1957 11 00 Fantastic Universe - Meet the ETs

Magazine Overview

Title: FANTASTIC UNIVERSE SCIENCE FICTION
Issue: NOV.
Price: 35c
Publisher: ICD
Content Focus: Science Fiction, UFOs, Extraterrestrial Contact

Meet the Extraterrestrial by Isabel L. Davis

This article, written by Isabel L. Davis, a researcher in Ufology and a Fortean, analyzes published reports of contacts with extraterrestrials. Davis notes that the field of flying saucerdom is divided into two irreconcilable groups: those who believe in direct contact and communication with extraterrestrial beings, and those who dismiss such reports as products of conscious or unconscious invention. She aligns herself with the latter group, identifying with Civilian Saucer Intelligence of New York, which she states is among the skeptics.

Davis argues that skepticism is not blind but based on specific, solid objections. She aims to explain why many reports seem "bogus" and to clarify what is being asked of people when they are urged to "keep an open mind." The core of the controversy, according to Davis, lies in the concept of "communication" – the two-way exchange of ideas between humans and "space people." Reports of encounters without communication are considered a different category.

The article is based on eight books published by six "contactee" authors. Davis intends to examine these books, which are readily accessible, to support her statements.

George Adamski

George Adamski, who describes himself as a "philosopher, student, teacher, saucer researcher," is presented as the first to publish a full-length book on the subject, "Flying Saucers Have Landed," co-authored with Desmond Leslie. This book details Adamski's "contacts" with a Venusian and his "scout ship" in November and December 1952. Adamski claims to have taken photographs of the ship and the landing area, and exchanged a plate with the Venusian. The plate, upon examination, appeared to have its original image erased and replaced with mysterious symbols. Similar markings were found on plaster casts of footprints left by the Venusian. Adamski's conversations with the "extraterrestrial" were reportedly conducted via gestures and mental telepathy.

Over the next two years, Adamski claims to have had further meetings with beings from Venus, Saturn, Mars, and elsewhere, both on Earth and on their ships. His book "Inside the Space Ships" describes five such "contacts" in detail, including excursions into space and close-up views of the moon. Adamski's accounts are characterized by meticulous details about the ships and their occupants, as well as homilies on spiritual subjects from the "masters and Brothers."

Orfeo Angelucci

Orfeo Angelucci's experience began on May 24, 1952, with his friendship with beings named Neptune, Orion, and Lyra. His book, "The Secret of the Saucers," recounts "highly-colored and indeed fantastic incidents," including a 7-day "attack of amnesia" in January 1953, during which his body continued its daily routines. Angelucci claims to have later remembered a "visit" in an "ethereal" body to the remains of the planet Lucifer and conversations with his "friends" there. His writing is described as impassioned and "operatic."

Truman Bethurum

Truman Bethurum's "contacts" preceded Adamski's. Between July 27 and November 2, 1952, Bethurum reported 11 meetings on the desert with Captain Aura Rhanes, described as a "chic petite brunette" commanding an "Admirals' Scow." Clarion, Bethurum's home planet, is said to be on the other side of the Moon. Aura Rhanes is depicted as a unique "space woman" who enjoys reading, swimming, and fishing, and wears a red and black dress. She is the only "space woman" mentioned to have received a gift from a terrestrial – an earthly fountain pen. Her "office" in the Scow contains a typewriter, and she communicates via telepathic control, typing letters in French. Bethurum's account in "Aboard a Flying Saucer" includes a description of a planned "stag visit" to Clarion, which was mysteriously canceled when the Scow departed and never returned.

Daniel W. Fry

Daniel W. Fry's book, "The White Sands Incident," is described as "bare and colorless" compared to the others. Fry, an instrument technician at White Sands, claims to have had a "contact" with an occupant named A-Lan (or Alan), who was acclimatizing to Earth's conditions. Their conversation was conducted via telepathy (ESP) and "direct modulation of the auditory nerve." Fry assigns an early date to his experience – July 4, 1950 – and claims a rapid round trip in a saucer from White Sands to New York in 32 minutes.

George W. Van Tassel

George W. Van Tassel's book, "I Rode a Flying Saucer!," is presented as a bid for attention, with the subtitle "The Mystery of the Flying Saucers Revealed through George W. Van Tassel: Radioned to you by Other-World Intelligences in Reaction to Man's Destructive Action." The book contains 52 "messages" received at Giant Rock Airport, California, between January 1952 and March 1953, delivered to an audience while Van Tassel was "in attunement with the vibratory frequency of the communicating intelligence." These "Intelligences" are not identified by planet and do not seem to be female. Van Tassel also holds an annual Spacecraft Convention and a "College of Universal Wisdom."

George H. Williamson and Alfred C. Bailey

"The Saucers Speak! A Documentary Report of Interstellar Communication by Radio Telegraphy," by George H. Williamson and Alfred C. Bailey, presents messages received primarily at Prescott, Arizona, between August 1952 and February 1953. The contactees included a radio operator known as "Mr. R." Messages were received through various means, including automatic writing, a Ouija board, and direct telepathic contact. The book discusses "Solex Mal," the universal language, described as a symbolic, pictographic language.

Williamson, who holds degrees in anthropology, also authored "Other Tongues-Other Flesh: A Startling Sequel to 'The Saucers Speak!'" This book attempts to synthesize the stories of various contactees into a "holy scripture" for believers. Williamson classifies extraterrestrials into six groups: Migrants, Wanderers, Prophets, Harvesters, Agents, or Intruders, with "Intruders" being associated with evil from "Orion."

What Pilots a UFO? by Ivan T. Sanderson

This article, by Ivan T. Sanderson, addresses the question of who pilots UFOs. Sanderson notes that many UFO researchers have pointed out flaws in the reported cases. He emphasizes that the key issue is "communication" – the two-way exchange of ideas between humans and "space people." He distinguishes this from other types of encounters.

Sanderson's article is based on the books previously discussed, which he states are readily accessible. He mentions that the "extraterrestrial cast" in "The Saucers Speak!" is smaller than Van Tassel's but equally picturesque. The beings described have unique names and origins, such as "Nah-9" from Neptune and "Zo" of Neptune, and "Zrs" of Uranus, who speak of "Fowser," Earth's second moon. The article also touches upon the "Solex Mal" or universal language.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial contact, and the debate between believers and skeptics in ufology. The magazine presents detailed accounts from various contactees, offering a platform for their experiences while also including critical analysis, particularly from Isabel L. Davis, who advocates for a skeptical approach. The concept of interstellar communication, the nature of extraterrestrial beings, and the potential for misunderstanding or deception are central to the discussions. The editorial stance appears to be one that explores these phenomena with a degree of critical inquiry, presenting both the sensational claims of contactees and the reasoned objections of skeptics.

This issue of "Fantastic Universe," identified as issue number 40, is dated as such on the cover and is priced at 35c. The main headline on the cover is "MEET THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL," suggesting a focus on UFOs and alien encounters. The magazine appears to be published by Great Eastern Publishing Co. and is in English, originating from the USA.

Article: Meet the Extraterrestrial

The article "Meet the Extraterrestrial" critically examines the common themes and characteristics found in reports from individuals who claim to have had contact with extraterrestrial beings, often referred to as 'spacemen.' The author notes that these reports, while varied in their specific incidents, share a consistent underlying pattern, largely set by early contactees like George Adamski.

Common Features of Contactee Reports

The article outlines several typical features of these contact experiences:

1. Contactee Profile: Individuals involved are usually obscure before their contact, often with a background in occult interests or UFO phenomena.
2. Nature of Encounters: In-person contacts are typically solitary, private, and occur at night in isolated locations. Visits to spacecraft interiors and even trips in them are often reported. Telepathic communication is common, sometimes involving small groups of contactees.
3. Communication: Communication difficulties are minimal. Gestures, facial expressions, and sign language are understood, and the language used is often English or perceived as such. Mental telepathy is widely employed, serving as an aid to understanding and sometimes as an 'alert' for impending contact.
4. Appearance of Spacemen: The 'spacemen' are consistently described as resembling human beings, specifically Western Caucasian males of the mid-20th century. Even beings from distant worlds are depicted with similar physical characteristics.
5. Resemblance and Integration: Their resemblance to humans extends to demeanor and customs, allowing them to live and work among humans indistinguishably. Contactees may be given a 'key' (sign, gesture, or word) to identify themselves to these disguised beings, though recognition is not always granted.
6. Superiority of Spacemen: Despite resemblances, the 'space people' are portrayed as vastly superior to humans in beauty, health, longevity, emotional adjustment, intellect, science, and technology. They are seen as having achieved spiritual perfection far beyond humanity's current state, though the differences are described as being of degree, not kind.
7. Origin and Travel: These beings come from all over the universe, with home worlds being specific astronomical bodies, but they are widely traveled and familiar with conditions throughout space.
8. Powers and Limitations: They possess fabulous spiritual powers but are subject to strange limitations, frequently stating they 'cannot reveal,' 'may not reveal,' or 'are not permitted to reveal' certain details, often citing mysterious veils or reasons.
9. Utopian Home Worlds: All extraterrestrial home worlds are depicted as Utopian, free from war, poverty, disease, corruption, and injustice. However, the article notes the irony that despite this vast experience in problem-solving, they offer little practical guidance for Earth's issues.
10. Earth's Misery: Earth is seen as a uniquely miserable and wicked planet, embodying most of the universe's evil. The spacemen's home worlds offer material pleasures and amenities far beyond those on Earth.
11. Purpose of Visits: Their stated purpose is to help humanity, particularly to save it from threats like the H-bomb. Their benevolence is sometimes mixed with warnings, as the bomb could also endanger them. They also seek to influence humanity through contactees, encouraging them to publicize their experiences and messages.
12. Selection of Contactees: Reasons for choosing contactees vary, including chance, specific biological traits (like auditory nerve modulation), or spiritual components of personality. The selection process is not always clearly defined.
13. Content of Communications: Communications are primarily inspirational (moral, ethical, religious, mystical) and factual (information about Earth, planets, spaceships, etc.). The inspirational aspect gives the contact phenomenon a predominantly religious tone.

Critique of Contactee Narratives

The article then shifts to a critical analysis of these contactee stories, highlighting several points of contention:

• Uniformity vs. Diversity: The article contrasts the described uniformity of life across the universe (all spacemen resembling humans) with Earth's biological diversity. It questions why Earth would be an anomaly in this regard, suggesting that environmental differences should naturally lead to varied life forms, as seen on Earth.
• Egotism of Believers: The author argues that the belief that intelligent life must conform to human forms is a form of egotism on the part of the believers, not the skeptics.
• 'Little Men' Encounters: The article contrasts contactee reports with accounts of 'little men' encounters. These 'little men' are described as humanoid but not superhuman, their behavior incomprehensible, and they never communicate. Witnesses are typically terrified and wish to forget the experience, unlike contactees who often seek more encounters and gain public attention.
• Scientific Inaccuracies: The article points out numerous scientific blunders in the contactee narratives, attributing them to the human authors' limited understanding rather than the supposed advanced knowledge of the spacemen. Examples include flawed explanations of planetary conditions (e.g., a temperate zone on the Moon), the effects of H-bombs on Earth's axis, and the nature of elements versus minerals. The spacemen's claims of advanced technology are questioned when they rely on human-made items like Polaroids.
• Contradictory Behavior: The spacemen's proclaimed policy of non-interference is contradicted by their active engagement with contactees, instructing them to spread messages. Furthermore, despite claiming to have solved all of humanity's problems (poverty, sickness, war), they offer no effective methods to address Earth's issues. Their use of telepathy for selection is also questioned as not being applied systematically.
• Lack of Practicality: The article criticizes the spacemen's inability to provide practical solutions or detailed explanations, often resorting to the excuse that their science is incomprehensible to humans. This is contrasted with human teachers who can explain complex subjects effectively.
• Specific Examples: The article mentions specific instances, such as Angelucci's friends being unable to fix his automobile, or the 'nutronic jeeps' and 'retroscope' from Clarion, which are presented as examples of questionable or fantastical technology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the analysis and critique of UFO contactee phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, questioning the veracity and scientific basis of many contactee claims. The article emphasizes the discrepancies between the narratives and known scientific principles, as well as the internal inconsistencies within the stories themselves. It suggests that these narratives may originate more from the minds of imperfectly informed humans than from actual extraterrestrial sources. The contrast drawn between contactee reports and 'little men' encounters serves to further highlight the perceived unreliability of the former by presenting a different, albeit also enigmatic, type of alleged encounter.

This issue of FANTASTIC UNIVERSE, identified by page number 50, features a prominent article titled "MEET THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL." The content critically examines the claims of individuals who report contact with extraterrestrial beings, often referred to as "spacemen" or "space people." The article adopts a skeptical stance, questioning the validity of the evidence presented and the consistency of the narratives.

The Problem of Proof

The central theme of the article is the persistent lack of concrete, verifiable proof for the existence and activities of these alleged extraterrestrials. The author argues that while contactees often assert that their statements are self-proving, this is insufficient. The "evidence" presented, such as photographs, is often suspect, and witnesses are frequently ambiguous or non-existent. Extraterrestrial "substances" claimed by contactees are not made available for laboratory examination, and reported damage to terrestrial objects due to proximity to saucers cannot be verified.

The article dismisses two common arguments used as proof: the "sincerity" of the contactees and the "inspirational quality" of their messages. "Sincerity" is defined as merely convincing the listener that the speaker believes their own story, which does not equate to truth. The inspirational tone is also deemed insufficient, as similar ethical, philosophical, and mystical ideas can be found in terrestrial literature, including occult and cultist writings.

Inconsistencies and Omissions

A significant portion of the article is dedicated to highlighting the inconsistencies and omissions in the accounts provided by various contactees and their supposed extraterrestrial sources. The author points out that these "spacemen" claim to be experts who have traveled extensively, yet their accounts often contradict each other or omit crucial information about their supposed counterparts.

For instance, the article questions the absence of any mention of other known contactees or their stories. It highlights the lack of a "universal language" among supposed extraterrestrials and notes specific instances where one contactee's story omits details crucial to another's narrative. A key example is the night of August 23-24, 1954, when George Adamski claims to have been shown the Moon by Ramu of Saturn, yet neither Ramu nor Adamski mention the presence of "Clarion," a supposed extraterrestrial vehicle associated with Aura Rhanes, which should have been visible.

Similarly, the article questions the absence of books in the lives of these advanced beings. Despite their purported advanced civilization, there is no mention of literature, libraries, or reading, except for Aura, who claims it as a hobby. Adamski's own books about his experiences are seemingly ignored by his space friends, a behavior deemed highly unusual for beings interested in sharing their story.

Contradictions also appear in their accounts of Earth's history and planetary systems. Some claim Earth's records go back 78 million years, while others say 75,000 years. The number of planets in solar systems varies, with some claiming 12 and others, like Zo, claiming 22. Even basic details like the atmosphere of planets are presented inconsistently, with exceptions like Fry's A-Lan requiring special adaptation to Earth's air.

The Question of Motive

The article delves into the potential motives behind these stories, suggesting that they are not always driven by a genuine desire to inform humanity. Possible motivations explored include:

• Financial Gain: The article notes that some contactees' stories reek of a money motive, with books being sold and rewards offered for information.
• Egotism and Recognition: The desire to be seen as special, to have access to secret knowledge, and to be the sole bearer of important truths is highlighted. Orfeo Angelucci's account of being chosen as an "emissary" exemplifies this.
• Reinforcing Beliefs: Extraterrestrialism can lend an air of authority to existing beliefs, making "eternal truths" seem more credible when spoken by "Venusians or Saturnians."
• Escapism and Wish Fulfillment: For some, the stories may represent daydreams, fantasies, or a way to cope with personal frustrations or a desire for a more exciting reality.

Skepticism vs. Credulity

The author positions himself as a skeptic, emphasizing that skepticism does not equate to narrow-mindedness or blind prejudice. He argues that the lack of evidence and the abundance of inconsistencies make it difficult to accept the claims at face value. The article concludes by urging believers not to label skeptics as closed-minded, as skeptics simply require more than mere assertions and emotional appeals.

Contact-Communication Books

The issue includes a bibliography of "Contact-Communication Books," listing eight prominent titles related to flying saucer reports and extraterrestrial contact. These include works by Desmond Leslie, George Adamski, Orfeo Angelucci, Truman Bethurum, Daniel W. Fry, George W. Van Tassel, George H. Williamson, and George Hunt Williamson. The publication dates range from 1952 to 1957, indicating the prevalence of this genre during the mid-1950s.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, particularly the claims of contactees. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, focusing on the need for empirical evidence, logical consistency, and plausible explanations. The article challenges the validity of anecdotal evidence and highlights the psychological and social factors that may contribute to the belief in extraterrestrial contact. The overall message is that while the idea of extraterrestrial visitors is intriguing, the current evidence and narratives presented by contactees are insufficient and often contradictory, suggesting that these stories may be more a product of human imagination and desire than factual accounts of alien encounters.