Stoff - 1990 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of STOFF, number 1 from 1990, is a publication from the Stockholm UFO Association (STUFO). The cover prominently features the title 'STOFF' and a logo for 'STOCKHOLMS UFO FÖRENING', along with a headline indicating coverage of 'Stockholm Newspaper about Unidentified Flying Objects'. The table of contents lists articles on the future of STUFO, a review of Whitley Strieber's book 'GENOMBROTT', a competition, and a continuation of criticism against ufologists.

Editorial (Ledare)

The editorial, written by C G Norlén, discusses the current state of ufology, describing it as being in a 'slump' with a lack of active engagement and a narrow focus on the 'flying saucer' hypothesis, particularly in the provincial press. UFO-Sverige (UFO-Sweden) has long advocated for a broader approach to include more theories, citing Whitley Strieber's work as an example that bridges dream and reality. Broadening the scope is seen as crucial for credibility and attracting more interest from parapsychologists and established researchers, referencing the Hessdalen project supported by Norwegian institutions and defense. The editorial notes the popularity of the simple 'flying saucer' hypothesis, despite a lack of proof. It poses the question of whether to maintain a broad, potentially less accessible line or pursue a populist approach for economic reasons and member engagement. STUFO is currently struggling with member recruitment, to the extent that a board could not be elected at the latest annual meeting. The editorial calls for members to step up or face the dissolution of the association. It also notes an unusually quiet year in Sweden in 1989, with only about 40 reports received by UFO-Sverige's report center, compared to 200-300 previously, questioning the reasons behind this decrease. The editor concludes that the UFO phenomenon will always be reported, regardless of periods of calm.

Membership Fees

Information is provided on membership fees for 1990, with different rates for regular members, those joining in the first or second half of the year, and for pensioners/students, with options including or excluding the publication 'UFO-Aktuellt'.

Article: Whitley Strieber: Genombrott

This section reviews Whitley Strieber's book 'Genombrott,' a sequel to his earlier work 'Närkontakt' (Close Encounter). The review details Strieber's alleged experiences, starting with an encounter in December 1985 where he saw a small, frightening figure in metallic plates. He describes being taken outside and becoming paralyzed. The article recounts further 'frightening events' affecting Strieber, his wife Anne, son Andrew, and family friends. Strieber believes these are not hallucinations but extraterrestrial beings from another dimension. The review highlights specific incidents: mysterious knocks on the house wall, dual memories of an evening (one of going to bed, another of seeing a field of yellow flowers under a black sky), and an encounter with a white-clad being resembling an angel who warned him about his diet. Strieber's memory is described as peculiar, with instances of memory loss and 'false memories' that he calls 'defense mechanisms.' The article discusses Strieber's fear of the 'visitors' and his attempts to overcome it by venturing into the woods at night. It also mentions his experience of seeing a small, white-clad being who warned him about his metabolism, and a subsequent dream where he died after eating chocolate, suggesting a telepathic influence. Another incident involves Strieber and his family seeing strange cats in a car, one with a meter-wide head, which then vanished.

The review touches upon Strieber's potential ability to influence electronic devices and his out-of-body experiences, citing Robert Monroe's book 'Journeys Out of the Body.' Strieber claims to have projected himself to friends and even a female author, conveying messages. A peculiar event involved Strieber noticing cats with unusual features in a car, which his son Andrew also saw, but his wife Anne did not. The article also mentions Strieber's belief that he can telepathically transfer his 'hallucinations' to others, referencing collective hallucinations in parapsychological literature. An incident with a friend, Philippe M., who reported seeing a light and a giant object hovering over the pool while staying at Strieber's, is also recounted. Strieber acknowledges that brain diseases and psychological disorders can cause hallucinations but questions how his own condition could lead others to experience encounters. The review notes that Strieber has undergone neurological examinations that found no epilepsy, but a psychologist diagnosed him with stress, exhaustion, and 'inner chaos,' while also noting his intelligence and high verbal ability. Strieber's book 'Närkontakt' was initially rejected by publishers but became a bestseller. The review speculates that Strieber's experiences might be fabricated, or that he possesses a vivid imagination and a 'hallucinatory fantasy' stemming from his subconscious, coupled with anxieties about global disasters.

Articles to the Magazine

This section is a call for articles from readers, inviting them to submit their viewpoints for inclusion in the magazine.

Letters to the Editor (Insändare)

This section encourages diverse opinions on UFOs, stating that no one should hold a monopoly on the term 'ufoexpert.' Readers are invited to submit their best contributions.

Minutes of the Annual Meeting 1990

The minutes of the Stockholm UFO Association's 1990 annual meeting detail several key points:

• P.1 Opening of the Meeting: Göran Norlén welcomed the members and opened the meeting.
• P.2 Approval of Agenda: A proposal to add 'The Future of the Association' as agenda item 4a was accepted; the rest of the agenda was approved.
• P.3 Election of Chairman and Secretary: Göran Norlén was elected chairman, and Åke Blomstrand was elected secretary for the meeting.
• P.4 Election of Two Protocol Adjusters: Sten Dramstad and Elsie Molin were elected as adjusters.
• P.4a The Future of the Association: Göran Norlén explained the current situation: all active members had left the association in the past five years, resulting in a low profile. With the chairman stepping down, options were presented: A) Maintain the current low profile (formal contact, membership list, accounting, STOFF), B) Reorganize with the help of the approximately 40 members, or C) Dissolve the association. The meeting favored options A and B, meaning STOFF would continue until the end of 1990/91 to provide value to members. If no functioning board and driving forces remain by year-end, the association would be dissolved, and remaining funds distributed according to statutes. The concrete goal is for a few individuals to form a board and take over STUFO's activities before the year ends.
• P.5 Board's Activity Report and Cash Report: The activity report was read and commented upon, noting a 'thin' year but appropriate for the number of active members. Financially, there were no major concerns due to a surplus from a UFO seminar in March.
• Auditors' Report: The auditors had no objections to the bookkeeping.
• P.6 Decision on Discharge of Liability for the 1989 Board: The annual meeting granted the board discharge of liability for the past year.
• P.7 - P.12 Personnel Elections: Due to the association's current situation and low member participation at the meeting, no personnel elections could take place.
• P.16 Decision on Membership Fees for 1990: No decision was made regarding membership fees for 1991.
• P.17 Other Business: No other matters were raised.
• P.18 Closing of the Annual Meeting: Göran thanked attendees and promised that all questions would be addressed in the next issue of STOFF.

Competition (Tävling)

STOFF 3/89: Two correct answers from the previous STOFF competition were drawn: Elsie Molin and Sten Dramstad, who each win a BELLMANLOTT. The correct answer to the riddle about a girl's age was 30 years.

NEW COMPETITION: A new riddle is presented: Mr. Lurén was asked by his wife to buy fruit. He could only buy two fruits, and they had to be different kinds, with neither being an apple. At the store, only apples and oranges were available. The riddle asks what he bought. Answers are due by May 31, 1990, and two correct solutions will receive a Bellmanlott. The address for submissions is Stoff-Tävling 1/90, Box 137, 145 01 NORSBORG.

Comments on the Annual Meeting Plus News

Comment on the Annual Meeting: The article reiterates that the association lacks a board due to insufficient attendance at the meeting. With the current chairman resigning, the future looks bleak. An 'reorganization meeting' is announced for June 13, 1990, at 18:30, to elect a functional board and discuss the handover of activities. All members willing to contribute are urged to attend.

Bad News: The article reports that Stockholms Ufo-förening will no longer receive 'nolltaxa' (zero-rate) for renting association and leisure premises, a decision made by the leisure committee. This is because the majority of the association's members (1989: 25 out of 55) do not reside in Stockholm. Consequently, they can no longer use premises like those of ABF for free. A suitable venue must be found for the June 13 meeting, and suggestions are requested by June 1.

Trouble with the Phone: Some members may have had difficulty reaching STUFO by phone due to a fault that prevented incoming calls. This issue is reportedly fixed.

Question Box (Frågelådan)

This section provides brief answers to reader questions:

1. Moon Cars: US astronauts' moon vehicles do not rust because there is no water or oxygen. Rust is a mixture of iron oxides and hydroxides. Whether the cars are made of iron or another non-rusting material is unknown.
2. Wind on the Moon: The Moon has an extremely thin, almost immeasurable atmosphere. Therefore, a flag would not flutter in the wind.
3. UFOs on the Moon's Far Side: While astronauts have reported strange phenomena and lights on the Moon, these are usually attributed to reflections from ground formations or visors. The article suggests that misinterpretations are common due to the Moon's environment being dissimilar to Earth's conditions.
4. Soviet Venus Landings: The article states that Venus has extreme conditions: a highly toxic atmosphere, immense pressure, and temperatures of 450-600 degrees Celsius. While Soviet probes have had difficulties, some landings have been successful, though their operational lifespan has been short.

Criticism of Ufology and Ufologists (Continued)

This article continues a critique of ufology, questioning the claims made by ufologists. It dismisses concepts like 'elemental drive' and 'gravitational field theories' as unscientific, arguing that ufologists misunderstand basic physics concepts like Newton's laws of motion. The author criticizes the reliance on anecdotal evidence and the lack of rigorous proof in ufological claims. The article points out that while science acknowledges the possibility of unexplained phenomena (around 3-5%), ufologists inflate this percentage to claim 'real UFOs.' It criticizes the alleged secrecy by governments and scientists, which ufologists attribute to conspiracies. The author argues that ufologists often seek validation from 'recognized' figures rather than solid evidence and calls for concrete proof and sober theories instead of 'bizarre circle proofs' and cult-like worship.

The article further scrutinizes the 'scientific' equipment used by ufologists, such as the 'Cartwright detector,' calling it a child's toy. It questions the claims about magnetic compasses reacting to UFOs and radio equipment detecting 'radio noise.' The author expresses doubt about the reliability of 'authentic' UFO photographs, stating that it is impossible to verify the authenticity of a subject through a photograph alone and that many published photos are easily debunked or too blurry to be conclusive. The article criticizes the lack of skill in photographic forgery among ufologists and their poor understanding of visual laws. It also dismisses claims about electromagnetic waves and mind control, suggesting that ufologists might be susceptible to such phenomena themselves. The author concludes that while science is open to speculation, it must be based on something other than occult beliefs. Despite numerous serious investigations, no concrete evidence for 'real flying saucers' has been found. The article highlights the discrepancy between the small percentage of unexplained cases and the ufologists' high claims of 'real UFOs.' It criticizes the alleged cover-up by scientists and authorities, attributing it to various conspiracy theories. The author expresses admiration for the supposed global cooperation in keeping the 'flying saucer reality' secret, questioning if ufology is too weak to penetrate this 'bubble.' The article concludes by urging ufologists to provide concrete evidence and rational theories rather than relying on questionable proofs and pseudoscience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the challenges facing ufology and UFO organizations in Sweden, particularly the Stockholm UFO Association's struggle for survival due to low membership and the need for a broader, more scientific approach to the UFO phenomenon. There is a strong critical stance towards what the magazine perceives as unscientific methods, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories within ufology, particularly highlighted in the extended critique of ufologists and their interpretation of evidence. The issue also touches upon personal accounts and alleged experiences, notably through the review of Whitley Strieber's book, but frames these within a context of skepticism regarding their scientific validity. The editorial stance appears to favor a more grounded, evidence-based approach to the study of UFOs, while acknowledging the ongoing mystery and public interest in the subject.

Title: Perpeetum Mobile och andra mysterier
Issue: 3
Date: August 1990
Publisher: Clas Ohlson AB
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue critically examines the field of ufology, questioning its scientific validity and comparing its practitioners to members of religious sects or occult groups. The article suggests that ufologists often operate within isolated 'sects' that cling to a singular explanation for unexplained phenomena – namely, extraterrestrial visitors in flying saucers.

Critique of Ufology

The author argues that ufology, in its current state, does not contribute constructively to knowledge. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena, the article criticizes the ufological tendency to immediately attribute them to alien spacecraft without sufficient evidence. This approach is likened to the rigid, unquestioning beliefs found in religious sects and occult practices. The text posits that this stems from psychological limitations and the inherent constraints of human cognitive abilities, which struggle to grasp the vastness and complexity of the universe.

One example given is the 'tefatsekt' (flying saucer sect) that believes thunderstorms are aerial battles between rival alien fleets. While some may dismiss this as bizarre, the article notes that many ufologists also claim historical evidence, such as ancient writings and rock carvings, to support the idea of past alien visitations.

The article proposes that for ufology to be accepted as legitimate research, its proponents must be willing to discard unsubstantiated claims, find common ground, and systematically build a body of evidence that can be generally recognized. However, it cynically questions whether this would lead to the demise of ufology itself, as the pursuit of the extraordinary and the 'unreasonable' seems to be its primary driving force, making conventional research seem 'boring' by comparison.

The Nature of Belief and Perception

The text broadens its scope to discuss how occult forces and pseudoscientific beliefs have permeated all cultures throughout history. It attributes this phenomenon to the limitations of the human mind, which, despite its capacity for reason, is prone to 'whimsical flaws' and has a very limited ability to look beyond its immediate horizon. This leads to 'ufological' contortions when attempting to comprehend the immense scale of the cosmos.

The author advises maintaining a neutral stance, or at least striving for it, when faced with the 'unfathomable spectacle of nature.' It warns against being captivated by any 'heretical teaching' that claims to offer answers to profound and baffling questions. The adage "I don't believe until I see it with my own eyes" is insufficient, as even our own senses and reason are not infallible guarantees of correct perception. A crucial first step, the article suggests, is to question "Why am I seeing what I am seeing?"

Despite the overwhelming amount of 'evidence' presented for the existence of flying saucers, the article suggests that reality is likely far stranger and more wonderful than ufology portrays. It argues that the extraterrestrial beings often depicted are burdened with too many human weaknesses and naive behaviors to fit into the grand scheme of our universe.

Editorial Notes and Subscription Information

The issue concludes with a quote from Leonardo da Vinci: "Never associate with those who seek gold!" This serves as a metaphor for avoiding those who pursue superficial or misguided goals.

An announcement indicates that the next issue is expected at the end of August 1990, with a total of three issues planned for that year. Readers are reminded to pay their membership fees for 1990 and are encouraged to write to the magazine or recruit new subscribers and members. Contact information is provided for the magazine's address in Norsborg, Sweden, along with a phone number and postal giro account.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is a strong skepticism towards ufology, portraying it as a pseudoscience driven by irrational beliefs akin to occultism. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, emphasizing the importance of the scientific method, empirical evidence, and rational thought over unsubstantiated claims and 'superstition.' The magazine encourages a more grounded and critical approach to understanding the world and the universe, cautioning against being easily swayed by sensational or unverified theories.