1987 12 00 OMNI - Paul McCarthy

Magazine Overview

This is the December 1987 issue of OMNI magazine, a publication focused on science, science fiction, and the future. The cover prominently features the headline "MISSING TIME: A NEW LOOK AT ALIEN ABDUCTIONS," suggesting a deep dive into the phenomenon of alien encounters. Other featured articles include "TOYS OF TOMORROW," "NASA IN THE 21ST CENTURY," and "THE HARVARD/LEIDEN COLLECTION OF MEDICAL ODDITIES." The magazine's aesthetic combines futuristic imagery with a sense of mystery, featuring a stylized robotic face with a glowing eye against a starry background with clock motifs.

UFO Update: Tectonic Strain Theory

The "UFO UPDATE" section delves into a controversial theory proposed by neuroscientist Michael Persinger of Laurentian University in Canada. Persinger's central thesis, known as the tectonic strain theory, suggests that UFO sightings are not necessarily extraterrestrial spacecraft but rather phenomena linked to geological activity. He posits that the shifting and grinding of the Earth's crust build up stresses and strains, which can release energy in the form of luminous lights. Crucially, Persinger claims that UFO reports often precede earthquake activity by as much as six months. His analysis of Swedish data from 1963-1967, conducted with investigator Dan Mattsson, reportedly found a specific time-lag relationship between earthquake clusters and UFO reports.

Persinger's theory extends to more structured UFO sightings, suggesting these could be perceptual distortions induced by the interaction of earthquake energy with the human brain. This perspective has ruffled feathers within the UFOlogical community.

Criticisms and Rebuttals

Chris Rutkowski, a researcher at the University of Manitoba, expresses skepticism about Persinger's theory, calling it a "quantum leap" to translate underground strain into energy that can travel and manifest as UFOs. Rutkowski also criticizes Persinger's methodology, particularly his use of UFO databases that he claims consist of 95 percent misidentifications. He describes Persinger's analyses as falling victim to the "garbage-in, garbage-out computer syndrome."

Bruce Maccabee, a UFOlogist and physicist for the US Navy, echoes similar concerns, suggesting that finding correlations is easier when examining large geographical areas and extended time periods. He implies that such findings might be spurious.

Persinger, however, remains unfazed by these criticisms. He argues that the consistency of correlations found across multiple locations makes the findings less likely to be spurious. He also defends his use of databases, stating that "patterns, not absolute numbers, that you look at" are what matter, and that the "random noise" can be subtracted. Despite the criticisms, Persinger has largely stopped speaking at UFO conferences due to what he perceives as a lack of data-driven counterarguments from his critics.

Expert Opinion and Future Directions

The article suggests that geophysicists, with their specialized knowledge and lack of vested interest in the UFO debate, might be the ultimate arbiters of Persinger's theory. James Byerlee of the US Geological Survey recommends that Persinger submit his research to a peer-reviewed journal like Geophysical Research Letters for professional scrutiny.

Other Articles and Themes

Beyond the UFO discussion, the issue promises explorations into future technologies with "TOYS OF TOMORROW" and a look at "NASA IN THE 21ST CENTURY." Additionally, "THE HARVARD/LEIDEN COLLECTION OF MEDICAL ODDITIES" suggests a feature on unusual or historically significant medical artifacts and cases. These articles indicate a broad scope within the magazine, covering technological advancement, scientific speculation, and intriguing historical or unusual subjects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

OMNI magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, technology, and the speculative. This issue appears to lean into controversial or fringe scientific theories, particularly concerning UFO phenomena, by giving a platform to Persinger's unconventional tectonic strain theory. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting potentially groundbreaking or challenging ideas alongside more conventional scientific and technological topics. The magazine encourages readers to consider alternative explanations for phenomena often relegated to the realm of pseudoscience, while also grounding its content in scientific methodology and expert opinion, even when presenting dissenting views.