NIVFO-Bulletin - 1995 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: NIVFO bulletin
Issue: 2/1995
Volume: 15
Date: 1995
Publisher: NORSK INSTITUTT FOR VITENSKAPELIG FORSKNING OG OPPLYSNING
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian

This issue of the NIVFO bulletin, a publication from the Norwegian Institute for Scientific Research and Information, takes a critical and skeptical stance on various topics often associated with pseudoscience and public anxieties. The cover boldly declares 'ASTROLOGI: HISTORIENS STØRSTE BLØFF!' (Astrology: History's Biggest Bluff!), setting the tone for an issue that aims to debunk popular misconceptions and promote scientific understanding.

Articles and Content

"Uvitenhetens diktatur ?" (The Dictatorship of Ignorance?)

This article, continuing from page 14, discusses how media outlets, using the example of Bergens Tidende, can promote unverified claims, such as those made by municipal doctor Jan Øren regarding harmful earth radiation. It highlights how the Ethics Council of the Norwegian Medical Association has commented on such cases, questioning whether doctors practicing 'alternative medicine' are worse than others. The article also notes the absence of representatives from the Norwegian Medical Association at European skeptic conferences, suggesting a lack of engagement with critical scientific discourse. It further references an article in 'Forskningspolitikk' by Svein Sjøberg, who advocates for the reintroduction of natural sciences into general education to equip the public to discern scientific claims.

"RADIOAKTIVITET: FRYKT OG FAKTA" (Radioactivity: Fear and Facts) by Dr. Philos. Johan Baarli

Dr. Baarli addresses the common fear and anxiety surrounding radiation, radioactivity, and atomic energy. He attributes this fear partly to the lack of public knowledge, which allows for fantasies and doomsday prophecies to flourish. The historical context, including the discovery of atomic energy and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is cited as a significant factor in shaping this negative perception. The article criticizes individuals and organizations, such as Bellona, Naturvernforbundet, and Greenpeace, for promoting alarmist views on radioactivity without sufficient scientific grounding. Baarli argues that the public and politicians have been swayed by this fear, leading to costly measures to avoid radiation at all costs. He emphasizes that Earth is a natural radiation environment, with cosmic radiation and naturally occurring radioactive substances contributing significantly to our exposure. He points out that the effects of radiation are measurable and that scientific data, when properly applied, can accurately assess risks. The article contrasts the perceived dangers of artificial radiation (e.g., from nuclear power or weapons testing) with the constant exposure to natural radiation, suggesting that the latter is often overlooked. Baarli notes that even after the Chernobyl disaster, the average radiation dose to the Norwegian population did not increase significantly, indicating that natural radiation levels are far more substantial. He criticizes the 'precautionary principle' being applied in a way that creates undue fear and distrust in scientific expertise, leading to psychological distress and a distorted perception of reality.

"EN BJØRNSON-MYTE" (A Bjørnson Myth) by Knut M. Brundtland

This piece debunks a claim made by author Margit Sandemo regarding her alleged lineage from the renowned Norwegian poet Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. Brundtland argues that while Bjørnson did father a child out of wedlock, there is no evidence to support the claim that he had other children outside his marriage to Karoline Reimers. The article suggests that Sandemo's assertion is an 'occult fact' rather than a verifiable historical one, fitting into a trend of New Age claims lacking empirical roots. The piece also notes that the newspaper Aftenposten initially refused to publish this critique, raising questions about journalistic editorial decisions.

"OM MISBRUK AV ORDENE 'OVERTRO' OG 'PSEUDOVITENSKAP'" (On the Misuse of the Words 'Superstition' and 'Pseudoscience') by Dr. Oluf Chr Bøckman (PhD)

Dr. Bøckman addresses the problematic use of terms like 'pseudoscience' and 'junk science'. He defines 'pseudo' as false or fake, and 'pseudoscience' as nonsense that sounds scientific, used to lend credibility to superstition. He argues that the role of skeptics is to clarify these issues and combat such claims. However, he notes that these terms are increasingly used as political weapons, particularly in environmental debates, when scientific arguments are weak. As an example, he cites discussions about climate change and rising global temperatures, where the increase in CO2 is not disputed, but its effects are. Bøckman points out that measures to drastically reduce CO2 emissions would have severe economic and lifestyle consequences for industrialized nations heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

Other Content

The issue also includes a section titled 'Kort fortalt' (In Brief), 'Det kjærlighetsfulle riset' (The Loving Joke), and a discussion on 'Parapsykologiske UFOer i Hessdalen?' (Parapsychological UFOs in Hessdalen?). There is also a piece titled 'Hvorfor laget Gud riskaker?' (Why Did God Make Risk Cakes?).

Subscription information is provided for NIVFO Bulletin, with a price of 100 NOK for four issues per year. The responsible editors are listed as K. Stenødegård and Jan S. Krogh.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the promotion of critical thinking and scientific skepticism against what the publication views as unfounded beliefs, misinformation, and pseudoscience. The editorial stance is clearly against astrology, alarmist interpretations of radioactivity, and unsubstantiated claims in various fields. The bulletin positions itself as a 'critical forum for pseudoscience and literature,' aiming to educate the public and counter what it perceives as a 'dictatorship of ignorance' fueled by media sensationalism and a lack of scientific literacy.

This issue of 'Ukeslutt' (Issue 1/95) delves into several critical topics, primarily focusing on the debunking of pseudoscientific claims and the importance of scientific reasoning in public discourse. The magazine features a commentary on climate change, an exposé on astrology, discussions on homeopathy and graphology, and an analysis of the 'Mars effect'.

Climate Change Debate and Pseudoscience

A commentary by Dr. Oluf Chr. Bøckman, a researcher at Norsk Hydro, addresses the heated debate surrounding climate change. He acknowledges that if climate scientists are correct, the warming could be catastrophic. However, he characterizes the debate as a normal scientific discussion with strong political undertones, complicated by the intricate nature of climate systems that necessitate simplified models. Bøckman notes that while the debate is intense, it has little to do with superstition or pseudoscience, although these terms are sometimes invoked when scientific results are politically or economically unpalatable. He cautions readers to be skeptical of scientific arguments presented in public debate, as the quality of the science invoked is not always impeccable. He also points out that the use of terms like 'pseudoscience' and 'junk science' doesn't necessarily indicate the involvement of superstition, but can sometimes signal a weak grasp of the subject by the critic, unless fundamental flaws in the criticized science can be thoroughly demonstrated.

Astrology Exposed as a Hoax

The magazine presents a detailed article titled 'Horoscopes Exposed as a Hoof: Astrology Smashed Again'. It highlights that only 13 out of 100 people are born under the zodiac sign they believe they belong to. The article explains that the 12 traditional zodiac signs are now inaccurate by about a month due to shifts in the celestial sphere, meaning there are now 13 constellations, not 12. This inaccuracy means approximately 87% of the world's population is actually born under a different sign than commonly believed. British astronomers, including Dr. Jacqueline Mitton from the Royal Astronomical Society, point out that the star charts used by astrologers were drawn up over 2000 years ago and have not been updated to include the 13th constellation, Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer), which lies between Scorpio and Sagittarius. The article criticizes astrologers for refusing to acknowledge these changes, calling it nonsense and hocus-pocus. It further notes that the 13th constellation has fueled the traditional animosity between astrologers and astronomers. The article also mentions how astrology has grown in the West, with business people consulting astrologers for auspicious timing. It cites an example of former US President Ronald Reagan's wife, Nancy, advising him to sign the INF arms reduction treaty based on astrological advice, and stories of midwives being pressured to induce births at astrologically determined times. The fundamental error in ancient astrology, according to the article, was dividing the sky into 12 equal segments, despite constellations occupying different amounts of space. This leads to unequal time spent by the sun in each constellation. The article mentions that the TV program 'Heavenly Bodies' caused a stir among astrologers, who are reportedly furious about their predictions being challenged. Shelly van Strunckel from Cosmopolitan magazine defends astrology, stating that these new findings have no influence on the interpretation of the stars. British newspapers have reported on famous Britons whose zodiac signs have changed, with The Times humorously noting the difficulties astrologers face in fitting Margaret Thatcher into the 'Libra' archetype. The article concludes that the scientific documentation proving the discrepancy between the actual night sky and astrological charts has clearly made an impression on many Britons.

Short Reports: 'Kort Fortalt'

This section features several brief news items:

• 'Satans Eye': An anecdote from the USA about a person who cut out their eye after discovering a pentagram, interpreting it in relation to Satanism. This is linked to 'irisdiagnostik' (iridology).
• 'Who Comes First?': A report about Maggie Anable, who runs an animal cemetery and crematorium in the UK, planning to arrange simultaneous burials for deceased pets and their owners. The item humorously comments on the implications, particularly for dog owners.
• 'State-Supported Witchcraft': A report from Sweden about a 22-year-old witch, Ulrika Hävre, who received a startup grant from the employment agency in Borgholm to practice her magical arts in a former general store. She has been a witch since childhood and faced initial rejection from a women's business fund.
• 'Astrology in the Kremlin?': A report citing Komsomolskaja Pravda that claims President Yeltsin's security service has a team of astrologers whose advice influences his travel and appearances. It also mentions alleged spiritualist séances held in the Kremlin.
• 'A Sky Full of Spirits': British astronomers have discovered a cloud of pure alcohol in space, located 10,000 light-years away. The discovery was made by three astronomers from Kent and Manchester studying a star, G34.3, in the Aquila constellation. The heat from this new star produces alcohol at an astronomical rate, far exceeding global production.
• Jupiter's Red Spot: A mention of a Norwegian UFOlogist's past claim that the Great Red Spot on Jupiter could be the 'Holy City' mentioned in the Bible. The article wryly questions whether the discovery of alcohol in space is finding 'heaven' or 'hell'.

'The Mars Effect' Explained

This section investigates the 'Mars effect', a phenomenon studied by French physicist Michel Gauquelin in the 1950s. Gauquelin's statistical research aimed to support astrology but found no support for traditional astrological beliefs. Instead, he found that people born under certain constellations were overrepresented in specific professions. The most famous of these findings was the 'Mars effect', where successful athletes were more likely to have Mars in the east or zenith at birth. This effect was often (and incorrectly) presented as support for astrology. However, an independent study presented at a conference in Belgium, analyzing birth data of 1066 French athletes and a control group of 85820 people, found no trace of the Mars effect. The article explains that the most likely reason for Gauquelin's findings was a transcription error in his material. A review of overlapping data from Gauquelin's original study and the new French study revealed numerous incorrect birth dates, which could be explained by typing errors and insufficient research. Gauquelin had also attempted to correct errors, but his corrections were selective, only altering data that contradicted his hypothesis. The lesson learned is that even small biases in large statistical datasets can lead to statistically significant effects, and detecting these biases retrospectively is difficult and time-consuming. The article notes that the Mars effect has often been cited in Norway by believers in astrology as proof of their theories and a 'cold shower' for skeptics.

The Norwegian Quackery Law and Marketing Law

This section discusses the application of Norwegian law to the advertising of medical services. It refers to a previous issue that highlighted an advertisement for homeopathy and the reactions from official bodies. The Consumer Ombudsman (FO) explains that the special law on quackery (Kvaksalverloven, paragraph 2) prohibits exaggerated or misleading advertising for medical services. When both a special law and a general law cover the same area, the special law takes precedence. Therefore, the FO did not find it necessary to handle the case under the general marketing law. The article details how NIVFO (National Association for Homeopathy and Alternative Medicine) sent the case back to the County Medical Officer (Fylkeslegen), providing a summary of scientific facts about homeopathy. NIVFO questioned whether homeopaths in Norway have ever been required to provide proof of treatment effectiveness and whether health authorities have investigated the contents of homeopathic 'medicines'. Copies of NIVFO's letter were sent to the State Health Inspectorate.

An Open Mind...

This brief section comments on party chairman Thorbjørn Jagland's call for an 'occult approach' to healthcare. It notes that proponents of pseudoscience have emphasized the importance of an 'open mind'. The author questions how open and how long such a mind should be, posing the rhetorical question: 'Until the brain matter runs out?'

The Lovingly Full Rise - A Groundbreaking Discovery Within Alternative Therapy??

This article, based on a Swedish magazine 'Sökaren', discusses Hans Scheike and his four female companions in a group referred to as the 'sex cult' at Bågengården. The author of the original article, the editor of 'Sökaren', notes that these individuals were portrayed by the mass media as criminals and disturbing, and were convicted by the courts. Hans Scheike served three years in prison, while the women served a few months. The editor doubts the fairness of these sentences and believes the individuals deserve respect. Hans Scheike is described as a distinctive 69-year-old personality with long hair and a prophet-like beard. He states he never enjoyed school and couldn't adapt to office work. He discovered 'graphology' (described as a long-debunked pseudoscience) and taught himself to read handwriting, starting courses in graphology at age 30. 95% of his participants were women. After his 'analysis', he often engaged in 'talk therapy', discussing his and his clients' lives. Through this, he learned much about women. However, the women eventually stopped engaging in conversation, feeling stuck.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'Ukeslutt' revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims and the defense of scientific methodology. The magazine consistently challenges beliefs and practices that lack empirical evidence, such as astrology, homeopathy, and graphology. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical and pro-science, advocating for critical thinking and a rigorous approach to information presented in public discourse. The magazine aims to educate its readers by debunking popular myths and highlighting the importance of scientific literacy, particularly in areas like climate change and health. The tone is often critical and sometimes humorous when exposing the flaws in pseudoscientific arguments.

This issue of NIB magazine, identified as issue 2/95, covers a range of topics including alternative therapies, ufology, and skeptical investigations into paranormal claims. The content is primarily in Norwegian.

Article: 'Spanking Therapy' and Hans

The magazine features an article detailing the practices of a 'risterapeut' (spanking therapist) named Hans. He began his practice in the mid-1970s, working with women who sought a 'liberating' experience through being spanked. Hans claims to have treated approximately ninety women, performing around 4,500 spankings. The article includes testimonials from women who found the therapy beneficial, describing increased strength and harmony. Hans also mentions his ability to read handwriting for astrological insights. However, the article later notes that Hans Scheike has been convicted of assault, gross assault, sexual coercion, and child abuse, raising serious concerns about the 'therapist' and his methods.

Article: 'Parapsychological UFOs in Hessdalen?'

This section discusses meetings held by the Norsk Parapsykologisk Selskap (Norwegian Parapsychological Society). UFO missionary Erling Strand presented 'Project Hessdalen,' accompanied by video and slides. The article questions whether such discussions could delve into more scientific aspects like 'jonlekkasje' (ion leakage) from mines, wind, and atmospheric layers. The society also hosted Daniel Benor, who shared experiences from the 'Doctor Healer Network' in England, and Gry Jannicke Jarlum, known for her 'UFO-contact' and automatic writing. The article notes the lack of information on whether these individuals could shed light on the 'foreigners' revelations in Hessdalen.

Article: 'Why Did God Create Risk Cakes?'

This article, authored by Bernard J. Leikind, explores seemingly paranormal feats, focusing on Vernon Craig, also known as 'Komar den store.' Craig demonstrated his ability to withstand significant pressure on a bed of nails without injury. Leikind, a physicist and member of CSICOP, explains that the weight is distributed across numerous nails, preventing any single nail from piercing the skin. The article also details Leikind's experiments with balloons of different colors, testing their 'belief quotient' by applying pressure with sugar. He concludes that the color of a balloon determines its 'mental strength.' The article also touches upon Craig's ability to withstand being hit with a sledgehammer, which Leikind explains through the distribution of force, similar to the nail bed demonstration.

Article: 'The Dictatorship of Ignorance?'

This section criticizes the media's tendency to promote irrationality and resist scientific knowledge. It highlights a speech by Thorbjørn Jagland, leader of the Labour Party, who advocated for incorporating alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and homeopathy, into health policy. Jagland suggested viewing the human body as a dynamic organism rather than a machine, and expressed concerns about the overuse of antibiotics leading to resistant bacteria. He proposed that alternative medicine, which emphasizes the connection between body and soul, could benefit the health system. The article, however, counters that the health system needs economic funding rather than 'quackery' and a return to 'superstition and magic.' It also mentions the concept of 'pyramid hats' as a potential alternative therapy.

Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to adopt a skeptical stance towards many of the phenomena it discusses, particularly in the articles on alternative medicine and ufology. While it reports on these topics, it often includes critical commentary, scientific explanations, and mentions of convictions related to harmful practices. The 'Why Did God Create Risk Cakes?' article, in particular, provides scientific explanations for seemingly paranormal abilities. The 'Dictatorship of Ignorance?' section directly criticizes the promotion of unscientific practices and political endorsements of alternative medicine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of alternative therapies and their purported benefits, the investigation of UFO phenomena, and a critical, skeptical examination of claims that lack scientific backing. The editorial stance leans towards skepticism, providing scientific explanations for extraordinary claims and highlighting potential dangers or misinterpretations associated with alternative practices and paranormal beliefs. The magazine seems to advocate for evidence-based knowledge and critical thinking, while still acknowledging the public's interest in these subjects.