Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of "BASIS", the newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, published in December 1987, focuses on a range of topics related to pseudoscience, skepticism, and critical thinking. The editor, Kent Harker, presents several articles that challenge commonly held beliefs and examine phenomena often presented as paranormal or unscientific.

Homo Ignoramus

Authored by Lynn Hammond, this article addresses the alarming lack of scientific literacy in the general population. Hammond argues that while society values knowledge of humanities like Shakespeare, there's a significant deficit in understanding basic science, even among college graduates. A survey by Jon D. Miller of Northwestern University's Public Opinion Laboratory is cited, revealing that only one-third of Americans understand what a molecule is, and even fewer understand radiation. The article highlights how this lack of scientific understanding contributes to public hysteria over issues like nuclear energy and makes people susceptible to advertising claims that use "scientific" jargon without real meaning. The correlation between higher education and science knowledge is noted, but the gap is described as "dismally wide." The piece also touches on the public's acceptance of astrology and doubt in the theory of evolution, suggesting that without formal science education, people are more likely to fall prey to marketplace misinformation that blurs the lines between science fiction and fact.

Presidential Healer

This section, compiled from information sent to "BASIS," critically examines the faith-healing claims of ex-Reverend Pat Robertson. The article notes that while "BASIS" is reluctant to engage in political matters, Robertson's claims fall under their purview as paranormal phenomena. It references an analysis by Martin Gardner in "The New York Review of Books," which describes Robertson's healing technique as a "shotgun technique" relying on "Word of Knowledge" to identify afflictions. The article recounts instances where Robertson allegedly claimed to heal people before their ailments occurred or diverted hurricanes, raising questions about the authenticity of these claims. It also mentions a story where Robertson prayed for a dead child to rise, but the child remained deceased. The piece includes examples of Robertson's alleged financial healings and medical cures, often quoting him directly. The section concludes with a prediction by James Randi that Robertson will withdraw from political races due to scrutiny.

Handwriting Analysis

Written by David Schreiber, this article scrutinizes graphology, the practice of discerning personality traits from handwriting. Schreiber questions the validity of graphology as a science, noting that it has been around since 1622 but has never been scientifically proven. He highlights the work of Luigi Zardo, a teacher who uses graphology to judge students, and criticizes the subjective nature of such interpretations. The article points out that graphology has not produced reliable results in scientific tests and is often presented as fact in less rigorous sources. It mentions early critical studies by Ludwig Klages and later research by Alfred Binet, which showed mixed or inconclusive results. Schreiber concludes that graphology, while appealing as a quick method for understanding character, lacks the experimental foundation to be more than an "excuse for discrimination." He invokes Francis Bacon's concept of "Idols of the Theatre" to describe how people cling to beliefs despite contrary evidence.

Mantra Muddling

Authored by Michael Sorens, this piece critiques the practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and its use of mantras. Sorens cites information from "Omni" magazine, suggesting that TM mantras, presented as personalized syllables, are not unique. He notes that a person receives the same mantra from different TM teachers, which is presented as evidence of the "transcendent nature of your personality." However, the article reveals that disaffected TM trainers claim there are only 16 mantras, assigned by age rather than individual energy, contradicting the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who claimed thousands of personalized mantras exist. The article humorously points out the potential for "ruin" if one receives the "wrong" mantra.

Ramparts

This section features a collection of short, skeptical observations on various claims of the paranormal and irrational. It includes:

• Animal Psychic Powers: Reports on research suggesting animals, insects, and even eggs have psychic abilities, and that plants react to their environment. Psychic Penelope Smith's ability to communicate with animals is presented, with an anecdote about a German shepherd named Max wanting a parakeet.
• Charles Berlitz and Noah's Ark: Berlitz's latest book, "The Lost Ship of Noah," is mentioned, which rambles about expeditions seeking the Ark. The article questions the plausibility of the Ark and the Deluge narrative.
• Uri Geller's Vegetarianism: A blurb from "The Vegetarian Times" quotes Uri Geller attributing his utensil-twisting abilities to giving up meat, which the article satirizes by asking what would happen if he gave up caviar.
• Psychic Weapons and Perceptrons: An advertisement for a "perceptron" from "Health" magazine is discussed, warning of "Russian psychic weapons" and NASA's alleged development of a "doodad" to train fighter pilots in psychic abilities. The article notes that this technology is now available to the public.
• Jose Arguelles and Harmonic Convergence: The article reports that Jose Arguelles claims the "energy from the Harmonic Convergence" is responsible for the stock market dive and Los Angeles earthquakes, criticizing the vagueness of such predictions.

Editor's Corner

Editor Kent Harker shares his experience giving a presentation on the paranormal to a fraternal order. He explains his intention to demonstrate that parapsychologists lack a coherent theory of psi and rely on statistical analysis, arguing that probabilities alone cannot substitute for theory. Harker recounts a coin-flipping experiment where he demonstrated how people's perceptions of fairness change when presented with a series of seemingly improbable outcomes (five or eight consecutive heads), illustrating how biases can be introduced and how people's willingness to bet on outcomes changes based on perceived patterns.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "BASIS" are the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, the importance of scientific literacy, and the promotion of skeptical inquiry. The editorial stance is clearly one of skepticism towards paranormal phenomena, faith healing, graphology, and unsubstantiated claims about psychic abilities. The newsletter aims to educate its readers about the lack of evidence for many popular beliefs and to encourage a more rational and evidence-based approach to understanding the world. The articles consistently challenge extraordinary claims by highlighting methodological flaws, lack of empirical support, and logical inconsistencies.

Title: Bay Area Skeptic Informatoin Sheet
Issue: 12
Volume: 1987
Date: December 1987

This issue of the Bay Area Skeptic Informatoin Sheet delves into the nature of skepticism, probability, and the scientific method, contrasting them with the claims of parapsychology. It features a detailed account of a coin toss experiment, a report on a visit from a South African skeptic, and an announcement for a performance by a magician known for debunking psychic phenomena.

The Coin Toss Demonstration: Chance vs. Manipulation

The issue opens with a narrative describing a demonstration where the author repeatedly flips a coin, achieving an improbable string of 18 consecutive heads. Initially, the audience is skeptical and questions the fairness of the coin or the process. The author uses this scenario to explore how people perceive probability and evidence. As the stakes are raised from $100 to $5,000 and then to $100,000 of imaginary life savings, the audience's willingness to bet fluctuates, with many attributing the results to "chance" despite the extreme unlikelihood.

A key moment occurs when a participant suggests that the coin might be manipulated or weighted. This leads to a discussion about the difficulty of proving or disproving such claims through empirical testing alone. The author highlights the complexities of experimental design, including the need for predetermined trial numbers, the influence of the experimenter, and the challenge of eliminating extraneous factors. The audience grapples with the question of when to conclude that a result is not due to chance, with many agreeing that a simple coin toss experiment cannot statistically determine if a coin is weighted.

The demonstration then shifts to considering "psi" phenomena, such as psychokinesis. The author argues that without a theory of how psi works, it is impossible to devise a test that can be empirically validated or falsified. This leads to the conclusion that parapsychology, lacking falsifiability, is not a science but a pseudoscience. The author notes that over a century of research has failed to produce replicable experiments or a plausible theory in parapsychology.

South African Skeptic Visits Bay Area

This section reports on the visit of Dr. David Liknaitzky, M.D., a founding member of the Association for the Rational Investigation of the Paranormal (ARIP) from South Africa. Dr. Liknaitzky, a pathologist from Johannesburg, met with Bay Area Skeptics (BAS) to discuss strategies for increasing interest in skepticism. He noted that while South Africa faces significant social problems, claims of psychics and health frauds are also prevalent. ARIP, composed mainly of individuals from scientific backgrounds, aims to address paranormal claims. The article mentions that the group is predominantly Caucasian and includes wives of members, with hopes to broaden its inclusivity.

Larry Loebig, Chair of BAS, was unable to attend a meeting with Dr. Liknaitzky, but the author represented BAS and shared their tactics for raising public awareness about psychic claims. Dr. Liknaitzky expressed support for BAS and permission to use articles from "BASIS," the BAS newsletter, for their own planned publication. The conversation between the author and Dr. Liknaitzky also touched upon broader social issues.

Robert Steiner: Debunking Psychic Phenomena

The issue announces an upcoming event featuring Robert Steiner, described as an "inimitable" lecturer and performer, and President-elect of the Society of American Magicians (SAM). Steiner is known for his work in the tradition of Houdini, focusing on exposing sleight-of-hand techniques used to simulate psychic abilities. His performances have earned praise, particularly from law enforcement officials. The announcement invites the public to attend a BAS event on Tuesday, December 15th, promising a dazzling and amazing performance that might make attendees question their beliefs about the paranormal, especially when compared to figures like Uri Geller.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism, critical thinking, and the importance of the scientific method. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of empirical evidence, falsifiability, and rigorous experimental design, as demonstrated by the critique of parapsychology. The publication aims to educate its readers about the fallacies in paranormal claims and to promote a rational approach to understanding phenomena. The issue emphasizes the distinction between genuine scientific inquiry and pseudoscience, advocating for a discerning approach to extraordinary claims.