REALL News - Vol 02 No 05 - 1994

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 2, Number 5, published in May 1994, is the official electronic newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). REALL is described as a non-profit educational and scientific organization focused on rational thinking and the scientific method, primarily serving central Illinois. The newsletter aims to disseminate information to its members and the general public, maintaining a commitment to objective inquiry without rejecting claims a priori.

In This Issue

The issue features several articles and columns. David Bloomberg, Chairman of REALL, provides an update from the Chairman, discussing a successful presentation in Champaign-Urbana and announcing upcoming meetings and events. Martin Kottmeyer contributes an article titled "Spawn of Inseminoid," which critically examines the 1980 British film 'Inseminoid' and argues that its themes of alien abduction, implantation, and examination are not unique to reported experiences but are present in science fiction, potentially influencing or mirroring abduction narratives. Bob Ladendorf writes about "A Night of Magic and Skepticism with Randi," detailing a lecture by magician and skeptic James Randi, who debunked various pseudoscientific claims. David Bloomberg also contributes a "REALLity Check" column, which addresses current events and media coverage related to skepticism, including a discussion of Lawrence Wright's book on repressed memories and satanic ritual abuse, and critiques of media portrayals of UFO phenomena and recovered memories. Other segments include "Hey, Kids, Psychic Hotlines Don't Work," which reviews a Chicago Tribune test of a psychic network, and a mention of a CBS news magazine program "48 Hours" that covered UFOs and alien abductions. The issue also includes a letter to the editor about the International Society of Cryptozoology's upcoming meeting and a membership form for REALL.

From the Chairman

David Bloomberg reports on REALL's first Champaign-Urbana presentation, thanking Ranse Traxler for his talk and Ron Larkin and George Kieffer for their organizational efforts. He notes that approximately 25 people attended. Bloomberg also announces that Ranse Traxler is willing to present his talk elsewhere, providing contact information. The next REALL meeting is scheduled for May 16 at the Lincoln Library, featuring annual elections and a videotape of a Frontline program on Facilitated Communications. A 20% discount on Prometheus Books is still available for members.

Spawn of Inseminoid

Martin Kottmeyer's article analyzes the 1980 film 'Inseminoid' (also known as 'Horror Planet') and its striking similarities to common alien abduction narratives, such as paralysis, examination tables, embryo implantation, and alien encounters. Kottmeyer argues that the film, despite its obscurity, refutes claims made by researchers like David Jacobs, who suggested that science fiction had not portrayed aliens collecting eggs and sperm for hybrid offspring. Kottmeyer posits that the similarities between the film and abduction accounts could stem from a shared cultural environment and the influence of horror and science fiction genres. He also discusses the commonality of themes like paralysis and grotesque faces in nightmares, and the prevalence of procreation themes in alien fiction. Ultimately, Kottmeyer suggests that abduction experiences might not be entirely beyond human imagination and could be influenced by fictional narratives, questioning the literal interpretation of such accounts.

A Night of Magic and Skepticism with Randi

Bob Ladendorf recounts his experience attending a lecture by James Randi, a magician and skeptic. Randi's 2 ½-hour talk, "Search for Chimera," covered a range of pseudoscientific topics including channeling, astrology, facilitated communications, false memory syndrome, and perpetual motion machines. Randi demonstrated how easily people can be fooled, using illusions and debunking claims with scientific reasoning. He discussed the misuse of expert witnesses in legal cases, citing the Audi car failures as an example. Randi also addressed dowsing, homeopathy, and the unproven "Earth" rays, and showed a clip of faith healer Peter Popoff using a radio mike. Randi shared his own beginnings in critical thinking, stemming from an incident at age 15 where he was arrested for exposing scam artists, leading him to vow to investigate and expose fraud.

REALLity Check

David Bloomberg's column covers recent events and media reports. He discusses Lawrence Wright's book "Remembering Satan: A Case of Recovered Memory and the Shattering of an American Family," noting that media coverage, including a Today show interview and a Chicago Tribune review, leaned towards skepticism regarding the Ingram case. The case involved accusations of sexual abuse and satanic ritual abuse, which were later found to be based on fabricated memories, as demonstrated by an experiment conducted by Dr. Richard Ofshe. Bloomberg also mentions a "60 Minutes" segment on Roseanne Arnold's claims of childhood abuse, which her family denied, and an editorial in the Springfield, IL State Journal-Register applauding the scrutiny of repressed memory therapy.

Hey, Kids, Psychic Hotlines Don't Work

This section reviews a Chicago Tribune "Kidnews" test of the La Toya Jackson Psychic Network, where five questions posed to psychics yielded incorrect answers. The author applauds the Tribune's reporting but questions why they continue to print an astrological column. It also briefly mentions a CBS program, "Mysteries of the Ancient World," and a CBS "48 Hours" segment that covered UFOs, alien abductions, and the Roswell crash. The segment featured Harvard psychiatrist John Mack, who seemed to accept his patients' recovered memories of abduction, despite skepticism from other psychiatrists and the potential for hypnosis to implant false memories. The "48 Hours" program also included segments on the Roswell crash, Dr. Steven Greer's CSETI, and a recent UFO sighting in Michigan, which was later explained as a radar anomaly. The column notes that MUFON's credibility has been questioned due to its head's claims about the Michigan sighting. It also discusses recent articles about John Mack, criticizing his methods and the unscientific nature of his work.

Vitamins and Crystals

This section summarizes a "Eye to Eye with Connie Chung" segment that examined claims made by vitamin and supplement manufacturers and their fight against FDA regulations. It highlights how the industry, backed by politicians and actors, seeks to remove the FDA's regulatory power. An undercover reporter found a store manager using unscientific methods, like measuring finger strength and waving a crystal, to "diagnose" a reporter and validate vitamin claims. A representative from the National Center Against Health Fraud stated that "freedom of choice only works if people are given accurate information."

Letter to the Editor

Robert E. McGrath, a member of the International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC), writes to announce the ISC's annual meeting on June 11, 1994, at Illinois State University. He describes the ISC as a group dedicated to investigating cryptozoology, defined as the study of animals not currently recognized by science, and notes that the meeting is open to the public and will feature general surveys and technical papers. McGrath expresses his positive experiences with the ISC, describing its members as open-minded and enthusiastic.

Skeptics Online

This section encourages readers with computers and modems to participate in skeptic message areas on BBS networks, specifically mentioning "The Temples of Syrinx" in Springfield, operated by David Bloomberg, which hosts FidoNet SKEPTIC, EVOLUTION, and UFO conferences, as well as ParaNet conferences.

Membership Form

A membership form for REALL is included, outlining various membership levels (Regular, Student, Family, Patron) and a subscription-only option, with prices and benefits listed. Members receive The REALL News and other benefits.

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 paranormal and fringe-science claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and the debunking of pseudoscience, as evidenced by the critical analysis of UFO narratives, repressed memory claims, and pseudoscientific practices. The newsletter actively promotes skepticism and encourages its readers to engage in critical evaluation of information, particularly as presented in media and popular culture. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between scientific evidence and unsubstantiated claims, and on exposing fraudulent or misleading information.