Magonia Supplement - No 16 - 1999 06

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA Monthly Supplement, Issue No. 16, dated June 1999, is presented as a continuation of the 'ETH Bulletin' and focuses on interpreting contemporary vision and belief, particularly concerning UFO phenomena. The editor is JOHN HARNEY.

Editorial

The editorial expresses puzzlement over the logical inconsistency of taking seriously stories of aliens gliding through walls or being securely locked up at US Air Force bases. The editor questions why well-educated individuals treat such stories as physical reality rather than social reality. A critique is leveled against ufologists who favor the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) as the primary explanation for UFO reports, arguing that this approach leads to distortion of evidence instead of unbiased, case-by-case investigations. This approach, however, is noted to have yielded results for some British and French investigators.

Predictions and Crashes

Nigel Watson discusses the unreliability of UFO predictions, often made by cultists or contactees. He cites an unnamed spokesman for the British UFO Society (BUFOS) who predicted a 'major breakthrough' in 1979 that would necessitate a 'searching look inwards' for higher wisdom and 'open traffic' with UFOs. Watson notes that no such breakthrough occurred. He also recounts a story from the Evening Express about an incident involving a crash with two badly burned corpses, each about 4 feet tall, investigated by the MoD and RAF. BUFOS could only refer to a vague incident in Norway in the 1960s. Watson speculates if this could be related to the Berwyn Mountain crash case of January 1974, though interest in it as a crashed spaceship case emerged more in the 1990s.

Literary Criticism

Review of 'The Rising of the Moon: The Devonshire UFO Triangle' by Jonathan Downes and Nigel Wright

Nigel Watson reviews this book, describing it as unusual, beginning with Downes drowning his sorrows and ending with him in psychotherapy. The book is a mix of Fortean topics, including UFOs, mystery animals, MIB, poltergeists, and folklore, with a focus on Devonshire. Watson finds the authors' research candid and amusing, noting an incident where they attended a BBC Radio Devon stand with a 'grey alien' impersonator. The review highlights that the book compares local reports with theories beyond Devonshire. However, Watson points out some research gaps, such as the treatment of the 1909 British airship scare. The authors are noted to demolish several cases and are critical of Roswell and the ETH, postulating that UFOs are caused by energy forms feeding off human emotions, termed 'Odylic Lifeforce Energy'. The book is described as based on personal experience rather than scientific treatise, and Watson concludes it is a good read.

Review of 'Alien Art: Extraterrestrial Expressions on Earth' by Sarah Moran

Nigel Watson reviews Sarah Moran's book, calling it a picture book of 'greatest hits' related to ancient astronaut theories, featuring images of Nazca Lines, Mayan pyramids, and other artifacts. Watson questions why aliens, if responsible for these structures, didn't leave more convincing evidence. He notes the book is a pleasant, uncritical look at ancient astronautics but finds Moran's skepticism of Darwinian evolution worrying. Moran's concluding question, 'Is it so much harder to contemplate that we may have been influenced by visitors from the skies, than that we somehow evolved from an elusive missing link with monkeys?', is criticized by Watson as leading to gullibility. He concludes that the book is merely an excuse for pretty pictures and vacuous questions that pander to believers.

Letters

Martin Kottmeyer's 'Betty Hill's Medical Nightmare' (MMS, No. 12, February 1999)

Karl T. Pflock writes to criticize Martin Kottmeyer's article, calling it an 'absurd bit of speculative overreaching'. Pflock, however, acknowledges that Kottmeyer provides important insights for ufologists, emphasizing the need to be cautious when evaluating witness testimony and recognizing that experiences are framed by life experiences and popular culture. Pflock uses the example of Barney Hill's encounter, suggesting that his recollection of 'compelling eyes' might have been influenced by an 'Outer Limits' episode. Pflock then strongly criticizes Kottmeyer's 'Medical Nightmare' article for linking Betty Hill's presumed anxiety to radioactive bomb-test fallout and the 'Lucky Dragon' incident without evidence. He argues that Kottmeyer's suggestions about the false-teeth episode and other details are tenuous and lack supporting testimony.

Martin S. Kottmeyer's Reply

Martin S. Kottmeyer responds to Karl T. Pflock, stating that Pflock's challenge regarding fears of radioactive bomb-test fallout is misguided. Kottmeyer clarifies that he suggested Betty Hill feared exposure to radiation during the UFO encounter itself, not from a specific test. He cites 'The Interrupted Journey' for claims of anxiety. Kottmeyer defends his linking of the 'Bellero Shield' to the 'Outer Limits' episode as a way to show alternative explanations are possible. He also addresses Pflock's criticism of his article regarding John Mack's assertions about alien medical procedures, agreeing with the criticism but standing by his analysis of the Hill case. Kottmeyer emphasizes that his intent was to show alternative explanations, not to claim certainty.

Karl T. Pflock's Rejoinder

Karl T. Pflock replies to Martin Kottmeyer, challenging Kottmeyer's assertion that there are no cases with multiple independent witnesses that cannot be explained by aircraft or natural phenomena. Pflock cites three specific cases with multiple witnesses and UFO reactions: Ellsworth Air Force Base (1953), near Kingman, Kansas (1950), and over Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma (1957). Pflock reiterates his criticism of Kottmeyer's 'Medical Nightmare' article, stating that Kottmeyer's suggestion of Betty Hill fearing fallout was implied by the 'fallout paranoia of the time' and lacked factual backing. He clarifies that his previous comment about the 'Bellero Shield' was a 'mere nit' and that Barney Hill was emotionally affected by the 'captain' figure, finding it frighteningly compelling, as noted in Walter Webb's report. Pflock acknowledges Kottmeyer's point about subsequent abduction cases reflecting features of the Hill case and his criticism of John Mack's assertions, but maintains his critique of Kottmeyer's article regarding the Hill case.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions the methodology and conclusions of certain UFO research, particularly those heavily reliant on the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis. There is a strong emphasis on critical analysis of witness testimony, the influence of popular culture, and the need for evidence-based investigation. The editorial stance appears to favor a skeptical yet open-minded approach, encouraging rigorous examination of claims rather than blind acceptance. The debate between Kottmeyer and Pflock highlights the ongoing internal discussions within ufology regarding interpretation and evidence standards.