REALL News - Vol 10 No 10 - 2002

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue Date: October 2002
Publisher: Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)
Character: A skeptical newsletter examining paranormal claims and promoting rational thinking.

Messages from Beyond at a Spiritualist Meeting by Benjamin Radford

This article details the author's experience attending a message service at Lily Dale Assembly, a Spiritualist community in southwestern New York. Lily Dale is described as a beautiful and serene place, home to the oldest and largest Spiritualist community in the United States. Spiritualists believe in life after death and that some individuals, known as mediums, can contact the dead.

The author attended a service on August 26, 2000, with CSICOP investigator Joe Nickell and Public Relations Director Kevin Christopher. The audience consisted of nearly 200 people, predominantly middle-aged, middle-class white women. The service began with a prayer, followed by introductions of six clairvoyant mediums.

During the service, audience members received readings from the mediums. The process often involved the medium asking, "May I touch with you?" which was a Spiritualist term for performing a reading, and asking to hear the subject's voice to "help the vibration."

The article categorizes the mediums' responses into several types:

1. Banal Responses: These were general statements that could apply to most people (e.g., "you are sometimes moody") or common-sense advice (e.g., "Grandpa had health problems"). The author questions why spirits would convey such trivial information.
2. Fishing Expeditions: These were questions designed to elicit positive identification from the subject (e.g., "do you know anyone with a 'J' or 'G' in their name?"). Mediums would often address large groups to increase the chances of a hit.
3. Incorrect Responses: Occasionally, mediums gave specific but incorrect information (e.g., "you have stomach problems"). When this happened, mediums would often attempt to rationalize the incorrect response.
4. Detailed Responses: These included specific or vivid images, sometimes correct (e.g., "do you have another grandfather who speaks French?") and sometimes incorrect.

The author then provides specific examples of readings from several mediums:

• The First Medium: Gave a woman advice about protecting her heart and helping others. To another subject, she mentioned an Uncle Al and a choice the person would face. The author notes that such advice is often vague and open to interpretation.
• The Second Medium: Addressed a group, asking if someone was from out of town or watching their house, with little initial success. She then attempted a reading for a man, asking about glasses, which did not fit. She then moved on, mentioning "colored names."
• The Third Medium: Read for Joe Nickell, mentioning his father and business. She told another woman she was a good planner and would be fine if she followed advice, implying responsibility for her health lay with her adherence to instructions.
• The Fourth Medium: Asked a teenage girl if she was in high school and advised her against talking about marriage. She also questioned a man about his job, misinterpreting his answers about a "new job."
• The Fifth Medium: Mentioned a gentleman whose name started with 'H' and suggested a business entrepreneur. She also spoke of a lady with hearing difficulty and an old man with dentures. The author notes the vagueness and potential for misinterpretation in these readings.
• The Sixth Medium: Spoke to a man about his grandfather and French-speaking grandfather, and then to an overweight black woman about diabetes and a female friend's relationships and education. She also addressed a man about stomach problems and creativity.

Analysis: The author concludes that the readings relied heavily on the Barnum effect, where general statements are perceived as specific to the individual. He suggests that mediums may unconsciously use cold reading techniques and genuinely believe in their abilities. The shift from physical phenomena to mental mediumship is seen as a way to cloak the medium's true intentions. While many visitors believe in the guidance from the dead, the author implies that the messages are often generic advice, platitudes, or reassuring sentiments, rather than genuine communication from spirits.

The article references several sources, including works by Kathleen M. Dillon, Peter Greasley, James A. Mulick, John W. Jacobson, Frank H. Kobe, Joe Nickell, and the National Spiritualist Association of Churches.

Moon Hoax Claim Leads from Punch to British Radio by David Bloomberg

This article discusses the incident where former astronaut Buzz Aldrin punched Bart Sibrel, a promoter of the moon hoax conspiracy theory, on September 11. Sibrel had confronted Aldrin, calling him a "thief" and demanding he swear on a Bible that he had walked on the moon. Aldrin's lawyer stated the punch was in self-defense.

The author notes that Aldrin received congratulatory emails from other astronauts and expresses sympathy for Aldrin, criticizing individuals like Sibrel who promote "bogus claims" and "huge conspiracies" for profit. He questions the logic of Sibrel's approach, suggesting that if a conspiracy existed, asking someone to swear on a Bible would not expose it.

The article then details how The Guardian in England published an article that misinterpreted a previous column by the author from The Straight Dope website, concluding that the author supported the moon hoax claims. Ed Zotti, editor of The Straight Dope, corrected the error with The Guardian, but the newspaper subsequently removed the article from its website.

Following this, BBC London Radio planned a half-hour show about the moon hoax, inviting the author to discuss his Straight Dope column. The author prepared by rereading his article and studying Philip Plait's "Bad Astronomy" book and website. He found the interview frustrating, as the hosts frequently interrupted him and seemed more interested in "quick sound bites" than in-depth explanations.

The author explains two common arguments used by moon hoax proponents: the absence of stars in moon photos and the "fluttering" flag.

• Absence of Stars: He explains that stars are not visible in moon photos because the exposure settings are adjusted for the bright lunar surface and the astronauts' suits, making the fainter stars undetectable. He contrasts this with Earth's atmosphere, which scatters light. He also suggests that if there were a conspiracy, the Russians, who were in a space race, would have noticed and exposed it.
• Fluttering Flag: The author explains that the flag appears to flutter because the pole was not fully extended, causing it to fold, and because the astronaut holding the pole was moving it. He notes that future astronauts apparently liked this effect and imitated it.

The author recounts that the interview, intended to be ten minutes, felt much shorter. He reflects on the strange path of events, from Aldrin's punch to his own radio appearance in England, and expresses hope that this publicity for "fringe believers" will end.

From the Chairman by David Bloomberg

David Bloomberg announces the second annual picnic meeting of REALL, scheduled for Sunday, October 6, at 4:00 PM at the home of board member Dave McMaster. It will be a potluck event, with REALL providing the main course. Members are asked to RSVP by Thursday, October 3.

He also reflects on the September meeting, thanking Professor Karen Bartelt for her presentation on "Intelligent Design." He notes the good turnout and the ongoing interest in the topic. He encourages members to suggest speakers or offer to speak themselves.

A Nod to Our Patrons

This section thanks REALL's patron members for their financial support, which helps the organization grow. A list of patron members is provided, including Karen Bartelt, David Bloomberg, David Brown, Alan Burge, Bill Hahm, Charles Hanson, Wally Hartshorn, Bob Ladendorf, John Lockard, Jr., Stephen & Elaine Mayer, David McMaster, Bill Mellon, David Brown, Bill Hahm, Charles Hanson, Wally Hartshorn, Bob Ladendorf, John Lockard, Jr., Stephen & Elaine Mayer, David McMaster, Bill Mellon, Jim Rosenthal, Doug Smith, and Melanie Wojtulewicz.

Purpose of REALL

This section outlines the mission of The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). It is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to promoting rational thinking and applying the scientific method to paranormal and fringe-science phenomena. REALL conducts research, convenes meetings, publishes a newsletter, and disseminates information. Its primary geographic region is central Illinois. REALL does not reject paranormal claims outright but insists on objective, critical inquiry. The REALL News is its official newsletter.

Membership rates are listed: Regular ($20), student ($15), family ($30), patron ($50 or more), and subscription only ($12).

Board of Directors and Editorial Board

Lists the members of the Board of Directors (David Bloomberg, Jim Rosenthal, Bob Ladendorf, Wally Hartshorn, David McMaster, Clark Olson, Mike Henebry) and the Editorial Board (Wally Hartshorn, David Bloomberg, Jim Rosenthal).

REALL Contacts

Provides contact information for REALL, including a hotline number (217-726-5354), Chairman David Bloomberg's email ([email protected]), Editor Wally Hartshorn's email ([email protected]), and the website (www.reall.org).

Your Article Could Have Been Here!

This section encourages readers to submit articles to The REALL News, humorously listing potential benefits such as "Fame!" and "Babes!" It then lists the editor's email (Wally Hartshorn at [email protected]) and Chairman David Bloomberg's email ([email protected]) for those interested in submitting articles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The REALL News consistently promotes a skeptical and rational approach to claims of the paranormal and fringe science. The articles in this issue, particularly Benjamin Radford's piece on Spiritualism and David Bloomberg's discussion of the moon hoax, exemplify this stance by critically examining phenomena and debunking pseudoscientific theories. The organization's purpose, as stated, is to foster critical thinking and the scientific method. The editorial stance is clearly against unsubstantiated claims and in favor of evidence-based reasoning.