Arizona Skeptic - Vol 6 No 4 - 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: The Arizona Skeptic
Issue: Volume 6, Issue 4
Date: January/February 1993

This issue of The Arizona Skeptic, a journal promoting critical thinking, features a diverse range of articles, including predictions for the upcoming year, reports on scientific skepticism events, and analyses of alleged paranormal phenomena.

Predictions for 1993

The lead article presents 54 predictions made by the Phoenix Skeptics at their meeting on November 7, 1992. The group claims a historical hit rate of over 50% for their annual predictions, with the 1992 rate standing at 59.4% as of December 5, 1992. The predictions cover a wide array of topics, from political events and cultural trends to economic forecasts and natural disasters. Some notable predictions include the Pope's continued meddling in U.S. politics, Sinead O'Connor not being invited to perform at the White House, the arrival of killer bees in Arizona, a significant increase in inflation, a major earthquake in Southern California, and the Phoenix Suns becoming NBA Champions. Other predictions touch on Hollywood's influence, the fate of political figures like Dan Quayle and Ross Perot, and even the return of Jesus.

Jeane Dixon Predicts Bush Victory

A brief report notes that renowned psychic Jeane Dixon predicted in The Star tabloid on October 20, 1992, that George Bush would narrowly win the 1992 presidential election.

Report on the 1992 CSICOP Conference: Part Two

This section, written by Jim Lippard, summarizes the second part of the CSICOP conference held in Dallas. The summary covers panels on scientific fraud, multicultural approaches to science, gender issues in science, and pseudoscience, as well as Richard Dawkins' keynote address on "Viruses of the Mind."

Scientific Fraud

A panel on fraud in science, moderated by Ray Hyman, is discussed. Paul Friedman, who helped establish policies for dealing with research misconduct after the John Darsee affair, defined scientific fraud and noted its increase proportional to the number of people in science. He highlighted that while sloppy work is common, deliberate fraud is less so, though Senator John Dingell brought the issue into public awareness. Friedman expressed concern that the Office of Scientific Integrity might harm scientific practice, while institutions often handle such matters quietly to protect reputations.

Walter Stewart discussed several cases of scientific fraud, including that of Thereza Imanishi-Kari at MIT, who fabricated data in a paper co-authored by Nobel laureate David Baltimore. Margot O'Toole, TIK's assistant, brought the fraud to light but faced resistance. Stewart also detailed the case of Heidi Weissman, whose work was plagiarized by her superior, Leonard Freeman, leading to Weissman losing her job while Freeman was promoted. Stewart emphasized that while legal cases may arise, scientists should not shy away from criticizing clear wrongdoing.

Crashed Saucer Claims

This session, moderated by UFO skeptic Philip Klass, examined three famous alleged crashed saucer cases: Roswell, New Mexico; Bentwaters/Woodbridge, England; and Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. James McGaha presented a skeptical analysis of the Bentwaters/Woodbridge incident, attributing the sightings to a reentering rocket booster, a fireball, and police lights, and noting that media portrayals often omit skeptical explanations.

Robert Young discussed the Kecksburg, Pennsylvania UFO crash, explaining that eyewitness reports could be accounted for by a brilliant bolide seen in the sky. He criticized media presentations, like Fox's "Sightings" and "Unsolved Mysteries," for sensationalizing these events and omitting debunking evidence.

Donald R. Schmitt, however, argued that something peculiar did occur in Roswell, presenting wire transmissions and an "official press release" as evidence of a cover-up. He cited witness accounts of military threats and deathbed statements suggesting it was not a weather balloon. Phil Klass, while agreeing there was a "major saucer crash coverup," focused on documents that indicated a lack of physical evidence for crashed saucers, suggesting that proponents selectively quote sources.

CSICOP Video

The new CSICOP video, "Beyond Belief," was premiered, addressing astrology, firewalking, and the Gulf Breeze UFO. The video will be made available to local groups.

Awards Banquet

Three skeptics were honored: Richard Dawkins received the "In Praise of Reason" award for his contribution to critical inquiry. Henry Gordon received the "Distinguished Skeptic" award for his work establishing a skeptics column. Andrew Skolnick received the "Responsibility in Journalism" award for his article criticizing the Maharishi Ayur-Veda organization.

Book Reviews

Impure Science: Fraud, Compromise and Political Influence in Scientific Research by Robert Bell

Reviewed by Jim Lippard, this book is praised for its detailed examination of a few cases of scientific fraud, rather than a broad survey. It focuses on how the "political machinery" influences scientific research and funding. The review highlights cases involving the National Science Foundation's peer review process, the Superconducting Supercollider project, and instances of data doctoring and suppressed information concerning drugs like Zomax, Dolobid, Oraflex, and Feldene. The book also discusses conflicts of interest and suggests solutions such as separating funding and control, legislation for conflict of interest disclosure, and the Federal False Claims Act for whistleblowers. The reviewer notes that the book is a "fascinating and horrifying account" and recommended for those who believe science is a self-correcting process.

Taking Time for Me: How Caregivers Can Effectively Deal with Stress by Katherine L. Karr

Reviewed by Michael A. Stackpole, this book is part of Prometheus Books' Golden Age Books line and focuses on the challenges faced by caregivers of terminally ill individuals. It offers strategies for dealing with stress, loss of privacy, and isolation. The book uses specific caregiver examples to illustrate techniques and addresses issues like stress control and fighting self-pity. The review emphasizes the book's value as a guide for managing the tasks of caring for loved ones, especially given the projected increase in elderly individuals requiring aid.

Upcoming Meetings

The Phoenix Skeptics will meet at Jerry's Restaurant on Rural/Scottsdale Road. Lunch is at 12:30 on the first Saturday of each month, with exceptions for holidays.

Reader Survey

An appeal is made to readers to answer a survey to help improve The Arizona Skeptic. Questions cover which features were read and enjoyed most, desired future content, and suggestions for improvement. Optional demographic information is also requested.

Articles of Note

This section lists several articles from other publications, including "Biosphere Oxygen Dips, 4 on Medicine" from The Arizona Republic, "Researchers Date Nazca Lines" from Earth, and "The Elusive Agenda: Dissuading as Debunking" by George P. Hansen.

Magazine/Journal Subscription Information

Information is provided for subscribing to various skeptical and paranormal/fringe science publications, including Skeptical Inquirer, BASIS, Skeptic, Journal of Scientific Exploration, Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, Journal of Parapsychology, and Fortean Times.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Arizona Skeptic, as the official publication of the Phoenix Skeptics and the Tucson Skeptical Society (TUSKS), clearly advocates for scientific skepticism. Its stated goals are to subject paranormal and fringe science claims to scientific scrutiny, act as a clearinghouse for factual information, and promote critical thinking and the scientific method. The content of this issue, from the predictions of the Phoenix Skeptics to the detailed debunking of UFO incidents and the review of a book on scientific fraud, consistently reinforces this editorial stance. The magazine actively promotes skepticism and critical analysis of claims that lack empirical evidence or logical coherence.