The UFO Enigma

Magazine Overview

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue Date: September 1992
Publisher: UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Character: This issue delves into various aspects of UFOlogy, including a local group's activities, scientific surveys on abduction experiences, theoretical physics related to consciousness and reality, and critical analyses of prominent figures and their work in the field.

UFO Study Group Picnic and Survey Results

The issue opens with a report on a UFO Study Group picnic held on June 21, 1992, at Love Park. Thirty-four adults and several children attended, enjoying fellowship and discussions comparing current and older UFO cases. The event also served as a moment to send regards to Richard and Rosetta Holmes, who were unable to attend due to health reasons.

President Joh Schroeder reviewed a 64-page booklet titled "Unusual Personal Experiences," which presented data from three national surveys conducted by the Roper Organization. These surveys, funded by the Bigelow Holding Corporation, aimed to convince health care professionals that UFO abductees had genuinely experienced their trauma, suggesting it should be treated similarly to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The Limobus Survey respondents were asked to recall 11 specific experiences, including seeing ghosts, out-of-body experiences, seeing UFOs, encountering strange presences, feeling like flying, experiencing lost time, seeing unusual lights, finding puzzling scars, and encountering terrifying figures.

Respondents who felt that "THRONDANT" had secret meaning were eliminated. The survey's UFO abduction profile, based on answering four or more key symptomatic questions, projected experiences by 3,700,000 adult U.S. citizens (excluding Hawaii and Alaska). Further data indicated that 33,300,000 saw a UFO, 24,050,000 lost an hour or more, 18,500,000 felt they were flying, and 14,800,000 found puzzling scars. Younger adults, politically and socially active individuals, and those with higher annual incomes reported more occurrences of these key experiences.

Robert Bigelow was thanked for underwriting the survey, funding its experts, and paying for publication and workshops for health professionals. Those interested in attending regional workshops were directed to contact Bigelow Holding Corporation, while those interested in the "Unusual Personal Experiences" report were advised to contact Alex Horvat. The UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis Library holds four copies of the survey report.

UFO Study Group Annual Meeting and Local Events

The Board of Directors for the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. met on August 10, approving the re-election of officers, an increase in membership dues to $10 per year, and a list of topics for upcoming "2nd Sunday" meetings.

The twenty-third annual meeting of the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis was scheduled for September 13, featuring Tom Bellos as the speaker. Bellos was set to discuss "The Betty and Barney Hill Abduction: The Case Which Science Touched" and present slides. The agenda also included the election of officers and the submission of the 1992-93 program schedule.

Southern Illinois MUFON hosted a lecture by Debbie Tomey (also known as Kathie Davis) on August 22 in Collinsville. Tomey, the subject of Budd Hopkins' book "Intruders," shared her abduction experiences and their impact on her family. The upcoming September meeting for Southern Illinois MUFON was to feature George Wingfield's lecture and slide show on the crop circle phenomenon on September 24.

"The Holographic Universe" Review

A review by Marge Myers discusses Michael Talbot's book, "The Holographic Universe." The review explores the theory that the universe might be a giant hologram, with the human mind potentially playing a role in its creation. It references the work of physicists David Bohm and neurophysiologist Karl Pribram, who independently concluded that the universe could be holographic. Pribram's theory emerged from his research into memory storage in the brain, challenging the concept of "engrams" and suggesting memories are distributed throughout the brain. The review also touches upon Paul Pietsch's experiments with salamanders, which supported Pribram's ideas. The holographic model is presented as a potential explanation for paranormal and mystical experiences, including NDEs, photographic memory, and telepathy. The review highlights the intriguing aspect of holograms where each part contains information for the whole image, leading to the question of what the hologram of reality is "of." It also notes that the holographic mind theory suggests significant control over the physical body and influences athletic performance, citing Soviet research. Stanislav Grof, Chief of Psychiatric Research, believes a holographic model is necessary to explain archetypal experiences and altered states of consciousness.

Editorial: Marshall Barnes and "Men in Black"

An editorial by John E. Schroeder offers a critical perspective on Marshall Barnes, a speaker at a UFO buffs event in Lake St. Louis. Schroeder describes Barnes as an eloquent speaker with a vast vocabulary and mind-bending video excerpts, but questions his motives and the authenticity of his presentation, which focused on "Men in Black." The editorial alleges that Barnes used the event for self-aggrandizement, presenting himself as the central figure rather than focusing on the documentary's subject. Schroeder criticizes Barnes' proposal to equate good and evil as equally legitimate choices for a "superior master mind," likening it to demonic thinking and citing Hannibal Lecter as an example of a hero.

The editorial expresses concern that Barnes intends to use his filmmaking skills to manipulate young people through hypnotic music and surreal imagery, blurring the lines between right and wrong. Schroeder warns that Barnes holds potential victims in his power and that his radical opinions tarnished UFOlogy and diminished the "UFO Information Week" event. A note clarifies that the editorial does not represent the official position of the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc., and that the group does not support Barnes' work.

Book Report: "Alien Liaison" by Timothy Good

Timothy Good's book "Alien Liaison" is reviewed by Tom Bellos, who expresses disappointment. Bellos feels that Good assigns an unwarranted level of credibility to subjects like Linda Moulton-Howe, Bob Lazar, Bud Hopkins, and John Lear. The review specifically questions Good's treatment of Bob Lazar, noting that Lazar is allowed to discuss element 115 without sufficient challenge, despite its theoretical instability. Bellos also raises concerns about the lack of verifiable information regarding Lazar's education and suggests that Lazar might be a "spin doctor" used to spread disinformation. Bellos contrasts "Alien Liaison" with Good's earlier book, "Above Top Secret," which he found to be a well-received compendium of extraterrestrial accounts. He concludes that "Alien Liaison" lacks the caution of its predecessor and may disappoint readers, especially given its $30 price tag.

Upcoming Events and Publications

The issue lists local UFO and parapsychology meetings, including those for the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, the Parapsychology Committee, the St. Charles UFO Research Committee, and the Mutual UFO Network of Southern Illinois. It also advertises the Midwest Conference on UFO Research in Springfield, Missouri, from September 18-20, 1992, with topics ranging from Abduction Research to Area 51 & Government Secrecy. A registration form is included.

Additionally, "At Your News Stand" section highlights features in other publications: LIFE magazine on SETI, OMNI on UFO Update and Alien Abductions, and FINAL FRONTIER MAGAZINE.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the psychological impact of alleged UFO encounters (abductions), and theoretical explorations of consciousness and reality. The magazine presents a mix of reporting on group activities, survey data, theoretical discussions, and critical reviews of individuals and their work within the UFO community. The editorial stance, particularly in the piece on Marshall Barnes, is one of caution and critical inquiry, emphasizing the importance of truth, justice, and avoiding deception within the field of UFOlogy.