REALL News - Vol 14 No 05 - 2006

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 14, Number 5, published in September 2006, is the official newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). It is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of rational thinking and the application of the scientific method to paranormal and fringe-science phenomena.

Feature Article: Tin Moons and False Prophets – Remembering Salzburg – The First Alien Abduction

By Martin S. Kottmeyer, this article delves into the 1951 Salzburg, Austria, alien abduction case, which Thomas Bullard regards as one of the first abduction accounts. While the Betty and Barney Hill case (1961) is more famous, the Salzburg case predates it chronologically and is the first to be documented. Jerome Clark noted that the entity described in the Salzburg case bears a strong resemblance to modern descriptions of 'Grays,' characterized by hairless, gray dwarf-like figures with oversized heads, slanted eyes, slit mouths, and thin bodies.

The case was first reported in The Citizen newspaper of Prince George, British Columbia, with the original clipping found by researcher Chris Aubeck. The abductee, who was working for the U.S. Occupation Army in Austria, reported being picked up on May 15, 1951, while driving. He described being approached by a figure with a helmet, who used a clicking device and then placed a black square plate on his chest. He was then led to a round object, approximately 150 feet in diameter, hidden behind brush. Inside the craft, he encountered a being with a cylinder-shaped head, large eyes, no nose, and a slit mouth, who he perceived as devil-like.

The abductee recounts being taken to a planet he believed was Mars. He described seeing stars through glass or plastic walls, a room of glass or plastic, and the craft rising into the air. He observed the Earth and Moon from space and described the Martian landscape as having red and grey-green fields, with rivers and bridges. He also saw numerous other saucers and beings similar to his captor. The journey back to Earth was rapid, and he was returned to the spot where he was picked up. He suspected the clicking device was meant to make him forget or to kill him. He chose not to tell his wife, fearing she would think him crazy, and has kept the story secret until now, feeling compelled to share it due to his declining health.

Kottmeyer critically examines the Salzburg case, noting that while it may be "fundamentally unreal," it serves as a valuable lesson on how UFO stories are constructed from cultural elements of their time. He discusses how later scientific findings about Mars, such as the lack of canals and vegetation, contradict the abductee's descriptions. He also points out that the idea of artificial Martian moons, which Charles Bowen suggested was a prophetic element of the Salzburg tale, had been explored in science fiction long before 1957, citing examples from Harl Vincent and Donald A. Wollheim. The article also notes that scientists like Dr. Iosif Shklovsky had proposed artificial Martian moons, and that the concept of space travel and seeing the blackness of space was not obscure knowledge by the 1950s.

The article contrasts the Salzburg entity's features with those of other alleged alien encounters, such as the Villas Boas case and the Betty and Barney Hill case, highlighting differences in descriptions of mouths, noses, and hair. Kottmeyer suggests that many elements of the Salzburg story likely drew from contemporary science fiction films and literature, such as "The Man from Planet X" and "Invaders from Mars," contributing to a shared cultural imagery of aliens.

From the Chairman

Wally Hartshorn, Chairman of REALL, apologizes for the delay in publishing the newsletter, noting it's the first issue since May. He explains that June was a slow month due to a lack of meeting space and the annual picnic. The delay was compounded by his computer dying and subsequent issues with ordering and receiving a new Dell XPS700 power machine, which experienced significant shipping delays.

The Saga

This section, also by Wally Hartshorn, continues the narrative of his computer troubles. He describes the frustration of his old computer intermittently failing, making newsletter layout impossible. The new computer's shipping date was repeatedly pushed back, eventually arriving eight weeks after it was ordered. He also mentions Intel's release of a new chip, the Core 2, which made his old machine seem obsolete.

Feature Article (Continued)

This section reiterates that Martin Kottmeyer submitted three articles, with the first appearing in this issue. It highlights Kottmeyer's focus on the connection between UFO encounters and popular culture, and how the Salzburg case, though likely false, is instructive.

Paranormal Investigation Course

REALL member Rich Petraitis is offering a course titled "Investigating the Paranormal" at the College of DuPage in Lombard. The course will teach students detective skills to assess paranormal claims and interview witnesses, with "Missing Pieces" by Dr. Robert A. Baker and Joe Nickell as the required reference book.

Local Crop Circle!

This brief note mentions that Rich Petraitis also brought up the topic of crop circles.

A Nod to Our Patrons

This section thanks REALL's patron members for their support, listing individuals from various locations, including Edmonds, WA; Washington; Springfield, IL; Danville, IL; Morton, IL; Bloomington, IL; Urbana, IL; and Valparaiso, IN.

REALL Contacts

Provides contact information for REALL, including the Chairman (Wally Hartshorn), Editor (Clark Olson), and the organization's website.

Board of Directors and Editorial Board

Lists the members of REALL's Board of Directors and Editorial Board, including Chairman Wally Hartshorn, Vice Chairman David Bloomberg, Secretary-Treasurer Jim Rosenthal, Newsletter Editor Clark Olson, and At-Large Members Mike Henebry, Bob Ladendorf, and Janet Trutter.

Purpose

Details the mission of REALL as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to rational thinking and scientific inquiry into paranormal phenomena. It outlines REALL's activities, including research, meetings, publications, and its focus on central Illinois.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical yet open-minded approach to paranormal claims, emphasizing the scientific method. The editorial stance, as indicated by the "Purpose" section and the content of the articles, is to critically examine phenomena rather than outright reject them. The article on the Salzburg case, while debunking its literal interpretation, uses it as a case study for understanding how UFO narratives are shaped by cultural influences and science fiction. The inclusion of James Randi's quote, "It's a very dangerous thing to believe in nonsense," further underscores the publication's commitment to critical thinking and avoiding unsubstantiated beliefs.

Title: The REALL News
Issue: September 2006
Volume: 13
Publisher: Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The REALL News features a multi-faceted exploration of UFO phenomena, science fiction influences, and the ongoing debate surrounding evolution and creationism.

Tin Moons and False Prophets

The lead article, "Tin Moons and False Prophets," delves into the cultural context of early UFO abduction narratives, specifically analyzing the "Salzburg Express" case. The author argues that the elements within this tale, such as the description of the MuTANT and the depiction of Mars, are not prophetic but rather reflections of science fiction tropes prevalent in the 1950s. The article draws parallels between the MuTANT in "This Island Earth" and earlier fictional beings, suggesting that the narrative borrowed heavily from existing cultural material rather than predicting future alien encounters. The author critiques the idea that the "Salzburg Express" was a precursor to the modern 'Gray' alien, asserting that the basic concepts were already present in science fiction and pulp literature.

The analysis extends to the concept of 'tin moons' and artificial celestial bodies, which were fashionable beliefs about Mars in the 1950s, further grounding the "Salzburg Express" within its contemporary cultural milieu. The article posits that the narrative was likely a "hybrid creation," possibly originating from a dream and then reworked, rather than a conscious hoax or a purely fictional invention. It highlights how the story reflects the 'errors and fashions of its era' and is "not even mysterious," but a "purely human invention."

The Salzburg Abduction and 'The Grays'

The article specifically addresses Jerome Clark's interpretation of the "Salzburg Express" as potentially prophetic regarding the emergence of 'Gray' aliens. The author contends that Clark shifted the focus from the narrative's predictive elements (like artificial moons) to the description of the alien, which the author argues was already a common trope. The piece emphasizes that the "hairless gray dwarves with oversized heads, slanted eyes... and thin bodies" were not a novel alien type when the "Salzburg Express" was written, but rather derived from existing science fiction clichés.

Cultural Precedents and Hoax Theories

The author further debunks the notion that the "Salzburg Express" author had little to draw upon, demonstrating how the story's elements could be pieced together from 1950s culture. The article dismisses the idea of a conscious hoax, suggesting a more complex origin involving dreams and cultural assimilation. It notes that the narrative's "unreality" stems from its inclusion of elements like canals and artificial moons, which were speculative beliefs about Mars at the time.

UFO Sightings and Crop Circles

The "Chairman's" column touches upon recent UFO-related events, including a crop circle discovered in Henry County, Illinois. The formation, consisting of five circles, prompted the local sheriff to issue a release asking for public assistance in reporting UFOs with attached soybeans. The article provides links to news articles and photos of the formation.

Darwin's Deadly Legacy (or not)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to critiquing the creationist viewpoint, particularly a program called "Darwin's Deadly Legacy" hosted by Dr. D. James Kennedy. This program allegedly blames Darwin's Theory of Evolution for societal ills, including the crimes of Adolf Hitler. The article expresses surprise and concern that Francis Collins, Director of the Human Genome Project, is featured in such a program, especially since Collins himself supports evolution. The author notes that Coral Ridge Ministries removed mentions of Collins from their publicity after this was reported.

The magazine discusses the evolving nature of creationist arguments, from "Biblical creationism" to "Intelligent Design" (ID) and now "creative evolution." It highlights the concern of scientists like Lawrence Krauss regarding the appointment of creationists to educational boards. The article also mentions a segment of the population that believes the Earth is flat or that the sun revolves around the Earth, citing a website called fixedearth.com.

Gleanings

Clark Olson's "Gleanings" section provides a brief book review of Francis S. Collins' "The Language of God: A scientist presents evidence for belief." Olson notes that Collins, head of the Human Genome Project and an evangelical Christian, attempts to bridge science and religion. While Olson would have preferred more detail on genomics, he acknowledges the book's value in addressing Evangelicals as a prominent scientist who supports evolution. The section also touches upon the Kansas state school board's return to an evolution-based science standard and the controversy surrounding creationism.

Our Next Meeting

The magazine announces an upcoming meeting of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL) in Springfield, Illinois. The featured program will be an episode of "The Coral Ridge Hour," with the chairman humorously titling it "Darwin Sucks." The real episode title is "The Root of the Problem," and it aims to explain why evolution is considered bad and why the ACLU is criticized for promoting it. The meeting will also include a brief segment on "UFO-related Creature Comforts."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The REALL News consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards claims of paranormal phenomena and pseudoscientific theories, particularly creationism. The magazine emphasizes critical analysis, drawing upon science fiction and cultural history to contextualize UFO narratives. It champions scientific understanding and expresses concern over the influence of anti-evolutionary viewpoints in public discourse and education. The editorial stance is clearly pro-science and critical of religious fundamentalism's encroachment into scientific and educational spheres. The magazine aims to provide a rational examination of topics often shrouded in mystery or misinformation. The recurring theme is the debunking of unsubstantiated claims and the promotion of evidence-based reasoning.