North Texas Skeptic - Vol 08 No 04 - 1994

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Skeptic," the newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, dated April 1994, focuses on critical examination of various phenomena often presented as extraordinary or unexplained. The cover headline highlights "Healthy skepticism," with lead articles delving into chiropractic, the "third eye," and the enigmatic physicist Richard Feynman. The publication aims to provide a rational and scientific perspective on topics that frequently fall into the realm of pseudoscience and popular belief.

Chiropractic: Pseudoscience or Health Alternative?

Tim Gorski, M.D., in the first part of a two-part series, critically analyzes chiropractic, labeling it "the most successful and widespread form of medical quackery in America." He traces its origins to Daniel David Palmer in 1895, who claimed to cure deafness by "adjusting" a spinal bump, positing that "subluxations" (dislocated bones) interfere with the nervous system and "Innate Intelligence." Gorski points out that Palmer borrowed ideas from Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, but diverged significantly. Palmer's son, B.J. Palmer, further developed the enterprise, with graduates establishing numerous schools, some offering mail-order courses with minimal prerequisites beyond tuition.

The article details how state licensing laws, beginning in the early 20th century, permitted chiropractors to perform spinal adjustments. However, medical science advanced, undermining chiropractic's premise. Edmund S. Crelin, Ph.D., an anatomist, found that nerves could not be pinched without breaking the spine, a finding chiropractors dismissed as not involving living subjects. Furthermore, chiropractors themselves disagree on the definition and identification of "subluxations" on X-rays. A 1964 request for X-ray documentation for chiropractic claims revealed none showed "subluxations." A 1986 report indicated that many chiropractors billed Medicare for "subluxations" not visible on X-rays, with Medicare payments for these adjustments reaching $181 million in 1990.

While acknowledging a limited role for spinal manipulation in musculoskeletal conditions, Gorski notes that most chiropractors cling to the belief that their profession offers a comprehensive health solution. Many "mixers" (as opposed to "straight" chiropractors) have turned to other questionable practices like applied kinesiology and magnetic therapy.

The information is provided by the D/FW Council Against Health Fraud, with Dr. Gorski identified as a practicing physician, chairman of the council, and a North Texas Skeptics Technical Advisor.

The Third Eye: News and Commentary from the Weird World of the Media

Pat Reeder's column addresses several topics from the "weird world of the media." He begins by revealing that the famous 1934 Loch Ness Monster photo is a "big, fat fake." Christian Spurling, the last surviving conspirator, confessed that his stepfather, Marmaduke "Duke" Wetherell, hired by the Daily Mail, had him build a 14-inch toy submarine with a wooden putty head and neck for the photo.

Reeder then expresses happiness that the mass media is finally catching on to "false memory syndrome" (FMS), which he states has been exploited by "unscrupulous hypnotherapists." He notes its role in "buried memories" of "childhood Satanic rituals" and "UFO abductions." The highly publicized case of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, where a man accused him of abuse based on hypnotically recovered memories and later dropped the charges, brought FMS national attention. Reeder hopes this increased media coverage, including an ABC-TV Nightline episode, will lead to policing and stamping out this "reckless, reprehensible quackery."

He also discusses articles from the Dallas Morning News's "Today" section. One article by Janet Weeks explored the reliability of memories dredged up by hypnotherapists, quoting psychology professor Robert Baker who described hypnosis as a "controlled, manipulated dream." Another article covered UFO abductees, featuring typical counselor claims and a skeptical psychiatrist's view that tales are easily explained by psychology. TV critic Ed Bark's tracing of Roseanne Arnold's shifting stories of abuse is also mentioned, highlighting inconsistencies and absurd claims, such as her father dangling her baby brother from a Disneyland gondola.

Reeder critiques a Dallas Morning News article titled "The Psychic Superhighway," which discussed how psychics use technology like computer networks and 900 phone lines. He suggests the brand name "The Misinformation Superhighway" for these ventures. He also mentions the upcoming visit of Penn & Teller to Dallas.

Finally, Reeder comments on television specials about the "vast UFO cover-up conspiracy" (Fox Network) and "psychic predictions and Biblical prophecies" (NBC), expressing a lack of enthusiasm for watching them but promising to comment in a future issue.

Richard Feynman - Brilliant Enigma

Joe Voelkering reviews three books about Nobel physicist Richard Feynman: "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!," "What Do You Care What Other People Think?" (both collections of taped stories by Feynman), and James Gleick's biography "Genius."

Voelkering summarizes Feynman's key traits as an "intriguing, rare and unique blend" of perception, integrity, skepticism, candor, intelligence, showmanship, curiosity, independence, talent, charisma, unpredictability, humbleness, panache, humor, and irreverence. Feynman's approach was characterized by a firm belief in a never-ending search for better answers through a rational, skeptical, scientific process. He possessed a strong "puzzle drive" across diverse interests and exhibited compulsive intellectual honesty, often noting unresolved issues in his own work. His high standard of personal excellence sometimes led him to not formally publish work he felt was still too provisional.

The books illustrate the methods of true scientists and the processes all scientists should use, making Feynman an excellent role model for rational skepticism and scientific objectivity. The review highlights Feynman's candid view of scientific objectivity when entangled with political processes, such as in the Challenger investigation. Gleick's biography is noted for providing a better picture of Feynman's objective manner, including his own description of renormalization theory as a way to "sweep the divergences of electrodynamics under the rug."

Voelkering also addresses a confusion regarding the pronunciation of "Feynman," noting variations in spelling and pronunciation mentioned in the books and clarifying with a science professor that the name is pronounced "Fineman" or "Feinman," similar to his father's usage.

Letter

Mark Toole of Dallas writes to express his enjoyment of the NTS newsletters, which he shares with colleagues, including one who manages the New Age/Metaphysical section and is psychic. He inquires if NTS is aware of "The Eclectic Viewpoint," a Dallas-area newsletter focusing on "Extraordinary Science, Unusual Phenomena & Diverse Perspectives," and offers to send copies to the NTS board. He also mentions being unable to attend a lecture by Lloyd Auerbach but suggests future attendance at "Psychic Get-Togethers."

Mike Sullivan replies to Toole, characterizing pro-paranormal materials as sales brochures for expensive lectures, tapes, and seminars. He notes that the only consistent outcome of such lectures is the loss of admission fees. Sullivan analyzes the "The Eclectic Viewpoint" newsletter, which includes a press release for a lecture by Lloyd Auerbach, a "Citizen's Alert" about an imagined FDA plan to restrict vitamins, and a price list for materials. Auerbach is described as having appeared on various media programs, including "Sightings" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Sullivan expresses doubt that Auerbach's lecture would involve serious scientific inquiry, questioning why evidence wouldn't be submitted to scientific journals if reliable answers existed.

Sullivan also comments on the North Texas Skeptics' efforts to engage with paranormal proponents, noting their limited success in securing speakers for free programs or in offering a $6,000 prize for scientifically verifiable paranormal effects. He concludes that objective evaluation of paranormal claims is the core of rational inquiry.

Open Forum

This section features reader contributions and clarifications. J.V. (Joe Voelkering) discusses a debate between Bill Gant and Deborah Boak regarding the line between beliefs open to skeptical criticism and those left alone. He clarifies that Boak initially posed the question, and Gant responded that no such line exists.

Voelkering also addresses Roman Catholicism, noting that the doctrine of transubstantiation was adopted in the 13th century and is characterized as "literally... the mystical body and blood." He compares "mystical" to "allegorical" or "of a spiritual nature," and likens it to the term "virtual reality." He mentions Richard Dawkins' "The Selfish Gene" and criticism of its "reductionism carried to absurdity," noting Dawkins' defense that it was important to encourage a particular perspective.

Voelkering invites critique and suggests a personal "rule-of-thumb": if objective or scientific evidence is rejected due to conflict with subjective or idealistic belief, that belief becomes "fair game" for examination. He cites "creation science" as an example. He also notes that transubstantiation does not overtly reject scientific principles, but doctrines like exorcism are being critically examined by Catholic theologians.

He critiques the approach of Dawkins in the evolution-creation debate, suggesting it lends unintended credibility to the idea that evolution is a "conspiracy promoted by godless scientists."

Another item in the Open Forum mentions the Texas Math and Science Hotline seeking volunteers to answer questions from students and teachers.

An update on False Memory Syndrome (FMS) by J.V. reports on Laura Pasley's previous talk. It notes the resolution of sexual abuse allegations against Cardinal Bernardin, where the accuser cited the unreliability of hypnosis-induced memories. However, it also mentions a "balanced" presentation on Nightline and Ann Landers promoting the view that many "victims with repressed memories" were abused as children. Pasley's FMS presentation video is available from the NTS video lending library.

Finally, J.V. comments on the recent CIA scandal involving Aldrich "Rick" Ames, criticizing the media's focus on how Ames "beat the system" on polygraph tests rather than questioning the pseudo-scientific nature of polygraphs themselves. He notes that polygraphs presume a physiological reaction to lying, but questions why someone with compromised ethical standards would be concerned about "selling out" or "trivial untruths."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "The Skeptic" revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, the exploitation of public credulity, and the importance of rational inquiry and scientific evidence. The newsletter consistently advocates for skepticism towards claims lacking empirical support, whether in medicine (chiropractic), paranormal phenomena (Loch Ness Monster, psychics, UFOs), or psychological claims (false memory syndrome). The editorial stance is firmly rooted in scientific methodology, emphasizing critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and a healthy distrust of claims that rely on anecdotal evidence, authority, or emotional appeals over verifiable facts. The publication actively seeks to debunk popular myths and expose fraudulent practices, while also celebrating figures like Richard Feynman who embody scientific integrity and intellectual rigor.