TIME MAGAZINE

Magazine Overview

Title: TIME MAGAZINE
Issue Date: October 9, 1989
Volume: 134
Price: $1.75

This issue of TIME Magazine features a collection of reader letters discussing various theories on the origin of crop circles. The primary focus is on debunking or supporting different hypotheses, ranging from extraterrestrial involvement to natural phenomena and man-made influences.

Theories on Crop Rings

The section "Theories on Crop Rings" presents a series of letters from readers offering their perspectives on the mysterious circular formations found in crops.

Richard Tarr from Bristol, England, argues against Dr. Terence Meaden's theory that crop rings are not related to extraterrestrial activity. Tarr, a member of a UFO-investigation organization, firmly believes that an "outside intelligence not related to our planet" is the sole cause. He dismisses Meaden's idea of atmospheric disturbances as having "little substance," emphasizing the geometric precision of the formations and deeming the likelihood of random vortices creating such patterns "small."

Robert Grant Wealleans from Encino, California, offers a more down-to-earth explanation. He states there is no need to invoke "spinning balls of air" or extraterrestrials. Wealleans suggests that poor or excessive drainage of water from the soil, potentially caused by man-made structures like foundations or monuments lying underground, impedes root growth or drainage. This results in the plants collapsing and assuming the shape of whatever is beneath the surface. He proposes a simple experiment: placing a round plate underground to observe the effect.

Kenneth Lloyd Larson from Los Angeles references similar formations photographed over 20 years prior in Australia. These were described in Raymond Palmer's "U.S. Flying Saucers" magazine in April 1968 and were called "Tully nests." The circular and swirled depressions, some measuring up to 30 feet in diameter, were attributed to "terrific rotary forces" and linked to meteorological whirlwinds, small tornadoes, or UFOs.

Shirley A. Riemenschneider from Rootstown, Ohio, draws a parallel between crop rings and "fairy rings" commonly found on lawns in Europe and the U.S. She explains that fairy rings are caused by a fungus that grows outward in a precise circular pattern, often making the outer edge of the grass greener. Riemenschneider suggests that the investigation into crop rings should focus on the plants or soil, rather than the atmosphere or UFOs. She recalls seeing fairy rings approximately 6 to 8 feet in diameter in Portage County, Ohio, during the 1980s.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout these letters is the debate over the cause of crop circles, with a clear division between those who believe in extraterrestrial or unknown intelligence and those who propose natural or man-made explanations. The magazine, by publishing these diverse viewpoints, allows readers to consider multiple hypotheses without explicitly endorsing any single one. The editorial stance appears to be one of facilitating discussion and presenting various perspectives on a mysterious phenomenon.