Magonia - No 35 - 1990 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Magonia
Issue: Number 35
Date: January 1990
Character: A journal devoted to a broad examination of anomalous phenomena and their interaction with society and the individual, published independently.

LÈSE MAJESTIC

This section reports on significant divisions within the contemporary UFOlogy community, particularly concerning abduction research. It highlights a major conflict between abduction researchers Bud Hopkins and Rima Laibow. Laibow, a professional psychologist specializing in child psychology, has questioned the competence and ethics of Hopkins's therapy and counseling of abductees. She points to a higher incidence of child abuse reported among abductees and stresses the importance of competent investigators in this sensitive area, warning against insensitive questioning by amateur psychologists.

ENTIRELY UNPREDISPOSED by Martin Kottmeyer

This article critically examines the claim that the imagery of UFO phenomena, particularly abduction reports, emerged in 1947 without cultural antecedents. Martin Kottmeyer challenges assertions by researchers like David Jacobs and Budd Hopkins, who argue that abduction reports bear no similarity to traditional sci-fi beings and that the 'interrupted journey' of Betty and Barney Hill had no cultural sources. Kottmeyer argues that the 'flying saucer' image itself originated from a journalistic error, and that many elements of abduction narratives, including alien characteristics and plot structures, can be traced back to popular culture and science fiction.

The Origin of the Flying Saucer Image

Kottmeyer details how the term 'flying saucers' arose from a misinterpretation of Kenneth Arnold's description of his sighting. The public, influenced by this erroneous description and subsequent media coverage, began reporting objects that matched the 'saucer' shape, regardless of Arnold's original intent. This journalistic error, Kottmeyer argues, points to a cultural origin for the phenomenon, creating a paradox for those who believe in extraterrestrial origins, as it implies aliens would redesign their craft to conform to human misconceptions.

Alien Characteristics and Science Fiction Tropes

Kottmeyer scrutinizes Budd Hopkins's claims that abduction entities are unlike traditional sci-fi aliens. He contrasts Hopkins's descriptions with figures from science fiction films like 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and H.G. Wells's 'War of the Worlds.' Kottmeyer contends that Wells's aliens, with their advanced intellects and survival needs, bear more resemblance to Hopkins's abductees' descriptions than Hopkins admits. He argues that many alien traits described in abduction reports, such as physical appearance, motivations, and even the 'mindlessly devouring' aspect (which he reframes as survival), are common tropes in science fiction.

Narrative Structure and Cultural Influence

The article discusses Thomas Bullard's research on the structural order of abduction events, identifying eight common stages. Kottmeyer suggests that this structure, while seemingly indicative of real experiences to some, might be a reflection of subconscious exposure to drama and storytelling conventions. He uses the example of a 1930s Buck Rogers comic strip, 'Tiger Men of Mars,' to illustrate how narrative elements similar to abduction sequences existed long before the modern UFO era, further supporting the idea of cultural influence.

The Betty and Barney Hill Case and its Influences

Kottmeyer revisits the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case, a pivotal event in UFO lore. He addresses Bullard's assertion that the Hills were 'entirely unpredisposed.' However, Kottmeyer points out that Betty Hill had read Donald Keyhoe's 'The Flying Saucer Conspiracy,' which contained numerous UFO reports, some with elements that could have influenced her account. He also highlights the similarities between elements of the Hills' experience (like the needle-in-the-navel motif and the star map) and imagery from the 1954 film 'Invaders from Mars,' suggesting a strong cultural imprint on their reported memories.

The 'Needle-in-the-Navel' Motif

Kottmeyer traces the 'needle-in-the-navel' motif back to imagery in the film 'Invaders from Mars,' where a character is subjected to a procedure involving a needle aimed at the navel. He notes that while amniocentesis existed as a medical procedure, its depiction in the film aligns with the abduction narrative. He also discusses the star map scene in 'Invaders from Mars' and its potential connection to Betty Hill's account, suggesting that dreams and memories can distort and condense cultural influences.

Conclusion on Cultural Predisposition

Kottmeyer concludes that culture significantly predisposes individuals to have UFO experiences. He posits that 'ufonauts' may represent non-human aspects of ourselves and society, such as 'little grey men' or bureaucrats, rather than literal extraterrestrials. He suggests that the power of these narratives lies in their articulation of universal human concerns, adapted to contemporary cultural language. The article ends with a reflection on the changing cultural landscape and the potential obsolescence of ufology in the future.

READERS' LETTERS

This section features letters from Ken Webster, Hilary Evans, Christopher Allan, and Martin Kottmeyer, offering diverse perspectives and contributions to the ongoing discussions within the UFO community.

NORTHERN ECHOES BOOK REVIEWS

This section provides reviews of books related to UFO phenomena and anomalous experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the cultural origins of UFO phenomena, particularly abduction narratives, and the critical examination of claims of novelty and extraterrestrial origins. The magazine's stance appears to be one of rigorous inquiry, emphasizing the role of cultural influences, media, and psychological factors in shaping UFO experiences. It challenges established narratives within ufology by seeking historical and cultural precedents for reported phenomena, suggesting that many aspects of the UFO experience may be understood as reflections of human psychology and societal constructs rather than direct encounters with extraterrestrial intelligence.

This issue of "READERS' LETTERS" focuses on correspondence and critical reviews within the UFO community, featuring a diverse range of opinions and debates on key topics such as the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH), abduction phenomena, earthlights, and the role of psychology in interpreting anomalous experiences. The content reflects a period of intense discussion and skepticism surrounding established theories and research methodologies in ufology.

Letters and Critiques

Ken Webster addresses a review of his book "Vertical Flame," correcting factual inaccuracies and defending his approach to the 2109 messages and the 'leems-boyste' incident. He emphasizes that his book does not offer conclusions about the source of the messages and clarifies details about individuals mentioned.

Hilary Evans writes in response to a discussion about Thomas Bullard's work, expressing skepticism about the ETH and arguing that abduction reports may be influenced by the investigative techniques used, such as hypnotic regression. She suggests that similarities in reports might be an artifact of these methods rather than evidence of genuine encounters. Evans also critiques the idea that abductionists are simply reporting pure, untouched accounts from witnesses, highlighting the potential for suggestion and bias.

Dennis Stacy summarizes a speech by William L. Moore, questioning his involvement with APRO and suggesting a potential conflict of interest or ulterior motives related to government UFO cover-ups. The letter implies that Moore's actions may have been part of a scheme to gain access to information.

Daryl Collins's letter is critiqued by Martin Kottmeyer, who defends his own work on abduction phenomena. Kottmeyer argues that sleep disturbances are common among abductees and that his psychosocial explanation is the best fit for the experiences narrated, based on extensive study.

Christopher Allan references a theory by Dr. Leon Davidson from 1959 or 1960, which suggested the CIA might have used George Adamski as a mouthpiece for a grand deception regarding UFOs.

Book Reviews

Paul Devereux's "Earth Lights Revelation; UFOs and mystery lightform phenomena" is reviewed by John Rimmer. Rimmer acknowledges Devereux's refinement of the earthlight hypothesis, which posits that atmospheric lights are produced by geological activity. He finds the arguments for this phenomenon compelling, particularly its association with geological faulting and seismic activity. However, Rimmer expresses skepticism about Devereux's claim that earthlights react to human consciousness, viewing this as a potential example of cultural conditioning influencing perception. He notes that Devereux's work is significant for linking psycho-sociological explanations with physical stimuli, potentially offering a new avenue for research beyond conventional psychological processes.

Manfred Cassirer's "Parapsychology and the UFO" is reviewed by Peter Rogerson. Rogerson finds the booklet's exploration of similarities between parapsychology and ufology interesting, noting connections in electrical effects, apparitions, and hypnotic regressions. He criticizes the booklet's episodic nature, suggesting it would benefit from a more detailed and connected structure.

D. Scott Rogo's "The Infinite Boundary; spirit possession, madness and multiple personality" is also reviewed by Peter Rogerson. Rogerson places the book within the context of the historical shift from demonic to medical interpretations of mental illness. He notes that the book examines beliefs linking mental illness to persecuting spirits and discusses the close association between mental illness and gastric disorders, a concept prevalent in the eighteenth century. Rogerson suggests that modern medical thinking attributes such symptoms to chemical imbalances.

Jenny Randles's "Fire in the Sky; the Buckinghamshire UFO Movie Film" is reviewed by John Rimmer. Rimmer describes the booklet as a meticulously researched account of the Peter Day movie film case of 1973, calling it the definitive account. His only criticism is the lack of photographs and a minor stylistic point about sentence punctuation.

Richard Hall's "Uninvited Guests; a documentary history of UFO sightings, alien encounters and coverups" is reviewed by Peter Rogerson. Rogerson characterizes the book as an example of older-style UFO literature, examining UFO behavior and rejecting exotic theories in favor of a 'nuts and bolts' spaceship explanation. He finds Hall's work anachronistic and provincial, noting a lack of appreciation for non-American thought and a reliance on eyewitness testimony. Rogerson is particularly critical of Hall's acceptance of the Majestic-12 documents, pointing out inconsistencies and suspicious details. He views the book as representative of American ufology dominated by crashed saucer and abduction themes, reflecting fears of both state bureaucracy and 'passionless reason' embodied by aliens.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO research methodologies, the debate between extraterrestrial and psychological explanations for anomalous experiences, and the skepticism towards certain widely accepted theories and documents within the field. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous, evidence-based research and critical thinking, encouraging a return to an "empirical, pragmatic American ufological brain." There is a clear division between those who accept the reality of UFO phenomena and those who seek to debunk or reframe them within psychological or geological contexts. The issue highlights the ongoing internal debates and controversies within the UFO community.