Venus With Her Trousers Down!

Nigel Watson and Granville Oldroyd

Magonia 17, October 1984

While researching newspaper files for reports of phantom airship sightings made between 1909 and 1913 some interesting incidental material has been collected. In particular we have noticed that the rumoured activities of German secret agents were very much linked in the public mind with the airship sightings [1,2]. This kind of link, and other stories recorded during these periods appears to be very similar to some of the more bizarre aspects of the contemporary UFO scene.

A Plea For The ETH

John Harney

Magonia 17, October 1984.

 

1. INTRODUCTION

In recent years there has developed a two-pronged attack on the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) as an explanation for UFO reports. These two prongs may be termed the cosmological approach and the psycho-sociological approach. We can put them together and sum them up as follows:

A New Look to the ETH

Luis R. González

Magonia 17, October 1984

As everyone else, when I first introduced myself to the UFO environment I was immediately trapped by the ETH. After years of struggle I now think I have succeeded in putting it back where it belongs: within the realms of myth and fantasy. Nevertheless, I am used to being wrong, so just in case, I would like to offer some ideas for an ‘improved’ ETH that could be more acceptable.

Objections to the classic ETH can be summarised as follows:

People of a Different Shape

Peter Rogerson

Magonia, 17, October 1984.

There seems to be a growing interest in reviving the ETH as an explanation of certain UFO experiences. This would seem to be a good time to examine this hypothesis again. To understand the role which the ETH played – and still plays – in ufology, it is necessary first to examine some ufological history. When, in late 1947 or early 1948, sections of the US military and media decided that certain UFO cases pointed to the existence of flying machines with unusual characteristics, the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence had received only limited intellectual treatment.

Not the ETH

Jenny Randles

Magonia 17, October 1984

I was surprised but very pleased that Magonia has decided to descend from the heights of psycho-social theorising (at least for one issue) and face the very real problems still proffered by the possibility that some UFOs just might be alien. I have a feeling that we have all rather got carried away with our theories regarding a wholly subjective solution to the UFO enigma.