REALL News - Vol 08 No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 8, Number 1
Date: January 2000
Publisher: Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)

This issue of The REALL News, the official newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land, focuses on critical thinking and skepticism, with a prominent article by David Bloomberg addressing common misconceptions and pseudoscientific claims. The newsletter aims to promote rational thought and the application of the scientific method to claims of the paranormal and fringe-science phenomena.

Main Articles and Features

Fighting Ignorance with The Straight Dope by David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg, a member of REALL's Science Advisory Board, contributes an article based on his work with "The Straight Dope," a popular Q&A column by Cecil Adams. Bloomberg tackles several questions, including the common creationist argument about why monkeys and apes still exist if humans evolved from them. He explains that evolution is a branching process, not a linear one, and that humans and modern apes share a common ancestor. The article references the National Academy of Sciences' publication "Science and Creationism" to support this explanation.

Bloomberg also addresses questions about "The Celestine Prophecy," clarifying that it is a work of fiction despite its spiritual themes, and discusses the pseudohistory surrounding Cleopatra's ethnicity, citing Mary Lefkowitz's "Not Out of Africa" to argue against claims of her being black and asserting she was likely Macedonian Greek.

REALLity Check by David Bloomberg

This section provides brief commentary on various news items:

• Give The People What They Want - Who Cares If It Works?: Discusses the trend of health insurance companies offering coverage for alternative medicine, such as homeopathy, not based on scientific efficacy but on public demand.
• Joe Alien?: Comments on an RJ Reynolds cigarette advertisement that featured a flying saucer and questioned why aliens would abduct "dumbest people on Earth," noting the serious reaction from UFO activist groups.
• Just When You Thought Things Couldn't Get Much Sillier: Critiques the trend of "powerbead bracelets" marketed with claims of bestowing love, health, and happiness, highlighting the commercial aspect and the existence of cheaper knock-offs.
• Don't Bet On It: Examines a "Strange but True" column that questioned why casino operators aren't worried about ESP, concluding that the lack of evidence suggests ESP likely doesn't work in casinos or doesn't exist.
• Pyramidiots – Need I Say More?: Criticizes "mystical tourists" visiting Egypt who claim the pyramids and Sphinx were not built by Egyptians, likening their arguments to creationist claims about the second law of thermodynamics.
• Cold Shoulder to Cold-Eeze: Reports on the FTC's action against the makers of Cold-Eeze for making unsubstantiated claims about preventing colds and reducing allergy symptoms.
• Spaced Out: Critiques a local newspaper's uncritical reporting of a UFO researcher's claims about alien abductions, which were based on hypnotic regression, questioning the journalistic duty to verify such information.

Silicon vs. Silicone

In response to a reader's query, this section explains the relationship between silicon (the element) and silicone (the polymer). It clarifies that silicone breast implants have not been scientifically linked to systemic diseases, attributing past claims to a misunderstanding of correlation versus causation. The article notes that silicon is the second most abundant element on Earth and its versatility makes it useful in many applications, including medical devices. Silicone, a polymer of silicon, is chemically inert, flexible, and stable, making it suitable for implants.

REALL Organization Information

Purpose: REALL is a non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to rational thinking and the scientific method, primarily serving central Illinois.

Board of Directors: Lists David Bloomberg (Chairman), Jim Rosenthal (Vice Chairman), Bob Ladendorf (Secretary-Treasurer), Wally Hartshorn (Newsletter Editor), and Prof. Steve Egger and David McMaster (At-Large Members).

Editorial Board: Composed of Wally Hartshorn, David Bloomberg, and Jim Rosenthal.

Membership Rates: Details annual membership options: Regular ($20), student ($15), family ($30), patron ($50+), and subscription only ($12).

REALL Contacts: Provides REALL Hotline number (217-726-5354), Chairman's email ([email protected]), Editor's email ([email protected]), and website (www.reall.org).

A Nod to Our Patrons: Thanks members who contribute extra to support REALL's mission.

Predictions: Lists topics of interest such as "More Weird Web Sites," "Book Reviews," "Skeptic Music," "Book Excerpt: How We Believe," "Placebos," and "Genetic Engineering."

Upcoming Meeting

Topic: Y2K and Millennial Madness: What Did and Didn't Happen
Format: A group discussion among members.
Date: Tuesday, January 4, 7:00 PM
Location: Lincoln Library (7th & Capitol), Springfield, Illinois.

The meeting is described as a discussion rather than a presentation, with refreshments provided. The Chairman notes the upcoming year 2000 and the potential for discussions about events at the turn of the millennium.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism, the debunking of pseudoscience and paranormal claims, and the promotion of scientific literacy. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and the scientific method, as evidenced by the critique of "The Straight Dope" column's approach to various topics and the "REALLity Check" section's commentary on news items. The newsletter actively encourages members to submit articles and engage in discussions that uphold these principles. The publication also emphasizes its role in educating the public and combating what it terms "ignorance" and "nonsense."