Swamp Gas Journal - 1992 Special Issue 2

Magazine Overview

The Swamp Gas Journal, Special Issue #2, titled "A Looney a Look," published in December 1992, focuses on UFOs and crop circles in North America. This issue makes available the original manuscript of an article previously published in the International UFO Reporter (CUFOS). The article aims to present a different approach to the crop circle phenomenon and describe a typical investigation. The journal is copyrighted by Chris A. Rutkowski and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the University of Manitoba or the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Contact information for further inquiries and email correspondence is provided.

"A Looney a Look" - The Investigation

The author, Chris A. Rutkowski, recounts an investigation into crop circles in Manitoba, Canada, which began with a news teaser about new formations on Sunday, August 16, 1992. He was contacted by his associate, Roy Bauer, who informed him about the story.

Earlier in the summer, Rutkowski and other NAICCR (North American Institute for Crop Circle Research) representatives had investigated other crop formations. One in Friedensruh, Manitoba, a crop "triangle" in a pasture, was concluded to be caused by cattle accidentally herded within a fenced area. Other formations closer to Winnipeg, initially hailed as communications from space aliens, were identified as common field effects created by wind and rain.

NAICCR was formed in 1990 as a sister group to UFOROM (Ufology Research of Manitoba) to gather data on North American crop circles, responding to requests from British cerealogists. The group noted that while many individuals investigated crop circles independently, there was no comprehensive data collection. UFOROM members had studied crop circles for decades, and historical records indicated numerous "unusual ground markings" (UGMs) dating back to before the turn of the century, sometimes associated with UFO sightings.

NAICCR began investigating Canadian crop circles and soliciting information on American cases. They have published reports and an annual review of North American UGMs, contrasting their data-driven approach with the British scene, which they felt published many pictures but lacked data.

Following Roy Bauer's call, Rutkowski watched a provincial newscast that featured a short report on crop circles near Strathclair. He realized a long drive might be necessary.

The next morning, Rutkowski drove to work early, anticipating media calls. He heard a radio interview with a woman who had observed a UFO at the circle sites, which he considered a supporting datum for the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) in crop circle creation. Local TV networks were hesitant to cover the story, having been "burned" by previous non-events, which allowed NAICCR to conduct an investigation without media presence.

Rutkowski contacted Greg Nesbitt, the editor of the Strathclair area newspaper, who provided more details about seven separate sites and several UFO sightings.

Field Investigations in Manitoba

By Tuesday morning, Rutkowski, Roy Bauer, and Guy Westcott drove to Strathclair, a journey of about four hours from Winnipeg. They met Greg Nesbitt in Shoal Lake. After a brief wait, Greg led them to a field near Ipswich. The first formation, named after a British city, was an elliptical site with diameter axes of 26 and 24.5 feet, featuring an arrow pointing northeasterly. The wheat, about four feet tall, was bent and swirled counterclockwise within the circle and along the arrow corridor. While they measured and took samples, visitors arrived and tramped through the site.

This site was close to an access road and highway. It was found on Saturday, August 16, 1992, by the landowner. A woman reported seeing a UFO with two "headlights" and a flashing "taillight" over the field on Friday evening, moving slowly at an estimated telephone pole height.

After the Ipswich site, Greg led them to another formation nearer Strathclair, visible from the highway. This was also a Mars symbol, with a main circle about 24 feet in diameter and an arrow pointing 120 degrees away from the highway. Rutkowski mused about how such formations could be made, and Greg mentioned a "dinosaur footprint" found at the point of an arrow, suggesting a ramp from a landed UFO. However, visitors had eradicated any signs of the print.

Rutkowski conducted an experiment to see if a circle could be made manually. He walked into the wheat, stepped between rows, and began walking in a circle, eventually meeting his own path. Roy Bauer joined him, and together they trampled a circle about twenty feet in diameter. Within five minutes, they had created a circle that was almost perfectly circular. They noted that the wheat stems were bent, not broken, and swirled counterclockwise, similar to the "real" circles. This experiment suggested that hoaxers could create such formations.

Rutkowski also noted that the wheat stems in their manually created circle were bent, not broken, and swirled counterclockwise, showing no evidence of being trodden upon. This observation was significant because the bending of stems without breakage was a point of contention in debates about "real" versus hoaxed British circles.

Further Sites and Observations

They visited other sites, including one with an arrow pointing 260 degrees. They discovered that the directions of the arrows from different formations did not converge and did not point to any significant local features, which Rutkowski found puzzling if it were an elaborate hoax.

One site was identified as lodging, but due to its proximity to other formations, it had been visited by many people. They learned about other potential sites but were unable to verify them.

On the drive back to Winnipeg, they stopped at a TV station in Brandon, where the news director mentioned another circle site. They met with NAICCR rep Jeff Harland in Brandon, who had investigated UGMs in the area previously. They shared notes and ideas about the crop circle scene.

They learned that a TV special on British crop circles had aired the Friday night the Ipswich circle was likely made, suggesting a possible inspiration for hoaxes. However, two circles were found before the show aired. Media attention to crop circles had been minimal, and the media were staying away from British formations.

Analysis of Evidence and Theories

Rutkowski reported that they had taken VHF and AM/FM radios, a compass, and a tape recorder into the formations without detecting any interference or anomalies. Animals were not wary of the sites, and no "bad vibes" were felt, contrasting with some other investigators' experiences. Wheat samples were collected for testing.

He discussed the decline of certain scientific claims, such as spagyrical analysis and supposed radionuclides found in crop circles, which were now considered spurious or glitches. The focus had shifted to growth studies, like those by Dr. Levengood, who claimed wheat from crop circles grew better. Double-blind tests were planned for Canadian samples.

Rutkowski expressed concern about the overabundance of crop circles in southern England compared to the rest of the world. He estimated that 50-75% of British formations were suspected hoaxes, possibly as high as 90%. He argued that the British data was contaminated and a comprehensive list of sites with indications of hoaxes was needed.

In 1992, less than two dozen North American UGM sites were investigated, while about two hundred were found in Britain. Rutkowski questioned why Britain had so many complex formations and why they looked as they did.

He noted that the "real" circle phenomenon in Britain was questionable, with physical evidence being debatable and expert opinions questionable. He questioned who was responsible, dismissing the idea that it was solely Doug and Dave, who made a limited number of formations.

Rutkowski acknowledged that some simple formations might be explained by the vortex theory, but the ETH remained a possibility, often invoked with or without UFO sightings. He mentioned videos of lights and a "probe" Daylight Disk in British fields, countered by vortex theorists' claims of wind-created circles.

He argued that the crop circle issue was not solved by debunking and that the broader phenomenon of cerealogy needed examination. He questioned the subject's attraction and the preponderance of sites in southern England.

Cerealogy's Future and the Hoax Question

According to Paul Fuller, editor of The Crop Watcher, cerealogy faced trouble, with admitted fakes in 1992 and few circles deemed "genuine." Fuller suggested that the "awful truth" was dawning on cerealogists: most modern crop circles are man-made hoaxes, and any genuine phenomenon has been swamped by wishful thinking and mythology.

Terence Meaden, a proponent of the meteorological theory, had restricted "genuine circles" to fewer than a dozen a year, stating that anything other than a simple circle was a hoax. Rutkowski questioned if Meaden's theory could survive this.

Fuller noted a map of England showing "Known Crop Circle (Groups of) Hoaxes," indicating numerous hoaxers, including Doug and Dave.

In North America, Rutkowski mentioned a few known hoaxed circles in Alberta, a farmhand caught in Manitoba, and admissions from hoaxers in the American Midwest.

Regarding physical evidence, the radionuclide issue was considered nearly dead. Rutkowski found the initial claims of abnormal readings spurious, as the proposed mechanism would have produced other elements that were not detected. He also addressed the "bent, not broken" wheat stalks, noting that this characteristic could be affected by various factors and that expert cerealogists had been fooled.

The "crystalline structure" of wheat stalk sections, once presented as proof of a mysterious force, was revealed to be based on "spagyrical analysis," a technique with questionable scientific credibility. Colin Andrews conceded that these analyses were not scientifically acceptable.

Physical evidence concerning abnormal growth of wheat seeds from crop circles was also discussed. Tests by Dr. Levengood suggested that seeds from crop circles grew better, indicating a possible alteration in the wheat's genetic structure. Double-blind tests were planned for Canadian samples.

Another claim, the similarity between crop circles and ancient hieroglyphics, was examined. Some cerealogists interpreted formations as warnings or communications. An archaeologist noted that the formations demonstrated knowledge of geometrical theorems, suggesting they were not random hoaxes. However, Rutkowski argued that if most formations are hoaxes, translating them is pointless.

He reiterated the puzzle of why complex crop formations are prevalent in southern England, while simpler UGMs are found worldwide. He questioned if this indicated a profound new physical phenomenon or if the data was simply contaminated by hoaxes.

Rutkowski concluded that while the vortex theory might explain some simple formations, the ETH remained a possibility. He suggested that the crop circle issue was not fully resolved and that the broader phenomenon of cerealogy required further examination.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of crop circles, the debate between genuine phenomena and hoaxes, the scientific scrutiny of evidence, and the potential connection to UFOs. The editorial stance, as presented by Chris A. Rutkowski, is one of critical inquiry, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific methodology, data analysis, and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims. The author leans towards a more rational explanation, highlighting the prevalence of hoaxes and the lack of definitive proof for anomalous phenomena, while still acknowledging that some unexplained cases may exist within the broader field of cerealogy.

Title: Swamp Gas Journal
Issue: 2
Volume: 1
Date: April 1991
Publisher: Chris Rutkowski
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of Swamp Gas Journal delves into the phenomenon of crop circles, critically examining the research and public perception surrounding them. The article questions the motivation behind the fervor for crop circles and compares it to other historical and mythological physical traces like fairy rings, megaliths, and petroforms.

Skeptical Tone and the Core Problem

The author acknowledges that the article might be perceived as having a negative, skeptical tone. This stance is attributed to the natural reaction when faced with a vast amount of published material and commentary that, in the author's view, has not adequately addressed the fundamental issues of the cerealogy problem. Instead of focusing on the core mystery, many publications have opted for coffee-table books filled with impressive photographs and speculative theories about alien messages or novel atmospheric mechanisms. The article suggests that, in many instances, the 'Emperor's New Clothes' phenomenon has gone unexamined.

The Role of Debunkers and Cerealogy's Response

While debunkers have swiftly pointed out the absurdities associated with crop circle claims, the field of cerealogy has often been resistant to listening. This resistance, the article posits, was a contributing factor to the embarrassment cerealogists faced when the hoax aspects of the phenomenon were exposed. Researchers, eager to explore the mystery, were perhaps too quick to dismiss simpler explanations, failing to learn from the ufology community's practice of first seeking conventional explanations.

A Call for Rational Investigation

The article clarifies that its intent is not to debunk but to engage in rational investigation. This principle, it argues, should apply to all areas of Fortean research, including ufology and cryptozoology, which are also susceptible to similar problems. The author poses the question of what the solution might be but refrains from offering one, suggesting that the impetus must come from within the cerealogy and ufological communities themselves, from peer groups genuinely committed to their research.

Speculative Theories and Future Research

Until a more grounded approach prevails, the author anticipates continued exposure to experts discussing mysterious energies within circles, invisible alien scout craft with rotating landing gear, secret military aerial microwave beam platforms, ancient Sumerian hieroglyphics, and eyewitness accounts of perfectly circular wind vortices. The article even humorously mentions the infamous mating dance of hedgehogs as another example of the kind of explanations that might arise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this excerpt revolve around the critical examination of paranormal and anomalous phenomena, particularly crop circles. The editorial stance is one of advocating for rigorous, rational investigation and a healthy skepticism that prioritizes conventional explanations before embracing more extraordinary theories. The journal appears to encourage a more evidence-based and methodical approach to Fortean research, urging communities to self-correct and address fundamental issues rather than getting lost in speculation.