Stoff - 1989 No 3

Magazine Overview

STOFF, Issue 3, December 1989, is a Swedish ufology magazine published by STUFO. The cover features the title 'STOFF' and the logo of 'STOCKHOLMS UFO FÖRENING', with a prominent headline about Stockholm newspapers reporting on unidentified flying objects.

Editorial and Contents

The editorial, written by C G Norlén, reflects on the challenges of publishing the magazine regularly and encourages reader involvement. It announces key STUFO events for 1990: the annual meeting on February 22nd and the UFO-Sveriges Riksstämma and UFO-Seminarium on March 10th. The editorial also includes a plea for volunteers to help with the organization's activities.

• The table of contents lists several items:
• RIKSSTÄMMAN 1990 (National Assembly 1990)
• UFO SEMINARIET 1990 (UFO Seminar 1990)
• STUFOS ÅRSMÖTE 1990 (STUFO Annual Meeting 1990)
• UFOLOGIN KRITISERAS (Ufology is Criticized)
• TÄVLING, INSÄNDARE, M M (Contest, Submissions, etc.)

Reader Contributions and Membership

The 'INSÄNDARE' (Submissions) section emphasizes the magazine's openness to diverse opinions on the UFO question, stating that no one should have a monopoly on the term 'ufoexpert'. It provides an address for submitting letters.

Membership fees for 1990 are detailed, with different rates for regular members and pensioners/students, with and without the 'UFO-Aktuellt' subscription.

Q&A Section ('FRÅGELÅDAN')

This section addresses reader questions. One reader asks about MIB (Men in Black) reports in Sweden and whether UFO-Sweden conducts research. The response indicates that MIB reports in Sweden are virtually non-existent and that while collecting reports is done, a lack of serious research is noted. The response also references Gray Barker's book on MIB.

Another reader questions the lack of scientific research within UFO-Sweden, arguing that collecting reports alone leads to stagnation. They cite the organization's statutes which mandate seeking knowledge about UFO phenomena. The response acknowledges the reader's point but suggests that the issue is a lack of competent researchers and a need for a common strategy.

Contests and Submissions

A contest from previous issues is mentioned, with two winners receiving a 'BELLMANLOTT'. A new contest is announced, posing a math problem for readers to solve, with a deadline of March 15, 1990. The magazine also issues a call for article writers, seeking contributions for debate.

STUFO Annual Meeting 1990

A detailed agenda for the STUFO Annual Meeting on February 22, 1990, is provided. Key items include the opening of the meeting, approval of the agenda, elections for various positions (chairman, secretary, board members, auditors, etc.), review of the board's activity report and financial statements, decisions on motions, and discussions on membership fees for 1991.

Criticism of Ufology

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a critical examination of ufology. The article 'Naturlagarna sätts ur spel' (Natural Laws are Suspended) and 'KRITIK PÅ UFOLOGIN OCH UFOLOGERNA' (Criticism of Ufology and Ufologists) argues that ufologists often misinterpret phenomena due to human cognitive biases and wishful thinking. It criticizes the methods used in ufology as unscientific, relying on sensationalism, anecdotal evidence, and often illogical claims.

The article discusses historical claims, such as those related to John Worrell Keely and his 'Dynaspheric Force', and Lester Henderson's motor, portraying them as examples of pseudoscience and potential fraud that ufologists uncritically accept as evidence for advanced technology or phenomena.

It highlights how ufologists interpret even mundane or explainable events as proof of UFOs or extraterrestrial activity, dismissing conventional scientific explanations. The text points out the division within ufology into various 'sects' that often criticize each other. The article also touches upon outdated predictions, such as the moon being a stopover for space travelers, to illustrate the speculative nature of some ufological theories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be critical of mainstream ufology, advocating for more rigorous, evidence-based investigation while remaining open to the possibility of unexplained phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on scientific methodology and a skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims. The magazine actively encourages reader participation through letters and contests, fostering a community around the topic of UFOs while maintaining a critical perspective. The recurring themes include the critique of pseudoscience within ufology, the importance of scientific inquiry, and the promotion of STUFO's activities and membership.