults and saucer groups in their millennial ideals and expectation of salvation from external sources. Rydeen suggests that these phenomena might be psychological responses to conditions similar to those that produced cargo cults, or perhaps a defense mechanism against the unknown, or even a step in human evolution.

The New UFOlogist

This review introduces "The New UFOlogist," a new journal of UFOlogy with a six-person editorial board, intending to be a European journal. It emphasizes investigative reporting and thoughtful consideration of hypotheses. The inaugural issue includes articles on shamanism, DMT, earth lights, ball lightning as an explanation for animal mutilation, crop circles, and a "Skeptical View" column. The review highly recommends the journal. An excerpt from an article by Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles criticizes the UFO community's tendency to embrace exotic explanations for phenomena like crop circles, accusing them of promoting hoaxes and betraying UFOlogy for personal gain by failing to apply Occam's Razor and instead creating supernatural mythologies.

Allergies and Aliens -- The Visitation Experience: An Environmental Health Issue

This review covers Albert Budden's book, which proposes that encounter and abduction experiences are mental and physiological products of environmental illnesses, possibly linked to chemical and electromagnetic pollution. Budden suggests that "aliens" are images generated by the mind to warn individuals of health risks. The reviewer finds the thesis interesting and a clever synthesis of researchers like Michael Persinger and Ken Ring. However, the reviewer criticizes Budden for relying heavily on clinical ecology, a field not yet widely credible in mainstream medicine, and for not adequately addressing the psychological and physiological aspects of trauma.

Contribution and Subscription Information

This section provides details for subscriptions, contributions, and copyright information for BAE. Subscriptions are $25 per calendar year for six bimonthly issues. Back issues are also available. Payment should be made to "David Gotlib, M.D." Contributions can be sent to David Gotlib, M.D., at the provided address in Toronto, Canada. Material for publication in computer-readable format is welcome, including diskettes and email. Copyright for all contributions remains with the authors, and reproduction requires their express written permission.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of evidence and belief in anomalous experiences, particularly UFO abductions. There is a strong emphasis on reader participation and diverse viewpoints, with the editorial stance favoring a broad yet focused approach to the abduction phenomenon. The issue highlights the tension between scientific methodology and personal experience, with contributors debating the validity of subjective accounts and the limitations of current scientific understanding. The reviews of other journals and books indicate a continued interest in exploring various facets of the paranormal and UFOlogy, while also critically examining claims and methodologies within the field. The editor's decision to maintain a focus on abduction, while acknowledging broader anomalous experiences, reflects a commitment to a specific niche while remaining open to related phenomena.

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 5 Number 4
Date: August 1994

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience delves into a variety of topics at the intersection of psychology, anomalous phenomena, and scientific inquiry. It explores the potential links between environmental sensitivities, allergies, and UFO experiences, examines the psychological and neurological correlates of paranormal belief, and discusses the use of hypnosis in therapeutic contexts. The publication features research abstracts, in-depth articles, and case studies, offering a multi-disciplinary perspective on unusual human experiences.

Environmental Sensitivities and Allergies

The issue begins by discussing the controversial ideas of Michael Budden regarding environmental allergies, suggesting that electromagnetism may play a role. Budden's hypothesis posits that exposure to electromagnetic fields during an allergic reaction can lead the body to associate the frequency with the allergen, resulting in acquired allergies. The article notes that while Budden's work relies on case studies rather than systematic data, his ideas are thought-provoking and lend themselves to scientific verification. A more commonplace explanation for allergies is also presented, where exposure to an electromagnetic field while reacting to an allergen can 'rub off' the allergy onto the signal, leading to reactions to previously innocuous substances. This phenomenon is linked to an increased prevalence of allergies in the population, with anecdotal evidence of people giving up smoking due to this effect.

The Close Encounter Core and Psychological Interpretations

Michael Grosso, in his article "Symptoms of Alien Abduction? Impressions and Misgivings," approaches the topic of alien abductions with skepticism. He acknowledges the existence of a distinct phenomenological pattern but questions the cause, particularly the assumption of extraterrestrial involvement. Grosso suggests that abduction experiences may be influenced by psychological factors such as 'doctrinal compliance' and 'experimenter effect,' where individuals may unconsciously conform to expectations set by therapists or group leaders. He critiques Budd Hopkins' approach, arguing that many of the 'symptoms' attributed to alien abduction—such as unreasonable panic, low self-esteem, dissociation, and mistrust—are too general and can be explained by a wide range of psychological conditions, including those stemming from childhood trauma or general malaise.

Grosso also touches upon the idea that 'close encounters' with 'aliens' may be projections of the unconscious mind, drawing on an individual's accumulated imagery from media and personal experiences. These depictions are 'customized' by the mind to express something about the individual's condition. The article highlights a case where an environmental hypersensitivity sufferer's depiction of aliens was influenced by her personal background and experiences.

The 'Thin Boundary' Hypothesis

Martin Kottmeyer revisits Ernest Hartmann's 'thin boundaries' theory, which suggests that individuals with this trait—characterized by creativity, empathy, and unconventionality—may be more prone to paranormal experiences, including alien abductions. Kottmeyer illustrates this with examples from John Mack's book, highlighting individuals with artistic and therapeutic backgrounds who exhibit characteristics consistent with thin boundaries. He notes the prevalence of psychiatrists and therapists among abductees and suggests that a larger sample study using Hartmann's 'Boundary Questionnaire' is needed to solidify the hypothesis.

Case Study: Alien Defense in a Molestation Case

A news flash reports on a unique legal defense where a defendant, Joe Dokes, pleaded innocent to child molestation charges by claiming the molestations were perpetrated by 'critters' from another world. His lawyer argued that numerous books, including one by a Harvard psychiatrist, have proven that abductions occur and can sometimes be mistaken for sexual molestation. The prosecutor dismissed the defense as 'preposterous.' The article includes commentary by Bruce Maccabee, who notes that such a defense is becoming more plausible due to the growing acceptance of abduction research, citing John Mack's work which suggests abduction histories are not masked by sexual abuse but rather revealed in cases investigated for trauma.

Scientific Literature Abstracts

The issue includes a section of abstracts from scientific literature, covering a range of topics:

• Neurology: The anatomical origin of 'deja vu' and vivid 'memories' in temporal lobe epilepsy, suggesting a neuronal network involving medial and lateral aspects of the temporal lobe.
• Paranormal Beliefs: Studies exploring the correlation between belief in ESP and hemispheric asymmetry, the influence of lateral stimulation on visual noise perception, and the link between childhood trauma (particularly from alcoholic parents) and paranormal beliefs.
• Ritual Abuse: Research on clinical correlates of alleged satanic ritual abuse and less controversial sexual molestation, finding higher levels of dissociation in SRA patients.
• Hallucinations: A clinical evaluation of patients with Charles Bonnet Syndrome, noting the absence of personal meaning in hallucinations and the probable role of social isolation.
• Altered States of Consciousness: A study on the occurrence of waking altered states of consciousness among university students, with a high percentage reporting both superficial and profound ASCs.
• Electromagnetic Fields and Consciousness: Research suggesting that electromagnetic fields from cellular phones may affect REM sleep and CNS functions.
• Hypnosis: Studies examining the relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and paranormal beliefs, and an electrophysiological analysis of hypnotic visual hallucinations.
• Fantasy: Research on the development of 'paracosms' (private worlds) in childhood, noting a higher prevalence in boys.
• Geomagnetic Activity: A study linking accurate telepathic dreams to periods of quieter geomagnetic activity.

From the Scientific Literature: Trance and Possession in Bali

A review of "Trance and Possession in Bali: A Window on Western Multiple Personality, Possession Disorder and Suicide" by Luhketut Suryani & Gordon D. Jensen is presented. The review highlights the central role of supernatural phenomena in Balinese life, including spirits, demons, and witchcraft. It discusses 'leak,' witch-like spirits that can transform into animals, lights, or wind, and their association with black magic and illness. A personal account describes witnessing mysterious lights in the valley, which were identified as 'leyaks' by locals, and the experience is compared to Western reports of UFOs.

Dr. Alexander Imich Prize Contest

An announcement for the seventh essay contest on Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs) is included, offering a $1,000 prize for essays on topics such as religious ecstasy, Marian visions, NDEs, OBEs, and encounters with UFOs.

Clinical Guidelines in Using Hypnosis in Uncovering Memories of Sexual Abuse

Peter Bloom's commentary on clinical guidelines for using hypnosis to facilitate recall of past trauma, particularly sexual abuse, is presented. The 13 guidelines emphasize a cautious approach, including 'do no harm,' avoiding suggestive questioning, tolerating ambiguity, respecting the science of memory, and distinguishing between historical and narrative truth. The commentary stresses that hypnotic recollections are not necessarily literal representations of past events and should be treated with the same caution as dreams.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of anomalous experiences and the psychological and neurological factors that may underlie them. There is a consistent emphasis on critical thinking and a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding phenomena such as UFOs, alien abductions, and paranormal beliefs. The publication appears to advocate for rigorous research, even when dealing with controversial topics, and encourages a balanced perspective that considers both subjective experiences and objective evidence. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded inquiry, tempered with scientific skepticism and a caution against jumping to conclusions.