UFO Mail - No 219 - 2016

Magazine Overview

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, dated July 7, 2016, is titled 'I nærkontakt med de ufo-troende' (In Close Contact with the UFO Believers) and is published by Danmarks UFO Forening. The issue focuses on the UFO phenomenon, presenting both a photographic exploration of believers and a critical, skeptical analysis of UFO claims.

Review of 'Phenomena' Photo Book

The main feature is a review of the photo book "Phenomena" by Danish photographers Peter Helles Eriksen, Tobias Selnæs Markussen, and Sara Galbiati. The book, published by André Frère Éditions in 2016, is a 176-page work with 150 color photographs. It aims to explore the modern myth of aliens and UFOs by documenting a diverse group of individuals in the American UFO milieu, including researchers, former military personnel, abductees, journalists, and paranormal researchers from Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona. The photographers undertook a two-week trip to visit 16 individuals who share a belief in alien visitations but have varied personal stories. The review highlights that these individuals are not typical witnesses but have constructed personal worldviews that make sense of their experiences, which they perceive as true and real. Unlike many other books on the UFO myth, "Phenomena" is praised for its refreshing and innovative approach, focusing on presenting the individuals and their stories through photographs of people, places, and objects associated with the UFO myth, without attempting to analyze or judge the credibility of their statements.

The review notes that the book's texts are brief, serving to complement the photographs. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia for the 1950s and 60s in the USA, with a prevailing mood of sadness, abandonment, and loneliness. This opens up for reader interpretations, questioning if the stories represent an escape from a chaotic present towards a simpler past, or if the subjects feel misunderstood and isolated. The review encourages readers to buy the book and judge for themselves.

An image accompanying the review shows former CIA pilot John Lear, known as 'The Godfather of Conspiracy,' in his office in Las Vegas, with a photo from the book "Phenomena." Another image depicts Melinda Leslie and an UFO Tour group, also from the book.

Critical Analysis of UFO Claims by Robert Sheaffer

The issue also features a review of Robert Sheaffer's book "Bad UFOs – Critical Thinking About UFO Claims." Sheaffer, a long-time UFO skeptic and writer for 'Skeptical Inquirer' and UFO-Mail, critically examines UFO claims. The review notes that Sheaffer's previous books, "The UFO Verdict" (1980) and "UFO Sightings – The Evidence" (1998), also offered critical analyses of UFO phenomena. "Bad UFOs," published in 2015 by CreateSpace, reflects a trend where commercial publishers are hesitant to release skeptical UFO books in the US due to a lack of market interest from believers.

Sheaffer acknowledges that he does not expect to change the minds of UFO believers or conspiracy theorists, as they tend to seek information that confirms their existing beliefs. His book covers classic UFO cases as well as newer experiences and press stories. The review praises Sheaffer's writing style as well-written and often humorous, with a direct approach to debunking falsehoods.

The Frederick Valentich Case Re-examined

A significant portion of the review focuses on Sheaffer's debunking of the Frederick Valentich case. Valentich, a young pilot, disappeared during a night flight over the Bass Strait on October 21, 1978. His disappearance has been linked to UFOs because he reported an object circling his plane before losing radio contact. Previous UFO literature often highlighted that Valentich was an experienced pilot and that no wreckage was ever found, suggesting abduction.

Sheaffer, citing Australian researcher Keith Basterfield, reveals that wreckage from Valentich's plane, with matching serial numbers, was found in the Bass Strait in 1982, five years after his disappearance. Furthermore, Sheaffer argues that Valentich was not a highly skilled pilot. He was 20 years old at the time, had only 200 flight hours, was a flight instructor in the Royal Australian Air Force Training Corps, and had failed several tests for a commercial pilot license shortly before his disappearance. He had also been involved in flying accidents and warned for flying into prohibited zones. Sheaffer concludes that Valentich was not a pilot one would want to fly with, and his disappearance was likely due to pilot error or mechanical failure, not UFO abduction.

Conclusion and Further Information

The review of Sheaffer's book recommends it for anyone interested in the UFO myth. The issue also includes a drawing depicting the Valentich incident and provides information on where to read more UFO reports on the website www.ufo.dk.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue presents a balanced perspective on the UFO phenomenon, showcasing both the passionate belief of individuals documented in the "Phenomena" book and the rigorous skepticism advocated by Robert Sheaffer. The editorial stance appears to favor critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, as evidenced by the prominent review of Sheaffer's debunking work. The magazine encourages readers to engage with the topic critically and to seek out diverse sources of information, including both personal accounts and skeptical investigations.