The Canadian Ufologist - 1997 05 - vol 4 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: THE CANADIAN UFOLOGIST
Issue: V.4.2
Volume: 4.2
Date: May - June 1997
Publisher: THE MUTUAL UFO NETWORK OF ONTARIO
Country: Canada
Price: $3.50

This issue of The Canadian Ufologist features a unique speaker exchange between MUFON Ontario and the Ontario Skeptics Society, aiming to foster dialogue and potential collaboration between ufologists and skeptics. The cover headline highlights this "UNIQUE SPEAKER EXCHANGE".

Unique Speaker Exchange

The issue details a significant event where Tom Theofanous, President of MUFON Ontario, spoke at a meeting of the Ontario Skeptics Society (also known as CSICOP). This initiative aimed to involve skeptics in the investigation process by exchanging speakers. Theofanous stated that criticisms of the UFO phenomenon from armchair skeptics were not worthy of attention, emphasizing his group's commitment to thorough investigation. Professor Michael De Robertis, President of the Ontario Skeptics, reciprocated by speaking at a MUFON meeting. The exchange was cordially received, with the hope that it would lead to future cooperation.

The Enigma Continues

Hugh F. Cochrane's article, "THE ENIGMA CONTINUES", explores the persistent mystery of UFOs. Despite decades of public attention, no indisputable evidence of their true nature has emerged. Cochrane discusses the prevailing North American view of UFOs as alien craft, but notes the lack of hard evidence. He also touches upon alternative interpretations, including the paranormal realm and the idea of UFOs as phantasms or hallucinations. The article references Betty Hill's star chart experience as a credible account, yet questions whether it proves physical presence aboard an alien craft. Cochrane highlights witness accounts of dramatic encounters, physical healing, and altered consciousness, but also points to religious 'stigmata' as a parallel phenomenon. He suggests that UFO experiences might be staged through virtual reality, affecting human senses. The article concludes that UFOs demonstrate technological feats and psychic abilities beyond current human comprehension, and that they possess an intelligence capable of manipulating our world. The certainty of these encounters is questioned, with the possibility of them occurring in a perceived reality versus a virtual one being explored.

UFOs and Aliens: A Skeptic's Perspective

Nikolaos Balaskas reports on Dr. Michael De Robertis' talk at a MUFON Ontario General Meeting. De Robertis, an astronomer and executive of the Ontario Skeptics, presented his skeptical perspective on UFOs and aliens. He offered reasons why he does not accept that some UFOs are piloted by extraterrestrials, such as the presence of lights on UFOs and the concept of alien-human hybrids. He also noted that while many UFOs can be explained as conventional objects, a few remain unexplained, prompting the need for further investigation. De Robertis suggested that alien artifacts might have different isotope ratios if their origin was outside our solar system, but acknowledged that this doesn't definitively rule out alien origin. The article emphasizes the importance of scientific observation and the role of MUFON Ontario in studying this continuing phenomenon.

The 1996 Canadian UFO Survey [Part 2]

Chris Rutkowski presents the second part of the 1996 Canadian UFO Survey. The analysis focused on higher-quality unknowns, with only 5% of the total cases deemed "good" after re-evaluation. The process highlighted the difficulties in analyzing UFO data due to subjective interpretations and witness limitations. The survey found that while most UFOs have plausible explanations, a significant number remain unexplained. The article also discusses the "earth lights" theory, suggesting that poorly understood natural phenomena related to seismic activity might explain some UFO sightings. Correlations were found between seismic events and UFO sightings, with a significant percentage of Canadian cases occurring in earthquake-prone regions. The survey does not offer definitive proof of alien visitation but confirms that UFOs are continually being observed.

Additional Analysis of Unknowns

This section details a special meeting held by UFOROM members to re-assess UFO cases classified as Unknown. The re-evaluation identified only 13 higher-reliability and higher-strangeness cases from the 1996 data. It is noted that even high-quality unknowns do not necessarily imply alien visitation and may still have explanations.

Earthquakes and UFOs

This section explores the theory that UFOs might be "earth lights," natural phenomena linked to seismic activity and geophysical forces. The article discusses how stresses within the Earth could generate electromagnetic energy that becomes luminous. While no definitive mechanism has been determined by the scientific community, independent studies suggest a correlation between seismic events and UFOs. The 1996 Canadian seismic data revealed numerous earthquakes, particularly along the coast of British Columbia and in southern Quebec. The article suggests that a significant portion of Canadian UFO cases could be correlated with these seismic events, especially if large time separations are allowed.

Summary of Results (1996 Canadian UFO Survey)

The 1996 Canadian UFO Survey indicated a slight increase in reports, with approximately 190 cases annually. Western Canada was over-represented, while the Maritimes were under-represented. No definite monthly trend was found, with sightings occurring year-round. Approximately 80% of sightings were lights, and about 13% of all reports were unexplained (falling to 5% for higher-quality cases). Most sightings occurred between 9:00 pm and midnight and often involved multiple witnesses. The typical sighting lasted nearly half an hour, and most reported UFOs were white.

Folklore, Ufology, Culture and Knowledge: A Skeletal Survey

Peter Brookesmith's article examines the relationship between ufological events, folklore, and popular culture. He argues that popular culture influences UFO reports, and vice versa, citing the "flying saucers" craze of 1947. Brookesmith discusses the "Dark Side" conspiracy theory as a form of elaborate folklore. He analyzes abduction accounts (AEs) and crash-retrieval accounts (CRAs), suggesting they share narrative structures with folklore and myths. He notes the recurrence of motifs like feline imagery and praying mantis-like aliens in abduction reports, drawing parallels to literary works like "Alice in Wonderland" and "Buck Rogers". Brookesmith questions the literal interpretation of AEs and CRAs, suggesting their meaning lies more in their figurative reality and cultural significance. He acknowledges the difficulty in explaining the mechanism of genuine abduction experiences.

Crashed Saucers And Folklore

This section delves into the "Roswell features" found in crash-retrieval cases, such as dwarfish alien bodies, hieroglyphs on wreckage, and the lightness of materials. The author suggests these are narrative motifs rather than evidence of actual events, comparing them to urban myths. The appearance of hieroglyphs is traced back to earlier reports and even to patterns on Mogul balloon debris. The article concludes that many crash-retrieval scenarios are essentially legends.

Coffee Table Ufology

C.R. Foley reviews several "coffee table books" on UFOs, noting their oversized pictorial format and brief text. He discusses "Flying Saucers" (1967), "Visitors From Outer Space" (1976), "Phenomena A Book of Wonders" (1977), "Photographs of the Unknown" (1980), "UFOs: Where do they come from?" (1984/1988), "UFO Encounters" (1992), and "Encyclopedia of the Unexplained" (1993). Foley highlights that these books often focus on abduction phenomena and contain rare photographs and illustrations that help bring the subject matter alive.

Sarnia 'Cigar' UFO

A report from Dorothy Lewis describes a witness observing a long, tube-like, greyish-white object suspended in mid-air over the St. Clair River. A white spherical object was discharged from it before both vanished. The object made no sound and did not pulsate or wobble.

Ottawa UFO Report

A software engineer reports observing a stationary white spot in the sky that suddenly moved very quickly, brightened and dimmed, and was joined by other objects. He concludes that atmospheric phenomena, weather balloons, or aircraft cannot explain his sighting, leaving it as a mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate between ufologists and skeptics, the analysis of UFO reports and their potential explanations (conventional, natural phenomena, or extraterrestrial), and the influence of folklore and popular culture on UFO narratives. The magazine's stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging rigorous investigation while acknowledging the persistent mysteries surrounding the UFO phenomenon. There's a clear effort to bridge the gap between scientific skepticism and the experiences of witnesses, promoting a balanced approach to the subject.