Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 09 No 02 - 1999

Magazine Overview

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Vol. 9 No. 2
Date: October/November 1999
Publisher: Association for Rational Thought (ART)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic, a newsletter of the Association for Rational Thought, delves into several topics from a skeptical perspective, including the Shroud of Turin, the regulation of medicines and supplements, and the roots of conspiracy theories and hate groups.

Unraveling the Shroud of Turin

Professor Steven D. Schafersman, a geology professor and founding member of CSICOP, presented a talk on the Shroud of Turin. He categorizes investigators into two groups: those dedicated to proving its authenticity and scientists seeking a naturalistic explanation. Schafersman's research suggests that sindonology, the study of the shroud, is a pseudoscience driven by religious belief. The shroud itself, measuring 4.5 by 1.5 meters, bears a dim image of a crucified man, with apparent scourge marks and blood drips. Doubts about its authenticity date back to the 14th century, with a bishop claiming the shroud was an artifact made by an artist. The article highlights the competition for religious relics and donations.

Schafersman's conclusion, supported by evidence, is that the shroud is a remarkable 14th-century work of art created to meet the demand for religious relics. He argues that sindonologists shape evidence to fit their prior beliefs. The shroud's image is not a photographic negative but a positive image created by rubbing pigment on a bas-relief. The elongated fingers and forearms, and the positioning of the hands over the groin, are noted as inconsistencies with ancient burial practices, possibly indicating Marfan syndrome.

Further scientific investigation by STURP (Shroud of Turin Research Project) is discussed. While some STURP members claimed the blood stains were human blood (Type AB), Walter McCrone, a forensic microscopist, found no evidence of human blood and concluded the image was painted with red ocher and vermilion. McCrone also debunked claims of pollen from Jerusalem found on the shroud by Max Frei, suggesting Frei had deliberately contaminated the shroud. Frei's later work on the 'Hitler diaries' also cast doubt on his credibility.

The anti-regulation steam roller and "over the counter" medicine

Joe Gastright discusses the evolution of regulation in medicine, starting from the unregulated 'Health Food' stores of his youth to modern 'Vitamin Stores' and pharmacies selling 'fat blockers.' He references the 1937 Massengill company incident where an elixir of Sulfanilamide in ethylene glycol poisoned nearly a hundred people, leading to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) in 1938. The Kefauver-Harris Act of 1962 further required proof of safety and efficacy for drugs. However, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, championed by Senator Orin Hatch, created a class of unregulated supplements immune to government oversight, allowing them to make unsubstantiated claims.

Skeptic's Archives...

William B. Jensen reviews Oskar Pfungst's book "Clever Hans (The Horse of Mr. von Osten)," a study of a horse that appeared to perform mathematical calculations. Pfungst's investigation revealed that the horse was responding to subtle, unconscious body movements of its questioner, highlighting the necessity of double-blind conditions in psychological testing.

From the Un-Easy Chair...

This section reviews two books dealing with the extreme political fringe: "Soldiers of God" and "Harvest of Rage." The editor expresses concern that hate groups and religious fanatics are dangerous and can lead to violence, citing the Oklahoma City bombing and attacks on children. The review of "Soldiers of God" by Howard L. Bushart, John R. Craig, and Myra Barnes, discusses white supremacists and their interpretation of the Bible (Christian Identity). It notes their beliefs in a Jewish conspiracy controlling the US government and their view of white Europeans as the true inheritors of God's promises. The book is praised for its empathy with its subjects, but factual errors are pointed out, such as the dating of "The International Jew" and "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion." The review draws a parallel between the racist right's hostility to the government and the agitation that led to Hitler's rise in Germany, warning that similar events could occur in America if it faces severe economic crises.

"Harvest of Rage" by Joel Dyer is reviewed as examining why Americans are drawn to irrational hate groups, particularly in rural areas. Dyer attributes this to a severe depression in the farm industry, leading to loss of farms, homes, and equipment. This economic hardship, coupled with global competition and technological changes, has resulted in a decline of rural businesses and institutions. Farmers who lose their livelihood often blame bankers, attorneys, the IRS, and various conspiracy groups. The review notes that Dyer sees two grains of truth in these phantasies: the US government has ended programs favoring family farms, and major banks and food processors have consolidated, leaving farmers with limited options. The article concludes that this disenfranchisement and dispossession is creating a crop of hate.

A Puzzle for Thinkers

This section presents a mathematical puzzle related to Godfrey Harold Hardy and Srinivasa Ramanujan, involving the number 1729 as the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways. It also includes the solution to a previous puzzle about marriage age differences.

Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

This brief anecdote describes a burglary in Leesburg, Virginia, where the victims were later charged for calls to a psychic hotline. The suspect, Michael Anthony Silver, claimed he was a burglar and the psychics should have known.

Echinacea, effective!

A brief note from Robert L. Park's "What's New" column reports that a study presented at the International Conference on Integrative Medicine claims Echinacea, a popular herbal supplement, actually increases the incidence of colds and flu, contrary to previous studies that found it ineffective.

Too Many Books.... Too Little Time....

This section continues the review of "Soldiers of God," elaborating on the Christian Identity movement's beliefs, including their interpretation of biblical prophecy, their views on the US government, and their pseudo-historical claims. It also discusses the potential for similar political agitation to rise in the US if faced with severe economic hardship, drawing parallels to Hitler's rise to power.

Roder's Law

Wolf Roder introduces "Roder's Law," a conjecture about the distribution of pseudoscience and religious taboos related to basic human needs. The law posits that the more immediate the need (e.g., breathing, sleep, drink, eat), the fewer pseudoscientific ideas surround it. Conversely, for less immediate needs like sex, or for less critical functions, more pseudoscientific ideas and taboos proliferate. The article discusses the relative lack of pseudoscience around breathing, the proliferation of sleep mythology, and the vast industry around coffee, wine, and other beverages. It also touches on religious taboos regarding alcohol and food, and the extensive industry of food supplements, many of which are untested. The author contrasts the scientifically recommended food pyramid with the continued prevalence of nutrition quackery.

Why we believe.

This section includes a quote from Joe Morgenstern about how many people, including adults, are susceptible to 'infotainment' and 'quasi-religious belief in the paranormal,' citing the popularity of books like "The Celestine Prophecy."

Halloween Meeting Announcement

An announcement for the Cincinnati Skeptics' October meeting, rescheduled to October 30th, featuring a talk by "ghost guru and skeptical raconteur" Robert Baker.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, particularly those related to religious relics (Shroud of Turin), health supplements, and paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly critical of pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, and irrational beliefs, advocating for rational thought and scientific methodology. The magazine highlights the dangers of hate groups and the potential for societal instability stemming from economic hardship and distrust in institutions. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning, as exemplified by the reviews of books and the discussion of scientific investigations.

Title: Cincinnati Skeptics
Issue: Vol. 9 No. 2
Date: October/September 1999
Publisher: Association for Rational Thought (ART)
Country: USA
Language: English

Organization and Mission

The Association for Rational Thought (ART) is presented as an independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization. Its mission is to encourage rational, well-informed evaluation of fringe science, pseudoscience, and paranormal claims. ART shares the philosophy of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) and is affiliated with the publication *Skeptical Inquirer*, a journal focused on investigations of paranormal claims. ART was founded by Cincinnati area skeptics in 1991.

Meetings and Activities

ART holds its meetings on the second Saturday of each month, from September through June, starting at 10:00 AM at James Tavern in Blue Ash. These meetings are open to the public. The organization also publishes the *Cincinnati Skeptic* newsletter monthly and maintains a database of paranormal claims for local media. They also investigate local paranormal claims.

Membership and Subscriptions

Annual dues for ART membership are $15.00, which includes a subscription to the *Cincinnati Skeptic*. The newsletter provides information on membership status via the mailing label: "00/00/00 Member" indicates good standing, while "Lapsed" signifies an expired membership. The publication encourages members to renew their subscriptions promptly. Members are also given the option to request specific subjects for future meetings and to opt-out of having their names and addresses included in mailing lists exchanged with other groups.

Financial Support

The organization emphasizes keeping dues low but welcomes additional contributions to support its work. A section is provided for members to indicate their contribution amount, dues, and total enclosed. Checks should be made payable to the Association for Rational Thought and mailed to their P.O. Box in Cincinnati. It is noted that contributions are not currently tax-deductible, but ART is working towards this status.

Electronic Media and Online Presence

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to ART's presence in electronic media. Members are invited to join SANE (Skeptical Area Network Effort) for weekly email updates featuring news from CSICOP, James "The Amazing" Randi, and local skeptics. This serves as a means of staying in touch between issues of the *Cincinnati Skeptic*. The organization also promotes its newly improved website, `http://www.cincinnatiskeptics.org`, which features blurbs on various subjects, links to skeptical thinking resources worldwide, information on joining SANE, definitions of ART's purpose, and bylaws. The website also provides directions to meetings and contact information.

Coming Attractions and Events

The newsletter announces upcoming meetings, detailing the location at James Tavern and the schedule: a program from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by lunch and social time from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. A specific date change is highlighted for the second meeting of the 1999-2000 season, which was rescheduled to October 30, 1999. The speaker for this meeting is Bob Baker, who will present a talk on ghosts. The third meeting is scheduled for November 13, 1999, with details about the speaker and topic to be announced via mail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around promoting skepticism, rational inquiry, and scientific investigation of paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking and evidence-based evaluation, as evidenced by the affiliation with CSICOP and the promotion of resources like *Skeptical Inquirer* and SANE. The emphasis on providing accurate information through their newsletter, website, and meetings underscores their commitment to educating the public and debunking pseudoscientific claims. The overall tone is informative, inviting, and community-oriented, encouraging participation and support for their cause.