1991 02 00 OMNI - Ken Ring

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue: February 1991
Volume: 24
Publisher: OMNI PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD
Country: USA
Language: English
Price: $3.50
Cover Headline: BIOCHEMICAL WAR: THE NEW SHAPE OF DEATH

Communications: Readers' Writes

The "Communications" section features letters from readers responding to previous articles. Larry Pont of Ogden Dunes, IN, congratulates the magazine for its credible presentation of the UFO issue without condescension, referencing Allen Hynek and the historical persecution of those who suggested extraterrestrial life. Eric Bickernicks of Norwood, MA, questions the logic of advanced alien spacecraft crashing due to pilot error, suggesting a potential 'memo' for extraterrestrials about Earth's 'tricky' nature. Frank G. Pollard of Farmington Hills, MI, proposes that government cover-ups of UFO reports might stem from military secrets regarding secret aircraft testing rather than UFOs themselves. Jeffrey A. Rhind of Scituate, MA, writes about Northern California's coastal redwoods, clarifying that while technically Sequoia sempervirens, they are commonly called redwoods and distinguishing them from the broader 'sequoia' classification to avoid identity confusion. Scott Tokar of Tustin, CA, criticizes the idea of relying on clones for repopulating redwood forests, deeming it a 'suicide' risk due to potential vulnerability to a single virus. Sylvia McDonald Bowman of Henderson, NV, corrects a factual error regarding Ramses II's wife, stating that Nefertiti was the wife of Amenophis IV, not Ramses II, whose first wife was Nefertari.

Antimatter: UFO Update

This section, titled "The near-death experience and alien abduction may both be tied to childhood abuse," presents research by psychologist Ken Ring of the University of Connecticut. Ring's study of 170 individuals who reported UFO experiences or near-death experiences (NDEs) suggests a correlation between these altered-state experiences in adulthood and childhood trauma, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. The study indicates that individuals who experienced such abuse were more likely to report psychic episodes in childhood and to 'tune out' their difficult reality, potentially becoming more attuned to 'other realities.' Ring proposes this sensitivity as a 'compensatory gift' for childhood wounds. However, some child abuse experts, like Byron Egeland, a professor at the University of Minnesota, express skepticism, suggesting that these experiences might be a manifestation of confusion between reality and fantasy or a coping mechanism for pain, rather than a heightened perception. Ring objects to this 'pathologizing' of his subjects, stating that participants reporting UFOs or NDEs are not inherently more prone to fantasy than the general population.

Cover Story Teasers

The cover highlights several key articles: "BIOCHEMICAL WAR: THE NEW SHAPE OF DEATH," "ARTHUR MILLER: EYE OF THE BEHOLDER," and "SQUEEZING ENERGY FROM A VACUUM." It also mentions "PLUS: FICTION BY J. G. BALLARD, MAPPING BRAIN TRAFFIC, CHIMPANZEE DOCTORS, COMPUTER SEX, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of OMNI continues its tradition of exploring cutting-edge scientific theories, speculative futures, and the intersection of science with paranormal phenomena. The magazine demonstrates a willingness to tackle controversial topics, such as the psychological underpinnings of UFO experiences and the potential implications of advanced technologies and warfare. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting research and theories for reader consideration while also facilitating a dialogue through the "Communications" section. The inclusion of diverse topics, from hard science to fiction and psychological studies, reflects OMNI's broad scope in exploring the frontiers of human knowledge and imagination.