Irish UFO News - No 5

Magazine Overview

Title: irish ufo news
Issue: NO.5
Date: APRIL 1978
Publisher: IUFON
Country: Ireland
Price: 35p

This issue of Irish UFO News is a bi-annual publication dedicated to UFOs and related subjects. It is available via subscription or over the counter.

Editorial: Ignatius Donnelly: Eccentric Genius

The editorial focuses on Ignatius Donnelly, an Irish-American figure known for his involvement in politics, reform, and eccentric theories. Donnelly served as Lieutenant-Governor and Congressman in Minnesota. He authored two novels, 'Doctor Huguet' (a plea for racial tolerance) and 'Caesar's Column' (a prediction of Fascism). His more 'off-beat' interests are highlighted, particularly his 1882 book 'Ragnorok', which proposed a theory of planet-wide catastrophes caused by a comet, similar to Immanuel Velikovsky's ideas. The editorial notes that Donnelly's work was largely ignored by scientists but popular with the public. His other notable theories include the existence of the lost continent of Atlantis, for which he published a book in 1882 that was influential enough to prompt Prime Minister Gladstone to finance an expedition. Donnelly also proposed that Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare's plays, a theory he detailed in 'The Great Cryptogram' and 'The Cipher in the Plays'. Donnelly died in 1901, having been a candidate for the US Vice-Presidency.

News and Views

The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal

This group, formed about a year prior to publication, comprises 43 scientists, journalists, educators, and magicians, headed by philosopher Paul Kurtz. Notable members include Carl Sagan, BF Skinner, James Randi, and Isaac Asimov. Their activities include lodging complaints with the FCC and congressional sub-committees regarding NBC documentaries on psychic phenomena and alleged extraterrestrial involvement in the Nazca ground markings. The committee also criticizes Kirlian photography, Velikovsky's theories, Biorhythms, astrology, and ufology. Paul Kurtz's objective is to refute 'this new nonsense' and prevent irrationality from spreading. The article suggests the group's flamboyant 'unbiased sceptics' attitude may be counterproductive and that they target 'easy' targets while ignoring more rigorously demonstrated phenomena like ESP.

NASA to Look at UFO Reports

President Carter has requested NASA to investigate UFO reports due to numerous inquiries received by the White House. This initiative is partly influenced by President Carter's own reported UFO sighting and his promise to make UFO information public. NASA scientists are reviewing reports from the past decade to determine if a special inquiry is warranted. However, NASA is reportedly reluctant to take on the 'UFO buck' and may pass the responsibility to another agency, such as the US Public Health Service, due to the emotive nature of the subject and its potential impact on NASA's public image. UFO organizations are more enthusiastic, with Dr. Hynek applauding the decision for an 'impassionate unbiassed look at the data'. It is hoped NASA will avoid the methodological errors of the Condon Report. A NASA spokesman commented on the difficulty of proving a negative, which is seen as indicative of a negative attitude.

BUFORA Planning Conference at Nottingham

BUFORA (British UFO Research Association) is planning its third conference for April 15-16 in Nottingham. The preliminary program indicates a focus on 'Extraterrestrial Studies'. The conference fee is £6.00 for members and £6.75 for non-members.

NASA Budget Cut-back Again

President Carter's 1978 budget includes further cut-backs in space research spending, with increases allocated to other areas, notably defense. The article argues that the responsibility and financial burden of the space program should not fall solely on the United States, suggesting that other countries, like Britain (with North Sea oil) or even smaller nations like Eire, could contribute. It proposes that the space program should be a global responsibility, managed by an international authority like the United Nations, leveraging international scientific cooperation to avoid the 'war potential of space' and reduce suspicions.

Spectrum Report

The group 'Spectrum', now 18 months old, has been active in UFO investigation and discussion. RTE produced a half-hour show on their activities in December 1977, which, while not a scientific success, raised public awareness. Radio Dublin has also interviewed Spectrum members. The group is planning further media appearances, including a TV spot with a live audience discussion and a filmed sighting report. The group is also investigating several cases, and its treasurer notes that finances need improvement.

Review: 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

This section, co-authored by Miles Johnston and John Hind, reviews Steven Spielberg's film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'. The film is noted for its high budget and comparison to '2001: A Space Odyssey'. It focuses on the 'UFO myth' rather than the 'UFO phenomenon' itself. The review suggests that ufologists expecting a documentary compilation of cases or a logical extrapolation of known UFO data may be disappointed by the film's 'psychic overtones', focus on human aspects, and the 'extraterrestrial assumption'. Newsweek is quoted stating the film's power lies in the 'Human reality' and 'purely human element', not the paranormal. The film's climax features a giant spaceship and is described as a 'perfect sighting' and 'ultimate Great Movie Confrontation', symbolizing hope and a 'Second Coming' for a modern world. The build-up is praised for its credibility, centering on the hero's (Richard Dreyfuss) obsessive image after a UFO encounter, leading to a scene with poltergeist-like activity. The film's director, Spielberg, is noted, as is special effects man Trumbull, who described putting a UFO on screen as 'like photographing God'. French director Francois Truffaut views such films as a way of fighting a 'suicidal spirit' and a 'bad conscience' of the century. The review, however, posits that the film's emotional impact reflects a 'great pessimism and a loss of self-confidence', a yearning for salvation from an external force during periods of decline. The article contrasts the film's themes with the '2001' film and the Apollo program, suggesting that while films reflect their times, humanity must 'go to the stars'. It concludes that 'Close Encounters' relies on the public's desire to believe in extraterrestrial spacecraft, making it a reflection of a powerful social image and superb entertainment, regardless of the actual existence of UFOs.

'Close Encounters' in the Press

The review notes that 'Newsweek' featured the film on its cover, with a review that, while using clichés, showed perception about the UFO phenomenon. Supplementary articles covered Truffaut, Spielberg, Trumbull, and Dr. Hynek, who was dubbed 'The Galileo of Ufology'. 'Showbill' magazine described the film's theme seriously, though misspelled Hynek's name. 'Time' magazine called the film's climax an 'ecstatic evolutionary experience' and an 'opportunity for man to be re-born', comparing it to 'Star Wars' and '2001'. 'Playboy' magazine ran an article on the film's making and a 21-page symposium on UFOs featuring various proponents and opponents of UFO theories, including Prof. James Harder, Dr. Hynek, Frank Salisbury, Leo Sprinkle, Jacques Vallee, Philip Klass, and Dr. Ernest Taves.

Isaac Asimov on UFO Movies

The Toronto 'Daily Star' quotes Isaac Asimov expressing anger over UFO movies, stating there is 'absolutely no evidence that extraterrestrial spaceships have reached Earth'. Asimov believes such films encourage acceptance of 'nonsense on a trivial basis' and distract from the 'real nature of science'. The article dismisses his words as hypocritical for a science-fiction writer.

The Newbridge UFO: Close Encounter with a Saturn-shaped Object

This article details a UFO sighting in Newbridge, Ireland, in July 1977, by Mr. and Mrs. O'Doherty and their daughter Mary. The investigation was conducted by Tom Higgins, Miles Johnston, Allen Lawler, and John Hind, involving interviews and technical analysis. Mary O'Doherty first observed a large, elliptical, light-grey object hovering over a shed in the yard. It had a horizontal ring with red and green lights. The object emitted a humming noise and tilted. Mrs. O'Doherty also saw the object, which appeared much larger than the full moon. It then ascended at a 45-degree angle and disappeared. The object was later seen receding rapidly. While Mary reported the object was visible for about an hour, Mrs. O'Doherty stated it disappeared from view after a short time. Differences in descriptions between Mary and Mrs. O'Doherty are discussed, including the orientation of the object and whether the lights were flashing. The investigators found Mary to be a particularly excellent and objective witness. Calculations based on witness descriptions and fixed references suggest the object was very large, subtending angles of 9º and 5º at the witnesses' eyes, significantly larger than the full moon's approximately 1º.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, often with a focus on detailed case studies like the Newbridge sighting. There is an interest in the historical and theoretical aspects of UFOs, as evidenced by the coverage of Ignatius Donnelly and his theories. The review of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' suggests a nuanced view, acknowledging the film's entertainment value and its reflection of societal anxieties while also critiquing its potential to foster irrational beliefs. The presence of a 'News and Views' section indicates an intent to cover current events and organizations within the UFO community, including both proponents and skeptical groups. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into UFO phenomena, while also engaging with critical perspectives and historical context.

Title: IUFON
Issue: 13
Volume: 1
Date: 1987
Publisher: IUFON
Country: UK
Price: £1.50
ISSN: 0267-9161

This issue of IUFON, subtitled 'There's more to UFOs than fools the eye' (a quote from Jacques Vallee), presents a complex view of ufology, aiming to provide material interesting and stimulating to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers. The magazine emphasizes that UFOs are a more complex subject than often portrayed in the press or by scientists who tend to simplify the issue into 'either extraterrestrial spaceships or they don't exist'. IUFON focuses on reports of investigations into strange sightings and experiences from ordinary people, assuring readers that accounts are carefully investigated by competent individuals.

Reviews

Book Reviews

Phenomena: A Book of Wonders by John Michell and Robert Rickard is described as a beautiful, artful work rather than a scientific reference. It covers a wide range of phenomena, from frog showers to spontaneous combustion, presented with many pictures in short, anecdotal articles. However, its lack of references, bibliography, and index makes it difficult to use as a reference. Despite its visual appeal, the reviewer found it somewhat anticlimactic after a strong philosophical introduction.

Strange Phenomena by William Corlis is one of six 'Source Books' available in the US, which reprint articles from scientific journals and other sources on anomalistic phenomena. The 'Strange Phenomena' series, in particular, is reviewed. These books are organized by type, with excellent indexes by subject, date, and location. The scope is broad, covering events from around 1800 to the present, globally, and including topics like sky-falls, mirages, ball lightning, fireballs, and earthquake lights. A lengthy article on Welsh religious revival lights from the 1900s is highlighted. The books are noted as being pricey and ordered directly from the US.

The Crack in the Universe by Jean-Claude Bourret, a long-awaited French book, is now available in English, published by Neville Spearman. Two UFO classics have also been republished: 'The Humanoids' (augmented version by Futura) and C.J. Jung's 'Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things seen in the Sky' (by Routledge).

Magazine Reviews

Pulsar, produced by the Preston group, is described as a repository for 'delightfully batty theories'. The latest issue features speculations about terrestrial zodiacs, Stonehenge being built by ancient Egyptians, male and female mazes representing 'speed of time' and 'angles of space', and the number 144 as the 'marriage maker'. It also presents Einstein's energy equation as 'E=MCS'.

MUFOB magazine has reached its tenth anniversary, noted as a significant achievement in the UFO field. MUFOB is recognized for maintaining a radical attitude and often poking fun at other ufologists, but it has also brought a much-needed aura of scholarship to the subject.

UFO Research Review takes an editorial stance against non-physical interpretations of UFO phenomena. An item in the latest issue reports a poll where more people believed in extraterrestrial life than in God, and more believed in Earth being visited by extraterrestrials than in God. The reviewer notes that the editor of UFO Research Review tends to criticize other publications, calling MUFOB 'old-fashioned and conservative'.

Ufology Notebook, a privately published and professional magazine by American ufologist Allen Greenfield, attempts to draw parallels between modern physics and mysticism. It is noted for a poem by Allen Greenfield entitled 'The Age of Reason', which reflects on the passing of ufologist Ray Palmer and the nature of reality.

New Study Throws Light on Abduction Cases

What Can We Learn From Hypnosis of Imaginary Abductees by Alvin Lawson is discussed. The study aimed to create a 'control experiment' for hypnotic abduction cases, which are more common in the US than the British Isles. Eight individuals, described as 'creative, verbal types', were hypnotised and instructed to imagine the classic abduction sequence. Remarkably, all but one subject provided detailed narratives without extensive prompting, similar to those from 'real' abduction events. A comparison with selected 'real' cases showed a high degree of similarity in 'data bits'.

Lawson's work casts doubt on the physicalistic, literal interpretation of hypnotic abduction cases (CE 4). The difficulty in understanding these cases stems from the lack of understanding of both hypnotism and UFOs. The study suggests that heightened suggestibility and imagination of witnesses under hypnosis may play a significant role, though the problem is acknowledged as more complex. The experiments also provided evidence for a telepathic exchange of information between witnesses, previous witnesses, and investigators.

The Extraterrestrial Coverup

Chris Gaffney's article offers a tongue-in-cheek look at the extraterrestrial theory. It traces the origins of the theory from ancient 'fiery chariots' to the post-WWII era with the advent of the atom bomb and flying saucers. The 'Extraterrestrial Theory' posits that "We are being observed and studied by an advanced civilisation of an unknown origin". The article humorously describes 'Contact Cases' where individuals are unwillingly taken aboard spacecraft and given messages about impending mass landings. It satirizes the creation of contactee cults and the disillusionment that often follows. Gaffney also poses the question of whether governments and UFOs themselves might be involved in a cover-up, deliberately making evidence seem ridiculous to divert attention from the extraterrestrial theory.

Endnotes

The magazine's endnotes acknowledge that IUFON is a compromise, aiming to appeal to both dedicated ufologists and a wider audience. It reiterates the complexity of UFOs, cautioning against simplistic explanations. The magazine assures readers that its reports are carefully investigated and reliable. It advises critical reading of speculation about UFOs and states that ufology, like other subjects, offers no easy answers. Readers interested in investigating UFO sightings or learning more are encouraged to contact Owen McQuail or John Hind, with reports treated in strict confidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the complexity and multifaceted nature of UFO phenomena, the critical examination of evidence, and the questioning of simplistic explanations. The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed investigation and discouraging blind adherence to authority, whether scientific or sensationalist. The magazine promotes a scholarly approach to ufology, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and acknowledging the lack of easy answers in the field. There is a clear skepticism towards purely physicalistic interpretations of anomalous experiences, while also cautioning against purely mystical or unverified claims.