REALL News - Vol 09 No 10 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 9, Number 10
Date: October 2001
Publisher: Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)
Description: This issue of The REALL News, a newsletter focused on rational thinking and scientific inquiry into paranormal and fringe-science phenomena, features articles on dreams, psychic claims, and the distinction between science and pseudoscience.

Why Nightmares Are Good, Part 2: The Misinterpretation of Dreams

By Bob Ladendorf

This article, the second part of a series, explores the function and interpretation of dreams and nightmares. The author, Bob Ladendorf, proposes a hypothesis that nightmares are triggered by external stimuli (like restricted blood circulation or the need to urinate) that serve to wake the sleeper. This contrasts with the two major theories of dreams: Freud's repressed wishes and the neurological 'activation-synthesis' hypothesis. Ladendorf notes that even Freud acknowledged external stimuli influencing dreams but did not place significant value on it, referring to dreams that wake us as "marginal cases." The author argues that these "creative nightmares" are necessary for waking up.

The article also addresses the misinterpretation of dreams, particularly in relation to phenomena like sleep paralysis, which Carl Sagan described as an experience of immobility and anxiety with possible auditory or visual hallucinations. Ladendorf questions whether dreams of demons and ghosts prove the paranormal, suggesting that interpretation is subjective and prone to error. He advocates for applying Occam's razor, favoring psychological and neurological explanations over paranormal ones, despite the historical prevalence of dream interpretation for divination.

Ladendorf discusses historical instances where dreams and hallucinations have led to dire consequences, citing Mary Matossian's research on ergot poisoning from rye bread causing fits and visions, potentially explaining events like the Salem witchcraft occurrences. He notes that ergotism can produce LSD-like substances. The article also touches on the persistence of dreams and visions throughout history, from Biblical times to modern interpretations, and references Alfred Maury's work suggesting dreams arise from external stimuli.

John Edward and the “Energy Place”

By Bob Ladendorf

This article critically examines the psychic medium John Edward, known for his show "Crossing Over" and appearances on "The Larry King Show." Ladendorf expresses disgust at the idea of psychics profiting from the grief of victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. He recounts Edward's appearance on Larry King's show, where Edward's claims about seeing dead people were inconsistent, shifting from seeing them directly to receiving "flashes, pictures, thoughts," and describing the afterlife as an "energy place."

Ladendorf questions Edward's credibility, noting his rapid speech and the use of "cold reading" techniques, which Joe Nickell, a senior research fellow at the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, describes as preying on gullibility. The article highlights that Edward denied using cold reading and claimed not to have "miked" the audience. Nickell argues that such practices prevent people from achieving genuine closure.

The article details several phone calls from Edward's show, illustrating his often vague or incorrect connections with callers, and his quickness to switch topics when a connection isn't made. Despite Edward's apparent struggles to make clear connections, Larry King appeared bemused, suggesting doubt about Edward's alleged psychic abilities.

Quantum Leaps Separates Science & Pseudoscience

By David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg's article addresses the difficulty in distinguishing real science from pseudoscience in media reporting. He introduces the book "Quantum Leaps in the Wrong Direction: Where Real Science Ends... and Pseudoscience Begins" by Charles Wynn, Sr., and Arthur Wiggins, which aims to help readers understand the difference. The book examines the pseudoscience aspect, using the Heaven's Gate cult suicide as an example of pseudoscience, contrasted with the scientific discovery of the Hale-Bopp comet.

The authors hope to reach individuals with beliefs at odds with science, encouraging them to review beliefs based on incorrect evidence. Bloomberg explains that scientific procedure is used daily, using an example of a person investigating a noise. Pseudoscience, conversely, might attribute such unexplained phenomena to ghosts or aliens without evidence. The article notes that common pseudoscientific beliefs include UFOs, ghosts, astrology, creationism, and ESP, citing Gallup poll results.

The book debunks the supposed scientific backing for these claims. It also discusses Uri Geller's spoon-bending, attributing it to sleight-of-hand rather than psychic power. The article questions the harm of believing in pseudoscience, pointing to the Heaven's Gate tragedy and the financial and health costs associated with quackery. The piece concludes by referencing a cartoon depicting a blackboard with complex calculations and the phrase "Then a miracle occurs," illustrating how pseudoscientists use miracles when evidence is lacking.

Psychic Parasites

By David Bloomberg

In this article, David Bloomberg expresses strong disgust towards individuals he labels "psychic parasites" who exploit tragedies, specifically the September 11th terrorist attacks, for financial gain. He criticizes James Van Praaghs, John Edwards, and Sylvia Brownes for selling "false visions" through books and television shows.

Bloomberg focuses on Sylvia Browne's response to the 9/11 attacks. He details how Browne claimed she hadn't predicted the attacks because she wasn't "omniscient," yet also claimed to have predicted terrorist attacks in 1999, albeit for incorrect locations (London and Florida). He criticizes her for using the deaths of thousands to claim a hit on a vague prediction. Browne also suggested Osama bin Laden and "another group" were behind the attacks, along with vague Arabic-sounding names and a mysterious "Z" weapon, which Bloomberg dismisses as a standard tactic of throwing out random information.

Most controversially, Browne advertised a "sacred journey" to Greece and Turkey for up to $4867, directly capitalizing on the tragedy. Bloomberg also lists Browne's other predictions from 1999 and 2000, which he deems "meaningless pap" or demonstrably false. He highlights her $700 personal reading offer.

The article also mentions the circulation of Nostradamus claims and numerological "11" e-mails following the attacks, noting that while some were quickly debunked, Nostradamus books saw increased sales.

Beyond Dreams

This section, continuing from page 1, further explores the nature of dreams and hallucinations. It reiterates that throughout history, visions in dreams or hallucinations have led to dire consequences, referencing historical accounts of witchcraft and food poisoning. The article emphasizes that while hallucinations are a part of human nature, they do not prove the existence of a paranormal world. It contrasts the historical view of dreams as divine messages with modern scientific approaches and highlights the enduring power and mystery of dreams.

Our Next Meeting

This section announces REALL's next meeting, which will feature a videotape and discussion led by Bob Ladendorf on the theory that "Food Poisoning as a Cause of Hallucination in History." The meeting will explore whether ergot poisoning of rye bread could have caused the bizarre behavior seen in historical events like the Salem witchcraft trials. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2, 7:00 PM, at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois, and is free and open to the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The REALL News are skepticism towards paranormal claims, the importance of scientific methodology, and the critical examination of individuals and phenomena that blur the lines between science and pseudoscience. The editorial stance is clearly one of advocating for rational thought, evidence-based reasoning, and a cautious approach to extraordinary claims, particularly those that exploit public grief or offer unsubstantiated explanations for complex phenomena. The publication actively seeks to debunk or critically analyze claims of psychic abilities, UFOs, and other paranormal events, while promoting scientific understanding and critical thinking.