British and Irish Skeptic - 1987 - Vol 1 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: THE British & Irish SKEPTIC
Issue: Volume I, Number 4
Date: July/August 1987
Publisher: The British & Irish Skeptic
Country: Ireland

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, a publication dedicated to the scientific investigation of claims of the paranormal, features a range of articles and reports examining various phenomena from a skeptical perspective.

In This Issue

The cover highlights the contents, including "Hits & Misses," "Proper Criticism" by Ray Hyman, "The Telepathic Philodendron" by Henri Broch, an interview with Mark Plummer on the Gay Byrne Show, and discussions on the Knock phenomenon, UFOs, Doris Stokes, and psychic diaries.

Plummer in Ireland and UK

The magazine details the first public meeting of the Irish Skeptics, held in Dublin on May 12, where Mark Plummer, CSICOP's Executive Director, was the guest speaker. Plummer discussed CSICOP's development and the Australian Skeptics' investigations into claims like dowsing for hidden buildings and receiving posthumous musical works. A key point of discussion was the appropriate scope of investigation, with an agreement that while testable claims should be examined, religious beliefs should be respected. A similar meeting was held in London on May 8, following Plummer's LBC radio interview.

Medium Lives

Following Mark Plummer's radio interview, the Irish Skeptics received numerous inquiries. One such inquiry came from D.C. Craddock, who questioned the authenticity of mediums, citing Marjorie Staves' autobiography, "One Sense Ahead: Story of a Clairvoyant." Staves claimed she knew the exact date of her death, April 17, 1974. Craddock's query about whether she was still alive was answered by Leslie Shepard, who confirmed Staves was alive and well in 1987, advertising in Prediction Magazine.

PA Conference

The Parapsychology Association's annual conference was scheduled to be held at Edinburgh University from August 7-9, with a report promised for the next issue.

Video Library and Computer Networks

Toby Howard is collecting VHS tapes of relevant programs and is willing to loan them to paid subscribers. Available tapes include documentaries on voodoo, the electronic church, and spiritualism. Howard is also investigating the use of computer networks for communication among skeptics in the UK and overseas.

Cartoonist Wanted

The magazine is seeking a cartoonist or graphic designer for potential artwork and cartoons.

No Skeptics Need Apply

This section critiques media practices that appear biased towards paranormal claims. It notes that The Mirror's "Trick or Truth" series about Doris Stokes primarily published pro-Stokes letters, and a Guardian advertisement seeking evidence of hauntings or poltergeists suggests a biassed sample.

Televising Skepticism

Karl Sabbagh, a writer and producer, was creating a 90-minute documentary on the paranormal for Channel 4, scheduled for November 1. The documentary aimed to investigate the Knock legend and other paranormal topics.

Name This Newsletter Contest

The contest to name the newsletter was nearing its end, with "The British & Irish Skeptic" being the front-runner. The plan was to change the format and design for the next issue, with "The New Skeptic" (or "Sceptic") being a possibility. Suggestions were accepted until August 15, with a two-year subscription for the winner.

Mirror Criticizes Psychic

In a surprising turn, the Sunday Mirror published an article titled "Psychic 'Cashing in' on Tragedy," which criticized self-professed clairvoyant Daphne Possee. Possee allegedly charged victims' families for readings after the Zeebrugge ferry disaster. The article highlighted that police stated no victim was found in the circumstances Possee described.

UFO Congress '87

The Fourth International UFO Congress was scheduled to be held at the London Business School from July 10-12, featuring speakers from various countries discussing topics ranging from UFOs and health to the Rendlesham Forest incident.

Editor's Schedule

Editor Wendy M. Grossman would be away in the US from July 21 to September 30, with correspondence being forwarded but subject to delays.

Berglas vs Dion--Update

Woman magazine responded to a query about their "Psychic Challenge of the Century," stating they had received an enormous response and would take time to sift through the letters and organize a testing method.

Marks Resigns

David Marks had resigned as Chairman of the UK Skeptics.

Nessie Talks

The International Society of Cryptozoology was co-sponsoring a conference on the Loch Ness Monster at the Royal Museum of Scotland. The event included talks on the monster's history and biology, and featured an "Official Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Centre."

Tracking the Yeti

Chinese Golden Monkeys visiting Dublin Zoo prompted an investigation into whether they could be the source of Yeti reports. The monkeys live at high altitudes and have characteristics, such as long limbs and upright walking, that could lead to misidentification.

Douglas Adams Quote

A quote from Douglas Adams' "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" is included, humorously describing an "Electric Monk" as a device that believes things for you.

Proper Criticism (Article by Ray Hyman)

Ray Hyman's article addresses the challenges and responsibilities of skeptical criticism. He emphasizes the importance of careful preparation, clear objectives, and avoiding emotional language or sensationalism. Hyman advises critics to "do their homework," document sources, and stay within their level of competence. He advocates for the "principle of charity," which suggests resolving ambiguity in favor of the claimant until strong reasons suggest otherwise. The article stresses that effective criticism should focus on the claim, not the claimant, and avoid creating an impression of censorship or interfering with civil liberties. Hyman concludes by stating that adhering to standards of precision, science, logic, and rationality is crucial for raising the quality of critiques and earning credibility.

The Telepathic Philodendron (Article by Henri Broch)

Henri Broch critically examines the "primary perception" of plants, specifically the "Backster effect" involving a philodendron and a lie detector. Broch highlights that this phenomenon, reported in a daily newspaper, was attributed to an extrasensory faculty. He references Lyall Watson's accounts of experiments and Robert Charroux's claims about Cleve Backster. However, Broch contrasts these with a study published in the journal *Science*, which, under similar experimental conditions, found no evidence of primary perception in plants. Broch concludes that the "incontestable fact" is a product of "interested imagination" rather than scientific work, and that the "snowball effect" of reporting can embellish facts.

Mark Plummer on the Gay Byrne Show

This section transcribes an interview with Mark Plummer on Gay Byrne's radio show. Plummer discusses the role of skeptics in increasing joy by finding explanations for mysteries. He addresses firewalking, explaining it scientifically as a poor heat transfer phenomenon. Plummer also discusses how people are often exploited by psychics and clairvoyants, citing an example of people moving to the northwest of the US based on a psychic's prophecy. Regarding horoscopes, he explains that their vague, positive nature makes them difficult to disprove, and tests have shown inconsistencies among astrologers. Plummer expresses skepticism about mediums like Doris Stokes, suggesting their messages are banal and lack profound insight. He also discusses Uri Geller, labeling him a "clever magician" and explaining the watch-starting trick as a result of body heat affecting lubricants. Plummer mentions the Irish Skeptics group and their newsletter, "The British & Irish Skeptic." He also touches upon Rosemary Brown, who claims to channel deceased musicians, suggesting she extemporizes in their styles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical examination of paranormal claims, the methodology of skepticism, and the debunking of phenomena presented as supernatural. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting scientific investigation, rational explanation, and the importance of evidence-based reasoning. The magazine actively seeks to counter what it perceives as sensationalism and exploitation by charlatans and biased media reporting, advocating for a rigorous and objective approach to evaluating extraordinary claims.

Title: Skeptics in the News
Issue: 11
Volume: 1
Date: May 1987
Publisher: The New Scientist
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1.00

This issue of 'Skeptics in the News' presents a collection of articles and reports focusing on paranormal claims, skeptical investigations, and the activities of skeptical organizations worldwide.

Knock: Two Alternative Views

Leslie Shepard, editor of the Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, critically examines David Berman's magic lantern theory for the apparitions at Knock in 1879. Shepard highlights several difficulties with this theory, including the fact that it was raining, witnesses saw the apparitions from different angles without observing a beam of light, a London Daily Telegraph reporter's investigation found no evidence of a magic lantern setup, and attempts to replicate the effects with magic lantern slides failed. Shepard argues that Berman's dismissal of supernatural explanations in favor of an improbable lantern hypothesis is illogical.

Steuart Campbell, a science writer, proposes an alternative hypothesis: that the witnesses saw an astronomical mirage. He explains that bright objects near the horizon can create mirages under specific meteorological conditions, causing magnification and spectral spread. Campbell suggests that the observed phenomena, including 'golden stars' and 'glittering crosses,' could be a mirage of Jupiter and its Galilean moons. He notes that the apparent movement of the 'figures' when observers moved is consistent with distant, stationary objects viewed through a mirage. Campbell concludes that the vision likely appeared in front of the church's gable, not on it, and that the interpretation of these mirages through religious beliefs is a psychological phenomenon.

Two Soviet Intercontinental Missiles Exploded Over "The Unique Professional Spanish UFologist"

This article reports on a Spanish Air Force investigation into UFOs sighted over the Canary Islands on March 5, 1979. The investigation concluded that the UFOs were intercontinental missiles fired by a Soviet nuclear submarine. The article criticizes Juan Jose Benitez, a prominent Spanish UFOlogist, for consistently rejecting the missile explanation and ridiculing it, despite photographic evidence and reports from other sources. The author labels Benitez as a sensationalist UFOlogist who has made numerous mistakes in his career.

European Report

This section provides updates on skeptical activities in various European countries:

• Austria: The Austrian group is small and in its formative stages, focusing on changing the presentation of pseudoscience in textbooks. Professor Wolfgang Gombocz is the convenor.
• France: The French Committee for the Study of Paranormal Phenomena, based in Paris, has a regional group in Grenoble. Their newsletter, 'La Lettre du Parano(rmal),' covers topics like Uri Geller's appearance on a TV broadcast.
• Germany: ASUPO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Skeptiker) has published its first newsletter, 'Der Skeptiker,' featuring articles on dowsing and earth rays. They have formed a subcommittee to assist a government project on these topics.
• Scandinavia: The Swedish group, Vetenskap och Folkbildning, has a large subscriber base for its newsletter 'Folkvett.' Sven Ove Hansson, the group leader, has written skeptical books explaining various mysteries.
• Spain: The Spanish group publishes 'La Alternativa Racional' and held a conference in Madrid. Their media presence is growing.
• Switzerland: The Zurich-based committee is newly formed and plans to work with other European groups. Uri Geller's uncritical promotion on Swiss television is noted.

Doris Stokes

This article discusses the death of medium Doris Stokes and the media's reaction. It highlights numerous press articles, some uncritical, and claims of messages received from Stokes after her death. Stokes had previously refused challenges to prove her powers, including those from magician Paul Daniels and businessman Gerald Fleming. The article details investigations by journalists John Dale and Richard Holliday into six of Stokes' most publicized cases, finding that police officers often provided no new or incorrect information, and that some cases were reclassified as fiction.

Psychic Diary

This section compiles various paranormal news items:

• Zeebrugge Ferry Disaster: Kent clairvoyant Daphne Possee claims to have foreseen the disaster.
• Loughborough University: Is running a course on the paranormal, covering topics like telepathy and precognition.
• Trance Healers: George Chapman reports success with spiritual guidance from deceased surgeon William Lang.
• Seers Compete: Two Liverpool seers are competing in a prediction contest.
• Doris Stokes: James Byrne's attempt to contact Doris Stokes is criticized.
• Psychic on Government Scheme: Peter Froude is receiving a grant for writing an occult thriller using automatic writing.
• Firewalking in London: Seminars are advertised for developing inner resources and overcoming fear.
• Séance Accoutrements: Items like luminous aluminium trumpets are available for sale.
• Magicians Condemn Psychics: Magician Paul Daniels and Ali Bongo voice strong disapproval of psychics who profit from people's sadness.
• Weirder Publications: Rex Dutta's 'Viewpoint Aquarius' is described as a publication blending flying saucers, theosophy, and anti-Russian sentiments.
• Festival of Mind, Body and Spirit: Featured various fringe areas like Kirlian Photography and aura healing.
• Aromatherapy Pyramid Scheme: An advertisement for aromatherapy includes an invitation to a pyramid selling scheme declared illegal.
• "Pulsor" Crystals: Publicity for 'Pulsor' crystals claims they can change and amplify vibrations.
• Silliest Headline: "Healer links up two-way radio-telephone with spirit world" is noted as the silliest headline.

Taking up the sceptics' burden

This article focuses on the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) and its mission to cast a skeptical eye on paranormal claims. Carl Sagan is quoted emphasizing the need for a balance between skeptical scrutiny and openness to new ideas. The article notes CSICOP's growth, its magazine 'The Skeptical Inquirer,' and its efforts to establish overseas affiliates. Challenges faced by CSICOP include the difficulty of attracting large audiences, the refusal of those under attack to participate in debates, and the perception of skepticism as dangerous. The article also touches on the difficulty of explaining science accessibly and the persistence of pseudoscience.

The Press Gallery

This section summarizes various paranormal and skeptical news items from different publications:

• The Sun: Reported on a poll asking deceased figures how they would vote in an election.
• The Sheffield Weekly Gazette: Cancelled a horoscope column due to complaints from Christian readers.
• The Guardian: Reviewed a book on astrology and reported on a national symposium about UFOs.
• Sunday Mirror: Published articles on UFOs and Jenny Randles' new book.
• Sunday Times: Reported on a UFO symposium.
• London Daily News: Interviewed Whitley Strieber about his abduction experiences.
• Daily Mirror and The Star: Reported on Yeti footprints found in the Himalayas.
• BBC Wildlife: Reported on a hair sample from a Yeti being analyzed.
• Irish Times: Reported on 'weeping statues' in Ireland.
• The Guardian: Reported on a woman claiming to have survived a near-death experience with new visual powers.
• The Voice: Published a story about Mrs Lera Clarke believing she is being targeted for God's work.
• Sunday Express: Reported on a witch selling spell pouches and love potions.
• The Guardian: Reported on a discredited campaign by McDonald's regarding the nutritional value of their food.
• WANTED: A call for newspaper clippings related to paranormal claims and pseudoscience for CSICOP's library.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of paranormal claims, the promotion of scientific skepticism, and the activities of organizations dedicated to debunking pseudoscience. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and evidence-based reasoning, contrasting with the uncritical acceptance of supernatural or unexplained phenomena often found in popular media. The articles highlight the challenges faced by skeptics in countering widespread belief in the paranormal and the media's role in either promoting or challenging these claims.

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, dated May 1987, is a review-focused publication that critically examines claims related to psychic phenomena and UFOs. The issue includes reviews of books and articles, letters to the editor, and a detailed analysis of a historical UFO sighting. The overall tone is skeptical, aiming to debunk extraordinary claims with rational explanations and scientific reasoning.

Reviews

Fortune Secrets by Uri Geller (& John Lisner)

Reviewed by Wendy M. Grossman, this book is analyzed as a logical extension of Uri Geller's claims to be a millionaire, suggesting that his success is the primary driver for his claims of psychic ability. The review highlights Geller's use of famous names, including the British royal family and celebrities like Stephen Spielberg and Johnny Carson, to bolster his credibility. Geller redefines all human achievement in terms of 'PSI-FORCE,' attributing success in sports, show business, and even political decisions to psychic powers. The review criticizes Geller for a biased sample and for his questionable knowledge, such as his apparent ignorance of Johnny Carson's history as a magician. The book's advice is described as standard self-help material, leading to the conclusion that any improvement reported by readers will be attributed to PSI, while failures will be blamed on the reader blocking themselves. The reviewer concludes that the book cheapens human achievement and leaves the mystery of Geller's appeal unanswered, likening the book's content to a mix of 'How To Win Friends and Influence People,' 'The Power of Positive Thinking,' and 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' all sprinkled with 'PSI-FORCE.'

Time Healers by Laura Walsh and Brian Whittle

Reviewed by Stephen Moreton, this two-part series from the Sunday Express on hypnotic regression is criticized for its one-sided propaganda and lack of a balanced, skeptical viewpoint. Moreton argues that the explanation for 'past lives' is cryptomnesia, where the subconscious mind accesses stored information, creating elaborate fantasies. He cites the example of Jane Evans, whose 'Roman woman' past life was based on a historical novel. Moreton also points out glaring historical inaccuracies in claims, such as a woman describing Aztec temples when the Aztecs were geographically and culturally isolated from the Inca builders of Machu Picchu. He questions the scholarship of experts like Dr. Tom Barlow, who allegedly made such errors, and suggests that believers fail to investigate the sources of these supposed past-life memories.

Letters to the Editor

Letter from Steuart Campbell

Campbell responds to Wendy M. Grossman's review, expressing his lack of awareness of Derek C. Sampson and his claims, which he dismisses as 'appalling drivel' and a mixture of myths. He argues that Sampson's allegations cannot be investigated because he does not provide necessary details, and that his stories are likely lifted from published UFO literature. Campbell asserts that UFO reports can be explained in mundane terms and do not require exotic hypotheses. He refutes the idea that 'strange flying machines have been observed in our skies for thousands of years,' stating that for millennia, mankind simply couldn't explain everything seen in the sky. He also dismisses the relevance of travel in the sky and literary works like 'Gulliver's Travels,' arguing that 'flying saucers' do not have castles on board, thus showing no connection to Swift's story.

Letter from A. Bloomfield

Bloomfield writes in response to an article about the voyage to Laputa from 'Gulliver's Travels,' suggesting that Mr. Sampson's attitude demeans the human spirit by requiring empirical evidence for everything. He interprets Swift's work as a satire on the 'fringe-scientists' and 'Natural Philosophers' of his day, who were exploring new scientific frontiers with a mix of genuine inquiry and charlatanism. Bloomfield explains that Swift placed these philosophers in 'cloud-cuckoo land' to satirize their pretensions, drawing a parallel to Aristophanes' depiction of philosophers.

Insert for B&IS 1.4: Seeing the Light at Knock

This section, an insert due to a paste-up error, provides a detailed analysis of a reported sighting at Knock, Ireland, on August 21, 1879. Steuart Campbell hypothesizes that the phenomenon was a horizontal mirage. He explains that mirages form near the horizon due to light penetrating the atmosphere, causing reddening through scattering and absorption. For the hypothesis to hold, bright astronomical bodies must have been near the horizon. Calculations for the time of the sighting (between 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM) show that Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn were visible near the horizon, with Jupiter and Venus at their brightest magnitudes. Campbell suggests that one or more of these planets could have caused a mirage. He notes that horizontal mirages only require a clear sky at the horizon, even if the sky is cloudy overhead or raining. The hypothesis is somewhat frustrated by the lack of information on the direction each witness was looking, though Patrick Walsh's description of a 'very bright light appearing like a large globe of golden light' resembles an astronomical object. At 9:00 PM, Jupiter was 11 degrees above the horizon to the southeast.

The British Committee and Irish Skeptics

This section lists the members of The British Committee and the Irish Convenors, including Michael Hutchinson, David Berglas, Alan Brien, Jeremy Cherfas, C.E.M. Hansel, Melvin Harris, Lewis Jones, David Marks, Denys Parsons, Karl Sabbagh, Chris Scott, Peter O'Hara, and Wendy M. Grossman. It also provides area contacts for skeptics in various regions of the UK and Ireland. The British & Irish Skeptic newsletter is published bimonthly from Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland, with Wendy M. Grossman as the editor. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of the editor, the Irish Skeptics, the British Committee, or CSICOP. Reprint permission is generally granted to affiliated publications. Subscription rates are provided in IR£ or Sterling, with options for donations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims, particularly UFOs and psychic abilities, and the application of scientific and rational explanations. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry, aiming to debunk unsubstantiated claims by providing evidence-based counterarguments and alternative explanations. The publication emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and the dangers of accepting extraordinary claims without sufficient proof. The use of literary analysis, astronomical calculations, and psychological insights are employed as tools to dissect and critique phenomena often presented as mysterious or supernatural.