Topside - Issue 01 - 1960 March

Magazine Overview

Title: TORSIDE
Issue: March, 1960
Publisher: Ottawa Flying Saucer Club
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of TORSIDE, a publication by the Ottawa Flying Saucer Club, features a collection of articles and reports related to UFO sightings, skepticism, and related topics. The content reflects the opinions of individual authors and aims to encourage critical thinking and investigation into unexplained phenomena.

Articles and Reports

Scepticism by E. J. Smith

E. J. Smith addresses the nature of skepticism, likening it to a story about a man denying guilt despite evidence. He argues that healthy skepticism is good, but excessive skepticism that dismisses facts is counterproductive. Smith emphasizes that non-awareness is not synonymous with non-existence and that disbelief does not alter reality. He posits that we are too often guided by the 'shadow of Authority' and fail to think for ourselves. The author stresses the importance of investigation, stating that one cannot form serious opinions without it and that accepting inherited 'proof' is a weak substitute for personal inquiry.

Did Mars Invade Us? by null

This section reports on a Soviet scientist, Il. Agrest, who believes Earth has been visited by space travellers from other planets and may have been involved in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Agrest suggests a gigantic spaceship approached Earth at near light speed and landed in the region of the Baalbek Terrace in the Antilebanon mountains, possibly using it as a launching platform. He also theorizes that glass-like substances called tektites, found in the Lybian desert, could be remnants of a missile from these travellers, formed under high temperatures and radiation. The biblical description of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction is interpreted as a warning about an atomic blast, with survivors advised not to look back. Agrest further suggests that space travellers might have exploded surplus nuclear fuel, warning the local population to avoid the blast, and that their attempts to convey knowledge to early humans were hindered by the low cultural and technical level of the time, with astronomical information being an exception.

Ottawa, UFO Sighting by J.R. Buchanan

J.R. Buchanan recounts a sighting on February 14th around 0130 hours. While waiting for his wife, he observed a small, bright light in the western sky. The light, appearing at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet, moved rapidly, stopped, hesitated, oscillated, and then darted off at a sharp angle. Its color was brilliant white, dimming to yellow when hovering. Buchanan notes that when he pointed out the object to others, their immediate response was that it was likely an aircraft, despite the lack of sound or navigation lights. This indifference led him to become a more ardent seeker of knowledge.

Subud by Mrs. A.H. Hardy

This article details a special meeting of the Ottawa Flying Saucer Club on February 3rd, focusing on the spiritual movement Subud. The meeting, held at the home of Mr. W.B. Smith, was attended by 17 members and friends. Mr. Arthur Bridge, the President, introduced guest Mr. Belair Spruit, who had experienced 'contact' in England in 1957. Mr. Spruit shared an LP record titled 'What is Subud,' featuring an interview with J.G. Bennett. An open forum followed, where Spruit answered questions. Subud is described as an 'action' for inner-development originating in Indonesia and introduced to the Western World in 1957 by Mr. J.G. Bennett.

Mystery Objects Over Alaska by null

This brief report from Colorado Springs confirms that the North American Air Defence Command acknowledged the observation of unidentified flying objects over Alaska on a Tuesday morning. Two objects were seen moving in opposite directions, and one produced a flash, leading to an investigation.

Flying Saucers by Mrs. A.H. Hardy

This piece reviews the TV program 'CONTACT' aired on February 16, 1960. The program featured a film of a luminous, oscillating, and rotating object resembling a ten-gallon hat, taken under remarkable circumstances by a news cameraman in Los Angeles. The program also interviewed individuals who shared their UFO sighting experiences in the Ottawa area. One account describes a car radio playing music spontaneously, car lights failing, and a silvery disc appearing and then rapidly ascending. Another account details a 3.5-hour observation of a large, pulsating, color-changing object that remained stationary while stars moved, with a smaller object detaching and rejoining the main craft.

null by null

This section describes a sighting of a large, yellowish-white luminous disc that traveled across the sky and disappeared. A second sighting involved two objects, one following the other. Mr. W.B. Smith, Senior Engineer at the Department of Transport and a member of the Ottawa Flying Saucer Club, shared his interest in UFOs since 1950. He stated that about 85% of aerial phenomena can be explained by known factors like planets, atmospheric conditions, jets, or weather balloons, but about 15% remain unexplained. He categorized these unexplained objects into three types: small objects (4"-18"), bell-shaped objects (35'-150' with a lower skirt and cabin), and cigar-shaped objects.

The article notes that the Royal Canadian Air Force declined to comment. Members of the Canadian Government, National Research Council, and a psychologist from Ottawa University were interviewed, indicating a shift from scorn to a more tolerant and curious attitude towards UFOs, possibly influenced by radar tracking of sightings. A public poll revealed an open-mindedness towards UFOs and communication with other planets.

Book Review: New Worlds Beyond the Atom by W. Riddell

W. Riddell reviews the book 'New Worlds Beyond the Atom' by De La Warr. The book explores the realm of 'Mind and Matter,' detailing research conducted in the preceding decade by Dejaverr Laboratories in Oxford, which revealed new forms of radiation. These discoveries are presented as a step beyond materialism, bridging the world of matter with subtle influences. The research sheds light on the origins of shapes in nature, the passage of vital energy, and the creation of matter. The review highlights the potential impact of these discoveries on daily life, including new instruments for diagnosis, therapy, crop growth stimulation, pest destruction, and substance analysis. A camera developed from this research can photograph a flower from a seed or a patient's clinical condition from a distance. The review also mentions a quarterly journal, 'Mind and Matter,' published by the laboratories to disseminate this knowledge, with an annual subscription of $4.50.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of TORSIDE include the critical examination of skepticism, the reporting of UFO sightings with detailed descriptions, and the exploration of unconventional theories, such as extraterrestrial involvement in ancient history. There is also an undercurrent of interest in spiritual movements like Subud and in new scientific frontiers related to radiation and consciousness. The editorial stance, as conveyed through the articles, appears to encourage open-mindedness, personal investigation, and a willingness to consider phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, while still acknowledging the need for reasoned analysis and the existence of mundane explanations for many sightings.