REALL News - Vol 03 No 07 - 1995

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 3 Issue 7, published in July 1995, is a newsletter from The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). The issue features a cover story by Martin Kottmeyer titled "We've All Studied Lifton," which critically examines the work of psychiatrist Robert Lifton in relation to the alien abduction phenomenon. The newsletter also includes a book review, an editor's note, a chairman's note, and information about REALL's purpose and contacts.

"We've All Studied Lifton" by Martin Kottmeyer

Martin Kottmeyer's cover article delves into the use of psychiatrist Robert Lifton's work by proponents of the alien abduction phenomenon. Kottmeyer begins by referencing a fictional exchange from the mini-series "Intruders," where a psychiatrist (inspired by John Mack) uses Lifton's research on trauma survivors (Hiroshima, Holocaust, Vietnam) to argue that abductees' symptoms are reactions to real trauma, not fantasy. The fictional skeptic dismisses this as a "space-age psychosis."

Kottmeyer notes that John Mack, author of the controversial book "Abduction," was influenced by Lifton, and Lifton's name appears in Mack's book acknowledgments. He recalls Lifton's acknowledgment in a 1987 International UFO Reporter article that the UFO abduction phenomenon "has yet to be explained and merits serious investigation." In 1988, Fate magazine interpreted Lifton's statement as evidence of a "quiet revolution" in the scientific and medical communities accepting the phenomenon.

Lifton, a Yale instructor and author of the National Book Award-winning "Death in Life," is presented as having high status. Even critics like Adam Garfinkel acknowledge Lifton's seriousness, noting that his views "haven't departed from prevailing notions of reality."

Kottmeyer admits he missed Lifton's 1987 appearance on the "Today Show" and was unsure of its significance. He recalls Lifton once viewing alien invasion films as a reaction to the "radical impairment of life-death balance and helplessness" caused by nuclear threat, which seemed inconsistent with the idea of UFO believers' persecution fantasies.

An editor's note provides a paragraph from Lifton's later book, "The Protean Self: Human Resilience in an Age of Fragmentation" (1993). In this paragraph, Lifton suggests that historical forces, including the expansion of the UFO phenomenon and "missing time" attributed to "abductions," may contribute to a dissociative constellation alongside multiple personality disorder and child abuse. He cites Nicholas Humphrey and Daniel Dennett, who propose that UFO experiences, particularly medical or surgical procedures, could be a "mythic version" of actual child abuse.

Kottmeyer then discusses Lifton's "The Protean Self," describing it as a work detailing psychological adaptations to 20th-century cultural transformations. He notes that Lifton devotes only half a paragraph to the alien abduction phenomenon, considering it part of the "dissociative constellation of psychological byproducts of our rapidly changing times." Lifton describes the current era as "an age of numbing" leading to detachment and impaired symbolization, and cites a paper that views the abduction experience as a "mythic version of childhood abuse."

Kottmeyer finds Lifton's perspective, which suggests pathology mirroring the skeptic's view, more disturbing than typical debunking explanations. He questions if Lifton's stance represents a "counter-revolution" pointing to ordinary causes. However, Kottmeyer concludes that Lifton's stance shows "no deep acquaintance with the abduction phenomenon" and is rooted in a single paragraph from a paper by Humphrey and Dennett. This paper speculates that abduction experiences might be a "mythic version of an actual childhood experience," particularly involving "missing time" and potential abuse.

Kottmeyer finds it amusing that Lifton didn't dedicate more thought to the abduction phenomenon, considering it a "fringe phenomenon" compared to the broader topic of "protean adaptations." He respects Lifton's work on broader psychological themes but questions whether ufologists will appreciate this limited engagement with their subject.

The Foxes of Skepticism - Book Review

David Bloomberg reviews "The Running Dogs of Loyalty: Honest Reflections on a Magical Zoo" by Gale Richard Walker. The book is described as a well-written satire and allegory set in "Zooland," which mirrors familiar corporate or governmental structures. The story features two wise Foxes explaining the workings of Zooland to a Young Pup. Bloomberg praises the book for its emphasis on critical thinking, noting a quote from the book: "The best medicine for misery is neither myth nor miracle, but naked truth." He relates this to his own experiences discussing REALL with non-skeptics and the tendency for people to prefer comforting lies over difficult truths.

The review highlights Walker's scrutiny of "politics, bureaucracy, True Believers, and other similar non-free thinkers." The book suggests that those who cannot grasp reality abstractly tend to "mystify" and "petrify" it, attributing unexplained phenomena to supernatural reasons. Bloomberg finds the book's themes relevant to his own experiences and believes REALL members will too.

The book can be ordered for $9.95 plus shipping and handling from BookCrafters, Inc.

From the Editor

Bob Ladendorf expresses his delight in Martin Kottmeyer's article on Robert J. Lifton, sharing his long-time appreciation for Lifton's analyses of symbolic immortality, the protean self, and psychohistorical processes. Ladendorf mentions his personal friendship with Chuck Strozier, who worked with Lifton. He commends Kottmeyer for demonstrating how pro-paranormal supporters might misrepresent Lifton's positions and emphasizes the need for vigilance against generalizations and errors of thought.

From the Chairman

David Bloomberg reflects on his busy life and the need for more members to contribute articles to The REALL News. He notes the good turnout at the recent lunch meeting and elections, with all officers continuing their service. Bloomberg reiterates REALL's need for volunteers for various projects, including investigating "Therapeutic Touch" (TT) and assisting with the Illinois Science Teachers Association annual convention, where the focus will be on hitting creationism and emphasizing science and critical thinking.

REALL Information

The newsletter provides masthead information, contact details, and the purpose of REALL. REALL is a non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to rational thinking and the scientific method for claims of the paranormal and fringe-science phenomena. It aims to conduct research, convene meetings, publish a newsletter, and disseminate information. REALL's primary geographic region is central Illinois. The organization believes the scientific method is the most reliable system for obtaining knowledge and approaches paranormal claims with objective, critical inquiry. The REALL News is its official newsletter. The Board of Directors is listed, including David Bloomberg as Chairman and Bob Ladendorf as Newsletter Editor.

REALL Contacts

Contact information for David Bloomberg (Chairman) and Bob Ladendorf (Editor) is provided, along with their email addresses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism, critical thinking, and the psychological interpretation of phenomena often associated with the paranormal, particularly alien abductions. The editorial stance, as represented by Kottmeyer's article and the contributions from Ladendorf and Bloomberg, is one of rigorous, evidence-based inquiry. The newsletter actively promotes a rational examination of claims, questioning interpretations that may bolster paranormal beliefs without sufficient justification. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between genuine psychological phenomena and unsubstantiated claims, and on the importance of intellectual honesty and vigilance against misrepresentation. The review of "The Running Dogs of Loyalty" further reinforces the theme of critical thinking by presenting a satire that critiques blind adherence and the preference for comforting illusions over truth.