1966 08 06 Saturday Review John Lear

Magazine Overview

This issue of Saturday Review, dated August 6, 1966, features a prominent cover story titled "WHAT ARE THE UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL OBJECTS?" by John Lear, exploring the phenomenon from various angles. The issue also includes an article titled "REFLECTIONS ON THE GREAT SOCIETY" by Charles Malik. The magazine is priced at 35¢.

What Are the Unidentified Aerial Objects?

The lead article by John Lear delves into the mystery of UFOs, beginning with an examination of the biblical account of the Prophet Ezekiel. Lear quotes the St. James translation of Ezekiel's vision, describing a complex, fiery, winged craft with wheels. He notes that while biblical translators have interpreted this as a vision, later interpretations, particularly those discussed in Jacques Vallee's book 'Anatomy of a Phenomenon,' suggest that Ezekiel's description might be an attempt to portray a machine-like phenomenon using the limited vocabulary of his era.

The article then explores the scientific perspective on extraterrestrial life, referencing the book 'Intelligent Life in the Universe' by I. S. Shklovskii and Carl Sagan. This book suggests that a technical civilization far more advanced than ours might have been observing Earth for millions of years, potentially noting the emergence of Proconsul, an early hominid ancestor.

Lear also discusses the possibility of ancient extraterrestrial contact, referencing theories about the Sumerian civilization and legends that suggest visitors from other planets. He touches upon the work of Soviet ethnologist M. M. Agrest and the skepticism surrounding claims of ancient artifacts connected to cosmic visits.

A significant portion of the article focuses on the Exeter incident in New Hampshire, which occurred in September 1965. The case involved a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Hill, who reported a UFO encounter and a subsequent two-hour period of amnesia. The article details how hypnoanalysis revealed their account of being taken aboard a craft and examined by humanoid creatures. The Hills, a mixed-race couple, were sensitive to publicity due to potential prejudice. The article notes the involvement of Lt. Alan Brandt, a public information officer at Pease Air Force Base, in arranging a meeting where the couple shared their story.

The article also references the findings of the Robertson panel report (January 17, 1953), which concluded that UFOs did not pose a direct physical threat to national security and did not require a revision of current scientific concepts. The panel recommended stripping UFOs of their mysterious status. The report's key phrase, "aura of mystery," is highlighted, linking it to the initial assignment of UFO investigations to intelligence units.

Lear discusses the Air Force's historical approach to UFOs, including Project Sign, Project Grudge, and Project Blue Book. He mentions the effort to create a master model of a UFO based on reported sightings, which identified four distinct shapes: propeller, winged aircraft, cigar, and elliptical/disc.

Further details are provided on specific UFO characteristics and sightings, including descriptions from Force Blue Book Special Report No. 14, which illustrated various UFO shapes and features like flashing lights, portholes, and fuzzy areas. The article also presents data on UFO sightings from 1947 to 1965 and the volume of letters received by the Air Force regarding UFOs.

The article touches upon the difficulty of obtaining concrete evidence of UFOs, citing a photograph that resembles a straw hat and the case of four rectangular depressions found near Socorro, New Mexico, after a reported UFO sighting by Lonnie Zamora.

From a strict scientific perspective, Lear notes the astronomical improbability of extraterrestrial vehicles penetrating Earth's atmosphere undetected, given the advanced radar surveillance systems. He questions why UFOs are said to execute dizzying turns that defy gravity and why they do not produce sonic booms.

The article concludes by discussing the Air Force's shift in tactics, moving UFO investigations from intelligence to research and development, with plans for a parallel, independent system involving universities. The goal is to gather enough data to determine if a routine search for UFOs is worthwhile. The article also raises the question of whether the public will be informed about advanced experimental craft operated by the Air Force itself.

The Saucerian Cult: An Astronomer's Interpretation

This section, by Carl Sagan, presents an interpretation of a case involving Helmut Winckler, a Nebraskan who claimed to have had contact with inhabitants of the planet Saturn. Winckler, who spoke fluent "Hochdeutsch," was allegedly chosen as an "intermediary" by these "saucerians" to impart valuable information to Earthmen, particularly concerning the international political situation.

Winckler's account, detailed in his publications and verified under oath, describes being taken aboard a saucer and flown to the Arctic Circle and beneath the Bering Strait to inspect Soviet missile emplacements. The Saturnians reportedly claimed to have repaired a dangerous tilt in the Earth's axis.

During another expedition, Winckler and the Saturnians visited the Great Pyramid of Gizeh in Egypt, where a hidden chamber was revealed. Inside, they found a small flying saucer, a large wooden cross, and a toroid of thorns. The Saturnians explained that one of their number had attempted a mission to Earth two thousand years prior with qualified success.

Sagan recounts the Assistant District Attorney's reaction to Winckler's testimony, which was met with shock and disbelief. Winckler also described the Saturnians' remote geological survey capabilities, including the discovery of a quartz mine in southern California that produced quartz capable of curing cancer. Winckler was subsequently involved in selling interests in this mine.

Sagan frames this case within the context of psychological predispositions towards believing in extraterrestrial life, noting that some individuals are committed to the idea while others find it improbable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the theme of Unidentified Aerial Objects (UFOs) and the possibility of extraterrestrial life and contact. It balances historical, biblical, and anecdotal accounts with scientific perspectives and official investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various viewpoints and data while acknowledging the complexities and controversies surrounding the subject. There is an emphasis on scientific rigor and the need for clear evidence, as seen in the discussion of the Robertson Panel's findings and the Air Force's evolving approach to UFO investigations. The inclusion of the Ezekiel account and the Winckler case suggests an openness to exploring unconventional interpretations and claims, while the scientific analysis by Sagan and Lear grounds the discussion in more empirical considerations. The magazine seems to advocate for a more systematic and less secretive approach to understanding UFO phenomena.

This issue of SR magazine, dated August 6, 1966, explores various facets of contemporary society's search for meaning and belief, particularly in the context of flying saucers, extraterrestrial intelligence, and the evolving relationship between science and religion. It also touches upon critical issues in medical ethics.

The Winckler Case: Fraud or Genuine Belief?

The issue begins by detailing the case of a man named Winckler, whose activities led to his indictment and subsequent conviction for fraud. Winckler's venture involved promoting the healing properties of quartz, particularly to elderly and wealthy widows, and speaking to flying saucer enthusiasts. His difficulties stemmed from borrowed money that was not repaid, and his arrest was linked to a combination of financial and personal entanglements. The author reflects on whether Winckler's claims of contact with 'Saturnians' were a conscious fraud or a genuine belief, noting that his experiences resonated with what many in the flying saucer societies believed or wished to believe.

The Appeal of Flying Saucer Cults

The article posits that Winckler's experience highlights an unfulfilled need in contemporary society. It observes that many accounts of flying saucer contacts describe extraterrestrials as human-like, wise, gentle, and loving, possessing immense technical abilities but unwilling to intervene directly in human affairs, citing mankind's need to work out its own destiny. The author concludes that these flying saucer societies represent a thinly disguised religion, with the saucerians acting as deities.

Science, Religion, and the Need for Belief

The text contrasts the progress of science in explaining phenomena once attributed to religion with the persistent human need for belief. As science has demystified aspects of the universe, there appears to be less for a traditional God to do, leading to a sense of a 'roi fainéant' deity. In an era of global uncertainty and events seemingly beyond individual control, the temptation to believe in an omnipotent, omniscient, and loving God is strong. The author suggests that flying saucer myths offer a compromise, bridging the gap between the need for a paternal God and the scientific acceptance of contemporary pronouncements.

The Diversity of UFO Sightings

While the 'saucerian cult' is noted as widespread, the article acknowledges a larger group of people who have, in good conscience, observed 'unidentified flying objects' (UFOs) and believe them to be of intelligent extraterrestrial origin. The diversity of these reports is emphasized, with UFOs described in various shapes (disk, cigar, ball), behaviors (rapidly moving, hovering, silent, noisy, with or without exhaust, flashing lights, glowing), and altitudes. The author stresses that the use of a generic term like 'UFOs' can confuse the issue by implying a common origin.

Scientific Explanations for UFOs

Donald H. Menzel of Harvard College Observatory is cited for his work in identifying UFOs. The article lists numerous conventional explanations for sightings, including unconventional aircraft, weather conditions, balloons, reflections, flocks of birds, sunlight reflections, luminescent organisms, optical mirages, lenticular cloud formations, ball lightning, sundogs, meteors (especially green fireballs), planets, bright stars, and the aurora borealis. Radar detection of 'radar angels' due to temperature inversion layers is also mentioned. The Harvard Meteor Project's extensive photographic observations in New Mexico, covering a large area and duration, found no evidence of classical UFOs, contributing to the general skepticism within the astronomical community.

The Danger of Misinterpretation and Conspiracy Theories

The article warns against the danger of accepting observations without rigorous logic and convincing evidence, especially given the public's intense desire for unidentified flying objects to be of benign, intelligent, and extraterrestrial origin. It also addresses the suggestion of a conspiracy by the U.S. Air Force and scientific community to conceal the truth about UFOs, noting that repeated sightings and scientific explanations have fueled such theories. However, the author emphasizes that honesty requires accepting only the most rigorous logic and convincing evidence.

Medical Ethics and Scientific Rigor

Shifting focus, the magazine includes a section on medical ethics, specifically addressing the 'gift of person for medical experimentation.' It highlights the dignity and hope associated with such participation, where donors trust that their contribution will be used wisely, efficiently, and for the benefit of mankind. The article stresses the importance of scientific quality in experiments, including establishing the importance of being wrong, anticipating variations, and knowing the required number of observations. It criticizes situations where the gift might be spent on shaky results due to a lack of proper experimental design.

Institutional Guarantees in Medical Research

Robert Lewis, Professor of Biostatistics at Tulane University, contributes a letter emphasizing the role of the modern medical institution in ensuring the ethical use of human information in research. He argues that university investigators imply that institutional resources will be used when they request patient cooperation. The institution provides real and implied guarantees that the contribution will be used to its full value, not squandered due to faulty or obsolete research design. This guarantee, he states, comes not just from an individual but from the institution as a whole.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the human inclination towards belief, whether in religious or pseudoscientific contexts, and contrasts this with the rational and evidence-based approach of science. There is a clear editorial stance favoring rigorous scientific inquiry and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, while acknowledging the psychological and societal needs that drive belief in phenomena like flying saucers. The discussion on medical ethics reinforces the magazine's commitment to scientific integrity and ethical practice. The overall tone suggests a critical examination of popular beliefs and a call for evidence-based understanding.