1958 08 11 Time AFU scan Contact International archive

Magazine Overview

This document is a single page from the magazine Time, dated August 1, 1958. The main headline is "Dr. Jung & the Saucers", focusing on the psychologist Carl Gustav Jung's views on flying saucers and UFOs.

Dr. Jung & the Saucers

The article addresses a headline in the New York Herald Tribune stating that "FLYING SAUCERS" are real, according to psychologist Jung. However, the magazine clarifies that Jung, while a connoisseur of myths, had not stated this directly. The story originated from the A.P.R.O. Bulletin, published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (A.P.R.O.) in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The Bulletin featured an interview with Jung, described as A.P.R.O.'s consultant in psychology. This interview was presented as a reprint of an earlier one from Switzerland's Weltwoche in 1954.

The Bulletin's version differed significantly from the original Weltwoche article, possibly due to translation into English for the Flying Saucer Review of London. Gerald S. Clark, assistant public relations director of A.P.R.O., edited Jung's article down to a bare statement of belief in the "reality" of flying saucers and sent it to the Associated Press and United Press International, leading to Jung being classified as a flying-saucer believer.

Psychologist Jung himself is not a believer in the literal sense. He stated that he does not judge the reality or nonreality of UFOs. His interest lies in the "fantastic, quasi-religious cult" that has grown around the UFO phenomenon. He posits that this cult may be a spontaneous reaction of the subconscious to the fear of an insoluble political situation in the world, leading people to look heavenward for help and omens.

Jung explained that in ancient times, UFOs might have been classified as "gods." However, the subconscious of modern man has different contents. Ancient people saw dragons, monsters, and divine beings in the heavens, while modern man sees mechanical portents and mysterious spaceships manned by superhuman creatures.

When questioned in Switzerland about the misuse of his name, Jung expressed astonishment. He mentioned corresponding with Coral E. Lorenzen, director of A.P.R.O., and good-humoredly accepted an honorary membership. However, he explicitly stated that he did not authorize his listing as the Bulletin's consultant in psychology.

The article concludes by noting that the flying saucer myth had gained a victory through this publicity, especially during a period of scarce recent sightings. When Director Lorenzen was contacted, she was reportedly investigating a new saucer sighting.

Psychologist Jung: The Spaceship Replaced the Dragon

This section, accompanied by an illustration by Erika Anderson, reiterates Jung's perspective. He does not attempt to judge the reality of UFOs but is interested in the cult surrounding them. He views this cult as a potential subconscious reaction to the world's political instability, where people seek solace or portents from above. He contrasts ancient beliefs in gods and dragons with modern man's perception of mechanical spaceships and alien beings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of critical reporting, aiming to clarify and correct misrepresentations of public figures like Carl Jung. It highlights the psychological and sociological aspects of the UFO phenomenon, framing it as a modern myth or a manifestation of collective subconscious fears rather than a literal extraterrestrial event. The editorial emphasis is on the cultural and psychological impact of UFO sightings and the media's role in shaping public perception.