Magonia Supplement - No 05 - 1998 07

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA ETH Bulletin
Issue: No. 5
Date: July 1998
Editor: JOHN HARNEY

This issue of the MAGONIA ETH Bulletin features an editorial by John Harney, who encourages readers to submit articles to maintain the publication's position in 'armchair ufology'. The main articles explore the potential link between close encounter experiences and migraine, and question the falsifiability of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH).

Why a Close Encounter Can Be Quite a Headache

This article, authored by an unnamed contributor, posits that some reported symptoms following close encounters with UFOs, such as violent headaches, nausea, and vomiting, might have mundane explanations rather than being solely attributed to mysterious radiation. The author draws parallels between witness accounts and descriptions of classical migraine, citing Dr. Oliver Sacks's book 'Migraine' as a primary source.

Signs and Symptoms The article notes that while many close encounter witnesses report subsequent symptoms, these are often minimal or absent. When symptoms do occur, ufologists tend to blame proximity to the UFO and harmful radiation. However, the author suggests that more common, non-supernatural explanations might exist.

Classical Migraine A case from Brazil in 1965 is presented, where a 15-year-old boy witnessed two white lights, two roundish craft landing, entities emerging, and the craft departing at high speed. He subsequently developed a violent headache lasting five days, and was treated by a doctor for a 'disturbed heart'. The author suggests this experience aligns with a classical migraine.

Aura and Symptoms Migraine is described as typically involving a violent headache and nausea ('sick headache'). A 'classical migraine' is preceded by an 'aura', which can manifest as visual disturbances or more complex sensory experiences. The article uses examples from Dr. Sacks's patients to illustrate these phenomena.

Examples of Migraine-like Experiences

• Patient of Dr. Sacks: Described a late summer afternoon experience involving a sense of stillness, a powerful tingling in the hands, nose, lips, and tongue, and a growing vibration sensation. Vision was affected, and after about 20 minutes, the visual world resumed its normal appearance, followed by a 'come-down' feeling and the beginnings of a headache.
• Dean Self (Clay, Alabama, Summer 1962): While walking home, heard a sound like 'wind in a pine tree', followed by silence. He saw an object about 30m above him, 12m long, with a white surface and multicoloured lights, which pulsated with a muted throbbing sound. The object then vanished.
• Bruce Leggatt (Sandling, Kent, England, August 1962): While riding his scooter, the air turned cold. He saw a yellow oval object, about 6m wide, and felt he was being watched.

Dr. Sacks's Observations Dr. Sacks's writings are quoted, emphasizing that descriptions of migraine auras may not be entirely accurate due to the difficulty of recall. He describes 'free-wheeling states of hallucinosis, illusion, or “dreaming”' that can be experienced during intense migraine auras, leading to confused or confabulatory states. These states can involve coherent, dramatically organized series of images, often compared to intense daydreams or daymares. Dr. Sacks also highlights the strange nature of many aura phenomena and the accompanying sense of profoundly disturbed time perception.

Scotomata Scotoma, a type of visual hallucination associated with migraine auras, is described as a blind spot that appears to move across the field of vision, often with a zig-zag appearance ('fortification spectrum'). A UFO case investigated by BUFORA is presented, where a witness described seeing a 'ball with spikes' and later a 'wine red' object on the ground, which took off with a blue flash. A sketch accompanying the report bore a resemblance to a 'classical zigzag fortification pattern' described by Sacks.

Isolated Auras The article discusses cases where witnesses report no ill effects after an experience, suggesting that if it was a migraine aura, it was not followed by typical symptoms. It notes that classical migraine affects about 1% of the population, but the incidence of isolated auras is unknown. People with only auras may not seek medical attention, and some may not realize their experiences are unusual.

Multiple Witnesses The author acknowledges that many close-encounter reports involve multiple witnesses, which might seem to rule out migraine. However, the article suggests that the presence of others doesn't preclude migraine as a factor. It points out that detailed accounts from all witnesses are often lacking, and that confabulation, faulty memory, or the influence of a forceful personality experiencing an aura could lead to a shared dramatic story.

Conclusions on Migraine The author clarifies that they are not suggesting all or most close-encounter reports are due to migraine, but rather that the similarities between migraine auras and UFO experiences warrant consideration as a rational explanation for some cases. They encourage readers, especially medically qualified ones, to investigate further and read Dr. Sacks's book.

Is the ETH Falsifiable?

This article by Martin S. Kottmeyer addresses the charge that ufologists' beliefs are unfalsifiable. He argues that while proponents of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) often resist conventional explanations, this does not automatically mean the hypothesis is unfalsifiable.

The ETH and its Predictions The ETH proposes that intelligent beings are covertly operating on Earth and actively evading detection. Kottmeyer questions whether the ETH has provided any useful predictions. He notes that efforts to find evidence through photographic surveys and videotaping have failed. He also critiques the lack of a working saucer drive mechanism proposed by ETH proponents.

Failed Predictions Kottmeyer lists numerous failed predictions made by ETH proponents regarding: * The timing of UFO 'flaps' (increased sightings). * Predictions related to atomic tests or scheduled Air Force tests. * The idea that saucer sightings increase when Mars is close to Earth. * The notion that flaps are a way to desensitize humans to alien presence. * Predictions of imminent invasion, mass landings, or undeniable proof of alien existence. * The idea that UFOs are omens for catastrophes (supernovas, Earth being knocked out of orbit, nuclear Armageddon, etc.). * Government revelations about UFOs, which have been predicted since the 1947 Wave.

The Upshot Kottmeyer concludes that the ETH has generated many predictions that have been tested by time and found invalid. He argues that while this may not be absolute falsification, it is a significant falsification in practical terms, as the predicted events (landings, invasions, government disclosures, revolutionary technology) have not materialized.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential for psychological and physiological explanations for UFO sightings (specifically migraine) and a critical examination of the scientific validity of the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded skepticism, encouraging rational investigation and challenging unsubstantiated claims within ufology. The editor actively seeks reader contributions and discussion, particularly from those with medical expertise.