Magonia Supplement - No 51 - 2004 06 22

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA Supplement No. 51, dated 22 June 2004, is a publication focused on UFOs and related topics, featuring articles, reviews, and analyses.

"How to Kill Those Degenerate Brainy Aliens, 1900-Style: An Appreciation of George Griffith's 'Stories of Other Worlds'"

This article by Martin S. Kottmeyer examines George Griffith's career, noting his prolific output and financial success, which sometimes exasperated H.G. Wells. Griffith was known for stories about future wars and also delved into travellers' tales, lost races, and historical novels. While critics found him unimaginative, he possessed a gift for combining elements from other writers into a more lavish form. His serial work "Stories of Other Worlds," published in Pearson's Magazine from January to June 1900 and later expanded into "A Honeymoon in Space," is highlighted.

The story's premise involves an airship, the "Astronef" or "Star-Navigator," outfitted with an R-Force device that negates gravity. The builder, his wife, and an engineer embark on an adventure to explore the solar system. The journey is described as both spatial and temporal, with locations visited based on then-existing theories about Earth's past and humanity's future. Jupiter is depicted as a "World that Is to Be," a roiling lava mass. Saturn is imagined in the "Age of Reptiles" with cave-men. Mars is a dying desert world with beings struggling for survival. Ganymede's inhabitants live in crystal hothouses, having achieved intellectual excellence but lost emotional depth. On the Moon, water is scarce, and the surviving humans have adapted with large heads and fish-like mouths, appearing eyeless and smooth-skinned.

Venus is presented as an anomalous evolutionary stage, inhabited by "bird/humans" with a sinless existence, perceived as angels. The article notes this might draw on mythology, linking Venus to the goddess of love. The Martian encounter is detailed, with the Martians described as tall, bald beings with large brains, devoid of emotion and passion, making males and females indistinguishable. This depiction is linked to H.G. Wells's logic of future man and Alpheus Hyatt's concerns about gender appearance convergence. The tale concludes dramatically with a fall towards the Sun due to a dead star affecting the R-force, with the Astronef barely returning home, showcasing the story's flimsy science.

Brian Stableford is cited for remarking that Griffith's story, despite its unoriginality, is archetypal, aggregating ideas from Verne, Flammarion, Wells, Lach-Szyrma, and Edgar Fawcett. The illustrations by Stanley Wood for the serial are noted for depicting the first "proto-Grey" alien being killed by a bullet to the brain, a trope that would be recycled throughout the 20th century.

Twin Falls, Idaho, 1947: Some Notes on a Classic UFO Report

This section by Martin S. Kottmeyer analyzes a classic UFO report from August 13, 1947, involving A.C. Urie and his sons, Keith and Billy, and L.W. Hawkins.

Witness Accounts:

A.C. Urie, operating Auger Falls Trout Farm, reported seeing a flying saucer skimming through Snake River Canyon at about 75 feet altitude, moving at an estimated 1,000 miles per hour. He described it as having a light sky blue color with a red tubular fiery glow at the top, and it rode up and down over the hills, indicating sophisticated control. Urie believed it was guided by instruments and powered by atomic energy, noting its minimal noise.

His sons, Keith (8) and Billy (10), also saw the object. Keith described it as coming down the canyon from east to west, following the ground contours. They noted the object was smokeless and that daylight could be seen through the exhaust flames. The object's size was estimated at 20 feet long by 10 feet high and 10 feet wide, resembling an inverted pie plate or a broad-brimmed straw hat.

L.W. Hawkins, Twin Falls County Commissioner and former sheriff, reported seeing two circular objects soaring at a great height near Salmon Dam the same day. He expressed skepticism prior to his sighting but was convinced something was in the air.

Analysis and Significance:

The case is noted as "Case IX" in the Battelle Memorial Institute study for Project Blue Book. J. Allen Hynek initially dismissed it as a "rapidly travelling atmospheric eddy" but later confessed it was unlike anything ever described and possibly represented technology far beyond contemporary understanding. The report highlights the object's sky-blue color, hugging of land contours, and the spinning of trees beneath it as noteworthy features.

Problems and Hypotheses:

Several problems are identified: the 1,000 mph speed estimate combined with minimal noise (suggesting a sonic boom should have occurred), and the spinning trees, which are not easily explained by conventional aircraft. Hypotheses considered include:

• Reconnaissance drone/RPV: The spinning trees are attributed to helicopter blade downdraft. The quiet operation and contour-hugging motion are consistent with drones. The blue color could be camouflage. Size estimates might be inaccurate. However, controlling such a drone in 1947 over rugged terrain would be extremely difficult.
• Kite: Dismissed due to the detailed description of the object and its motion.
• Rare large bird: Also largely dismissed due to the object's specific characteristics and exhaust details.
• Temperature inversion: A creative theory suggesting a reflecting boundary layer and air turbulence could create the visual effect, but it faces objections regarding the limited area of optical distortion.
• Hoax/Attention-seeking: Considered but deemed less likely given the internal evidence and the lack of compelling identical sightings.
• Extraterrestrial Origin (ETH): While not definitively proven, it is considered a possibility, though the lack of obvious motive or strategic value at the location is questioned. The craft's instrumental nature and absence of windows are noted.

Other Notes:

The object being silhouetted against canyon walls provides a firm distance estimate. Urie's denial of the object spinning while acknowledging the trees spun is seen as a discriminating detail. The admission of fear and uneasiness by witnesses is considered unusual for a 1947 report.

Reviews

"The Art of Chesley Bonestell" by Ron Miller & Frederick C. Durant III:

This book is praised as a definitive work on Chesley Bonestell, the master of space art. It features a large collection of his art and a biography, covering his career from architectural design to illustrating science fiction films and providing scientific accuracy in his astronomical work. The book documents Bonestell's role in popularizing space exploration in the 1950s and his rigorous approach to accuracy, though it notes occasional errors like overly craggy moonscapes.

"Anti-Apocalypse: Exercises in Genealogical Criticism" by Lee Quinby:

Quinby's work is critiqued for being unfocused, with long discussions on feminist politics and diversity rather than solely on apocalyptic themes. The author's assertion that apocalyptic thought is tied to masculine evils and oppression is questioned. The book is seen as having some useful insights, particularly regarding the Waco tragedy, but is generally considered digressive and overly academic.

"Millennial Seduction: a skeptic confronts apocalyptic culture" by Lee Quinby:

Similar to "Anti-Apocalypse," this book is criticized for its academic jargon and digressions into themes like Thoreau's sexuality and angels. The author's view on chastity within apocalyptic belief systems is debated. The book is considered short, making the annoyance factor less compounded by length.

"Future Perfect: How Star Trek Conquered Planet Earth" by Jeff Greenwald:

This book explores the meaning of Star Trek to its fans, detailing its popularity among enthusiasts and scientists, and the diverse global fandoms. It includes interviews with actors and creators, and discusses Trek's influence on culture, from fashion to philosophical debates. The book is described as a fun read, focusing on the phenomenon rather than episode guides.

"The Twilight of American Culture" by Morris Berman:

Berman's work is seen as a reasonable analysis of cultural decline, acknowledging oscillatory processes rather than a definitive end. He identifies signs of decline such as increasing economic inequality and illiteracy, but notes that civilization has historically surged back in new forms. The book is considered less alarmist than some similar works.

"Ritalin Nation: Rapid-Fire Culture and the Transformation of Human Consciousness" by Richard DeGrandpre:

This book argues against the overuse of Ritalin for children, suggesting it doesn't improve grades and acts as a chemical substitute for the speed of modern consumer culture. It emphasizes the need for adaptive down-shifting and questions the diagnosis of ADHD as an organic dysfunction. The book explores the history and anthropology of Western culture's obsession with speed and rapid experience.

"The UFO Magazine UFO Encyclopedia" edited by William J. Birnes:

This encyclopedia is reviewed by John Harney, who notes its extensive coverage of UFO topics but criticizes its opinionated nature. Specific criticisms include the omission of Jerome Clark's entry, the inclusion of speculative theories about "Anunnaki" and Edgar Cayce, and the treatment of John F. Kennedy and Roswell. The review also points out the inclusion of questionable information on crop circles, such as magnetic fields and radioactivity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of science fiction, historical accounts of UFO sightings, and cultural analysis. There's a critical yet appreciative stance towards early science fiction authors like George Griffith, acknowledging their imaginative contributions while also noting their scientific limitations. The analysis of the Twin Falls UFO case demonstrates a thorough examination of evidence, witness credibility, and potential explanations, leaning towards a scientific and skeptical approach while not entirely dismissing the unusual nature of the event. The book reviews cover a range of topics from space art and cultural commentary to the critique of specific UFO literature, indicating a broad interest in the subject matter and a commitment to critical evaluation. The editorial stance appears to favor reasoned analysis and historical context over sensationalism, particularly in the examination of UFO phenomena.