REALL News - Vol 01 No 05 - 1993

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 1, Number 5, published in June 1993, is the official newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). It is presented as an electronic version, with a call for subscriptions to support its continuation. The organization, REALL, is described as a non-profit educational and scientific entity focused on developing rational thinking and applying the scientific method to paranormal and fringe science phenomena. REALL aims to conduct research, convene meetings, publish information, and disseminate it to members and the public, with a primary focus on central Illinois. The organization's core belief is in the scientific method as the most reliable system for knowledge acquisition, and it commits to objective, critical inquiry into paranormal claims without a priori rejection.

The issue's masthead lists the Board of Directors, including Chairman David Bloomberg, Assistant Chairman Prof. Ron Larkin, Secretary-Treasurer Wally Hartshorn, Newsletter Editor Bob Ladendorf, and At-Large Members Prof. Steve Egger and Frank Mazo. The Editorial Board includes Bob Ladendorf (Newsletter Editor) and David Bloomberg (electronic version editor). The REALL mailing address is provided as P.O. Box 20302, Springfield, IL 62708. The newsletter notes that permission is granted to other skeptic organizations to reprint articles with proper credit, and that the views expressed are those of the individual authors, not necessarily REALL.

Editor's Note: From the Editor -- Bob Ladendorf

Bob Ladendorf, in his first column as newsletter editor, expresses gratitude to Wally Hartshorn for establishing the newsletter and hopes to continue in that vein. He outlines plans to enhance the newsletter by incorporating works from new and experienced writers, adding graphics, and improving the design for easier readability. Ladendorf emphasizes his desire to make the newsletter a forum for skeptical inquirers and welcomes comments and suggestions.

Chairman's Column: From the Chairman -- David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg, writing for the first time as the "real" REALL Chairman following the dissolution of the Organizing Committee and the establishment of the Board of Directors, reflects on the recent elections. He thanks those who participated and volunteered for the Board, noting that one "at-large" Board member position remains open. Bloomberg discusses REALL's short-term goal of gaining exposure and attracting interested individuals to achieve long-term goals of education and investigation. He solicits new ideas from members and encourages them to attend meetings. The Chairman also mentions the ongoing search for good speakers and notes that Detective Walstad's presentation on cold reading was particularly intriguing, with the method of his card tricks remaining unknown.

Announcements

David Bloomberg announces he will be speaking on cold reading at an upcoming meeting. REALL members are also offered a special discount from Prometheus Books, requiring at least 10 books to be ordered as a group to qualify.

Articles and Reviews

Vampires -- Myth and Reality (Book Review)

This section features a review of Paul Barber's book, "Vampires Burial and Death: Folklore and Reality." The reviewer highlights Barber's investigation into the folklore of vampires from various cultures, distinguishing between observed phenomena and explanation. Barber's work suggests that many folk beliefs about vampires stem from the normal processes of decomposition and the activities of scavenging animals acting on corpses, which were misinterpreted as signs of the body being alive or reanimated. The review notes that folklore vampires often lack the Hollywood characteristics like cloaks and fangs, and instead resemble disheveled peasants. Barber's thesis is that the "activities" of corpses, such as bleeding or movement, were interpreted as supernatural. The reviewer praises Barber's approach for its skeptical inquiry and instructive example of critical thinking, while also noting that some of Barber's interpretations of funeral customs, though not bizarre, are open to criticism and may disregard cultural context. The book is recommended as an interesting and well-written interpretation of folk beliefs.

Conversation with a Creationist

By Ranse Traxler, this article recounts an unusual experience at a monthly meeting of the Missouri Association for Creation (MAC) in St. Louis. Traxler describes a conversation with a young woman who, despite claiming a nursing major background, displayed a fundamental misunderstanding of evolution. The woman believed that if evolution were true, a dog could suddenly turn into a cat, or she herself could turn into her cousin overnight. Traxler attempted to explain the concept of common ancestry, but the woman repeatedly insisted that her cousin was not a monkey, leading Traxler to give up the conversation in disbelief.

REALLity Check

This recurring segment, authored by David Bloomberg, provides commentary on recent media stories and events from a skeptical perspective.

#### Hg + Potato = Au

This piece discusses a lawsuit filed by an alchemist who sustained injuries while attempting to make gold by baking mercury in a potato on a towboat. The alchemist claimed to be a seaman to seek protection under the Jones Act, but the court denied his claim, noting the lack of case law supporting alchemy as a seaman's duty.

#### Starry Suit

A lawsuit reported in the Chicago Tribune involves a Madison, Wisconsin newspaper being sued for libel by an astrologer named Neil Marbell. Marbell claims an opinion column calling astrologers "purveyors of hogwash" was false, malicious, defamatory, and libelous. The author expresses doubt about the lawsuit's success, as the article discussed a profession rather than naming individuals.

#### Investigation? What's That?

This segment critiques an article by George de Lama in the Chicago Tribune about alien abductee support groups. The author argues that de Lama failed to investigate the phenomenon, presenting personal allegations and hypnosis-derived testimony as verified facts without proper qualification (e.g., using "alleged" or "supposed"). The article also notes that support groups for abductees have existed for years, contrary to de Lama's implication that they are a recent development.

#### Goodbye Sightings

The author notes the cancellation of the television show "Sightings," humorously referring to it as an "unbiased, investigative show." The time slot will be filled by "The X-Files."

Logic Abuse and CBS: A REALLity Check Extra

David Bloomberg critiques a CBS television special, "Ancient Secrets of the Bible, Part II," which he compares to a previous special on Noah's Ark. While REALL does not take a stance on religion, it objects when scientific evidence is misrepresented to support religious beliefs, particularly when these efforts are linked to teaching Creationism as science. The program featured skeptics whose arguments were purportedly demolished, but Bloomberg argues that the "logic" used was flawed. Examples include the "proof" of David and Goliath through supposed archaeological evidence and a demonstration of a sling's effectiveness, and the claim that the Bible must be true because there's no evidence to disprove it. The show also covered the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments, claiming to have found the mountain but being blocked by the Saudi government, and the Ark of the Covenant beneath Temple Mount, which was then walled off. The story of Daniel's friends surviving a furnace and Samson and Delilah were also presented. The segment highlights that "experts" on the show were often identified vaguely as "Bible Professor" and that some were affiliated with the Institute for Creation Research or obscure religious colleges. Farrell Till, an editor of The Skeptical Review who was interviewed, expressed dissatisfaction with how his segments were edited and altered. Bloomberg emphasizes that this critique is not an attack on religion but on the misrepresentation of evidence when science is invoked to support religious beliefs, potentially leading to the teaching of religion as science.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The REALL News are skepticism, critical thinking, and the application of the scientific method to claims of the paranormal, fringe science, and religious interpretations of historical events. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rational inquiry and challenging unsubstantiated claims, particularly those presented in media or used to advocate for the teaching of religious doctrines as scientific fact. The newsletter actively debunks pseudoscience and criticizes media for sensationalism or lack of rigorous investigation. The organization REALL positions itself as a bulwark against irrationality, advocating for evidence-based reasoning and a clear distinction between scientific inquiry and religious belief.