Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 09 No 06 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Vol. 9 No. 6
Date: June/July 2000
Publisher: Association for Rational Thought (ART) of Cincinnati
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic, the newsletter of The Association for Rational Thought, features a quote from Nobel laureate Peter Medawar on the nature of conviction versus truth. The cover highlights articles on UFOs, Tarot cards, and historical interpretations.

In This Issue

The table of contents lists articles on UFOs (Soft/Hard Evidence), a Tarot Card Expert, Comments Corner, an In Memoriam for Howard Rissover, a piece titled 'UFOlogist Should Know,' a 'Puzzle for Thinkers,' 'Too Many Books,' and details on the May Meeting and Membership information.

April Meeting: Identifying the Unidentified: UFOs - Soft Evidence/Hard Science

This section details a report by UFOlogist Terry Endres about his approach to investigating UFO sightings. Endres emphasizes finding ordinary terrestrial explanations rather than jumping to extraterrestrial conclusions. He describes his methodology, which involves interviewing witnesses, researching potential sources of sightings like weather phenomena, factories, and military installations. He recounts an investigation in Adams County, Ohio, where a reported UFO sighting was identified as military flare drops used in training exercises. Endres also discusses a case in Middletown, Ohio, involving strange red lights that were likely flares attached to a balloon or bag, possibly a hoax. He cautions against leading questions during investigations and highlights the importance of distinguishing between physical evidence and subjective experiences like alleged abductions, suggesting that people who believe they are abducted may need professional help.

May Meeting: U.S. Playing Card Company Harbors Tarot Expert

This article reports on the May meeting of the Association for Rational Thought, which featured art historian Ron Decker discussing the history of Tarot cards at the U.S. Playing Card Company's museum in Norwood, Ohio. The museum houses a collection of historical playing cards. Decker presented a revisionist history of Tarot, suggesting they originated as gaming cards centuries before their use in divination. The article details the founding of the museum's collection by a USPC executive and its subsequent loan to the Cincinnati Art Museum before being returned to the company. The article also touches on the shift in the card business and the company's renewed interest in preserving the collection.

Comments Corner: The Reformed Medicine Route to Abnormal Knowledge

Authored by Joe Gastright, this piece explores the history of 'Reformed Medicine' and 'Eclectic Medicine' in the 19th century as alternatives to orthodox medicine. It discusses how systems like Thompsonism gained popularity due to a lack of doctors, often attracting less educated practitioners. Wooster Beach is highlighted for attempting to formalize herbal medicine. The article details the founding of the Reformed Medical College of New York and its claims of success during the 1832 Cholera epidemic. It notes that these proprietary schools sometimes prioritized profit over student quality. The piece also touches on the eventual decline of Eclectic Medicine, despite its emphasis on botanicals, which later became mainstream.

What a UFOlogist Should Know

Written by Terry Endres, this article outlines the necessary knowledge for a UFOlogist. Endres stresses that UFOlogy is not a science but a field concerned with isolating data. He emphasizes the need for a working knowledge of sciences like astronomy (to identify planets like Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and meteorology (to understand cloud formations and electrical storms). Familiarity with air traffic and weather patterns is also crucial. Endres advises against suggesting explanations to witnesses and criticizes those who are too quick to dismiss evidence or too eager to accept extraordinary claims without sufficient proof. He also touches on the potential for misinterpretations of images, citing the 'Face on Mars' example.

In Memoriam: Howard E. Rissover, M.D.

This section commemorates Howard E. Rissover, M.D., one of the 14 founding members of the Association for Rational Thought, who passed away on November 26, 1999. He is remembered with fondness by the organization.

A Puzzle for Thinkers

This section presents a mathematical puzzle: create an equation using four sevens that equals 100. It also provides the solution to the previous month's puzzle, which involved calculating newspaper readership using Venn diagrams.

Too Many Books.... Too Little Time.... Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong

This is a review of James W. Loewen's book, 'Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong.' The reviewer, Wolf Roder, praises the book for its examination of how historical markers, monuments, and museums often misrepresent or omit crucial aspects of American history, such as the roles of Black people, Native Americans, and slaves. The book critiques the glorification of figures associated with slavery and the Civil War and highlights instances where historical sites fail to acknowledge the full context of events, like the genocide of Native Americans or the role of slavery in antebellum life. The review notes that Loewen finds flaws in almost all historical memorials but does mention one accurate marker.

Sleeping with Extra-Terrestrials: The Rise of Irrationalisms and Perils of Piety

This is a review of Wendy Kaminer's book, 'Sleeping with Extra-Terrestrials: The Rise of Irrationalisms and Perils of Piety.' The reviewer, Wolf Roder, expresses strong agreement with Kaminer's skeptical stance against supernatural claims, New Age thought, religious cults, and pseudo-science. The book is described as addressing various forms of nonsense, including religious fundamentalism and the misuse of 'quantum physics' by gurus. Kaminer also critiques the 'drug war' and the irrationality surrounding it. The review highlights Kaminer's argument that modern culture's emphasis on subjective experience and equality can lead to a rejection of expertise and an acceptance of beliefs based on wishful thinking.

From the May Meeting... page 1 (Continued)

This section continues the report on the May meeting and the discussion about Tarot cards. It elaborates on the historical development of Tarot, emphasizing its origins as a gaming deck in Italy and its later association with divination and occult practices in 18th and 19th century France. The article details the structure of the Tarot deck, including its four suits (Coins, Cups, Swords, Batons) and the 22 trump cards, known as 'trionfi.' It notes that the origins and meanings of these trump cards are obscure, with themes like the wheel of fortune, resurrection, justice, and the hanged man.

From the May Meeting... page 1 (Continued)

This part of the article on Tarot cards discusses the historical figures involved in popularizing its occult interpretations. Michael Dummett's research into the game of Tarot is mentioned. Etteilla (Jean Baptiste) is presented as an early proponent of Tarot for fortune-telling, who compiled meanings from working-class people. Antoine Court de Gebelin is discussed for his theory that Tarot trump cards were ancient Egyptian symbols, though his approach to historical facts is questioned. The article notes that Court de Gebelin's theory was influential, leading to the belief that Tarot was linked to Egyptian mysticism. Etteilla later published books on Tarot after Court de Gebelin's death. Eliphas Levi is credited with linking Tarot to Egyptian divination and Hebrew Cabalism, adding Hebrew letters to the trump cards. Paul Christian and Papas are mentioned for further developing these occult interpretations. The article concludes by reiterating that modern scholarship indicates Tarot originated as a game in Italy and was not associated with mysticism until the 18th and 19th centuries in France.

Important News from the May Meeting

This section provides an update on the May Membership Meeting, including the announcement of plans for an October 'Superstition Bash' party. It also details the formalization of the Webmaster role within the Executive Council and lists the nominations for the next year's officers, with elections scheduled for the June meeting.

Without Comment

This section contains advertisements or announcements. One is for the American College of Metaphysical Theology, offering Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. degrees with flexible enrollment and credit for life experience. Another is a notice about courses offered by the University of Cincinnati Communiversity program, including 'Aromatherapy for a Healthful Summer' and 'Hypnosis: An Introduction.' An invitation to the Science Book Club is also included, detailing its regular meetings and selection process for books.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, particularly in the realm of UFOs and the supernatural, and a focus on rational investigation and historical accuracy. The magazine promotes critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, as seen in the articles on UFOlogy, the history of Tarot, and the critique of historical misrepresentations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific reasoning and a rejection of pseudoscience and irrational beliefs, advocating for a thorough and critical examination of phenomena and historical narratives. The 'Comments Corner' and book reviews reinforce this stance by exploring the historical context and debunking myths or misinterpretations.

Title: Cincinnati Skeptics
Issue: Vol. 9 No. 6
Date: June/July 2000
Publisher: The Association for Rational Thought (ART)
Description: This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptics newsletter focuses on the role of skepticism in electronic media and discusses the nature of social sciences. It also provides information on ART's activities, membership, and upcoming meetings.

Association for Rational Thought (ART)

The Association for Rational Thought is an independent, non-profit, scientific, and educational organization that aligns with the philosophies of CSICOP, the Skeptics Society, and JREF. ART shares the ideas and philosophies of these organizations. It is dedicated to encouraging rational, well-informed evaluation of fringe-science, pseudoscience, and paranormal claims. ART actively encourages the investigation of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims from a responsible, scientific viewpoint and disseminates the results of these investigations to the public.

ART was founded by Cincinnati area skeptics in 1991. They hold meetings on the second Saturday of each month, from September through June, at 10:00 AM at James Tavern in Blue Ash. These meetings are open to the public. ART also maintains a database of information on paranormal claims for local media and investigates local paranormal claims.

Annual dues for ART membership are $15.00, which includes a subscription to the Cincinnati Skeptic. The organization emphasizes keeping dues low despite rising costs and welcomes additional contributions to support their work. Checks should be made payable to the Association for Rational Thought and mailed to P.O. Box 12896, Cincinnati, OH 45212. Contributions are not currently tax-deductible, but ART is working towards that status.

Contact information for membership, address changes, and corrections is provided for President Roy Auerbach and Nurit Bowman. Roy Auerbach can also be reached via email at [email protected].

Skepticism and ART on the Electronic Media

The newsletter encourages readers to join SANE (Skeptical Area Network Effort) for the latest skeptical news via e-mail. SANE provides rational messages from CSICOP, James "The Amazing" Randi, and local skeptics, serving as a way to stay connected between issues of the Cincinnati Skeptic. The ART website, http://www.cincinnatiskeptics.org, is highlighted as a resource containing blurbs on various subjects, links to skeptical thinking resources worldwide, information on joining SANE, the definition of ART, its bylaws, directions to meetings at James Tavern, contact information, and instructions for sending sample copies of the newsletter.

David Wall, the Web Site Manager, provides his contact information: E-mail: [email protected].

Preview Of Coming Attractions

The issue previews the Tenth (Final) Meeting of the 1999-2000 Season, which took place on June 10, 2000. The meeting was held at James Tavern at Cooper Road and Reed Hartman Highway, described as a great place for gatherings, lunch, and social interaction. Coffee was available with a small donation. The program ran from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by lunch from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

The speaker for this meeting was Wolf Roder, Professor of Geography at the University of Cincinnati. His topic was "What are the social sciences, and what are they trying to accomplish?" The presentation addressed the common perception that "science" refers only to hard sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology, leading some to consider "social science" an oxymoron. Roder aimed to defend the social sciences (including economics, sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology, and geography) as legitimate sciences, exploring the definitions and philosophical arguments that support this claim. He humorously noted that if social science is accepted, then Christian Science, psychic science, and parapsychology might also be considered sciences.

Readers were also informed to watch their mail for a postcard about the ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism, the scientific investigation of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, and the promotion of rational thought. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry and critical evaluation of extraordinary claims, as evidenced by the promotion of organizations like CSICOP and JREF, and the focus on debunking pseudoscience. The newsletter also emphasizes community building among skeptics through meetings and electronic communication channels like SANE and the ART website.