Georgia Skeptics - Vol 06 No 04

Magazine Overview

This document is the Fall 1993 issue of the Georgia Skeptic Electronic Newsletter. It is published by the Georgia Skeptics, a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating pseudoscientific and paranormal claims from a scientific perspective and disseminating their findings. The newsletter features a table of contents listing several articles and reports, an announcement for the November meeting, and information about the organization's philosophy, membership, and contact details.

Contents and Articles

November Meeting: Dr. Mark Woodhouse

This section announces an upcoming meeting on Sunday, November 21, 1993, at 4:30 p.m. at the Steak and Ale Restaurant on Northlake Parkway. Dr. Mark Woodhouse, an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy at Georgia State University, will discuss his reasons for believing in phenomena such as alien contacts, communications with entities from parallel universes, psychic healing, and past lives, and will present his philosophical arguments for their rationality.

PULLING THE WOOL OVER THEIR EYES, by Anson Kennedy

This article is a report on CSICOP's "Magic For Skeptics II" seminar held in Lexington, Kentucky, on April 16-18. Approximately eighty self-proclaimed skeptics attended. CSICOP Fellows Joe Nickell and Robert Baker taught participants how to use "GENUINE PARANORMAL ABILITIES" to debunk pretenders. James "The Amazing" Randi also participated. The author humorously notes that after observing Randi, attendees had ample opportunity to look for deception in his feats, but none was detected, leading to the conclusion that Randi possesses supernatural abilities. The seminar concluded with Randi materializing flaming messages in midair, which the Georgia Skeptics managed to capture on film. The author commends Nickell and Baker for an excellent program, with Randi's participation being the "icing on the cake."

"SPIRIT WRITING" PHOTOGRAPHS - EXPOSED!, by Anson Kennedy

This article debunks the phenomenon of "spirit writing" photographs, particularly those appearing in Polaroid images, which are often believed to be un-falsifiable. The author explains that "spirit pictures" have been a staple of spiritualism since the 1800s, including images of figures and "ectoplasm." The infamous "Cottingley Fairies" pictures, endorsed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, are cited as an example of a hoax, as analyzed by James Randi in his book _Flim-Flam!_. The article highlights the misconception that Polaroids cannot be faked due to their instant development. The author critiques a feature on the Fox television program _Sightings_ that claimed spirit writing appeared in Polaroids, attributing it to a ghost named "Wright." The article explains that the "you can't fake a Polaroid" argument is a logical fallacy (argumentum ad ignorantiam). It details a method used by the _Sightings_ program to debunk the phenomenon, which involved a "computer-enhanced photographic analysis" suggesting cotton fibers were used to create messages. However, the author argues this method was overly complicated and served as a "straw man" argument. A simpler method is described: creating a transparency with a message scratched onto it, which is then superimposed onto a Polaroid print. The article reveals that one of the gentlemen featured on _Sightings_ worked in a photo processing lab, giving him the expertise to create such effects. The author concludes that while mere duplication doesn't disprove the supernatural, a human manipulation is far more likely than a ghost writing messages.

THE FORM OF ANGELS, by Hugh H. Trotti

This article explores the historical origins of the depiction of angels. It begins by referencing a recent article by Robert Baker about books on angels and questions the historical accuracy of angel depictions. The author notes that ancient Sumerians believed the dead wore only wings, and gods had messengers. Biblical angels are described as potentially appearing as ordinary people. The primary influence on the Christian depiction of angels is identified as the ancient Greek "Nike" or "Winged Victory" figure. These "Victories" supported Roman and Byzantine emperors. The article quotes Gibbon's _Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ describing a Byzantine emperor crowned with a winged figure of Victory. Roman emperors were often depicted on coins with "Victory" figures presenting crowns. As Christianity grew, these "Victory" figures evolved into angels. The article suggests that imperial coins served as propaganda, and "barbarians" in the north might have equated these Nike figures with Odin's helpers, the "Valkyries." The author also mentions that Slavic kings were supported by God, and entities with invisibility and power were respected. Angels could even provide diplomatic excuses, as in the case of the Byzantine emperors being advised to claim an angel revealed the secret of Greek Fire.

OVULATION VS. CRETINISM, Author Unknown

This article humorously presents two theories for the origin of children: sexual reproduction and the theory of the stork. It sarcastically suggests that many scientists favor the stork theory and that the theory of sexual reproduction should only be taught as a theory. The article lists six points "supporting" the theory of the stork:

1. Storks exist and can be confirmed by ornithologists.
2. The theory of sexual reproduction allegedly fails to explain fetal development.
3. The claim that a child is nine months old at birth is absurd because newborns are "newborn."
4. Sexual intercourse does not always lead to the birth of a child, implying the stork theory is more reliable.
5. Statistical studies in the Netherlands show a correlation between birth rates and stork populations, both decreasing.
6. The theory of the stork can be investigated scientifically, with the only assumption being that storks deliver children.

PICNIC REPORT, by Anson Kennedy

This article reports on the Second Annual Georgia Skeptics Picnic held on Sunday, September 19, at the home of Dale and Ann Heatherington in Roswell, Georgia. Nearly 60 people attended, twice the number from the previous year. Entertainment was provided by Doyne Michie, a retired Presbyterian minister and magician. Michie performed close-up tricks for children, including changing pennies into larger "pennies" and making foam rubber "eggs" multiply. He also performed card tricks, rope tricks, and a cut-and-restore trick with newspaper. His mentalist tricks included predicting a word from a torn magazine page. The author notes the children's amazed reactions. Michie also discussed how he performed some of the tricks, particularly the mentalist ones, to appeal to the skeptical audience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Georgia Skeptic Electronic Newsletter consistently promotes a skeptical and scientific approach to paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The articles aim to debunk common beliefs, expose hoaxes, and provide rational explanations based on critical thinking and historical context. The organization's philosophy aligns with that of CSICOP, emphasizing responsible investigation and dissemination of results. The newsletter also includes practical information for its members, such as meeting announcements and membership details, fostering a community of like-minded individuals interested in critical inquiry.

This document appears to be an issue of the Georgia Skeptics Newsletter, likely from September 1993, as indicated by the date of a panel discussion and the date of a Gary Larson cartoon. The newsletter focuses on skeptical inquiry into unusual claims and phenomena.

Article 1: Encounter with Doyne Michie

The first part of the newsletter recounts how the author and Becky Long met Doyne Michie. They attended a panel discussion on spirit possession sponsored by William Roll's Parasychological Services Institute (PSI) on Saturday, September 11. The panel included a philosophy professor from Georgia State University, a minister from the Unity Church who performs exorcisms, a psychologist, a massage therapist, William Roll, and Doyne Michie.

Doyne Michie, initially stating he didn't believe in demons or spirits as a liberal minister and admirer of magician James Randi, expressed awareness of frauds in the field. Intrigued by his perspective, the author and Becky Long approached Michie during a break and invited him to a Georgia Skeptics picnic, also asking if he would perform a magic show.

An editor's note clarifies that Doyne Michie is the President of Laughter, Inc., a project that utilizes his magic shows as therapy for individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, and juvenile delinquent homes. Information for donations or further details can be obtained by contacting Doyne Michie at 616 Lorell Terrace, Atlanta, GA, 30328, or by phone at (404) 256-1077.

Article 2: Gary Larson Psychic?

Authored by Dale Heatherington, this section questions whether Gary Larson, the cartoonist behind 'The Far Side', might be psychic. The author notes that on Friday, July 30, 1993, a 'Far Side' cartoon depicted a person being killed by an elephant. On the same day, a zoo keeper in Tampa, Florida, was killed by an elephant. Heatherington poses this as a potential coincidence but suggests that Gary Larson might possess psychic abilities and recommends he be tested at SRI (Stanford Research Institute).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter clearly adopts a skeptical stance, questioning paranormal claims and seeking rational explanations or highlighting coincidences. The first article showcases how a group of skeptics actively seeks out individuals who might be engaging in or promoting questionable phenomena, with the intention of understanding their methods or perhaps debunking them. The second article directly addresses the concept of psychic ability through the lens of a striking coincidence involving a popular cartoonist. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination and a search for evidence, even when presented with seemingly extraordinary events.