Deguforum - Issue 87

Magazine Overview

Title: DEGUFORUM
Issue: Nr. 87, 23rd Year, Spring Edition 2016
Publisher: DEGUFO e.V. (German-speaking Society for UFO Research)
Price: 5.00 EUR (Germany), 7.50 EUR (EU)

Editorial

Marius Kettmann, the editor-in-chief, welcomes readers to a new issue after a longer wait, noting that UFO research is constantly evolving. He highlights the contributions of prominent UFO researchers like Jacques Vallée and Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, and introduces an interview with Ballester Olmos. The issue also features part two of a series on abduction research by Jens Waldeck and discusses the DEGUFO's joint UFO sighting database. Kettmann thanks supporters for paper donations to the DEGUFO archive and announces the organization's regained non-profit status. He also mentions a special discount on ExoMagazin for DEGUFO members and issues a call for papers for the upcoming yearbook format.

Articles and Features

The Future of Ufology

This article by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, translated by Marius Kettmann, responds to Jacques Vallée's presentation on 'Unidentified Aerial Phenomena: A Strategy for Research'. Olmos critiques the current state of UFO research, suggesting that after 68 years, we still know little about the true nature of UFOs. He questions whether the phenomenon's complexity is the main obstacle or if there isn't a genuinely new phenomenon at play. Olmos posits that UFOs might be more related to our inner world than an external reality, possibly a 'sum phenomenon' resulting from countless interacting causes. He also touches upon the tendency in journalism and popular culture to label UFOs as extraterrestrial before scientific investigation. Olmos advocates for a data-driven approach, emphasizing the need for 'verified, calibrated data' and a shift from a belief-based to a skeptical stance, acknowledging the unreliability of witness accounts.

20 Years of DEGUFO - A Look at the Best Cases! (Part 2)

Christian Czech, the chief investigator for DEGUFO, presents more intriguing cases from the organization's archives over the past two decades. These cases may be discussed at the upcoming DEGUFO members' assembly.

Abduction Research - Experiences of Abduction / Part 14: Research Practice #5

UFO abduction expert Jens Waldeck continues his article series, focusing on research practices related to abduction phenomena.

Interview with Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos

This interview with the Spanish UFO researcher and FOTOCAT initiator Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, conducted by historian Marius Kettmann, offers deeper insights into his views on UFOs and research methodology. A notable quote from the interview is: "The wish that UFOs are spaceships from another world is a dream that has not come true."

Book Reviews

• The issue includes reviews of several books:
• "What I Have Kept Silent for Decades" by Erich von Däniken: A review of Däniken's latest work where he discusses the UFO phenomenon.
• "The Dyatlov Pass Incident" by Alexander Popoff: This review covers a book that explores various theories about the Dyatlov Pass incident, including the author's own.
• "Forces from Nowhere?" by Werner Betz: A review of a work examining mysterious measurement results near specific objects and locations.
• "On the Threshold of Knowledge" by Gerhard Mayer, Michael Schetsche, Ina Schmied-Knittel, and Dieter Vaitl: A review of a scientific handbook on anomalous phenomena.

DEGUFO News and Updates

• DEGUFO Members' Assembly 2016: Announcement of the annual assembly to be held in Leverkusen on November 19, 2016, featuring discussions and presentations.
• Discount on ExoMagazin: DEGUFO members can receive a special discount on the ExoMagazin subscription through the German Initiative for Exopolitics.
• DEGUFO Archive Thanks Paper Donors: The DEGUFO archive appeals for paper donations to help digitize and physically archive UFO-related documents. The appeal has been successful, with support from GrenWi-aktuell and various donors.
• The Joint UFO Sighting Database: An explanation of the collaborative database initiative involving DEGUFO, GEP, and MUFON-CES, aimed at centralizing and making UFO sighting data transparent and accessible for research.
• Call for Papers: With DEGUFORUM transitioning to a yearbook format from 2017, the organization is seeking authors for longer articles, shorter pieces, and reviews.
• DEGUFO Regains Non-Profit Status: The current board has successfully resolved past administrative issues, allowing DEGUFO to regain its non-profit status retroactively for the last decade.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes rigorous, evidence-based UFO research, emphasizing transparency and collaboration among organizations. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, advocating for a skeptical yet open-minded approach. The DEGUFO e.V. itself is presented as a dedicated organization working towards advancing the scientific understanding of UFO phenomena, underscored by its efforts to maintain its non-profit status and improve its archival and data management systems. The shift towards a yearbook format signifies a move towards more in-depth, scholarly contributions.

This issue of DEGUFORUM, titled "20 Jahre DEGUFO - Ein Blick auf die besten Fälle!" (20 Years of DEGUFO - A Look at the Best Cases!), celebrates two decades of the organization's work in UFO research. The central piece is an extensive interview with Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, a prominent UFO researcher and founder of the FOTOCAT project, conducted by Marius Kettmann. The magazine also presents a selection of notable UFO cases from the 1990s, detailing witness accounts and observations.

Interview with Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos

Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, born in Valencia, Spain, in 1948, is described as an influential scientist in the field of UFO phenomena. He worked for FORD MOTOR CO. in Spain for nearly 30 years, retiring in 2006 to dedicate his time to UFOlogy. His interest in the subject began in 1964 after reading an astronomy book that mentioned the "problem."

Ballester Olmos is the founder of the FOTOCAT project, the world's largest database of UFO photos. He explains that FOTOCAT, established in 2000, aims to create a worldwide catalog and archive of UFO and IFO (Identified Flying Object) reports supported by visual evidence. The database contains over 12,000 entries up to December 31, 2005, serving as a resource for researchers and analysts. He emphasizes his role as a neutral compiler, stating that he never presents or selects cases based on preference, but rather collects information to allow qualified analysts to identify anomalies.

He acknowledges the positive effects of the internet in facilitating communication and access to databases but warns about the significant amount of "UFO trash" and misinformation online, advising caution and critical evaluation of information.

Regarding the nature of the UFO phenomenon, Ballester Olmos believes it is not a single phenomenon but rather a conglomerate of causes and misinterpretations. While acknowledging that some events remain unexplained, he suggests that many cases might be due to poor reporting or flawed investigations. He dismisses the idea of UFOs being alien spacecraft, viewing it as a "dream" that has not materialized, and suggests that the "flying saucer" phenomenon might have originated from the Cold War era, perpetuated by media and entertainment.

Ballester Olmos has authored several books, primarily in Spanish, and expresses a willingness for his works to be translated into German. His current work is largely available online and through the FOTOCAT project.

Notable UFO Cases from the 1990s

The issue details several specific UFO sightings from the 1990s:

• 1990-02-02, Germany: A witness observed a large, triangular object with pink glowing rings, moving silently and fast.
• 1990, Lohberg, Germany: A witness reported a blue light that remained stationary for some time.
• 1990-04-21, Bad Pyrmont, Germany: A large, dark brown, box-shaped object appeared over a clinic, emitting bright white light.
• 1990-05-01, St. Josef, Austria: A witness saw a large, triangular object with a grid-like structure, colored green-blue.
• 1990-07-20, Müllingen, Germany: A witness experienced sudden shortness of breath and collapse after seeing two red lights, later a third.
• 1990-09/10, Crete, Greece: A witness observed a star-shaped object moving rapidly across the sky.
• 1991-01-20, Bad Aibling, Germany: Multiple witnesses reported strange lights and sounds, with police activity and a later explanation of hot air balloons.
• 1992-07-30, Tullnerbach, Austria: Three star-shaped UFOs with light beams were observed moving across the sky.
• 1992, Thomm, Germany: A point-like UFO performed triangular flight maneuvers before disappearing.
• 1993-02-18, Braamt, Netherlands: A large yellow-green light was observed moving westwards over trees.
• 1993, Chemnitz, Germany: A large, multicolored, rectangular object was seen.
• 1993, Jüchen, Germany: A pulsating light point was observed, followed by a red triangular object.
• 1993-03-09, Hameln, Germany: A case involving a bright, circular object with red and yellow lights, causing car and radio interference, and later attributed to a hoax.
• 1993, Graz, Austria: Three dancing light points were observed moving rapidly across the sky.
• 1993-06-10, Essen, Germany: An oval object was observed by parents after their child reported seeing something in the sky.
• 1993-06-10, Germany: Two independent reports described an oval-shaped object flying silently.
• 1993-07-18, Radebeul, Germany: A standing light beam, described as a horizontal light tube, was observed.
• 1993-09-06, Goslar, Germany: Strange, helicopter-like objects were observed flying low and silently.
• 1993-09-23, Wüstenbrand, Germany: A driver observed an intensely bright object that suddenly disappeared.
• 1993-10-15, Straberg, Germany: An object consisting of two orange glowing rings was observed over a lake.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes a scientific and evidence-based approach to UFO research, as advocated by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos. The editorial stance appears to be critical of sensationalism and misinformation, promoting rigorous investigation and analysis. The collection of cases from the 1990s serves to highlight the ongoing nature of UFO sightings and the challenges in their interpretation. The magazine also promotes its own resources, such as the DEGUFO database and contact information for reporting sightings, reinforcing its role as a platform for UFO research and discussion.

This issue of DEGUFORUM, number 87, is dedicated to "Abduction Research - Experiences of Entrapment, Part 14: Research Practice #5" by Jens Waldeck. The magazine explores the complexities of studying abduction phenomena, focusing on research methodologies and the nature of consciousness.

Section I: Summary

Jens Waldeck emphasizes that to scientifically analyze abduction experiences, one must cultivate extraordinary communication skills, particularly in interacting with the 'maximally strange.' He posits that communication itself is the key area requiring attention.

Section II: New Insights into Observational Consciousness

Waldeck introduces the concept of "Conceptual Consciousness Theory," drawing parallels between consciousness and a measurement device, a concept that proved useful during his clinical psychology training. He argues that consciousness can serve as a scientific research tool, especially for abduction research, enabling adequate investigations.

He proposes a critical examination of this tool, using Wagemann's approach from his 2010 dissertation. This involves "Introspection," the insight into consciousness through consciousness itself, making consciousness both the research tool and the object of study. The focus is on the structures of consciousness related to thinking, excluding other perceived phenomena.

Waldeck raises the question of how to observe a process that is yet to occur or has already passed. He contrasts "resultative observation" (observing the outcome) with "processual observation" (observing the unfolding of a process), using the analogy of a skeet shooter tracking a clay pigeon.

1. Preliminary: Everything Quanten or What?

Waldeck explains that observing a quantum event as it happens is impossible, as the process is already history by the time it's measured. This leads to "resultative observation." He contrasts this with observing a skeet shooter, where tracking the entire process of aiming and firing is crucial for understanding.

2. Consciousness as a Measurement Device

He clarifies that consciousness is not a literal measurement device but can be understood analogously. By applying concepts from physics and other sciences, we can gain a better understanding of how consciousness processes information, making complex concepts more accessible.

3. New Insights into Phenomenological Practice

Waldeck discusses the distinction between "processual" and "resultative" observation. While resultative observation is familiar, processual observation requires expanding one's own consciousness to encompass the unfolding of events. He notes that this is particularly relevant for observing the "maximally strange."

4. Further In: Virtual Worlds

This section touches upon computer games and their impact on perception and reaction times. It suggests that these games train players in processual observation by focusing on the flow of actions rather than just the outcomes, similar to how police and military use simulations for training.

5. School Experiences: Another Poem

This section delves into the author's personal experience with memorizing and reciting poetry. He contrasts his initial ease with the task with a later difficulty, attributing it to a shift from processual to resultative observation, where he focused on the outcome (flawless recitation) rather than the process of speaking.

6. New Skills in 4-D

This part of the article introduces the concept of four-dimensional thinking and perception. It references studies and online resources that explore how humans can develop the ability to perceive and interact with four-dimensional objects, potentially aiding in understanding phenomena that transcend our usual three-dimensional perception.

Section III: Reviews

Review: "What I Have Concealed for Decades" by Erich von Däniken

Marius Kettmann reviews Erich von Däniken's book, "Was ich jahrzehntelang verschwiegen habe" (What I Have Concealed for Decades). The review notes that while Däniken is known for his theories on ancient astronauts, this book focuses less on UFO research and more on his personal encounters and stories from people he has met. Kettmann highlights cases like the 1986 Alaska UFO sighting with pilot Kenju Terauchi, the Pescagoula abduction with Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, and the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. The review also mentions the Rendlesham Forest incident and Däniken's discussions with John E. Mack and Nick Pope. Kettmann finds the book interesting due to Däniken's personal stories and the sympathetic portrayal of the author, making it an engaging read.

Review: "The Dyatlov Pass Incident" by Alexander Popoff

Marius Kettmann reviews Alexander Popoff's book on the Dyatlov Pass incident. The book presents forty theories, including Popoff's own, to explain the mysterious events of 1959. Kettmann criticizes the book for its brevity (110 pages) and the lack of detailed explanations or sources for most of the theories. He notes that Popoff's own theory, involving a lightning strike, is presented over 17 pages and seems to promote another of his books. Kettmann concludes that while the book offers an interesting premise, it lacks the depth and rigor needed to be truly convincing.

Review: "Forces from Nothing?" by Werner Betz

Marius Kettmann reviews Werner Betz's book, "Kräfte aus dem Nichts?" (Forces from Nothing?). Betz, a publisher of fringe science literature, investigates the placement of historical sites, natural landmarks, and places of pilgrimage. He uses a VLF (Very Low Frequency) measurement method, with the help of Sonja Ampsler, to explore potential similarities and anomalies at these locations. The review suggests that Betz's work is the beginning of a new research method that could potentially demystify phenomena like dowsing and shed light on the origins of pilgrimage sites. Kettmann finds the book to be an interesting starting point for further investigation.

Review: "On the Frontiers of Knowledge" by Mayer, Schetsche, Schmied-Knittel, Vaitl

Marius Kettmann reviews the handbook "An den Grenzen der Erkenntnis" (On the Frontiers of Knowledge), edited by psychologists and sociologists. The book is presented as a comprehensive work on anomalistics, aiming to provide a scientific framework for studying phenomena that lie beyond conventional science, including UFO sightings, out-of-body experiences, and near-death experiences. Kettmann highlights the book's structure, which covers the historical development of anomalistics, theoretical debates, research methodologies, and specific fields of study. He emphasizes the importance of the section on methodology, which aims to legitimize anomalistics as a scientific discipline.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of consciousness, the methodologies of scientific research, particularly in the context of anomalous phenomena like UFOs and abductions, and the exploration of concepts that challenge our conventional understanding of reality, such as four-dimensional thinking. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging rigorous, yet open-minded, scientific inquiry into these complex and often controversial subjects, advocating for new approaches to observation and understanding.

This issue of DEGUFORUM, number 87, features a review of the book "An den Grenzen der Erkenntnis" (At the Limits of Knowledge), a handbook of scientific anomalistics. The magazine also previews upcoming content, including an interview with Danny Ammon and a report on Citizen Science.

Review of "An den Grenzen der Erkenntnis"

The review of the book, published by Schattauer GmbH in Stuttgart in 2015, highlights its comprehensive approach to anomalous phenomena. The book is described as a significant contribution to the scientific study of these topics. The review details the book's structure, which is divided into thematic sections. Each section begins with an introduction to the subject, followed by a historical perspective, then an exploration of applied research methods and empirical findings, and finally, an examination of the resulting problems and attempted explanations.

UFO Phenomenology and Research

Using the UFO phenomenon as an example, the review explains how the book covers its phenomenology (defining what constitutes a UFO), including the definition by J. Allen Hynek and the assessment of spontaneous phenomena. It also delves into the classification of individual cases, referencing Hynek's classifications, Hendry's assessments, Vallée's reliability ratings, and Henke's IFO verification key, noting that these have not all become widely established.

The historical section of the book explores cultural precursors such as mysterious airships, Foo Fighters, and ghost rockets, as well as the beginnings of the modern UFO phenomenon, including Kenneth Arnold's initial sighting and the U.S. Air Force investigations like Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book. It also covers the study of UFO sightings, referencing the Condon Report and providing a historical overview of German UFO research and the organizations involved.

Research Methods and Empirical Findings

The review emphasizes that the book addresses both objective and subjective research methods for phenomena, which have been a subject of discourse for years. It highlights the Hessdalen phenomenon as an exemplary case study. Particularly important chapters for UFO researchers and enthusiasts are those on empirical findings and theoretical explanations, including the classification of weak and strong UFO anomaly principles, and the existing and emerging problems, such as the UFO-UAP terminology issue and the classification as spontaneous phenomena.

The book also touches upon the media's portrayal of UFOs and the question of the topic's clinical relevance.

Book's Relevance and Accessibility

The review notes the high topicality of the articles, with many of the cited works within the last 10 years. While acknowledging that the book cannot cover every detail exhaustively, it praises the authors for capturing the essential core of the subject matter. The review suggests that the price of the book might deter some consumers accustomed to free online information, but argues that it is reasonable compared to handbooks in other scientific disciplines and well worth the cost given the content and the authors' expertise.

Citizen Science and Future of UFO Research

The issue also previews upcoming content, including an interview with Danny Ammon, a board member of GEP and member of GfA and DEGUFO. Ammon discusses the significant changes in UFO research, including the unification of groups, a common questionnaire, a joint UFO database, and a cooperative initiative for UFO research. The interview will explore his motivations, the current state of UFO research, and future trends.

A report titled "Citizen Science" will explain the concept and its relevance to UFO phenomena. It highlights the cooperation between DEGUFO, GEP, and MUFON-CES in the "Kooperationsinitiative UFO-Forschung" (Cooperative Initiative UFO Research), aiming to leverage synergies and bring UFO research into the mainstream scientific community. The article will discuss what UFO research can achieve, where it needs to position itself, and how it can confidently present its past accomplishments.

DEGUFO's History and Future

Another preview mentions a retrospective on DEGUFO's 20-year history, with Chief Investigator Christian Czech reviewing spectacular UFO incidents reported to the organization. The summer edition of DEGUFORUM is announced for October 2016.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes scientific rigor in the study of anomalous phenomena, advocating for a structured, evidence-based approach. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration between different research organizations and the integration of Citizen Science into the field. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious, academic inquiry into topics often relegated to the fringes of science, aiming to legitimize and advance the understanding of these phenomena.