REALL News - Vol 05 No 03 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 5 Issue 3
Date: March 1997
Publisher: The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: Astrology as an Illusion

This issue of The REALL News, published by the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL), features a critical examination of astrology, presented by the North Texas Skeptics. The newsletter also includes a "REALLity Checklist" reviewing highlights and lowlights of 1996, particularly concerning media coverage of pseudoscience and paranormal claims.

Astrology as an Illusion

The lead article, "Astrology as an Illusion," prepared by the North Texas Skeptics, argues that astrology is the oldest and most widespread pseudoscience. Its origins are traced back to Babylonia around 3,500 years ago. The article explains that modern astrology asserts a correlation between planetary positions at birth and an individual's personality, activities, and life events, but notes a lack of general agreement among astrologers on how or why this occurs, and that predictions are often too vague for verification.

The historical development of astrology is detailed, starting with the Babylonians' observational astronomy used for practical purposes like calendars and festivals. They named planets after gods, and developed "planetary omens." For example, Nergal (Mars) being the god of war influenced decisions about warfare, and Ishtar (Venus) being the goddess of love influenced decisions about romance. Around 600 B.C., the Babylonians created the 12-sign zodiac. The oldest discovered horoscope dates to 410 B.C. During the classical era, Babylonian astrologers, known as Chaldeans, spread their practices throughout the civilized world. Despite Greek astronomers scoffing at astrology, the public embraced it. The Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero famously critiqued astrology in 44 B.C., questioning its logic.

With the rise of Christianity, Chaldean astrology faced challenges due to its pagan underpinnings. It nearly became extinct in Europe during the early Middle Ages but was preserved by Islamic scholars. The Crusades reintroduced astrology to Europe, where it uneasily coexisted with Christianity until the dawn of the scientific age. The growth of scientific astronomy from 1600 A.D. led to a decline in astrology's popularity, with a 1900 French encyclopedia describing it as a vanishing cult.

Astrology experienced its strongest comeback after World War I with the invention of the daily newspaper astrology column by British astrologer R.H. Naylor. Paradoxically, astrology's heyday was not in the Middle Ages but in the 20th century, when people are presumed to know basic astronomy. The article notes that about 90% of Americans under 30 know their sun-sign, and over 10,000 practicing astrologers in the U.S. serve a clientele that spends over $200 million annually.

Scientists are baffled by astrology's popularity, and studies have consistently failed to find any actual correlation between planetary positions at birth and an individual's attributes. The article asserts that astrology simply does not work. It further explains that astrological tables, which correlate horoscope features with individual attributes, are arbitrarily created by authors, leading to differing and contradictory predictions even from the same horoscope. Various "astrological systems" exist, all arbitrary and disconnected from reality. The arbitrariness stems from astrology's reliance on accidental historical conventions, such as naming planets after gods (e.g., Jupiter as chief of gods, Venus as goddess of love), rather than actual astronomical characteristics. The Maya, for instance, considered Venus the lord of death.

The zodiac itself is arbitrary, with different cultures using varying numbers of signs (e.g., Chinese and Hindus used 28, Toltec cultures used 20). The names given to star constellations (e.g., "Aries, the Ram") predetermine interpretations based on perceived characteristics of the named entity, rather than the stars themselves. The article points out the absurdity of naming constellations "The Chair" or "The Castle" and then trying to derive astrological interpretations.

The "house system" of astrology is also criticized as arbitrary, with numerous systems (up to 50) dividing the sky into sectors. Some systems are so constructed that individuals born above 66.5 degrees north latitude have no horoscope, affecting about 12 million people.

A significant astronomical phenomenon that undermines astrology is the precession of the equinoxes, known since 150 B.C. This causes the point of the spring equinox to shift over a 26,000-year cycle. Early astrologers defined the sign of Aries to be centered on the spring equinox, but due to precession, the sign of Aries is no longer near the constellation Aries. This detachment of the symbol's meaning from its original celestial reference is deemed ludicrous.

The article suggests that the reason people believe in astrology lies more in psychological factors than in the horoscope itself. Customers are satisfied with predictions if the astrologer asks for a lot of personal information, making the process seem individualized. Predictions are often vague and universally applicable, fitting almost anyone. This phenomenon is explained by "personal validation" and the selective nature of memory, where people remember supporting evidence and forget contradictory evidence, leading to a growing conviction. This is related to "cold reading" techniques.

Modern science contradicts astrology's premise that an individual is formed at birth. The gravitational and tidal forces exerted by the Earth, mother, and hospital building are millions of times greater than those from celestial objects. Electromagnetic radiation from room lights is also far more intense than from celestial bodies. Changes in early development have greater effects than birth time. Furthermore, the science of genetics shows that genes play a more significant role in a person's nature than astrological influences, as evidenced by unrelated individuals born at the same time having different natures.

Despite these scientific critiques, millions continue to regulate their lives based on astrology. The article posits that astrology has flourished as a framework for discussing and finding meaning in life, serving as a social support system somewhere between religion and psychotherapy.

The fact sheet is based on material prepared by Prof. Rory Coker of the University of Texas at Austin, in cooperation with the Austin Society to Oppose Pseudoscience.

REALLity Checklist -- 1996 in Review

This section, written by David Bloomberg, reviews the "highlights and lowlights" of 1996, focusing on media coverage and government actions. It uses an "award" system to critique various media outlets and programs.

• Best Expose Award: Awarded to Dateline NBC for their features on the "Quadro Tracker," a dowsing rod claimed to find drugs and guns, which was scientifically proven worthless. The segment also featured James "The Amazing" Randi, who highlighted the dangers of believing in nonsense. Randi's earlier exposes of "faith healers" and psychics were also mentioned. A key part of the expose involved Dateline staffers posing as clients of "psychics" and tarot card readers, who gave vague predictions and then tried to sell items. The most impressive part involved Randi giving individualized horoscopes to college students, which were later revealed to be identical, yet the students still rated them highly.
• Worst Research by the National Media Award: Awarded to NBC for "The Mysterious Origins of Man," a program that presented creationist nonsense as science, even receiving a story in the journal *Science*. The program was criticized for reviving debunked creationist arguments.
• Worst Research by the Local Media Award: Awarded to The Illinois Times for publishing an article supporting the claims of virologist Peter Duesberg, who controversially suggested that HIV does not cause AIDS. The article was criticized for spreading misinformation.
• Worst Political Move Award: Awarded to the Natural Law Party for their promotion of "Yogic flying" as a solution to the country's problems, which the author describes as hopping around on a mat.
• Worst Coverage Award: Awarded to WICS Channel 20 for its coverage of Hillary Clinton's alleged conversations with dead people. The station's report included an interview with a "psychic" named Marla, who offered her opinions on the process of communicating with the dead, without any skeptical viewpoint.

The author concludes this section by lamenting the "dumbing-down of America" and suggesting that such media coverage contributes to it.

Upcoming Events

The newsletter lists upcoming REALL meetings and workshops:

• May 9 or 10 (tentative): REALL meeting featuring Michael Shermer, founder and director of the Skeptics Society.
• May 17-18: Center for Inquiry Workshop, "Secrets of the Supernatural," in Chicago.

From the Editor

The editor notes the arrival of the Hale-Bopp comet and the ongoing debate about the Mars rock, linking these to the increasing popularity of astrology and psychics. The current issue features the article on astrology by the North Texas Skeptics. The editor also mentions past and upcoming REALL meetings, including one featuring author and journalist Doug Pokorski discussing critical thinking and skepticism in the media.

From the Chairman

The Chairman thanks members for their support and explains that the previous issue was a 12-page Special Fourth Anniversary Issue. He announces plans for REALL's fifth anniversary and thanks Bruce Walstad for a well-attended meeting. He also promotes the upcoming meeting with Doug Pokorski, focusing on media and critical thinking, and mentions a potential May meeting with Michael Shermer.

Masthead Information

The newsletter provides information about REALL's purpose, which is to promote rational thinking and the scientific method regarding paranormal and fringe-science claims. It states that REALL is a non-profit educational and scientific organization based in central Illinois. The Board of Directors and Editorial Board are listed, along with contact information for REALL and its Chairman and Editor. A section "A Nod to Our Patrons" thanks members who have contributed $50 or more.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards pseudoscience, particularly astrology, and a critical examination of media coverage of paranormal and unscientific claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of the scientific method and rational thinking, as evidenced by the content of the articles and the mission statement of REALL. The newsletter actively debunks pseudoscientific claims and critiques media outlets that promote them without critical analysis. There is a strong emphasis on educating the public and encouraging critical thinking.