Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 09

Magazine Overview

Title: BASIS
Issue: Vol. 7, No. 9
Date: September 1988
Publisher: Bay Area Skeptics
Editor: Kent Harker

This issue of the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, BASIS, delves into various topics related to pseudoscience, health claims, and critical thinking. It features articles scrutinizing the marketing of 'health foods,' advocating for a science-based curriculum against creationism, debunking homeopathy, and examining the practices of dowsing and channeling.

Healthful `Health Foods'?

The lead article, "HEALTHFUL `HEALTH FOODS'?", originally from Tufts University's 'Diet Nutrition Newsletter,' questions the validity of claims made by health food stores. The authors visited three popular health food stores in the Boston area and compared their products to those in regular supermarkets. They found that many products boasting 'all natural,' 'no refined sugar,' or 'no preservatives' were not significantly different from their supermarket counterparts. For example, a 'natural catsup' with 'no preservatives or MSG' was compared to Heinz ketchup, which also contained neither. The primary difference was the sweetener (honey vs. corn syrup) and a vastly inflated price. Similarly, cereals labeled 'no refined sugar' often contained honey as a primary sweetener. Natural yogurt was found to be higher in fat than some supermarket yogurts. Even baby foods were marketed with questionable claims of 'nutritious difference' while being made from basic ingredients like carrots and water, and costing significantly more than comparable brands. The article concludes that the sign over a health food store door is no guarantee of true healthfulness, urging consumers to always check labels and prices.

Creationism and the Curriculum

Written by David Spieker, this article argues for the resolute teaching of true science in public schools and opposes the inclusion of creationism in the curriculum. Spieker emphasizes that science education must be vigorous and genuine, preparing children for a technology-dominated world. He asserts that representing beliefs like creationism as coequal to science would weaken this grounding. Students should learn not only the content of scientific theories but also the process of questioning and experimentation. Spieker warns against teaching that science has no controversies, but also stresses the importance of not using 'open-mindedness' as an excuse to blur the lines between scientific theory and religious doctrine. He believes that early exposure to science inoculates individuals against pseudoscience, citing his own experience of avoiding beliefs in ancient astronauts and creationism due to his scientific upbringing. He criticizes creationists for starting with a fixed explanation and distorting evidence to fit their dogma, using the 'canopy theory' for Noah's Flood as an example. Spieker concludes that a strong science curriculum is essential to prevent confusion between science and pseudoscience.

Extra Sensory Deception, by Henry Gordon

Reviewed by John Lattanzio, this section discusses Henry Gordon's book, which comprises 118 short articles covering topics like the paranormal, prophecy, spirits, superstition, and science. Lattanzio notes that Gordon, a professional magician and Fellow of CSICOP, writes in a conversational yet informative style. The book touches on various skeptical topics, including investigations into faith healers and the debunking of phenomena like psychic readings and alleged healing abilities. Lattanzio's main criticism is the lack of an index, which he finds inexcusable for a book covering so many subjects. He also briefly mentions Gordon's argument against the Nazca lines being spacecraft landing strips, based on the idea that advanced vehicles would land vertically.

Ramparts

This regular feature invites reader participation in identifying and submitting examples of irrationality. This section highlights Arch Crawford, a stock soothsayer who claims a correlation between planetary movements and the Dow Jones industrials. The article questions the validity of such predictions, noting that while Crawford may have called market peaks, his track record regarding major downturns like 'Black Monday' is not detailed. The section also includes a brief, critical explanation of homeopathy, describing the process of dilution and its principle of 'less is better,' which the author finds nonsensical. It mentions actress Lindsay Wagner as a supporter of homeopathy and quotes Dr. William Jarvis calling it 'quackery.' The response from a homeopathic physician, Dr. Ron Davey, is noted as "At least I'm not harming anyone," which the author interprets as a lack of confidence in more aggressive medical treatments.

Dowsing and New Age Influence

The 'Ramparts' section also touches upon dowsing, noting its association with 'New Age' influences, including the use of crystals and 'harmonically-tuned' metals. It mentions the idea of 'alpha states' and 'altered consciousness' among dowsers, contrasting it with older notions of water veins emitting energy. The article notes the commercial aspect of dowsing, particularly in the healthcare area, with individuals like J. Blassingame using dowsing pendulums to determine vitamin needs. The piece sarcastically suggests that dowsers could locate water sources, implying a lack of practical application beyond such claims.

CSICOP on the Move

This section announces the formation of CSICOP's Legal and Consumer Protection Sub-committee, composed of volunteer attorneys. The significance of this group is highlighted as providing a rational foundation for consumer advocacy. The article emphasizes that legal action, particularly through litigation that threatens financial interests, is seen as a more effective method for change than media campaigns. The sub-committee will study areas such as consumer protection laws, criminal law, government initiatives, defense against false claims, and the use of psychics in legal systems. It also mentions patent law, specifically perpetual motion machines.

Channeling - Believe It or Not

Authored by Hans Sebald, Ph.D., this article recounts the author's skeptical investigation into the medium Jeannine Caloni. Sebald attended an interview where Caloni claimed to channel spirits, including St. Thomas and Ezekiel. He describes the process of channeling as the medium's body being temporarily occupied by a spirit, while her own spirit experiences an out-of-body existence. Caloni's career began after a psychic recognized a 'crown halo' around her head. The article details the process of spirit connection, including the need for 'confirmation' to ensure the correct spirit is responding, and the potential for prankster spirits. The author notes that Caloni claims money earned from psychic readings is given away to the needy. The article describes a channeled prophecy from Ezekiel, which the author found unfalsifiable and possibly based on his observed limping walk. The channeled entity also suggested the author take Vitamin B12 to calm his 'overactive mind.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BASIS are skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning, and the promotion of scientific literacy. The newsletter consistently adopts a critical stance against marketing hype, unsubstantiated beliefs, and the misrepresentation of science. It advocates for rigorous education in scientific principles and methods, warning against the conflation of science with pseudoscience, religious dogma, or unverified personal beliefs. The publication aims to inform its readers about potentially misleading practices in areas like health, alternative medicine, and paranormal phenomena, encouraging them to question and verify information.

Title: BASIS
Issue: September
Volume: 1988
Publisher: Bay Area Skeptics
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of BASIS, the monthly publication of the Bay Area Skeptics, features several articles delving into topics of skepticism, pseudoscience, and critical inquiry.

Article: Mediumship and Skepticism

The issue opens with a personal account of an encounter with a medium named Ezekiel, who claimed to channel a 2,000-year-old nomad. The author expresses skepticism regarding the medium's claims, noting the difficulty in discerning truth from hoax or self-deception, and humorously remarks on the nomad's perfect modern American English. The author, Dr. Sebald, a Professor of Sociology at ASU, originally wrote this piece for the Phoenix Skeptics.

Article: 1988 CSICOP Conference Announcement

An announcement for the 1988 CSICOP conference, scheduled for November 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. Co-sponsored by the University of Chicago's Department of Behavioral Sciences, the conference theme is 'The New Age,' with sessions on channeling, crystal healing, graphology, and UFO abductions. The keynote address, "Musings on the Elusive Nature of Common Sense and Evidence," will be delivered by Dr. Douglas Hofstadter, Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Notable speakers include Paul Kurtz (CSICOP Chairman), James Alcock, Ray Hyman, and Maureen O'Hara. The event will also feature reports from CSICOP's investigations in China and a Saturday night awards banquet hosted by James Randi, showcasing 'Skeptical Magicians from Around the World,' with Bob Steiner representing the USA.

Article: Scott vs. Gish: Creationism Debate

This article, by John Taube, reports on a debate between anthropologist and BAS advisor Dr. Eugenie Scott and Dr. Duane Gish, a creationist debater from the Institute for Creation Research. The debate, held on Jan Black's KCBS radio show, focused on whether creationism should be taught in public schools. Gish is described as a polished debater who often avoids the topic of creationism itself, instead attacking evolution and focusing on perceived gaps in the fossil record and thermodynamics. The article emphasizes that debates often hinge on forensic skill rather than scientific evidence. Scott successfully steered the conversation back to the topic and pressed Gish on definitions and the 6,000-year-old universe. Gish's strongest appeal is framed as democratic, questioning why children should be denied 'evidence for creation.' The author concludes that the debate's outcome is less about the scientific points and more about how one comes across to the public, with Eugenie Scott appearing more genuine and effective.

Article: Pat Robertson Under the Microscope

Gerard Straub, author of "Salvation for Sale: An Insider's View of Pat Robertson," is scheduled to speak on 'Religion and Politics,' focusing on Pat Robertson's presidential campaign. Straub, a former producer of Robertson's '700 Club,' claims his book presents unpublished evidence that Robertson believes he is in direct contact with God and sees himself as appointed to usher in Jesus' Second Coming. Straub's own conversion to fundamentalism and subsequent disillusionment led him to work closely with Robertson. The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 16, at the Montclair Woman's Club in Oakland, with a suggested donation.

Retraction and Correction

The issue includes a retraction for the August issue's announcement of a meeting titled "The Mars Hoax." The editor accepts responsibility for this choice, deeming it irresponsible. While acknowledging that Mr. Hewitt, the speaker, may present a case for rejecting some conclusions of The Mars Project, the editor dismisses the idea that the project staff perpetrated a hoax or faked photographs. The article notes the presence of serious scientists within The Mars Project, including Dr. R. Pozos, Dr. M. Vousden, and Dr. B. O'Leary.

Article: The Face on Mars

This section revisits the "face on Mars" anomaly, questioning whether it is a natural formation or an artifact. NASA's explanation of it being a 'trick of heightened shadows' is mentioned, but The Mars Project, using advanced enhancement techniques, suggests the limited original data yields intriguing information warranting further research and a potential return mission to Mars. In response to a previous presentation by John Hewitt, The Mars Project will be represented at an upcoming meeting by Roger Keeling, who will present photographic enlargements and handouts.

Editorial and Publication Information

The issue lists the editorial staff: Kent Harker (Editor), Sharon Crawford (Assoc. Editor), Yves Barbero (Distribution), and Rick Moen (Circulation). It states that opinions expressed in BASIS are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of BAS or its advisors. The publication is identified as selected articles from the September 1988 issue of BASIS, the monthly publication of Bay Area Skeptics, and provides contact information for obtaining a free sample copy and for reaching the organization via BBS and hotlines. Copyright is held by BAY AREA SKEPTICS for 1988.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BASIS revolve around critical thinking, skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, and the examination of controversial topics. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific evidence and rational inquiry, as evidenced by the coverage of the CSICOP conference, the creationism debate, and the skeptical analysis of mediumship and the 'face on Mars' anomaly. The publication actively promotes rational discourse and challenges claims that lack empirical support.