1986 03 00 OMNI - Robert Freitas

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: March 1986
Price: $2.50

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated March 1986, presents a diverse array of articles spanning science, technology, and speculative futures. The cover prominently features headlines on predicting the future of professional sports, a study on animal intoxication and nonabusive drug use, Dr. Christiaan Barnard's views on life extension, mind cures, and Iwasaki's work as a master of space art. A particularly intriguing topic is the possibility of communicating with aliens through mathematics.

Articles and Features

UFO Update: Robert Stephens's SETI Project

The magazine includes a feature on Robert Stephens, a thirty-one-year-old electronics technician from Edmonton, Canada, who has dedicated himself to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Stephens has divested himself of most worldly possessions to fund his passion, even quitting a job with Canadian National Telecommunications and liquidating his electronics business. He is currently living on borrowed money and occasional freelance work, struggling to pay bills and maintain memberships in organizations like Carl Sagan's Planetary Society.

Stephens's most significant assets are two magnificent 60-foot radio telescopes, which he acquired for a mere $1 each in 1981. These antennas were originally part of Canada's Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line radar network. In 1963, the relay facility at Hay River was declared obsolete, leading to Stephens's acquisition.

In the summer of 1983, Stephens transported some of his equipment to Hay River for trial observations. He sought support from the town council, proposing that Hay River could host Canada's sole SETI program, which would boost tourism and put the town on the map. The council was receptive, and when the property came up for auction, the town submitted a $1 bid, intending for Stephens's $4,000 bid to be the winner. However, two local contractors intervened with a $16,500 offer, securing the title and forcing Stephens into a five-year lease agreement.

Despite this setback, Stephens has received some assistance. An Edmonton firm donated a photocopier, and a Calgary law firm deferred its fees to incorporate Stephens's nonprofit research corporation, the Interstellar Electromagnetics Institute. Nevertheless, Stephens has funded the majority of the project himself, making considerable sacrifices in his lifestyle and friendships. He has managed to accumulate $1 million worth of surplus electronics but admits he is "hanging at the end of my credit rope."

Stephens believes his work complements SETI programs at NASA and Harvard. He highlights that his telescopes' focus on a narrow swath of the circumpolar sky allows for more intense coverage of northern stars. Unlike NASA's program, which must contend with limited telescope time due to other organizational needs, Stephens's equipment can generate and test SETI data continuously.

He describes his endeavor as "still a one-man show" but anticipates change as he gains respect from mainstream researchers who share his "urgent concern for SETI on an insignificant yet life-supporting planet whose chances for survival were never more unsure."

Other Featured Topics

Beyond the UFO update, the magazine touches upon several other forward-looking subjects:

• Predicting the Future of Professional Sports: This article likely explores how technological and societal changes might shape athletic competitions.
• Animal Intoxication: A study examining the natural and nonabusive use of drugs in animals.
• Dr. Christiaan Barnard on Life Extension: Insights from the renowned surgeon on extending human lifespan.
• Mind Cures: An exploration of methods for treating mental health conditions.
• Iwasaki: Master of Space Art: A feature on the artist Iwasaki and his contributions to space-themed art.
• Communicating with Aliens Through Math: This article delves into the potential for using mathematical principles as a universal language to communicate with extraterrestrial intelligence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

OMNI magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, technology, and the future. This issue reflects that by covering cutting-edge research, speculative science, and artistic interpretations of space and technology. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond the current understanding, from the practical applications of mathematics in interstellar communication to the potential for life extension and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The inclusion of Robert Stephens's personal quest highlights a theme of individual dedication to scientific exploration against significant odds.