REALL News - Vol 01 No 10 - 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 1, Number 10
Date: November 1993
Publisher: Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)
Focus: Skepticism, rational thinking, scientific inquiry into paranormal and fringe science claims.

Editorial Content

This issue of The REALL News, the official newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL), provides a look into the organization's activities and its members' perspectives on various skeptical topics. The newsletter emphasizes REALL's commitment to rational thinking and the scientific method.

From the Editor -- Bob Ladendorf

Bob Ladendorf, the Newsletter Editor, opens the issue by highlighting the featured articles, including one by Chairman David Bloomberg on the science educators' convention and another on "electronic skepticism." He encourages reader feedback through surveys to help shape REALL's activities and newsletter content. Ladendorf also announces a special presentation by Dr. Richard Walker on philosophies and invites members to attend.

From the Chairman -- David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg, Chairman, addresses the recent low attendance at meetings, suggesting it might be due to alien abduction claims or other reasons, and urges members to fill out a survey to provide feedback. He outlines upcoming events, including a presentation by Dr. Richard Walker on "Fools, Fallacies, and Philosophers--17 Flawed Epistemologies from Plato to Quantum Mechanics." Future plans include showing a CSICOP video and hosting speakers like Ranse Traxler and Prof. Steve Egger. Bloomberg also promotes the "PROMETHEUS BOOK SALES," with a deadline for orders in November.

REALL At the ISTA Convention -- David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg reports on REALL's participation in the annual meeting of the Illinois Science Teachers Association (ISTA) alongside Gateway Skeptics, the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), and the St. Louis Association for Teaching and Education (SLATE). The shared booth aimed to inform science teachers about the problems with creationism and other unscientific beliefs in schools. Bloomberg recounts a confrontational encounter with a Bible-literalist who argued against evolution and promoted creationism. He also notes that while some science educators hold unscientific views, the majority are good and concerned. Ranse Traxler gave a presentation on anti-evolution activities in public schools, which was attended by concerned educators and an officer of the ISTA.

Electronic Skepticism -- David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg explains the concept of Computer Bulletin Board Services (BBS), describing them as a vital tool for skeptics. He highlights how BBSes facilitate the rapid exchange of information, debunking fringe science claims and fostering debate. Bloomberg uses "The Temples of Syrinx BBS" as an example, detailing its features, including discussion areas (conferences/echos) and file areas containing articles, newsletters, and programs. Syrinx connects to networks like FidoNet, ParaNet (focused on the paranormal and fringe science, including UFOs), and TechNet (science and technology education). He emphasizes that BBSes allow for the dissemination of information that might otherwise be transient and are repositories for knowledge, aiding newcomers to catch up on common topics like the MJ-12 documents.

REALLity Check -- David Bloomberg

This section briefly mentions upcoming articles on False Memory Syndrome (FMS) and facilitated communication. It then delves into media coverage of facilitated communication, citing NBC's Now and PBS's Frontline, which explored how facilitators might unknowingly influence messages, leading to false accusations of abuse. The segment also discusses James "The Amazing" Randi's work, including his investigation into Russian paranormal research, where he found a lack of scientific rigor and reliance on excuses. Randi also exposed "cold reading" techniques used by individuals claiming psychic abilities.

Facing Reality on Mars

This article addresses conspiracy theories surrounding the breakdown of the Mars Observer satellite. It discusses how some theorists claim NASA is covering up evidence of Martian life, citing the "face" on Mars as proof. The article notes that Science News and psychologists have explained the phenomenon as a rock formation and a tendency of the human mind to perceive faces, but conspiracy theorists persist in their claims of a government cover-up.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The REALL News consistently promotes skepticism, critical thinking, and the scientific method. The organization actively engages with the public and educators to counter pseudoscience, particularly creationism, and to foster a more rational approach to understanding the world. The newsletter serves as a platform for members to share information, debate ideas, and stay informed about REALL's activities and relevant skeptical issues. The editorial stance is one of objective, critical inquiry, not rejecting claims outright but demanding evidence and rigorous testing.