The Swamp Gas Journal

Magazine Overview

The Swamp Gas Journal, Volume 3, Numbers 2/3, dated December 1983, is a Canadian publication focusing on UFO phenomena and related topics. The issue features a cover illustration titled "WELCOME APOLLO 13" and includes a quote from the cartoon: "OK, lads, we'll give them five more minutes, and then the hell with them."

Valley Con 8 Report

The issue begins with a personal account of attending Valley Con 8, a science fiction convention in Fargo, North Dakota. The author describes the convention experience, noting the prevalence of fantasy and role-playing over hard science fiction. The Guest of Honor, Alan Dean Foster, was unable to attend due to flooding in Arizona. The author also mentions selling UFO books at a huckster table and observing other popular attractions like gaming tables, comic vendors, and film screenings.

Baran on Fort: Earth Energy and UFOs

This section presents comments from Michael Baran regarding a book review of his work, "Insights into Prehistory." Baran argues against a dichotomy between the paranormal and the scientific, proposing that "earth energy" or "internal celestial body subatomic dynamics" can explain UFO phenomena and other modern mysteries. He suggests that spontaneous human combustion can be explained by "mass-directional sub-atomic hyperresonance." Baran also invokes Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity to explain UFO dynamics, suggesting that energized UFOs operate in an accelerated time frame relative to surface observers, making their motion appear faster.

Recent Articles of Interest

This section reviews several academic and scientific articles relevant to UFO research:

Sagan and Newman on Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The review discusses an article by C. Sagan and W.I. Newman in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, which defends the possibility of extraterrestrial life against Frank Tipler's "Solipsist" view that humanity is alone. Sagan uses the phrase "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" and argues against Tipler's Von Neumann machine hypothesis, suggesting that civilizations might destroy such machines to prevent galactic consumption.

Persinger's Seismic Hypothesis

Three articles by M.A. Persinger are reviewed, focusing on his "seismic" hypothesis of UFO origin. Persinger correlates peaks in sunspot numbers and earthquake intensities with UFO reports, suggesting that UFOs might be plasmas. He also posits that close proximity to UFOs can cause physiological effects, including paralysis and amnesia, and that prolonged exposure could lead to personality changes. The review notes that Persinger's theory is self-supporting and that observed effects can be explained by the plasma affecting the observer's brain.

Meaden on Mystery Spirals

An article by G.T. Meaden in the Journal of Meteorology is reviewed, discussing "mystery spirals" found in cornfields. Meaden investigates these as landing traces and attributes them to natural phenomena like dust devils, citing eyewitness accounts and experiments.

Devereux, McCartney, and Robins on Earth Lights

This review covers an article in New Scientist proposing the "Earth Lights" theory, which links UFO activity to geological faults. The authors suggest that the mechanism is triboluminescence, where electrons cascading from a higher to a lower energy level within a substance cause visible light. They have conducted tests with strained rock to investigate this phenomenon.

Freitas on SETI Limitations

R. Freitas Jr.'s article in Icarus is summarized, detailing the limitations of a SETI program for detecting alien probes within the solar system. Freitas calculates the potential for detecting probes as small as 1 to 10 meters.

Brin on the 'Great Silence'

Glen David Brin's article in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society is highlighted as a thorough discussion of scenarios explaining the absence of extraterrestrial contact. Brin revitalizes the Drake equation and proposes several causes for the 'Great Silence,' including Solitude, Migrational Holocaust, and Quarantine.

Miscellanea

This section notes that Stanton Friedman is scheduled to lecture at the University of Manitoba in January 1984. It also reports the cessation of "The Probe Report" magazine. The Swamp Gas Journal is copyrighted by Chris Rutkowski.

Zines for Sale or Trade

A comprehensive list of UFO and science fiction zines available for sale or trade is provided, including titles such as Official UFO, Argosy UFO, Flying Saucers, Ideal's UFO Magazine, Beyond Reality, Saga's UFO Report, Canadian UFO Report, and APRO Bulletin, with specific issue numbers and dates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of UFO phenomena, science fiction, and scientific inquiry. The journal appears to present a critical yet open-minded perspective, reviewing academic research and personal experiences. There is a clear interest in exploring alternative explanations for UFO sightings beyond simple extraterrestrial hypotheses, delving into geophysics, plasma physics, and psychological factors. The editorial stance seems to favor rigorous investigation and the application of scientific principles, even when discussing unconventional topics. The critique of the dominance of fantasy in contemporary science fiction suggests a preference for more speculative and thought-provoking narratives. The inclusion of numerous zine listings indicates a commitment to fostering a community around these subjects.