Ovni Presence - No 36

Magazine Overview

Title: Ovni-Présence
Issue: No. 36
Date: January 1987
Publisher: AESV (Association d'Etude sur les Soucoupes Volantes)
Country: France
Language: French
ISSN: 0223-0976
Price: 20FF/5FS

This issue of Ovni-Présence, a quarterly publication, marks its tenth year with a focus on the "Italo-Swiss UFO-Solar case" of August 15, 1985, and a critical examination of the Bressuire case from 1954. The magazine also explores broader themes within ufology, including skepticism, media influence, and the challenges of research.

The Italo-Swiss UFO-Solar Case of August 15, 1985

The cover story details an encounter by a Greek pilot, M.C.S., captain of an Olympic Airways Boeing 727, who reported a missile-shaped object flying near his aircraft in Italian airspace. The object, described as dark and about two meters long, was observed at an altitude of 8000 meters and was not detected by civilian or military radars. The incident also reportedly had ground witnesses in the Tessin canton of Switzerland.

The investigation, led by Bruno Mancusi, proposes that the object was a "UFO-Solar" balloon, a toy marketed in Switzerland. The article traces the story of a Swiss couple, Mr. and Mrs. G., who launched such a balloon on August 15th for their daughter. The balloon, filled with air and heated by the sun, could have ascended to high altitudes and potentially crossed the path of the Boeing 727. The article highlights that such balloons are invisible to radar due to their composition. The explanation is supported by meteorological conditions and the fact that the balloon was later found near Ancona, Italy, over 500 km away.

The Bressuire Case: A Case Study in Hoax and Media Manipulation

Frédéric Dumerchat analyzes the 1954 Bressuire case, initially reported as a "third kind encounter" involving a luminous object and a small, humanoid figure. Dumerchat reveals that the primary source was a newspaper article, and later investigations by René Pacaut and authors Barthel and Brucker uncovered that the witness, Angelo Girardo, had fabricated the story to "fool" his colleagues. The article details how media reports, including those in "La Nouvelle République du Centre-Ouest" and "Le Courrier de l'Ouest," contributed to the propagation of the hoax, with varying degrees of detail and skepticism.

Dumerchat also discusses how subsequent ufological literature, including works by Jimmy Guieu, Aimé Michel, and Jacques Vallée, incorporated and sometimes embellished the Bressuire case, often without proper verification. The article emphasizes the role of media in shaping the narrative and the tendency within ufology to accept sensational reports without rigorous investigation.

Impressions: A View from Across the Atlantic

Dr. Willy Smith, an American researcher and collaborator on the UNICAT project, reviews the book "La grande peur martienne" by Barthel and Brucker. Smith acknowledges the book's contribution to critical analysis of UFO cases, particularly its examination of the 1954 French UFO wave and its critique of Jacques Vallée's catalogue. However, Smith points out that the authors' conclusion that "UFOs do not exist" is an overreach, and that their selection of cases appears biased. He commends the book for highlighting methodological flaws in UFO research, such as over-reliance on journalistic sources and inaccurate dating.

Other Articles and Sections

Clips & Claps: This section features brief reports on various UFO-related news items, including sightings in Brazil, a publication on "mysterious felines," and the status of UFO research organizations.

Humeur autour d'une bière (Mood over a Beer): This editorial piece by Pierre Dac reflects on the state of ufology, lamenting the fragmentation of research groups, the decline of publications, and the internal conflicts within the community. It questions whether the phenomenon is truly disappearing or if the research channels have become defunct.

Extinction de voie (Extinction of a Path): This article, likely a continuation of the "Humeur" piece, discusses the perceived decline in UFO sightings and suggests that the issue might be an "extinction of path" rather than the phenomenon itself disappearing. It criticizes the lack of rigorous investigation and the tendency to focus on sensationalism over factual analysis.

Académisation de la soucoupe (Academicization of the Saucer): This piece explores the challenges of bringing ufology into academic circles, noting the resistance from some parts of the scientific community and the need for more rigorous methodologies.

Very British: A preview of an upcoming special issue on British ufology, highlighting articles on various topics from luminous spheres to the Rendlesham Forest incident.

Souscription: Information on a new document from the University of Tours related to UFO case classification.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes critical analysis, methodological rigor, and a skeptical approach to UFO phenomena. It highlights the importance of distinguishing between genuine sightings, hoaxes, and misidentifications. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious, evidence-based research while acknowledging the complexity and enduring mystery of the UFO subject. There is a clear critique of sensationalism, unverified reports, and the tendency within some ufological circles to accept unsubstantiated claims. The publication also seems to advocate for a more scientific and less dogmatic approach to the study of unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of Ovni-Présence, dated January 1987, is a French-language magazine that delves into various aspects of ufology and related intellectual pursuits. The publication adopts a critical and often satirical tone, examining the methodologies, practitioners, and perceived shortcomings within the field of soucoupologie (the study of UFOs).

Zone Franche: Critiques and Reflections

The "Zone Franche" section opens with a discussion on the principle of banality in understanding UFOs, referencing authors like Jacques Vallée and his work on information physics. The authors express admiration for figures like René Fouéré and Pierre Guerin for their intellectual rigor. However, they also critique the tendency for soucoupologists to be perceived as ordinary intellectuals working with ordinary methods on an ordinary subject. The article touches upon the historical significance of magazines like "Planète" for a generation seeking an alternative to mainstream thought.

There's a defense of Jimmy Guieu, described as one of the first soucoupologists, who is noted for daring to engage with contactee affairs, even if imperfectly. The text suggests that Guieu, despite criticism, is not a simple credulous believer and that his latest book, "Le monde étrange des contactés," is worth reading.

The section also satirizes individuals like Anne Vève, who is depicted as navigating multiple intellectual circles, and Bertrand Méheust, whose academic role as a high school teacher is presented as a source of monotony. Pierre Lagrange is mentioned for his shift in perspective in 1982, moving from skepticism to a new understanding.

A key argument presented is that the separation into distinct 'clans' within ufology is unnecessary, as both psychosocial and unidentified aspects are evident. The author posits that if individuals within the field genuinely fear their 'adversaries,' it's because they lack self-assurance. This leads to a logical conclusion: either people are confident in their claims and should appreciate others' work, or they are unsure and should refrain from rigid stances.

The issue humorously notes that for many, UFO research is merely a hobby, and questions the motivation behind it.

The Time of Our UFOs: A Critical Look

This section reflects on the nature of UFO research and its progression. The author notes that while the idea of rationalizing scientific production might speed up progress, it also raises questions about the necessity of such acceleration and whether it could lead to a disconnect from existential realities. The persistence of the mythical and symbolic in human thought is highlighted as a vital counterpoint to purely logical or experimental thinking.

The article criticizes the futility of attempting to suppress or control 'error' or the irrational, comparing it to Xerxes whipping the Hellespont. It suggests that attempts to rationalize, denigrate, or channel the imaginary are ultimately useless.

Counterpart: A Proposal for Rationalists

Rationalists who feel neglected are offered a deal: they can publish an article in each issue of Ovni-Présence, and in return, the magazine will dedicate an equivalent amount of space to its own topics in publications like Le Monde or Science et Vie.

The Perniciousness of Overspecialization

This part strongly advocates for a broad cultural education, suggesting that 90% should be general culture and only 10% specialized. It encourages readers to engage with various forms of art, nature, and everyday life to enrich their understanding and perspective on soucoupology.

Making Soucoupological Texts Respectable

A satirical guide is provided on how to cite sources in soucoupology to appear more scholarly, involving complex chains of references and favoring foreign language citations to impress.

The Soucoupologue's Arrival

The magazine uses a metaphor of a fisherman and mushroom picker arriving at the right time, contrasting them with the soucoupologue who "always arrives too late, when he arrives." This highlights a perceived lack of timely and effective investigation within the field.

The Rarity of Women in Soucoupologie

This section addresses the perceived scarcity of women in ufology, suggesting it might be due to the field's lack of intellectual finesse rather than a lack of interest from women. It implies that women might have diagnosed a significant deficiency within the male-dominated network.

They Are Too Green and Just Good for Boors

This brief note mentions a reported abduction case involving M. and Mme Zombretto-Russo, suggesting that in lean times, this case might attract a rush of 'Soucoupologie Eclairée' researchers eager to test their theories.

The GEPAN Enters a Trance

This piece humorously recounts an incident where the GEPAN (Groupe d'Études et d'Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés) narrowly avoided a significant discovery, ultimately producing little of substance. It likens their approach to a mystical retreat.

On Some Troublemakers

The article discusses how the scientific worldview of the 19th century was deterministic and mechanical. It notes that the emergence of the 'non-identified' and exceptions to established scientific paradigms (like in biology, astronomy, and quantum physics) has disrupted this order. The authors suggest that the persistence of the mythical is a vital psychological homeostatic mechanism that regulates the excesses of experimental thought.

Investigations

This section laments the decline in actual field investigations due to an overemphasis on theoretical methodology. It states that while the theory of investigations is perfect, researchers are too bogged down in theory to conduct fieldwork. When investigations do occur, they are often no more effective than older, less theoretical methods.

Observation Barbecues

A humorous account of a group outing for an UFO observation that turned into a barbecue, highlighting the social and practical aspects that often overshadow the actual observation.

OVNI on Minitel

A section introduces a Minitel service called "OVNI Présence," described as a simple wordplay or a statement of fact about the phenomenon's existence. It lists various options available on the service, such as "infos," "annonces," "cas," "messagerie," and "livres."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical and analytical stance towards ufology, questioning established theories and methodologies. There's a recurring theme of intellectual rigor versus superficiality, and a satirical approach to the personalities and practices within the field. The editors seem to advocate for a broader intellectual and cultural foundation for understanding complex phenomena, rather than narrow, specialized research. The overall tone suggests a desire to move beyond simplistic explanations and to engage with the 'non-identified' in a more nuanced and less dogmatic way.