UFO Mail - No 251 - 2017

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 251
Date: December 17, 2017
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of UFO-Mail reflects on the 60-year history of Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI), a Danish UFO organization. The article, written by Kim Møller Hansen, traces the evolution of UFO beliefs from the post-World War II era, influenced by the Cold War and the cultural climate, which led to the interpretation of aerial phenomena as flying saucers and potential extraterrestrial visits.

The Evolution of SUFOI and UFO Interpretation

SUFOI was established on December 17, 1957, with the initial aim of gathering as many UFO reports as possible to convince scientific and political authorities of extraterrestrial visitation and the potential for these visitors to save humanity. However, the organization's perspective has significantly changed over six decades.

Today, SUFOI acknowledges that while people continue to experience unexplained aerial phenomena, the interpretation has shifted. The organization now believes that there is little evidence to support the idea of extraterrestrial visits and that many UFO experiences have mundane, terrestrial explanations. This shift in perspective is attributed to the years of experience and accumulated knowledge within SUFOI.

The article suggests that many other UFO organizations worldwide continue to operate on the premise of extraterrestrial visitation, basing their activities and publications on the belief that a high volume of reports is proof of such visits. SUFOI posits that these organizations may avoid in-depth investigation of reports for fear of discovering explanations that could undermine their core beliefs and, consequently, their membership and revenue from publications.

SUFOI argues that this approach of maintaining the status quo and perpetuating the 'UFO business' does not lead to greater understanding of ourselves or our world. Instead, it preserves a narrative that may not reflect reality.

'UFO'er - Myter og viden' - A New Publication

In commemoration of its 60th anniversary, SUFOI has published a book titled "UFO'er - Myter og viden" (UFOs - Myths and Knowledge). This is presented as the first Danish publication to consolidate years of research and provide insights into the historical development of UFO beliefs and current knowledge. The book is described as being in a large format, 204 pages long, with 120 illustrations in black and white and color.

The article highlights that many people who are interested in UFOs have, through their own investigations and engagement with the UFO mythos, moved away from the belief in alien visitors. SUFOI emphasizes that the phenomenon is not a single mystery to be solved but rather an exploration of diverse phenomena and events that can lead to UFO experiences. The organization states that people tend to perceive the world as they wish or believe it to be, a tendency reflected in UFO report material.

Since its inception, SUFOI has collected and analyzed over 15,000 UFO experiences, with hundreds of members dedicating thousands of hours to understanding the UFO mythos. SUFOI feels a responsibility to provide the public with factual knowledge about UFOs as an alternative to the often chaotic information found online. This public education effort is carried out through their website, ufo.dk, and the new book.

On ufo.dk, individuals can report their UFO experiences and later find out if others have reported similar sightings at the same time or place, potentially discovering existing explanations for their experiences.

Continued Exploration and Call for Support

Despite concluding that Earth is not being visited by extraterrestrials, SUFOI remains committed to exploring the UFO mythos. Their continued interest lies in understanding what ordinary people experience and why they interpret aerial phenomena (such as planes, flares, sky lanterns, meteors, burning space debris, planets, the Moon, and stars) as alien visitations. Furthermore, the organization aims to continue analyzing, understanding, and interpreting the development of the UFO myth.

The article encourages readers to support SUFOI's work by becoming supporting members and purchasing the new book. All proceeds and income generated will be used to operate ufo.dk and fulfill the organization's purpose and vision.

The cover illustration is described as a common depiction of a UFO experience, but the article asserts that the reality is far more down-to-earth, aligning with SUFOI's work and the content of the book.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The central theme of this issue is the critical re-evaluation of UFO phenomena and beliefs over time. SUFOI's editorial stance is one of reasoned skepticism and a commitment to empirical investigation, contrasting with what they perceive as a more dogmatic adherence to the extraterrestrial hypothesis by other UFO organizations. The magazine promotes a grounded, evidence-based approach, emphasizing terrestrial explanations and the psychological aspects of perception and interpretation. The publication serves as a platform for disseminating factual information and encouraging critical thinking about UFO reports and the broader UFO mythos.