Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 11

Magazine Overview

Title: BASIS
Issue: Vol. 7, No. 11
Date: November 1988
Publisher: Bay Area Skeptics
Editor: Kent Harker

This issue of "BASIS," the newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, features a collection of articles examining various phenomena through a skeptical lens, including superstition, alleged alien encounters, medical quackery, cryptids, and religious prophecies.

KNOCK WOOD by Paul Chance

Paul Chance's article, originally from "Psychology Today," explores the nature of superstition, drawing heavily on the work of B.F. Skinner. Chance recounts Skinner's experiments with pigeons, where birds developed seemingly superstitious behaviors, such as circling or head-bobbing, simply because these actions coincided with the delivery of food at regular intervals. Skinner's explanation was that the behavior was strengthened by "coincidental reward." The article extends this concept to human behavior, suggesting that people often notice and reinforce superstitious beliefs when they align with positive outcomes, while ignoring instances where they do not. This is illustrated with examples like finding a four-leaf clover and then a dollar, or the common belief in lucky charms. Chance argues that society is more prone to noting evidence that supports superstitions than contrary evidence, contributing to our superstitious nature. He also touches upon practical superstitions, like sailors' beliefs about women on board, suggesting some may have had roots in social dynamics, but ultimately concludes that true superstitions are those without effect, driven by coincidental rewards and societal prejudices. The author states he has shed his own superstitions.

THE "TRANSFORMATION" OF WHITLEY STRIEBER by Robert Sheaffer

Robert Sheaffer details his experience as a guest on the TV show "People Are Talking" alongside author Whitley Strieber. Strieber, known for his books on alien visitations like "Communion" and "Transformation," reportedly threw a "world-class temper tantrum" before the show, refusing to appear if skeptics like Philip Klass or Sheaffer were present. Strieber expressed extreme hostility towards skeptics and organizations like CSICOP, labeling them and "new agers" as "fascists" for seeking to break down the individual. He was upset about previous appearances, calling the audience and show "stupid" and accusing them of calling him crazy. Despite commitments, Strieber initially refused to go on air, demanding his book not be mentioned if his claims were to be criticized. Sheaffer notes that Strieber's visions seem more rooted in religion and psychology than extraterrestrial phenomena, likening him to founders of religions who experience visions and become evangelists. The article highlights Strieber's resistance to any form of skepticism or challenge to his narrative, even attempting to prevent his book from being promoted on air.

SNAKE OIL STILL HERE by Patricia Hammond

Patricia Hammond discusses the enduring appeal and rising prevalence of quackery in modern medicine. She notes that despite medical advancements, the public's increased health consciousness and the adept packaging and promotion by modern "quacks" contribute to its growth. The article points out the significant financial cost to Americans, with billions lost on useless treatments and the failure to receive effective therapy. A Harris poll indicated that 26 percent of Americans have used fringe nostrums, often for conditions like cancer and arthritis. Hammond explains that reported improvements are often consistent with the placebo effect, where about a third of conditions improve regardless of treatment, influenced by patient belief. She contrasts this with established medical procedures, which are abandoned if found ineffective, whereas quackery persists regardless of evidence. The article suggests quackery preys on ignorance and modern anxieties, offering simplistic solutions to complex health issues. It also provides resources for information against health fraud, including the NCAHF newsletter and books by Dr. Stephen Barrett and "Consumer Reports."

TAHOE TESSIE

This short piece touches on the human tendency to seek out the exotic and unusual, comparing cryptids like Sasquatch and the Yeti to Scotland's Loch Ness Monster. It then focuses on Lake Tahoe, suggesting that its promotion as a tourist destination may be linked to the legend of "Tahoe Tessie," a supposed 17-foot, humpbacked creature. Bob McCormick is mentioned for establishing a "USO Hotline" in 1984 to track the creature. Locals and tourism officials are suggested to be capitalizing on the mystery, with some allegedly withholding footage to maintain the allure. The article humorously questions the persistence of the "bottomless" lake legend and its alleged contents.

THE END -- MAYBE

This section examines the fervor surrounding end-of-the-world prophecies, specifically focusing on Edgar Whisenant's prediction of the rapture on September 12, 1988. Whisenant, a former NASA rocket engineer, based his predictions on biblical numerology. The article describes the intense anticipation among fundamentalist Christians awaiting the event, with the "On Borrowed Time" organization distributing millions of copies of a booklet titled "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in '88." It recounts the disappointment and subsequent rationalizations when the predicted event did not occur as expected, including claims that the timing was based on "United-States time" and sightings of Jesus's face on CNN during Hurricane Gilbert. The piece concludes by noting the unavailability of Whisenant for comment and the continued belief of some followers.

RAMPARTS

This section features short, critical observations on various topics.

• Diet Pill Controversy: A French doctor, Marcel Diennet, developed an "herbal" diet pill that was banned by the FDA due to the presence of potentially harmful prescription drugs. Despite the ban, orders increased significantly, highlighting the demand for such products, particularly among the Beverly Hills clientele.
• New Age Titles: The article notes the proliferation of New Age literature, mentioning two books by Stanford engineer Willis Harman: "Global Mind Change, Insight Into the New Age" and "Insight Into the New Age: A Guide to Unlocking Your Human Potential." Harman's views are presented as critical of conventional science, suggesting it is incomplete and ignores fundamental aspects of human consciousness. The author of the article expresses skepticism about Harman's approach, comparing his "floodlight" to being shone in the "parking lot at noon on Sunday" rather than on the core of scientific inquiry.
• Barbara Brennan: The section critiques Barbara Brennan, described as a former NASA atmospheric physicist who now promotes herself as a psychic healer. Her book, "Hands of Light," claims scientific evidence for practices like "spiritual surgery." The author questions how Brennan can perceive "energy fields" with the naked eye when such phenomena are undetectable by sophisticated scientific instruments. Brennan's background is noted as having left NASA twenty years prior to pursue meditation and experience "funny visions."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "BASIS" are skepticism towards extraordinary claims, the psychological underpinnings of belief systems, and the critical examination of phenomena often associated with pseudoscience and the paranormal. The editorial stance is clearly that of a skeptical organization, aiming to debunk or provide rational explanations for claims that lack empirical evidence. The publication encourages reader participation in identifying and submitting examples of irrationality from their local scenes, reinforcing its commitment to promoting critical thinking and scientific literacy.

This document contains selected articles from the November 1988 issue of "BASIS", the monthly publication of Bay Area Skeptics. The publication focuses on skeptical analysis of paranormal claims, media criticism, and investigations into UFO phenomena.

Articles

Psychic Healing and Personal Practice

The first section details the practice of a woman named Barbara Ann, who, instead of undergoing therapy, began practicing it herself. She developed the ability to see colors around people's heads and correlate them with their problems. She eschewed formal scientific study, opting for the "Institute for Psychophysical Synthesis and the Core Energetic Process." After establishing her own practice, she self-published a book for $50, which quickly recovered its investment, and was later picked up by Bantam Books. The article notes that these reports were provided by BAS Secretary Rick Moen.

Lottery and Karma

A humorous piece, attributed to John Taube's observation in the "Chron", addresses why people lose the lottery. It dismisses the idea of mere chance, suggesting that one's "karma" and "gambling lust" negatively affect the Lotto machine's number selection. The "BASIS" solution involves purging greed through meditation, chanting, and sending $100 per month to "THE EDITOR." The process is said to take about nine months, with the ultimate test of innocence being the ability to purchase a winning ticket and mail it to "BASIS" without experiencing physical distress.

Media Criticism: Robert Sheaffer and Whitley Strieber on KPIX

This section includes a letter from Kent Harker, Editor of "BASIS", to the producer of KPIX Channel 5 in San Francisco. Harker expresses disappointment with the treatment of UFO expert Robert Sheaffer, a co-founder of BAS, who was invited to "balance" an appearance by author Whitley Strieber. Harker claims Sheaffer was given only three minutes and fifteen seconds of airtime, much of which was forced, and that his presence seemed to be for "stage decoration." The letter criticizes the hosts for not asking pointed questions and suggests Sheaffer's time was cut short, making the encounter more like a "first kind" encounter (implying a brief, superficial observation).

Robert Sheaffer is described as an internationally recognized UFO expert with years of investigation into famous UFO cases. He is an author and has spoken with key figures in "UFOlogy." The letter contrasts Sheaffer's unpaid time off work with Strieber's paid appearance, which was likely to sell books.

Senator Pell and Psychic Phenomena

This article focuses on Senator Claiborne Pell, described as Washington's most prominent advocate of psychic phenomena. Pell has hired a staffer, Scott Jones, to promote research in this field and has hosted demonstrations by psychics, including Uri Geller, on Capitol Hill. The article mentions a study by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), commissioned by Pentagon officials, to evaluate the potential usefulness of psychic skills for soldiers. The study concluded that the U.S. likely does not need to worry about the Soviet Union being significantly ahead in psychic warfare capabilities.

Dr. Ray Hyman, a chief CSICOP investigator, raised questions about Pell's activities, suggesting he was trying to establish a "top-secret Manhattan Project" for psychic research. Pell initially denied influencing the Pentagon but later stated the allegations were "correct but vastly exaggerated."

Pell's view of Uri Geller is presented, with the Senator stating he "sort of feel[s] that he's for real" but acknowledging Geller might use sleight of hand. The article recounts a confrontation where James Randi challenged Pell to duplicate Geller's drawing ability, which Randi succeeded in doing. Pell's response was that "maybe Randi's a psychic and doesn't realize it."

Editorial Stance and Publication Information

The final section reiterates that opinions expressed in "BASIS" are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of BAS, its board, or advisors. It provides information on how to obtain a free sample copy of "BASIS" by mail or by contacting "The Skeptic's Board" BBS or the 415-LA-TRUTH hotline. The copyright is held by BAY AREA SKEPTICS for 1988.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "BASIS" are skepticism towards paranormal claims, critical analysis of media representation of these topics, and the examination of individuals and organizations involved in parapsychology and UFOlogy. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry, aiming to debunk or provide a rational explanation for phenomena often presented without sufficient evidence. The publication actively promotes a skeptical viewpoint and encourages readers to question extraordinary claims, particularly those presented in popular media.