Ufologie Contact - Series 1 - No 13 - 10 mars 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: UFOLOGIE CONTACT
Issue Date: March 10, 1978
Issue Number: 13
Publisher: Not explicitly stated, but appears to be a self-published bulletin.
Country: France
Language: French

UFOLOGIE CONTACT is presented as a liaison bulletin for ufologists in the Paris-Ile de France region. Its primary goal is to combat isolation and provide a platform for sharing information, messages, announcements, meeting notices, and questions related to ufology. The bulletin is produced voluntarily and is available at cost price.

Rédaction and Administration

The editorial and administrative tasks are handled by Raymond BONNAVENTURE, located at Domaine de Montval, 6 allée Alfred Sisley, 78160 MARLY-LE-ROI. The publication invites regional ufological associations to send their publications for exchange.

INFORMATIONS S.P.E.P.S.E.

This section discusses the long-anticipated formation of the "Union Ufologique Parisienne," which has materialized as the S.P.E.P.S.E. (Société Parisienne d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux et Etranges). Despite a low turnout for the constitutive assembly due to a postal strike, approximately twenty people gathered at an amphitheater at Université Paris VI. The agenda included presenting the statutes and internal regulations, open discussion, nominating officials, and a book signing for Michel MONNERIE's "Et si les O.V.N.I. n'existaient pas?"

The society aims to foster a constructive debate rather than a dry lecture, allowing members to express themselves on the fundamentals and functioning of the society. Key questions raised include whether the S.P.E.P.S.E. is merely another association, the risk of "second-degree rationalism" for those who believe without studying, the need to define the object of study, and the desire to conduct multidisciplinary research.

The society's raison d'être is defined as addressing "preoccupying unexplained phenomena" (OVNI and other strangeness). It emphasizes the human duty to discover the reality of these phenomena before interpreting them. The issue highlights that while anti-UFO arguments often focus on the fragility of testimonies and the impossibility of experimental study, this does not preclude rigorous scientific research.

R. BONNAVENTURE's Contribution

R. BONNAVENTURE emphasizes the importance of proving the reality or non-existence of strange manifestations (UFOs or others) and investigating their causes and consequences. He stresses the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and human sciences. The society is presented as a specific human environment with its own regulations and conventions, where past and present manifestations are studied. These phenomena are considered "anomalous and surprising," thus requiring scientific research rather than faith.

The S.P.E.P.S.E. is described as a welcoming structure for reflection, open to all ufologists and curious individuals in the Paris-Ile-de-France region. Its advantages include allowing members freedom in their pursuits, facilitating contradictory studies for creative confrontation, encouraging self-questioning, and benefiting from diverse cultural contributions without mandatory membership fees.

Reflections from C. FERRY and M.M. MORVAN

C. FERRY's reflections suggest that contradictory research within SPEPSE can stimulate the society's growth, urging researchers to eliminate passion from explanations but not from the study itself. M.M. MORVAN expresses his understanding of the desire to see SPEPSE taken seriously.

The issue also lists the newly formed bureau of SPEPSE: Michel MONNERIE (President), Raymond BONNAVENTURE (Secretary), and Pascal MONTREUIL (Treasurer).

RECHERCHE THEMATIQUE: LE POINT PAR PASCAL MONTREUIL

PASCAL MONTREUIL discusses the need for a new methodology to approach the UFO phenomenon, stating that classical methods are insufficient. He notes that many sincere witnesses have been misled by their senses, ignorance, or imagination. He critiques the human tendency towards dichotomous thinking (good/evil, true/false) and proposes that UFOs serve as a model to confront our own reality and adopt humility in research. The goal is to study and seek a new methodology to elucidate these human problems.

Montreuil posits that the existential character of humans is amplified when confronted with the unknown. He suggests that the term "OVNI" (Objets Volants Non Identifiés) itself might be a misinterpretation, while acknowledging that non-identification is certain. He questions whether we receive the full signal from UFOs, if it carries a message, and if that message is clear.

He further explores the complexity of the phenomenon, questioning if it's possible to travel faster than light and if extraterrestrial visits are plausible. He suggests that the phenomenon might stem from human psychology or parapsychology. He also examines natural phenomena like meteorites and lenticular clouds, questioning their potential to challenge current physics if observed with unusual characteristics.

Montreuil concludes that a common language and semantic approach are needed to understand the phenomenon in its entirety. He calls for reflection, common sense, honesty, and humility in this endeavor, stating that the pursuit is worthwhile.

MARINUFO Section

Gilles RICHARD outlines the work plan for the MARINUFO section, focusing on establishing relationships with the navy (military, merchant, pleasure, fishing) to gather quality testimonies and sensitize naval personnel to ufological issues. Activities include creating UFO catalogs at sea (CUFOM) and in coastal regions (CUFORC), and cataloging lost or disappeared boats (CBPDM). These catalogs will be used for statistical studies, correlations with terrestrial observations, and analysis of ship disappearances.

MESSAGE DU G.A.U.

The G.A.U. (Groupement Aubois d'Ufologie) is introduced as a new regional association. Its focus is on collecting testimonies and informing the public through conferences, articles, and media. For 1978, they plan to establish an informant network and compile a catalog of observations in the Aube region. They request contact with investigators and ufologists to organize effectively and encourage regional groups to send their publications for their library.

"EN BREF" (In Brief) Section

This section provides short news items:

• Paris, February 6: A screening of the film "Rencontres du troisième type" (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) was attended by many.
• Noel des extraterrestres: A science fiction piece is mentioned, exploring human reactions to revelations of an afterlife or the reality of ufological phenomena.
• February 23-24, 1978: A debate on UFOs and extraterrestrial life was held on Europe 1 radio, featuring various ufologists and a discussion with the director of CNES about GEPAN's relationship with the gendarmerie. The report notes a slight cooling of passion for the extraterrestrial hypothesis.

Upcoming Events and Library

• March 4-5, 1978: A tri-monthly meeting of French-speaking ufological groups was held in CHAMBERY, focusing on the formation of the CECRU (Comité Européen de Coordination de la Recherche Ufologique).
• April 14-16, 1978: Group 03100 invites ufologists to a reflection workshop on different hypotheses concerning the UFO phenomenon.
• April 17-18, 1978: J.C. BOURRET will give a conference at Salle Pleyel. SPEPSE is organizing publicity for this event to raise funds for printing UFOLOGIE CONTACT.

The "NOTRE BIBLIOTHEQUE" section lists various documents, bulletins, and reviews available, including UN documents on UFO research, GEPAN recommendations, and publications from various ufological groups in France and Belgium.

LA REVUE FACETTES COMMUNIQUE

FACETTES is described as a monthly review written by its readers, posing and answering questions on a wide range of subjects including history, science, and curiosities, but not politics or genealogy. It also features a bibliographic section on hard-to-find books.

A PROPOS DE "RENCONTRES DU TROISIEME TYPE"

This section reviews Steven Spielberg's film "Rencontres du troisième type." It notes that the film is considered an "engaged work" and that J. Allen HYNEK, a recognized ufologist, served as the UFO advisor. The review discusses the question of life on other planets and the film's impact on public opinion. It praises the film's special effects by Douglas TRUMBULL and music by John Williams, calling it a "marvelous spectacle" that allows for dreaming but cautions against its "tendency" and suggests that ufology is too serious a matter to be left solely to ufologists.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the organization and professionalization of ufological research, particularly in the Paris region with the establishment of SPEPSE. There's a strong emphasis on moving beyond mere belief towards rigorous, multidisciplinary scientific study. The bulletin promotes collaboration between groups and individuals, advocating for a common semantic approach to understanding the phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious, methodical investigation, while also acknowledging the public's fascination with the topic, as evidenced by the film review. There's a clear distinction made between scientific inquiry and mere speculation or faith.