Magonia - No 50 - 1994 09

Magazine Overview

Magonia Issue 50: Interpreting Contemporary Vision and Belief (September 1994)

This issue of Magonia, number 50, published in September 1994, is dedicated to exploring various facets of the UFO phenomenon and related beliefs. The cover features a striking black and white illustration depicting figures falling from a swirling vortex, with the title "Magonia 50" prominently displayed. The issue's main headline is "Interpreting Contemporary Vision and Belief," and it includes articles by Martin Kottmeyer, Peter Rogerson, and Peter Brookesmith, along with a special column by Desmond O'Connor. The price is 95p.

Articles and Content

"The Influencing Machine Fantasy" by Martin Kottmeyer

In the second part of his article, Martin Kottmeyer examines the development of the belief in "influencing machines" that control human behavior, as expressed in early ufology literature and extraterrestrial mythos. He delves into the writings of Jacques Vallée, whose early science fiction works like "Subspace" and "The Dark Satellite" explore themes of control motifs and intelligences from other regions of thought. Kottmeyer traces Vallée's evolving theories, from his initial analyses in "Anatomy of a Phenomenon" and "Challenge to Science," where he noted resemblances between UFOs and fairy lore, to his later work "The Invisible College" (1975). In this book, Vallée proposed that UFOs represent a control system of undetermined nature, potentially involving social psychology or a supernatural will seeking to confuse and mold civilization through physical and psychic technology. Kottmeyer notes that Vallée's theory, while chilling, eventually collapses. The article references numerous works by Vallée, including "Messengers of Deception" (1979) and "Dimensions" (1988), and critiques his shift from an "external teacher" idea to a more generalized "control system" theory. Kottmeyer also discusses the similarities between Vallée's ideas and those of D. Scott Rogo, who also explored control theories in books like "This Haunted Universe" (1977). Rogo posited a mysterious force influencing our world and later developed the concept of "The Phenomenon" as a universal intelligence projecting evidence to shape our beliefs. The article highlights how these control theories can be seen as a way for ufologists to explain high-strangeness cases without questioning the sincerity of witnesses, attributing the phenomena to external forces rather than psychological factors.

"Recovering the Forgotten Records" by Peter Rogerson

Peter Rogerson's article focuses on abduction cases that have been overlooked or written out of the mainstream UFO literature, particularly those from outside North America. He presents several examples that offer a different perspective on the phenomenon. One obscure report from Kenya in December 1965 details Michael Mudachi's encounter with an elliptical object and three humanoid figures who took his photograph and subjected him to a strange light, leading to hallucinations and depression. Another case from the Vienna Woods involves a Filipino woman who was paralysed and encountered beings from a strange object, warning her about humanity's wickedness and her own potential death from cancer. Rogerson also recounts the case of 'BS' and 'SC' in Wiltshire, England, in January 1968, who were invited aboard a tiny object and experienced a journey. The article also touches upon the third of early British abductions, supposedly from 1942, involving Albert Lancashire, who claimed to have been taken aboard a craft by a pygmy-sized man.

"Screen Memories" by Peter Brookesmith

Peter Brookesmith critically examines a radar-visual UFO case reported over the Kent coast in April 1991. He analyzes accounts from Timothy Good's "UFO Report 1992" and Jenny Randles' "The Paranormal Year 1993," arguing that both Fleet Street journalists and ufologists have failed to critically assess the evidence. Brookesmith focuses on the discrepancy between Captain Achille Zaghetti's visual sighting of a missile-like object and the radar detection by London Air Traffic Control. He calculates the object's speed based on the pilot's report and the radar data, concluding that it would have been traveling at supersonic speeds, which should have produced a sonic boom, yet none was reported. Brookesmith also questions the reliability of the visual sighting itself, given the time of day and the conditions, suggesting that the object might have been much smaller or further away than estimated. He criticizes the lack of thorough investigation, including the failure to review radar tapes, and points out the inconsistencies in how the story was reported and allegedly "hushed up." Brookesmith concludes that if ufologists cannot accurately report on minor cases, their accounts of more significant events are questionable.

The Desmond O'Connor Column

In this issue, Desmond O'Connor, described as one of the magazine's oldest readers and a critic, is given the column. He shares anecdotes from his past, including his undergraduate days and encounters with figures like Charles Fort. O'Connor recounts his interactions with Sir Oliver Lodge and mentions a legend about Gurney, Myers, and Podmore being murdered by Freemasons. He also discusses his involvement in investigating the case of Blodwyn Price, a schoolgirl who was allegedly abducted and developed a passion for physics. The column touches upon Lord Dowding's interest in UFOs and his financial support for "Flying Saucer Review." O'Connor's column offers a personal and anecdotal perspective on the history of ufology and its key figures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Magonia consistently engages with the critical analysis of UFO reports and theories. There is a strong emphasis on questioning the reliability of evidence, the methods of reporting, and the underlying assumptions within ufology. The articles by Kottmeyer, Rogerson, and Brookesmith, along with O'Connor's column, collectively highlight the need for rigorous investigation and a skeptical approach. The magazine appears to be critical of sensationalism and uncritical acceptance of UFO claims, advocating for a more nuanced and evidence-based understanding of the phenomenon. The recurring theme of "control" in UFO narratives is explored in depth, with a critical eye towards its implications for human autonomy and the nature of reality. The editorial stance seems to favor a revisionist approach, seeking to uncover overlooked cases and re-examine established narratives within ufology.

MAGONIA 50, published in September 1994, is a UK-based magazine focusing on ufology, fortean phenomena, and related subjects. This issue delves into the evolution of UFO abduction narratives, the nature of anomalous experiences, and critical reviews of relevant books and media.

Key Articles and Themes

The Evolution of Abduction Narratives

The issue extensively explores the shift from 'contactee' stories to 'abduction' narratives, particularly in the context of Latin American UFO reports from the late 1960s. Early contactee tales, often featuring friendly, fair-skinned entities with messages for humanity, began to incorporate elements of being taken aboard craft and undergoing examinations. The Mario Restier story from Brazil (1968) is cited as a contactee tale of a visit to a utopian otherworld. However, cases like that of Pedro Dema in Rio de Janeiro (1968) and the 'semi-abduction' of Peccinetti and Villegas in Mendoza, Argentina (1968), mark a transition, with Dema's account including a detailed medical examination aboard a complex laboratory. The article notes that while telepathic communication persists, the focus shifts towards the abductee experience.

• Several specific cases are detailed:
• Benjamin Solar Parravicini (Argentina, 1968): A painter and sculptor who encountered a fair-skinned Nordic type with pale eyes, who spoke in an unintelligible language but communicated telepathically. This story is described as a drastically secularised adaptation of earlier themes.
• Pedro Dema (Brazil, 1968): A civil servant who was blinded by a light beam and taken aboard a craft where he underwent an examination, including a luminous wire introduced into his mouth, making him transparent.
• Peccinetti and Villegas (Argentina, 1968): Claimed their car was stopped by five humanoids who warned them of nuclear war and pricked their fingers.
• Adelino Roque (Brazil, 1969): A farm-hand who was lifted off his horse by a light and found 250km away, reportedly traumatised.
• Jose Antonio de Silva (Brazil, 1960s): Kidnapped by troll-like beings and taken to a stone room where he was tempted with military knowledge. This story introduces the 'dreadsome drink' motif.

The article highlights the heterogeneity of these narratives, suggesting they are fragments of science fiction, half-remembered dreams, and distorted versions of earlier accounts, with the Hill narrative being a significant influence.

Book Reviews

The issue features several book reviews, offering critical perspectives on paranormal and UFO-related literature:

• 'The Sorcerer of Kings: The Case of Daniel Dunglass Home and William Crookes' by Gordon Stein: This book examines the phenomena of medium Daniel Dunglass Home and physicist William Crookes, aiming to expose alleged tricks and provide explanations. The review notes Stein's motivation to counter irrationality and nonsense.
• 'The Allagash Abductions' by Raymond Fowler: Described as another abduction story rather than undeniable evidence, this review critiques Fowler's method of repeated suggestion to extract information from witnesses, particularly artists.
• 'Extraterrestrial Friends and Foes' by George C. Andrews: This collection of American ufolklore is characterized as exploring the 'Greys versus the Blondes' conspiracy, involving CIA, AIDS, and drug control. The review suggests that the imagery of the Grey as an oppressor taps into primal fears and extreme racial fantasies.
• 'The UFO Mystery Solved' by Steuart Campbell: John Harney reviews this book, which attempts to explain UFO reports as astronomical mirages. Harney criticizes Campbell's theory as overly elastic and at variance with accepted scientific understanding of mirages, arguing that while natural explanations are welcome, they must be sensible and objective.
• 'Anomalous Experiences and Trauma' edited by Rima Laibow et al.: This academic tome is reviewed as a serious, though jargon-filled, exploration of UFO encounters and trauma. Contributions by Thomas Bullard, David E. Pritchard, and Michael Swords are highlighted, with Bullard's contention about missing babies and PTSD being noted.
• 'Out of Darkness: exploring Satanism and ritual abuse' edited by Daniel K. Sakheim and Susan E. Devine: This collection of essays is described as uneven, ranging from skeptical to absurd. The review points out the inclusion of Leo Taxil's hoax work and critiques the psycho-sociological explanations for anomalous experiences, suggesting that the 'will to believe' is a potent force.
• 'Satanic Panic: the creation of a contemporary legend' by Jeffrey S. Victor: This critical study places the satanic abuse scares in sociological and historical context, linking them to fears about 'satanism', heavy metal music, and the development of belief in multiple personality disorder. The review notes its relevance to issues studied by Magonia.
• 'Daimonic Reality: a field guide to the Otherworld' by Patrick Harper: This book is presented as exploring anomalous phenomena within a framework that considers dreams and unconscious contents. Harper's concept of 'daimons' embraces apparitional figures, including fairies, angels, souls, and aliens, linking them to archetypal personages and Gnostic philosophy. The review notes the book's complex theoretical models and its attempt to unify diverse paranormal subjects.
• 'Labyrinth Videos. UFO Secrets of the Third Reich': This video is reviewed as a surprisingly pleasant surprise, offering crisp arguments and well-illustrated content, including snapshots of experimental Nazi aircraft and witness testimonies. While acknowledging outlandish claims, the reviewer finds it an entertaining crash course in obscure UFO topics.
• 'The Roswell Saga' by Kevin D. Randle and Donald R. Schmitt: This book is critiqued for drastically changing the established scenario of the Roswell crash, proposing a new primary crash site and new witnesses. The reviewer notes the authors' reliance on witness testimony and the lack of hard evidence, suggesting the book may confuse believers.
• 'Patient or Pretender: inside the strange world of factitious disorders' by Charles V. Ford: This book examines Munchhausen's Syndrome, where individuals feign illness. The review draws parallels between these individuals and abductees, suggesting a shared compulsion to present themselves as victims and dominate professionals.

Other Sections

• 'Letters': This section includes correspondence from Ralph Noyes of the S.P.R. clarifying the Society's stance on examining phenomena without prejudice, and from Paul Devereux questioning the use of 'ironical' comments and the editor's response.
• '25 Years Ago': This retrospective looks back at the ufological scene in Warminster in the late 1960s, focusing on Arthur Shuttlewood and the atmosphere of the time.
• 'A Streetcar Named...?': A competition inviting readers to suggest ufological or fortean names for Metrolink trams in Manchester.
• 'Dead Zeppelin': An account of a 'Death Ray' story from World War I, possibly linked to Marconi's experiments and UFO 'E.M.' effects.
• 'Permanent Revolution': A brief note on Magonia's anniversaries and changes in format.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the transformation of UFO narratives from benevolent contactees to abductees, the psychological underpinnings of belief in anomalous phenomena, and the critical examination of evidence and theories within ufology. The magazine maintains a skeptical yet open-minded stance, encouraging rigorous investigation and questioning of claims, while also acknowledging the persistence of these phenomena in folklore and popular culture. The editorial tone often highlights the subjective nature of experiences and the potential for misinterpretation or fabrication, particularly in the context of psychological factors and the 'will to believe'. The use of 'ironical' comments in the letters section suggests a playful, yet critical, editorial approach.