Georgia Skeptics - Vol 04 No 06

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "Electronic Newsletter of the Georgia Skeptics" (Volume 4, Number 6, November/December 1991) focuses heavily on debunking paranormal claims, particularly those surrounding crop circles, and includes a personal account of attempting an Out-of-Body Experience (OBE).

Atlanta Crop Circle Mystery Solved

Larry F. Johnson of the Georgia Skeptics details how the organization investigated and then created three crop circles on Atlanta's Presidential Parkway. Using simple tools like nylon rope and sixteen-foot poles with shoes, the investigators mimicked the appearance of crop circles. They cataloged the process, including taking soil and plant samples, and noted that their efforts to get media attention for their 'paranormal' findings were unsuccessful. Johnson concludes that humans are capable of creating these circles without extraterrestrial help, likening them to subway graffiti and calling the belief in paranormal causes a practical joke.

Crop Circle Recap

Larry F. Johnson provides a historical overview of crop circles, primarily originating in Southern England. He describes their evolution from simple spirals to more complex patterns. The article delves into the history of crop circle investigation, mentioning key figures like Ian Stevens, Pat Delgado, Colin Andrews, and Busty Taylor. It outlines the two main camps of 'cereologists': those who believe in paranormal or extraterrestrial intelligence and those who attribute them to meteorological forces like 'Plasma Vortex' (Terence Meaden). The article also mentions other proponents of paranormal explanations, such as Archie Roy and Ralph Noyes, and systems engineer George Wingfield.

The Claims

• This section, likely by Larry F. Johnson or a similar investigator, systematically debunks common claims made by crop circle enthusiasts. These include:
• "The plant stems are undamaged": Explained by the natural resilience of plants, especially grasses, which can bend without breaking.
• "The stems are woven or braided": Attributed to the layering effect created when mashing plants, which can be manipulated by the creator.
• "Mysterious chemical and molecular changes": Dismissed as rumors originating from a holistic lab's test for herbal remedies, with no scientific backing.
• "Animals around the circles exhibit bizarre behavior": Labeled as purely anecdotal and subject to confirmation bias.
• "The circles affect dowsing rods": Categorized as anecdotal evidence, with controlled tests by James Randi and Joe Nickell showing failures.

The article criticizes the lack of scientific evidence supporting these claims and the willingness of some to accept them without rigorous investigation.

Operation Blackbird and Bowers and Chorley

This section recounts "Operation Blackbird," a monitoring campaign by Andrews and Delgado that mistakenly identified the body heat of pranksters as unexplained lights. It then details the confession of Doug Bower and David Chorley, two artists who admitted to creating many crop circles as a prank. Their methods, involving a plank, rope, and sight alignment, are described. The article notes the embarrassment of Pat Delgado, who had previously certified a Bower and Chorley circle as genuine paranormal evidence. It suggests that the crop circle phenomenon may shrink further into the fringes of belief systems.

Will the Real Crop Circle Hoaxers Please Stand Up?

Mike Sullivan of North Texas Skeptics presents two possibilities for the crop circle hoax: either Bower and Chorley are lying about making the circles, or they did make them and the paranormal community has perpetuated a hoax by claiming supernatural causes. Sullivan leans towards the latter, detailing how Bower and Chorley's story is plausible, supported by their wives' suspicions and their demonstrated ability to create the patterns. He suggests their motive for coming forward now might be related to the UK Corn Circle Conference. Sullivan argues that the lack of measurable physical phenomena associated with the circles opened the door to wild theories, and that a "cottage industry" of books, merchandise, and employment for psychics and dowsers was sustained by the mystery.

Circles Provide Fertile Soil for Paranormal Beliefs

This part of the analysis continues to explore the implications of Bower and Chorley's confession. It argues that the lack of scientific evidence allowed for numerous paranormal theories to flourish, placing UFOlogists, New Agers, and psychics on equal footing with science for some. The circles are described as being "custom-made" for various paranormal interest groups. The financial incentive for sustaining the mystery is highlighted, with a "cottage industry" of related products and services. The article mentions a large, expensive Japanese study that yielded no results and notes that tour companies also profited. It anticipates that paranormal believers will likely deny or reinterpret the Bower and Chorley confession, resorting to arguments like "these circles over here, they're real!" or accusing the confessors of being part of a conspiracy. The author concludes that the Bower/Chorley story provides evidence that supernatural explanations are not needed for crop circles, and even if they didn't create every circle, it doesn't mean all others must have a paranormal cause.

A Traveler's Diary: 30 Days to an OBE (Part 1)

This section, reported by Anson Kennedy of Georgia Skeptics, details his personal experiment with a self-help book titled "Have an Out-of-Body Experience in 30 Days: The Free Flight Program." The author recounts his initial attempts, including standing naked in front of a mirror (Day One), which he found unproductive. He then moves on to relaxing in a chair and concentrating on body parts. Kennedy shares his progress and poses questions about OBEs, such as whether a spirit body has gravity or a specific shape, and if travel to distant locations is possible. He also humorously asks what to do if one's nose itches during an OBE. The article then describes Day Two's exercise, "Altered States," which focuses on achieving a state of "alert relaxation" to develop awareness of distant locations. Kennedy notes the similarity of this technique to standard relaxation methods and expresses concern about spontaneously having an OBE during practice.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the promotion of skepticism and critical thinking in the face of paranormal claims. The Georgia Skeptics organization, aligned with CSICOP, actively seeks to debunk phenomena that lack scientific evidence. The articles on crop circles demonstrate a clear stance against attributing unexplained events to supernatural or extraterrestrial causes, instead favoring rational explanations like hoaxes or natural phenomena. The personal account of the OBE experiment, while presented as an experiment, is framed within the context of skeptical inquiry, with the author's humorous and questioning approach reflecting the newsletter's overall critical perspective. The editorial stance is one of encouraging evidence-based reasoning and challenging unsubstantiated beliefs.

This document is a segment from the Georgia Skeptics Newsletter, detailing the first two weeks of a skeptical member's training in inducing out-of-body experiences (OBEs). The content spans from Day 3 to Day 14 of the training program, presented as a two-part series.

Day 3: "A Sound Approach"

The author begins by describing Day 3's exercise, which focuses on developing auditory awareness. The goal is to practice with a nonvisual sense to prevent visual information from overwhelming other perceptions, particularly during an OBE. The exercise involves concentrating on sounds in an active and stimulating location, such as a home with multiple occupants and pets, which the author finds sufficiently stimulating. The author notes the instruction to keep eyes open but not look at sound sources unless unavoidable, leading to a humorous near-miss with a pet. The exercise concludes with listening to various sound combinations, aiming to maintain focus without losing track of individual sounds. The author reflects that the exercises seem designed to induce a feeling of consciousness separating from the body, questioning whether to continue the "adventure."

Day 4: "Scentimental Journey"

Day 4 focuses on fine-tuning the senses of smell and taste. The initial instruction to smell one's own body is met with humorous resistance. The exercise then moves to smelling the immediate environment. Following this, the author engages in the taste portion, recommending a restaurant and ordering exotic foods. While calamari rings were acceptable, escargot was not. This leads to a lengthy, albeit poorly received, joke about a snail buying a Cadillac.

Day 5: "The Louvre Method"

This exercise is named after writer Darlene Moore, who experienced an OBE after practicing it in the Louvre Museum courtyard. The method aims to enhance sensory experience to paradoxically open the unconscious mind to OBEs. It requires a companion and a new location. The author chooses his dog as a companion and his backyard as the location. The exercise involves keeping eyes closed for at least two hours, ideally wearing sunglasses to avoid attention. The author's attempt is complicated by his dog's desire to play fetch, leading to stumbling and a less-than-ideal sensory experience. The author notes the instruction to avoid analyzing perceptions and allow them to flow.

Day 6: "Return Ticket"

Day 6 introduces the "Return Ticket" exercise, which begins with an "alert relaxation" state. The goal is to mentally explore and experience an environment without the physical body, reliving past excursions. The author describes imagining himself back in his backyard, focusing on different spots to "move about" the environment. He notes that OBEs don't always follow the laws of everyday life. Returning to the body involves remembering its appearance and smell from earlier exercises, a method the author finds "frightening." He expresses disappointment at not having experienced leaving his body, attributing his vivid memories to imagination rather than actual OBEs. He concludes that the exercises are designed to indoctrinate the user into credulity, making it easier to imagine leaving the body.

Day 7: "Let's Get Physical"

This day's exercise is described as more down-to-earth, involving physical activity after practicing the "Return Ticket" exercise. It serves as a break from the intense study of the past week. The author humorously suggests inhabiting someone else's body if his brain burns out.

Week 1 Status Report

The author summarizes the first week of training, noting that the lessons ranged from the physical ("Though the Looking Glass," "Scentimental Journey") to the metaphysical ("The Louvre Method," "Return Ticket"). The overarching objective is identified as blurring the association of self with the body to facilitate the imagination of separating from it. The author attributes his lack of success to an inability to be hypnotized, despite trying both self-hypnosis and professional hypnosis.

Week Two: "Taking Off"

Week Two is titled "Taking Off" and aims to implement the practiced techniques. The exercises are designed to shift the user's psychological perspective regarding their body and the world, simulating the subjective sensation of existing apart from the body. The author anticipates that by the end of Week Two, he will understand that OBEs do not necessarily involve a second body separating or flying around. He also hopes to resolve concerns about whether his astral self wears clothes. The week's exercises also aim to overcome the fear of leaving the body permanently.

Day 8: "Rising Above It"

This exercise is intended to psychologically prepare for and potentially induce an OBE at will. It begins with lying in a comfortable, secure location and entering a state of "alert relaxation." The user is instructed to focus on being "inside" their body, then imagine their consciousness expanding to fill the room, and finally returning to normal size. Subsequently, the user imagines being a few inches above their physical form, floating and looking at their body, then moving attention back and forth between the body and the point above it – described as "Astral Ping-Pong."

Day 9: "A Room With a View"

Day 9's exercise is brief and involves using the same comfortable, secure location as the previous day. The focus shifts from imagining floating above the body to concentrating on a specific location across the room and imagining being a point of consciousness looking back at one's body. The goal is to capture details with all five senses. The author notes that this is an extension of yesterday's exercise, aiming for more detailed imagery to increase the likelihood of an OBE.

Day 10: "Being There"

This day's exercise is described as the most complex. It involves recognizing and envisioning locations with strong emotional attraction to induce an OBE. The author selects his bathroom as a personal meaningful place and a Little Caesar's pizza place as an outdoor location about ten to fifteen minutes away. The exercise involves pretending to have an OBE, going to the outdoor location, and then proceeding to the indoor location, avoiding human contact unless necessary, and maintaining an objective distance as if visiting a museum exhibit for the first time. The author humorously notes that this means no interaction with a potential 27-year-old girl.

Day 11: "Shopping Spree"

This exercise, titled "Shopping Spree" or "How To Use the Astral Charge Card - Don't Leave Your Body Without It!," begins by visiting a department store or shopping center never visited before. The goal is to explore displays of objects for sale without buying anything, aiming to disassociate from reality by noticing the impersonality of the response to objects. The author humorously recounts being eyed suspiciously by a clerk, possibly due to his handling of objects. After a break and a metaphorical "strip search," he is instructed to pick a different section to browse. The exercise then involves an "exploratory journey" around the home, considering feelings toward objects, followed by entering a state of alert relaxation and imagining being a tiny dot, then returning to usual size.

Day 12: "Within You and Without You"

This exercise is to be done first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. It involves noticing oneself emerging from sleep, concentrating on the image of a face looking back, taking a deep breath, and imagining an emotionally significant object from previous exercises. The user then imagines floating in the air in front of the object. The author notes that this day is a rehash of previous experiences, involving images of pizza and screwdrivers, but without the "alert relaxation" component.

Day 13: "Unfinished Business"

The exercise begins by noticing everyday objects taken for granted, such as a light switch. The author humorously attempts to "experience" a light bulb, feeling an energy flow and heat. The bulb then seems to "speak," telling him he is "losing it" and to "get back to reality," declaring OBEs a "crock." This outburst is followed by a period of time passing, after which the author regains control and decides not to continue for the night.

Day 14: "Days of Future Past"

This exercise concludes Week Two and is designed to alter the perception of time. It begins with entering a state of alert relaxation. The user is instructed to imagine the rest of the day's activities, concentrating on specific mental images and making them vivid. The user then proceeds through their normal day, periodically comparing reality with their imagined scenarios and asking if they are where they seem to be or if they might be having an OBE. The author notes that this is about blurring the line between fantasy and reality until the two are indistinguishable.

Week Two Redux

The author summarizes Week Two as consisting of exercises designed to make him believe he is having an OBE. He has rehearsed leaving his body, imagined going to new places, doing planned activities, and feeling objects without touching them. He has tried to convince himself that reality is only what he imagines, but states, "It ain't working." He hopes Week Three, "Gaining Altitude," will be more productive.

Analysis of the Skeptic's Adventure

The article then analyzes the member's experience over the first two weeks. Approaching the training with skepticism, the member was drawn into self-delusions required for OBE induction. Day 13 is noted as a particularly difficult day where the member seemed closest to losing touch with reality but managed to return. The member's highly skeptical summary at the end of the two weeks leads to a question: If he seemed relatively unaffected by the techniques halfway through, what caused him to be found comatose at the conclusion? This sets up anticipation for the next article.

Upcoming Meeting

The Georgia Skeptics will hold their next regular meeting on November 17, 1991, at the Savoy Dr. Steak and Ale Restaurant in NE Atlanta. Priscilla Vandecar of the Council on Battered Women will speak on the myths and pseudoscience prevalent in today's popular psychology concerning battered women, focusing on misconceptions and rationalizations accepted by society.

Holiday Pot-Luck

Members and guests are invited to a holiday season pot-luck dinner on Sunday evening, December 15, at the home of Becky Long, starting at 5:30 PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish of their choice and a beverage.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the exploration and skepticism surrounding techniques for inducing out-of-body experiences (OBEs). The author, writing from a skeptical perspective, documents his personal attempts at these exercises with a mix of humor and critical analysis. The Georgia Skeptics' editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination of pseudoscience and popular psychology, as evidenced by the upcoming meeting's topic. The newsletter aims to investigate phenomena often accepted uncritically by society, encouraging a rational and analytical approach.