Ostensible Abductions, Real Anthropology
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Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Master's Theses Graduate College 12-2000 Ostensible Abductions, Real Anthropology Timothy F. McCauley Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses Part of the Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation McCauley, Timothy F., "Ostensible Abductions, Real Anthropology" (2000). Master's Theses. 4889. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4889 This Masters Thesis-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. OSTENSIBLE ABDUCTIONS, REAL ANTHROPOLOGY by TimothyF. McCauley A Thesis Submittedto the Faculty of The Graduate College in partialfulfillment of the requirements forthe Degreeof Master of Arts Departmentof Anthropology WesternMichigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan December2000 Copyrightby Timoty F. McCauley 2000 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Theassistancandsupprtofmanyindividualsgreatycntributedtotecmpletonanddevelopment oftisresearc. Iwouldliketotankmymainadvisorontisproet,Dr.ErikaFriedel-Lofer,frherpatienc andexcllentguidanc. Herwisdomwasgreatyapprecated. Iwouldalsoliketotankteothermembersofmy cmmitte,Dr.RobrtSundickandDr.VincntLyon-Callofrteirsupprtandcmmentary. Thisproectwouldnothavebnpssiblewithouttecntbutonsandfiendshipofoterswhohave helpdmegrowanddeveloptrughoutmyaemiccarer. ManytanksgotoDr.LizaCerroni-LongandDr. RonWestumatEasterMiciganUniversity,Dr.MicaelSwordsfrhisexprtseintefeldofUFOioy,andte facultyandstafofteWesterMichiganUniversityAnthroployDepartent. Spaltankstomycosestfiendsandfmily,witoutwhichIwouldnotbwhoIamtoay. The encuragementandfiendshipofMicelleRen,MartnEdwards,JohnO'Brien,teSpiritMeadowfamily,Clanne Preachainandmydearestfiend,Daniaremostappreciated. AdebtofgrattudegostoallmyinfrmantandmembrsofteUFO/abductionresearccmmunity whoseknowledgeandcprationwereessentialtotisstudy. Thistesisisdedicatedtmygrandfater,ThomasRicardMcCauley. TimotyF.McCauley ii OSTENSIBLE ABDUCTIONS, REAL ANTHROPOLOGY TimothyF. McCauley, M.A. Western MichiganUniversity, 2000 A gap has developed in the research agenda of contemporary anthropology with regard to a phenomenon which has received notable attention from research professionals in otherfields ,·such as history and psychiatry. What has been called the "alien abduction phenomenon" has had considerable impact, not only on those who sincerely believe these events are an everyday part of human experience (called "abductees")but also on the changing tapestry of American culture. Alien abduction accounts are closely related to the Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) phenomenon, a theme which has shaped American culture since the tum of the century. This thesisrepresents research into theseunusual and complexphenomena, theirhistorical foundations,and their impact on thesocial sciences and various subcultures. The intent of this research is toexplicate thenature of the UFO/alien abduction phenomenon in anthropological terms, and to survey its impact on related subcultures as well as thebroader contextof American culture. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................................................................... ii LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER I. AMERICAN CULTURE AT THE INTERSECTION OF ANOMALY................................................. .. 1 Alien Abuctions and Sientfc Inquiry................................................................................... 2 II. RESEARCH HISTORY AND METHODOLOGY............................................................................... 5 Fieldwork................................................................................................................................ 9 Interiews............................................................................................................................... 9 Ill. SUBCULTURES, FOLKLORE AND SHAMANISM ...................................................................... .... 11 The Alienist Sublture........................................................................................................... 12 Folklore and Abuctions......................................................................................................... 13 The Typical Abducton Scnario............................................................................................. 16 Abduction Narrative and the Shamanic Jourey .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .... .. .. .. .. .... 18 IV. HISTORIC BEGINNINGS - UFOS THROUGH HISTORY............................................................... 21 From Airships to Aliens - UFOs in te Ninetenth Century ...... ......... ..... ................... ............ 22 UFOs and the Moem Era ...................... ........... ....... ............................................ ..... ............ 24 Alien Abuction and UFOiogy ............. ........... ......... ..... .............................. ....... ..... ..... ........... 27 The Villas-Bas Abuction .. .. ... .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. .... .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .... .... ... .... .. .. .... .... .. .. .. 29 The Betty and Barey Hill Abducton ... .. .. .... .... ... .... .. ..... .. ... .... .... .. .. .. .... .. .. ... .. .. .. .... .. .. .... .. 29 The Era of Alien Abuctons................................................................................................... 32 V. ABDUCTIONS AND AMERICAN SUBCULTURES.......................................................................... 3 The Aliens Among Us............................................................................................................. 3 iii The UFOiogists. ........ ........ ............ ......... .................. ......... .............. ....... ..... .. ....... ..... .............. 35 UFOs and Popular Culture..................................................................................................... 37 Alienist Ethnography............................................................................................................... 46 The MUFON Symposium ................. .................. ......... ....... .............. ....... ..................... .......... 46 Abductee Artand Marketingthe Alien Agenda....................................................................... 51 Interviews and the Alienist Subculture.................................................................................... 52 Markers of Alienist Identity.. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .... .. ... .. .. .... .. .. .. .... .. .. ... .. .. .. ..... .. ... .. .. .. ... .. ... 53 Interview Withthe UFOiogist.................................................................................................. 64 VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS . .. .. ............... ....................... ................ ................... .......... .......... 69 The Role of Anthropology....................................................................................................... 71 APPENDICES A. UFO Magazines, Journalsand Newsletters.............................................................................. 74 B. Popular Television Programs and Movies With Alien AbductionContent................................. 77 C. LocalProducts Marketed With Alien Themes ........................................................................... 79 D. MUFON Symposium Event Schedule....................................................................................... 81 E. InterviewQuestions ................................................................................................................... 83 F. Bullard Common AbductionEvent Matrix.................................................................................. 85 G. JacobsCommon Abduction ScenarioMatrix .. .. .. ... .. .. .... .. .. .... .. .... .. .... .. .. ... .. .. .... .. .... .. .... .. .... 87 H. Alien TypesReported................................................................................................................ 89 I. Television Commercials Using UFO/Alien Theme to Sella Product......................................... 91 J. MUFON Symposium Vendors Description................................................................................ 93 K. John CarpenterWebsite Information......................................................................................... 95 L. BuzzwordFlashcards and Name IdentificationList ................................................................... 97 M. HSIRB Research Approval Form .............................................................................................. 100 iv Table of Contents-continued BIBLIOGRPHY.............................................................................................................................................. 102 V LIST OF FIGURES 1. "SouthPark" Aliens .......................................................................................................................... 7 2. ProductsMarketed With Alien Theme ............................................................................................. 8 3. Alienist Identity: Symbols and Signs of UFO/Alien Imagery..... : ...................................................