Se upp - 1978 No 5

Magazine Overview

Se upp! - Issue 5, 1978

This issue of 'Se upp!', the information and contact organ of the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening (Västerås Interdisciplinary Association), is dated around the Christmas and New Year period of 1978. The magazine emphasizes its volunteer-driven nature, stating that all work is unpaid and that the appearance and execution of the text material are of secondary importance, with minor spelling and grammatical errors being tolerated. The editorial notes that the magazine is produced almost entirely by one person whose native language is not Swedish, and expresses gratitude for a reader from Nyköping who offered to help with proofreading.

Contents and Articles

"Som Sagt!" (As Said!)

This editorial piece reflects on the upcoming holidays and the reduced activity of the association during this time. It mentions that Tuesdays will be reserved for youth activities, while Sundays will be for discussions and other events. The editor highlights the dedication of the single individual responsible for producing 'Se upp!' and expresses a desire for more local support for proofreading and editing.

Kontaktträff i Västerås (Contact Meeting in Västerås)

An announcement for a contact meeting organized by the Västerås Tvärvetenskapliga Förening for UFO associations in the Mälardalen region. The meeting is scheduled for January 12, 1979, at a dance restaurant in Västerås. Members are asked to register their interest by December 15th to facilitate table bookings. The price is not yet determined. Contact persons are listed as Jan Eriksen and K E Karlsson.

Valberedningen! (The Nominating Committee!)

A call from the nominating committee seeking members willing to take on board positions in the association. They are looking for individuals to replace members who may leave the board at the upcoming annual meeting. Interested parties are urged to contact Tove Eriksen or P.U. Fransson.

"Nära och långt borta." (Near and Far Away.) by Bengt Anderberg

This article discusses astronomical distances, starting with the Andromeda galaxy, which is 2,000,000 light-years away, and then moving to closer celestial objects like stars in the Big Dipper, which are 210 light-years away. Anderberg touches upon the vastness of space, the possibility of other inhabited worlds, and the human need to dream and imagine 'heavenly kingdoms'. The article concludes with a note about the "Rymden är över oss" (Space is above us) exhibition at the Tekniska museet in Stockholm, running from November 18, 1978, to February 11, 1979.

"Psykotor - Vad är nu det för något?" (Psychic Motor - What is that?)

This article explores the concept of a 'psychic motor', described as a simple paper cylinder that spins when held at a certain distance. It traces the history of the device, mentioning an article in the American magazine 'Science and Invention' in November 1923, and its subsequent mention in reports by Stanley Kripper and in the book 'Psychic Discoveries behind the Iron Curtain' by Sheila Ostrandara and Lynn Schroedera. The article also references a detailed description by Martin Gardner in 'Scientific American' in April 1975, which was presented as an April Fools' joke. The construction of the motor involves a paper cylinder, a pin acting as a pivot, and a glass stopper. The author, Sten Dramstad, shares his own experiments with the device and suggests that UFO enthusiasts might find it interesting. He proposes to share further experimental results in a future issue.

"Lögn - Detektor." (Lie Detector.)

This section describes a lie detector as a 'sensitivity-reaction tester' that measures emotional changes associated with lying. It explains that the instrument uses a bridge circuit where the test person's body forms one of the four branches. A diagram of the circuit is provided, along with details on its components, including a MIC 709 integrated circuit for amplification and a 1 mA instrument for reading the results. The article suggests using copper tubing for electrodes and three 9-volt batteries as a power source.

"Vilmer."

A short comic strip featuring a character named Vilmer, who is shown with a radio and binoculars, observing something in the distance. A speech bubble from another character asks if he checked the contents of Rocky's flask before sending him on a reconnaissance mission. A second panel shows Vilmer observing five flying saucers.

"När månen försvann" (When the Moon Disappeared)

This article reports on a total lunar eclipse that occurred on September 16, 1978. It notes that the event did not receive significant attention, possibly due to poor weather conditions. The magazine claims to be the only newspaper to publish a photograph of this eclipse, taken by Herbert Johansson in Hallstahammar. The photograph is presented as evidence of the moon shrinking during the eclipse.

"Saxat." (Clippings.)

This section contains two brief news clippings:

• UFO over Lisbon: Portuguese newspapers reported a luminous, orange, cigar-shaped object seen over Lisbon at sunset, which disappeared after a few minutes. (TT-Reuter)
• Lördagskväll med norrsken (Saturday Evening with Northern Lights): This piece describes a beautiful display of the northern lights seen on a Saturday evening, with a photograph taken by Jan Eriksen from Raby forest. The article mentions that the northern lights have fascinated people throughout history.

"Pilot kidnappad av flygande tefat?" (Pilot Kidnapped by Flying Saucers?)

This article details the disappearance of 20-year-old pilot Frederick Valentich over the Australian coast on October 20, 1978. Valentich reported seeing a large, hovering, flying object with white and green lights before his radio contact was lost. The article mentions that hundreds of people reported seeing UFOs along the Victorian coast following the incident. It includes a transcript of Valentich's last words to air traffic control, where he describes the object and mentions his aircraft's engine trouble. The official explanation suggests he may have become disoriented. The article is attributed to D.N. (Dagens Nyheter) dated 25-10-1978.

"LÄSUÄRT." (Worth Reading.)

This section provides a list of articles from other publications:

• UFO-INFORMATION 5/78: Topics include a Japanese lieutenant colonel killed in an air battle with a UFO, giant meteor impacts shaping the Earth, and a UFO providing a spectacular aerial display.
• FORSKNING OCH FRAMSTEG 7/78 (Research and Progress): Articles cover humans leaving Earth, factories in space, and life in space.
• DET BÄSTA 1/79 (The Best): Mentions 'Kosmos 954' (a spy satellite that fell from orbit) and a 1977 space disaster in Canada that threatened cities.

"OBS!" (Note!)

An announcement regarding changes in payment for coffee and soft drinks at the association's meetings starting from the new year. The prices are listed for full-paying members and for students/pensioners. Students/pensioners are required to show their membership card to receive the discounted price.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, parapsychology, and related fringe science topics. There is a strong emphasis on the volunteer nature of the publication and a welcoming attitude towards reader contributions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, encouraging discussion and experimentation, while acknowledging the limitations of its production resources and the non-native Swedish of its primary editor. The inclusion of astronomical news and technological developments suggests a broader interest in science and the unknown.

This issue of VLT, dated December 1977 and 1979, delves into the intriguing "Pyramid Effect" and the scientific phenomenon of auroras, while also featuring a significant internal debate within the Västerås Interdisciplinary Association (VTF) regarding its focus and methodology in UFO research.

The Pyramid Effect: Experiments and Exploration

The magazine introduces the concept of the "Pyramid Effect," acknowledging the speculation surrounding it. It eschews offering definitive answers, instead providing practical suggestions for simple experiments that readers can perform themselves. The core advice for these experiments is to maintain meticulous records, document findings (e.g., through photography), and ensure that experiments are repeatable under identical conditions. To conduct these experiments, a self-supporting cardboard pyramid is required, with parts joined by tape. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the construction and basic principles of a pyramid, emphasizing the importance of precise measurements (e.g., 23.56 cm base side).

Key experimental suggestions include:

1. Razor Blades: Testing whether old or new razor blades remain sharp after being placed in a pyramid for approximately two weeks, without resharpening.
2. Plant Growth: Comparing the growth of plants from seeds placed inside a pyramid versus those placed outside. Readers are encouraged to buy a bag of seeds, divide them, place half inside the pyramid, and observe the results over two weeks, watering as usual.
3. Water Treatment: Placing water inside a pyramid for a week and then using it to water plants to see if it promotes faster growth and better blooming. Readers are advised to combine these experiments.

Practical advice for conducting these experiments includes placing the pyramid in an area with minimal magnetic interference and being persistent, critical, yet open-minded if initial results are not as expected. The suggestion is also made to collaborate with others.

Understanding Auroras (Polar Lights)

A detailed section explains the phenomenon of auroras, also known as polar lights. It describes the visual spectacle of the aurora, with its shifting colors of red, blue, green, and purple, and its curtain-like or drapery appearance. The article notes that auroras are most common in a belt around the Earth's magnetic poles, becoming rarer and weaker further south or north. Similar phenomena are observed in the Southern Hemisphere as 'southern lights'.

The scientific explanation links auroras to Earth's magnetic properties and solar activity. It is suggested that auroras occur at altitudes of about 100 km, but have been observed as high as 800 km. The light emission is compared to electrical discharges in a thin gas, where accelerated electrons collide with gas atoms, causing them to emit light. The source of these electrons is believed to be the sun, particularly during intense solar flares associated with sunspots. These solar electrons are then channeled by Earth's magnetic field towards the polar regions, interacting with atmospheric gases to produce the visible light.

Debate within Västerås Interdisciplinary Association (VTF)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a public debate and exchange of letters concerning the Västerås Interdisciplinary Association (VTF). This debate highlights a conflict between a former member, Chris B. Vos, and the VTF board, represented by Jan Eriksen and Karl-Erik Karlsson.

Criticism from a Former Member (Chris B. Vos):

Chris B. Vos expresses strong criticism, accusing VTF of deviating from its stated goal of interdisciplinary UFO research. He argues that the organization has become diluted, with UFO research merely one of seven interest areas, and that the board has misunderstood the concept of interdisciplinarity. Vos claims that the original intention was to study UFO phenomena from multiple scientific angles, but this has been lost. He criticizes the board's handling of communication and their alleged failure to publish relevant materials, such as the UFO-Sverige field research manual. Vos feels that the organization has lost its focus and is not effectively advancing UFO research, leading him to resign. He characterizes the board's actions as a circular approach, symbolized by their emblem of a snake biting its own tail.

Response from the VTF Board (Jan Eriksen & Karl-Erik Karlsson):

The VTF board responds to Vos's criticisms, defending their approach. They state that VTF continues its activities at Skogsvägen 27 B and is open to constructive criticism. They question the anonymous nature of Vos's initial critique, suggesting he should have raised his concerns directly with the board or at a members' meeting. The board asserts that they have consistently sought members interested in forming a dedicated UFO group and have even trained members in field research through UFO-Sverige. They explain that VTF functions as a local branch of UFO-Sverige, participating in alarm readiness systems.

The board elaborates on the concept of interdisciplinarity, defining it as a method to solve complex problems by integrating knowledge from disparate scientific fields. They argue that their approach is indeed interdisciplinary, aiming to gather knowledge from various sciences to tackle the UFO question. They acknowledge that progress is slow, with only a small number of active members (4-6 out of 62) driving the initiative. The board highlights their efforts to raise interest and knowledge through lectures, a slide show for youth, and collaboration with other UFO organizations. They also defend their decision to restrict internal communication to objective information to prevent personal agendas from dominating.

The board views Vos's criticisms as stemming from a misunderstanding of their goals and methods. They emphasize that their current statutes, revised in 1977, list UFO research as one of seven interest areas, reflecting the evolution of the association. They also point out that the low member activity is a general issue, not unique to VTF, and that members' input is crucial, with meetings serving as the forum for discussion and decision-making.

New Statutes and Definitions:

The issue includes a glossary of terms such as "Indignation," "Interdisciplinary," "Quasi," and "Kverulant" (a complainer). The VTF board reiterates their stance that individuals exhibiting "quasi-scientific" or "kverulant" behavior will be asked to leave or will resign. They express regret if VTF members are harassing Chris B. Vos and remind readers that members' meetings are the appropriate venue for criticism.

The board states that new statutes were adopted to address deficiencies in the old ones and to better guide the association's work. They confirm that the first survey on member interests was conducted by C.B. Vos himself before the statutes were finalized, and a second survey was done as a complement. The board agrees with Vos's sentiment that complainers can be a burden to UFO-Sverige.

Other Content

Membership and Subscriptions

Information is provided regarding the 1979 membership fees for VTF: 50 SEK for adults and 15 SEK for students/pensioners. Readers are also directed to subscribe to the national UFO-INFORMATION magazine directly, with a subscription fee of 60 SEK per year. The deadline for paying membership and subscription fees is before the year-end meeting.

Thematic Evening (Temakväll)

A thematic evening is announced for January 10, 1979, focusing on "The interplay of energy bodies in nature." The event will explore whether radioactivity, energy use, and environmental toxins affect our physical and psychological health, and potentially more subtle aspects of life energy. Fil. lic. Arne Groth from FOA is scheduled to present his research and conduct demonstrations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a scientific and methodical approach to investigating phenomena, whether it's the "Pyramid Effect" or UFOs. There's a strong emphasis on documentation, repeatability, and critical analysis. The debate within VTF highlights a tension between a broad, interdisciplinary approach and a more focused, traditional UFO research methodology. The editorial stance, as represented by the VTF board's response, favors a structured, collaborative, and scientifically grounded investigation, while acknowledging the challenges of engaging a broad membership and maintaining focus. The inclusion of the aurora explanation suggests a willingness to explore natural phenomena that might share characteristics or be confused with unexplained aerial phenomena.

This document is a single-page flyer or newsletter announcing member meetings for the year 1979, hosted at Råbygården, located at Pilfinksgatan 3. The publication is in Swedish and appears to be a local community or organizational announcement.

Member Meetings Schedule The core of the document is a schedule of upcoming meetings:

• Wednesday, January 10th: At 19:00, a lecture will be held, presented by A. Groth.
• Tuesday, January 16th: At 18:30, a meeting for youth ('Ungd.') is scheduled.
• Sunday, January 21st: At 18:00, a meeting is planned (topic not specified).
• Tuesday, February 13th: At 18:30, another youth meeting ('Ungd.') will take place.
• Sunday, February 25th: At 18:00, the annual meeting ('Årsmötet') will be held.

Location and Directions A significant portion of the document is dedicated to a hand-drawn map illustrating the location of Råbygården and its surroundings. Key landmarks and roads are marked, including:

• Roads: Industrileden, Fredriksbergsgatan, Nynäsvägen, Lövhagsgatan, Lövsångargatan, Pilfinksgatan.
• Areas/Points of Interest: Råbygården, Råby Centrum, P. Plats, Råbyleden, Stan (likely meaning the town center or a specific area), Gulf (likely a gas station).
• Transport Information: The map highlights bus route 14.15, indicating its path and stops near Råbygården. It also shows directions from major routes like Industrileden and Nynäsvägen, and mentions proximity to Hamnen (the harbor).

Welcome Message The document concludes with a friendly invitation: "Välkommen Du också" (Welcome, you too), reinforcing the community-oriented nature of the announcements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The primary theme is the organization and communication of community events, specifically member meetings. The editorial stance is informative and welcoming, aiming to ensure members are aware of and can easily attend scheduled events. The inclusion of a detailed map suggests a focus on accessibility and practical information for attendees.