Encounters: The UFO Phenomenon, Exposed!/Encounters - The UFO Phenomenon, Exposed (1995).iso/abduct/abduc074.txt

Text File | 1993-07-25 | 13KB | 350 lines

                          Abduction Digest, Number 43

                           Friday, January 24th 1992

     (C) Copyright 1992 Paranet Information Service.  All Rights Reserved.

Today's Topics:

                                  Recall-Abuse
                               Abduction research
                                 Abduction Video
                                     Recall
                               Abduction Research
                               Abduction research

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From: [e-mail] (Sheldon Wernikoff)
Subject: Recall-Abuse
Date: 22 Jan 92 05:02:03 GMT


In a message to Jim Speiser <19-Jan-92 23:33>
David Jacobs wrote:

DJ> But, with the abduction phenomenon, it is a bit more
DJ> complicated. The events that have transpired in an abduction
DJ> are stored in an area of the mind that is not accessible to
DJ> normal recall except under circumstances of relaxed and focused
DJ> concentration.

Hi Dave, when you use the term 'mind' here, are you referring to a
specific physical region of the brain... and if so, what structures
are involved? Or, are you alluding to something more akin to
compartmentalized memory?

DJ> When this happens the subject finally remembers the
DJ> experiences for the first time, as it were, and allows the
DJ> memories to pass into an area of the mind where they are
DJ> amenable to normal recall.

Which area of the 'mind' do the memories pass into to make them
retrievable?

DJ> Doing abduction research is quite difficult, and one of the
DJ> most difficult things to do is to sort through the testimony
DJ> and decide what is real and what is not real (obviously, I am
DJ> making assumptions here).

Perhaps, but a most valid assumption! Isn't attempting to discern
reality from misinterpretation the whole crux of the matter here -
not only in abductions, but in ufology in toto?

DJ> One thing is sure though, consciously recalled material is
DJ> certainly just as suspect as material recalled with the aid of
DJ> hypnosis.

MAYBE even more so. *IF* a screen memory actually has been
implanted by someone (or something), it seems logical that the
screen is what the individual will consciously recall.

DJ> First of all, the majority of abductees do not have a history
DJ> of childhood abuse, but some abductees do have abuse in their
DJ> backgrounds.

Obviously some do, but is it a statistically significant number? Of
your cases investigated, what percentage have you found to contain
a history of abuse, and what psychological evaluation techniques
were utilized to spot this abuse?

DJ> For these abductees, the abuse has been dealt with in standard
DJ> therapy and they have learned to come to terms with it. Thus,
DJ> they would have no psychological need to disassociate and
DJ> invent abduction tales.

Is it not possible that some of your subjects *HAVE* suffered
abuse, but have not yet dealt with it in conventional therapy?

DJ> Furthermore, many abductions are multiple. People see
DJ> others being abducted who will independentally confirm the
DJ> events. How this relates to abuse is difficult to imagine.

I agree Dave, these would be the most difficult to explain through
psychological models.

DJ> Although it is possible, the chances are against parents
DJ> bringing their children in for counseling when they are in the
DJ> act of systematically, and brutally abusing them.

Seems logical... although I can also envision that as being the
'perfect cover' for the abusive parent. Who would suspect a parent
who was concerned enough to bring their child in for therapy?
Children will tell very little to the therapist when under the
threat of abuse.

DJ> All someone has to do is simply claim that an abduction was
DJ> caused by childhood abuse. Saying it makes it so. What I am
DJ> saying is that there is no evidence to suggest that this is the
DJ> case.

Please let me clarify something about my views in this Dave. All I
can say at this point is that I have noticed what appears to be a
statistically significant number of individuals that claim
abduction, to have also experienced moderate to severe physical,
sexual, or emotional abuse at some point in their past. I am not
stating that abduction is CAUSED by abuse, merely that there
appears to be a correlation in SOME cases.

Finally, I received your letter today re: the topic I had written
to you about in December. Would it be OK with you to discuss that
issue in this forum?

Take care,

Sheldon

--
Sheldon Wernikoff - via FidoNet node 1:104/422
UUCP: !scicom!paranet!User_Name
INTERNET: [e-mail]



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From: [e-mail] (Bill Chalker UFORA Associate NSW)
Subject: Abduction research
Date: 19 Jan 92 18:05:00 GMT

David, Welcome back to this folder.  I am especially pleased
to have the opportunity of communicating with you in a more
direct fashion.
You may recollect that corridor "debate" Jenny Randles & I
had with you and an associate back at the Washington MUFON
conference in 1987.
I was please to have had the opportunity to meet you
directly albeit within the the constraints of a busy
conference.
I've been looking into abductions in Australia since the mid
70s.  The Journal of UFO Studies recently in a review by
Keith Basterfield, the Godics & Mark Rodeghier highlighted
that "I presented the first comprehensive discussion of
Australian abductions" but dates the reference to 1984. That
was a later appearance of a paper that was first aired at an
Australian UFO conference in October 1979.  It was published
in the MUFON Journal in August, 1980.
Previously to this I had presented a paper "Beyond the CE3
Down Under: Notes on the Apparent Absence of Contact, Time
Lapse and Abduction Cases in Australia", at an Australian
UFO conference in November, 1977.
These 2 papers summarised the early phase of my research in
Australia abduction experiences.
Although a number of cases were being looked at, concerns
about the use of hypnotic techniques and other considerations
of witness welfare and ethics delayed a more intensive
examination of this aspect of the UFO controversy.  Also
cases until the late 80s were few and far between at least
for Australia.  With Dick Haines 3 stage technique and study
protocol I at last felt that there were procedures that
could be used that allayed my concerns about abduction
research methodology.
I then spent sometime evaluating a suitable professional
person to help me.  I was not going to get involved in doing
regressions myself.  Since 1988 I have been working with a
very qualified clinical hypnotherapist/clinical psychologist
on a long term informal research programme.  I have also
carried out seperate personal research and have worked
closely with others , in particular the UFORA network,
specifically Keith BAsterfield and Vladimir & Pony Godic.
Now after having been involved with more than 30 cases I am
still undecided as to whether abduction type cases tell us
more more about ourselves or UFOs. A bit of both I think.
My research has not confirmed the strong patterns you and
Budd have come across, but there are individual cases that
have some of these elements.
Some of my research has been covered in the review articles
by Keith Basterfield and the Godics in IUR (July/August,
1989 & May/June, 1990) as well as by Mark Moravec, ACUFOS
Bulletin, March, 1990.
Seperately I have had published articles in Australian
Penthouse, November, 1989 ("Abducted?" - a general review,
which also lists 6 Australian cases) and Nature & Health,
Autumn, 1990 ("Alien Abductions - a shamanic perspective on
UFOs").  The latter articles expands on the shaman theme
that I raised in my Washington conversation with you.  I
still feel that until the similarities that occur between
UFO abduction and shamanic initiations etc, are reconciled
and satisfactorally explained we will be left with an
incomplete picture of the abduction question.
I look forward to ongoing research dialogue, Regards from
Bill Chalker

--
Bill Chalker UFORA Associate NSW - via FidoNet node 1:104/422
UUCP: !scicom!paranet!User_Name
INTERNET: [e-mail]



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From: [e-mail] (Jim Speiser)
Subject: Abduction Video
Date: 22 Jan 92 06:17:44 GMT

In a message to All <19 Jan 92 06:54> Sheldon Wernikoff wrote:

 SW> least, Mark Rodeghier. As the credits rolled by, I also noticed a
 SW> few "locals" such as Don Ecker, Jim Speiser, and Vicki Cooper. My
 SW> hat's off to all of you. A job well done!


Aw, jeez, now I guess I'll HAVE to buy one...<grin>


Jim

--
Jim Speiser - via FidoNet node 1:104/422
UUCP: !scicom!paranet!User_Name
INTERNET: [e-mail]



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From: [e-mail] (Jim Speiser)
Subject: Recall
Date: 22 Jan 92 06:38:44 GMT

Dave:


Thanks for your thoughts. And I'm glad you're back and that things are
starting to cook around here.

Jim

--
Jim Speiser - via FidoNet node 1:104/422
UUCP: !scicom!paranet!User_Name
INTERNET: [e-mail]



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From: [e-mail] (Sheldon Wernikoff)
Subject: Abduction Research
Date: 24 Jan 92 02:56:01 GMT



In a message to David Jacobs <19-Jan-92 11:05>
Bill Chalker wrote:

BC> With Dick Haines 3 stage technique and study protocol I at last
BC> felt that there were procedures that could be used that allayed
BC> my concerns about abduction research methodology. I then spent
BC> sometime evaluating a suitable professional person to help me.

Bill, what were your principal criteria in evaluating and
ultimately selecting your associate hypnotherapist/psychologist?

BC> Now after having been involved with more than 30 cases I am
BC> still undecided as to whether abduction type cases tell us more
BC> more about ourselves or UFOs. A bit of both I think.

Thus far, I would have to say it's ourselves. But as everyone in
this forum is aware, there are many cases that just cannot be
explained away though psychological methods.

BC> I still feel that until the similarities that occur between UFO
BC> abduction and shamanic initiations etc, are reconciled and
BC> satisfactorily explained we will be left with an incomplete
BC> picture of the abduction question.

Could you elaborate a bit on this area Bill?

Take care,

-- Sheldon

--
Sheldon Wernikoff - via FidoNet node 1:104/422
UUCP: !scicom!paranet!User_Name
INTERNET: [e-mail]



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From: [e-mail] (Brent Wilcox)
Subject: Abduction research
Date: 23 Jan 92 21:04:50 GMT

In a message to David Jacobs <19 Jan 92 11:05> Bill Chalker wrote:

 BC> Autumn, 1990 ("Alien Abductions - a shamanic perspective on
 BC> UFOs").  The latter articles expands on the shaman theme that I
 BC> raised in my Washington conversation with you.  I still feel that
 BC> until the similarities that occur between UFO abduction and
 BC> shamanic initiations etc, are reconciled and satisfactorally
 BC> explained we will be left with an
 BC> incomplete picture of the abduction question.

Bill --

Where can I find a copy of the Shamanic/Abduction article?  I'll
gladly send an envelope and ISCs...  I didn't know any work had been
done along those lines, but it's a relationship I've been toying with
myself for a couple years, informally, and I'd be fascinated to see
what you've written about it.

Thanks.

-- Brent


--
Brent Wilcox - via FidoNet node 1:104/422
UUCP: !scicom!paranet!User_Name
INTERNET: [e-mail]


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