Magonia - No 72 - 2000 10

Magazine Overview

Title: Magonia
Issue: 72
Date: October 2000
Price: £1.25

This issue of Magonia, subtitled 'Interpreting Contemporary Vision and Belief', features a cover story titled 'The Decline and Fall of the Psychosocial Empire' by Anthony R. Brown. The magazine explores the ongoing debate within ufology between the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) and the Psychosocial Hypothesis.

Farewell to Monorail Dreaming: The Fall of Concorde and the End of the Twentieth Century

This introductory piece by John Rimmer reflects on the end of the 20th century and the fading of utopian visions from the 1960s. It contrasts the optimistic predictions of technological advancement, like monorails and space colonization, with the reality of the late 20th century. The article notes the rise of irrationalism and a rejection of science, exemplified by the resurgence of beliefs in the magical and wonderful, which contrasts with the modernist project of the past.

The Decline and Fall of the Psychosocial Empire

Anthony R. Brown's main article critically examines the two dominant schools of thought in ufology: the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) and the Psychosocial Hypothesis. The ETH posits that UFOs are alien craft and abductions are real physical events. The Psychosocial Hypothesis, conversely, interprets these phenomena as stemming from psychological needs, misperceptions, or hoaxes.

Brown meticulously dissects the core tenets of the Psychosocial model, beginning with its reliance on the concept of 'hysteria'. He provides a detailed definition of hysteria, drawing from clinical psychiatry, and argues that the symptoms associated with it, such as dissociation, belle indifference, and hysterical fits, are not typically found in reported abductee accounts.

He further challenges the Psychosocial model by examining the incidence of hysteria, citing Hans Eysenck's observation that it has largely disappeared in modern times, making it an unlikely explanation for a widespread phenomenon.

Dissociation of Tutankhamen

Brown specifically addresses the concept of dissociation and multipersonalities, arguing that while these can be symptoms of hysteria, they do not equate to a general skill that anyone can exhibit. He criticizes the claim that abductees or believers in reincarnation are exhibiting dissociation in the same way as a hysterical patient.

Argument from Analogy

The article critiques the use of the 'Argument from Analogy' by Psychosocialites, who suggest that UFO abductions are analogous to phenomena like possession or witchcraft. Brown argues that while similarities may exist, they do not automatically imply that the underlying causes or mechanisms are the same, likening it to trying to explain the sun by studying the moon.

Imaginary Abductees

Brown scrutinizes Lawson's experiment with 'imaginary abductees', where participants were prompted to imagine alien abductions. He argues that the experiment is flawed because it cues the subjects, undermining the claim that participants were ignorant of sci-fi narratives. He suggests that if these 'virgins' produce accounts indistinguishable from real abductees, it points more towards faulty memory retrieval or a different underlying cause than simply cultural influence.

Sci-Fi, Physiognomy and Fashion

This section questions the extent to which sci-fi films and popular culture influence abduction narratives. Brown argues that while films can affect the emotional tone of dreams, they do not typically duplicate the imagery or story. He contends that unless it can be proven that individuals actually saw specific films, claims linking abduction accounts to sci-fi are speculative. He also dismisses the focus on the physical appearance of aliens as a means to understand the phenomenon, comparing it to the 'Old Hag Phenomenon' and suggesting it distracts from more fundamental issues.

Purpose and Need

Brown challenges the Psychosocial claim that alien abduction is driven by a 'conscious or subconscious desire' to resolve a personal crisis. He argues that the anomalous experience itself can be the catalyst for reappraising one's world and seeking order, rather than a pre-existing need. He also questions the idea of a 'designer' building survival value into such experiences.

Improbable Improbabilities

This section critiques the use of probability in arguments, particularly concerning the existence of extraterrestrial life. Brown argues that without understanding the conditions for life's origin on Earth, calculating probabilities for life elsewhere is meaningless. He extends this critique to psychosocial concepts like the 'Collective Unconscious', arguing that there is no empirical evidence or theoretical basis to assign probabilities to them.

Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

Brown emphasizes the importance of precise definitions and identifying necessary and sufficient conditions for any theoretical model. He argues that the Psychosocial model fails in this regard, offering vague explanations and shifting its parameters when faced with contradictory evidence. He uses the analogy of a TV drama requiring an author, actors, and a power supply, but not just any components, to illustrate the need for specific, defined conditions.

Flexibility and Richness

While flexibility can be a strength in a theory, Brown argues that both the ETH and the Psychosocial model exhibit excessive flexibility, allowing them to 'explain away' any discrepancy. This makes them difficult to falsify and, in his view, weakens their scientific validity. He notes that the Psychosocial model can shift from medical explanations (hysteria) to cultural influences (sci-fi) and even hints of criminality (cryptomnesia) within a single experiment.

Folklore

This section discusses Jacques Vallee's book 'Passport to Magonia'. Brown acknowledges its influence but criticizes its misuse by Psychosocialites who interpret its parallels between folklore, religious visions, and UFOs as evidence that UFOs are merely folklore. Brown argues that Vallee's book was not intended as a scientific work on UFOs but rather as an exploration of belief systems. He stresses that while the book offers clues about common elements in reports, labelling UFOs as 'folklore' does not solve the mystery of their origin.

Confusing Criticism with Validation

Brown criticizes the tendency of some ufologists to confuse criticism of a rival theory with validation of their own. He argues that disproving the ETH does not automatically make the Psychosocial Hypothesis more valid. He emphasizes that theories must stand or fall on their own merits and that the focus should be on the evidence and the testing of the theories, not on the personal beliefs or political persuasions of the investigators.

Argument from Personal Incredulity

This section debunks the 'Argument from Personal Incredulity', which dismisses claims as incredible simply because they contradict common sense. Brown argues that unknown intelligences might have motivations that are not immediately apparent to us, and that personal disbelief is not a valid basis for dismissing a theory.

Disproving the Impossible

Brown questions the logic of attempting to disprove an 'impossible' claim, suggesting that if a theory fundamentally contradicts known science, the effort might be better spent on ensuring rigorous experimentation rather than on refuting the impossible itself. He notes that proponents of such theories often refuse to accept evidence that contradicts their beliefs.

Interpretational Infinity

Drawing on John Horgan's observations about literary criticism, Brown applies the concept of 'interpretational infinity' to ufology. He argues that just as multiple interpretations of a text like Ulysses can never reach a definitive meaning, the ETH and Psychosocial models engage in endless interpretation of abduction narratives without addressing the underlying facts or the original anomalous event.

From Abuse of Terms to Terms of Abuse

This section highlights the linguistic abuses within the Psychosocial Hypothesis, where colloquialisms are mistaken for precise definitions. Terms like 'motivation', 'purpose', 'need', and 'dissociation' are used loosely, leading to confusion. This linguistic imprecision, Brown argues, can devolve into 'terms of abuse', where character assassination and prurient innuendo are used against those who question the Psychosocial model.

Summing Up

The concluding section reflects on the historical context of extraterrestrial ideas, tracing them back to ancient Greece. It acknowledges the contributions of various thinkers and scientists to the debate. Brown reiterates that both the ETH and the Psychosocial Hypothesis are fundamentally flawed. He notes that the idea of extraterrestrials has inspired countless works and debates across various fields, but ultimately, the core of the issue lies in the interpretation of anomalous events and the scientific rigor applied to them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently critiques the methodologies and assumptions of the Psychosocial Hypothesis in ufology, contrasting it with the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis. The editorial stance appears to favor a more rigorous, evidence-based approach, questioning theories that rely on vague definitions, unfalsifiable claims, or personal incredulity. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of precise definitions, scientific method, and the distinction between belief and fact. The magazine seems to advocate for a critical examination of all theories within ufology, regardless of their popularity or perceived explanatory power.

Magonia Issue 71: The Pelican Writes...

This issue of Magonia, dated September/October 2000, features a prominent editorial titled "The Pelican writes..." which critically examines the UFO abduction phenomenon and related psychological interpretations. The magazine also includes several book reviews and reader letters, covering a range of topics from paranormal research to the psychology industry.

Editorial: The Pelican Writes...

The editorial, attributed to "The Pelican," begins by questioning the motivations and beliefs of UFO abduction enthusiasts, particularly in the USA. It ponders whether they see themselves as psychotherapists using abduction fantasies to help people, or if they genuinely believe in physically real Greys and flying saucers. The author notes that Budd Hopkins, a proponent of the "nuts-and-bolts" approach, insists on the physical reality of Greys, as admitting they are fantasies would leave him with little to do but recommend psychiatric help for his abductees.

The editorial criticizes the "Psychosocial Hypothesis" and its proponents, likening them to "rabbinical scholars of the UFO world" who waste time on interpretations that yield no concrete truths. It argues that this approach cheapens the witness's experience and questions their honesty. The author expresses frustration with sceptics who degrade witnesses and suggests that time will reveal who truly contributed to the subject.

Book Reviews

Chris A Rutkowski. Abductions and Aliens: what's really going on.

This review by Peter Rogerson assesses Rutkowski's study of abduction claims. Rogerson finds it a balanced and useful work, presenting stories of abductees and contactees. He notes that many stories exhibit classical abduction features but also overlap with earlier contactee narratives, often told by individuals with a strong sense of mission. Rutkowski generally leans towards a psychosocial interpretation, suggesting that dissatisfaction with life, stress, or trauma might lead people to believe they have been contacted by aliens. He is critical of ufologists acting as amateur therapists and recommends that abductees be assessed by professional psychologists or psychiatrists. Rogerson cautions against assuming all abductees are delusional or perfectly normal, and notes Rutkowski's critique of Persinger's work on the effects of weak magnetic fields.

Jonathan Downes. The Blackdown Mystery: a tale of UFOs, crash retrievals and high strangeness.

This review describes Downes's book as outrageously funny, portraying it as a guide to "gutter roots ufology." The reviewer humorously suggests the book's small print is a plot to cause headaches and blindness among ufologists. The book is presented as a hilarious adventure involving Jonathan Downes and two friends exploring a small-town ufology mystery about a crashed plane and a UFO.

Dennis Stacy and Patrick Huyghe. The Field Guide to UFOs: a classification of various unidentified aerial phenomena based upon eyewitness accounts.

This review notes that the book presents accounts and drawings of selected UFO reports to illustrate various shapes. The reviewer questions the utility of classifying such a vague collection into shapes, suggesting most reports are likely Identified Flying Objects (IFOs). The authors admit this in the introduction but offer "skeptics solutions" for cases, which the reviewer finds arguable.

Tana Dineen. Manufacturing Victims: what the psychology industry is doing to people.

This review discusses Dineen's argument that therapies like past-life regressions and UFO abduction syndrome are not just misapplications of techniques but extreme examples of a flawed doctrine: the psychologizing of human experience. Dineen suggests this process manufactures victims out of fundamentally healthy people, focusing on those who can afford therapy rather than those suffering from poverty or oppression. The review highlights Dineen's point that the psychology industry belittles real victims and replaces genuine human relationships with transactional ones.

Michael Lieb. Children of Ezekiel: aliens, UFOs, the crisis of race and the advent of end time.

This review describes Lieb's book as difficult but important, tracing the cultural heritage of Ezekiel's vision and its transmutation into a revelation of technology, particularly a sacred technology seen as an expression of divine wrath. The review notes Lieb's tracing of ancient astronaut theories and their apotheosis in Josef Blumrich's "The Spaceships of Ezekiel." It also discusses the rise of atomic apocalypticism in the United States and its connection to modern dispensationalist fundamentalism.

Leonard G. Cramp. The Cosmic Matrix: piece for a jigsaw part two - anti gravity, starships and unlimited clean energy.

This review expresses surprise that Leonard Cramp, a figure from British ufology in the 1950s and 1960s, is still active. The reviewer calls Cramp a "classical crank" whose physics bear no relation to modern science. The review notes Cramp's pride in his lack of scientific education and his belief that modern science is flawed. It also mentions Cramp's persistence with orthogonal projections of Adamski and Derbyshire photographs.

Toby Smith. Little Gray Men: Roswell and the rise of a popular culture.

This review discusses Toby Smith's book on the Roswell incident and its exploitation in American popular culture. The reviewer notes that Smith places the legend in the context of UFO mythology and discusses the interplay between "real" UFO stories and developing folklore, as well as the influence of movies like "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

Reader Letters

Montague Keen on Peter Rogerson's assessment of the Scole Report.

Montague Keen defends the Scole Report, criticizing Peter Rogerson's assessment for inferring fraud without evidence and dismissing witnesses. Keen highlights the testimony of illusionist James Webster and Professor Fontana, who found no evidence of fraud and could not explain the phenomena. He also mentions the experience of Walter Schnittger, a senior engineering consultant, who conducted a controlled experiment with a film strip that produced meaningful images.

Andy Roberts on "The UFOs That Never Were."

Andy Roberts clarifies that he and Dave Clarke believe the Alex Birch photograph is a hoax, but their book aimed to make the reader question the solution. He defends the choice of "big" cases in their book, arguing they had more evidence than typical UFO cases.

Jeremy Harte on Victorian fairies and the concept of "modernity."

Jeremy Harte discusses the interpretation of Victorian fairies and their relationship to industrialization. He suggests that "the Victorians" is shorthand for diverse people and that the idea of fairyland as a reaction against industrialization is complex, noting that the 1820s saw fairyland as a powerful image but not necessarily a reaction against industrialization. He also critiques sweeping statements about culture and the tendency to explain phenomena through simplistic concepts.

Book Reviews (Continued)

Peter and Elizabeth Fenwick. Past Lives: an investigation into reincarnation memories.

This review by Peter Rogerson examines the Fenwicks' book on reincarnation. Rogerson notes that while the book presents classic cases and a database of anecdotes, it lacks rigorous verification. He points out the absence of language skills in past-life memories and suggests that many stories are derived from historical novels or creative writing. Rogerson also notes the similarity between past-life narratives and abduction stories, linking them to "Caraboo syndrome" and fantasy proneness.

Tom Shroder. Old Souls: the scientific evidence for past lives.

This review discusses Shroder's journey with Ian Stevenson to investigate children's past-life memories. While Shroder becomes convinced of something strange, he doesn't necessarily conclude it's reincarnation. The reviewer notes that the cases often involve violent death and that Stevenson appears very focused on his research, sometimes to the point of insensitivity to subtle nuances. The reviewer also suggests that Stevenson's charisma inspires devotion in his staff.

Alan Baker. Invisible Eagle: the history of Nazi occultism.

This review finds Baker's book sensible and skeptical in its early part, relying on historians like Nicholas Goodrich-Clarke. However, the reviewer notes that the latter half, dealing with Nazi survival, UFOs, and Antarctic bases, is less sure-footed, with Baker appearing to have done little original research. The review criticizes Baker's reliance on sources like David Hatcher Childress and his acceptance of the fictitious biography of Renato Vesco.

Sarah Burton. Impostors: six kinds of liar.

This review discusses Burton's examination of impostors who created fictitious identities. The reviewer notes similarities among these cases, including dramatic lives, prodigious memory, and status inconsistency. The review suggests that these narratives might represent "Caraboo syndrome" or a general "pseudologia fantastica," where individuals create dramatic situations for themselves. It also questions the motivations behind these impostures, suggesting they might not always be driven by money.

Hold the Back Page

This section covers several miscellaneous items:

• Electro allergies: The section questions the resurgence of electromagnetic pollution theories, referencing a case of Joan Stock who reportedly suffers from headaches and nausea in the presence of computers and microchips.
• [sic] as a parrot: This item criticizes Jerome Clark's liberal use of the term "[sic]" in his UFO Encyclopedia, suggesting it's a pedantic attempt to translate a pun and that an English major should know better.
• Art and abductions: This piece describes Susan Hiller's art installation "Witness," which features recordings of abduction and close-encounter experiences in multiple languages, creating an immersive and magical effect.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia include the critical examination of UFO phenomena, particularly abductions, and a skepticism towards simplistic or unsubstantiated claims. The magazine consistently favors a rational and evidence-based approach, often contrasting it with what it perceives as pseudoscientific or overly credulous interpretations. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous inquiry, challenging established narratives within the UFO and paranormal communities, and promoting critical thinking. There's a clear preference for psychosocial explanations over literal interpretations of paranormal events, and a tendency to debunk claims that lack solid evidence or rely on anecdotal accounts. The book reviews and reader letters reinforce this critical and analytical perspective, often engaging in detailed critiques of specific works and authors within the field.