Magonia Supplement - No 37 - 2001 10 05

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA Supplement No. 37, dated 5 October 2001, is a publication from MAGONIA, based in the UK, and is written in English. The issue features a cover headline about a new technique for detecting life on other planets and includes a variety of articles, reviews, letters, and notes.

A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR DETECTING LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS?

This section discusses a model presented in the scientific journal Nature that predicts features of terrestrial planets orbiting nearby stars, discernible through low-precision photometry. The authors suggest that daily flux variations of up to hundreds of per cent could reveal information about ice and cloud cover, seasonal variations, surface composition (ocean vs. land fraction), and rotation period. Furthermore, signatures of Earth-like planet life could potentially be constrained or uniquely determined through photometric measurements at different wavelengths. A specific example is the dramatic rise in albedo of vegetation at around 750 nm, known as the 'red edge,' which serves as a cooling mechanism to prevent chlorophyll degradation.

LITERARY CRITICISM: Reviews by Peter Rogerson

UFOs: a Century of Sightings by Michael David Hall

This review by Peter Rogerson discusses Michael David Hall's book, described as the first history of ufology and UFO cases by a professional historian in a quarter-century. Hall, as a historian, avoids providing explanations for cases and notes the problems with the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH). The reviewer detects a general pro-UFO bias in Hall's selection and commentary. The book is noted for its limited engagement with the Roswell incident, suggesting that if a spacecraft had been discovered in 1947, it would have taken time to identify, unlike the immediate recognition at Roswell. Hall hints at a possible large military or nuclear secret being involved. The review highlights the book's strength in its detailed study of US government policy and its use of Ed Ruppelt's private papers, offering insight into the complexities of the field. The reviewer also mentions Hall's naming of a new candidate for the 'father of the ETH,' the aeronautical engineer Alfred Loedding.

The reviewer notes that while Ruppelt's 'Estimate of the Situation' is mentioned, its contents are unknown. Hall's family claims Loedding's son remembered investigating landing reports in the 1940s, raising questions about false memory. The review suggests that the case reports in Hall's book are useful and provide early material for ufologists. It points out that a low-level report from Circleville, Ohio, is now classified as a CEIII, and many cases, if reported accurately, would be puzzling. The reviewer reflects that in the early 1950s, it was easy to argue for the ETH based on elimination, as proponents lacked positive evidence and assumed anything not ours or the Russians' must be ETs (specifically Martians).

The reviewer expresses surprise that Hall, as a historian, paid little attention to the cultural climate, particularly the pervasive influence of wartime experience and imagery on flying saucer stories, comparing their behavior to ultra-high-performance German or Japanese fighters. The question of whether UFO witnesses had combat experience or were implicitly trained to see enemy aircraft is raised.

Rogerson notes that as the war receded, UFO reports became more tenuous and paranormal. He observes that ufologists are now pursuing crashed-saucer rumors and abduction stories due to a lack of good classical UFO cases, possibly exacerbated by the relative ease of accessing Project Blue Book files compared to civilian UFO group records.

While initially intending to recommend Hall's book as a source of good UFO reports, the reviewer developed doubts about the accuracy of the accounts, citing inaccuracies in well-known cases like the Hill case. The reviewer questions whether reports were compiled from memory or hastily written notes. Despite Hall introducing more foreign reports than typical American UFO writers, the reviewer concludes that his knowledge of the subject is not deep.

The review then delves into specific cases, urging US readers to examine the original sources for a 'Sky Trails' magazine story from June 1933 about Colin Murphy, who claimed his DC4 biplane was 'buzzed' by a wingless cylinder, causing his engine to misfire and forcing an emergency landing. The reviewer also mentions a reference by Ruppelt to an incident on January 16-17, 1947, involving two fighters intercepting a violently moving object over England. Despite its errors and price, the book is recommended for ufologists' collections.

Best UFO Cases Europe by Illobrand von Ludwiger

This illustrated A4 document is reviewed, with the reviewer stating that most cases are simply reports of lights in the night, potentially explainable as atmospheric phenomena or conventional IFOs (Identified Flying Objects). The Belgian triangles and Trans-en-Provence cases are mentioned. A physical evidence case from Sweden in 1956 involving a lump of metal found after an alleged UFO sighting is discussed. Analysis showed it was made of pulverized tungsten carbide and cobalt, with no special manufacturing. Von Ludwiger's conclusion that it must be assumed to have come from a flying saucer until its exact manufacturer and use is found is criticized as assuming paranormal until proven otherwise. A CEIII case from Lake Constance in 1977 is also mentioned, with the reviewer suspecting it would resolve into an IFO and the occupant report being fantasy.

The report includes introductions from American UFO establishment figures like Messrs. Maccabee, Schuessler, and Haines, the latter focusing on a dispute with the Sturrock committee. The reviewer characterizes UFO research in Germany as cultic, largely influenced by Burkhart Heim, and von Ludwiger is seen as a disciple. Von Ludwiger's explanation for the UFO phenomenon is time travelers, though the reviewer questions their motive for drawing attention to themselves.

The reviewer concludes that ufologists are their own worst enemies, citing missing basic details, lack of genuine open-minded inquiry, credulity, reliance on outdated science, and frank science fiction speculation in the summaries, indicating a lack of understanding of scientific evidence and inquiry.

EDITORIAL

The editorial reflects on the 'outrageous and tragic events of 11 September,' serving as a stark reminder of real dangers and conspiracies. It contrasts these realities with the 'imaginary dangers and imaginary conspiracies' that occupy ufologists, such as government conspiracies to hide 'The Truth about the UFOs' or projects involving Greys producing human-alien hybrids. The editor expresses hope that ufologists will abandon these notions and focus on real-world issues.

The editorial then discusses how current UFO stories do not reflect advanced technology or ETs but rather a blend of advanced 1940s/1950s technology, speculative aerospace designs, and 1930s comic-book ideas of 'spaceships,' representing a pre-satellite and computer era. While acknowledging the role of the Cold War, the editorial criticizes the lack of attention to the cultural climate, particularly the influence of wartime experience and imagery on flying saucer reports, likening their behavior to high-performance fighters and questioning the background of pilot witnesses.

It is noted that as the war receded, UFO reports became more tenuous and paranormal. The editorial observes the shift towards crashed-saucer rumors and abduction stories, suggesting a decline in good classical UFO cases and potential difficulties in accessing civilian UFO group records.

The editorial expresses initial intent to recommend Hall's book but developed doubts due to inaccuracies in reported cases, particularly the Hill case. The reviewer questions the compilation of reports and suggests Hall's knowledge might not be deep. The editorial then highlights the need to re-examine EM-type cases from before the modern UFO wave using original sources, specifically mentioning a 'Sky Trails' article from June 1933 about Colin Murphy's encounter with a wingless cylinder.

LETTERS

Tim Matthews vs. Nigel Watson

This section features a heated exchange between Tim Matthews and Nigel Watson. Tim Matthews accuses Nigel Watson of a 'disgraceful smear' and 'callous misrepresentation' in a previous Magonia Supplement, demanding a right to reply. Matthews denies Watson's claims that he stated the US Star Wars project was created to fight a secret war against aliens, explaining that he discussed efforts to create a defensive shield and Reagan-era Star Wars systems. He refutes Watson's characterization of ufologists and sceptics, calling it 'pure fantasy.' Matthews also denies Watson's assertion that he thinks ufology focuses too much on individuals rather than evidence, stating that Watson's report is an example of 'debunking tactics of investigating the investigators.' Matthews clarifies his comments about a general's wife referring to 'aliens' as being like the fictional 'Predator,' stating that Watson's interpretation is an exaggeration and that nobody else found his comments problematic.

Matthews also addresses Watson's claim that he accepts the ET hypothesis despite disliking ETH believers, stating this is untrue and that he gets along with most people. He denies any contradiction regarding poltergeist activity at his home, explaining that he focused on activity centered on his daughter Alexandra and that he views such events as being on the edge of scientific understanding. He concludes by stating that Watson has a problem with him not being easily categorized.

Nigel Watson responds, accusing Matthews of being the one who dispenses smears and misrepresentation. Watson denies Matthews's claims and states that Matthews calls him a liar. Watson defends his reporting, noting that while he may have omitted certain details (like the 'Predator' reference or the word 'poltergeist'), it doesn't make him a liar. He argues that Matthews's dislike of Fortean Times and armchair theorists, even if not explicitly stated in his talk, was evident and does not make him a liar either. Watson questions where his 'damn lies' are and suggests there are only areas of disagreement and interpretation.

Robert R. Young on Meteor Explanations

Robert R. Young responds to Martin Kottmeyer's discussion of the July 24, 1948, UFO sighting by DC-3 pilots Chiles and Whitted. Kottmeyer suggested a meteor explanation might be wrong due to the radiant of the Delta Aquarids. Young argues that while the Perseids radiant might be better, the July 24 date seems early. He explains that most bright fireballs brighter than Venus are associated with asteroids and considered 'sporadics,' not part of meteor showers, which are related to comets. This view, suggested over a hundred years ago, was considered a scientific backwater by mid-20th-century meteoriticists. Young concludes that the sporadic nature of the object does not rule out a meteor explanation, as this doesn't include present-day space debris re-entries, which are also 'sporadics.'

NOTES AND NEWS from Nigel Watson

Murdering UFOs

Nigel Watson discusses the portrayal of aliens in television, noting that shows like 'The X Files' and mainstream dramas often feature homicidal creatures. He analyzes two examples: a 'Heartbeat' episode set in 1960s Yorkshire, where a murder mystery was linked to UFO sightings but ultimately explained as an accident and RAF aircraft, and an episode of 'Midsomer Murders' featuring a murder in a crop circle with characteristics mirroring 'classic' UFO murder cases. Watson critiques the latter's convoluted narrative and the eventual mundane death of the prime suspect, a ufologist. He suggests that the show, like 'Scooby Doo,' aims for rational explanations but does so in a less straightforward manner. He also mentions a 'square' crop circle reported on TV that was supposedly a scientific message from ETs, questioning if this interest will be killed off by such portrayals.

I Tawt I Saw A Bunnie Rarebit

This section discusses a University of Washington study on the malleability and unreliability of memory. Jacquie Pickrell and Professor Elizabeth Loftus presented research showing how memories can be altered or implanted. In one experiment, viewers who saw an advert of Bugs Bunny shaking hands with Disney World visitors later remembered meeting Bugs Bunny themselves, despite Bugs Bunny not being a Disney character. Pickrell concluded that memories can be implanted for events that never happened. Loftus's research questions how people attach details to memories and bind experiences together. The implications for ufology are profound, as many reported UFO sightings and alien encounters from childhood, or 'flying saucers' seen before 1947, were not reported until years later, suggesting that these accounts might be influenced by memory alteration.

MAGONIA Readers' Meetings

Information is provided about regular readers' meetings held on the first Sunday of each month at The Railway, Putney, London, offering a place to interpret contemporary vision and belief.

MAGONIA Supplement

Details are provided for obtaining MAGONIA Supplement, including its availability on the website and contact information for submitting letters and articles to the editor, John Harney.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific search for extraterrestrial life, critical analysis of UFO literature and historical cases, the nature of evidence and scientific inquiry in ufology, and the psychological aspects of memory and belief. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a call for a more grounded, evidence-based approach to understanding phenomena, while acknowledging the existence of real-world dangers and conspiracies. There's a clear emphasis on distinguishing between scientific investigation and speculative or 'imaginary' conspiracies.