Ufologen - 1973 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFOLOGEN
Issue: ETT (One)
Volume: I (One)
Date: August 22, 1972
Publisher: ARBETSGRUPPEN FÖR UFOLOGI (Working Group for Ufology)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Price: GRATIS (Free)

This inaugural issue of UFOLOGEN, a free Swedish publication, declares its mission to "attack all the superstitious claims that are always spread in connection with flying saucers." The editor, Staffan Stigsjöö, states that the magazine will be sent to individuals making "harmful statements" in the media. The publication is small, with a limited print run of 25 copies.

Debunking UFO Claims and Contactees

The magazine directly challenges the credibility of prominent UFO figures. Engineer Tago Eriksson from FOA (Swedish Defence Research Agency) is mentioned as believing flying saucers are nonsense and superstition, with the magazine suggesting his views are influenced by ufologists themselves. Christer Holm, associated with UFO-Sverige, is criticized for his belief that UFOs come from planets in our solar system to help humanity understand unity and overcome division. Holm's specific claims about UFOs originating from Mars, Venus, and Saturn are dismissed due to the known atmospheric conditions of these planets, which are incompatible with life as we understand it.

UFOLOGEN also targets 'contactees' and their alleged interactions with extraterrestrials. Daniel Fry, an American claiming to be a 'doctor,' is described as a fraud who claims to have ridden in a flying saucer in 1956 and spoken with an alien named Alan. Fry's books, which promote these stories, are called "nothing but fairy tales." The magazine speculates that Fry, and possibly George Adamski, might have been paid by the CIA to discredit the UFO phenomenon. It suggests that Adamski, despite claims of not profiting greatly, amassed millions. The magazine also mentions 'contactee' Menger, who claimed UFO contact since the 1930s and produced forged photographs.

Scientific Scrutiny and the Condon Report

The issue delves into the scientific investigation of UFOs, particularly the Condon Report. While the official summary of the Condon Report was largely negative, UFOLOGEN highlights that members of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, who reviewed the report, found it less negative than Professor Condon's summary suggested. The magazine quotes internal Condon Committee findings, such as the "intelligent behavior of UFOs suggests a mechanical craft of unknown origin" and that "a number of cases could only be explained by the presence of extraterrestrial craft."

Professor J. Allen Hynek, a key figure in the Condon Committee and a respected astronomer, is presented as someone who urges a serious scientific approach to UFOs. The magazine notes Hynek's critical stance on the Blue Book project and his skepticism towards claims of "flying, pink elephants." However, it also points out that Hynek himself acknowledged that some cases could only be explained by extraterrestrial craft. The article mentions that Dr. Saunders, a member of the Condon Committee, believed that if UFOs were confirmed as interplanetary, it should not be publicly disclosed due to potential panic. The magazine also notes that many cases remained unexplained, including observations by astronauts, pilots, and radar operators.

Critiques of UFO Organizations and Beliefs

UFOLOGEN criticizes certain UFO beliefs as harmful to the subject's credibility. It specifically mentions claims spread by members of UFO-Sverige, such as the idea that the holy city of the Bible is on the moon, and that there is life on the moon. These "crazy ideas" are seen as having caused significant damage to the UFO phenomenon's reputation in the press.

The magazine also touches upon the organization NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) in the USA, noting its distancing from contactee histories and its break with the University of Colorado's investigation when Professor Conden showed "great interest" in these contactee stories.

Notable Mentions and Future Outlook

The issue includes an excerpt from an article in Sydöstra Sveriges Dagblad dated August 22, 1972, discussing Professor J. Allen Hynek's views. It also mentions a book titled "UFO-Experience" by Hynek and another book, "Tefaten är här" (The Saucers are Here), by Gösta Reins, which reportedly discusses a UFO observation by Apollo 8 astronauts and the mystery of a "ghost bomb" from 1946. The magazine recommends the "Göteborgs Informationscenter för identifierade flygande föremål" (Gothenburg Information Center for Identified Flying Objects) as a good organization for those wishing to deepen their knowledge, noting that it does not deal with "superstitious claims."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is skepticism towards unsubstantiated UFO claims and the exposure of alleged hoaxes and fraudulent contactees. The editorial stance is critical and aims to bring a rational, scientific perspective to the topic, distinguishing between genuine investigation and what it perceives as superstition and misinformation. The magazine positions itself as a corrective force against what it views as harmful and unscientific narratives within the ufology community.