MUFOB - New series - No 07

Magazine Overview

MUFOB, New Series 7, Summer 1977, is an informal journal dedicated to ufology and related subjects. The cover features a cartoon of a bird with the provocative headline, "DOVES ARE JUST MIDDLE-CLASS PIGEONS!" by Peter Rogerson, suggesting a critical examination of the field.

Editorial Notes

UNSETTLED UFOLOGISTS...

This editorial by John Rimmer comments on the ongoing internal disputes within BUFORA, the British UFO organization, specifically the dismissal of Miss Jenny Randles and her formation of UFOIN (UFO Investigators Network). Rimmer expresses concern that this conflict might draw in FSR (Flying Saucer Review), potentially compromising its independence. He notes that BUFORA has a history of surviving schisms but suggests that UFOIN might be a more formidable opponent this time. MUFOB maintains a detached stance on such squabbles, emphasizing the futility of UFO groups but is concerned about the potential damage to independent journalism.

DOVES ARE JUST MIDDLE CLASS PIGEONS!

In this article, Peter Rogerson outlines propositions for understanding the crisis in ufology. He argues that attempts to define the subject within a classical world view have failed and that parapsychology is the appropriate interdisciplinary platform for UFO research. Rogerson criticizes ufologists for their ignorance of parapsychology and their reliance on the 'Extramundane Intelligence' hypothesis, which he finds untestable and alienating. He also points out cultural blockages to discussion, particularly the 'Cult of the Fact' which denigrates creative and psychic aspects of experience. Rogerson suggests that UFO experiences are real for the percipient, regardless of the stimulus, and that studying cases where stimuli are identified can reveal why certain stimuli induce experiences in some individuals and not others. He questions the dichotomy of objective vs. subjective reality, noting that physical effects like photographs and landing traces are ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations. He likens the UFO phenomenon to 'meaningful noise' with a structure that is not caused. Rogerson proposes a model where real experiences involve being 'taken into' Magonia, while hoaxes involve 'bringing out' from Magonia. He emphasizes the phenomenological approach, valuing individual experience, and notes that UFO stories have evolved from optimistic 'space-men' narratives to more dystopian 'abduction' scenarios reflecting societal alienation and the dehumanizing aspects of technology. He also discusses the 'UFO as Demon' mythology and the 'Ancient Astronaut' theory, seeing them as responses to social dislocation and a loss of meaning in a scientific age.

Recent U.K. Contact Reports

Jenny Randles examines the subjective aspects of recent UK contact reports. She notes that many people are drawn to ufology through the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) but are put off when it proves flawed. Randles highlights 'Psychic Contactees' and their highly personalized experiences. She discusses the case of Mrs Lainchbury, who reported visits from entities from Pluto, and Mrs H from Belfast, who claims involvement with benevolent space beings amidst sectarian violence. Randles also covers the case of Mr L from West Yorkshire, who described a medical examination by arrogant entities, noting correlations with the Hills' case and suggesting a hypnogogic experience. She concludes by examining two cases from a recent British wave, which initially appear objective but reveal subjective elements, suggesting that while some events might be objective, many encounters are deeply personal and psychologically significant.

INTCAT: An International Catalogue of Type I Records

This section, compiled by Peter Rogerson, lists numerous UFO sightings and encounters from July to October 1955. Entries include:

• July 2, 1955, Stockton, Georgia, USA: Mrs Wesley Symmonds reported seeing five 'bug eyed' creatures.
• July 5, 1955, Circleville, Ohio, USA: Two fishermen saw a brilliant square light.
• July 18, 1955, Plessiel Airport Nr Abbeville, France: Witnesses saw a disc-shaped object that blinded them.
• July 11, 1955, Newport Beach, California: A saucer-shaped object was observed spinning and emitting vapour.
• July 20, 1955, Sterling, Illinois: A man and his wife saw a strangely manouvering blue-green light.
• July 22, 1955, Santa Maria, California: People observed a long silvery object emerge from water.
• July 22, 1955, Cincinnati, Ohio: A pear-shaped object hovered low, causing skin irritation and scorching a tree.
• August 1955, Cazeres, France: Two egg-shaped objects with multicoloured lights were seen, with two small, bald men nearby.
• August 1955, Batavia, Ohio: A brilliant object landed briefly.
• August 1955, Agrinion, Greece: A luminous object caused a truck's engine to fail and the occupants to faint.
• August 1955, Chazy, New York: A UFO enthusiast claimed a huge creature vaulted over his car.
• August 1, 1955, Bronwood, Georgia, USA: A hairy humanoid creature reportedly immobilised a jeep.
• August 1, 1955, Salon Nr Arles, France: Two people saw a lighted disc dive towards their car and hover.
• August 1, 1955, Willoughby, Ohio: A storekeeper observed a dark shape with red and green lights descending.
• August 1955, Cincinnati, Ohio: An ovoid object giving off intense white light was seen sitting on the ground before ascending rapidly.
• August 16, 1955, Bradford, England: A lorry driver and his son saw a small human being, about 1.2m tall, dressed in black.
• August 19, 1955, Bradford, England: A warehouseman saw a bright, bullet-shaped object standing upright.
• August 20, 1955, Kenora, Ontario, Canada: A nightwatchman and employer saw an object descend rapidly from low cloud.
• August 21, 1955, Andersons Ferry, Ohio: An occupant report with no details.
• August 21, 1955, Hopkinsville, Kentucky: Teenagers reported an unconventional object landing and beings with large eyes approaching.
• August 25, 1955, Greenhills, Ohio: Four teenagers saw a creature with a luminous body.
• August 25, 1955, Cheviot, Indiana: A man reported encountering a little man.
• August 25, 1955, Bedford, Indiana: Two women saw a white object with a black streak hovering near a house, causing house lights to pulse.
• August 26, 1955, Camp Washington, Ohio: Children were terrified by a green man.
• August 26, 1955, Mt. Airey, Ohio: Parents reported their children were terrified by a 'green being'.
• August 29, 1955, Casa Blanca Nr Riverside, California: Children reported seeing hemispherical and disc-shaped objects, and a fantastic being emerge from one.
• August 31, 1955, Mulberry Corners, Ohio: A man claimed to have communicated with the occupant of a UFO.
• September 1955, Plattsburg Air Force Base, New York: An employee saw a strange object and a huge figure in black.
• September 1955, Kwango, Uganda: An engineer observed a glassy, light green object hovering and descending.
• September 1955, St. Pierre de Fursac, France: Miss Meunier saw a luminous object making revolutions before coming to rest.
• September 3, 1955, Cincinnati, Ohio: Frank Flaig and his wife saw a metallic sphere descend.
• September 16, 1955, Boisseuges, France: A shepherd heard a whistling sound as a dark mass fell from the sky, with two occupants seen.
• September 17, 1955, Titicus Reservoir Nr Bush Pine, New York: A couple saw an iridescent pink, mushroom-shaped object rise from the water.
• September 23, 1955, Mount Washington, Ohio: Two red light sources were seen manouvering.
• October 18, 1955, West Hampstead, England: (Entry incomplete)
• October 31, 1955, East Harrow, England: Revd. Pitt-Kethly saw a strange craft with helmeted figures.
• October 31, 1955, Near Melbourne, Australia: A motorist saw a 'huge' dark disc rise from a paddock.
• October 28, 1955, Balmacellan, Scotland: Maurice Brasier encountered an elliptical object with bluish lights.
• November 22, 1955, Betley Nr Crewe, England: A schoolboy saw a disc-shaped object with a green light on top.
• December 21, 1955, Washburn, Maine: A housewife saw a beautiful object, a disc surmounted by a cupola, descend above her barn roof.

Books

• Perpetual Motion by Arthur WJ G. Ord-Hume: Reviews the history and concepts of perpetual motion machines, noting their theoretical appeal and the numerous attempts, both genuine and fraudulent, to create them. The author also touches on the possibility of perpetual motion in nuclear reactors.
• Visitors from Outer Space by Roy Gemman: Described as a 'coffeetable UFO book', it offers a simplified history of the UFO phenomenon, covering various aspects from ETH to contactees, with good illustrations. The reviewer notes a potential inaccuracy regarding luminous wheels in the Persian Gulf.
• Ancient Mysteries by Peter Haining: A broad overview of fortean topics including Hollow Earths, Lost Worlds, and UFOs. While visually appealing, the reviewer finds the bibliography inadequate and the content overly reliant on rehashed material.
• The Space Gods Revealed by Ronald Story: This book critiques Erich von Däniken's 'Ancient Astronaut' theories, comparing them with actual archaeological knowledge. It argues that ancient structures like the pyramids evolved through conventional means and debunks Däniken's claims, also questioning his integrity and the popularity of his work.

Letters

Alan Sharp responds to John Harney's article on extraterrestrial life, expressing skepticism about the possibility of advanced life forms within reasonable distance of the solar system. He supports Harney's rejection of silicon as a basis for life and dismisses parallel universe theories.

Notes, Quotes and Queries

This section highlights several magazines relevant to ufology and forteana, including FORTEAN TIMES, INFO JOURNAL, ANOMALY RESEARCH BULLETIN, LANTERN, and RES BUREAUX BULLETIN, providing subscription details and brief descriptions of their content.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently questions the traditional, objective approach to ufology, emphasizing the subjective and psychological aspects of UFO experiences. There's a critical view of the 'New Ufology' and a concern for the integrity and independence of UFO journalism amidst internal disputes. The magazine promotes a broader understanding of the phenomenon, acknowledging its connection to mythology, cultural contexts, and individual consciousness, rather than solely focusing on extraterrestrial spacecraft. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging a more nuanced and interdisciplinary approach to the study of UFOs.