UFO Forum - 1978 - No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: Nr. 2
Year: 1978
Publisher: NORSK UFO CENTER
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Price: kr 30,- per year

This issue of UFO Forum, the official publication of the Norsk UFO Center, delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, with a significant focus on the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and a critical examination of media coverage and scientific approaches to UFO research.

Redaksjonelt (Editorial)

The editorial section, titled 'REDAKSJONELT', notes a surge in UFO-related discussions, largely fueled by the popular film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'. It observes that the debate often remains polarized, with some journalists dismissing UFOlogy as based on 'old tales' and others reporting sensationalized, unverified claims. The editorial criticizes media for conflating science with pseudoscience, leading to public confusion. It uses the example of a newspaper headline stating 'Science stops at the UFO wave' to illustrate how headlines can misrepresent the scientific community's stance. The piece likens the situation to gardening, where 'weeds' (sensationalism and misinformation) flourish, obscuring the 'cultivated plant' (serious UFO research). It calls for a fresh start in dealing with the issue, emphasizing the need to clear away irrelevant and misleading data.

Nærkontakt av Tredje Grad (Close Encounters of the Third Kind)

This section reviews the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', noting its premieres in Oslo and Trondheim and its upcoming release in Bergen. It details efforts to promote the film through printed materials and press releases, some of which were published in major newspapers. The article contrasts the enthusiastic reception in Oslo, where a NUFOC exhibition was held, with a less enthusiastic turnout in Trondheim. It also includes a critical review by P.E.R. from Arbeider-Avisa, who found the film boring and speculative, questioning its scientific merit and suggesting it was primarily a commercial product. The magazine's response to P.E.R.'s critique is also presented, correcting factual errors in his review and defending the film's artistic and thematic value.

UFO'er Kolliderte Over Brasil! (UFOs Collided Over Brazil!)

This article reports on a strange incident that occurred on the evening of May 17, 1977, near Icoaraci, Brazil. Villagers witnessed two luminous spheres, one pink and one green, collide in the sky, followed by a bright flash and reddish smoke that lingered for about 20 minutes. Despite investigations by local police and military, no physical evidence of wreckage was found, leading to speculation about government experiments or fireworks. The article dismisses the ball lightning hypothesis due to its characteristics and the lack of photographic evidence for ball lightning. It suggests the event might be related to intelligently controlled, possibly self-destructing, advanced technology, and notes South America's history of UFO activity.

Nytt Verktøy for Ufologien? (New Tool for UFOlogy?)

Authored by Ann Druffel, this article discusses experimental research conducted by William C. McCall, Alvin H. Lawson, and John DeHerrera into UFO abductions. The researchers used hypnosis to implant imaginary UFO abduction scenarios into subjects who had no prior knowledge of UFO literature. The goal was to compare these 'imaginary' accounts with 'real' witness testimonies to understand the nature of abduction experiences. The study found striking parallels between the descriptions generated under hypnosis for imaginary scenarios and those reported by alleged abductees. The article highlights the provocative nature of these findings, challenging conventional interpretations of UFO abductions and suggesting that the data obtained through hypnotic regression may be unreliable. It raises the question of whether UFO experiences are primarily psychological or physical in nature, proposing a distinction between 'physical ufology' and 'psychognostic ufology' for future research.

Hvem Satte Barn På Hvem? (Who Put the Baby On Whom?)

This piece reviews a documentary report from the 11th International Congress of UFO Researchers in Wiesbaden, 1975. It discusses a presentation by a female speaker who claimed to have had a physical encounter with an extraterrestrial named Akon from another planet, resulting in a child. The author expresses skepticism, noting the lack of concrete evidence and the speculative nature of such claims. The article touches upon the history of 'contactee' phenomena and the potential for misinterpretation or fabrication, contrasting it with the need for verifiable evidence in UFO research.

Vitenskapens Historie (History of Science)

This article argues that new ideas and phenomena have historically been met with skepticism and resistance before eventually being accepted by science. It cites examples like the acceptance of meteorites, acupuncture, and ball lightning as recognized phenomena. The author suggests that UFOs are now at a similar threshold of scientific recognition, with increasing interest from scientists and organizations like CNES in France and NASA in the US. It also mentions reports of secret UFO research in the Soviet Union.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical analysis of media coverage of UFO phenomena, the distinction between sensationalism and scientific inquiry, and the exploration of new research methodologies. The magazine advocates for a more rigorous, evidence-based approach to UFO studies, while acknowledging the psychological and experiential aspects of reported encounters. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of serious, scientific investigation, aiming to counter misinformation and promote a deeper understanding of the UFO mystery.

Title: UFO FORUM
Issue: 2/78
Date: 1978
Publisher: UFO FORUM
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of UFO FORUM delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, with a critical eye towards sensationalism and a focus on research and analysis. The magazine features articles on German UFOlogy, the work of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, and new book releases.

Unvented Funn: Sunn Fornuft i Tyskland (Unexpected Find: Sound Reason in Germany)

This section critically examines the German UFO scene, particularly the dominance of DUIST in Wiesbaden. The author expresses disappointment with the lack of critical thinking among German ufologists, describing their approach as a pseudo-scientific facade for a romantic, almost mystical worldview. The article laments that people often prefer comforting fantasies over objective reality, especially in the current "crazy century." It highlights Dieter von Reeken's book "Ufologie" as a refreshing counterpoint. Reeken, a law student and archivist for the Herman Oberth Society, aims to expose charlatans preying on the public's curiosity and desperation. The book is praised for its concise overview of the UFO phenomenon, its refutation of common objections (like why astronomers don't see UFOs), and its presentation of well-documented cases. Reeken also critiques Erich von Däniken's theories of ancient astronauts, advocating for scientific investigation rather than dismissal. The book further discusses the state of our solar system, the challenges of interstellar travel, and analyzes UFO-naut and contactee reports, often portraying them as "astonishingly idiotic." Adamski is singled out as a "swindler," and the rise of "The International Get Acquainted Program" in the USA is noted. The article also mentions German contactees like Hans P. Klotzbach and an anonymous woman who claimed a trip to the moon.

Commentary by Willy Wegner

Willy Wegner adds a note about a relatively new UFO group in Mannheim called GENAP (Centrales Erforschungs-netz Aussergewønlicher Phänomene), which publishes "GENAP-Report" and is not afraid to criticize DUIST. He also references a book review from the Danish journal "UFORALIA" by Per Borgaard concerning Dieter von Reeken's book "UFOLOGIE."

Book Review: "UFOLOGIE" by Dieter von Reeken

This section details the book "UFOLOGIE" by Dieter von Reeken, published in Bremen in 1974. It is described as a critical examination of the UFO phenomenon, aiming to expose charlatans and promote scientific investigation. The review highlights Reeken's critique of contactees and his emphasis on scientific methodology. It also mentions his refutation of Erich von Däniken's theories and his analysis of UFO reports.

Book Review: "Tidsloven" by Per Andersen

This review introduces a new Danish publication, "Tidsloven" (The Time Law), by Per Andersen, a data consultant for Skandinavisk UFO-Information. The book is presented as a potentially groundbreaking work for scientific UFO research. "Tidsloven" analyzes UFO reports based on a "time law," suggesting a regularity in sightings, particularly between 9:30 PM and 3:00 AM local time. The book attempts to answer three questions: how UFO reports are distributed throughout the day, whether this distribution confirms the international "time law," and if natural factors can explain this pattern. The review emphasizes that this is the first comprehensive statistical study of Danish UFO reports and expresses hope that it will lead to better understanding and scientific exploration of the phenomenon.

"Hauersetermannen er helt sikker i sin sak: Romerikskvinnen er bortført av menn fra rommet"

This article, originally from Akershus Arbeiderblad and also featured in Glåmdalen, reports on claims made by a man identified as "NN" from Hauerseter, Norway. He alleges that a woman from Romerike was kidnapped by beings from Uranus and taken to that planet. He also claims another woman in Nes is next. NN states he has warned authorities and requested military air support to deter the UFOs. The article notes that Gardermoen control tower has no record of unidentified objects, but acknowledges British helicopter activity. The local police have no reports of missing women. NN claims to have telepathic contact with these beings, who are described as 1.20 meters tall, 800 years old, slender, and black, originating from the Andromeda galaxy and residing on Uranus. He believes many people disappear in Norway each year. The article concludes by mentioning that control tower personnel sometimes observe unexplained lights, but attribute them to military exercises. The police have no knowledge of any disappearances in the area.

"Vanlige mennesker ser uvanlige ting" (Ordinary People See Unusual Things)

This section features an interview with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of the National Center for UFO Studies at Northwestern University and technical consultant for the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Hynek discusses his evolving perspective on UFOs, moving from skepticism to a belief in the reality of the phenomenon. He highlights a 1976 UFO observation in Kentucky involving three women who, under hypnosis, described being taken aboard a UFO and examined by beings with luminous blue eyes and wing-like hands. Hynek considers this one of the best-reported cases due to the number and credibility of the witnesses, who also passed lie detector tests. He refutes the notion that only mentally unstable individuals report UFO sightings. Hynek is compiling UFO data for a film manuscript, with his database containing 75,000 landing and sighting reports. He acknowledges the difficulty in defining what UFOs are or where they come from, stating that answering such a question would merit a Nobel Prize. He is also analyzing declassified U.S. Air Force Project Blue Book archives.

New Department: NUFOC NORD-NORGE

This brief announcement details the establishment of a new department for NUFOC in Northern Norway. The organization has found a suitable candidate to lead this new branch, which aims to cover a region previously underserved by NUFOC. The potential leader is identified as Morten Harry Olsen in Narvik.

UFO-Litteratur & Astroarkæologi (UFO Literature & Archaeoastronomy)

This section provides a catalog of books available for purchase, categorized by language (Danish, Swedish). It lists titles, authors, and prices in Danish Kroner (excluding VAT). Notable authors include Willy Wegner, Olmos & Vallee, George Adamski, Jacques Bergier, Henry Kjellson, Gerhard Gadow, Eric Norman, M. K. Jessup, Sven Magnussen, K. Gösta Rehn, Staffan Stigsjöö, Wilbert B. Smith, Borgny Tingstedt, Eugen Semitjov, Daniel W. Fry, and George Adamski. The section also includes contact information for Jensen & Suadicani, an antiquarian bookstore in Odense, Denmark, which handles these publications.

Cassette Tapes and Video Tapes Advertisement

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a detailed price list for cassette tapes (various brands like TDK, BASF, AGFA, SONY, MAXELL, HITACHI, AMPEX, MEMOREX, PYRAL, CERTRON) and video tapes (BASF VCR). A "rabatt-tabell" (discount table) is included, offering discounts for bulk purchases of cassette tapes. The advertisement also provides ordering information, including a postal address, phone number, and store location for "BOAHS HI-M" in Trondheim, Norway.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO FORUM include a strong emphasis on critical analysis and scientific investigation of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalism, charlatanism, and unsubstantiated claims, particularly those from contactees. There is a clear preference for statistical data, documented cases, and rigorous research methodologies, as exemplified by the reviews of Dieter von Reeken's and Per Andersen's books. The magazine also highlights the importance of distinguishing between genuine research and pseudo-science. The inclusion of Dr. J. Allen Hynek's perspective, a respected figure in UFO research, further reinforces the magazine's commitment to a more grounded approach to the subject. The critical tone towards certain UFO organizations and individuals suggests an editorial policy that values intellectual honesty and a pursuit of truth over comforting narratives.