OMNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: May 1990
Publisher: OMNI
Country: USA
Price: $3.50
Cover Headline: ROBO-BUGS AND THE WORLD'S SMALLEST MACHINES

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated May 1990, presents a diverse range of articles, from the cutting edge of robotics and the potential for future epidemics to intriguing UFO investigations and a celestial event. The cover prominently features an illustration of a mechanical insect, hinting at the theme of advanced, small-scale technology.

Articles and Features

Close Encounter with a New Comet

The issue highlights a celestial event, a 'Close Encounter with a New Comet,' suggesting a feature on astronomical discoveries or observations.

Robo-Bugs and the World's Smallest Machines

This appears to be a lead article, focusing on advancements in robotics, specifically concerning miniaturized machines or 'robo-bugs.' It explores the capabilities and implications of the world's smallest machines.

The Killing Fields: Setting the Stage for Future Epidemics

This article delves into a serious topic, examining the factors and conditions that could lead to future epidemics. It likely discusses scientific research, environmental factors, or public health concerns.

UFO Update: Jacques Vallee's New Theories

This section features an interview with Jacques Vallee, a prominent UFO researcher. Vallee, who had stepped away from public UFO conferences, is back with new insights. His recent book, 'Dimensions,' traced UFOs throughout history, and his new book, 'Confrontations,' focuses on rigorous, hands-on investigation. Vallee critiques existing UFO literature for relying on hearsay, emphasizing his method of interviewing original witnesses and visiting sites. He presents evidence from his investigations, including the analysis of a silvery metal fragment from a supposed UFO in Costa Rica and detailed parameter calculations of UFO sightings in France. Significantly, Vallee has moved away from the extraterrestrial hypothesis. He now suggests that UFOs might be 'interdimensional vehicles' that manipulate dimensions, as he believes extraterrestrial resemblance to humans is remote. This perspective is supported by theoretical physics' exploration beyond the fourth dimension. However, other figures in the UFO community, like Jerome Clark of the Center for UFO Studies, commend Vallee's scientific approach but find his interdimensional hypothesis 'worthless' and question his selectivity of evidence. UFO skeptic Robert Sheaffer also criticizes Vallee for accepting witness stories at face value and lacking expertise in witness reliability, suggesting Vallee interprets contradictions as profound rather than as errors.

Contactee: A Newsletter for UFO Enthusiasts

This piece introduces 'Contactee,' a new quarterly newsletter edited by UFO photographer Ellen Crystall. It is designed for individuals who have had close encounters with UFOs, with subscribers sharing their first-person investigations. The newsletter includes a 'Hot Spots' column listing areas of high UFO activity and covers UFO photography and global UFO research. Crystall, who claims to have seen many UFOs, aims to foster active field research among her organization's members, encouraging them to 'go see the ships.' While some, like physics professor Harley Rutledge, are on the Contactee board, others, such as Mark Rodeghier, scientific director of the Center for UFO Studies, express skepticism about Crystall's qualifications and the reliability of her data and photos, with one photo being compared to 'firecrackers going off.' Crystall remains determined to share her experiences and encourage others to do the same.

Snake Pit: An Unusual Incident

This short piece reports on an unusual incident from the Soviet newspaper Pravda. An eleven-year-old girl in Azerbaijan reportedly fell asleep in a tomato field and woke up choking, later vomiting up a 25.6-inch Caucasian cat snake. Experts from the Atlanta Zoo and Emory University Hospital discuss the improbability but physical possibility of such an event, with the gastroenterologist questioning the girl's consciousness during the incident due to the gag reflex.

Plus Section

• The 'Plus' section on the cover promises a variety of shorter features:
• A Litany of Novel—Sometimes Nasty—Ways to Remove Facial Hair
• A Heavy-Duty Sports Quiz
• A Guide to the Ideal Home Office

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The May 1990 issue of OMNI magazine showcases a blend of science, technology, and the unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one that encourages rigorous scientific inquiry, as exemplified by the detailed approach of Jacques Vallee, while also acknowledging the more speculative and personal accounts, such as those featured in the 'Contactee' newsletter. There's a clear interest in pushing the boundaries of understanding, whether it's through exploring the potential of miniaturized robotics, investigating the mysteries of UFOs with new theoretical frameworks, or considering the future of global health. The inclusion of diverse topics, from serious scientific and societal issues to lighter fare like quizzes and lifestyle guides, reflects OMNI's broad appeal as a science and future-oriented publication.