UFO Mail - No 223 - 2016

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 223
Date: August 16, 2016
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information delves into the well-documented Ariel School UFO incident that occurred in Zimbabwe in 1994. The article, written by Henning Dethlefsen, critically examines the event, the investigations by ufologist Cynthia Hind and psychologist John Mack, and the subsequent skeptical analyses.

The Ariel School Incident: A UFO Over the Schoolyard

The central event took place on September 16, 1994, at Ariel School, a private primary school near Ruwa, Zimbabwe. During a morning break, approximately 62 schoolchildren, aged between 5 and 12, reported seeing a flying saucer land in their schoolyard, followed by the appearance of a "person" or "being." The children's accounts were consistent, and they later created drawings depicting their experience. The incident was considered significant due to the large number of child witnesses and their seemingly uninfluenced, consistent descriptions.

Two prominent figures in UFO research, Cynthia Hind and psychologist John Mack, investigated the case. Hind, a renowned ufologist in Africa, interviewed the children shortly after the event, accompanied by a BBC film crew. Mack, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist known for his work on abduction experiences, visited the school about two months later, also with a film crew.

Cynthia Hind: Africa's UFO Queen

Cynthia Hind was a key figure in African UFO research. She was the coordinator for MUFON in Africa and the editor of UFO Afrinews. Her books, "UFOs African Encounters" (1982) and "UFOs Over Africa" (1997), established her reputation. She died in 2000. Her proximity to Zimbabwe made her the natural choice to investigate the Ariel School case.

John Mack: The Abduction Professor

John E. Mack, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard University, brought a psychological perspective to the case. His research focused on abduction experiences, and he authored "Abduction: Human Encounters With Aliens." Mack's approach involved using hypnosis to uncover repressed memories. He visited Ariel School, interviewing children and teachers, and his findings suggested that the children had genuinely experienced something unusual.

Critiques of Investigative Methods

The article highlights significant criticisms leveled against both Hind's and Mack's methodologies. Skeptics, including psychology professor Robert Baker and psychologist William Cone, argued that the use of hypnosis could lead to "false memories" and that investigators might inadvertently project their own ideas onto the witnesses. Baker compared abduction experiences to severe sleep disorders. Cone described Mack's research as "dismally poor," suggesting that researchers might transfer their own beliefs onto patients. A former patient, Donna Basset, claimed to have infiltrated Mack's studies to expose flaws in his methods, stating they were unscientific and that patients told him what he wanted to hear.

Further criticism came from later studies that pointed out the existence of people with a strong tendency to fantasize, a recognized psychological category, which could explain some accounts without resorting to paranormal explanations. An investigation into Mack's research by his university concluded with sharp criticism of his methods, even though it had no direct consequences for him.

The Children's Drawings and Testimonies

The children's drawings were a crucial part of the evidence. Hind selected around 22 "interesting" drawings from an initial collection of 35-40. The article notes that the selection process might have led to a curated presentation of the event, potentially omitting drawings that were less sensational or did not fit a preconceived narrative. The drawings themselves showed variations in the depiction of the object and the being, leading to questions about consistency.

Some children described the being as small, dark, with long, dark hair, and large, dark, oval eyes. Others described it as having no facial features. The object was often described as silver and disc-shaped, but details varied, including the presence of windows, doors, and antennas.

Possible Explanations and Alternative Theories

The article explores several alternative explanations for the Ariel School incident:

• Helicopter Sighting: Many details in the children's descriptions, such as the object following power lines, the presence of doors and windows, and sounds like "whistling" or "whirring," align with the characteristics of a helicopter. The article suggests that the children might have mistaken a helicopter for a UFO, especially given the popularity of UFO-themed TV shows at the time.
• Influence of Media and Prior UFO Wave: The article points out that a UFO wave occurred in South Africa and Zimbabwe just before the Ariel School incident, attributed to the re-entry of the Soviet rocket Cosmos 2290. This pre-existing awareness of UFOs might have influenced the children's perceptions. Furthermore, children at Ariel School had access to media like radio and TV, and their interviews with Mack, in particular, were influenced by his discussions of telepathy and ecology.
• Misinterpretation and Suggestion: The article strongly suggests that the children's accounts, especially those gathered through interviews, may have been influenced by the investigators' questions and expectations. The methods used by Hind and Mack, such as asking leading questions and interviewing children in groups, are criticized for potentially contaminating their testimonies.
• Psychological Factors: The article touches upon the psychological tendency for children to want to please adults or to invent stories, especially when under pressure or seeking attention. Some children later admitted to not having seen anything or to having lied to appear on television.

Conclusion

The article concludes that while the Ariel School incident remains a compelling case, the investigative methods employed by both Cynthia Hind and John Mack were flawed and potentially led to the contamination of witness testimony. The author suggests that a more critical and scientific approach, considering alternative explanations like helicopter sightings and the psychological impact of media and suggestive questioning, is necessary for a balanced understanding of such events. The article implies that the children may not have seen what was interpreted as a UFO, but rather something else that was then shaped by the investigative process and their own imaginations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the challenges of investigating witness testimony (especially from children), the role of psychological factors and media influence, and the importance of rigorous scientific methodology in ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical skepticism, emphasizing the need for thorough, unbiased investigation and a willingness to consider mundane explanations alongside extraordinary ones. The article highlights the potential for misinterpretation and suggestion in UFO cases, particularly when dealing with young witnesses and investigators with pre-existing beliefs.

Title: Ufomyte
Issue: 1
Date: Not specified
Publisher: Not specified
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish

This issue of 'Ufomyte' focuses on the Ariel School UFO incident, presenting it as a significant event in ufology and exploring the work of ufologist Randall Nickerson. The article also delves into the nature of ufology itself, questioning its methods and potential for bias.

The Ariel School Incident: A UFO Myth Takes Shape

The article begins by addressing the Ariel School incident, which many ufologists view as irrefutable proof of alien visitation today. Ufologist Randall Nickerson has dedicated several years to gathering material on this event, traveling to the region and interviewing the now-adult witnesses who are spread across the globe. He has also launched a Facebook page to share the latest news about his documentary film on the case.

According to the article, the documentary film was slated for release the following year, although this has been the claim for the past eight years. The Facebook page encourages donations for the project, offering merchandise like baseball caps and t-shirts. The trailer suggests the film will feature new, previously unseen footage from 1994, along with new interviews with witnesses. The author expresses anticipation to see if the film will present any new information when it is eventually released.

Witness Testimony: Emily Trim

One of the children who was present at the Ariel School, Emily Trim, now travels to various ufoconferences to share her story. She describes being just a few steps away from the being, falling to her knees, and observing its face shift between that of a lion and an alien. Her account is described as highly emotional, with her crying during the telling. She also recounts having conversations with a "magical butterfly." Curiously, none of the other children seemed to notice her close proximity to the entity.

Emily Trim is now an artist.

Critique of Ufology

The article posits that one can learn a great deal from the Ariel School case, particularly about how ufology not only attempts to uncover events but, in many instances, actively muddies the waters and distorts them to promote a specific interpretation. The author argues that ufologists themselves contribute to creating the "facts" they present as evidence for the truth of their claims. This practice is compared to a statement attributed to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: "And when you stare long enough into an abyss, the abyss will stare back."

Sources and Further Information

The article expresses gratitude to Gilles Fernandez from France, who holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, for providing invaluable links and information. The primary source cited is an article by Fernandez on his blog, which in turn relies heavily on information from Nab Lator, an anonymous provider of information on Reality Informed. Nab Lator is noted for having previously exposed 'The Roswell Slides' as a hoax.

A comprehensive list of URLs is provided, including links to blog posts, YouTube videos, and articles from various ufology and skeptical websites, covering topics such as the Ariel School encounter, skepticism towards flying saucers, the psychology of belief, and the Roswell Slides.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the Ariel School UFO incident, witness testimony, the role of ufologists in shaping narratives, and a critical examination of ufology as a field. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena while questioning the methods and conclusions often presented by ufologists. The article highlights the potential for bias and the creation of 'facts' within the ufological community, urging readers to critically evaluate the information presented.