1990 11 00 Science et Vie No 878

Magazine Overview

Title: Science & Vie
Issue: N 878
Date: November 1990
Type: Monthly Magazine

This issue of Science & Vie features a prominent article titled "L'HISTOIRE FOLLE DES RONDS DANS LE BLÉ" (The Crazy Story of Crop Circles), exploring the mysterious phenomenon of crop circles that have been appearing in cereal fields, primarily in England.

The Crazy Story of Crop Circles

The article begins by describing the enigmatic crop circles, which started appearing in the early 1980s in the south of England, particularly in Wiltshire and Hampshire. These formations, appearing weeks before harvest, are characterized by cereal stalks bent near the ground in a spiral, often clockwise, with no apparent way of access. Initially isolated, the circles began to appear in increasingly complex formations, including 'triplets' (a central circle with two satellites) by 1981, and later 'quintuplets' (a central circle surrounded by four satellites) and other geometric shapes.

The phenomenon has since spread geographically, appearing in about thirty countries and in various crops like barley, oats, flax, corn, and even on land, snow, and grass. The complexity of the formations escalated significantly in 1990 with the appearance of 'pictograms,' intricate designs combining circles, arcs, rectangles, and other shapes.

Hypotheses and Explanations

The magazine meticulously examines a wide range of hypotheses proposed to explain the crop circles:

1. Agricultural Issues: Explanations include chemical imbalances in the soil, excessive fertilizer use, or cryptogamic diseases (fungal infections) causing unusual growth patterns. However, these are generally dismissed as not fully accounting for the precise geometric shapes.
2. Animal Activity: Theories involving hedgehogs, deer, or flocks of birds are presented but deemed highly improbable due to the geometric precision required.
3. Archaeological Sites: The presence of underground Neolithic or Bronze Age structures is suggested to influence crop growth, creating circular patterns. However, modern mechanized agriculture tends to obscure these structures rather than reveal them.
4. Meteorological Phenomena: This category includes theories like giant hailstones, mini-tornados, or 'plasma vortices' as proposed by physicist Terence Meaden. Meaden, a specialist in solid-state physics, suggests that these vortices, charged with dust and debris, could create circular patterns when they descend to the ground. His theory, while considered more scientific, faces challenges in explaining the variety and precision of the formations.
5. Military Activity: Early suspicions pointed to military experiments, with helicopters being a prime suspect. However, the downdraft from rotors typically creates bowl-shaped depressions, not the sharp-edged circles observed. The Ministry of Defense has denied involvement, though some incidents of military aircraft activity near crop circle sites are noted.
6. Intelligent Non-Human Activity: This broad category encompasses theories involving subterranean 'telluric' forces ('ley-lines'), spiritual origins attributed to nature spirits like 'Deva' (as proposed by dowser Dennis Wheatley), or extraterrestrial intelligence. Some researchers use dowsing rods to distinguish between 'genuine' and 'fake' circles.
7. Human Activity (Other than Military): This includes theories about pranksters or even a challenge among military cadets to create these designs. The possibility of using helicopters flying upside down to create the patterns is also mentioned.

Key Researchers and Evidence

Several individuals and organizations are highlighted for their involvement in crop circle research:

• Terence Meaden: A physicist who developed the 'plasma vortex' theory. He has documented over 100 cases predating 1980 and suggests the phenomenon is meteorological.
• Colin Andrews and Pat Delgado: Experts who, along with Meaden, suggest an 'intelligent force' is responsible. They employ dowsing rods and have published a book on the subject that gained significant attention.
• Michael Hall and Andrew Macara: Biologists who noted that intensive cultivation can create uniform soil density, potentially contributing to circular patterns, but not the precise geometry.
• The National Farmer's Union (NFU): Issued a code of conduct for 'circle hunters,' offering advice on how to enter fields without leaving traces.

The article also discusses specific pieces of evidence, such as a jelly-like substance found in a crop circle at Middle Wallop, which reportedly caused respiratory difficulties and remained unidentified after analysis.

International Cases and Skepticism

While the phenomenon is most prominent in England, similar cases have been reported in Canada (Manitoba) and France. However, the article notes that many reported 'UFO traces' do not match the characteristics of English crop circles. Some cases, like one in France, were attributed to landslides. The magazine also touches upon the possibility of hoaxes, with two known individuals cited for creating crop circle-like formations.

Scientific Scrutiny and Limitations

Despite numerous theories, the article points out limitations and contradictions. For instance, Meaden's theory struggles to explain the increasing number and variety of formations, including triangles and rectangles, which he dismisses as non-natural. The article also notes that while some researchers claim electromagnetic effects or biological impacts, scientific verification is often lacking. The 'zapped dead' fly and the septuagenarian unable to enter a site are mentioned as anecdotal evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine adopts a skeptical yet open-minded approach, presenting a wide array of theories from the mundane to the extraordinary. It emphasizes the need for scientific rigor while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding crop circles. The editorial stance appears to lean towards exploring all possibilities, from natural phenomena to potentially intelligent, non-human causes, without definitively endorsing any single explanation. The article highlights the increasing complexity and global spread of crop circles, suggesting a phenomenon that continues to evolve and challenge conventional understanding.

This issue of Top Secret, dated 1990, focuses on the phenomenon of crop circles, exploring various theories, investigations, and the cultural impact of these formations. The cover story highlights Alton Barnes as a tourist curiosity, complete with merchandise and helicopter tours, driven by Terence Meaden's 'plasma vortex' explanation.

The Plasma Vortex Theory and Its Critics

The magazine details Terence Meaden's theory that ground electrical fields, particularly 'plasma vortices,' are responsible for creating crop circles. According to this theory, uniform electrical fields cause plants to lay down in a clockwise (anticyclonic) direction, while non-uniform fields lead to an anti-clockwise (cyclonic) pattern. The article notes that anti-clockwise circles were not reported before 1986, suggesting a change in the ground's electrical field.

However, the article presents skepticism from meteorologists and experts at the Meteorological Office, who do not share Meaden's views. Despite this, Meaden's model has gained traction among ufologists, with Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles being prominent supporters who use his theory to explain UFO observations.

Notable Crop Circle Events and Investigations

The issue recounts several significant crop circle events:

• May 12, 1990: A gigantic circle with three rings appeared at Stone Pit Hill, Wiltshire.
• May 23, 1990: A fourth concentric ring was added to the Stone Pit Hill formation.
• July 8, 1983: A team of cereologists at Westbury discovered a quintuplet of circles after leaving their surveillance site.
• July 1990: During nocturnal surveillance at Silbury Hill, no activity was observed, but 16 circles appeared in a nearby field three days later.
• July 24, 1990: Operation Blackbird, involving 60 volunteers and an infrared camera, documented 10 circles and 3 straight lines appearing at the foot of White Horse hill in Westbury.
• July 25, 1990: A near-perfect replica of the Alton Barnes pictogram was discovered a few kilometers away.
• July 26, 1990: Six young people were caught in the act of creating a crop circle at Westbury.

Surveillance Operations

Several organized surveillance efforts are described:

• Operation White Crow (June 10-15, 1989): Conducted at Cheesefoothend with over 50 participants, including Terence Meaden and Archie Roy, using a sensitive camera.
• Operation Blackbird (July 1990): Involved 60 volunteers and a million-pound infrared camera, leading to the discovery of multiple circles.

The Human Fabrication Hypothesis

The article strongly explores the possibility that crop circles are man-made. It addresses common arguments against this, such as the difficulty of creating circles without leaving traces. It argues that individuals can walk between rows of crops without leaving significant marks and that aerial video evidence has shown no traces of passage.

Furthermore, the article points to instances where individuals were caught creating circles or where groups claimed responsibility, such as the 'The Justified Ancients of Mu-Mu' claiming a pictogram at Westbury, later revealed to be a publicity stunt by the pop group The Timelords.

The VECA 90 team conducted an experiment with a special effects professional, successfully creating a complex quintuplet formation in under an hour, demonstrating that human fabrication is entirely feasible.

Exploitation for Publicity and Commerce

Crop circles quickly became a commercial phenomenon. Farmers like David Carson at Alton Barnes began charging for access to their fields, selling merchandise like T-shirts, and even organizing helicopter tours. The phenomenon was also exploited for publicity by various companies and groups:

• The Timelords: Used crop circles for publicity for their album 'Space'.
• Cement Giant Blue Circle: Suspected of using crop circles for advertising.
• Mates Condoms: Featured a crop circle in a full-page advertisement.
• Carling Black Label: Used a crop circle image in national newspaper ads.
• Littlewoods Pools: Incorporated a pictogram into an advertisement.

The "Pub" Gets Involved

Even pubs joined in, with 'A Barge Inn' in Alton Barnes offering a 'crop circle cocktail.' The article notes that the publicity surrounding crop circles was so intense that it was difficult to enter some fields without paying.

Distinguishing Real from Fake

The article concludes by suggesting that the debate over the origin of crop circles continues, with the burden of proof lying on those who claim they are not man-made. It implies that the 'magic wand' of the dowser is needed to differentiate between 'real' and 'fake' circles, hinting that most are likely fabricated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are the mystery of crop circles, the debate between extraterrestrial/paranormal explanations (like Meaden's plasma vortex theory) and human fabrication, the exploitation of the phenomenon for commercial gain and publicity, and the role of media and public fascination with the unexplained. The editorial stance leans heavily towards the human fabrication hypothesis, presenting evidence and experiments to support this view while acknowledging the persistent public interest in more extraordinary explanations.