1979 05 00 OMNI - Monteleone hoax

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue: May 1979
Volume: 1
Date: May 1979
Publisher: Omni Publications International Ltd.
Country: USA
Price: $2.00
ISSN: 0145-1336

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated May 1979, presents a diverse range of speculative, scientific, and cultural topics. The cover prominently features the OMNI logo and highlights articles on intelligence-enhancing drugs, Soviet space colonization, identifying the world's smartest person, technological approaches to the Loch Ness Monster mystery, and the concept of cybernetic warfare. The cover art depicts a stylized human head against a cosmic backdrop, suggesting themes of consciousness and the universe.

Featured Articles

Intelligence Drugs: Freely Available New Drugs to Expand Your Intelligence This article likely explores the availability and potential of drugs designed to enhance cognitive functions and intelligence.

Red Star in Orbit: Soviet Space Colonies; Cosmic Art and Science Fiction, Russian Style This feature delves into the Soviet Union's ambitions in space colonization, examining their scientific endeavors and the influence of cosmic themes in Russian art and science fiction.

The World's Smartest Man: By Consensus of the World's Smartest Community This piece aims to identify and profile the individual recognized as the world's smartest, based on the consensus of experts in intelligence and related fields.

Loch Ness Monster: Technology and Science Join the Hunt This article discusses how modern technology and scientific methods are being employed in the ongoing search for the elusive Loch Ness Monster.

Cybernetic War: Electronic Strategists and the Ultimate Weapon This feature explores the concept of cybernetic warfare, focusing on electronic strategies and the development of advanced weaponry in this domain.

Plus: Buck Rogers and Brave New World—A First Look at the New Films This section offers an early look at upcoming films, specifically mentioning 'Buck Rogers' and 'Brave New World,' likely analyzing their themes and potential impact.

Penetrating the Microcosmos Harnessing the Gulf Stream This article appears to cover two distinct topics: the exploration of the microscopic world and the methods or implications of harnessing the Gulf Stream's energy.

Column: Last Word

Title: The Gullibility Factor
Author: Thomas F. Monteleone

In his column, Thomas F. Monteleone recounts a personal experience from 1967 involving a UFO contactee named Woodrow Derenberger, who claimed to have visited the planet 'Lanulos' on the galaxy of Ganymede. Monteleone, then a college student, called into a radio talk show and, on a whim, pretended to have also visited Lanulos, contradicting Derenberger's story. To his surprise, Derenberger corroborated Monteleone's fabricated details, leading Monteleone to realize the extent of the 'hoax' and the 'vast UFO cult' that formed around such claims.

Monteleone describes being contacted by numerous UFO investigators who were eager to hear his fabricated experiences. He notes the peculiar behaviors of these individuals, including their late-night calls, paranoia about the FBI and CIA, and the use of elaborate, often homemade, communication devices. He mentions organizations with names like the 'Arizona Saucer Spotters Extraterrestrial Society (ASSES)' and the 'Wisconsin Extraterrestrial Intelligence Research and Detection Organization (WEIRDO).' He also recounts an interview where a man claimed to have 'organic communication' with 'UFO Overlords' and experienced 'goosetlesh' when they were near.

He reflects on the deep psychological need that drives people to believe in extraordinary phenomena, making them 'prittully gullible.' Monteleone expresses regret for his initial prank, which, despite his intention to expose gullibility, has led to his 'case' being discussed in books and articles, something he never sought. He concludes by emphasizing that anyone can become a UFO contactee, but the 'contactees' will not be from the stars, implying they are products of human psychology rather than extraterrestrial visitors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OMNI magazine revolve around the intersection of science, technology, speculation, and the human psyche. The magazine explores cutting-edge scientific concepts, potential future technologies (like cybernetic war and space colonization), and the enduring mysteries of phenomena like UFOs and cryptids (Loch Ness Monster). There's a clear interest in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and imagination, from expanding human intelligence with drugs to exploring the cosmos and the unknown. The editorial stance, particularly evident in Monteleone's column, seems to be one of critical inquiry, questioning extraordinary claims and examining the psychological factors that contribute to belief, while still maintaining an open-minded curiosity towards scientific advancement and the possibilities of the universe.