1991 04 00 OMNI - Long Island

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: April 1991
Volume: 13
Issue Number: 04
Price: $3.50

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated April 1991, features a striking cover illustration of a robotic-faced primate behind a chain-link fence, accompanied by a headline questioning "ENDANGERED SPECIES: A LAST LOOK?". Prominently displayed are articles on "THE CONSTANT OFFICE: HOW TO SURVIVE THE INFORMATION AGE", an "INTERVIEW: SMART MACHINES, DUMB PEOPLE", and a teaser for "PLUS: THREE STORIES OF ALIEN INVASIONS". The magazine delves into a variety of speculative and technological topics, characteristic of its focus on science, futurism, and the unexplained.

UFO Update: Queens, New York

The article "ANTIMATTER: UFO UPDATE" investigates whether the urban borough of Queens, New York, is a hotbed of UFO activity. According to Bill Knell, spokesperson for the Long Island-based organization Island Sky-watch, the answer is yes. Knell claims that Queens has had several UFO sightings over the past couple of years, with one incident leaving "concrete evidence behind."

This specific sighting occurred about two years prior to the article's publication, in March, on a clear night. Passengers on a Q65 bus reported seeing red and white pulsating lights over Kissena Park Lake. Initially thought to be a helicopter or airplane, closer inspection revealed otherwise. Bill Knell was called to the scene and, after three weeks of soil sampling and interviewing park rangers, concluded that aliens had visited the park.

Knell's evidence included two barren, gravel-covered areas on a lawn near the lake, described as "landing circles." He also noted a dying willow tree that was burned on the side facing these circles. Furthermore, Knell claimed that iron lampposts facing the circles were "all heavily, even abnormally, magnetized" when tested with a compass.

Knell alerted the media, leading to news stories that prompted the New York City Parks Department to engage resident astronomer Greg Matloff to investigate. Matloff confirmed the willow tree was dying but found no evidence of burn marks. He also tested the lampposts and concluded that all lampposts in Kissena Park had the same degree of magnetic charge, attributing it to their cast iron composition and the electrical charge running through them, turning them into electromagnets. Matloff did acknowledge that the gravel within the circles was unusual for the park but suggested it might have come from New Jersey.

Matloff also commented on the bare patches, stating that "bare patches larger than the ones considered here are the rule, not the exception, in New York City parks." Despite Matloff's more skeptical findings, Bill Knell maintains that the issue is not closed, citing two failed attempts to seed the circles with grass. The parks department, in response to public interest, sponsored a UFO program at Kissena Park that attracted a large and diverse audience, including people described as "UFO followers" and families.

Ranger Mary Anne Edler expressed surprise at the turnout and the variety of attendees. Even a week after the event, rangers were still being asked for directions to the alleged UFO landing site.

Other Featured Content

Beyond the UFO update, the magazine explores other forward-thinking and speculative topics:

• The Constant Office: How to Survive the Information Age: This section likely offers advice or insights into navigating the complexities of the modern workplace and the increasing reliance on information technology.
• Interview: Smart Machines, Dumb People: This interview delves into the relationship between artificial intelligence, automation, and human intelligence, likely questioning the societal impact and implications of advanced technology.
• Endangered Species: A Last Look?: This cover story suggests an exploration of environmental concerns, possibly focusing on species facing extinction and the factors contributing to their decline.
• Three Stories of Alien Invasions: This feature promises fictional or speculative accounts related to extraterrestrial encounters and potential conflicts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

OMNI magazine consistently explores themes of science fiction, technological advancement, the unexplained (such as UFOs), and the future of humanity. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity and open-mindedness towards unconventional ideas and phenomena, while also incorporating scientific and rational perspectives, as demonstrated by the inclusion of Greg Matloff's analysis in the UFO update. The magazine aims to engage readers with thought-provoking content that bridges the gap between current reality and future possibilities, often touching on societal and environmental issues through a speculative lens.