Swamp Gas Journal - 1981 Volume 2 Number 3

Magazine Overview

Title: THE SWAMP GAS JOURNAL
Issue: Volume 2, Number 3
Date: June, 1981
ISSN: 0707 - 7106
Publisher: The Swamp Gas Journal
Country: Canada
Original Language: English

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal focuses on the intersection of UFO research, data management, and public perception, featuring discussions from a meeting in Winnipeg and personal accounts of media interactions.

UFOCAN & MSU Meeting in Winnipeg

The issue opens with an account of a meeting in Winnipeg on May 16th, 1981, attended by John Musgrave and David Haisell, who are involved with Project UFOCAN. The primary goal of Project UFOCAN, and its precursor PICUR (Provisional International Committee for UFO Research), is to sort and compile UFO data. However, significant financial challenges were identified. The cost of putting UFO data on disk for easy retrieval is substantial, requiring selective hard-copy printouts. Many ufologists are described as 'poor' and cannot afford personal computers necessary for data analysis, raising questions about who will fund computer time and other expenses like report publications and mailing.

On a local level, the focus is on converting existing UFO case files into a machine-readable format, similar to UFOCAT coding. The author has already datacoded about 300 of his own cases but has acquired new listings that require considerable time to decipher. John Musgrave's files alone are described as voluminous, spanning across Canada and filling several filing cabinets, representing a mammoth undertaking for conversion. The intention of PICUR is to serve as a 'central repository' for UFO data, with practical considerations suggesting that only current cases will be coded initially as a test, with older cases to follow.

Ufology Research and Perceptions

The Manitoba Conference on Ufology, held on the same day, centered on the current status of UFO research and the direction ufologists are heading. Attendees included Richard Bochonko, Ian Cameron, John Musgrave, Richard Gordon, Martin Clutton-Brock, Harold Sawatsky, Wally Nilsson, Vladimir Simosko, Guy Westcott, David Haisell, and the author. The discussions did not break new ground, but it was observed that many ufologists appear to be data compilers rather than 'scientists' due to the nature of the information they handle.

Dave Haisell mentioned that Ray Stanford had abandoned Project Starlight International after failing to find an interpreter for nocturnal light spectra he obtained. Richard Bochonko, an astronomer, offered to examine the spectra. A general consensus emerged that the study of nocturnal lights adds little to UFO knowledge, as they are essentially reports of lights in the sky. Allan Hendry's observation that the assumption that nocturnal lights are distant sightings of close-encounter-type objects is not valid is highlighted; a bobbing red light does not necessarily indicate a distant disc-shaped craft.

Nocturnal Lights vs. Close Encounters

The article posits that the two types of UFO phenomena—nocturnal lights and close encounters—could be separate. However, a relationship between flaps of nocturnal light sightings and close encounters appears to exist. The 'Charlie Redstar' flap of 1975-76 in Carman, Manitoba, is cited as an example, with hundreds of sightings of distant nocturnal lights and 'lights-at-the-end-of-the-road', alongside a small percentage of close encounters. Therefore, nocturnal light flaps might serve as indicators of 'actual' UFO activity, even if individual sightings are minimal.

Academics at the University of Manitoba, after J. Allen Hynek's visit in 1976, decided to study UFOs but focused only on cases with 'good' evidence, excluding nocturnal lights. This approach was partly due to the sheer volume of nocturnal light sightings, leading to a concentration on more substantial cases. However, if UFOs are viewed as a psychological or sociological phenomenon, ignoring nocturnal light cases means discarding a significant portion of potential research data.

Live! And in Color! - Media Encounters

The author recounts his experience with media requests for UFO information. After sending out a PR sheet, he received calls, including one from a Brandon radio station and a notice in a newspaper. CKND-TV, however, contacted him directly, wanting an interview within two hours. After initial resistance from UFOROM, the author agreed to meet the CKND crew at his home. Bill Hutchinson and a cameraman filmed an interview in his basement, asking about Manitoba as a UFO sighting location and the prevalence of hoaxes. The author admits to a 'foot-in-mouth' response, stating, 'No, UFO is not a good place for Manitoba sightings,' but the rest of the interview proceeded better, though he remained cautious about how the footage might be edited.

During the interview, the crew requested 'visuals,' prompting the author to scatter books and pretend to do research. He described writing up a case and entering codings while the camera observed. Bill Hutchinson noticed a book on Ogopogo and inquired about the author's fortean interest. The author shared stories about Manipogo and showed a newsclipping and photo related to the Manipogo incident, noting Dick Vincent's involvement. He also showed a report of the CKY 'Charlie Redstar' film taken by Alan Kerr, another CKND employee who had left the station.

Hutchinson expressed interest in doing a feature news story, but on a 'don't-call-us-we'll-call-you' basis. They then headed to the Planetarium to film the UFO map and speak with Ed Barker, who claimed association with Hynek. The author mentioned his own affiliation with CUFOS. He attempted to discuss Project UFOCAN and current UFO research, but observed that the crew seemed saturated with UFO lore and were preparing for an interview with a politician, their attention waning.

The author notes that such media encounters are common for ufologists, serving as human interest fillers for newscasts on slow news days. He emphasizes that UFOs fit media criteria for attention-grabbing stories, and that while the media can be a useful tool for UFO researchers by providing data, they must be handled with care due to their tendency to sensationalize or misrepresent information.

Book Reviews

Genesis by W.A. Harbinson

This book review discusses W.A. Harbinson's 'Genesis,' a 600-page work found in large SF displays. The novel features a genius named Wilson inventing airships in the 1890s and developing them into flying saucers using government resources, particularly German ones. Some ufologists are depicted as trying to uncover the truth about cover-ups. The reviewer describes the book as a 'paranoid chase' that covers the globe, often plausible, but marred by 'totally unbelievable dialogue' and characters who 'lust after female UFO witnesses.' The character Stanford is singled out for his constant erections when interviewing women. The reviewer concludes it's a 'poorly-written version of a good story, dragged out too long.'

Children's UFO Literature

Another section reviews three children's UFO books: 'Creatures From UFO's' by Daniel Cohen, 'Unidentified Flying Objects' by Jim Collins, and 'Monsters From Outer Space?' by William Wise. The reviewer notes that the quality of these books varies, similar to adult UFO literature. Collins' book is praised for presenting cases well and being visually attractive, though its writing style is considered sensational and uncritical. Wise's book has a weak text leaning conservative, suggesting UFOs are hoaxes or misinterpretations, but is enhanced by excellent original illustrations by Richard Cuffari. Cohen's book is described as objective, presenting a variety of entity cases with equal space for pro and con arguments, but failing to point out flaws. A significant criticism is that Cohen's book is filled with photos from science fiction movies and TV series that have little relevance to the text. The reviewer suggests getting all three books for an overall view and notes the availability of many children's UFO books, indicating an early introduction to the subject for the next generation.

Basic UFO Studies Course

In October, the author will be teaching a course on UFOs at the University of Manitoba's Department of Continuing Education. The ten-week course, held one evening per week, requires a minimum of ten students to run and costs $55, which the author considers a high fee. The course will cover the history of UFOs, theories, basic concepts, government involvement, groups, investigation techniques, and actual case investigations. It aims to provide participants with a better-than-average knowledge of the subject and develop critical attitudes. The role of science fiction in UFO history will also be considered.

Under the Dome - Planetarium Show

This summer, the Lockhart Planetarium at the University of Manitoba will present a UFO show created by members of UFOROM, including the author. The show will feature slides, special effects, and discussions on misinterpretations, unknowns, classic cases, local cases, SETI, and UFO theories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the practical challenges of UFO research, particularly concerning data collection, compilation, and financial resources. There's a recurring theme of the distinction between mere sightings (like nocturnal lights) and more substantial evidence, and the need for ufologists to move beyond being mere compilers to more scientific approaches. The author also emphasizes the critical role of the media in disseminating UFO information, while cautioning about its potential for sensationalism and misrepresentation. The editorial stance appears to be one of pragmatic engagement with UFO phenomena, acknowledging the difficulties while promoting education and organized research efforts.