Klipprunden - 1988 09 11

Magazine Overview

This issue of HUMANIST, volume 14, number 4, from 1988, is titled 'BLØFF OM UFO'er' (Hoax about UFOs) and is published by HUMAN-ETISK FORBUND. The magazine takes a critical and skeptical stance towards UFO phenomena, advocating for scientific investigation and debunking pseudoscientific claims.

Editorial Content

The issue begins with a 'Klipprunde' (clip round) from O-G, dated September 11, 1988, reflecting on the past year and upcoming events. It mentions a large contribution of articles about UFOs from Hans AAss, with plans for a special issue. The upcoming National Meeting (Landsmøtet) is announced for October 8th in Oslo, with registration details provided. Financial updates on support contributions are given, and a letter from Ramin Golbang, who has traveled in Germany and Switzerland, is mentioned, with a suggestion for him to write a report on an international meditation school.

Per Ottesen is mentioned in relation to Vidya, an organization that has invited him to give a lecture on Nikola Tesla. The last committee meeting on July 17, 1988, is summarized, noting a 'dismal atmosphere' due to the workload of the few active members. There's a discussion about potentially putting the organization on hold or reducing the frequency of the magazine to once a year, highlighting the difficulty in finding dedicated volunteers. Members willing to pay a reduced fee will receive bulletins.

The editor notes that the current 'klippbunken' (clip collection) is sparse but includes an article from 'klagemuren i Kattem' (the wall of lament in Kattem) about a person causing trouble, posing a dilemma about whether to respond and risk a media war or let it go unanswered.

Featured Articles and Reports

'Mannen som avslører ethvert "mirakel"' (The Man Who Exposes Every "Miracle")
This section announces a public meeting in Oslo on September 21st featuring James Randi, described as the world's foremost expert on humbug. Randi, a former magician, dedicates his time to investigating paranormal claims and has offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who can demonstrate a phenomenon he cannot replicate with tricks. Uri Geller reportedly avoids him, and New Age followers consider him an arch-enemy. Randi is visiting Norway on behalf of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), with which NIVFO is affiliated. The event is supported by Human-Etisk Forbund.

'BLØFF OM UFO'er' (Hoax about UFOs) by K. Stenødegaard
This article critically examines UFO phenomena, quoting science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke who described the subject as burdened with 'bluff, hysteria, religious mania, incompetence, and most other unsympathetic human qualities.' Philip Klass is quoted from his book 'UFOs - the Public Deceived,' criticizing the gullibility of ufologists and the media. The article references the 40th anniversary of the UFO phenomenon, starting with Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting, and suggests that much of the 'UFO problem' might have been amplified by media attention. It highlights that many UFO reports can be explained conventionally, with experienced investigators achieving over 99% clarification rates.

The Hessdalen Phenomenon
The article details the investigation into the lights observed in Hessdalen, Norway. NIVFO, in collaboration with the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, conducted extensive research, concluding that the phenomena were likely atmospheric, such as atmospheric plasma and temperature inversions, rather than UFOs. The findings are documented in the 'Hessdalen Report.' The article criticizes the Norwegian and Swedish UFO movements for their occult leanings and pseudoscientific approach, contrasting them with more objective organizations like SUFOI in Denmark. It argues that UFO proponents often manipulate information to support their claims, even when scientific explanations are available.

'DOMMEDAG VIL KOMME I 1998' (Doomsday Will Come in 1998) by Ashild Loftås
This article profiles Arnold Lockertsen, a UFO researcher and enthusiast of prophecy and world history. Lockertsen believes that a major natural catastrophe will occur in 1998, affecting the southern parts of Scandinavia and Northern Europe due to the movement of chalk layers beneath the earth, exacerbated by water infiltration. He also predicts a war between China and the Soviet Union in the 1990s, initiated by China.

'UFO - eller gåtefull flaggermus' (UFO - or enigmatic bat) by Gudmund Olsen
This report recounts a sighting by two men, Olsen (the author) and Sveinung Moganes, in Grungedal, Norway, in November 1988. They observed a large, dark green, hovering object with lights and electrical discharges, which they describe as 'ghostly' and 'oriental.' The object emitted small yellow-green spheres before disappearing. The author notes that such phenomena are often explained away as meteorological events or, humorously, as overgrown bats.

'DE SIKTER MOT STJERNENE' (They Aim for the Stars)
This section features the astronomy club 'Deep Sky Exploration' (DSE), founded in 1978. Rune Solberg, the club's leader and editor of its publication 'Astro Rapport,' discusses the club's activities, including building observatories, conducting observational trips to places like Tenerife and La Palma, and their aspirations for a future observatory in 'Syden' (Southern Europe). DSE has undertaken projects like researching UFO waves and studying planetary systems. They also have plans for future expeditions to observe celestial events and visit astronomical centers worldwide. The article highlights DSE's commitment to amateur astronomy and their advanced projects.

Reports on UFO Sightings
Several smaller reports detail alleged UFO sightings across Norway:

• Mystisk lys over Vartdal (Mysterious light over Vartdal) (Sunnmørsposten, July 26, 1988): Several people observed a strange, intensely yellow light over Vartdal.
• Lysende gjenstand sett over Snertingdal (Luminous object seen over Snertingdal) (Arbeiderbladet, July 29, 1988): Ole Helge Lund reported seeing a luminous, flame-like object with wings flying at high speed.
• UFO i Stordal? (UFO in Stordal?) (Sunnmørsposten, August 12, 1988): A 14-year-old girl reported seeing a bright, hovering light that moved slowly and then rapidly ascended.
• UFO over Sandhornøy lørdag? (UFO over Sandhornøy Saturday?) (Nordlandsposten, August 16, 1988): A luminous object was observed over Sandhornøy, with no flight activity reported at the time.
• Lysende gjenstand (Luminous object) (Nordlandsposten, August 17, 1988): A woman reported seeing a luminous object that appeared to be a plane but suddenly stopped glowing and disappeared.
• UFO over Moland (Agderposten, August 19, 1988): An unexplained luminous orange object was observed moving southeast over Moland.

UFO-NORGE Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes from a committee meeting on July 17, 1988, held at Hans Kr. Moe's residence, reveal a somber mood due to low activity and overworked members. They discuss incoming mail, including payments for the magazine and project Hessdalen. The upcoming National Meeting in Oslo is mentioned, with a call for participants to register. A significant point of discussion is the future of UFO-NORGE, with options including bringing in new leadership or putting the organization and its magazine on semi-hiatus due to the members' daily work commitments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards UFO phenomena, the promotion of scientific investigation, and the critique of pseudoscientific claims and organizations. The editorial stance is clearly against the uncritical acceptance of UFO reports, favoring rational explanations and highlighting the work of skeptics like James Randi and scientific bodies like NIVFO. There is a strong emphasis on critical thinking, source criticism, and the dangers of misinformation, particularly when disguised as science. The magazine also touches upon broader humanist values and interests, such as astronomy and the critique of religious or occult beliefs.

Title: UFO Norge
Issue Date: September 7, 1988
Publisher: UFO Norge
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO Norge focuses on recent UFO sightings reported in Norway. The cover prominently features the headline "UFO på Glåmos" and a graphic of a flying saucer.

Article: Så UFO (Saw UFO)

This section reports on a sighting from a reader in "Sentrum" (city center). The reader has observed a UFO in the sky for several consecutive nights. The object is described as being larger than a star and moving faster than the moon. The reader has seen the luminous object for three to four nights. The article also mentions that similar sightings have occurred in Glåmos, where the object can be observed in clear weather between one and two o'clock in the morning.

Article: UFO på Glåmos

This article details a sighting by Ole Bekkos from Glåmos, reported in "Adresseavisen." On the night before Wednesday (presumably September 7th or 6th, 1988, given the issue date), Bekkos observed a relatively large, luminous object in the sky over Glåmos. The object was described as yellowish and emitted a strong light that reflected in the water. Bekkos noted that the object moved in a southerly direction, but not so fast that he couldn't observe its movement over a period of time. He immediately recognized it was not a star due to its size and the stable, yellow light it emitted. Bekkos stated it was a coincidence that he noticed the phenomenon, as he had to go out around 2 AM. It was a moonlit night. He woke his wife, who also witnessed the phenomenon.

The article includes contact information for Norske Argus A-S, a clipping service, with addresses in Oslo and branches in various Norwegian locations, indicating the source of the clippings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the reporting of recent, credible UFO sightings by ordinary citizens. The magazine appears to present these accounts factually, without overt skepticism, aiming to document and share such phenomena within Norway. The editorial stance seems to be one of documenting unexplained aerial phenomena and providing a platform for witnesses to share their experiences.