Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 04 No 02 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Vol. 4 No. 2
Date: December, 1994
Publisher: The Association for Rational Thought

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic newsletter delves into various topics related to skepticism, pseudoscience, propaganda, and the paranormal. It features reports on local A.R.T. (Association for Rational Thought) meetings, discussions on memory and belief, and analyses of notable events and theories.

December Meeting: Joe Gastright on "The Genealogy of Nonsense"

Joe Gastright, A.R.T. Investigations Officer, is set to present on the history of pseudoscience in America, covering major contributors from the turn of the century to the New Age. The meeting, open to the public, is scheduled for December 10th at Raymond Walters College.

A.R.T. Needs Volunteers

The organization is actively seeking volunteers for several key positions, including Media Coordinator, Publicity Coordinator, and Recording Secretary, to promote rational thinking in the Cincinnati area.

October Meeting: "Spin-Doctoring Statistics and Other Social Diseases"

Dr. Joel Senter, professor of psychology emeritus at the University of Cincinnati, spoke at the October meeting. His talk focused on propaganda techniques and deception, drawing from his background as an experimental psychologist and amateur mind reader. He outlined four basic methods of deception: the shill, the peek, the forced choice, and the switch. Senter also discussed propaganda techniques such as the appeal to fear, appeals to prejudice, labeling, semantic generalization, promoting "unassailable noble causes," and gratuitous assertion. He expressed concern that modern psychology texts often omit information on propaganda techniques that were once widely taught.

"Psychology of Belief" Analyzed at CSICOP Seattle Conference

The article summarizes key points from the CSICOP 1994 Conference in Seattle. It highlights the idea that "Believing is seeing" rather than "Seeing is believing," due to the distortion of memories by various influences.

John Mack, Psychiatrist to the Abducted

Dr. John Mack, a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist, presented his views on alien abductions, based on reports from hypnotized subjects. A witness shared an experience of seeing a large flying saucer. The article notes an incident where Donna Basset reportedly faked an abduction experience to Dr. Mack, who still maintained his belief in the possibility of abduction.

Sources of False Memories

Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, a psychologist specializing in memory, discussed how false memories can be implanted through indirect suggestion and questioning. Examples include misremembering details from a video scene or children developing false memories of being in the hospital after repeated questioning.

Carl Sagan's View of Science, Future

In his keynote address, Carl Sagan expressed concern that science education is lagging, potentially leading to a future ruled by authoritarian scientists. He emphasized that science's strength lies in constant questioning and rigorous testing. Sagan advised skeptics not to belittle believers, recognizing that fear of death can lead people to seek comfort in psychics and channelers.

The Face on Mars

Sagan commented on the "face on Mars" phenomenon, comparing Richard Hoagland's assertion of an intelligent race to seeing Richard Nixon's face in an eggplant, suggesting it's a matter of pareidolia.

Conspiracy Theories

Valerie Klein and Don Kates discussed the comfort people find in believing in conspiracies, contrasting it with the idea of a lone individual acting. Klein described the Kennedy assassination as a simple murder obscured by "true believers." Kates cited ballistics information to explain how a single bullet could pass through multiple individuals.

Roswell Revisited

Phil Klass, a UFO researcher, presented the skeptical view of the Roswell incident, explaining that the debris was likely from a radar reflector used in the then-secret Project Mogul to detect nuclear tests. He suggested that markings on adhesive tape, claimed by believers to be alien hieroglyphics, were likely flower patterns from manufacturing.

Coincidence!

Porter Henry explored the concept of coincidence by comparing the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, highlighting numerous similarities while cautioning against drawing definitive conclusions from selective comparisons.

More Skeptical Blurbs

Andrew O. Lutes contributed two new blurbs for the A.R.T. Skeptical Blurb program: "Joshua's Long Day?" and "Darwin's Deathbed Recantation."

Abductees Meet, Swap Stories

This section summarizes a three-day conference on alien abductions. Abductees and researchers like Budd Hopkins and David Jacobs discussed theories about extraterrestrials crossbreeding with humans to create hybrids. Proposed reasons include benevolent assistance for future human problems or selfish motives like the aliens' own race dying out or a desire to take over Earth.

Budd Hopkins shared a story of a woman levitated from her apartment. He also noted that psychological tests of abductees suggest they are sane but may experience low self-esteem and detachment. The article critiques the logical fallacy of assuming abduction based on symptoms. Reports of alien abductions are noted from ancient times, including a possible connection to Methuselah's son and Noah.

Hopkins criticized Carl Sagan's reliance on physical evidence over eyewitness testimony, arguing that eyewitness accounts are crucial in the justice system. The author counters that proving alien travel requires evidence beyond terrestrial standards.

October Executive Council Meeting

The Executive Council met to discuss finances, membership campaigns, newsletter distribution, and potential new projects. They also addressed the resignation of Lance Moody, who served as Media Coordinator and Publicity Coordinator.

Joe Gastright Assaults Nonsense

Joe Gastright, retired from the Cincinnati Public Schools, continues to lecture on skepticism. He spoke at the Unitarian Church in Clifton, emphasizing that nonsense can be destructive, citing the harm caused by credulous acceptance of recovered memories. He also lectured in Lexington, Kentucky, on Edgar Cayce, a clairvoyant whose pronouncements were often influenced by New Age ideas.

Gastright also presented to the Cincinnati Astronomical Society on individuals who claimed to have taken mental trips to planets.

Reason Celebrated in the Queen City

October 12, 1994, was proclaimed "Day of Reason" in Cincinnati, coinciding with "Freethought Week." This date marks the anniversary of Governor William Phips' 1692 edict that halted the Salem witch trials by disallowing spectral evidence, highlighting a triumph of reason over superstition.

A.R.T. Appears in Skeptical Briefs

The September 1994 issue of Skeptical Briefs featured an article on A.R.T.'s activities. The newsletter is described as a supplement to Skeptical Inquirer, covering skeptical topics and news from skeptical groups worldwide.

Upcoming Meeting Plans in Process

Future A.R.T. meetings are being planned, including discussions on articles from Skeptical Inquirer, a talk by Bob Contadino on False Memory Syndrome, and potential speakers on UFOs and mind reading. Nominations and elections for officers are also scheduled.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical thinking, the debunking of pseudoscience and paranormal claims, and the importance of rational investigation. The editorial stance is clearly pro-skepticism, advocating for evidence-based reasoning and challenging unsubstantiated beliefs. The newsletter aims to inform its members and the public about skeptical viewpoints on a wide range of topics, from historical pseudoscience to contemporary UFO phenomena and conspiracy theories.