REALL News - Vol 08 No 10

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 8, Number 10, dated October 2000, is the official newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). The publication is dedicated to promoting rational thinking and the scientific method in examining paranormal and fringe-science phenomena. This issue features articles on the origin of the term 'Grays' for aliens, a critique of 'Alternative Engineering,' and book recommendations.

Article: Why Did We Start Calling Them Grays?

Martin S. Kottmeyer explores the etymology of the term "Grays" used to describe aliens. He posits that while bald, big-headed aliens were noted as early as the mid-1960s, the term "Grays" only became common around 1990. Kottmeyer identifies Paul Bennewitz and his "Project Beta" document, likely written around 1983 and circulated within "EBE-lore" around the Dulce Base, as the primary source for the term's spread. He notes that other proponents of Dulce Base lore adopted the phrase, leading to its wider use in abduction lore. Kottmeyer questions why the term emerged, considering whether it was due to the aliens' actual gray skin color, which he finds was not consistently reported in earlier cases. He reviews earlier descriptions, such as the 1955 Kelly-Hopkinsville creatures being silvery luminescent, a Salzburg abduction subject being white-skinned, and 1964 Johannis reminiscences describing dwarves as "earthy green." He also mentions Barney Hill's aliens being described as yellowish, aluminum gray. Kottmeyer suggests that the absence of skin color descriptions in early cases might mean human norms, poor lighting, or forgotten details. He proposes that Bennewitz may have been influenced by a March 6, 1979, National Enquirer article by Glenn Singer, which reported similar descriptions of UFO humanoids globally. Kottmeyer also references Dr. Richard Niemtzow's work with Project VISIT. He further analyzes data from Thomas E. Bullard's study of abduction cases, noting that while "gray" was the most common skin color description among 25 cases, the correlation with large heads wasn't strong until later. He concludes by questioning whether the term "Grays" would have become so prevalent if Bennewitz hadn't started using it in the 1980s.

Article: Alternative Engineering

Steven Novella, M.D., critically examines the concept of "Alternative Engineering" (AE), a phenomenon gaining traction as people seek alternatives to conventional technology. Novella defines AE as a collection of new and old methods that are gaining "scientific respectability." He highlights Alec Waterston, an individual with no formal engineering training, who claims to design a 1,200-foot bridge supported by Feng Shui principles, bypassing conventional engineering methods. Waterston believes his lack of formal training allows for unique solutions unfettered by "reality." Professor Anthony Trellis of State University criticizes Waterston's designs as contrary to basic physics and unsafe. Waterston, however, dismisses such criticism as protectionism from the "old guard." The article also discusses the auto industry's adoption of AE, exemplified by Natural Designs, a car company founded by Andy Wiere. Natural Designs promotes "Integrative Engineering," which combines modern science with older, superstitious ideas. Their new model, the Millennium 2000, reportedly uses a psychoactive material called "Natural Safe" instead of airbags and seatbelts, claiming it will repel occupants to safety during a crash. Despite skepticism, consumers are reportedly convinced, with GM and Ford also incorporating Natural Safe coatings. The article notes that Senator Hakem has pushed legislation to exempt manufacturers using AE from regulations. Skeptics like Perry DeAngelis call for crash tests, but Wiere argues that crash dummies cannot replicate the effects of the psychoactive material. Novella points out that studies suggest drivers of these cars are twice as likely to die in a crash. The article concludes by noting that AE is likely to persist, with a new Department of Integrative Engineering being established at State University and an Office of Alternative Engineering proposed.

Article: Stopping the Voodoo Is What He Does So Well

David Bloomberg reviews Robert Park's book, "Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud." Park, a physics professor and director of the American Physical Society's Washington D.C. office, argues that many claims presented as scientific breakthroughs are actually "voodoo science." He defines voodoo science as ideas that are "totally, indisputably, extravagantly, wrong" but attract a large following. Park distinguishes between genuine scientific inquiry, which occurs in research institutions and scientific meetings, and voodoo science, which is often presented directly to the media, bypassing peer review. He provides examples such as "Vitamin O," a supplement claimed to contain "stabilized oxygen molecules," which was later exposed as salt water and resulted in a $375,000 FTC settlement. Another example is BlackLight Power, which claims to harness energy from "hydrinos," a concept lacking scientific evidence. Park also discusses Joe Newman and his "free energy" machine, noting that Newman's house was connected to power lines. He highlights the dangers of "junk science," citing the power line cancer scare which cost an estimated $25 billion. Park explains that scientists who prioritize their opinions over proper methods can either admit mistakes or move into denial, leading them down "the road to fraud." He emphasizes that scientists have an obligation to expose such practices.

Book Recommendations

David Bloomberg provides several short book reviews:

• Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK by Gerald Posner (★★★★★): Posner's investigation is praised for uncovering information that challenges conspiracy theories, showing how testimonies were molded and using new forensic methods to support Oswald as a lone gunman.
• Killing the Dream: James Earl Ray and the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Gerald Posner (★★★★): Posner's work on the MLK assassination is also found to debunk conspiracy claims. The reviewer notes that while Posner presents evidence, he sometimes leaves the reader to draw conclusions, wishing he had gone further in definitively disproving certain claims.
• The Triumph of Evolution and the Failure of Creationism by Niles Eldredge (★★★★★): Eldredge's book is described as an "all-out assault on the anti-science of creationism," tackling their methods and showing how their claims are based on religious belief rather than science. It addresses the microevolution/macroevolution debate.
• Dreaming Souls: Sleep, Dreams, and the Evolution of the Conscious Mind by Owen Flanagan (★★★): Flanagan's theory that dreams did not evolve but simply occur during sleep is presented. The reviewer finds the idea interesting but notes the book can be dry and lead to wandering thoughts.
• Virus: The Co-Discoverer of HIV Tracks Its Rampage and Charts the Future by Luc Montagnier (★★★★): While largely about HIV and AIDS, this book is mentioned for its section debunking Peter Duesberg's denial that HIV causes AIDS, with Montagnier quickly dispatching Duesberg's objections.

From the Editor

Editor Wally Hartshorn discusses the frustrations of weather forecasting, recounting his experience with conflicting forecasts for his outdoor wedding. He humorously suggests that buying golf umbrellas may have influenced the good weather. He also mentions upcoming REALL meetings, including a Skeptics Society video on "Sharing the Universe: Perspectives on Making Contact with Extraterrestrial Life" by Dr. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute.

From the Chairman

Chairman David Bloomberg congratulates the editor and his new wife. He discusses recent REALL meetings featuring videos on Carl Sagan and SETI. He announces the October meeting will feature a Skeptics Society video by Dr. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute, discussing the search for extraterrestrial life and the implications of contact.

Our Next Meeting

Details are provided for the upcoming REALL meeting on Tuesday, October 3, at 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois. The meeting will feature a Skeptics Society video by Dr. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute, focusing on the search for extraterrestrial life and the questions surrounding it. The event is free and open to the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of claims, particularly those related to UFOs, aliens, and pseudoscientific endeavors. The REALL News, through its articles and book reviews, consistently promotes a skeptical and scientific approach. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against what it terms "voodoo science" and "alternative engineering" that lacks empirical support. The publication aims to educate its members and the public on the importance of the scientific method and to debunk unsubstantiated claims, while also providing a platform for discussions on topics of interest within the skeptical community.