EWT04

Magazine Overview

This issue of NOTICE, published by GROUPE DE TRAVAIL EUROPEEN (EUROPEAN WORKING TEAM) under the GESAG Production banner, is dated June 1982, Volume 1, Number 4. The editorial team acknowledges significant difficulties in maintaining regular publication due to postal taxation and the prevailing economic situation. To ensure continuity, they propose presenting NOTICE as an appendix within the GESAG Bulletin, a move that will inevitably provide some publicity for the European Working Team but is deemed the only viable way to sustain an important European-level contribution.

Editorial and Publication Strategy

The editor directly addresses the readership, posing a crucial question: "Do you agree for NOTICE starting in the december issue of the Bulletin du GESAG? If yes, with the mention - or not of your identity?" This indicates a collaborative approach and a desire for reader input on the proposed integration. The French text reiterates the same concerns and proposal, emphasizing the need to maintain continuity and the limited options available. The publication is marked as 'Restricted diffusion' with a requirement for author acknowledgment for reproduction.

Research Methodology: Strangeness Factors

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to explaining the research methodology, particularly the concept of 'Strangeness Factors.' The introduction highlights that the research focuses on a 'very restricted selection of Type 1 phenomena' from unusual cases and typical UFO sightings, including nocturnal lights and balls of fire. Out of an initial sample of almost 3000 cases examined, 621 were retained and applied to a series of 103 'indices of strangeness.'

Primary Documentation and Case Files

The primary documentation consists of a chronological file of the 621 cases and a list of 103 'indices' distributed among 12 'characteristics' (lettered A to W). These characteristics are then used to categorize the cases, allowing for detailed analysis.

Definitions of Strangeness

• Strangeness: Defined as an aspect of observation that appears extraordinary compared to normal perception.
• Index of Strangeness: A descriptive element, situation, or action that significantly diverges from the normal course of an event or observation.
• Characteristic of Strangeness: A collection of strangeness indices.
• Level of Strangeness: The number of indices found in any observation, varying between 1 and 8.

Classification and Factors

The indices are further classified into 5 groups, ranging from the most 'strange' (factor 5) to the most 'normal' (factors 1-4), a system formulated by J. Bonabot. This classification helps distinguish events by their own factor, providing a means to rank them by 'importance.'

Indicators S and M

Cases are also indexed with 'S' for science-fiction correspondence and 'M' for mythology correspondence. These indicators are used to study the development of the UFO phenomenon alongside science-fiction and myths, deemed necessary for a complete understanding of the enigma. The science-fiction indices were devised by B. Méheust, and the mythology indices by J. Bastide.

Aim of the Study

The primary goal of the study is to explore possible correlations between different indices, location, time, and circumstances. The ultimate aim is to discover a 'scenario' for the phenomenon, understanding its mechanics, reactions, evolution, and, ideally, its true nature.

Current Situation and Future Needs

Various catalogues have been created, but they have not yet yielded significant correlations. The study is limited by the small number of cases available, preventing statistical or comparative analysis. The immediate priority is to expand the existing files, hence the appeal to EWT members and collaborators for case submissions. The author acknowledges the subjective nature of the study and the arbitrary choice of indices.

Case Listings

The issue features extensive lists of UFO cases, primarily from France and Belgium, along with some Italian cases.

French Cases

Pages 2, 3, and 4 present a detailed chronological listing of French cases with entities. Each entry includes the date, time, location, and a numerical code, likely representing the witness or a specific characteristic. The list spans from 1955 to 1980.

Belgian Cases

Page 6 provides a 'LIST OF BELGIAN CASES - STRANGENESS,' detailing cases from 1935 to 1974. Each entry includes the date, time, location, Belgian province code, a type of explanation (e.g., METEORITE, BALLOON, HOAX), and a researcher or source responsible for the entry.

Italian Negative Cases

Pages 7, 8, and 9 present a 'PRELIMINARY LISTING OF ITALIAN TYPE-1 "NEGATIVE" EVENTS.' These are cases that occurred at ground level and were explained in conventional terms, such as PROB. BALL LIGHTNING, HOAX, BALLOON, METEORITE, and PSYCHOLOGICAL explanations. The list covers events from 1698 to 1980. The author, Maurizio Verga, notes that many of these cases have limited data, making objective identification difficult, and that the available sample represents only about 15% of the total Italian UFO casuistry.

Notes and Communications

Several notes are included for EWT members:

• A questionnaire for awake/asleep interface cases, sent by Mr. Verga, is mentioned, with a request for papers from Mr. Keith Basterfied to clarify the hypothesis.
• The inability to present documents in English due to translation difficulties is noted, with a request to contact Miss Jenny Randles for translations.
• The editor expresses being 'disturbed' by the abundance of lists and the lack of real research documents and short studies.
• Upcoming publications in NOTICE will include a brief list of Italian type-1 trace cases by Mr. Maurizio Verga and a computer index of UFO landing reports in the Iberian Peninsula by Mr. Vicente Juan Ballester Olmos and Mr. J.A. Fornandez.
• The editor offers to reproduce additional lists if they are presented in a similar format.
• Information regarding donations to support the publication of NOTICE is provided, with instructions for sending funds to Mrs. Jenny Deduytsche in Brugge, Belgium.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the systematic cataloging and analysis of UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on 'strangeness factors' and the classification of cases. The editorial stance is one of earnest research, acknowledging limitations and actively seeking collaboration and data from its readership. There is a clear effort to standardize data collection and analysis, drawing upon existing research in science-fiction and mythology. The publication also grapples with practical challenges of dissemination and funding, indicating a dedicated but resource-constrained operation.