1969 02 01 Saturday Review John Lear

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Saturday Review" from February 1, 1969, features a prominent cover story titled "THE PULSE OF EARTH EXPLORING THE AIR-WATER SEA" by John Lear. Another significant article, "PARENT AND CHILD—THE HAZARDS OF EQUALI" by Thomas J. Cottle, is also highlighted on the cover. The issue includes a detailed examination of "A SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF UFOS" by Edward U. Condon, which presents the findings and conclusions of the University of Colorado's report on unidentified flying objects.

A SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF UFOS: The University of Colorado Report

Edward U. Condon, director of the University of Colorado's UFO study, states that the emphasis of the study was to find anything that could add to scientific knowledge. The general conclusion is that nothing has been gained from UFO studies over the past twenty-one years, and further extensive study is likely not justified. Condon argues that scientists individually decide where their efforts are most fruitful, and the lack of scientific study in UFOs is due to scientists deciding it's not a fruitful field for major discoveries. He emphasizes that scientific progress relies on individual scientists making decisions and correcting errors.

Condon clarifies that while the study of UFO reports may not be a fruitful direction, any scientist with adequate training and credentials who proposes a clearly defined, specific study should be supported. He references William Kingdon Clifford's idea that scientific thought is the guide of action and progress itself. The report acknowledges that administrators may make errors in judgment regarding research proposals, but this is minimized by parallel review channels.

Since 1945, the federal government has evolved machinery for careful consideration of proposals. Condon believes agencies and foundations should be willing to consider UFO research proposals openly, though he doesn't expect significant contributions. He advises against setting up a major new federal agency for UFO study, but suggests this could be reconsidered if research based on new ideas warrants it.

The study identified important areas in atmospheric optics, radio wave propagation, and atmospheric electricity where knowledge is incomplete. These areas are relevant to practical problems in military and civilian flying. Research in these fields is being conducted by the Department of Defense, ESSA, NASA, universities, and research organizations like the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Condon notes that the report focused primarily on physical sciences, finding fewer psychiatric problems related to belief in UFOs as extraterrestrial craft than some might expect. He suggests that studying the beliefs of individuals and groups, unsupported by evidence, could be of scientific value to social and behavioral sciences. A content analysis of press and television coverage of UFO reports might yield data for social scientists and communications specialists, though such a study was not included due to other priorities.

The National Academy of Sciences panel reviewed Condon's report and concluded that it was a creditable effort to apply scientific techniques to the UFO problem. While acknowledging that some UFO sightings remain unexplained, the panel found no reason to attribute them to extraterrestrial sources without more convincing evidence. They noted the difficulty of applying scientific methods to transient sightings and suggested that while further study of specific aspects like atmospheric phenomena might be useful, studying UFOs in general is not a promising way to expand scientific understanding. The panel stated that the least likely explanation for UFOs, based on present knowledge, is extraterrestrial visitations.

Regarding federal government action on UFO reports, the report suggests nothing should be done with the expectation of advancing science. The conclusion that UFOs do not represent a national defense hazard, reached by Air Force officers over twenty-one years, is not questioned by the study. The report emphasizes that this conclusion is based on attention given to reports one by one, and without such attention, no opinion could be formed.

Condon contends that the subject of UFOs has been widely misrepresented by individuals making sensationalized presentations. He believes that children are being educationally harmed by absorbing unsound material from UFO books and magazines, which also retards the development of critical thinking skills. He strongly recommends that teachers refrain from giving students credit for work based on such reading and instead channel their interests toward astronomy, meteorology, and critical analysis of arguments.

Personality Portrait: Edward Condon

The issue includes a personality portrait of Edward U. Condon, highlighting his distinguished career as former director of the National Bureau of Standards, president of the American Physical Society and the AAAS, and professor of physics. Condon is described as a moral, impassioned man with a deep concern for mankind, fiercely principled, and anti-diplomatic, yet generous and kind. He is noted for his intellectual rigor and his ability to challenge others to think critically.

The portrait details Condon's early life, including his parents' separation and his nomadic childhood, leading him to attend numerous schools and work as a young reporter. An incident from his youth involving a newspaper story about a left-wing group, which led to arrests and ruined lives, is recounted, illustrating the impact of his early journalistic work.

Condon's involvement with the atomic bomb project and his clashes with military authorities over the assignment of ranks to scientists are discussed. His role in the development of the heat-resistant rocket nose cone for Colonel John Glenn's space flight is also mentioned. The portrait touches on Condon's personal struggles, including the revocation of his security clearance and the pressure he faced, which led him to withdraw his application for clearance. Despite these challenges, he received widespread support from scientists and was installed as president of the AAAS.

The article also recounts an anecdote where Condon, while directing the UFO study, was asked about the hypothetical planet Clarion. Using his scientific expertise, he calculated that the existence of such a planet would cause detectable perturbations in the orbits of other planets, and he dispatched his findings to the questioner, who lamented that computers destroy illusions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes a commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry and critical thinking. The editorial stance, particularly through the Condon report, is that scientific progress is best served by individual scientists pursuing well-defined research based on evidence and sound methodology. There is a clear skepticism towards claims lacking empirical support, especially those related to UFOs, which are deemed not to have advanced scientific understanding. The magazine advocates for responsible science communication, warning against the misrepresentation of scientific topics to the public and the miseducation of students. The importance of scientific integrity, even in the face of personal or professional adversity, is also a recurring theme, exemplified by Condon's own career.