OMNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: November 1978
Cover Headline: THE REAL BIONIC MAN

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated November 1978, presents a diverse range of content, with a prominent cover story on "The Real Bionic Man." It also features an exclusive interview with Alvin Toffler, new fiction, discussions on "Unseen Worlds," "Computer Lib," "Battlestar Galactica," and "John Lilly on Dolphins." The magazine's visual presentation is striking, with a detailed, futuristic illustration on the cover.

Letters to the Editor

The letters section addresses several key topics. Paul Mandell praises Ron Goulart's "Invisible Stripes," relating it to the influence of television and his personal decision to stop watching it. Kathy Van commends Omni's first issue, particularly James Oberg's report on UFOs, hoping for continued coverage of paranormal stories. Charles Labbe expresses satisfaction with James Oberg's UFO Update column for its scientific approach but takes issue with Oberg's assessment of UFO debunker Philip J. Klass.

R. Peet Brown further criticizes the notion that Philip Klass has satisfactorily explained away UFO sightings. Brown argues that many UFOs are observed as distinct, artificial craft in daytime, close-up encounters, and cannot be explained by natural phenomena. He contrasts Klass's brief investigations with the more thorough work of researchers like Jennie Zeidman.

Split-Brain Decisions

Thomas Hoover's article on creativity and the brain's hemispheres is discussed. Terence Hines, a research psychologist, corrects what he calls "naive hemispherizing," stating there is no evidence that one hemisphere is less creative than the other, though they may have different modes of thought. Hines also questions the idea that creativity is solely tied to the right hemisphere.

James Morrow comments on Roger Sperry's "split-brain" theory, suggesting it only proves that cutting an organ in two makes it behave as if it's cut in two, rather than demonstrating dual consciousness. Morrow also addresses the "Close Encounters Alien Doll" quote attributed to L. Gordon Cooper, which Cooper denies making and is suing Columbia Pictures over.

The Praise of an Astronaut

James B. Irwin, President of the High Flight Foundation, praises OMNI as the best magazine he has ever read, specifically commending the timely and accurate report on UFOs.

UFO UPDATE: The Betty Hill Case

This extensive article by James Oberg critically examines the famous Betty and Barney Hill UFO abduction case from 1961. Oberg questions the authenticity of the case, which was largely based on details extracted through hypnosis. He points out that Dr. Benjamin Simon, the psychiatrist who conducted the hypnosis, believed the story was a fabrication born from subconscious anxieties and vivid imaginations, not actual events.

Oberg also scrutinizes the "star map" provided by Betty Hill, which was later interpreted by an amateur astronomer to represent a system near Zeta Reticuli. He notes that multiple, conflicting interpretations of the map have been made, and skeptics argue that such a map could be constructed from any random collection of dots and lines. The article highlights that the original UFO sighting might have been a misidentification of the planet Jupiter.

Further casting doubt on Betty Hill's credibility, Oberg mentions UFO investigator Robert Sheaffer's findings that Betty Hill was unable to draw an accurate chart of the sky during the incident. Sheaffer suggests the phenomenon was a "car-chasing UFO" caused by Jupiter appearing from behind clouds. Oberg notes that Betty Hill's later stories have become increasingly outlandish, making her an embarrassment to the UFO movement.

He concludes that many UFO groups deliberately slant evidence to keep the case "unsolvable," hindering genuine scientific inquiry.

Ex-astronaut L. Gordon Cooper

Ex-astronaut L. Gordon Cooper is discussed in relation to his UFO sightings and cooperation with international UFO investigators. A provocative UFO revelation attributed to him appeared on the packaging of a "Close Encounters Alien Doll," claiming that intelligent beings regularly visit Earth and that NASA and the government are aware of this but are concealing it to avoid alarming the public. Cooper denies making these statements and is suing Columbia Pictures for exploitation.

Cooper also clarifies that he did not see any UFOs on his space flights, calling such stories "complete fabrications." He remains intrigued by the UFO problem and maintains his own experiences are unexplained, but suggests the UFO movement has added fantasies to his honest accounts.

WRONG ENCOUNTERS

This section critiques the navigation skills of the aliens in Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." The article points out that the movie's depicted location for alien contact (near Lone Tree Creek, Colorado) was significantly off from the actual location of Devil's Tower, Wyoming, where the film's climax takes place. This navigational error is humorously compared to Columbus thinking he had reached Asia.

Psychic Predictions and UFOs

The article expresses skepticism towards psychic predictions related to UFOs, citing Jeanne Dixon's failed prophecy from 1976 about aliens transmitting secrets by August 1977. It highlights the pattern of predictions that never materialize, yet the public remains captivated by new forecasts, often fueled by UFO clubs and authors. The "government secrecy" theory, which suggests authorities are hiding evidence of UFO contact, is also discussed as a recurring motivation for these predictions.

Various other psychic predictions are mentioned, including those from Clarisa Bernhardt and Mickey Dahne, and an optimistic forecast from UFO expert Leo Sprinkle about 1978 being a pivotal year for solving the UFO mystery. The article concludes that despite the repeated failure of these predictions, the cycle of speculation and new forecasts for the following year continues.

Microscopic Blowups of UFOs

The issue includes images of UFO photographs, one from Brazil showing a distributed grain pattern that suggests authenticity, and another from White Sands, New Mexico, identified by experts as a rare, needlelike cloud formation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OMNI revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, particularly the Betty Hill abduction case, and the role of media and psychological factors in shaping public perception. There is a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, psychic predictions, and sensationalized accounts. The magazine appears to advocate for a more rigorous and evidence-based approach to understanding mysteries, while also exploring science fiction and technological advancements. The editorial stance leans towards critical analysis, questioning established narratives, and encouraging readers to think critically about the information presented.