Skywatch - No 40

Magazine Overview

Title: SKYWATCH
Issue: No.40
Date: September - October 1981
Editor: David Rees
Publisher: Not explicitly stated, but based in England.

Content Summary

This issue of Skywatch, No.40, delves into various aspects of ufology, featuring reader contributions, news, book reviews, and an in-depth article on information management for ufologists.

Readers' Letters

Two letters from readers, Ian Mrzyglod and Richard Avery, engage with ongoing debates within the ufological community. Mrzyglod argues for a broader definition of ufology, including reports of landed craft, apparent entities, and psychic visions, advocating for total objectivity in data collection. Avery expresses concern over the direction of some research, highlighting the importance of ethical investigation and questioning the methods of certain investigators, particularly regarding the Dyfed cases and Fufor's investigations.

Mapit Newdesk

This section provides a roundup of news and resources for ufologists. It welcomes readers to another issue and promotes the Scottish Ufo network, which also publishes its own magazine. Bufora announces an increase in its membership fee for 1981. Several new books are highlighted, including "Doomsday 1999AD" by Charles Perlitz, "Lifecloud diseases from Space" by Fred Hoyle and N.C. Wickramasinghe, "The Door Marked Summer" by Michael Bentine, and "Alien Contact - Window on Another World" by Jenny Randles and Paul Whetnall. Arthur Shuttlewood is noted to be submitting his manuscript for a new book.

Additionally, the section mentions Timothy Wood's upcoming book on ufology and George Adamski. Sad news is reported regarding the closure of the New Zealand-based Ufo magazine 'Xenolog' after 26 years. Bob Rickard's 'Fortean Times' has a new address. The Bufora 1982 National Conference is announced, to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Bufora Journal will no longer be published, replaced by the 'Bufora Bulletin'. Laura Mindo is promoting her new book, 'The Mindo Ufo Report'. The formation of a new organization, The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSPA), is announced, with Hilary Evans as a contact. The issue also notes ongoing features on 'Information Needs of Ufologists' and provides a reminder about subscription renewals.

Reviews

The review section critically examines "Ufo...Contact from the Pleiades Volume One," a hardback publication by Genesis III Publications. The review focuses on the Eduard Billy Meier case, with the reviewer quoting Kal Korff and Ground Saucer Watch, who both dismiss the case as a hoax with no supporting evidence. The reviewer also notes that Meier allegedly makes UFO models that resemble his photographs and has been found destroying evidence of such models. The review expresses disappointment with the book's content and questions the lack of group addresses for interested parties.

Another section details a case involving an Airshow photograph, where the magazine 'Mapit' was initially involved in an investigation. The negative was sent to Nufois for enlargement but was never returned. The author clarifies that they were not informed of any delay by Nufois and were not involved in Miss Randles' book preparation, only learning of the case's inclusion when reading the book. The author expresses a desire to present the facts as they know them and finds the book disappointing.

Information Needs of Ufologists

This article, by John Prytz, addresses the critical need for ufologists to manage the ever-increasing volume of information. It emphasizes the importance of not only acquiring information (input) but also developing techniques for rapid and accurate retrieval (output). The article notes the exponential growth of UFO-related data, nearly tripling between 1965-1969 and 1975-1979, with expectations of another tripling by 1985-1989. Prytz advocates for a well-organized personal UFO library, suggesting that a small, organized collection is more valuable than a massive, unorganized one. The article outlines various forms of information, including monographs, serials (newspapers, journals), and irregular sources like radio, television, and official government documents. It stresses that input requires conscious effort beyond routine daily activities. The role of public libraries as repositories and sources of information is highlighted, along with the potential for inter-library loans and micro-film collections. Second-hand bookstores and collections of fellow ufologists are also mentioned as valuable resources. The article discusses the challenges of acquiring out-of-print materials, especially from overseas, and suggests direct subscription for journals. For newspaper clippings, it recommends subscribing to a clipping service or diligently reading multiple newspapers and news broadcasts daily. The concept of Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) is introduced as a complementary method.

The article then moves to the crucial step of organizing information for retrieval, emphasizing that memory alone is insufficient. It recommends a formal system of information storage and highlights the importance of indexes, especially for books lacking them. A priority for any personal library should be a good standard reference collection (dictionary, encyclopedia, almanac), supplemented by specialized tools relevant to ufology. For larger collections, a card catalogue is suggested, detailing authors, titles, subjects, and physical formats. Shelf arrangement should depend on the owner's needs and the nature of the materials. The article also touches upon the idea of informal word-of-mouth information as a significant source.

What Ufologists Can Do for Each Other

This section suggests ways ufologists can collectively assist each other. These include providing bibliographies, footnotes, and references; compiling indexes for books and journals; advertising themselves in the general media to attract new people; acting as public information officers for events; using legal means like the Freedom of Information Act to increase information availability; and sharing rare or hard-to-come-by information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to maintain a balanced approach to ufology, acknowledging both the 'nuts and bolts' and 'paranormalist' perspectives while advocating for thorough and objective investigation. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of information gathering, organization, and critical evaluation, as evidenced by the detailed article on information needs. The editorial stance seems to be one of encouraging rigorous research and open discussion within the ufological community, while also being critical of unsubstantiated claims and poor investigative practices. The magazine serves as a platform for news, reviews, and discussions relevant to those interested in the UFO phenomenon.

Title: SKYWATCH
Issue: No. 40
Date: September-October 1981
Publisher: MAPIT
Country: United Kingdom

Article 1: Technology and the Information Needs of Ufologists

This article, inspired by a Parliamentary Librarian's Conference in August 1980, discusses how ufologists can leverage modern technology, specifically computers, to manage and share their research more effectively. The author argues that while ufologists are good at sharing ideas, they could improve by sharing their actual information and data bases. The concept of networking, similar to professional libraries, is proposed to reduce duplication of effort.

The article highlights the potential of computers to create and manage extensive data bases of UFO sightings, reports, and related information. It notes that computers are already used for compiling UFO data (e.g., UFOCATSs) but suggests a broader application for managing 'information about information'. The author points out that numerous computer data bases already exist across various scientific fields and are accessible through library networks, spanning global data via telecommunications satellites. The article suggests that local libraries can provide access to these resources.

On a personal level, the author states that owning a personal computer is becoming affordable and manageable. Information that can be stored on paper, such as bibliographies, author names, book titles, article references, dates, and even personal notes, can be digitized. The article projects that within ten years, every ufologist might have instant access to the data bases of all other ufologists worldwide, along with millions of relevant data items and full-text articles stored in global libraries. This is presented not as science fiction but as an existing reality in professional library circles.

Future technological advancements are expected to include hardcopy print-out machines and devices that transcribe audio recordings (like cassette tapes and phone conversations) into text. The author anticipates that within the lifespan of the average person, all information will be accessible via computers and VDUs, including books, journals, newspapers, and even news broadcasts. Acquisition of this information will be facilitated by a computer network, with automatic billing and electronic deduction from bank accounts.

The author's personal goal is to acquire a computer to help cope with this evolving 'Brave New World' of information. However, until that fully arrives, the focus remains on establishing a less automated routine.

Establishing A Routine: Input and Output

The article emphasizes the need for a systematic, organized, day-in-day-out routine for handling information, covering both input and output.

• Input routines include:
• Regular visits to various libraries (public, state, national, newspaper, university).
• Taping at least one radio/TV news and/or current events program daily, potentially reusing tapes. Specific suggestions include the ABC 7.45 am news and 'A.M.' from 8 am to 8.30 am.
• Scanning two to three newspapers daily.
• Regular visits to bookstores and newsagents for new books and browsing current magazines for relevant articles.
• Subscribing to particular journals as finances and space allow.
• Subscribing to a newspaper clipping service if costs permit.
• Utilizing informal SDI (Selective Dissemination of Information) networks.
• Making a habit of scanning book reviews.
• Investing in or investigating 'the new technology' (computers).

• Output routines include:
• Establishing a personal cataloguing system.
• Establishing a personal filing system.
• Making cataloguing and filing systems highly specific yet flexible.
• Using 'multi-access' to the information data base.

Note: The author acknowledges the recent Parliamentary Librarian's Conference (Parliament House, Canberra, 11/12 August 1980) as the inspiration for the article. The article is a reprint from the Journal of the ACUFOS, Vol. I, No. 5, October 1980.

Article 2: MAPIT comment on Llanerchymedd

This section provides a commentary from MAPIT regarding the Llanerchymedd case, referencing previous investigations by 'Fufor' (UFO Insight publication). MAPIT asserts that Fufor's investigations are exhaustive and their standards are a guide for other organizations. They claim Fufor has shown 'beyond doubt' that Jenny Randles has been 'less than unbiased' in her presentation of the Llanerchymedd case.

The commentary expresses concern about the credulity of ufologists and defines 'myth making' as an idea that forms part of a group's beliefs but is not founded on fact. MAPIT states its full support for Fufor on this issue and will not condone such actions by anyone. It then lists recommended reading for those unfamiliar with the Llanerchymedd case:

1. The Llanerchymedd Report (published by Fufor)
2. Anglesey Again (Bufora Journal Vol 8 No.1)
3. The Llanerchymedd UFO (FSR Vol 25 No.5)
4. Llanerchymedd UFO (Ufo Insight Vol 1 No.5)
5. Llanerchymedd Continued (Ufo Insight Vol 1 No.6)
6. Llanerchymedd (Wales) Landing (The Encyclopedia of UFOs by Ronald Story)
7. Appendix A: Ten Significant Cases/No.9 - UFO Study (by Jenny Randles)
8. Llanerchymedd - The Making of a Myth (Appendix to UFO Insight Vol2 No.2)
9. Llanerchymedd - Jenny Randles Replies (Ufo Insight Vol2 No.3)

Advertisements

The issue contains a section of advertisements for various publications and services related to ufology, paranormal research, and New Age topics. These include:

• FORESIGHT: A bi-monthly magazine on spiritual evolution and the new age.
• OCCULT WORLD: Covering pagan co-operation and new age subjects.
• GNOME NEWS: The Gnome Club of BEs magazine.
• THE LEY HUNTER: Edited by Paul Devereux, detailing ley lines.
• FORTEAN TIMES: A publication for 'required reading' on fortean phenomena.
• MAGIC SAUCER: A magazine for young UFO enthusiasts, covering news and views on magic and mystery.
• PROBE REPORT: A quarterly publication from Probe.
• UFO INSIGHT: A magazine from the Federation of UFO Research.
• REVELATION: A journal for occult students and spiritual seekers, bridging ancient wisdom and new age teachings.
• COMMON GROUND: Studies on the fringe of human experience.
• LANTERN: Magazine of East Anglian mysteries from the Borderline Science Investigation Group.
• NORTHERN EARTH MYSTERIES: A publication with original articles on research.
• UFO NEWCLIPPING SERVICE: A service providing UFO reports from international press cutting bureaus, covering landings and occupant cases from the US, England, Canada, Australia, South America, and other countries, with English translations of foreign language reports.
• UFO CASSETTES: A collection of recordings, including discussions on UFOs and related topics.

The End Bits

This section features a collection of quotes:

• "Originality is the art of concealing your source" - Franklin Jones.
• "Some so-called open minds should be immediately closed for repairs" - Anon.
• "Archaeology is the science of digging around to find another civilisation to blame ours on" - Jack Wasserman.
• "Old professors never die - they simply lose their facilties" - Sir Arthur Armitage.
• "Trying to solve the Ufo mystery is like looking for a haystack in a needle" - Raymond Soul.

It also includes membership and subscription information for MAPIT/SKYWATCH: $3.00 for single issues and overseas rates on request.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the practical aspects of ufological research, emphasizing the importance of systematic information management and the integration of technology. There's a clear stance on the need for rigorous investigation and objective reporting, as evidenced by the critical commentary on the Llanerchymedd case and the support for Fufor's methodology. The magazine also serves as a platform for promoting other UFO-related publications and services, fostering a community of researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting a more organized, technologically-assisted, and critically-minded approach to the study of UFOs, while also highlighting the ongoing mysteries and phenomena within the field.