EVP Newsletter - No 28 - 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: EVP NEWS
Issue: No 28
Date: July 1981

This issue of EVP NEWS focuses on the organization and research within the field of anomalous phenomena, particularly Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP).

Formation of an EVP Foundation

The lead article discusses the formation of a new research network in Britain, temporarily named the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP). The goal is to link together regional research groups and specialist researchers, creating a forum for discussion on research techniques, administering specific research, supplying speakers for conferences, handling press inquiries, and potentially producing publications. The article invites input from researchers on how this network should be organized. Alan Cleaver is identified as a key contact person for ASSAP, with a meeting scheduled for August 19th.

Fortean Times and Common Ground

Two publications are advertised: 'Fortean Times', a journal of strange phenomena, available by subscription for £4.00 per year, and 'Common Ground', a magazine covering psychical research, UFOs, and EVP, priced at £1.00 per issue, with contact Kevin McClure.

Review: 'Phone Calls From The Dead' by D. Scott Rogo and Raymond Bayless

This section reviews the book 'Phone Calls From The Dead'. The reviewer acknowledges the importance of the connection between EVP and phone calls apparently received by the dead, suggesting it might offer insights into improving EVP links. However, the reviewer criticizes the book's presumption that these calls are definitively from the dead, noting that the authors admit their own biases. The reviewer argues that the authors overlook the possibility that living minds could produce such phantom calls, perhaps telepathically receiving news of a death. The review also notes the book's limited coverage of mystery phone calls found in UFO lore.

An anecdote is shared about Mrs. Adams, who recounts receiving a collect call from her deceased daughter, who had died in a car accident, asking for money. The reviewer uses this as an example of the phenomena discussed in the book.

'Phone Calls From The Dead' - A Deeper Critique

The reviewer delves deeper into the book's logic, questioning the assumption that if the dead can psychically produce phone calls, then living minds must also possess this ability, and vice versa. The reviewer proposes that a living mind could telepathically receive news of a death and then produce a phantom phone call. The review also points out that the book barely touches upon 'Men In Black' and other UFO-related phone calls. A specific case is cited where a woman received a call from a man claiming to be her deceased brother, Roger, a detail kept secret from her. The reviewer concludes that while the work of Rogo and Bayless on documenting these phenomena is excellent, their interpretation is limited.

EVP Research Establishes the Paranormal! by G.G. Bonner

This article by G.G. Bonner presents findings from experimental research conducted weekly since 1972. Bonner states that 'paranormal' voices recorded through EVP cannot be accounted for by normal physical laws or psychological theories (animistic theory). He suggests that unknown energies and forces, not electromagnetic in nature, are involved, and that extensive tests by experts in electronics, psycho-acoustics, and physics have yielded no explanation. Bonner indicates that certain 'sensitives' may be chosen to receive recordings, possibly involving psychological factors or introduced by people dedicated to the work. He suggests that developments in this field might be more related to high energy physics than abstract psychological concepts. Bonner asserts that the phenomena can be demonstrated under test conditions, ruling out fraud and self-deception. Having made over 10,000 recordings himself and studied worldwide data, he believes EVP represents something of major importance to science and humanity, and that research should not be hindered, but should utilize the knowledge of pioneer workers.

Field of Interest and Views & Attitudes of ASSAP

The article on ASSAP further details its scope, covering a wide range of paranormal phenomena including clairvoyance, dowsing, dreams, EVP, ESP, hauntings, healing, hypnosis, ley lines, mediumship, metal bending, OOBEs, poltergeists, PK, Spiritualism, survival, and telepathy. ASSAP aims to avoid corporate views and discourage dogmatism among its members, encouraging them to treat their views as provisional.

Aims & Activities of ASSAP

ASSAP's aims include creating and maintaining a national investigative network, affiliating with specialist groups (like EVP groups) for expertise, making technical facilities available, establishing a national data base and libraries, sponsoring study sessions and seminars, and fostering positive media relations. ASSAP does not intend to replace existing groups but to provide a central organization for affiliation, offering benefits such as free newsletter subscriptions and reduced costs for events and resources.

The Ley Hunter Magazine

Another publication, 'The Ley Hunter Magazine', is advertised. It covers earth mysteries, ancient alignments, geomancy, folklore, prehistoric sites, earth energies, and strange phenomena. Subscription details are provided for UK, Europe, and overseas airmail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the organization of paranormal research, the nature of anomalous phenomena (particularly EVP and phone calls from the dead), and the scientific investigation of these subjects. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging collaboration and rigorous research, while also being critical of unsubstantiated claims and interpretations, as seen in the review of 'Phone Calls From The Dead'. There is a clear emphasis on the need for a structured approach to research and a willingness to explore unconventional explanations, such as those proposed by G.G. Bonner regarding unknown energies and high energy physics.