Magonia Supplement - No 43 - 2002 11 19

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA Supplement
Issue: 43
Date: 19 November 2002
Topic: The diverse coloration of alleged alien beings, commonly referred to as 'greys'.

What Colour Are The Greys?

This article, authored by Martin S. Kottmeyer, challenges the conventional image of 'grey' aliens by presenting a wide array of reported skin colors beyond the typical grey. Kottmeyer meticulously details numerous cases from various locations and time periods, illustrating that these beings are not uniformly grey.

White and Black Variants

The article begins by noting that while grey is a blend of black and white, reports sometimes describe entities as pure white or shiny black. Examples include Robert Carlson's 1983 experience with beings having shiny black skin, and teenagers near Springfield, Missouri, who in 1991 encountered a humanoid described as completely white. A 1996 case in Miami, Florida, also describes a being as white. French ufologist Eric Zurcher reported in 1979 that French 'big-headed dwarfs' were typically very white. A case from Argentina in 1991 involved beings that were initially milky white but later emitted phosphorescent white light. Even transparent or invisible beings have been reported, such as in a 1993 Russian case where a student saw two transparent figures with large heads and red eyes.

Brown and Tan Variants

Kottmeyer then explores reports of brown and tan-skinned humanoids. In February 1985, a Fort Wayne, Indiana resident described a grey-type humanoid with tanned or bronze-faced skin. A January 1997 case in Florida involved beings with tan-coloured skin. A July 1990 encounter described a light brown entity. A December 1998 case in Illinois featured brown-skinned greys. A particularly unusual case from Pitahaya, Puerto Rico, in January 1995, described a beige-brown being with brown and black spots.

Green and Blue Variants

The article acknowledges that while ufologists often deny green aliens, such reports do exist. Thomas Bullard's study of pre-1985 abductions found at least 10 cases of green-skinned humanoids. Examples include a March 1991 case on the Kuwait border where beings were described as pale green. A woman in Salem, Oregon, in August 1992, encountered a greenish-grey figure. Several independent witnesses in Puerto Rico in August 1992 saw short, four-foot tall beings with light green skin. Cases from the Adirondacks region of New Jersey and Cancun, Mexico, also described grey-green or green humanoids. A woman in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1994, recalled beings with a green tinge. The article also notes blue variants, such as a July 1990 sighting in Hungary of a figure described as steel blue, and mid-1991 reports from Puerto Rico of grey-blue skinned humanoids. A 1996 case in Western Australia also described greyish-blue beings.

Other Colors and Characteristics

Completing the spectrum, a March 1995 case in Puerto Rico described a humanoid with skin bearing multiple colors, including grey, maroon, yellow, and purple. The article also touches on other characteristics, such as large heads, large eyes, thin bodies, and variations in limb structure. It mentions Leonard Stringfield's findings on retrieved bodies, noting descriptions of skin as scaly or reptilian, and textures as stretchable or mobile.

The Concept of 'Greys'

Kottmeyer questions whether the term 'grey' is still appropriate given the vast diversity in reported colors. He suggests that the term may be too simplistic and proposes 'Brainoid' as a potential alternative, emphasizing the large brain as a more defining characteristic than skin color. He notes that while 'Brainoid' hasn't caught on, the idea of a large brain being central to the 'grey' form is compelling.

Other Sections

Notes and News: This section features a piece by Nigel Watson discussing historical claims of flight, from medieval legends to modern pyrotechnics and the exploitation of public gullibility. It touches upon the evolution of UFO phenomena, from 'nuts and bolts' to crop circles as 'alien text messages,' and critiques NASA's efforts to prove the moon landing while not addressing the existence of flying saucers. Watson also comments on the Project Blue Book and its controversial findings.

• Literary Criticism:
• "Aliens Amongst Us – A Beginner's Guide" by Peter J. Morris: Reviewed by Martin S. Kottmeyer, this book is described as a basic introduction to the UFO phenomenon, but Kottmeyer criticizes its lack of depth in discussing doubts surrounding cases and its New Age tilt. He notes that Morris leans towards the idea that UFOs are Earth-related.
• "The Science of UFOs" by William Alschuler: Reviewed by Kottmeyer, this book is praised for its discussion of interstellar travel but criticized for factual errors regarding UFO reports, such as misstating details of the Adamski and Hill abductions, and misinterpreting the role of Project Mogul in the Roswell incident.
• "It Came from Inner Space: Faith, Science, Conquest and the War of the Worlds" by Timothy Mitchell: This PhD thesis is noted for its observations on "The War of the Worlds" and its various adaptations, with some strained attempts to link it to abduction mythos.
• "Strangers in the Night: A Brief History of Life on Other Worlds" by David E. Fisher and Marshall Jon Fisher: Reviewed by Kottmeyer, this book covers the debate on extraterrestrial life but is considered to touch only lightly on UFOs, offering little new for buffs.
• "Svengali's Web: The Alien Enchanter in Modern Culture" by Daniel Pick: This book is reviewed by Kottmeyer, who notes its focus on the legend of Svengali and its themes of mind control, but states it contains nothing about extraterrestrials, though it might illuminate aspects of UFO mythology.

Editorial: The editorial addresses the controversy surrounding the ETH (Extraterrestrial Hypothesis) and the difficulty of keeping UFO evidence secret. It quotes Stanton Friedman on the impossibility of secrecy and questions how governments have preserved the 'Secret of the Saucers' for over 50 years.

MAGONIA Readers' Meetings: Information is provided for monthly meetings held on the first Sunday of each month.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the UFO phenomenon with a critical yet open-minded approach. There is a strong emphasis on examining specific cases, questioning conventional narratives, and analyzing the historical and cultural context of UFO beliefs. The editorial stance appears to favor a rigorous, evidence-based investigation of UFO claims, while acknowledging the persistent mysteries and the human tendency to seek explanations for the unknown. The issue highlights the diversity within reported alien encounters, pushing readers to reconsider simplistic categorizations like 'greys' and encouraging deeper, more nuanced analysis of the subject matter.