MAGONIA

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA
Issue: Number 82
Date: August 2003
Price: £1.75
Publisher: Magonia
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Magonia, subtitled 'interpreting contemporary vision and belief', features several key articles and editorial notes. The 'Editorial Notes' section reflects on the recent passing of two significant figures in the UFO field: Gordon Creighton, editor of Flying Saucer Review, and Phil Klass, an American sceptic. The editor, John Rimmer, contrasts Creighton's later descent into paranoid conspiracy theories with Klass's more forensic, though perhaps unhelpful, skepticism. Rimmer posits that while neither figure proved ufology to be a scientific subject, Klass at least took it seriously enough to attack it, suggesting his book 'UFO Abductions, Dangerous Game' highlights the harm people do to each other based on their beliefs about UFOs.

Schismatrix: Reflections on the Cult of Information in Film and Beyond

This article by David Sivier explores the concept of the 'cult of information' and its connection to virtual reality, particularly through the lens of the film 'The Matrix Reloaded'. Sivier notes that the idea of the world being a virtual construct has a long history, tracing back to Plato and the 'Brain in a Jar' problem. He discusses how science fiction authors like Stanislas Lem, Philip K. Dick, Jonathan Fast, Gregory Benford, and Paul McAuley have explored themes of virtual realities, cybernetic minds, and the potential for human consciousness to be preserved or enslaved in digital realms. The article highlights how these narratives often incorporate religious or messianic themes, with artificial intelligences acting as new mythologies or 'devils'. Sivier also touches upon the concept of 'memes' as proposed by Richard Dawkins, suggesting they can be seen as self-replicating units of culture that influence human societies, sometimes described as 'viruses of the mind'. The article concludes by noting the growing influence of this 'cult of information' and the tendency for both futurists and science fiction writers to explore transcendent technological possibilities, while lamenting the lack of skepticism towards such claims.

Cook's Tour: A Trip Down the Mean Streets of Ufology

Written by Curtis Peebles, this article reviews Nick Cook's book 'The Hunt for Zero Point', describing it as a return to ufology's roots, reminiscent of the 'saucer-noir' detective novels of the 1930s. Peebles recounts Cook's investigation into secret anti-gravity technology, Nazi flying saucers, and alleged cover-ups, focusing on the crash of an F-117A stealth fighter near Bakersfield, California, in July 1986. The article details the event from the perspective of a witness, 'Amelia Lopez', and Cook's subsequent efforts to find the crash site. It describes the military's recovery operation, the sealing off of the site, and the subsequent lack of publicly released information, which fueled speculation. Peebles highlights the role of pilot fatigue in the crash and the challenges faced by investigators, including the difficulty of accessing the rugged terrain. The article also touches upon the broader themes of secrecy and the search for hidden truths within the UFO community, drawing parallels to classic detective fiction.

Editorial Notes: The End of Two Eras

This section, written by John Rimmer, discusses the passing of Gordon Creighton and Phil Klass. Creighton, who edited Flying Saucer Review (FSR) from 1984, is described as having transformed it from a 'sensible journal' into one dominated by a 'paranoid conspiracy theory' involving 'evil djinns' and the Soviet Union. Rimmer notes that FSR's exchange copies with Magonia soon dried up. Phil Klass, an American sceptic, is noted for his publication 'Skeptic's UFO Newsletter' (SUN), which meticulously debunked UFO cases, primarily American ones. Klass's work was often seen as politically incorrect, leading to accusations of him being a government agent. Rimmer questions who has done more harm to ufology: Klass with his skepticism or Creighton with his 'paranoid ramblings'. He suggests that Klass, by highlighting the dangers of what people believe about UFOs, was perhaps more valuable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of belief, information, and reality, particularly within the context of ufology and science fiction. The magazine critically examines how science fiction explores philosophical concepts and creates new mythologies, often blending technological speculation with religious or spiritual ideas. There is a clear editorial stance favoring critical inquiry and skepticism, as evidenced by the discussion of Phil Klass's work and the critique of Gordon Creighton's more conspiratorial views. The issue also delves into the psychological aspects of perception and belief, suggesting that the mind can be prone to seeing patterns and creatures that are not there, especially when faced with unfamiliar perspectives. The F-117A crash article highlights the theme of government secrecy and the public's fascination with unexplained events, framed through a narrative style that mirrors detective fiction.

This issue of Magonia, dated June 2002, is titled "THE RAEFIELD AFFAIR" and features an article by Matt Graeber. The magazine focuses on UFO experiences, skepticism, and related phenomena, including book reviews and commentary.

The Raefield Affair

The main article by Matt Graeber discusses a UFO experience reported by a Mr. Raefield on August 26, 1976, near Chester, Pennsylvania. Raefield described seeing four discoid UFOs that disrupted his car's CB radio and performance. Graeber explores the possibility that this was a 'dynamic display' or 'unique symbolic dramatisation' of the observer's personal life status and problems. He suggests that the objects might have been misidentified birds, such as gulls or terns, and that the witness's emotional state and psychological factors played a significant role in his perception.

Graeber contrasts Raefield's account with the official investigation's findings, which lean towards misidentification. He notes that the witness's sincerity is not in question, but the psychological shock of the event may have led to misinterpretations. The article also touches upon the idea that some UFOs might originate from 'outer space' while others come from 'man's innerspace,' suggesting a dual origin for such phenomena.

F-117 Crash Site Investigation

Another significant section details the investigation into the crash site of an F-117 stealth fighter, likely near the Kern River. It describes the efforts of former Air Force Captain Bill Marvel and Dave Lewis to reach the crash site after the initial Air Force recovery. They found debris, including an engine component, which they believed was missed by the official search. The article questions the official account, particularly regarding the absence of fragments mentioned in some reports, and highlights discrepancies with other sources.

Book Reviews

The issue includes several book reviews:

• Loren Coleman's "Bigfoot: the true story of apes in America": Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this book is described as taking a relentlessly euhemistic course, arguing that Bigfoot is a real animal and folklore about wild giants is inspired by such creatures.
• Raymond E. Fowler's "UFO Testament: anatomy of an abductee": Also reviewed by Rogerson, this book is presented as Fowler's last work on ufology, where he details his conviction that he is an abductee and marshals various experiences as evidence. The review notes potential psychological factors, including temporal lobe lability and status inconsistency, in Fowler's account.
• Peter Hough's "Supernatural Lancashire" and Roddy Martine's "Supernatural Scotland": These books are reviewed alongside Betty Puttick's edited "Supernatural England." The reviewer notes a class difference in the sources, with Martine and Puttick focusing on traditional ghost stories from upper-class backgrounds, while Hough leans towards modern folklore of UFOs, MIBs, and alien abductions from working-class sources.
• V. Gowri Rammohan (editor)'s "New Frontiers of Human Science": This collection of essays in honor of K. Ramakrishna Rao is reviewed, with contributors discussing psi phenomena and the interconnectedness of all things. The reviewer finds some arguments implausible, particularly those separating consciousness from nature.
• Richard Abanes' "One Nation Under Gods: a history of the Mormon church": Reviewed by an unnamed author, this book is described as detailing the origins of the Mormon church, focusing on Joseph Smith as a 'status inconsistent visionary' and the development of its ideology, including polygamy and the concept of 'eternal progression.' The reviewer notes Abanes' evangelical Christian perspective and his delight in highlighting the church's controversial past.

The Pelican Writes

This regular column offers commentary on various topics, including skepticism, religion, and UFO phenomena. The author, 'The Pelican,' criticizes some skeptics for their approach and discusses the nature of belief and the paranormal. It also touches upon the debate about whether UFO witnesses become 'public property' when their experiences are investigated.

Readers' Letters

This section features letters from readers, including one from D.J. Sivier in Whitchurch, Bristol, who comments on an article about Victor Schauberger and the alleged Neo-Nazi subtext in some UFO literature. Another letter from Ian Ridpath defines 'pelicanist' and 'pelicanism' in the context of UFO explanations. A letter from a reader discusses the 1967 Flying Cross incident from Devon, which was identified as a classic Venus sighting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with psychology, folklore, and skepticism. There is a critical examination of witness testimony, with a focus on potential misidentification and the influence of psychological factors. The publication appears to favor rational explanations while acknowledging the subjective nature of experiences. The book reviews and 'The Pelican Writes' column often engage with the broader cultural and historical context of belief systems, including religion and the paranormal, often with a critical eye towards unsubstantiated claims.