Crop Formations and the
Secrets of Deception
by Chad Deetken
Sisyphos is a character in Greek mythology
who was condemned for eternity to an endless struggle of rolling a large rock up a
mountain only to have it come crashing down again. Serious researchers of unusual
phenomena should be able to relate to this tale. Toil for years, gather solid evidence and
then have it dashed by a mindless act. Repeat this scenario over and over.
The producer's of NBC's recent documentary "Unmasked: Exploring the Secrets plaguing
the research scene. Instead of taking the time to carefully examine and weigh all
evidence, they simply took the easy route and swallowed the claims of the hoaxer, - that
crop formations are not the results of an unknown force but a clever human fraud. But
then, would one expect a balanced view from a program entitled "....the Secrets of
Deception"?
To be sure, the 300' diameter formation Rod Dickinson, John Lundberg and Wil Russell made
in a field of wheat in New Zealand is impressive. They apparently made it at night in just
under 6 hours using only simple tools. Through time lapse photography one can see the
formation being created in leaps and bounds, circle by circle. However, there are things
wrong here, things that may have escaped the average viewer. Here are just a few points.
(a) The documentary's main premise, - the ability of humans to create crop formations, has
never been a point of contention. Anyone with a plank and a piece of string can do it!
What we do contest however are the unsubstantiated claims of a few hoaxers to having made
nearly every single formation ever discovered (over 5000 at this point). We dispute their
claims by virtue of sheer numbers, quality, complexity, lack of damage, presence of
diatonic ratios, sacred geometry, sacred numbers as well as the circumstances of the
formation's arrival. We likewise dispute their claims by virtue of scientific evidence,
such as the findings of Dr. W.C.Levengood and others.
(b) It is a known fact that the vast majority of formations appear at night. A survey
taken one year (1992) showed that two thirds came on nights when it was raining, wet and
heavily overcast. The producers of "Deception" would have us believe the three
hoaxers were working in total darkness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not
only was it 2/3 rds full moon that night but there were spot lights hanging from cranes in
order to make filming easier. Compare this virtual daylight to nights when you can't see 5
feet in front of you.
(c) It was claimed that the only equipment they used was a ball of string, a measuring
tape and a wooden plank. Compare this to the mind-boggling array of equipment dragged into
the fields by contestants in a hoaxing contest held some years ago. Also, I would defy
them to explain how they inscribed the fairly complex pattern from a piece of paper onto
the field with only a piece of string. Michael Glickman once asked an architectural firm
what it would take to reproduce the Windmill Hill formation (1000' diameter and made of
200 circles). After studying it for a few days, their estimate was one of many days work
and thousands of dollars in costs.
(d) Very little detail of the ground lay was shown. An aerial photo paints a pretty
picture but tells little about possible origins. Anyone who ever accepted a counterfeit
$20 bill can tell you they would not have been duped had they inspected it closer. So too
with crop formations. Careful inspection is required in order to determine authenticity.
Damage to crop, soil compaction, complex weaving, footprints, various anomalies in the way
the crop is laying, fluidity of the lay, spilled seeds, etc. are all signs one must look
for. To suggest that three men running around for six hours stomping crop with planks is
enough to create the strange effects we often see yet not cause damage is a bit much to
believe. We have seen other man made formations with substantial damage. It is a
coincidence virtually no ground details were shown? It is also a coincidence the field was
harvested and the formation destroyed before anyone could inspect it?
(e) The centre of the inner circle was not shown. This, by their own admission was the
pivot point from which the whole formation was laid out. Some years ago, Arthur Clarke had
a formation made in England. The centre of that one was completely trashed because this is
where one had to stand with rope in hand while some at the other end of the rope measured
out the rest of the formation. Funny, Clarke didn't show the severely damaged centre on
his program either.
(f) The circle makers admitted they knew nothing of diatonics and sacred numbers and made
no effort to include these in their designs. How is it then that a great many formations
show these? Dr. Gerald Hawking, an astronomer and mathematician, determined the chance of
diatonic ratios he found in many formations were thousands to one. Diatonics relate to the
ratios of musical scales to each other and are far more complex than what was suggested on
the program.
(g) Like other hoax claimants, these three can not explain the high incidence of
electronic failures and camera malfunctions within crop formations. These failures have
not been reported in man made formations.
(h) One of the most important omissions of the program is that these hoaxers, as well as
others, readily admit there is a real crop circle phenomenon. They have all had extremely
strange experiences in the fields while in the act of making a formation. On a few
occasions, they found that the design they were about to hoax was already in the field.
Besides the shortcomings of "Secrets of Deception", it is important also to
consider the nature and motivation of the hoaxers. Although they like to portray
themselves as fun-loving pranksters, they are not. These hoaxers are, first and foremost,
vandals who sneak into unsuspecting farmer's fields under cover of darkness and, if we are
to believe all their claims, have caused around a million dollars worth of damage over the
years. Little wonder there is a price on their heads.
Nor should they be accepted as artists expressing their talents in a unique manner. Anyone
wishing to express their artistic talent in farm fields need only make a deal with the
farmers and then charge admission to their works of art. Sneaking around at night like
burglars and car thieves is unacceptable behaviour.
Why would anyone choose to be a hoaxer, - a deceiver? The very nature of hoaxing means
inflicting pain and embarrassment on others. British forensic psychologist Dr. Mike Berry
says, "Most hoax offenders are lonely, inadequate people who crave attention, however
negative, and who will pay little regard to the consequences of their actions. If you lead
a boring life and feel you have no control over what happens to you, hoaxing is away of
adding excitement in much the same way as joy-riding or drugs. It is also a very
repeatable offence, which means you can go on getting a buzz from it until you are
caught."
Clearly, we are not dealing with a savoury element of society. While there is little doubt
they have varying talents of arguable limits, they contribute absolutely nothing to the
field of research. Their very presence is an impediment. Let them cast their dark shadows
elsewhere and allow us to continue on a level playing field. This dispute however, will
likely continue for some time to come.