The Skeptic

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Issue Date: May 1993
Volume: 7, Number 5

This issue of The Skeptic newsletter features several articles and letters addressing topics of skepticism, pseudoscience, and critical thinking.

Randi Writes: Three Open Letters from James Randi

James Randi, a noted conjuror and debunker, provides three open letters, received via the internet, discussing recent developments concerning Uri Geller's legal actions and claims. In his first letter dated April 5, 1993, Randi critiques a Psychic News report on Uri Geller's legal "vindication" in a Tokyo court, highlighting the small damages awarded in Hungary ($25) and the significant costs Geller must pay CSICOP ($106,000+). Randi expresses disbelief at Geller's claim to have found the "Holy Ark of the Covenant," comparing it to movie plots. He questions if any claim is too preposterous for Geller's followers, listing past outlandish claims such as a flying saucer named "IS," a talking Hawk-god Horus, stopping Big Ben, and repairing satellites by psychokinesis.

In a second letter dated April 15, 1993, Randi discusses a libel case brought by Uri Geller against Prometheus Books, Victor Stenger, and Paul Kurtz. A judge ruled that Geller must pay the defendants' reasonable costs and attorney's fees, and all claims against the defendants were dismissed. Randi also notes that Geller was to pay CSICOP their defense costs by this date and had filed a motion for reconsideration. He reiterates his skepticism about Geller's "Holy Ark of the Covenant" claim, suggesting that the press should be reminded that Steven Spielberg is not a documentary filmmaker and Harrison Ford is not an archaeologist.

A third letter dated April 29, 1993, mentions Gerard Majax, a magician colleague in France, who was also sued by Geller. Randi points out that Majax's case appears to be filed beyond the statute of limitations, suggesting it might be an attempt to harass defendants with legal costs rather than win. Randi then announces his departure for Switzerland for further news.

April Meeting Report

By Joe Voelkering

This report covers the April 17th meeting of the North Texas Skeptics, themed "The Attraction of Paranormal Beliefs - Computer Viruses of the Mind on Parade." The meeting featured a panel including Dr. Jim Baerwaldt from UTA's Psychology Department. Key impressions and conclusions from the meeting include:

• There's no consistent profile for "typical paranormal believers."
• Most individuals hold various irrational beliefs, often with minimal impact on decisions.
• Remedial training in rational thinking is generally ineffective for overcoming existing beliefs, though early training might be more successful.
• Family and peer groups heavily influence belief formation, often presenting claims as fact through majority opinion, akin to a virus.
• People tend to seek reasons for events and perceive patterns where none exist.
• Uncertainty makes people uncomfortable, leading them to accept irrational "facts" for stability.
• Statistical "regression toward the mean" can create false patterns, as seen in the example of athletic coach praise versus "chewing out."

Dr. Baerwaldt's analysis of athletic coaching showed that while a "chewing out" might appear to enhance performance, it's often just a regression toward the mean after a poor performance.

Healthy Skepticism: "Life Extension" Pseudoscience

First of Two Parts

By Tim Gorski, M.D.

Dr. Gorski begins by addressing the appeal of "life extension" and the medical quackery often associated with it. He critiques the notion of achieving victory over age and death, stating that while senescence is a biochemical phenomenon, the belief in overcoming death is not a scientific fact. He then focuses on a 858-page book promoting "Life Extension," authored by Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw, which has sold two million copies and led to numerous television appearances. Gorski questions the scientific validity of their work.

He asserts that Pearson and Shaw are not recognized authorities in science, despite their claimed backgrounds from MIT and UCLA. Their book, Gorski notes, is poorly referenced, citing popular media articles as scientific literature and ignoring contrary evidence. They misrepresent studies, such as the Framingham Study, regarding cholesterol and heart disease. Gorski refutes their claims about free radicals, table sugar, and insulin's role in atherosclerosis, stating that "excess insulin" causes hypoglycemia, not atherosclerosis. He also criticizes their paradoxical advice on cholesterol reduction and their reliance on anecdotes, such as claims about PABA for baldness and an antioxidant mixture's effect on X-ray dosage.

Factual errors abound in their work, including mischaracterizations of Talwin as non-narcotic, tuberculosis causation, white blood cell lifespan, and the nature of arthritis. The article notes that the book is continued next month and provides contact information for the D/FW Council Against Health Fraud.

To the editor

William C. Harvey, M.D., of Dallas, writes to Dr. Gorski, appreciating his contributions but questioning his dismissal of alternate cancer treatments. Harvey suggests that the perceived efficacy of orthodox medicine is less than desirable for the nearly half-million Americans who die from cancer annually, making alternate methods appealing, especially as they are often cheaper.

Dr. Gorski replies, agreeing with Harvey's points up to the last clause. He states there is no evidence that alternate methods improve survival or quality of life, citing a study showing superior quality of life with conventional treatment. He acknowledges that unconventional methods might offer hope to the desperate but argues against wasting money on quackery. Gorski asserts that physicians should not sell false hope and that unproven methods carry safety risks.

The third eye

By Pat Reeder

Pat Reeder discusses how topics of blind faith, pseudoscience, and the occult keep intruding into his column, despite his efforts to avoid them. He uses the Branch Davidian fire in Waco as an example, criticizing the rush to assign blame and suggesting lessons should be learned for future cult standoffs.

Reeder notes the increase in doomsday cult activity around the end of the century and millennium, citing the Waco disaster and the "Church Universal and Triumphant" as examples. He highlights the challenge of balancing religious freedom with public safety and the difficulty in distinguishing legitimate religions from cults. He concludes that the Branch Davidian incident was indeed a cult.

He then shifts to the topic of Earth Day, criticizing the media's use of environmental scare tactics and pseudoscience, particularly in television programs like CBS's "The Fire Next Time" and HBO's "Earth and the American Dream." Reeder argues that these presentations are simplistic, one-sided, and designed to frighten children, comparing them to propaganda. He criticizes Hollywood actors for hypocrisy, living lavishly while lecturing on environmental damage. He also questions the selection of Al Gore, a politician with no science background, to address environmental issues, contrasting him with scientists like Dr. Dixie Lee Ray.

Reeder identifies himself as a "REAL environmentalist" who believes in preserving endangered species but opposes lying and fear-mongering. He quotes Stephen Schneider, a writer for "The Fire Next Time," who admitted that environmentalists need to offer "scary scenarios" to gain support, even if it means downplaying doubts. Reeder concludes that this approach prioritizes effectiveness over honesty.

He promises a more jovial column next month, featuring "Quantum Politics" and a New York doctor who claims to be abducted by aliens. He ends by noting that Robert Tilton's ratings have dropped significantly after an exposé.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes a skeptical and critical approach to claims of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and health fraud. It emphasizes the importance of scientific evidence, rational thinking, and media literacy. The editorial stance is clearly against unsubstantiated claims, whether they come from psychics like Uri Geller, proponents of "life extension" therapies, or media outlets employing scare tactics in environmental reporting. The publication aims to educate its readers and debunk misinformation, advocating for a reasoned and evidence-based understanding of the world.