I thank Paul Devereux for his criticisms of my review of Persinger’s ‘tectonic strain theory’. As for the earth lights theory in general, I totally agree with Devereux’s statement that “it is highly desirable that such an area be fully investigated”; the last sentence of my paper attests my willingness. I must however comment on Devereux’s criticisms.
Sightings of lights in the sky are often neglected by many ufologists who consider them too ‘simple’, and unworthy of their avant-garde researches. Yet this simplicity is an important factor. Abnormal luminous phenomena can be compared with rather well-known manifestations, such as St Eilmo’s Fire, auroral phenomena or optical refraction phenomena, many examples of which can be found in Corliss’s books.
This paper is a longer version of my intervention at the Anglo/French UFO meeting in Boulogne (19-20 February 1983). I quote particularly French-speaking authors, partly to make them better known, partly because I don’t know very much about the enormous English literature. I thank Jacques Scornaux and Dominique Behar for their aid with the translation, but only I am responsible for all the mistakes!