OMNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: November 1985
Volume: VIII
Price: $2.50
Publisher: Omni Publications International Ltd.
Country: USA
Original Language: English

Cover Story: How to Prevent AIDS

The prominent cover headline announces an article on "HOW TO PREVENT AIDS" on page 76, indicating a significant focus on public health and preventative measures within this issue.

Featured Articles

Designer Genes: Made-to-Order Animals

On page 56, the magazine explores the cutting-edge field of genetic engineering, specifically focusing on the creation of "MADE-TO-ORDER ANIMALS." This article likely delves into the scientific advancements, ethical considerations, and potential applications of manipulating animal genetics.

Stones That Speak to the Future

Page 62 features an intriguing article titled "STONES THAT SPEAK TO THE FUTURE." This suggests a piece exploring unusual phenomena, perhaps related to geology, parapsychology, or speculative science, concerning the potential for inanimate objects to convey information about future events.

The World's Best/Worst Puns

Concluding the featured content on page 128 is a lighter, more humorous article: "THE WORLD'S BEST/WORST PUNS." This indicates a section dedicated to wordplay and humor, likely a popular feature in the magazine.

UFO UPDATE: Financial Woes and a Suffolk Sighting

The "UFO UPDATE" section, authored by Dennis Stacy, highlights the persistent financial challenges faced by UFO research organizations. It begins by referencing a substantial $2 million donation to J. Allen Hynek's Center for UFO Studies, noting that the donor's identity is so guarded that "even his money has been invisible." John Timmerman, the center's treasurer, expresses a desire for more available funds to expand activities.

The article laments the historical struggle for funding in ufology, citing the example of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). Founded in 1956 by Donald E. Keyhoe, NICAP once had 5,000 members but eventually became defunct due to financial difficulties and alleged CIA intrigue. Notable early members included Rear Admiral Delmar S. Fahrney and Vice Admiral R. H. Hillenkoetter, the first director of the CIA.

Other organizations are also struggling. Jim and Carol Lorenzen, founders of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), have announced the cessation of their newsletter, citing Carol Lorenzen's ailing health, though rumors suggest financial instability. The Maryland-based Fund for UFO Research is also on the brink of extinction, having posted a significant loss attributed to a fundraising mailing.

The "UFO UPDATE" then shifts to a specific case involving three Englishwomen: Jenny Randles, Brenda Butler, and Dot Street. They investigated a UFO landing in Suffolk, England, which they claim is confirmed by an official document describing lights, ground depressions, and low-level radiation. Randles, director of investigations for BUFORA (the British UFO Research Association), attempted to get a book published on the sighting, but the idea was rejected by publishers who felt that if such events occurred, they would be common knowledge. Their publisher, Neville Spearman, specialized in occult books, and despite a small advance for "Sky Crash: A Cosmic Conspiracy," the investigation proved costly. Randles's press conference in October 1984 yielded no national media attention, and a subsequent summary of the conference also went unnoticed.

Efforts to sell the book in the United States were met with further rejection, with 21 American publishers, including Prentice-Hall, turning down the manuscript. The article concludes by noting the personal toll on the investigators: Street's phone has been disconnected due to unpaid bills, Butler has retired from the field, and Randles has had to sell her home.

Anti Matter

Beneath the "UFO UPDATE" section is a smaller piece titled "ANTI MATTER," accompanied by an image of a purse. The accompanying text, "The identity of the donor is so guarded that even his money is invisible," appears to be a quote related to the funding issues discussed in the UFO section, possibly referring to the anonymous donor to the Center for UFO Studies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of OMNI magazine demonstrates a broad editorial scope, balancing serious scientific and health topics like AIDS prevention and genetic engineering with speculative subjects such as future-predicting stones and UFO phenomena. There's a clear interest in exploring the frontiers of science, the unexplained, and societal issues. The magazine also touches upon the challenges and struggles within the UFO research community, particularly concerning funding and media attention. The inclusion of a humor section on puns suggests an effort to provide varied content for its readership. The overall stance appears to be one of informed exploration, presenting complex topics with a degree of journalistic inquiry, while also acknowledging the difficulties faced by researchers in fringe fields.