NIVFO-Bulletin - 1992 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NIVFO bulletin, dated 1-92 and part of the 12th volume, is published by the Norsk Institutt for Vitenskapelig Forskning og Opplysning (NIVFO) in Norway. The cover features a striking, somewhat disturbing illustration of a mechanical human head on a plate, being approached by hands with a fork and knife, suggesting themes of consumption or dissection of the mind. The main headline is simply the magazine's title and issue number. The publication's stated aim is to be a critical forum for pseudoscience and literature.

Content Summary

The issue contains a variety of articles, including:

New Age 101 by Bill Malcolm

This extensive article critically examines the New Age movement, which Malcolm defines as a collection of irrational beliefs, jargon, and rituals that have proliferated since the "me-generation" of the 1960s. He highlights the diversity of New Age beliefs, citing the example of Dr. Wilhelm Reich and his theory of "orgone energy." Reich, a neo-Freudian psychologist, claimed orgone energy was a blue, non-electromagnetic radiation from space responsible for phenomena like the sky's color and sexual arousal in frogs. His Orgone Institute built metal-lined boxes to concentrate this energy, which patients would sit in. Reich also believed he could create rain using large tubes to collect orgone energy and claimed to cure cancer with it. Despite being dismissed as a fraud and even arrested for medical fraud, his books reportedly continue to sell well in New Age shops.

Malcolm categorizes New Age beliefs as pseudoscientific, arguing that while they claim to be scientific, they are often untestable or demonstrably false. He notes that pseudoscientists borrow scientific terms like "energy fields" and "vibrations," or invent new ones like "orgone." These beliefs have gained popularity since the 1960s, appealing to people who fear science's perceived inhumanity (e.g., nuclear weapons) while still respecting its successes (e.g., antibiotics). Pseudoscientific ideas offer a "warm and fuzzy" feeling that addresses fears while sounding scientific enough to earn respect, allowing adherents to seek the best of both worlds.

However, Malcolm contends that for New Agers, science is merely packaging, not substance. They are not seeking explanations but emotional fulfillment through therapies like love, friendship, massage, paranormal experiences, meditation, and quick cures. The appeal is not to testable truth but to emotional effect. He criticizes the commercialization of New Age ideas, with publishers profiting from this trend. He mentions that in the USA, entire bookstores are dedicated to New Age titles, with one distributor offering 11,000 titles. Forbes magazine reportedly called some New Age business books "interchangeably moronic."

Astronomer Carl Sagan is quoted as being concerned about a potential catastrophe due to widespread ignorance of scientific issues like global warming and radioactive waste, arguing that New Age "nonsense" distracts from these real problems. Malcolm suggests that a generation unable to distinguish reality from fantasy cannot ask the right questions or grasp the answers.

New Age and Customer Exploitation

Malcolm argues that New Age marketing tactics are similar to those used for consumer goods like shampoo, promising life transformation through purchasing a product – be it a guru, crystal, or therapy. These appeals target narcissists with low self-esteem who seek external validation and grandiosity. The promises of immediate change, unlimited potential, and becoming 'God' are designed to feed their chronic ego needs. He likens New Age to a pyramid scheme where gurus at the top profit from followers who are led to believe their problems stem from their own lifestyle, "pollution," "negative energy," or "bad karma." Even illnesses like cancer are attributed to a lack of positive thinking.

The Dark Side

The "dark side" of New Age is presented as the belief that truth is subjective and based on personal feelings. Gurus like Shirley MacLaine reportedly teach that "You are God" and that individual vibrations of truth are absolute, meaning there is no objective right or wrong. This leads to the idea that believers can do whatever they want, and that all endings are happy, with no such thing as mistakes.

MacLaine is cited as recommending a channeler named J.2. Knight, who channels an entity named Ramtha (or Ram), supposedly from Atlantis 35,000 years ago. Ram's philosophy includes the idea that "God is the isness of all that is" and that every action, no matter how "disgusting and vile," expands one's understanding. Murder is framed as a learning experience, and the advice is not to help the poor or suffering, as they have chosen their experiences. MacLaine's own past lives are described as including being a pirate, a Buddhist monk, and helping write the US Constitution.

Proof? What Kind of Proof?

This section addresses the skepticism towards New Age claims. When scientists ask for proof, cultists argue that science is just one way of explaining the world and that reason is too limited. They dismiss the need for empirical evidence, suggesting that mysteries exist on a distant spiritual plane inaccessible to science. The article critiques the idea that science fails to find evidence for psychic powers. It also discusses the quantum physics concept that particles are not definite until measured, and how some philosophers and physicists interpret this to mean reality only exists when observed by consciousness. Einstein's skepticism towards this idea is mentioned, questioning what level of consciousness is needed to make the universe real.

The author refutes the idea that the universe doesn't exist until observed, using the analogy of a rainbow: the sunlight and raindrops exist whether or not someone sees the rainbow. The article strongly criticizes the notion that humans create reality or natural laws, citing the example of Newton discovering gravity rather than inventing it. The predictive power of science is presented as far more than a mere construct of our minds.

Testing Gravity

The final section, "VI TESTER TYNGDEKRAFTEN" (We Test Gravity), suggests that readers should not accept these ideas on faith but test them personally, using gravity as an example.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critique of the New Age movement, its pseudoscientific underpinnings, its commercial exploitation, and its philosophical implications regarding reality and consciousness. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical and critical of New Age beliefs, contrasting them with scientific methodology and rationality. The bulletin positions itself as a forum for debunking pseudoscience and promoting critical thinking.

This issue of NIB, dated 1/1992, is published by NIVFO and focuses on skepticism towards paranormal claims and critical examination of societal issues. The cover prominently features the headline "Prester tier om overgrep" (Priests remain silent about abuse), with a sub-headline "DJEVLEUTDRIVELSE" (Exorcism) and a photograph of Bishop Finn Wagle.

Skepticism Towards Psychic Abilities

The magazine presents a strong skeptical viewpoint regarding psychic powers. An article discusses how geological predictions based on lunar phases and cat advertisements, as proposed by Jim Berkland, failed to anticipate the 7.1 magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake in California. It also questions the accuracy of astrologers, citing Joan Quigley, who advised Nancy Reagan on presidential activities but was apparently unaware of the impending earthquake. The article extends this skepticism to predictions about the collapse of the Soviet Union and the invasion of Kuwait, arguing that if psychics possessed genuine abilities, they would have leveraged them for immense financial gain, particularly during the Gulf War.

The piece "FRA JEG TIL MEG" (FROM ME TO ME) by Erik Meier Carlsen explores the concept of consciousness and the 'self' through the lens of Tor Nørretranders' book "Mærk Verden". It posits that the conscious ego has an exaggerated role in human perception and decision-making, and that our non-conscious processing of vast amounts of sensory information far exceeds what our awareness can handle. The article touches upon experiments suggesting actions are initiated before conscious awareness and questions the traditional understanding of free will, suggesting it may not reside in the conscious 'I'. It also references scientific advancements in physics and mathematics that question the self-sufficiency of formal systems and highlight the limitations of prediction in areas like weather and economics.

The Exmoor Monster Investigation

Another section details an expedition by seven Danes to Exmoor, England, to investigate reports of large, unknown feline predators preying on sheep. Led by zoologist Lars Thomas, the "Operation Exmoor" found evidence of attacked sheep, predator tracks, and eyewitness accounts. The expedition concluded with high certainty that a population of free-ranging pumas exists on Exmoor, but also raised the question of whether other, unidentified feline predators might be present.

Priests and Child Abuse: A Crisis of Silence

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the issue of child abuse and the role of the church. The article "Prester tier om overgrep" reports that priests in the Church of Norway perform exorcisms on victims of incest and sexual abuse, sometimes attributing the abuse to evil spirits within the child. Marit Hellesnes from the Support Center against Incest confirms that young people have reported disturbing encounters with clergy. The article criticizes the church's "holy duty of silence," which allegedly prevents priests from reporting abuse to authorities. Examples are given where victims were told to seek forgiveness, thus placing blame on themselves. Psychologist Judith Gjøen recounts a case of a 12-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and then dismissed by another Christian leader.

Bishops Finn Wagle and Sigurd Osberg react with shock and concern. Bishop Wagle describes the situation as "terrible" and "unbelievable," while Bishop Osberg emphasizes the need for the church to discuss breaking confidentiality in cases of child abuse to prevent further harm. He notes that the issue is particularly relevant given recent high-profile sex abuse cases in Stokke. The article suggests that priests' loyalty should be to the child, not just the institution, and that they should not attempt to handle such cases alone but involve public social services.

Other News and Notes

The issue also includes a brief mention of the delay in its publication due to an "experiment" involving layout, printing, and distribution from Lithuania, which encountered communication problems. It also notes the possibility of James Randi visiting Trondheim for a conference and mentions the death of science fiction author Isaac Asimov, a co-founder of CSICOP, at the age of 72.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal phenomena and pseudoscientific claims, a critical examination of institutional practices (particularly within the church), and an exploration of the nature of consciousness and human perception. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry, advocating for evidence-based reasoning and challenging established dogmas, whether religious or pseudoscientific. The magazine champions transparency and accountability, especially in matters concerning the protection of vulnerable individuals.

This issue of BASIS magazine, dated February 1992, features a variety of articles covering topics from biblical symbolism to UFO investigations and media hoaxes. The magazine's focus appears to be on critical examination and skepticism towards extraordinary claims.

Articles

Dyret i Åpenbaringen (The Beast in Revelation)

This article discusses the popular theme of 'The Beast in Revelation' from the Bible. It explains that the beast is a symbol, with the first beast representing world powers like Rome, or more specifically, Emperor Domitian, associated with the number 666. The second beast is identified as the false prophet who leads people to worship the emperor. The article notes that whether it refers to a specific person is uncertain and mentions 'the mark of the beast' from the text. An accompanying illustration is presented as the interpretation of 'The Beast' by a cartoonist for the newspaper Adresseavisen.

James Randi til Norge igjen i år? (James Randi to Norway Again This Year?)

This short piece mentions the possibility of James Randi, a well-known skeptic, visiting Norway again for a CSICOPs Europe conference in May. The discussion includes the potential for a TV recording during his visit to Trondheim.

Den besværlige kulturen (The Troublesome Culture) by Gunvald Opstad

This section reviews a book by Gunvald Opstad titled 'Den besværlige kulturen'. The reviewer highly recommends the book, stating it's not about the 'paranormal' but rather about the media. The book is described as a lively, informative, and analytical contribution to Norwegian cultural debate, written by Gunvald Opstad, a cultural journalist and author born in 1935. The book, published in 1991 by Institutt for Journalisikk, is 240 pages long and illustrated by Mike Tombs. It is aimed at anyone interested in culture, including members of the Progress Party, tabloid journalists, and editors-in-chief. The book explores the background of Norwegian culture in the 1990s and offers a witty and provocative appeal to take culture seriously, containing 'real gems for skeptics'.

UFO UPDATE: VERDENS MEST FORHATTE UFO-DEBUNKER SNAKKER UT OM SITT ARBEIDE OG UTVIKLINGEN AV SINE SYNPUNKTER (The World's Most Hated UFO Debunker Talks About His Work and the Development of His Views)

This article focuses on Philip J. Klass, described as the most disliked UFO expert among ufologists. Klass has spent 25 years debunking UFOs and has given numerous interviews and written articles for publications like Aviation Week and The Skeptical Inquirer, as well as books such as 'UFOs, The Public Deceived'. The article notes that figures like Budd Hopkins view Klass as an ideologue. However, Klass was not always a debunker; he was initially a believer in 1966 when he wrote about the Exeter, New Hampshire incident of 1965, where glowing fireballs were seen over power lines. He theorized they might be alien spacecraft drawing power. Klass recounts being impressed by John G. Fuller's work but later began fact-checking. He found inconsistencies in Fuller's claims, such as the number of engineers at the power plant and the lack of reported power outages. Klass now attributes such phenomena to atmospheric effects like ball lightning or coronas. Despite his role as a 'heretic' in the UFO community, Klass appears to accept it, even having a Philip Klass dartboard. At 72, he expresses a desire to retire from UFO investigations and enjoy sailing, but still dedicates 30-40 hours a week to leading investigations, speaking to the media, and editing his UFO skeptic newsletter. Jerry Black of the Mutual UFO Network explains Klass's continued work by stating that 'because there are so many bluffers, we need the checking and balance that Klass provides.' The source is OMNI, February 1992, by Allen Salzberg.

EN UFO-OBSERVASJON MED VIDEOOPPTAK (A UFO Observation with Video Recording)

This article discusses a UFO observation that was filmed but later 'solved' by skeptics. Robert Sheaffer, a CSICOPs expert, recounts an incident from October 1989, prior to a major earthquake. A UFO was filmed near Reno, Nevada, and broadcast on TV. The wide-angle footage showed a dark object, which upon zooming, revealed a diamond shape. A condensation trail indicated it was an aircraft at high altitude. Sheaffer initially had no immediate explanation, beyond suggesting it might be a Zeta Reticulan craft with advanced jet engines, though not suitable for interstellar travel. The object's size and altitude suggested it was significant. After showing the video to other skeptics, the consensus was that it was an aircraft at approximately 25,000 feet due to the condensation trail. James McGaha, an Air Force pilot and chairman of The Tucson Skeptics, identified the object as a refueling mission. He stated that such jets refuel formations of combat aircraft, often in groups of two, three, or four. McGaha believes the diamond shape was a clear indication of such a formation. The article concludes that this case serves as a lesson: just because a UFO observation or photo lacks an immediate explanation does not mean one will never be found. Correct explanations often require specialized knowledge and can take time to uncover. The source is BASIS for June 1991, with a reference to Bay Aera Skeptics Information Sheet.

VIDEOKASSETTEN MED OPPTAK AV JAMES RANDIS FORELESNING I TRONDHEIM I FJOR KAN ENNÅ SKAFFES! (Video Cassette with Recording of James Randi's Lecture in Trondheim Last Year Can Still Be Obtained!)

This is an advertisement for a video cassette of a lecture by James Randi. It can be ordered from NIVFO for 250 Norwegian Kroner.

Den menneskelige kænguru (The Human Kangaroo)

This article recounts the story of Eucla, a small town in Australia, which gained international attention 20 years prior due to a young, blonde, scantily clad girl reportedly running with red kangaroos. The girl was described as shy, silent, and behaving like a wild animal. The story, which appeared in Time, Newsweek, and on television, eventually faded due to lack of new information. It was later revealed to be a hoax orchestrated by Laurie Scott, a kangaroo hunter, and his wife Geneice Scott. Laurie Scott admitted to fabricating the story in a pub, and a friend wrote a small article, with photos taken of Geneice dressed in kangaroo skins. The story quickly gained worldwide attention, leading to numerous inquiries. Geneice Scott, now a nurse and grandmother, recalls being asked by Laurie to wear the skins for the photos, which involved capturing seven or eight kangaroos. She mentions that the story grew beyond their control, with people believing the 'nymf' might be their missing daughter. Tourists even visited the bush to leave food for her. Laurie and Geneice now find the hoax amusing, calling it a harmless joke and noting how easily people can be deceived. The sources are Jyllandsposten, 5.5.91, and Para-nyt Presseinfo nr. 1/91.

God påske. (Happy Easter.)

A final image of a St. Bernard dog with a barrel around its neck accompanies a 'Happy Easter' greeting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFOs, skepticism, and the debunking of alleged phenomena. The magazine consistently presents a critical perspective, highlighting the work of skeptics like Philip Klass and James Randi. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based analysis and the tendency for unusual stories to be hoaxes or misinterpretations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and a healthy dose of skepticism when evaluating extraordinary claims, whether they be biblical interpretations, UFO sightings, or media sensationalism.