Magonia - No 96 - 2007 10

Magazine Overview

Magonia 96, October 2007

This issue of Magonia 96, incorporating MUFOB 141, is dated October 2007 and features a range of articles exploring contemporary vision and belief, with a particular focus on the revision of religious texts, historical conspiracies, and the state of ufology.

Editorial Notes

Editor John Rimmer reflects on Magonia's approaching 100th issue and the combined total of 141 issues with its predecessor, MUFOB, marking forty years of publication. He observes the decline of printed UFO magazines, attributing it partly to the rise of the internet, which he feels has also become an 'inward-looking talking-shop' rather than a forum for debate. Rimmer notes the dominance of rehashed cases like Roswell and MJ12 in the American UFO scene, and the move towards subscription models for online forums. He expresses doubt about the future of print UFO magazines and announces that Magonia will cease publication with issue 99. However, plans are underway for a successor magazine tentatively titled 'Vision and Belief', which will cover a wider range of topics in a different format.

Spectres Meeting in a Cemetery: David Sivier

David Sivier's article examines 'The Da Vinci Code' as the latest in a long series of attempts to re-write the Bible. He traces the phenomenon from the 1970s with 'Report from Iron Mountain' and 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail', noting how the Vatican has long been a subject for fictional intrigue, often linked to conspiracy theories about its banking practices and historical role. Sivier argues that the book's success lies in its engagement with profound religious anxieties, drawing on historical perceptions of Roman Catholicism shaped by the Reformation and the Enlightenment. He highlights how the historical context of changing social and intellectual worlds, scientific scepticism, and textual criticism challenged Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism, which was perceived as allied with reactionary regimes. The article discusses the historical evolution of the Christian canon, the threat of Gnosticism, and the impact of Humanism and the Reformation. It also details the historical suspicion and vilification of the Jesuits, portraying them as assassins and agents of oppressive institutions, a perception that Sivier links to contemporary anxieties surrounding Opus Dei. The article further explores the influence of the Victorian crisis of faith, the emergence of Theosophy, and the rise of modernist rewritings of the Gospels, presenting them as a rediscovery of authentic Christianity. These 'false Gospels' are seen as a response to contemporary questioning of canonical authenticity and the circulation of genuinely ancient, non-canonical texts.

The Pelican Writes

'The Pelican' offers a critique of the current state of ufology literature, noting the prevalence of pseudo-scientific nonsense. It focuses on an article by Robert Hastings in the International UFO Reporter (January 2007) titled 'A shot across the bow: Another look at the Big Sur incident'. Hastings attempts to revive a report of an alleged encounter between a UFO and an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in September 1964. The incident was reportedly filmed, and 'Lt. (now Dr.) Bob Jacobs' claims to have seen the film and described a classic 'flying saucer' emitting four distinct bright flashes. Kingston A. George, the project engineer for the telescope experiment, offers a counter-explanation, suggesting that the observed phenomenon was likely the specular reflection of sunlight off packing material trailing the missile, and that the 'coverup' was to keep secret information about the decoy warheads from potential enemies. 'The Pelican' notes that Hastings prefers Jacobs's story, likely due to his audience's preference for alien spacecraft over mundane explanations. The review also briefly mentions other articles, including one on 'foo fighters' and 'cloud cigars', finding them lacking in scientific rigour. The author concludes that while some valuable content exists in Serious Ufologists' journals, it requires significant sifting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently addresses the theme of questioning established narratives, whether religious, historical, or scientific. The editorial stance, as articulated by John Rimmer, is critical of the current state of ufology, lamenting the decline of serious print publications and the internet's perceived stagnation as a forum for debate. There is a clear skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a preference for rigorous analysis, as demonstrated in the critique of the Big Sur incident and the examination of pseudo-historical and pseudo-religious texts. The magazine appears to be moving towards a broader scope with its planned successor, 'Vision and Belief', suggesting an evolution beyond purely UFO-centric topics while maintaining an interest in contemporary vision and belief systems.

This issue of Magonia, identified as Volume 25, Issue 11, published in 2007, focuses on debunking a popular UFO video and exploring the technical and psychological aspects of UFO reports. The cover story, "A WEB OF FLYING SAUCER LIES AND VIDEO FOOTAGE" by Nigel Watson, critically examines a video clip that gained traction on YouTube, initially claimed to be from the Italian Air Force. Watson, along with other contributors and researchers, suggests the footage likely depicts a Hystar aircraft, a Canadian-developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

The issue delves into the technical specifications and history of the Hystar, noting its development in the 1980s and its potential applications, including landmine detection. It highlights the role of technology in creating realistic fakes and the challenges in verifying UFO evidence. The article also touches upon the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case, discussing the various interpretations and the psychological factors that might influence such narratives.

Several book reviews are featured, covering a range of topics within ufology and the paranormal. These include "Alien Worlds: social and religious dimensions of extraterrestrial contact," which explores the religious aspects of UFO movements; "Encounters at Indian Head: the Betty and Barney Hill UFO Abduction Revisited," a collection of papers analyzing the Hill case; and "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science," a scientific examination of Bigfoot reports.

Other reviews cover "The Yowi: In search of Australia's Bigfoot," "Brain Fiction: Self-deception and the riddle of confabulation," "The Witch in the Waiting Room: A physician investigates paranormal phenomena in medicine," "Strange Company: Military Encounters with UFOs in WWII," and "Celestial Secrets: the Hidden History of the Fatima Incident." The issue also includes a "25 Years Ago" section, reflecting on past Magonia issues and the evolving discourse in ufology.

The 'Italian Air Force UFO' Video Debunked

Nigel Watson's cover article meticulously dissects a UFO video that became popular on YouTube. He notes that while the footage is presented as genuine, originating from the Italian Air Force, critical analysis suggests otherwise. Watson cites sources that identify the craft as a Hystar, a Canadian-designed UAV based on a 1986 design. The Hystar was a large, lighter-than-air ship with multiple engines and thrust vectoring. The article points out inconsistencies in the video's presentation, such as the camera's movement and the craft's performance, suggesting it might be a staged demonstration or a CGI hoax.

Paola Harris, an Italian UFO researcher, initially presented the footage, believing it to be a real object, possibly a terrestrial military prototype. However, she later stated it was "Our Technology," implying terrestrial origin. Contributors like "Star GateSG7" (Henry "Aviation Jedi" Eckstein) provide detailed technical speculation, linking the craft to Bombardier and a 1986 Canadian design called Hystar, noting its potential use of Rotax engines and advanced control software.

Philip Mantle, author of "Alien Autopsy Inquest," expresses caution, feeling the footage has a "feeling" of computer graphics. Nick Pope, involved in official UFO investigations, emphasizes the need for technical analysis and a holistic approach, investigating not just the footage but also the story and participants. Michael George, a forensic video consultant, notes that the footage appears edited and potentially composed of clips from multiple cameras.

The article highlights the Hystar's capabilities, including its unusual flight characteristics and its later use as a landmine detection vehicle by The Alliance Enterprise Corporation. The analysis suggests the video was likely filmed by an amateur, possibly to stimulate debate rather than present official test footage.

Book Reviews: A Diverse Range of Paranormal Topics

"Alien Worlds: social and religious dimensions of extraterrestrial contact"

Dianna G. Tumminia's edited collection explores the religious dimensions of UFO contact and abduction movements. It examines established UFO religions like the Raelians and Unarius, as well as lesser-known groups. Jerome Clark traces the career of Dorothy Martin, and Georg Ronnevig discusses the role of sleep paralysis in abduction mythology. Scott Scribner analyzes abduction narratives as human fears, suggesting the term 'teller' for those recounting experiences. Christopher Bader notes that abduction survivor groups tend to recruit educated white women. The review highlights the difficulty in distinguishing science from pseudoscience in ufology, citing examples of investigative techniques involving psychological and astrological data.

"Encounters at Indian Head: the Betty and Barney Hill UFO Abduction Revisited"

This book, edited by Karl Flock and Peter Brookesmith, is presented as the first detailed reinvestigation of the Betty and Barney Hill case. Contributors offer various perspectives, from psychosocial approaches to skeptical analysis. Dennis Stacey attempts to consolidate the story, noting contradictions. A key point raised is Barney Hill's possession of a .22 pistol, which was previously downplayed. Marcello Truzzi discusses the nature of evidence and how extraordinary claims require less evidence in ufology. The papers are divided between psychosocial, skeptical, and more believing approaches.

"Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science"

Jeff Meldrum, a scientist specializing in human locomotion, examines Bigfoot reports. The review questions whether Meldrum is a pioneer or a victim of his own arguments, noting a tendency to look for evidence to support a pre-determined conclusion. The book's arguments about Gigantopithecus are questioned as irrelevant to the Bigfoot debate. The review also points out Meldrum's endorsement of contentious claims and his failure to address allegations of fakery regarding the Patterson-Gimlin film.

"The Yowi: In search of Australia's Bigfoot"

Tony Healy and Paul Cropper's account of the Yowi phenomenon is reviewed. The authors present 'testimonial' evidence of large, apelike creatures in Australia, despite the lack of native placental mammals. The review notes the absence of physical evidence, such as skeletons, and the contradictory nature of track evidence. It suggests that psychosocial approaches are the most viable explanation for such experiences, where cultural expectations shape interpretations of anomalous events.

"Brain Fiction: Self-deception and the riddle of confabulation" and "The Witch in the Waiting Room"

William Hirstein's "Brain Fiction" explores phenomena like confabulation and delusions, suggesting that our memories and personalities are shaped by brain states. Robert S. Bobrow's "The Witch in the Waiting Room" examines paranormal phenomena in medicine, drawing from anecdotal accounts. The review highlights a tension between these two books: Hirstein argues for the brain's conditioning of our minds, while Bobrow presents cases suggesting paranormal experiences occur when the brain is supposedly inactive. The review notes that these contrasting viewpoints fuel debates between skeptics and paranormalists.

"Strange Company: Military Encounters with UFOs in WWII"

Keith Chester's book compiles stories of "foo-fighters" from WWII. The reviewer notes the author's effort in assembling the stories but questions the primary focus on providing 'evidence' for the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) rather than investigating the experiences themselves. The reviewer concludes that "foo-fighters" were likely not a single phenomenon but a combination of various factors.

"Celestial Secrets: the Hidden History of the Fatima Incident"

This book, translated by Alexandra Bruce, explores the Fatima incident. It highlights intriguing newspaper adverts from occult and spiritist groups predicting events and discusses how the historical image of Fatima was constructed in the 1940s.

"25 Years Ago" Section

This section revisits Magonia 8, 9, 10, and 11 from 1982. It discusses Roger Sandell's series on conspiracies and contactees, including the case of Luis Castillo. It also touches upon Hilary Evans' critique of Peter Rogerson's article on the decline of belief in progress and John Harney's defense of the 'Plurality of Worlds' concept. The section highlights a news item about police finding wombats in phone boxes. The "Birth Trauma Hypothesis" by Alvin Lawson and William McCall is discussed, along with subsequent contributions and responses. The review of Peter Rogerson's book on ghosts notes their diminished role in contemporary culture.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO evidence, the role of technology and hoaxes in shaping public perception, and the psychological and sociological interpretations of anomalous experiences. Magonia consistently adopts a skeptical yet open-minded stance, encouraging rigorous investigation and a critical approach to claims, particularly those lacking robust evidence or relying on anecdotal accounts. The magazine emphasizes the importance of historical context, scientific analysis, and distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misinterpretations or deliberate fabrications. The editorial stance favors a rational, evidence-based approach, while acknowledging the complexity and often subjective nature of paranormal experiences.