Magonia - No 41 - 1991 11

Magazine Overview

Title: Magonia
Issue: 41
Volume: MUFOB 89
Date: November 1991
Price: 95p.

This issue of Magonia, a UK-based ufology magazine, features a critical look at the professionalization of UFO organizations, an in-depth examination of the Roswell incident, and an exploration of the psychological significance of eyes in UFO lore.

Accountants and Anoraks

The lead article, "Accountants and Anoraks," by John Spencer, critiques the perceived takeover of UFO organizations, specifically BUFORA, by a more business-oriented, 'market-led' approach. Spencer argues that this shift, driven by intentions of increasing publicity and profit centers, involves management consultancy and the establishment of professional offices, which he finds incongruous with the nature of a hobbyist group. He expresses skepticism about the promises of increased membership to cover these costs, comparing them to political election promises. The article suggests that this professionalization is a misguided attempt to apply business strategies to a field that requires a different understanding, and questions whether such an approach is appropriate for a group with a membership comparable to a small magazine's readership.

Variation and Folklore in Abduction Reports

An article by Dennis Stillings and a response from the editor, John Rimmer, discuss the concept of 'variation' in abduction accounts. Stillings argues that concerns about variation are peripheral to the central meaning of folklore, while Rimmer contends that the lack of variation in abduction reports is a significant indicator. Rimmer explains that while folklore naturally varies, abduction reports exhibit a peculiar stability. He draws parallels between abduction narratives and shamanic initiation patterns, noting that while these patterns can be found in other life experiences, the consistent structure of abduction stories, despite potential for wide variation, suggests they might not be purely psychosocial products or folklore. Rimmer emphasizes the importance of evidence and the need to approach the subject systematically, concluding that the stability of abduction reports is an anomaly that signals something is wrong with current conceptual paradigms.

The Significance of Eyes in UFO Lore

Martin Kottmeyer's article, "Eye-Yi-Yi: Part Three of A Universe of Spies," explores the recurring motif of eyes in UFO reports and alien encounters. Kottmeyer argues that the power of the eye to elicit an uncanny feeling is a product of evolved instinct, evident in animal behavior and human psychology. He notes the exaggeration of eye imagery in art, mythology, and particularly in paranoid art, linking it to delusions of observation and shame. The article examines how this motif appears in films like "It Came from Outer Space," "Killers From Space," and "War of the Worlds," where aliens are depicted with large or blank eyes, often associated with cataclysmic themes. Kottmeyer also discusses cases like William J. Herrmann and Brian Scott, where drawings of UFOs resemble eyes, and the abduction of Mona Stafford, who saw a large "eye" observing her. He connects these instances to a broader context of paranoid themes in ufology, suggesting that the eye-like UFOs may indicate a psychological origin for these experiences, rather than necessarily being extraterrestrial. He contrasts this with the idea that UFOs might be observational equipment behaving like human eyes or that alien features are adaptations to their environment.

Roswell: The Search for the 'Real' UFO

John Harney's article, "Roswell: The Search for the 'Real' UFO," investigates the Roswell incident of July 1947. Harney acknowledges that much nonsense has been written about the event and highlights the efforts of Kevin D. Randle and Donald R. Schmitt to uncover the truth by interviewing witnesses and examining contemporary records. The article contrasts the official explanation—that the wreckage was from a weather balloon—with the claims that it was a crashed saucer containing alien pilots, specifically 'Greys.' Harney notes that the idea of a crashed piloted device is not inherently absurd, but the lack of physical evidence and the incoherent nature of some reports have made such stories difficult to take seriously. The article mentions two alleged crash sites, one with scattered wreckage and another with a battered saucer and alien bodies. It suggests the weather balloon explanation was released to dampen excitement following the initial announcement of a 'flying disc' recovery.

Other Content

The issue also includes a section on "Corn Flakes" by John Rimmer and "Variation Enigmas" by Thomas Bullard. There is a call for UFO sightings research by Tom Ruffles and advertisements for UFO and Paranormal Books and Excalibur Books. The magazine also features a quote from Thomas Bullard discussing his personal faith that abductions are psychological in origin, but that evidence leaves him with no choice but an objective event for the answer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Magonia exhibits a critical and analytical stance towards ufology. It questions the professionalization of UFO organizations, advocating for a more grounded approach. The magazine emphasizes the importance of evidence and critical analysis, particularly in distinguishing between folklore and potentially real experiences, as seen in the discussion on abduction reports. The recurring theme of psychological interpretation, especially concerning the motif of eyes in UFO lore, suggests an editorial inclination towards exploring the human psyche's role in shaping UFO beliefs. The investigation into the Roswell incident reflects a desire to cut through sensationalism and find a more factual account. Overall, Magonia appears to favor a skeptical yet open-minded approach, encouraging rigorous investigation and a critical examination of the evidence and its interpretations.

This issue of Magonia, dated July 1995, features a prominent article titled "CORN FLAKES" by John Rimmer, which critically examines the Roswell incident and the phenomenon of crop circles. The magazine also includes letters to the editor discussing various ufological topics, including alien abduction, the SETI community's stance on extraterrestrial intelligence, and a peculiar prediction about exploding garbage dumpsters.

The Roswell Incident: Wreckage and Confusion

The lead article by John Rimmer questions the official explanation of the Roswell incident in July 1947. Reporters were shown wreckage, stated to be from a weather balloon rig, but Rimmer notes its appearance, suggesting it was a 'corner reflector' and that it seemed to have been 'trampled on and torn to shreds'. The article highlights inconsistencies in accounts, particularly from Major Marcel, who claimed the wreckage was switched for a ruined radar target, while Colonel DuBose maintained the genuine stuff was photographed. The author points out that numerous individuals involved in the recovery stated there was far too much wreckage to have been attached to a balloon. Further confusion arises from reports of a second crash site and the recovery of alien bodies, with differing accounts on the number and condition of the ETs.

Corn Circles: A Human Creation?

Rimmer argues that the corn-circle mystery is solved, attributing the elaborate patterns, such as the Barbury Castle construction and the Cambridgeshire Mandelbrot Set, to human perpetrators. He dismisses meteorological phenomena and 'unknown intelligences' as explanations, suggesting that the subtle adjustments and the 'ratcheted spiral' design point to human intervention. Rimmer believes these figures are the product of a well-equipped, highly disciplined team working quickly. He suggests that the phenomenon should be viewed as art, rather than a mystery requiring explanation, and proposes the term 'creators' or 'artists' for those making them.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters offer diverse perspectives:

• Patrick Harpur draws parallels between the abduction story and Claude Levi-Strauss's structural analysis of myths, suggesting that abduction narratives, like myths, use binary systems to represent contradictions such as night/day, sleeping/waking, and voluntary/involuntary.
• David Taylor commends Tom Ruffles for predicting footprints on glass, noting a similar phenomenon of small, intricate circles appearing on windows in Yorkshire. He also references Rudyard Kipling and Christopher Marlowe in relation to crop circles, leaning towards an artistic interpretation.
• Robert Moore responds to Jerome Clark's letter, questioning the consistency of ufology's 'ETH' (Extraterrestrial Hypothesis) with current scientific thinking. He highlights the lack of convincing physical evidence for alien visitations despite extensive SETI research and the vastness of the universe.
• Dennis Stacy presents a speculative and somewhat satirical scenario of exploding garbage dumpsters becoming a widespread phenomenon, linked to Gaia and environmental concerns, culminating in a 'Century of Cleanliness'.

Other Content

The issue also includes a section titled "HOLD THE BACK PAGE" which discusses the nature of ufology as a hobby, the dynamics between 'Anoraks' (enthusiasts) and 'Accountants' (organizers) within organizations like BUFORA, and mentions a report about alien servicemen being warned of a January reports deadline. A brief mention is made of a resemblance between an alien creature reported by Edith Fiore and a creature from the 1960s SF series 'Lost in Space'. The article "Alien Servicemen Warned of January Reports Deadline" is presented as a factual report from the "BURTONWOOD BEACON", dated 1958, concerning aliens in the US military.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical examination of UFO phenomena, particularly the Roswell incident and crop circles, with a tendency to favor rational, human-centered explanations over purely speculative or 'unknown intelligence' theories. The magazine appears to encourage skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims within ufology and promotes a more grounded, analytical approach to investigating these subjects. The editorial stance seems to favor debunking sensationalism and seeking logical, often mundane, explanations, while acknowledging the enduring mystery and fascination surrounding these topics.