MUFOB - New series - No 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of MUFOB (Metempirical UFO Bulletin), titled 'New Series 5 Winter 1976/7', delves into the sociological and psychological dimensions of UFO phenomena and related 'mystery animal' reports. The cover art features a whimsical illustration of a spotted, alien-like creature, with the main headline proclaiming 'the Monster as Metaphor'. The magazine is published in the UK and is available via subscription or exchange.

Editorial Notes

The editorial section begins with a reflection on BUFORA's 'Research and Investigation Conference', noting Ted Bloecher's engaging talk on humanoid research but lamenting the perceived dryness of other scientific presentations. The editor expresses a desire for more engaging delivery in scientific discourse, even when discussing complex topics like map references or the 'Ezekiel's Wheel' analogy.

The editorial also touches upon the availability of back issues of MUFOB, with several volumes still in stock. It also lists bookshops in central London where MUFOB can be purchased.

Knowing About UFOs by Dr. Ron Westrum

This lengthy article explores the sociological factors influencing public knowledge about UFOs. Westrum frames the discussion within the sociological concept of 'the social construction of reality' and 'reality negotiation'. He argues for a closer examination of how these processes affect beliefs about anomalous phenomena.

The Ontological Status of UFOs

Westrum addresses the reader's potential concern about whether UFOs are considered real or imaginary. He proposes treating 'UFO' as a label attached to experiences, rather than assuming a specific physical object, thereby avoiding the need to definitively resolve the ontological question. This 'bracketing' of the concept allows for a focus on the social and psychological aspects of the reports.

The Distribution of Experience

The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the distribution of UFO experiences, both spatially and socially. It notes that the credibility of reports is influenced by the social standing of the witness. The author cites studies on UFO sightings, including a 1966 Gallup poll indicating 5% of the US national sample had seen something they thought was a 'flying saucer'. The geographical distribution of reports is noted as uneven, with certain 'flap' areas receiving a disproportionate number of sightings. The temporal distribution also suggests that experiences may be unequally distributed.

Westrum discusses the findings of Vallee and Olmos regarding UFO landings, which tended to occur in rural areas and involved 'high discriminators' (respected community members). He contrasts this with Warren's study, which found college-educated, status-inconsistent individuals reported more sightings, possibly due to a greater tendency to interpret ambiguous stimuli as UFOs. The author suggests that social filtering processes significantly shape the distribution of *reports*, potentially creating a biased relation to the actual distribution of *sighters*.

The UFO Experience: Conceptualisation

This section delves into how individuals decide they are experiencing a UFO. It highlights the role of 'reality-testing' and the use of 'critical ability' to check perceptions against alternative explanations or social context. The author contrasts this with a 'hysterical' reaction, where the premise of a UFO is accepted, and other details are rationalized to fit this belief. The article notes that while eyewitness testimony can be fallible, it is not without use, and the absence of cameras has not prevented accurate astronomical observations.

INTCAT: An International Catalogue of Type I Reports

Compiled by Peter Rogerson, this section provides a chronological listing of UFO sightings from October and November 1954. Each entry includes the date, time, location, a brief description of the craft or phenomenon, and sometimes details about witnesses, their reactions, and any physical traces left behind. Notable incidents include:

• October 25, 1954: A disc-shaped craft in Northern Italy, a phosphorescent craft in France, and an orange craft in France that caused tractor and lights to fail.
• October 26, 1954: A large cauldron-shaped object in France that took off without noise, and an individual in a diving suit in France who aimed blue lights at a witness.
• October 27, 1954: A bright object in France that caused an electric shock and engine failure, and a craft in Italy that emitted a blinding glare and left glistening threads.
• October 27, 1954: A craft on the ground in France with triangular traces, and a cigar-shaped object in France that made a right-angle turn.
• October 30, 1954: Two objects in Italy, one rhomboidic with a cylinder, which flew away leaving a bluish trail.

The Monster as Metaphor by Roger Sandell

This article explores the connection between UFO interest and other 'fringe knowledge' areas, particularly 'mystery animals' like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot. Sandell notes that theories linking UFOs with these phenomena often involve ideas of interplanetary probes or biological experiments by aliens. He discusses how the sociological aspects of these reports are similar to UFO waves, with initial credible sightings followed by more dubious claims.

The author analyzes 'The Meaning of the Loch Ness Monster' pamphlet, which discusses the role of scientists and independent researchers in studying such phenomena. It suggests that the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot can be seen as symbols of freedom and security, contrasting with the constraints of civilization. The article also touches upon the mechanisms of belief and skepticism, noting that for some, these mystery animals represent a focus for belief in forces beyond human control.

Sandell also reviews 'Bigfoot' by Anne Slate and Allan Berry, highlighting similarities to UFO contactee stories, such as witnesses being drawn into the forest by unexplained impulses and experiencing telepathic contact. The article suggests that some Bigfoot sightings have an 'apparition-like air', with witnesses experiencing unsettling feelings about the environment before the encounter.

Letters and Notes

This section includes correspondence and brief notes:

• Peter Williams discusses the difficulty of arriving at truth regarding UFOs, suggesting that understanding the underlying mechanisms might cause the phenomenon to cease in its current form.
• Peter Rogerson corrects a misunderstanding regarding the identity of 'Dr Armstrong' in the book 'The Invisible College'.
• A note highlights the increasing readiness of political figures to show interest in UFOs, citing Idi Amin of Uganda and Grenada's Prime Minister Eric Gairy.
• Information is provided about conflicts within the editorial staff of 'Official UFO' magazine.
• An announcement is made about the upcoming publication of a Flemish language edition of UFO-INFO.
• A change of address for 'Fortean Times' magazine is given.
• A Daily Telegraph item mentions the International Telecommunications Union's study of radio signals from extraterrestrial civilizations.

Books Reviewed

• Arthur Shuttlewood's 'The Flying Saucerers': Described as a mixture of UFO reports and pseudo-scientific speculation, with unusual chapter headings. It is considered an improvement on the author's previous work.
• John A. Keel's 'The Eighth Tower': Analyzes contemporary mythology as an opiate that blinds people to the human condition. Keel sees the 'ultimate scapegoat' as man's imprisonment by his own cultural symbols. The review notes that some 'UFO researchers' may find Keel's artistic interpretation of the subject controversial.
• Michael Harrison's 'Fire from Heaven': A review of a book on spontaneous human combustion, which is criticized for its disorganized structure and inclusion of unrelated topics.
• David Webb's '1973-Year of the Humanoids': A second edition of a study cataloging UFO/humanoid wave cases, noted for its comprehensive cross-section of contemporary folklore and the inclusion of new abduction reports.

Bibliography

A bibliography is provided for the article 'Visions of the Night', listing books on ghosts, UFO sounds, unidentified phenomena, apparitions, out-of-body experiences, psychical phenomena, and hypnagogic experiences. It also includes periodical articles related to UFOs and strange phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with sociology, psychology, and the nature of belief. There is a clear emphasis on understanding UFOs not just as physical events but as social and cultural constructs. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded but critical stance, encouraging rigorous investigation while acknowledging the complexities of eyewitness testimony and the potential for misinterpretation or fabrication. The editorial stance seems to favor a nuanced approach that considers both the 'scientific' and the 'sociological' dimensions of anomalous phenomena, as evidenced by the blend of detailed incident reports and theoretical articles.