Pursuit - No 33 - Vol 09 No 1 - 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: PURSUIT
Issue: Vol. 9 No. 1
Date: January, 1976
Publisher: Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained
Country: USA
Motto: "SCIENCE IS THE PURSUIT OF THE UNEXPLAINED"

This issue of PURSUIT, the quarterly journal of the Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained (SITU), presents a diverse range of articles exploring various anomalous phenomena. The magazine is founded by Ivan T. Sanderson and edited by Robert J. Durant. It aims to provide a platform for investigating subjects that are often dismissed.

Membership and Organization

The Society offers membership for $10 annually, which includes the quarterly journal PURSUIT, an Annual Report, and other publications. The organization is managed by a Board of Trustees in accordance with New Jersey law and is advised by a Scientific Advisory Board. The Society emphasizes its apolitical nature and states it does not accept material related to Human Medicine, Psychology, Social Sciences, Law, Religion, or Ethics. Contributions, excluding membership dues, are tax-deductible. The Society does not offer services to non-members and does not express corporate views; opinions in publications belong solely to the authors.

Publications Schedule

PURSUIT is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October. Volumes are numbered annually, with Vol. 1 covering 1968 and before, and subsequent volumes corresponding to subsequent years. Subscriptions for libraries are available for $8 for four issues. The journal is listed in Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory and abstracted in Abstracts of Folklore Studies. It is also available on microfilm from University Microfilms.

Contents

The January 1976 issue features a variety of articles across several disciplines:

Ufology

• Them Thar Flying Saucers by Ivan T. Sanderson: A reprinted article from 1966, Sanderson discusses the history of UFO sightings, arguing they were known long before the 1947 Mt. Ranier incident. He critiques the official explanations and highlights the frustration of the public seeking answers. He mentions Charles Fort and the Fortean Society, and the concept of OSFs (Objects Seen Floating). Sanderson notes the historical presence of similar phenomena in ancient texts and folklore, including biblical accounts like Ezekiel's "fiery wheel."

Biology

• Bigfoot Expedition by Robert E. Jones: This article details a 11-day field study conducted in Northwestern New Jersey in October 1975 by SITU members. The expedition aimed to investigate Bigfoot sightings, which were reported at a rate of about one per week. Despite exploring various areas and conducting experiments (including baiting and sound recordings), the expedition found no concrete physical evidence, such as photographs or conclusive recordings. They did find a potential feces sample that was sent for analysis and two inconclusive footprints. A notable incident involved stones being thrown from a swampy area during a Bigfoot cry recording experiment, which the author suggests was unlikely to be human-caused.

• Extinct (?) Species by James M. Breece II: This piece addresses the argument that if certain creatures existed, they would have been found. Breece uses the example of the Coelacanth, a fish thought extinct until 1938, and the recently discovered peccary species Catagonus Ameghino, previously thought extinct since the Pleistocene. He suggests that other unknown animals, like the abominable snowman or orang pendek, might still exist in remote areas, and expresses concern about their potential extermination by humans.

Anthropology

• Some Field Notes on African Neodinosaurs by James Powell: Powell investigates reports of a creature known locally as "Silwane manzi" in Zululand, South Africa. He clarifies that "Silwane manzi" is a general term for a dangerous or disagreeable animal, often referring to crocodiles, rather than a specific creature. His interviews with local Africans and Natal Parks Board personnel did not yield traditions directly resembling the "neodinosaur" concept, though he notes the term "water monster" is associated with the creature.

Geology

• Petrified Human Remains by Ronald G. Dobbins: Dobbins critiques a previous article in the journal titled "The Cast of Paleolithic Man," specifically its reference to the 1869 "Cardiff Giant" hoax as a potential scientific cover-up of genuine petrified remains. Dobbins asserts there is no basis for this view and reiterates that natural petrifaction preserves the organism's structure molecule-by-molecule.

Chaos and Confusion

• The "Thing" of Sheep's Hill by Curt Sutherly
• A Photographic Anomaly by Roy Pinney
• Erratic Satellites Over the Bermuda Triangle by Wayne Meshejian
• Another "Bermuda Triangle" Mystery Vanishes by Ronald G. Dobbins
• Another Case of SHC? by R. Martin Wolf
• A Mini Mutilation by Adolph Heuer:
• These articles appear to cover various unexplained incidents, including a mysterious "Thing" on Sheep's Hill, a photographic anomaly, unusual satellite behavior over the Bermuda Triangle, a vanishing mystery in the same region, a case possibly involving Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC), and a small animal mutilation.

Mentology

• The One Human Problem, Its Solution, and Its Relation to UFO Phenomena by Thomas E. Bearden: This article explores a philosophical or psychological aspect of human existence and its potential connection to UFO phenomena.

Miscellaneous

• Book Reviews

Notice

The Annual Index for 1975 was omitted due to space limitations. A master index for the years 1968 to present is being compiled and is expected to be ready by mid-1976.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of the unexplained, the historical context of phenomena like UFOs, and the search for evidence of unknown creatures. The editorial stance, as reflected in the Society's mission and the content, is one of open inquiry into subjects often dismissed by mainstream science and society. The journal encourages reader participation and the reporting of experiences, while maintaining a critical approach to evidence, as seen in the critique of the "petrified man" article and the cautious reporting of the Bigfoot expedition results. The emphasis is on scientific rigor within the context of investigating the unusual.

This issue of PURSUIT, identified as issue number 16, delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena, including alleged mineralized human remains, mysterious animal sightings, satellite malfunctions, photographic anomalies, and cases of spontaneous human combustion. The magazine features articles by Curt Sutherly, Roy Pinney, Wayne Meshejian, R. Martin Wolf, and Adolph Heuer, with an editorial note from the publisher, SITU.

The "Thing" of Sheep's Hill by Curt Sutherly

Curt Sutherly recounts his research into newspaper archives, specifically an Associated Press account from November 14, 1945, detailing a mysterious beast sighted on Sheep's Hill near Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The creature was described as making large leaps, crying, and stealing chickens, causing fear and resulting in injuries to those who hunted it. Residents described it as a panther, puma, wild dog, bear, or black fox. Sutherly notes a similar event occurred near Pottstown in 1973, nearly 28 years later, which he investigated by examining maps and celestial influences, finding a geographical coincidence between the two sets of sightings. He speculates that these phenomena might be quasi-physical, possibly originating from another space/time dimension, citing John Keel's concept of 'psychic components' and 'energy forms from space.'

A Photographic Anomaly by Roy Pinney

Roy Pinney, a cameraman and producer who worked with Ivan Sanderson, shares a personal experience involving a photographic anomaly. While developing photographs taken in Afghanistan years ago, he discovered a small hand appearing as a double exposure on multiple prints. The hand's position changed with each subsequent print, and it was visible even on a final print made with a different type of paper, though faintly. Pinney asserts that the images were not faked and presents the prints as evidence of a profound puzzle.

Erratic Satellites Over the Bermuda Triangle by Wayne Meshejian

Wayne Meshejian, an assistant professor of physics, reports on erratic blackouts observed in weather satellite transmissions (NOAA satellites) when they passed over the Bermuda Triangle. These blackouts, which affected the visual imagery but not the infrared, began after the satellites had been in orbit for several months and became more frequent with age. Meshejian dismisses the idea of government interference, suggesting a magnetic field strong enough to cause such effects would also perturb the satellite's orbit. He notes a similar anomaly with OSCAR-6 satellites, an 'inverted Doppler effect,' which occurs under specific conditions.

An article by Jerry C. Glover, Special Assistant to the Deputy Director of NOAA, refutes Meshejian's claims, stating that the satellites are not malfunctioning but are operating as designed. The 'blackouts' are explained as a normal absence of visual data during the readout of stored information on the satellite's tape recorder, particularly when the satellite is over the western Atlantic and within range of the Wallops, Va., data acquisition station. Glover criticizes Meshejian for drawing a general conclusion from a particular instance and for assuming government cover-up.

Another Case of SHC? by R. Martin Wolf

R. Martin Wolf reports on the case of Esther Cooks, a 42-year-old woman found mysteriously burned in her Miami apartment. Over 80% of her skin was burned, but her clothing was unsinged, and there was no sign of fire. The apartment showed no smoke or acid, and the burns were described as 'thermal or maybe chemical.' The case was initially listed as 'unclassified pending further investigation.' Wolf explores the theory of spontaneous human combustion, detailing the unusual circumstances, including bits of skin found around the apartment and the fact that only her back and left side were burned, despite her being found lying face down. He also considers the possibility of her falling into a bathtub filled with extremely hot water, but finds inconsistencies with this explanation.

A Mini Mutilation by Adolph Heuer

Adolph Heuer recounts a strange experience involving a dead mouse found in his panel truck. The mouse was found in a 'spread-eagle' position with no blood or signs of struggle, but with a perfectly round, cleanly cut hole between its ears, about the size of a dime. The brain was missing, and the skull cavity was clean and dry. Heuer speculates that this might be related to cattle mutilations and mentions a similar incident where tree toads were heard trilling in mid-winter, suggesting a possible insect involvement with remarkable cold adaptation methods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of PURSUIT consistently explores unexplained phenomena and anomalies, often questioning conventional explanations and hinting at possibilities beyond current scientific understanding. The magazine appears to favor the presentation of intriguing cases and personal accounts, leaving the interpretation to the reader while sometimes offering speculative theories. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into fortean and ufological subjects, encouraging readers to consider unconventional explanations for puzzling events.

This issue of MENTOLOGY, identified as issue number 19, features a prominent article by Thomas E. Bearden titled "THE ONE HUMAN PROBLEM, ITS SOLUTION, AND ITS RELATION TO UFO PHENOMENA." The magazine is published by The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained.

The One Human Problem, Its Solution, and Its Relation to UFO Phenomena by Thomas E. Bearden

Bearden outlines a theory of evolution divided into stages, with humanity currently at the fifth stage, characterized by intelligent, tool-using mobiles. He posits that evolution involves competing control systems, with intelligence being the ability to adapt behavior through unprogrammed, learned responses. Organisms require a balance of programmed and unprogrammed behavior for survival.

Species with higher intelligence possess more deprogrammed control. Technological species, like humans, are highly adaptive but also prone to self-destruction due to their increasing reliance on technology and internal competition. This competition, driven by a positive feedback loop between technology and development, can lead to catastrophic self-annihilation.

Bearden argues that natural evolution for humans is essentially complete. The next step must be technological, paradoxically involving the reimposition of positive internal control without sacrificing genetic deprogramming. This is presented as the "hard nut" that has eluded solutions throughout history.

The proposed solution is a "Teilhardian solution" involving two parts: an internal mechanism for generating appropriate behavioral limits within each individual, and an external process to implant or induce this mechanism. The ultimate solution is to link all human brains into one giant "superbrain," creating a collective consciousness that eliminates destructive competition. This linkage would allow each "mancell" (individual human unit) to function harmoniously within the species-nervous system.

Technological linkage is presented as a solvable problem, with research in biological radio communication and direct mind-to-mind linkage underway, particularly in the Soviet Union. The author suggests that the 44 EEG code digits or less, and potentially 11-23 channels, could be sufficient for direct brain-to-brain linkage.

Once linked, problems caused by conscious differentiation of being between individuals would vanish. Selfishness, greed, hate, prejudice, discrimination, and murder would disappear as the individual would no longer perceive a separate "other." Personal immortality would also be achieved, as personalities could be recorded and replicated, making the death of a physical body inconsequential.

The expansion of consciousness and intelligence in a linked species would be indescribable, allowing each mancell access to the total linked memory and knowledge of the species. This would lead to total sanity, resolving psychological problems and eliminating harmful games humans play on each other.

The seventh stage of evolution, characterized by penetration above and beyond all stages, is described as "godness itself, pure being." This stage transcends limitations of time, space, and matter, representing an ultimate state of undifferentiated being.

For the unlinked, fifth-stage technological species, two alternatives exist: self-destruction within approximately 25 years, or linkage into a sixth-stage superbeing. Linkage is deemed unlikely without outside assistance. Bearden posits that UFO phenomena may be evidence of such intervention, representing a linked sixth-stage superbeing providing "prenatal assistance" to the embryonic human species, preparing it for linkage.

He concludes that if humanity cannot link before destroying itself and its biosphere, nature may scrap Earth and start elsewhere. The next three to thirty years will determine this outcome.

Miscellaneous

Loren Coleman has submitted a note requesting the publication of information regarding his upcoming book with Jerome Clark, which will be a comprehensive survey of tangible mysteries. They are seeking help from researchers and individuals to track down information on various phenomena, including melanistic mountain lions, hairy manimals, and mysterious marine and lake inhabitants, as well as folklore figures like Springheel Jack. They emphasize the importance of giving proper credit to contributors.

A quote from Rene La Bruyere is included, stating that there are disconcerting facts affirmed by serious men, and that a course must be steered between the credulous and the unbelievers.

Book Reviews

Project Water Horse by Tim Dinsdale

This review praises Tim Dinsdale's book for its departure from typical Loch Ness literature, focusing less on polemics and technical detail and more on a personal journal of his quest. Dinsdale, a former aeronautical engineer, devoted his life to solving the Loch Ness mystery, undertaking a difficult journey of convincing donors for equipment. The reviewer commends his courage and salesmanship, noting the restrained and understated manner in which his family's plight is described. Dinsdale is hailed as a "true hero" whose efforts have been vindicated.

The Search for Bigfoot by Peter Byrne

This review finds Peter Byrne's book to be a valuable addition to Bigfoot literature, offering history, technical appendices (including accounts by Ivan Sanderson and Grover Krantz), and new stories from Byrne's personal files. The book is praised for its smooth narrative, organization, index, and meticulous sourcing. The reviewer finds Byrne's explanation for how such a large animal can remain hidden to be credible.

However, the reviewer questions Byrne's claim that Bigfoot sightings are restricted to the West Coast, presenting evidence of numerous reports from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Illinois, Florida, and Virginia, including a scream recording, hair sample, and footprints found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained

This section lists the Governing Board, Executive Board, Editorial Board, and Scientific Advisory Board of The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained. Notable members include Robert C. Warth, R. Martin Wolf, Albena E. Zwerver, Adolph L. Heuer, Jr., Robert E. Jones, Gregory Arend, Carl J. Pabst, Sabina W. Sanderson, Robert J. Durant, Dr. George A. Agogino, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, and Dr. Kirtley F. Mather, among others, with their respective affiliations and roles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of intelligence, evolution, and the potential for self-destruction inherent in technological advancement. The central argument, presented by Thomas E. Bearden, is that humanity faces an existential crisis and that the only viable path forward is through technological species linkage into a collective consciousness. The magazine appears to maintain an open stance towards unconventional phenomena, particularly UFOs, viewing them as potentially significant indicators of external intervention in human evolution. The book reviews also touch upon unexplained phenomena, such as the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, suggesting a broader interest in mysteries that challenge conventional understanding.