MUFOB - New series - No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFOB
Issue: New Series 6
Date: Spring 1977
Publisher: John Rimmer
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of MUFOB, a journal dedicated to ufology, features a prominent cover story titled "The Case for Humanoids," exploring the potential physical and behavioral characteristics of extraterrestrial intelligences. It also includes an in-depth article on the reporting of UFO sightings and a comprehensive catalogue of UFO reports from the 1950s.

Editorial Notes

By John Rimmer (Editor)

The editor reflects on the changes in the British UFO scene over seven years, noting criticisms of organizations like BUFORA by both himself and Jenny Randles. He also notes the death of Dr. Donald Menzel, a known skeptic of the UFO phenomenon, and requests that all exchange magazines be sent to a single address for better record-keeping.

The Case for Humanoids

By John Harney

This article argues that extraterrestrial intelligences are likely to bear physical resemblances to humans due to evolutionary convergence and the constraints imposed by the laws of nature. Harney posits that intelligent beings would likely need a brain, requiring protection and sensory inputs, and that their form would be influenced by ecological niches, which may be similar across planets. He also touches upon the concept of free will and the potential for intelligent beings to possess a sense of 'good and evil.' The essay extends this to economic considerations, suggesting that any advanced civilization would likely require a monetary system for resource management.

Harney concludes that extraterrestrial intelligences would likely share many similarities with humans in their social organization and behavior, as they would face similar technical, economic, political, and philosophical challenges. He uses biblical references (Genesis 1:26, 2:17, 3:1-24) to support the idea of beings made in an 'image' and possessing free will.

Knowing About UFOs: Part 2

By Dr. Ron Westrum

This section of Dr. Westrum's article examines the representativeness of UFO reports, particularly those received by the US Air Force. He highlights the significant attrition rate of reports, with only a small fraction making it into official channels. Westrum discusses the motivations for reporting UFO sightings, including a sense of civic duty and a desire for knowledge, but also notes the risks involved, such as ridicule and professional repercussions. He points out that individuals with high credibility are often reluctant to report due to the potential negative consequences. The article also touches upon the tendency for information to circulate informally, especially among scientists, and how this can influence the perception and reporting of UFOs.

Westrum criticizes the 'filtering' process of reports, suggesting that official channels may not capture the most informative cases. He also discusses the role of government agencies in either encouraging or discouraging reports, noting how the perceived wishes of higher echelons can influence the information that reaches them. The article mentions the Condon Report's recommendation for a public debunking campaign and the US Air Force's disinformation campaign in 1949, suggesting that such efforts may have inadvertently increased public interest.

INTCAT: An International Catalogue of Type 1 Reports

Compiled by Peter Rogerson

This section presents a continuation of the INTCAT catalogue, listing numerous UFO reports from December 1954 to July 1955. Each entry includes the date, location, time, and a brief description of the sighting, often involving unusual objects, landings, and encounters with humanoid beings. The catalogue details cases from Germany, Venezuela, Brazil, France, Spain, Australia, Chile, and the United States.

• Notable entries include:
• A cigar-shaped object descending in Germany (532).
• A luminous disc and small beings in Venezuela (533).
• An encounter with small beings and a disc-shaped craft in Venezuela (534).
• An object hovering with two little men in Brazil (535).
• A disc-shaped machine with dwarf occupants in Venezuela (540).
• A bright light from a dark craft in France (541).
• A sphere with attached spheres and small descending beings in Brazil (539).
• Encounters with small beings in Spain (552, 555) and Australia (549, 550).
• Reports of luminous objects and landings in various locations.

The compilation also introduces a new system of references and explains the notation used for linking sources.

Books

Reviews by Peter Rogerson (except where stated)

• UFOs: The American Scene by Michael Hervey: Reviewed as a boring survey of UFO activity in the USA, lacking depth and useful for researchers due to a poor index and lack of sources.
• UFO Investigation: a field investigators handbook by Roger Stanway and Jenny Randles: Criticized for its obsession with trivial detail and bureaucracy, including overly cautious investigation procedures and a limited focus on 'genuine extraterrestrial hardware' over other concepts.
• A catalogue of 200 Type-1 UFO Events in Spain and Portugal by Vincente-Juan Ballester-Olmos: Highly recommended, this expanded catalogue is praised for its excellent cross-section of Type-1 experiences and is considered essential for researchers.
• Mysteries of time and space by Brad Steiger: Part one is a collection of alleged archaeological anomalies, while part two discusses 'the reality game' and anomalous phenomena. The reviewer notes Steiger's tendency to use questionable sources and to conflate 'play reality' with 'ordinary reality'.
• UFO Treck by Warren Smith: Described as a reasonable discussion of fringe ufology, but its credibility is undermined by a misspelled name (Hynek) and the author's association with Eric Norman, considered unreliable.
• UFO Missionaries Extraordinary compiled and edited by Hayden Hewes and Brad Steiger: A study of a millenarian cult led by Herb Applewhite and Bonnie Lee Trousdale Nattles. While containing some interesting documentation, it is considered superficial and uncritical.
• The Lumberton Report: UFO activity in southern North Carolina by Jennie Zeidman: A detailed report of a local UFO flap, including close encounter cases, but considered overpriced.

A Schematic Chart of Ufology

By William Smith

This article presents a schematic chart designed to illustrate the process of ufological investigation. It begins with an 'Unusual Event' attracting a 'Witness,' leading to a 'Raw Report.' This report is then subjected to 'Screening,' where hoaxes and misperceptions are rejected, and 'Unreliable Witnesses' are identified. The remaining reports form the 'UFO-phenomena' and are catalogued in the 'Basic Catalogue.' Subsequent 'Studies' analyze the 'Reality,' 'Characteristics,' and 'Origin' of these phenomena, using methods such as statistical analysis, comparative studies, and behavioral analysis. The chart emphasizes the importance of considering conventional explanations and the limitations of scientific understanding in classifying UFO cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of MUFOB maintains a strong focus on the scientific and investigative aspects of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and analysis of UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by skepticism and the complexities of information dissemination. The magazine promotes a serious approach to the subject, evident in its detailed catalogue of reports and its critical reviews of relevant literature. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between credible evidence and less reliable accounts, and on understanding the social and psychological factors influencing UFO reporting and perception. The publication seems to advocate for a more rigorous, scientific approach to ufology, moving beyond mere speculation.