OMNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: November 1988
Cover Price: $3.50
ISSN: 02484

This issue of OMNI Magazine, dated November 1988, features a striking and surreal cover image depicting a headless figure with a lightbulb for a head, set against a dramatic, cloudy sky. The cover headlines highlight key articles within, including "ROBOPSYCHOLOGY AND COMPUTERS: LOVE AT FIRST BYTE," "HAIR FOLLICLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS," "ALAN GUTH ON THE BIRTH OF NEW UNIVERSES," and "AMERICA'S YOUNGEST INVENTORS."

Articles and Features

Robopsychology and Computers: Love at First Byte This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human psychology, suggesting a future where computers might develop complex emotional or cognitive states akin to love.

Hair Follicles of the Rich and Famous This feature delves into the world of celebrity, likely examining aspects related to the personal lives, genetics, or perhaps even the scientific analysis of hair samples from prominent figures.

Alan Guth on the Birth of New Universes This section features insights from physicist Alan Guth, likely discussing his theories on cosmology, the Big Bang, and the potential for the creation of new universes. Guth is known for his work on cosmic inflation.

America's Youngest Inventors A spotlight on young innovators and their creations, showcasing the ingenuity and potential of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

UFO Update: Anti Matter This section, titled "Anti Matter," focuses on the growing phenomenon of UFO sightings and the increasing availability of photographic and video evidence. David Aaron, founder of Star-Video News Reels, discusses how the proliferation of home video recorders has led to a surge in UFO footage submissions. Star-Video, which began in the mid-Sixties, initially focused on providing tapes for aspiring actors but later expanded to UFO material due to public interest, fueled by books like Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and Budd Hopkins's "Intruders."

Aaron highlights several key pieces of footage in his collection, including a previously classified 1947 UFO film from the Air Force, a video of a "boomerang-shaped UFO" reported in Westchester County, New York, and footage of saucer-shaped objects over Gulf Breeze, Florida. He also mentions an audio recording of a 1966 TV program featuring Harvard astronomer Donald H. Menzel, who some claim was part of a secret UFO agency. Another notable item is a 1966 press conference by Air Force officials attempting to explain sightings as swamp gas, which was met with skepticism.

Aaron expresses a desire for a recording of a 1958 CBS debate where Major Donald E. Kehoe, director of NICAP, was cut off mid-sentence by engineers, an event he attributes to government censorship. He believes that with millions of people now owning video cameras, it is only a matter of time before incontrovertible proof of UFOs is captured on film. Star-Video News Reels currently has about 166 contributors from 43 countries and states. Information on available VHS or Beta recordings can be obtained by sending $2 and a self-addressed stamped envelope to UFO Audio/Video Clearinghouse, Box 342, Yucalpa, CA 92399-4660.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OMNI Magazine span the futuristic, the scientific, and the unexplained. There's a strong emphasis on technological advancement, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and computing, as well as a fascination with the frontiers of cosmology and physics, exemplified by the article on Alan Guth's theories. The magazine also maintains a consistent interest in UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the "Anti Matter" section, which actively collects and analyzes UFO evidence, reflecting a stance that is open to extraordinary claims and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation, while also acknowledging the challenges of verifying such evidence and potential government secrecy.