Magonia - No 12 - 1983

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA 12, published in 1983, marks the magazine's fifteenth anniversary. The cover features a photograph of three men, identified as "Compo" Simonite, "Foggy" Dewhurst, and Norman Clegg, described as "chief protagonists of the wonderful BBC TV series 'Last of the Summer Wine'." The cover headline celebrates "1968-83: The editors of Magonia, older and wiser, contemplate fifteen years of publication."

Editorial

The editorial, written by John Rimmer, reflects on Magonia's fifteen years of publication. Rimmer humorously suggests that UFO magazines, like cats, should have their ages multiplied to reflect human terms. He notes that Magonia is now one of the three oldest UFO journals in continuous publication in Britain, which he finds alarming as it risks becoming part of the "UFO Establishment" and becoming respectable. He contrasts this with the image of the three men on the cover, suggesting they embody a spirit of mischief that will keep them from being respectable. Rimmer invites readers to voice their opinions if they feel the magazine is becoming pompous.

Confessions of a Fortean Sceptic

Jerome Clark recounts his personal journey from belief to skepticism regarding Fortean phenomena. He details his early fascination with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book on the Cottingley Fairies and his later research into fairy beliefs. Clark describes how he was initially swayed by the lack of definitive debunking and the testimony of photographic experts, even considering the Cottingley fairy photographs as "thoughtographs." However, after rereading Doyle's book and encountering the work of others, he realized the pictures were "clumsy and absurd fakes." He criticizes his own past credulity and emphasizes the importance of common sense, noting that debunkers can be wrong without proponents being right. He also advises against getting emotionally involved with beliefs and highlights the need for critical thinking, even towards friends and colleagues.

Clark outlines five points for returning to earth:
1. Don't assume experts are always fools, but be cautious when they speak outside their expertise.
2. Don't believe every story, even from credible sources, as some individuals may be "spinners of yarns."
3. Don't get emotionally involved with favorite beliefs.
4. Don't hesitate to criticize, distinguishing between genuine skeptics and deniers.
5. Don't assume all mysteries have extraordinary solutions.

A Cause for Concern

John Rimmer writes about a perceived shift in the direction of Flying Saucer Review (FSR) under its new editor, Gordon Creighton. Rimmer expresses concern that FSR is becoming more international but sacrificing objectivity, citing weak British reports and a preoccupation with conspiracy theories. He criticizes FSR's tendency to couch straightforward statements in cloak-and-dagger terms and its focus on unsubstantiated UFO crash-retrieval stories and alleged government cover-ups. Rimmer specifically challenges Creighton's suggestion that there is an "immense drive" to stifle civilian UFO research, arguing that the evidence is lacking and that perceived cuts in UFO books in libraries are more likely due to general budget reductions than a conspiracy. He calls for Gordon Creighton to present his conclusions with evidence rather than hiding behind obfuscation.

Letters

"Earthlights" Debate: Paul Devereux responds to John Harney's review of his book "Earth Lights." Devereux defends his work, arguing that it provides a comprehensive roundup of UFO theories, clarifies the distinction between the core UFO phenomenon and the "shadow" UFO enigma, and suggests a tectonic origin for UFOs. He criticizes Harney's review as jaded and dismissive, accusing him of failing to engage with the book's core arguments and evidence, particularly regarding UFO/tectonic correlations and the potential for UFO entities to be formed from "UFO material" influenced by human consciousness. Devereux also defends his collaborator, Paul McCartney, a trained geologist and chemist, and asserts that UFOs are currently "beyond science," offering potential for new understanding.

Birth Trauma Hypothesis: A letter discusses Dr. Alvin Lawson's "birth-trauma" hypothesis for the origin of imagery in UFO abduction experiences. The writer acknowledges Lawson's hypothesis but questions its conclusions, suggesting that the connection to birth trauma might be premature. The writer also references Joseph Chilton Pierce's book "The Magical Child" and the "Continuum Concept" people, who suggest that babies are biologically programmed for birth and may not experience it as a traumatic event. The writer notes that Lawson has pointed out similarities in imagery used by those recalling birth trauma and abductees, and suggests that testing this hypothesis with individuals born via Caesarean section could provide further insight.

John Harney's Review: The writer of the letter about "Earth Lights" also comments on John Harney's review of "Photographs of the Unknown," specifically regarding a ball-lightning photo. The writer notes that Frank Lane, from whom the photo was obtained, could not guarantee it was ball lightning and that it might be a camera artifact. The writer mentions that a new book by James Barry on ball lightning prints a deteriorated version of the photo and cites research identifying it as a camera artifact.

Notes & Quotes

This section reports on a UFO conference in Boulogne, France, highlighting the quality of the food and the "new generation" of French ufologists who approach the phenomenon from psychological and sociological perspectives. The report notes that these researchers do not necessarily dismiss the extraterrestrial hypothesis but find it unnecessary for explaining the phenomenon. The section also commends the French contributors for exposing hoaxes and shoddy reporting without accusations of cynicism. The report contrasts the perceived maturity of French ufology with the "troubled adolescence" of ufology in Britain and the USA, and announces that Magonia will feature work from French researchers through Thierry Pinvidic, who will act as a "French Editor."

It also mentions the progress of the ASSAP library at Purley, which has received donations, including a large portion of the Magonia archives. The library aims to collect ephemeral periodicals related to ufology and the paranormal. The section appeals for donations of books and for volunteers to serve as Librarian.

Books

Living Wonders: Mysteries and Curiosities of the Animal World by John Michell and Robert J. M. Rickard (1982): This book is described as a tour of the bizarre aspects of the animal kingdom, covering strange creatures, unusual animal appearances, and smart animals. The review notes that the book explores how things once taken for granted may become mysteries again, and that the authors' illustrations are a "treasure house."

The Vanishing Hitch-hiker: American Urban Legends and their Meanings by Jan Harold Brunvand (1981): This is described as an "amusing and erudite survey" of urban legends, including phantom hitch-hikers and other tales. The reviewer notes that Brunvand sees many of these stories as moralistic.

Beyond the Body: An Investigation of Out-of-the-Body Experiences by Susan J. Blackmore (1982): This book is praised as a valuable study of out-of-the-body experiences, offering a sympathetic but critical approach. Blackmore is noted for disposing of naive "etheric nuts and bolts" theories and proposing a psychological theory that views OBEs as altered states of consciousness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong emphasis on critical thinking and skepticism within the field of ufology. The editorial itself expresses a concern about the potential for Magonia to become too established and respectable, indicating a desire to maintain a critical and perhaps even mischievous stance. The articles by Jerome Clark and John Rimmer directly advocate for a more rigorous and evidence-based approach, urging readers to question assumptions, avoid emotional involvement, and critically examine claims, including those from within the ufology community itself. The review of Flying Saucer Review highlights a concern about the rise of conspiracy theories and a decline in objectivity. The "Letters" section showcases ongoing debates within the field, particularly concerning the "Earth Lights" theory and the interpretation of UFO phenomena, demonstrating a commitment to intellectual engagement and debate. The magazine's stance appears to be one of promoting serious, critical inquiry rather than uncritical acceptance of any particular theory.

This document is a page from "MAGONIA" Magazine, issue number 20, volume B. It contains reviews of two books and a brief discussion on the nature of Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs) and their potential connection to UFO experiences.

Book Reviews

'Mind over Matter: A Scientist's View of the Paranormal' by Kit Pedler

The review describes Kit Pedler's book as a "typical oversimplified coffee-table book." The author is characterized as uncritical, attempting to connect Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP) with "new physics" by arguing from authority and quoting various physicists, sometimes out of context. The reviewer notes the inclusion of "old chestnuts" like quotes from Jeans and Eddington, and the claim that "wicked scientists" refused to believe in meteorites. Despite the reviewer's strong reservations, they also quote another opinion stating, "I believe that this book is absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in these subjects."

The review also touches upon the nature of OBEs, suggesting that everything perceived during an OBE is a product of memory and imagination, which is experienced more vividly than in everyday life. The similarity between OBEs and "false awakenings" is highlighted, with the idea that the vivid imagery in OBEs could be a clue to the basis of many UFO experiences and apparitions.

'Best Evidence: Disguise and Deception in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy' by David S. Lifton

This book is described as "a tower of conspiratorial hypotheses built on one self-evidently false premise." The premise is that the doctors who treated John F. Kennedy at Parkland Hospital and performed the autopsy at Bethesda Hospital were calm and collected enough to make accurate observations. Lifton argues that discrepancies in various accounts must therefore be evidence of tampering with the body.

The reviewer strongly refutes this, stating that it is absurd. They explain that those who remember the event recall the "terrible shock and grief," and that examinations were conducted by people "in the extremities of grief, shock anxiety and fear, numbed by what had happened." Consequently, their recollections were confused, and these vague impressions solidified over the years. The reviewer concludes that the real value of Lifton's book is to demonstrate "that eyewitness testimony of events at times of great stress is extremely unreliable."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to engage with paranormal phenomena, including OBEs and UFO experiences, from a critical but open perspective. The review of Pedler's book, while critical of its execution, acknowledges its relevance to those interested in the paranormal. The review of Lifton's book uses the subject matter (JFK assassination conspiracy) to make a broader point about the unreliability of eyewitness testimony under duress, a common theme in investigations of anomalous events. The editorial stance seems to favor critical analysis and a grounded approach, questioning unsubstantiated claims while acknowledging the potential for unusual experiences and the psychological factors influencing perception and memory.