1959 07 00 Fantastic Universe - What could they be - Sanderson

Magazine Overview

Title: FANTASTIC UNIVERSE SCIENCE FICTION
Issue: JULY
Volume: ICD
Date: July 1953
Publisher: ICD
Country: USA
Price: 35c

This issue of Fantastic Universe Science Fiction presents a mix of science fiction stories and a thought-provoking article on the nature and classification of unidentified phenomena.

Featured Stories

The cover highlights several key fictional works:

• 3 Novelets:
• ROBOT JUSTICE by Harry Harrison
• FORBIDDEN PLANET by Bertram Chandler
• PRISON BREAK by Miriam Allen de Ford
• CROSSROADS OF DESTINY - A Story by H. Beam Piper

Article: What Could They Be? by Ivan T. Sanderson

Ivan T. Sanderson, an author with a long-standing interest in Ufology, concludes a series of articles exploring possible explanations for unidentified phenomena. He begins by assuming the existence of unidentified objects in our skies, noting their variety in shape, size, and proclivity. Sanderson criticizes a prevalent reluctance, particularly among intelligent and technologically trained individuals, to consider a wide range of possibilities, often demanding a single, simple explanation.

He argues that this narrow-mindedness is a form of "deliberate non-thinking," contrasting it with the broader conceptual understanding found in less technologically advanced cultures. Sanderson uses the analogy of classifying animals: just as there are over 150 kinds of whales, there could be numerous unknown phenomena. He posits that the scientific method, at its core, is the investigation of possibilities, while technology focuses on proving probabilities.

Sanderson introduces the concept of Ufology as the study of unidentified flying objects, emphasizing that it is not yet a science but requires a broad classification of possibilities. He suggests that the term "UFO" is preferable to "flying saucer" because the latter implies a specific shape that is not universally reported.

He then proposes a classification system for objects, distinguishing between those within our universe and those from "other space-time continua." Within our universe, he categorizes objects as:

• Paraphysical (Non-Material): Animate (Thoughts, Hallucinations) and Inanimate (Radiation, Induced energy packets).
• Quasiphysical (Projections): Animate (Ghosts, etc.) and Inanimate (Mirages, Photographs).
• Physical (Material): Animate (Animals, Plants, Viruses, Bioids, Robots) and Inanimate (Minerals, Machines).

Sanderson notes that many of these categories, such as thoughts, radiation, and even machines, are readily accepted, while others like "animate non-material objects" or "quasi-physical" ones are met with skepticism. He points out that the distinction between physical and non-physical is complex, as matter itself exhibits non-material qualities, and phenomena like thoughts and energy exist but cannot be photographed.

He addresses the difficulty in defining "object" and suggests that the core issue is classifying possible objects. Sanderson also touches upon the idea that some phenomena, like magnetic fields, might be considered physical objects. He concludes by stating that the universe is vast and may contain an infinity of different things, implying that a single explanation for all unidentified phenomena is unlikely.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue champions the exploration of speculative ideas within science fiction and the broader study of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance, as represented by Sanderson's article, advocates for open-mindedness, rigorous classification, and a willingness to consider a wide spectrum of possibilities when investigating the unknown. It critiques a tendency towards overly simplistic or dismissive attitudes within the scientific and technological communities when faced with phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The magazine appears to encourage a more expansive and less dogmatic approach to inquiry.

This issue of FANTASTIC UNIVERSE, identified by page number 75 and the cover headline "WHAT COULD THEY BE?", delves into the perplexing nature of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The content explores various theories and observations, distinguishing between different types of potential explanations.

Inanimate Quasiphysical Objects and Mirages

The article begins by distinguishing between phenomena devised by intelligent entities and inanimate quasiphysical objects. It highlights photography as an artificial example, but then focuses on two major conundrums: mirages and 'time-mirages'.

Standard textbook explanations for mirages, which describe them as reflections in the sky, on the ground, or on water surfaces, are presented. However, the author notes that these explanations do not always hold true. An anecdote is shared about a technical group that observed numerous mirages of islands at sea, which could not be charted as existing anywhere beyond or behind the ship, suggesting they were reflections of known objects elsewhere in space.

The concept of 'time-mirages' is introduced as a conundrum that puzzles most people, including professional astronomers. It suggests that many astronomical sightings and photographs might be of objects that no longer exist or are in a distant part of the universe, due to the immense time light takes to travel. This raises unnerving questions about photographing UFOs that may not currently exist or be in our observable space-time.

The text touches upon Einstein's theory of the speed of light as a theoretical limit and speculates on the possibility of light rays originating from other space-time continuums, exceeding this speed and 'dropping through' into our universe. This leads into discussions on cosmology.

Schools of Thought on UFOs

The discussion then shifts to the possibility that UFOs are properly physical material objects, outlining three distinct schools of thought:

1. Natural Phenomena: The majority, including most scientists, consider UFOs to be inanimate natural phenomena, largely indigenous to Earth.
2. Artificial Objects: A significant group believes UFOs are artificial inanimate objects (machines) created by intelligent entities from outside Earth.
3. Natural Animate Life-Forms: A smaller but growing group suggests that at least some UFOs are natural, animate, physical entities or 'Life-Forms' indigenous to Earth's upper atmosphere or space itself.

Advanced Artificial Life-Forms

Furthermore, the article mentions a suggestion from an individual with scientific training that UFOs could be artificial animate life-forms, or 'Bioids'. These are distinguished from remotely controlled machines like drones or lawn mowers, being conceptualized as thinking entities constructed by other thinking entities. The text notes the advancement in robotics, with machines that imitate thought and some that have demonstrated learning capabilities, such as a mechanical tortoise that learned to identify meal times by sound alone, a function it was not programmed for. The possibility of truly thinking robots and Bioids is presented as a high-probability scenario that warrants consideration.

The Nature of Evidence and Investigation

The author emphasizes that the discussion is based on the assumption that UFOs or 'Emps' exist. While acknowledging the prerogative to deny their existence, the article stresses that refusing to consider the evidence is not acceptable. It asserts that no one has the right to decry investigations into these possibilities, framing theorizing as neither a crime nor a waste of time.

The piece concludes by posing questions for the reader to consider: whether there is factual evidence for these phenomena, and if so, what that evidence indicates about the existence of the three basic types of UFOs discussed. It leaves the reader to ponder "And where do we go from there?"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the mystery of UFOs, the scientific and speculative explanations for them, and the nature of evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the investigation of possibilities without dismissing them outright, while grounding the discussion in observable phenomena like mirages and astronomical observations, as well as theoretical scientific concepts. The magazine advocates for a rigorous examination of evidence and a willingness to consider unconventional hypotheses, including the existence of advanced artificial or natural animate life-forms.