1987 02 00 OMNI - Censoring paranormal

Magazine Overview

Title: CONTINUUM
Issue: 33
Cover Headline: CENSORING THE PARANORMAL
Document Type: Magazine Issue

The Paranormal Under Scrutiny

The article "CENSORING THE PARANORMAL" delves into the contentious landscape surrounding anomalous phenomena, such as UFO sightings and psychic experiences. It begins by characterizing these phenomena through the eyes of different groups: Charles Fort's "damned," debunkers' "superstitious nonsense," and fundamentalists' "satanic manifestations." The piece highlights that anomalies are not new and have historically led to persecution, exemplified by the Inquisition.

The Rise of CSICOP and Debunking Efforts

In 1977, a group of academics and journalists formed the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). Comprising figures like Carl Sagan and Stephen J. Gould, CSICOP aimed to combat "irrationality" and "dangerous sects" that embraced anomalies. The article recounts CSICOP's complaint to the Federal Communications Commission regarding an NBC documentary that presented paranormal phenomena sympathetically, a complaint that was ultimately dismissed.

A notable incident involved CSICOP official Philip J. Klass, who contacted the University of Nebraska to protest a forum on anomalies research. Klass argued that the forum questioned the U.S. government's stance on UFOs and implied that such questioning mirrored Soviet propaganda tactics. He threatened legal action, leading the university to cancel its sponsorship of the event, after which Klass withdrew his threat.

Since then, numerous "debunker" groups have emerged, actively campaigning against "pseudoscience." These groups have allegedly harassed colleges, leading to the cancellation of parapsychology courses, and have conducted aggressive campaigns against anomaly proponents, employing tactics described as "anything short of criminal activity."

Growing Concerns Among Skeptics

The intensity of this antianomaly movement has raised alarms even among some skeptics. Psychologist Ray Hyman described the movement's fervor as a "frightening fundamentalism" akin to "witch-hunting." Marcello Truzzi, a sociologist and cofounder of CSICOP, left the organization due to concerns that it had become an "inquisitional body," stating that some debunkers had gone "berserk."

Open-mindedness in the Scientific Community

Despite the efforts of debunkers, many scientists do not dismiss all anomalies outright. The article points to the Parapsychological Association's acceptance as an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 1969. Furthermore, in 1979, the newly elected AAAS president, Kenneth Boulding, stated that "the evidence of parapsychology cannot just be dismissed out of hand." Recent polls indicate a considerable degree of open-mindedness among scientists and academics regarding paranormal subjects. In 1976, a poll of American Astronomical Society members by physicist Peter Sturrock found that 80 percent believed the UFO phenomenon warranted scientific attention, with several astronomers reporting their own UFO sightings.

Conclusion and Editorial Stance

The author concludes that while most supposed anomalies will likely be explained by conventional means, the current climate of "hysteria" needs to be addressed. The piece advocates for a return to "serious business of dispassionate investigation."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The central theme of this issue is the conflict between those who seek to investigate and understand anomalous phenomena and those who actively seek to discredit and suppress them. The article critiques the methods of organizations like CSICOP, portraying their approach as overly aggressive and dogmatic, bordering on fundamentalism. It suggests that a more balanced and open-minded scientific approach is necessary to properly examine claims of the paranormal, rather than dismissing them outright. The editorial stance appears to favor continued, albeit dispassionate, investigation into these phenomena.