EVP Newsletter - No 20 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: EVP NEWSLETTER
Issue: No. 20
Date: July 1980

This issue of the EVP NEWSLETTER, devoted to the study of Electronic Voice Phenomena, marks a return to regular publication after a break. The editor expresses a desire to resume receiving articles and letters from readers, encouraging them to share their thoughts on EVP and related fields.

Editorial and Special Issues

The editor mentions the usefulness of their duplicator and plans for future special issues. These potential special issues include detailed instructions on obtaining voices, the history of EVP, and a focus on critics and criticisms of EVP. Readers are invited to submit ideas for these special publications.

Article: Studying Weak Voices

The lead article, "Studying weak voices" by G. G. Bonner, details the author's ongoing research. Bonner discusses the challenges of the 'wind-brain problem' and the materialism of Behaviourist psychology in relation to scientific understanding of survival after biological death. He urges researchers to focus on obtaining and studying voices using all available methods, rather than worrying about their origin or adopting religious approaches. Bonner suggests that a researcher's psychological attitude can be important, with those of 'faith' potentially contributing more. He advocates following the paths of Jurgenson and Raudive and encourages researchers not to shy away from submitting recordings with doubts, as even weak voices or strange effects might be significant. Bonner believes that loud voices are not the only indicators of paranormal origin, but content is crucial. He explains that with the right equipment, weak 'C' voices can be boosted to 'B' quality, provided the signal-to-noise ratio allows. He also notes that his techniques on four machines enable him to study specific phonemes and that the art of listening to borderline frequencies develops over time. He shares an anecdote where another researcher could not hear a specific voice message that he had identified.

Bonner further elaborates on the difficulty of identifying specific voices amidst noise and static, suggesting that not everyone will hear the same voice unless working collaboratively with equipment. He asserts that the voices are not projections from our own unconscious mind, though he respects differing opinions. The ultimate aim, he states, should be cooperation between EVP workers worldwide to establish EVP on a scientific footing.

Index and Content Summary

• The index for this issue lists the following contents:
• Page 1: Studying weak voices - by G. G. Bonner
• Page 2: Adverts
• Page 3: London evp research group; Can stones talk ?
• Page 4: Can stones talk, continued.
• Page 5: News from Australia; Letter from Alan Gregg.

Publications and Resources

• The newsletter includes advertisements for several related publications:
• FORTEAN TIMES: A magazine covering strange phenomena, UFOs, and other mysteries. A one-year subscription is £23.00.
• THE MEDIUMSHIP OF THE TAPE RECORDER: A book by David Ellis investigating EVP, priced at £2.25.
• HOTLINE: An American newsletter on EVP and allied subjects, available for a minimum donation of $4.50.
• EVP News: A monthly publication providing news and updates on EVP research.
• THE LEY HUNTER: A publication dealing with ancient alignments, geomancy, and folklore, with a four-issue subscription of £3.69.

London EVP Research Group

An update is provided regarding an advertisement placed in the May/June issue seeking Londoners interested in forming an EVP group. The advertiser, Margo Galway, was on holiday when the advert appeared, which may explain the lack of response. Interested individuals are encouraged to try contacting her again at 11 Routh Road, London SW18 3SW, or by phone at 01-870-3822 after 7 pm.

Article: Can Stones Talk?

This article by Alan Cleaver details an investigation at the Rollright Stones near Oxford. Members of the Dragon Project were present, using various scientific devices such as ultra-sonic detection, infra-red photography, and microwave monitoring. Cleaver participated in EVP experiments, initially considering it a long shot. During playback, he heard foreign words ending with the name "Raudiv" on the microphone experiment tape. He notes that the name Raudive (pronounced Rau-dee-vay) has been associated with EVP research, and Konstantin Raudive, author of 'Breakthrough', was instrumental in promoting EVP voices before his death in 1974. Cleaver describes a burst of electronic noise preceding the foreign words and mentions that this is common amongst researchers. He also notes that the voices heard are not projections from the unconscious mind. He recounts a subsequent experiment on June 22nd where more voices were recorded, including phrases like "Sun set Raudi," "Cleaver," and "This is Konstin Raudriv." He also mentions hearing the name "Bonner" called out. Cleaver concludes that time and place seem important in these experiments, but he does not seriously believe the stones themselves are talking.

News from Australia

The newsletter reports sad news from Australia: the Australina Spiritualists' Association (ASA), formed three years prior, has been disbanded. Pioneer EVP researcher and EVP News subscriber Rev. Thomas Maddock believes the demise was due to established bodies viewing the ASA as a rival. Mr. Maddock hopes a new organization will emerge based on a federation rather than a policy of "sheep stealing" from existing groups.

Letter from Alan Gregg

Alan Gregg writes to Alan, addressing the tendency for correspondents to focus on the technical aspects of EVP, seemingly taking for granted that the voices are from individuals who have died. Gregg poses questions about the purpose of survival if it's no longer essential and suggests that it's logical to inquire about an entity's existence before inhabiting a body. He advocates for an open mind to explore these enlarged horizons of the mind, emphasizing that the path to understanding may vary but sincere desire to learn will be rewarding. Gregg concludes that EVP ought to open people's minds to further thought.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of EVP NEWSLETTER demonstrates a strong focus on the technical and evidential aspects of EVP research, as exemplified by G. G. Bonner's article. There is an ongoing effort to legitimize EVP as a scientific field, encouraging rigorous methodology and data sharing among researchers worldwide. The newsletter also touches upon the philosophical implications of EVP, particularly concerning consciousness, survival after death, and the nature of entities communicating through electronic means, as highlighted in Alan Gregg's letter. The editor's stance is one of open inquiry, seeking to expand the understanding of EVP by exploring various facets, including its history, methodology, and potential connections to other phenomena like ancient sites. The publication serves as a platform for researchers to share findings, discuss challenges, and foster a collaborative community.