QUEST

Magazine Overview

QUEST, Vol. Three, No. Three (Whole No. 16), published January-February 1972, is a magazine focused on mysteries, the paranormal, and unexplained phenomena. This issue features articles on ancient civilizations, UFOs, psychic experiences, and the effects of LSD.

Tiahuanaco, The Mysterious City in the Clouds

This article by Michael Hervey explores the ancient city of Tiahuanaco, located high in the Andes. Legend attributes its construction to mysterious white people with long ears and beards, who vanished approximately five hundred years after its construction. The builders were renowned for their incredible stone-working abilities, using massive boulders weighing over a hundred tons, cut with remarkable precision. These boulders were transported from quarries miles away without wheeled vehicles. Theories suggest these people may have come by sea to Peru, possessing miraculous powers and a peaceful, socialist-like society. The article also touches upon the legend of 'white gods' appearing in other parts of South America and Mexico, who promised to return. It posits a connection between Tiahuanaco and Easter Island statues, suggesting a possible origin from the lost continent of Atlantis, with survivors escaping by boat.

Another theory presented suggests the builders might have come from another planet, capable of easily manipulating massive stones. The article also references the 'weeping god of Tiahuanaco' due to marks on his cheeks, and the four-fingered depiction of their leader, Viracocha.

The Flying Saucer Contact Game

By Brent Raynes, this article details various contact experiences with entities associated with flying saucers. It highlights telepathic communication and face-to-face encounters. The piece recounts an investigation by Thomas Adams in Alamose, Colorado, into UFO events, where they interviewed a 'silent contactee' who received telepathic messages while driving. Another account involves a man in Tennessee who experienced terrifying manifestations when trying to share UFO data. Mrs. Joan Howard of Toronto reported telepathic messages and an encounter with an MIB (Man in Black) type. The article also mentions Thomas Blann and James Peeler of Marlin, Texas, who witnessed a car vanish under a low-altitude UFO. It notes that many contactees seem to develop electromagnetic sensitivity, affecting nearby appliances. Herbert Schirmer's encounter with a landed saucer in Nebraska, detailed under hypnosis by Dr. Leo Sprinkle, is also presented, suggesting increased psychic awareness post-experience.

News Shorts

This section presents several brief news items:

• A study by the Detroit police department indicated a 26% increase in assaults on women during the full moon.
• Another study by Bernard Klausner found 75% of sexual activity in 28 men occurred during the full moon.
• The University of Waterloo in Canada reported that between 250 and 300 girls became unwanted mothers from their 12,000-member student body.
• The president of the American Historical Reference Society stated that seven US presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, and Franklin Pierce) had smoked marijuana.

Newsfront

This section contains several short news reports:

• SAUCERS SPOTTED: On June 7, 1971, a formation of four UFOs was observed by the USS Charles E. Ware off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida. They flew in a diamond formation, then broke apart and disappeared, described as orange disks that turned deep blood red, with sparks flying.
• GHOST NABS THE ROAST: DAD BLAMED: A 77-year-old woman in Port Pirie, Australia, claims the ghost of her deceased husband is wrecking her home by throwing crockery and food. Dr. Peter Delin, a psychology expert, investigated.
• Unidentified Objects Reported in Night Sky: On August 19, 1971, the Monroe County sheriff's office received calls about unidentified flying objects. One report described a 'basket-type affair' traveling northeast. Another saw a UFO over a lake, with a piece falling off before it burst into flames. The Irondequoit Seaplane Flying Club suggested their planes might be mistaken for UFOs.
• CAVALIER GHOSTS SCARE BOUNCERS: A nightclub in England reported ghostly figures dressed as cavaliers scaring bouncers. Mediums were called in to investigate.
• This frog with three hind legs is on display at the Philadelphia Aquarium. This is an unusual mutation.
• Getting a glow on: This section highlights individuals with unusual abilities: Otto Zillich of West Germany can make light bulbs glow by touch; Argemasilla de la Cerda of Spain can see through metal; Ellen Winifred of New York can distinguish colors in darkness; and there are mentions of people in Russia who can see through walls and start toy trains by thought.

A Holiday Haunt at the Caravan Site

This report from The Sun (June 5, 1971) describes a 'ghost' incident at a seaside caravan camp in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Holidaymaker Mrs. Juliana Dunford was found hysterical after midnight, and her daughter was terrified. The incident involved a chilly atmosphere and a feeling of being prodded. The site manager stated no one would stay in caravan B77.

Six-legged steer gets 'great care'

This brief report from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record (Sept. 3/71) addresses a complaint about the treatment of a six-legged steer at the Central Ontario Exhibition. The K-W Humane Society investigated and found the steer was receiving proper care, with ample space.

A factory ghost gives Bill the willies

This article from the Daily Mirror (June 12, 1971) details an incident at a plastics factory in Bletchley, Bucks, where a night shift worker named Bill Fullilove became hysterical after seeing a 'ghost'. He described a shadowy figure in a grey overcoat. Other workers have also reported seeing 'Fred', the ghost.

Letters to the Editor

• John Speights from Wake County, North Carolina, questions if law enforcement officers lying in court is a problem in Canada. He is currently serving a sentence based on a policeman's testimony.
• A response confirms that policemen in the Raleigh, N.C. area are also careless with their duties and prejudiced, possibly due to a quota system.

The Truth About Chromosome Damage From LSD

This article discusses the potential for LSD to cause chromosome damage. It notes that the general press has focused on unfavorable reports while ignoring that common substances like caffeine, alcohol, and antibiotics can also cause chromosomal changes. The article quotes R.E.L. Masters from Playboy (November 1967) and Dr. Eugene Schoenfeld, M.D. Dr. Schoenfeld cites two studies from the Haight-Ashbury area that found no chromosome damage in LSD users, suggesting these findings might not be widely publicized.

Further research is discussed, including a study by Dr. Cohen and co-workers that found chromosomal abnormalities in six out of eight LSD users, though the percentage of abnormalities seemed unrelated to dosage. Another study by Loughman, Sargeant, and Israelstam found no significant difference in abnormalities between LSD users and normal persons. The conclusion is that while LSD chromosome damage is possible, it is not as harmful as previously thought, and similar effects occur from other drugs, including alcohol.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of QUEST magazine include the exploration of ancient mysteries and lost civilizations (Tiahuanaco, Atlantis), the investigation of UFO sightings and extraterrestrial encounters, and the examination of paranormal phenomena such as ghosts and psychic abilities. There is also a scientific inquiry into the effects of LSD. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded stance, presenting various theories and anecdotal evidence while also referencing scientific studies and expert opinions. The editorial stance seems to encourage further research and critical thinking on these often-unexplained subjects.