LDLN - No 041

Magazine Overview

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night), dated November 1961, is the 41st issue of its 4th year. It is a monthly review founded by R. Veillith, priced at 0.75 N.F. The magazine is dedicated to those seeking truth and new horizons, aiming to highlight precious truths and guide humanity. The cover features a spiritual message, "CHERCHEZ ET VOUS TROUVEREZ. Jésus." (Seek and you shall find. Jesus.).

LES TROIS LOIS FONDAMENTALES DE LA VIE HUMAINE (The Three Fundamental Laws of Human Life)

This article, drawing from Alexis Carrel's "Reflections on the Conduct of Life," outlines three core laws governing human existence: the law of conservation of life, the law of propagation of the race, and the law of the ascension of the spirit. The author argues that modern civilization is in direct contradiction with these vital laws, leading to widespread misfortune. The text criticizes the current societal focus on technology and materialism, which has enslaved rather than liberated humanity, trapping individuals in a monotonous daily routine. True progress, it is argued, should be aligned with man's eternal needs, not the whims of unbalanced minds. Carrel's observation that humanity has grasped only one aspect of reality, the fruit of knowledge without wisdom, is cited. The article suggests that if these laws were followed, human life expectancy could be significantly longer, implying a current state of 'folly' and vanity.

NOTRE CIVILISATION EST-ELLE VIABLE ? (Is Our Civilization Viable?) - Part 2

Written by Yves Dupont-Fournieux, this section continues an excerpt from his book "The Last Days of the Last Times." It critically examines human justice, using a New York case from 1952 where a man was acquitted of bigamy due to legal technicalities, despite having intended to be bigamous. The author contrasts human justice with divine justice, emphasizing the importance of intention over action. He argues that laws should not be rigid to the point of injustice, citing British judges as more sensible than French ones in their adherence to rules. An Anglo-Saxon press example is given of a father jailed for not sending his children to school, which the author deems unjust, stating that only cases of cruelty, madness, or alcoholism should warrant state intervention in child-rearing. The article posits that prison should be a rehabilitative tool, not merely a punishment, and that its duration should depend on the inmate's progress, not the severity of the crime.

It also criticizes the practice of imposing fines as an alternative to prison, viewing it as a sign that the system prioritizes punishment over societal protection. The author condemns practices like preventing farmers from selling directly to consumers or regulating shop hours, seeing them as infringements on individual liberty. Conversely, he points out that serious offenses by industrialists and businessmen, such as adulterating food or reducing crop production to maintain prices, go unpunished, while minor offenses like stealing a sandwich lead to imprisonment.

La publicité moderne, la presse (Modern Advertising, the Press)

This section identifies modern advertising and the press as significant ills of civilization. While acknowledging the utility of buying guides, it criticizes current advertising for being misleading, creating artificial demand, and mobilizing labor for non-essential products. Advertising is accused of appealing to base human appetites like vanity, greed, envy, and lust, often using sensual imagery of women. It is argued that advertising distorts values from childhood onwards, making people susceptible to superficial desires. The article claims that the real cost of beauty products is a fraction of their selling price, driven by vanity. The press is also criticized for sensationalism, lack of real information, and, in the case of children's "comics," for promoting immorality and crime. Dr. F. Wertham's research is cited, indicating that "comics" contribute to juvenile delinquency. Despite attempts to legislate against "comics," powerful interests have resisted, citing freedom of the press.

LA FAIM DU MONDE (World Hunger)

This article summarizes a conference by H. Tierce on the pressing issue of world hunger. It highlights that while humanity is becoming more interconnected, hunger is a growing global concern, with millions suffering from malnutrition and dying annually. The article attributes this to four main factors: demographic growth (an increase of over 800 million people since 1900, with 100,000 new births daily), driven by increased birth rates, decreased infant mortality, and longer life expectancy. Secondly, economic-political factors, including international tensions and the tendency for developing nations to prioritize military spending, hinder aid efforts. Thirdly, scientific factors, such as soil impoverishment and the destructive impact of nuclear explosions on nitrogen-fixing bacteria essential for agriculture, are identified. Finally, social factors are discussed, emphasizing that individual greed and a lack of sharing contribute to hunger, contrasting it with the Christian teaching that man lives not by bread alone but by God's word. The article concludes by stating that one hectare of fruits and vegetables can feed ten vegetarians, while eight hectares are needed for one carnivore, underscoring the inefficiency of meat consumption.

DE L'EDUCATION DES ENFANTS (On the Education of Children)

Authored by L. Bercou, this piece stresses the importance of educating children correctly, as they will shape the future. It echoes Krishnamurti's call for self-transformation and Teilhard de Chardin's vision of a new humanity. The article criticizes the tendency to cling to outdated social, political, and religious systems, urging individuals to learn to live with their ignorance and adapt to change. It warns against imposing rigid, potentially false rules on children, as their future world will differ significantly from the present. The author advocates for teaching children universal humanism, love, and fraternity, drawing inspiration from Jesus and other great sages. The piece criticizes religious and anti-religious groups for imposing their own beliefs on children, driven by vanity and a desire for exclusive possession and domination. It argues that true peace comes from understanding the causes of war, which stem from the belief in the superiority of one class or race over another. The article concludes that the problem lies not with the child but with parents and educators, who need to re-educate themselves to foster compassion and a sense of shared responsibility. It calls for raising children in a single, universal school, free from prejudices and borders, to make them true global citizens.

IO - EXTRAITS DE LA REVUE AMERICAINE "NICAP" RELATIFS AUX "MYSTERIEUX OBJETS CELESTES" (Excerpts from the American Review "NICAP" Relating to "Mysterious Celestial Objects")

This section presents excerpts from the American review "NICAP," directed by Major Keyhoe. Dr. Claude Tumbaugh, known for discovering Pluto and his research on natural satellites, reports seeing UFOs that do not resemble known phenomena, suggesting that other stars might host advanced civilizations capable of interstellar travel. Dr. J.J. Kalizkewsky, a scientist studying cosmic rays, observed two cigar-shaped UFOs near Minneapolis and recommended a 24-hour government alert. Captain Richard Case of American Airlines witnessed a UFO moving at high speed, three times faster than his aircraft. William Lear, a recipient of the "Cellier-Aviation" trophy and president of "Lear Inc.," is also mentioned in connection with UFO observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a spiritual and philosophical perspective, emphasizing universal truths and human potential. There is a strong critique of modern materialistic civilization, its institutions (justice, press, advertising), and its detrimental impact on human values and well-being. The publication advocates for a return to fundamental, natural laws and a focus on spiritual development and universal love. Education is presented as a critical tool for shaping a better future, emphasizing the need to instill global citizenship and compassion. The inclusion of UFO reports suggests an openness to exploring unexplained phenomena within this broader framework of seeking truth and understanding the universe. The editorial stance is critical of established systems and encourages individual introspection and a re-evaluation of societal priorities, advocating for a more humane and spiritually grounded existence.

This issue, identified as "II" and dated 1961, is published by R. Veillith in France. The cover headline prominently features the question "PI EST-IL UN NOMBRE VARIABLE?" (Is PI a Variable Number?), authored by René LEBEC. The magazine also includes an article titled "LA VIVISECTION ET SES DERIVES" (Vivisection and Its Derivatives) by STEPHEN MAC SAY. The publication details are listed as Volume 12, with an annual subscription price of 8 NF for ordinary subscribers and 12 NF for supporting subscribers. Correspondence and payments are to be addressed to M. R. VEILLITH at "Les Pins", Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire), with CCP LYON 27-24-26. The issue was printed in the 4th quarter of 1961.

UFO Sightings and Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The magazine presents several accounts of UFO sightings, primarily from pilots and aviation professionals. Capt. Raymond RYAN of American-Airlines reported a UFO pursuit between Albany and Syracuse, stating it was "absolutely real" and that there was "something fantastic up there." Capt. James HOWARD, a British transatlantic pilot, witnessed a large UFO accompanied by six smaller craft, describing it as "a sort of spaceship from another world." Capt. W.B. NASH of Pan-American-Airways and his co-pilot saw a formation of six disk-shaped objects maneuvering near Norfolk, Virginia, which he believed were "intelligently controlled Space machines." Flight Lieutenant J.R. SALANDIN of the British R.A.F. reported a near-collision with a disk-shaped UFO in his "Meteor" aircraft, describing its main body as appearing metallic and traveling at "terrible speed."

Other notable figures also shared their perspectives. Herman OBERTH, a rocket designer, suggested that flying saucers come from "another world, beyond the solar system." Frank HALSTAED from the Darling Observatory in Minnesota expressed conviction that many professional astronomers believe saucers are interplanetary craft, possibly using Mars as a base. Albert CHOP, a retired Air Force press officer, stated with certainty, "We are being watched by beings from Space." Dr. Harlow SHARPLEY, former Director of Harvard Observatory, acknowledged the inevitability of "other worlds with a certain kind of thinking beings." Dr. Harold C. UPEY, a member of "L'International Mars Comity," found it "absolutely probable" that "other lives in the Universe" exist and are more intelligent than humans. Rear Admiral DELMER S. FAHRNEY, USN retired, known as the "father of guided missiles," noted that "trustworthy reports indicate objects entering our atmosphere at very high speed" and that their directed movements suggest intelligence, emphasizing the urgent need to investigate such unidentified objects.

Mathematical Exploration: Is Pi a Variable Number?

René LEBEC's article "PI EST-IL UN NOMBRE VARIABLE?" delves into the nature of mathematical constants, particularly Pi (π) and Phi (φ), the golden ratio. The author notes that Pi has been calculated to 707 decimal places, but questions the significance of such precision. He explains the series expansions used to calculate Pi (1/1 - 1/3 + 1/5...) and e (sum of inverse factorials).

The article then introduces Phi, the limit of the Fibonacci sequence, defined by the relation φ² = φ + 1 and 1/φ = φ - 1. It highlights Phi's role in architecture and nature, such as the arrangement of leaves on plants. The author suggests that the Great Pyramid of Egypt is a monument to the golden ratio. LEBEC posits that there might be a relationship between Pi and Phi, referencing a suspicion by DON NEROMAN.

LEBEC proposes a problem: for any number A, there exists a number x such that A/x = x/(A-x), with A-x < x. This leads to the definition of Phi when A = φ. When A = π, the equation π/x = x/(π-x) yields x close to 1.2, and a value for π (π') of approximately 3.141640786520928108428. This value, π', is derived from the relation π = 6/5 φ², which differs from the traditional value of Pi by about 48 millionths. LEBEC suggests that this derived value might be the true value of Pi or its upper limit, dependent on the nature of space and the figure it applies to.

The article further explores mathematical relationships, including the equation (x + 1)x = x² + x, and how certain numbers, when squared and added to unity, yield the same digits in the same order. It also touches upon the geometric problem of circle rectification and semi-circle rectangularity.

The Cruelty and Dangers of Vivisection

STEPHEN MAC SAY's article "LA VIVISECTION ET SES DERIVES" presents a scathing critique of vivisection, citing excerpts from a document provided by the "Ligue Française contre la Vivisection." The author argues that vivisection has infiltrated medical and veterinary education, where professors allegedly torture living creatures. The article condemns the teaching of these "horrors" in textbooks and their detrimental effect on young people's sensitivities, quoting Dr. BIGELOW of Harvard University who observed that students are captivated by the "blood and suffering" rather than science.

MAC SAY describes the "infernal camps" and "extermination chambers" in laboratories, where animals are subjected to extreme suffering using hunger, thirst, corrosives, poisons, viruses, and "small fire" burners. The article criticizes the lack of legal sanctions against those who perform these "refined" procedures, noting that they receive consideration and admiration for their "saving" dexterity. Professor DOYEN is quoted as stating, "Vivisection remains an odious cruelty, since it results in no progress for science."

The author laments that despite the use of "miracle drugs," diseases like tuberculosis, syphilis, cancer, rheumatism, and heart conditions are rampant, and humanity is diminished by degeneration and chemical saturation. The article concludes that millions of animals are sacrificed annually for "supposedly preventive measures" and a false sense of "assurance."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to maintain a stance that is open to unconventional ideas, particularly concerning UFOs and potential extraterrestrial life, as evidenced by the prominent placement of pilot testimonies and expert opinions. The mathematical article suggests a willingness to question established scientific constants and explore alternative theories. The strong condemnation of vivisection indicates a clear ethical position against animal cruelty and a critical view of certain scientific practices. The publication seems to cater to an audience interested in mysteries, scientific inquiry, and social/ethical issues.

An announcement is made that the continuation of the article "LES CYCLES ET LA SUCCESSION DES CIVILI- SATION" by Yves DUPONT-FOURNIEUX will be published in the December issue.