Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 12 No 02 - 2002

Magazine Overview

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Vol. 12 No. 2
Date: October/November 2002
Publisher: The Association for Rational Thought

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic, the newsletter of The Association for Rational Thought, features a diverse range of articles, reviews, and organizational news. The cover prominently displays a quote attributed to Kurt Tucholsky: "All of human morality can be summarized in two sentences: 'We ought to. But we don't.'" A cartoon humorously illustrates a skeptical view on the necessity of academic credentials.

UFO Sightings and Alien Obsession

Jim Moseley, a long-time UFO investigator and publisher of "Saucer Smear" newsletter, was the guest speaker at the ART meeting on September 27. He shared personal experiences from his UFO investigations since 1953, noting his greater interest in the people who believe in UFOs rather than the phenomena themselves. Moseley is known for his research, including collecting testimony from Harry Truman. He was invited by Philip Klass to start a local skeptics group but declined, stating he is not entirely a skeptic. Moseley believes that while many UFO claims may be delusions or misinterpretations, there are genuine, currently unsolvable mysteries involved that science may eventually address, though perhaps not in our lifetimes. He discussed airline pilots' reluctance to share sightings for fear of being labeled crackpots, and his own agnostic stance on UFOs and the paranormal. Moseley also touched upon James Randi's million-dollar prize for demonstrating psychic powers, agreeing that such powers are sporadic and difficult to test under controlled conditions, which he believes can hinder their manifestation.

He recounted personal experiences, including mistaking a plane's wing light for a UFO and an incident in Coconut Grove, Florida, where he questioned whether a moving light was a hallucination or a UFO. In 1953, while in Orangeburg, South Carolina, he observed a glowing, starlike object with pulsating orange lights that moved across the horizon. He also recalled seeing two brilliant lights on Mt. Chachani in Peru in the late fifties. Moseley's talk sparked a lively discussion, with audience members challenging his openness to paranormal phenomena and questioning the basis of his faith in UFO mysteries compared to established scientific theories.

Book Reviews

"The Dawn of Human Culture: A Bold New Theory on what Sparked the 'Big Bang' of Human Consciousness" by Richard G. Klein with Blake Edgar is reviewed by Wolf Roder. The book offers a comprehensive review of human evolutionary history and presents Klein's hypothesis on the emergence of modern intelligence and consciousness. Klein suggests evolution occurs in spurts, proposing that modern Homo sapiens evolved suddenly in Africa around 60,000 years ago and subsequently colonized the world. This theory challenges the "out of Africa" model by positing that Neanderthals and Homo erectus were evolutionary dead ends. The review highlights the book's use of recent DNA evidence and its detailed exploration of cultural changes as indicators of cognitive development.

"Drawing the Line: How Mason and Dixon Surveyed the Most Famous Border in America" by Edwin Danson is reviewed by Wolf Roder. The review clarifies that Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon were astronomers and geographers hired to survey the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and had no involvement in the perpetuation of slavery. It details the challenges of their survey, including projecting latitudes, navigating wilderness, and dealing with Native American delegations. The review notes the book's description of the hardships of eighteenth-century surveying and the technical aspects of their work, such as the use of chains, links, and poles.

Satirical and Humorous Content

"If Noah lived in Cincinnati..." is a satirical piece imagining Noah building the Ark in modern-day Cincinnati, facing bureaucratic hurdles, permits, zoning issues, and lawsuits from various organizations like OSHA and the EPA. The story humorously concludes that the government has already effectively destroyed the earth, making Noah's task redundant.

"Spiritual-medical-psychic self-help" by Charles Hughes is a humorous account of an individual's exhaustive attempts at self-improvement through various alternative therapies, ultimately finding solace in a "big fat doobie," Cabernet, and ice cream.

A poem titled "Poem in a Box" by Hilaire Belloc is included, reflecting on the superficiality of observation without deep thought.

Political and Economic Commentary

An excerpt from the Akron Beacon Journal discusses Ohio's state leaders and their perceived low investment in education, contrasting it with states that enjoy economic growth and stability. Another excerpt from the same publication notes that U.S. Census Bureau data indicates Ohio is aggressive in spending on sports arenas and university facilities but falls below average in providing affordable education.

Organizational News and Events

The newsletter provides contact information for the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Program Chair, Meeting Organizer, Recruitment Committee Chair, Newsletter Editor, Investigations Officer, Publicity Coordinator, and Web Site Manager of the Cincinnati Skeptics. It also includes details about upcoming meetings for the 2002-2003 season, featuring talks on "Witches and Fairies" by Professor Edgar M. Slotkin and "Telekinesis and the Radiometer Effect" by Professor Bill Jensen, both from the University of Cincinnati. Membership dues are noted as being due.

Halloween Events

• A comprehensive list of Halloween-related events in the Greater Cincinnati area is provided. These include:
• The Haunted Village at Heritage Village Museum.
• Haunted Cincinnati Bus Tour.
• The Haunted Farm at Bonnybrook Farms, featuring a Crazed Corn Maze and Haunted Hayride.
• Bicentennial Halloween Festival in Downtown Lebanon.
• Halloween Campout at East Fork State Park.
• Boofest 2002 at the Cincinnati Museum Center.
• Events at the Cincinnati History Museum.
• A mention of the Haunted Cincinnati Website (www.hauntedcincinnati.com) which documents paranormal occurrences.

Other Content

"A Puzzle for Thinkers..." poses a question about which American President wrote a specific love poem.

"How You Know When." recounts an anecdote about Rutherford Hayes and his attraction to a prostitute.

Science Book-Club Meetings for 2002 are listed, with discussions on "Extinct Humans," "E=MC²," and "Seven Daughters of Eve."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism, critical thinking, and the rational examination of phenomena, particularly UFOs and the paranormal. The publication actively reviews books that challenge conventional wisdom or offer new scientific perspectives, such as those on human evolution and historical surveys. There is a clear editorial stance favoring evidence-based reasoning, as seen in the reviews and the guest speaker's focus on the human aspect of UFO belief. The inclusion of satirical pieces and commentary on societal issues like education and bureaucracy adds a layer of critical engagement. The extensive listing of Halloween events suggests an engagement with local culture and a willingness to cover a broad spectrum of interests for its readership, while maintaining a skeptical lens.

Title: Cincinnati Skeptics
Issue: Vol. 12 No. 2
Date: October/November 2002
Publisher: The Association for Rational Thought (ART)
Type: Nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization newsletter.

Organization and Mission

The Association for Rational Thought (ART) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific and educational pursuits. It aligns with the philosophies of prominent skeptical organizations such as CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal), The Skeptics Society, and JREF (James Randi Educational Foundation). ART shares the ideas and principles of these groups, aiming to provide a rational and evidence-based response to paranormal and pseudoscientific claims that are prevalent in society. The organization's mission includes investigating local paranormal claims and providing information for local media.

ART was founded by Cincinnati area skeptics in 1991. Its activities include monthly meetings, which are open to the public, and the publication of the Cincinnati Skeptic newsletter on a bi-monthly basis. Annual dues are set at $15.00 and include a subscription to the newsletter and notifications for meetings.

Key Organizations and Resources

The newsletter highlights several key organizations and resources for those interested in skepticism:

• CSICOP: Publishes *The Skeptical Inquirer* journal. Contact information and website (www.scicop.org) are provided.
• The Skeptics Society: Publishes *The Skeptic Magazine*. Contact information and website (www.skeptic.com) are provided.
• JREF: Publishes the *Swift Newsletter*. Contact information and website (www.randi.org) are provided.
• SANE (Skeptical Area Network Effort): An email list for the latest skeptical news, featuring rational messages from CSICOP, James Randi, local skeptics, and ART. This serves as a means of communication between newsletter issues.
• ART Website: http://www.cincinnatiskeptics.org offers BLURBS on various subjects, links to skeptical thinking resources, information on joining SANE, the definition of ART, its bylaws, meeting information, and methods for contacting the organization or sending sample copies.

Membership and Contributions

The newsletter includes a form for new members or renewals, requesting personal information such as name, address, phone number, and email. It emphasizes that dues have been kept low but encourages additional voluntary contributions to support ART's work. Checks should be made payable to the Association for Rational Thought and mailed to P.O. Box 12896, Cincinnati, OH 45212. It is noted that contributions are not currently tax-deductible, but the organization is working on this.

Meetings and Events

ART holds its meetings on the second Saturday of each month from September through June, starting at 10:00 AM. The schedule for the 2002-2003 season is detailed:

• Second Meeting: Saturday, October 12, 2002 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM program, 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM lunch)
• Third Meeting: Saturday, November 9, 2002 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM program, 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM lunch)
• Fourth Meeting: Saturday, December 14, 2002 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM program, 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM lunch)

Further details for future meetings will be sent via mail. The newsletter also notes that there will be a Friday the 13th in December and June, encouraging members to help the program committee plan a celebration.

What is a Skeptic?

A dedicated section defines skepticism as a response to the proliferation of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. Skeptics challenge unsubstantiated beliefs such as ghosts, flying saucers, miracle cures, and lake monsters. While not necessarily scientists, skeptics embrace the scientific method as the best approach to seeking knowledge. They are characterized as not being cynics who reject ideas outright, but rather as individuals who understand that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and insist on verifiable proof. Cincinnati Skeptics engage in debates, examine merits, critique dogmatism, and aim to have fun while seeking truth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around promoting skepticism, rational inquiry, and critical thinking. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and the scientific method, positioning skeptics as a necessary counterpoint to the widespread acceptance of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The newsletter actively encourages public participation in meetings and engagement with online resources to foster a community of like-minded individuals. The emphasis on community, information sharing, and the pursuit of truth underscores the organization's commitment to its mission.