LDLN - No 193

Magazine Overview

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night), issue number 193 from March 1980, is dedicated to "MYSTERIEUX OBJETS CELESTES ET PROBLEMES CONNEXES" (Mysterious Celestial Objects and Related Problems). The magazine, in its 23rd year of publication, is presented as a monthly review of 36 pages, with a combined issue for June-July and August-September, totaling 10 issues per year. The publication is founded by R. VEILLITH and is associated with the "GROUPEMENT INTERNATIONAL DE RECHERCHES" (International Research Group).

Editorial Stance and Content Philosophy

The editorial stance emphasizes that the publication of documents does not imply endorsement of their content. Each document is published because it is deemed worthy of interest and potentially leads towards the truth, which is the ultimate goal. Authors' contributions are published under their own responsibility. The magazine also notes that its articles, photos, and drawings are protected by copyright law.

Main Article: "Vagues d'OVNI et inquiétudes..." (UFO Waves and Anxiety...)

The central article, authored by Nicolas Greslou, a graduate of History from the University of Grenoble, critically examines the theory proposed by Pierre VIEROUDY. Vieroudy's hypothesis, previously discussed in issues 154 and 163 and elaborated in his book "Ces ovni qui annoncent le surhomme," suggests that UFO waves are manifestations of an unknown human faculty, appearing during periods of population anxiety or distress, and correlating with economic crises.

Greslou systematically deconstructs Vieroudy's arguments, highlighting several key criticisms:

1. Poorly Chosen Criteria: Vieroudy's choice of economic indicators is questioned. For instance, he dismisses suicide rates as a criterion, yet fails to consider war as a cause of anxiety. He also dismisses industrial production and peace indices, focusing instead on state bond yields and stock market indices, which Greslou argues are not representative of the general population's concerns.
2. Contradictory Data: Greslou points out that Vieroudy's own data often contradicts his conclusions. For example, economic downturns in certain periods (e.g., 1892, 1914, 1929) did not coincide with UFO waves, while periods of economic growth (e.g., 1947, 1952) did. The author also notes that Vieroudy selectively uses data, such as focusing on Scandinavian UFO waves while ignoring others.
3. Selective Historical Analysis: The article meticulously analyzes historical periods (1800-1900, 1900-1940, 1940-1974), demonstrating how Vieroudy's correlations are often forced or inaccurate. For instance, the 1883 and 1897 waves are argued to have occurred during periods of economic recovery or mixed economic signals, not solely crisis.
4. Questionable 'Triggers': Vieroudy's hypothesis that specific media events trigger UFO waves (psychological triggers) is also challenged. Greslou cites the case of the 1973-1974 French UFO wave, where a media event did not immediately correlate with the peak of sightings, and a subsequent analysis by J.C. Bourret found no significant increase in reports due to media publicity.
5. Inconsistent Methodology: The author highlights Vieroudy's admission that his economic statistics stop in 1960, and his subsequent reliance on different criteria for later periods. The exclusion of significant economic events like the 1973 oil crisis is also noted.

Greslou concludes that Vieroudy's demonstration is selective, incomplete, subjective, and historically flawed, rendering the theory "NULLE" (null).

Case Study: "Rencontre rapprochée du 3è type à Mindalore (Afrique du Sud)" (Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind in Mindalore (South Africa))

This section details a reported encounter by Meagan and André Quezet in Mindalore, South Africa, on the night of January 3-4, 1979. The account, investigated by Cynthia Hind, describes a luminous, pink, egg-shaped object with retractable, spider-like legs landing on a road. Six humanoid figures emerged from the craft. Meagan Quezet described the beings as speaking English, with one having a beard and dark skin, and another having a high-pitched voice. The encounter involved a brief interaction where the beings seemed to invite Meagan into the craft, but she refused due to her children. The object then ascended and disappeared.

The case is further explored through a hypnosis session with Meagan Quezet, conducted by psychiatrist Dr. Bernard Levinson. During the session, Meagan described the craft, the beings, and a sense of being invited to join them. Dr. Levinson's assessment suggests the account might be a product of "hysterical fantasy" influenced by films like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." However, Cynthia Hind offers a counter-perspective, noting discrepancies in the hypnosis session compared to Meagan's initial account and suggesting that Dr. Levinson's questions were not probing enough. Hind also mentions that Meagan experienced a menstrual cycle shift following the event, which she considered an anomaly.

Other Content

• Table of Contents: Lists articles on various UFO sightings and investigations across different locations (Spain, Italy, France) and topics like hypnosis.
• Subscription Information: Details on annual subscriptions, international rates, and payment methods.
• Reader Correspondence: A section for letters from readers, emphasizing conciseness and the need for self-addressed stamped envelopes.
• References: A list of cited historical and economic sources used in the main article.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, often linking them to broader societal issues like anxiety, economic conditions, and psychological factors. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, encouraging detailed analysis and constructive argumentation. The publication aims to present diverse documents and perspectives, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions while guiding them towards the pursuit of truth. There's a clear emphasis on rigorous investigation and challenging unproven theories, as demonstrated by the detailed critique of Vieroudy's work and the nuanced presentation of the Mindalore case.

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night), dated the first quarter of 1980, is a French publication focusing on ufology and paranormal phenomena. It features a selection of books related to these topics, investigative reports on UFO sightings and humanoid encounters, and theoretical discussions on the nature of these phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Sightings and Humanoid Encounters

The magazine presents several detailed accounts of alleged UFO sightings and close encounters:

• Italy: 7 Men Frightened and 1 Humanoid: This report details an encounter near Sturno, Italy, on August 31, 1977. Seven witnesses reported seeing a bright, metallic-clad humanoid near a quarry. The entity was described as having silver-colored clothing and glowing orange-red eyes. The witnesses heard a modulated sound and observed the entity making gestures. The event was investigated by local authorities, including hypnosis sessions with some witnesses.

• A UFO Approaches a Moving Car Near Madrid (Spain): Antonio Velasco reported an incident in April 1977 where he saw a triangular object with white and amber lights approaching his car. The object passed overhead at a low altitude, was silent, and then seemed to follow his car before making a sharp turn and disappearing. Velasco noted the object was smaller than a Boeing and smooth.

• Triple Investigation at Bois-Arnault (Eure, France): This section details three separate observations on the night of April 25, 1975:
• First Observation: Monsieur Dumont reported seeing a luminous white-blue ball moving slowly over rooftops. The observation lasted several minutes.
• Second Observation: The F. family (Madame F. and her two daughters) reported seeing a red-orange, plate-shaped object that hovered and then disappeared. They described it as dazzling and slightly oval.
• Third Observation: Madame Lecouturier and her children reported seeing a luminous white semi-sphere on their bedroom wall. The phenomenon lasted about five minutes and illuminated the wall before vanishing.

• On the Road from Pont-Scorff to Cleguer (Morbihan, France): A witness, Mr. Remot François, reported seeing an orange sphere with a blue interior on the night of February 1979. The object moved rapidly, pulsing and changing color before disappearing.

• Other Recent Sightings: The magazine includes a section compiling recent UFO reports from various locations in France and Spain, including Rouville, St-Pol-de-Léon, Bois d'Arcy, Bourgneuf en Retz, Provins, Villiers en Bière, Chiclana, and Le Croisic. These reports describe various objects, including luminous balls, spheres, and cigar-shaped craft, with descriptions of their movements, lights, and occasional effects like radar failures.

Investigations and Analysis

• Technical and Physico-Chemical Examination: An engineer, Carmine Cangero, analyzed soil samples from a landing trace in Italy, suggesting a pressure of at least 40 tons was applied. Chemical analysis of samples revealed traces of metallic substances.

• Witness Interrogations Under Hypnosis: Several witnesses from the Italian case were interrogated under hypnosis by Dr. Mario D'Antuono and psychiatrist Antonio Prevete. Both doctors concluded that it was not possible to invent such detailed stories under hypnosis, lending credibility to the witnesses' accounts.

• The Nature of Humanoids: An article discusses the question of whether humanoids are robots or living beings, noting their ability to move without bending their knees, which is unnatural for humans.

• Paraphysical Intelligence: Julien Kaneko argues that UFO phenomena and other paranormal events are not extraterrestrial but manifestations of a 'Paraphysical Intelligence' that exists on a higher plane of existence. This intelligence, he suggests, manipulates human perception by appearing in various forms, including religious apparitions and mythical creatures.

Book Selections

The magazine features an extensive list of recommended books on ufology and related subjects. Titles include works by Jacques Vallee, Henry Durrant, Jacques Lob, Robert Gigi, J.C. Bourret, J. Allen Hynek, and others. These books cover topics such as the nature of consciousness, UFO investigations, humanoid encounters, and the scientific study of paranormal phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diversity of UFO shapes and behaviors, the credibility of witness testimony, and the ongoing debate about the origin and nature of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation and scientific analysis, while also exploring more speculative theories, such as the paraphysical origin of UFOs. The magazine encourages reader participation in its research network and archives.