Inforespace - No 57

Magazine Overview

Title: Inforespace
Issue: 2
Publisher: SOBEPS
Country: Belgium
Language: French
Date: Undetermined, but the offer for back issues is valid until December 31, 1981.

Editorial

The editorial, likely written by President Michel Bougard, addresses the diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives of its readership regarding ufology. It acknowledges that some readers might label them as 'gravediggers of ufology' or proponents of the 'nuts and bolts' extraterrestrial hypothesis, while others may accuse them of not taking a clear stance. Bougard posits that a healthy approach to ufology involves confronting apparently contradictory theses.

He argues that UFO study has not yet reached a pre-scientific stage, with proposed models being only partially testable and discussions often leaning towards polemics rather than reasoned debate. A key challenge identified is that UFOs are primarily defined negatively (as unidentified objects), and their essential characteristics are not yet clearly established in relation to phenomena that have received identification (such as misidentifications, hoaxes, or hallucinations). The editorial stresses the urgency of identifying positive parameters to define what is currently termed 'UFO'.

In a related point, the editorial mentions the activities of the French organization GEPAN, noting that its recent original work, commented on in the issue, is presented in a way that allows for critical analysis. The editorial suggests that while criticism might seem harsh, it can ultimately serve as a form of praise.

Readers are invited to the second parallel research forum, presented on pages 20 and 21. The success of such events is crucial for the continuation of Inforespace's activities, including the publication of the magazine and other research efforts. In collaboration with the magazine Kadath, a varied program has been developed, and readers are encouraged to attend and provide feedback on whether these intentions were well-founded. The editorial concludes by stating that reader presence is the key to their success.

Special Offer

The SOBEPS is celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering readers the chance to complete their collection of Inforespace publications at a reduced price. A year's subscription (publication) costs 250 Belgian Francs (FB) for issues from 1973 to 1980, with the 1972 issue being sold out. This offer is valid until December 31, 1981. Orders should clearly specify the chosen years. Additionally, any order totaling at least 1000 FB will receive a free book from their bookstore service.

Other Content (Page 2)

Page 2 also contains a section titled 'Quand le' which appears to be the beginning of another article. This section references 'note d'information de la traduction' and 'Observations de' followed by text that is partially illegible but mentions 'anormaux en URS' and 'Jean Sider'. It discusses the potential for UFO researchers to obtain information and the desire to understand other perspectives. The author expresses an intention to report on these findings without bias. The text then shifts to discuss authors and their 'qualités exceptionnelles', mentioning 'M. (ou Mmes) I.G. Petrovskaia' and their work related to the 'pices de l'institut' and 'mie des Science'. The author notes the potential for official scientific circles to be surprised and that the scientific community might find the work valuable. There's a mention of a 'véritable tyrannie' and the risk of being 'canulardes' if not respected. The text continues with discussions about the 'tyrannie' of officialdom and the potential for researchers to be misled, suggesting that some entities might be 'malins' and that the pursuit of truth can be arduous. The section ends with a reference to 'En ce qui cond'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFO research, the challenges of establishing scientific credibility in the field, and the importance of open discussion and diverse perspectives. The editorial stance is one of encouraging critical engagement and the pursuit of a more rigorous, positive definition of UFO phenomena, while also promoting the magazine's own research activities and community events. There's a clear emphasis on the need for evidence-based analysis and a critical examination of both official and unofficial claims within ufology.