Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 09 No 03 - 1999-2000

Magazine Overview

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Vol. 9 No. 3
Date: December 1999/January 2000
Publisher: Association for Rational Thought (ART)

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic, the newsletter of the Association for Rational Thought, delves into a variety of topics from a skeptical perspective. The cover features a quote about the function of schools and the nature of scientists, setting a tone of critical inquiry.

October Meeting: Haunted Houses or Haunted Heads?

Joe Gastright, filling in for Bob Baker, delivered an impromptu talk on ghosts and the psychology behind belief in them. He traced the origins of Halloween customs back to the Celtic harvest festival of Samhain, noting that many modern traditions have Christian roots. Gastright also touched upon the reasons why religions often discourage communication with spirits, suggesting it can lead to the release of negative emotions.

November Meeting: Forthright Deception: A Lawyer-Magician Looks at Consumer Fraud

Bob Croskery, a lawyer specializing in consumer fraud and a former professional magician, shared his insights. He detailed his journey from magician to lawyer, highlighting Ohio's favorable consumer protection laws. Croskery's talk likely aimed to educate readers on deceptive practices and legal recourse.

Comments Corner: Slippery Symptom Syndrome

This section, written by Joe Gastright, discusses the 'Slippery Symptom Syndrome,' which describes a cluster of symptoms often associated with depression but can be misdiagnosed or attributed to various alternative treatments. Gastright points out that historical explanations for such symptoms, like 'possession,' were as inventive as modern ones, suggesting a cyclical nature to how ailments are understood.

From the Un-Easy Chair: Religion and Science in ART

The editor, Wolf Roder, clarifies ART's stance on religious beliefs versus scientific claims. ART is concerned when religious beliefs extend into making scientific claims, such as those related to the Shroud of Turin. The association emphasizes the importance of evidence-based conclusions in understanding the natural and historical world.

Letters to the Editor

Virginia Jergens contributes a letter discussing the Roman Catholic Church's relationship with astronomy, arguing that while the church collected astronomical data for Easter, other information was suppressed. A letter from Marie P. Prins corrects a detail in a previous issue's "bread" story, emphasizing the use of schmaltz over butter and the story's core message.

Book Review: Too Many Books.... Too Little Time.... Apocalypse Pretty Soon: Travels in End-Time America by Alex Heard

Wolf Roder reviews Alex Heard's book, which examines various cults and 'end-time' movements in America. While Heard explores these groups with a degree of sympathy, Roder notes that the author's journalistic cynicism and rationality keep him grounded in skepticism. The review highlights examples of cults expecting alien visitations, preparing for Armageddon, and pursuing extreme longevity.

Cellular Phones and 20/20

This short piece references a 20/20 report on the potential health risks of cellular phones, stemming from a lawsuit filed after a woman's death from brain cancer. It questions the scientific credentials of 'Dr. Slesin,' identified as having a PhD in Urban Studies and Planning.

Book Review: Refuting Evolution: A Handbook for Students, Parents, and Teachers Countering the Latest Arguments for Evolution by Jonathan D. Sarfati, Ph.D, F.M.

Wolf Roder reviews Sarfati's book, criticizing it for rehashing old creationist arguments and rejecting scientific consensus on evolution, geology, and cosmology. Roder notes that Sarfati's arguments often rely on outdated information and misinterpretations of scientific evidence, while also promoting an 'intelligent design' explanation without providing supporting evidence.

Buzz! Is it Oxygen in the Water or Air in the Head?

This short piece questions the claim that hockey players relied on 'oxygenated water' to boost blood-oxygen levels. It calculates the immense amount of such water needed for a minimal boost, suggesting the claim is likely exaggerated or unfounded.

We mourn Porter Henry: Extraordinary Skeptic

Virginia Jergens writes a tribute to J. Porter Henry, Jr., a founding member of ART and a significant figure in the skeptical movement. Henry was a mathematician, sales and management pioneer, and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. His efforts in forming the Cincinnati skeptics group are highlighted, along with his transcription of UFO investigator Phil Klass's tapes.

A Skeptic's View of Y2K

Donna Loughry discusses the Y2K hysteria, expressing doubt about a global calamity but acknowledging the potential for self-fulfilling prophecies. She shares her experience in the Y2K correction industry, noting that most companies are now compliant but bugs are emerging. Loughry advises sensible preparation, including having cash on hand and securing records, and believes society will survive the transition peacefully.

A Puzzle for Thinkers: Stars in your Eyes?

This section presents a geometry puzzle involving an eight-pointed star and provides the solution to the previous month's puzzle about the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways (1729).

Haunted Houses/Heads from page 1

This continuation discusses the origins of Halloween, linking it to the Celtic festival of Samhain. It explores how Christian traditions influenced the holiday and how beliefs about ghosts have evolved over time. The piece mentions the spiritualist movement and the use of Ouija boards, cautioning about their potential for unsettling experiences.

Local Haunting Investigations

This section details investigations into local ghost stories, including the Southgate-Gano House in Covington and a suburban ranch house with a purported haunted mantelpiece. It highlights how such stories often have a long history, with details changing over time, and emphasizes the importance of historical and architectural expertise in debunking such claims.

Ghosts: Appearances of the Dead and Cultural Transformation

This part of the article examines the evolution of ghost stories across different cultures and time periods. It notes that ghost stories have served various social purposes, from placating the dead to comforting the bereaved and frightening the guilty. The piece references R.C. Finucane's book on the subject.

The Ouija Board and Ghost Beliefs

The article discusses the Ouija board as a device used to receive messages from the dead and how historical events like wars can fuel ghost stories. It contrasts the believer's view of ghosts as spiritual manifestations with the skeptic's view that phenomena should be scientifically verifiable. The unfalsifiable nature of 'ghost' explanations is highlighted.

Surveys on Ghostly Appearances

This section presents findings from surveys on ghostly appearances, noting that hearing strange sounds and feeling cool breezes are common interpretations of frightening experiences. It also touches upon hypnagogic hallucinations as a possible explanation for perceived ghostly encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism, rational inquiry, and the debunking of pseudoscience, fraud, and unsubstantiated beliefs. The editorial stance consistently promotes evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking, particularly in areas like consumer protection, religious claims, evolutionary science, and paranormal phenomena. The newsletter aims to educate its members and the public on how to approach extraordinary claims with a discerning and rational mindset.

Title: Cincinnati Skeptics
Issue: Vol. 9 No. 3
Date: December 1999/January 2000
Publisher: The Association for Rational Thought

This issue of Cincinnati Skeptics delves into various topics through a skeptical lens, including the psychology behind ghost beliefs, legal battles involving consumer protection and intellectual property, and the debunking of internet hoaxes. It also previews upcoming events and provides information about the Association for Rational Thought.

Articles

The Ghost Story

The lead article explores the psychological underpinnings of ghost sightings and stories. It posits that phenomena like hypnopompic hallucinations and the tendency towards confabulation can lead individuals to interpret ordinary events as paranormal. A case study details a family's experience where a belief in a ghost escalated, fueled by constant discussion and the use of a Ouija board. The article suggests that by removing the ghost as an explanation and topic of conversation, the family's distress gradually melted away, indicating the power of suggestion and unfalsifiable hypotheses.

Forthright Deception

This section covers several legal and consumer-related cases. One story involves a masked magician who revealed trade secrets on FOX television, leading to a lawsuit by magician Bob Croskery against Val Valantino. The lawsuit, though legally weak, forced Valantino to reveal his identity, impacting his career. Another case highlights the issue of Victoria's Secret stockings with anti-slip silicone liners that caused injury to a bride, leading to a lawsuit and evidence that the company had prior knowledge of the problem. The article also debunks the common perception of the McDonald's hot coffee case as solely a frivolous lawsuit, explaining the context of the plaintiff's injuries and the jury's award, which was later reduced.

Lemon Law and Consumer Rights

This article provides practical advice on utilizing the Ohio lemon law for defective automobiles. It explains that consumers can sue the manufacturer, not just the dealer, and that dealers often misrepresent arbitration requirements. The law outlines conditions under which a car is considered a lemon, including safety defects or multiple unresolved issues within a specific timeframe. It emphasizes the importance of proper documentation and seeking legal counsel, noting that attorney's fees are often included in recovered damages.

Dealing with Virus Warnings and E-mail

This piece addresses the common issue of false virus warnings circulating via email. It categorizes these warnings into chain letters, pyramid schemes, false virus alerts, and requests to send messages to someone. The author provides advice on how to identify and handle such messages, recommending deletion if the source is unknown or the warning sounds like an urban legend. It also clarifies that viruses are typically embedded in attachments and require a program to be run, not just the email content itself. Readers are advised to consult reputable antivirus software websites for verification.

Association for Rational Thought Information

This section provides details about The Association for Rational Thought (A.R.T.), its mission, and its affiliations with organizations like CSICOP, The Skeptics Society, and JREF. It outlines membership benefits, meeting schedules, and contact information. The association encourages a rational, scientific approach to evaluating paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.

Preview of Coming Attractions

This segment announces upcoming meetings and events hosted by A.R.T. Topics include a discussion on the Intelligent Design Argument, its origins, and refutations, featuring speaker Steven Schafersman. Another event focuses on Y2K, offering a moderated discussion on the aftermath of the year 2000 transition.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical thinking, skepticism, and the application of rational inquiry to various phenomena, from alleged paranormal events to consumer issues and internet hoaxes. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific evidence, logical reasoning, and consumer protection, actively debunking pseudoscience and misinformation. The Association for Rational Thought positions itself as a resource for those seeking well-informed evaluations of extraordinary claims.