1981 03 00 OMNI - UFO Debates

Magazine Overview

This issue of OMNI, dated October 1980, features a cover story titled "WASHINGTON DEBATE" detailing a symposium on UFO studies held in Washington, D.C. The event, sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution's Resident Associate Program, aimed to provide a balanced discussion between UFO proponents and skeptics. The magazine is primarily focused on this debate, with additional content including an advertisement for The Rosicrucians and a philosophical question about consciousness and death.

UFO Update: Washington Debate

The main article, "UFO UPDATE" by E. Lee Speigel and Karen Ehrlich, reports on a five-hour symposium held in Washington, D.C., at the Smithsonian Institution. The event, orchestrated by Frederick Durant, brought together leading figures from both sides of the UFO debate. The central question posed was: "What has been learned about UFOs after one third of a century of investigation?"

Proponents' Views

Astronomer J. Allen Hynek, scientific director of the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), argued that UFO studies have been fruitful, even if the mystery remains unsolved. He stated that background data has been gathered, and that UFO reports come from a diverse cross-section of the population, with people being honestly fooled. He emphasized that more professional work is necessary.

Allan Hendry, chief investigator at CUFOS, and Dr. Bruce Maccabee, a U.S. Navy physicist and chairman of the Fund for UFO Research, represented the proponent side. Hendry suggested requiring independent witnesses to minimize the possibility of hoaxes. Maccabee expressed that he had no direct evidence of extraterrestrials but wouldn't be surprised if they existed, wishing the question had been solved long ago.

Skeptics' Views

On the skeptical side were NASA engineer James Oberg, a frequent contributor to the column, and Robert Sheaffer, a founder of the UFO subcommittee of the Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICP). Philip J. Klass, senior avionics editor of Aviation Week and Space Technology and chairman of the CSICP subcommittee, was also a prominent skeptic.

Sheaffer characterized ufology as a "failed, would-be science," stating that UFOs invariably outwit investigators. Klass pointed out the lack of credible photographic evidence and suggested that UFO promoters offered nothing stronger than unexplained cases. He also attempted to discredit Travis Walton, who claimed to have been abducted by a UFO, by mentioning Walton's alleged failure on a lie-detector test.

Key Moments and Arguments

James Oberg presented a film showing how misinterpreted window reflections in U.S. spacecraft had been sensationalized as "Aliens on the Moon" and "Crippled UFO Orbits Earth" in the National Enquirer, which he called "grossly inaccurate reporting" and damaging to UFO studies.

Hendry countered Klass's skepticism regarding the Val Johnson case (a Minnesota Sheriff's Deputy who claimed injury and damage from a UFO encounter), producing letters from polygraph experts who reviewed Johnson's test, suggesting the technique used was outdated.

An audience question about whether the U.S. government or Air Force held extraterrestrials from crashed spacecraft led to an exchange between moderator Durant and Maccabee. Maccabee stated that if there were evidence, it wouldn't be a matter of belief.

Conclusion and Significance

Moderator Frederick Durant concluded that the symposium was significant because it brought together these opposing viewpoints at one table for the first time in thirty years, fostering mutual respect. He hoped the event would be continued. Philip J. Klass issued a final challenge, stating it was time for the leaders of the UFO movement to "put up or shut up" after thirty years.

Other Content

The issue also includes an advertisement for "The Rosicrucians (AMORC)" offering a free booklet titled "The Mastery of Life." This section poses philosophical questions about consciousness surviving death and the nature of immortality, framing it as a crossroads between traditional beliefs and scientific understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the ongoing debate surrounding UFOs, highlighting the divide between those who believe in the reality of unexplained phenomena and those who seek rational explanations. The magazine presents both sides of the argument, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging open discussion and scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the sponsorship of the debate by a reputable institution like the Smithsonian and the balanced representation of viewpoints. The magazine seems to lean towards the idea that while the mystery of UFOs persists, rigorous investigation and evidence are paramount.