British and Irish Skeptic - 1988 - Vol 2 No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: The British & Irish SKEPTIC
Issue: Volume II, No. 6
Date: November/December 1988
Publisher: The British & Irish Skeptic
Country: UK
Language: English
Price: £1.50

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, a publication dedicated to the scientific examination of claims of the paranormal, features a variety of articles, reviews, and news items. The cover highlights include 'A 'psychic' fair in Bristol', 'The remarkable Mr Newman', 'Explaining the shroud of Turin', 'Telepathic snails', and 'Skeptical predictions for 1988'.

New Skeptical Groups

Steve Donnelly reports on the formation of two new skeptical groups: the London Student Sceptics and the Council Against Health Fraud. The London Student Sceptics held its inaugural meeting on October 17th and aims to combat pseudoscience. The Council Against Health Fraud was formed on November 1st to provide an information and action service against quackery in healthcare.

James Randi's UK Visit

The issue details the visit of James Randi, a professional conjurer and investigator of paranormal claims, to the UK. Despite a cancelled appearance on the Wogan television programme, Randi was interviewed on Granada TV and Radio Manchester. He also gave a lecture in Manchester, organized by the Manchester Skeptics, on critically examining paranormal claims.

Article Summaries

'Hits and Misses' by Steve Donnelly: This section covers the formation of new skeptical groups and James Randi's visit to the UK.

'Abominable Lizard': This article discusses a report in the Sunday Times about a seven-feet-tall green, red-eyed creature, dubbed 'Lizardman', terrorizing a community in South Carolina. It notes the creature's ability to attract tourists, similar to other reported monsters.

'Observerational Astronomy': This piece critiques a recent article in the Observer magazine that listed astronomers' favourite astronomers, noting a presumed error where Patrick Moore was praised for popularizing astrology instead of astronomy. It also criticizes the magazine for previously promoting 'alternative' medicine.

'Stealthy UFO': An article from the Sheffield Star discusses a UFO sighting that investigator David Clarke believes was the American F-19 Stealth fighter. Another incident from the Milton Keynes Citizen describes a video-taped cigar-shaped object hovering over the town.

'Life Forces': This section comments on credulous and pseudoscientific articles found in the Guardian, particularly a column by Judy Collings that uses scientific-sounding terms to promote misleading ideas about paranormal abilities in healthcare.

'Books, Boats and Biggles': This article reports that a survey found nearly half the UK population believes in ghosts. It recounts a story from the Sunday Express about a haunting explained as book lice feeding on mildew. It also mentions reports of ghosts in a Lincoln bomber and a control tower at RAF bases. The article notes that Tony Cornell of the Society for Psychical Research will be investigating poltergeists on the Queen Mary.

'Independent Thinker': This section features a quote from comedian Stephen Fry expressing his strong dislike for superstition and his rational outlook.

'Perfumed Placebo': This article critiques aromatherapy, citing an Independent article that interviewed aromatherapist Ziva Bellic. The author expresses skepticism about the claims of healing through scented oils.

'In Loco Parentis': A report from the Dallas Morning News surveyed teachers in the US and found that many hold pseudoscientific beliefs, with 30% preferring 'creation science' over evolution and 28% believing in psychic prediction.

'The Eyes Have It': This short piece describes how to create a 'weeping statue' using plaster of Paris and a polythene bag.

'The Domino Theory': This article explains a method of fortune-telling using dominoes, assigning meanings to different combinations.

'The China Syndrome': This piece debunks the idea that Chinese astrology is widely popular in China, quoting Associate Professor Fuyan Zhang who states that educated people in China do not believe in it and that books about astrology are prohibited.

'Christmas presents': This section satirizes the 'unusual gift ideas' found in occult publications, highlighting items like 'juju wishing dolls' and 'magical Stonehenge rainwater' kits.

'An anecdote of Dr Rock': A historical anecdote illustrating the difference between a quack doctor and a legitimate physician, highlighting how the quack thrives on the ignorance of the majority.

'Down to a Bristol Fair' by Hocus Pocus: The author attended the Earth Spirit Festival '88 in Bristol, reporting on various stalls and exhibits, including the Aetherius Society. He describes his encounters with a Tarot reader named David of Avalon and Roy Rama, a consultant, and expresses skepticism about their methods and the general atmosphere of the festival.

'Cuttings and Cassettes': This section thanks readers for their contributions of clippings and information, explaining how they are filed and made available to subscribers. It also mentions that the video and audio cassette library is still available but requires a written request for a list of contents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the promotion of skepticism and critical thinking in the face of paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and quackery. The editors and contributors consistently advocate for scientific examination, evidence-based reasoning, and a rejection of unsubstantiated beliefs. The magazine actively debunks various phenomena, from psychic fairs and astrology to alternative medicine and UFO sightings, encouraging readers to question and analyze claims critically. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rationalism and scientific inquiry, viewing superstition and unfounded beliefs as harmful to individuals and society.

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, dated November/December 1988, features a cover story titled 'The remarkable Mr Newman' by Frank Chambers, which critically examines the claims of Joseph Newman regarding his 'Energy Machine' and 'Unified Field Theory.' The magazine also includes articles on the Shroud of Turin, the 'curse of Tutankhamen,' and a historical account of a 'snail-telegraph.'

The remarkable Mr Newman: Has Joseph Newman solved all our energy problems?

Frank Chambers investigates Joseph Newman, who claims to have discovered a new form of energy generation through his invented machines, which he believes will revolutionize the world by tapping into the energy of 'gyroscopic particles' within magnetic fields. Newman's theory, detailed in his book 'The Energy Machine of Joseph Newman,' suggests his machines are harmless, non-polluting, and capable of replacing all current energy sources. Chambers notes Newman's self-proclaimed status as the discoverer of 'The Unified Field Theory.'

The article includes a section on the characteristics of 'crackpot inventors,' citing common phrases and behaviors that identify them, referencing the work of L. Sprague de Camp and Martin Gardner. It then delves into Newman's background, describing a difficult childhood and a history of holding patents for various inventions, including plastic-covered barbell sets and a mechanical orange-picker. Newman's formal education ended after his junior year of college, and he has reportedly made his living by inventing for the past twenty-three years.

Newman filed a 'pioneering patent' application, which covers a broad range of devices derived from an inventor's ideas, rather than a single device. The article mentions that Newman was denied a patent, appealed, and was denied again, leading him to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to force the issuance of a patent. A bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives to compel the PTO to grant him a pioneer patent, but its status is unknown.

Chambers recounts Newman's attempts to have his 800-pound prototype tested at the National Bureau of Standards, where he refused to provide test data. He was then shunted to Auburn University, but abandoned the quest when confidentiality could not be guaranteed. The article questions whether Newman had a working model before his patent application, noting that he later built 800-pound and 5000-pound demonstration models.

Newman claims his 'son-of-an-electric-motor' can produce useful amounts of power solely from a small 9-volt battery. He asserts that his machine converts part of the mass of its windings into energy, following Einstein's E=mc² relationship, but at a rate far slower than nuclear bombs. This process, he claims, would allow the motor to run for millennia without significant depletion of atoms.

Regarding the current status, Newman does not have a U.S. patent, though patents are reportedly granted in Spain and South Africa. A demonstration of a unit powered solely by a single 9-volt battery has not been shown. A prototype car was shown running at 4 mph for two hours, but it contained a battery pack with over 1800 small 9-volt dry cells, providing 17000 volts. Calculations suggest this battery capacity could power the car for over 25 hours, leading the article to state that Newman remains 'within the realm of the first and second laws of thermodynamics' until he can demonstrate his car running for more than 25 hours on a single 9-volt battery.

Newman has attracted wealthy backers, including Dan Benvenuti, who invested $355,000 in cash and $150,000 in expenses. However, Benvenuti later filed suit against Newman for misleading claims after a 1986 demonstration in the Louisiana Superdome was deemed a fiasco.

The Mid-South Skeptics' Association also investigated Newman, with their correspondence suggesting his claims were pseudo-scientific. A proposed test involved placing his machine in a locked room to power a 150-watt light bulb for a year. An analysis by a professor at Louisiana State University was reportedly negative.

Newman's international patent application describes four embodiments of his discovery. The first involves magnets surrounded by a gas/fluid, a vacuum, and a soft iron tank, with a pickup system to generate current. The second uses two magnets and a 'special material' whose atoms are aligned to produce electric current in an electromagnetic field. The third and fourth are motor-generator devices with complex and nonsensical remarks attributed to Newman regarding electrical concepts and the speed of light.

U.S. Skeptics' investigation

This section details correspondence between the Mid-South Skeptics' Association and Evan R. Soule regarding Newman. The MSSA had invited Newman to an awards ceremony, but Soule responded dismissively, suggesting Newman receive a 'PERPETUAL STUPIDITY AWARD.' The MSSA secretary politely acknowledged the dog's needs and reiterated the lack of evidence for Newman's claims, proposing the locked room test.

Avatars

This section discusses the four embodiments of Newman's discovery as described in his patent application, focusing on the technical aspects of his proposed devices.

Conclusions

Frank Chambers concludes that Newman lacks the educational background to support his theories. While acknowledging that the phenomena themselves might occur, Chambers finds no reputable reports of Newman's claims being acknowledged or reproduced. He emphasizes that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and Newman has not disproven the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics.

Afterword

Following the article's writing, Chambers reviewed Martin Gardner's book 'The New Age: Notes of a Fringe Watcher,' which devotes three pages to Newman and mentions his plans to run for President as an independent, claiming divine direction.

References

A list of references is provided, including articles from 'Spectrum,' 'Discover,' 'Science News,' and books by L. Sprague de Camp and Martin Gardner.

Predictions for 1988

Marjorie Mackintosh offers a satirical astrological prediction for 1988, including events like astrologers protesting the President's use of the I Ching, Mrs. Thatcher privatizing her family, Prince Edward's engagement, Joan Collins' secret life, Gorbachev's downfall due to an American Express card, Whitley Streiber's alien allegations being substantiated, Edwina Curry's advice on avoiding old age, the Turin Shroud's label being 'Made in Hong Kong,' the Channel Tunnel stopping due to oil discovery, Margaret Thatcher winning the Booker Prize, American-Soviet negotiations, and no earthquakes in California.

Explaining the Shroud

Steve Donnelly interviews Joe Nickell about the Shroud of Turin. Nickell discusses the carbon dating results, which place the shroud in the 14th century (AD 1260-1390), contradicting claims of it being from the time of Christ. The main mystery is how the image was produced. Nickell dismisses early theories like imprint from the body with spices due to distortion, and the 'vaporograph' theory involving body vapors. He also questions radiant energy theories, noting the image's superficiality and lack of penetration into the fibers.

Nickell explains that the image is not a true photographic negative, citing blank spaces and reversed colors. He experimented with a technique analogous to brass rubbing, using a bas-relief, cloth, and powdered pigment to create an image with reversed darks and lights, similar to the shroud. He believes this technique, or a similar artistic simulation, could have produced the shroud image, explaining many of its peculiar characteristics and flaws.

Nickell states he has high confidence that the shroud is not an ordinary painting due to issues with pigment penetration and the difficulty of painting a negative image. He notes that the image has faded over time and that skeptical people with artistic training have had limited access to it. He concludes that the evidence, including carbon dating, the forger's confession, lack of historical record, and burial practices, overwhelmingly points to the shroud being a 14th-century forgery.

Skeptic at large...

Wendy M. Grossman discusses her concerns about the Guardian newspaper publishing articles on fringe topics, such as holistic dentistry, auras, and electric pylons, on its 'Thursday Women' page. She questions why these reports are not placed on the science or front pages, implying the newspaper does not take them seriously or targets women with such content. Grossman criticizes the Guardian's handling of Jacques Benveniste's controversial research on water memory, noting that the newspaper seemed to bias its reporting against Benveniste by hiring James Randi, a magician and investigator of paranormal claims, to review the experiments. She contrasts this with The Independent's more balanced reporting on the topic and its comparison to the 'polywater' controversy.

Psychic Diary

Toby Howard recounts the story of Jacques Toussaint Benoît, a 19th-century French inventor who claimed to have discovered the telepathic powers of snails. Benoît proposed a 'snail-telegraph' that would use animal magnetism to communicate instantaneously across distances. He persuaded Monsieur Triat, a gymnasium manager, to fund his invention. After a year, with no working prototype, Triat demanded a demonstration. Benoît unveiled a 'pasilalinic-sympathetic compass,' a contraption involving snails in zinc dishes lined with copper sulphate solution, each dish labeled with a letter. The demonstration was flawed, with Benoît moving between stations. While journalist Monsieur Allix was convinced, Triat realized it was a hoax. Benoît vanished, becoming destitute and deranged, and died two years later, ending the dream of the snail-telegraph.

Heaven and Earth

Michael Hutchinson examines the 'curse of Tutankhamen,' arguing that it is not a curse at all. He categorizes paranormal claims into those easily disproven (like astrology) and those difficult to prove (like ESP or UFOs). The 'curse of Tutankhamen' falls into the former category. Hutchinson cites James Randi's research, which found no evidence of a curse tablet. He analyzes the death of Lord Carnarvon, the expedition's patron, attributing it to pneumonia contracted after a mosquito bite, not a curse. He also debunks the story of Carnarvon's dog dying at the same moment, noting discrepancies in time zones. Hutchinson presents a table updated from Randi's work, listing people involved in the tomb's discovery and their survival rates, showing that most lived long lives, with an average survival of almost twenty-five years after the tomb's opening.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and unsubstantiated phenomena. The magazine consistently applies critical analysis, scientific reasoning, and historical evidence to debunk or question extraordinary claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and evidence-based conclusions, as demonstrated by the detailed investigations into Joseph Newman's energy machine, the Shroud of Turin's authenticity, the 'curse of Tutankhamen,' and the historical hoax of the 'snail-telegraph.' The articles aim to educate readers about the importance of critical thinking when encountering claims that defy conventional scientific understanding.

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, dated November/December 1988, is a 27-page publication from Manchester Skeptics, priced at £1.50. It features a range of articles investigating paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and skeptical analyses of various phenomena.

Articles

The 'Tutankhamen Curse' and its Origins

The issue delves into the 'Tutankhamen curse', noting that Lord Carnarvon survived for only four months after the tomb's break-in, while his daughter lived for fifty-eight years, resulting in an average survival rate of 20.9 years for the twenty-two main participants. The article questions the existence of a curse, citing Egyptologist Carol Andrews who stated that Egyptians did not write curses in their tombs and that such curses were not found in Tutankhamen's tomb. Andrews explained that Egyptian curses were typically against those disturbing funerary offerings. The idea of a curse might have originated from a Victorian novelist. A significant claim comes from 'old soldier' Richard Adamson, who stated that as a military policeman in 1922, he assisted Carnarvon's expedition and spent seven years sleeping in the tomb as a guard. Adamson suggested that the curse story was fabricated by newsmen, possibly encouraged by a reporter asking about curses, though no such inscriptions were found in Tut's tomb. The article notes that Adamson's story, if true, supports Randi's suggestion of a 'beneficent curse'. Michael Hutchinson is identified as the secretary of the British Committee and UK distributor for Prometheus Books.

Sprite Cartoon

A cartoon by Donald Rooum titled 'Sprite' depicts a scenario involving a transparent box of paperclips locked in a 'haunted room overnight' to test its properties, with a humorous exchange about convincing someone of the results.

Reviews: Impressions of CSICOP '88

Dominic Dunlop reviews the 1988 CSICOP Conference in Chicago, held from November 4-6. He notes the commercial aspect of 'New Age' literature, with Time-Life's 'Mysteries of the Unknown' selling 700,000 copies. Paul Kurtz, a CSICOP organizer, confirmed the financial stakes. Dunlop observes that the 'New Age' phenomenon is prevalent in the USA, accessible through various media. Speakers at the conference discussed why the 'New Age' appeals to those with higher intelligence, linking it to consumer culture's emphasis on self-improvement for selling goods. J. Gordon Melton described 'New Age' as a religion that repackages elements from various traditions without their less agreeable aspects, making it resistant to scientific attacks. Ted Schultz suggested that a disdain for science among 'New Agers' was an 'indictment of the science education' they received. The conference also addressed how to communicate skeptical messages effectively, with Jeff Mahew using cartoons to illustrate the importance of packaging ideas for the audience. Ray Hyman discussed historical examples of scientists being deceived by psychics, Paul Macready demonstrated how real science offers more excitement than pseudoscience, and Jerry Andrus explained how the mind's tendency to jump to conclusions can lead to errors. Douglas Hofstadter received an award, 'In Praise of Reason', and noted CSICOP's 'impertinent quality'. The review also touches on discussions about cryptozoology and UFO abductions.

Announcing Geopathic Stress

Caroline Richmond reports on a medical fringe event in Manchester concerning 'geopathic stress', a purported new disease. Käthe Bachler, described as a leading dowser, presented the 'true cause' of numerous ailments, including cancer, allergies, and heart attacks, attributing them to underground radiation lines. Bachler offered home dowsing services. The article mentions the availability of RadiTech dowser models. Doctors Katharine Cheng and Jim Devlin expressed skepticism, calling the claims 'incredible' and advising against taking them seriously. The Dulwich Health Group is mentioned as being involved in geopathic stress research and advocating for a law mandating house dowsing.

Bienveniste on 4: After Dark

Nick Beard reviews a Channel 4 TV debate on Professor Benveniste's research into homeopathic activity. The debate included Professor Benveniste, Dr Jonathan Miller, Dr David Reilly, James Randi, Walter Stewart, and Deborah Fairchild (an iridologist). Beard notes that the program did not cite research supporting iridology, potentially leaving viewers with the impression of its validity. The debate featured heated exchanges, with Dr Miller criticizing the focus on homeopathy.

From Flying Saucers to Pseudoscience

Steuart Campbell reviews 'Phenomenon: From Flying Saucers to UFOs-Forty Years of Facts and Research', edited by John Spencer and Hilary Evans. Campbell criticizes the book for its lack of scientific understanding, confusing 'facts' with hypotheses, and assuming the existence of a UFO phenomenon distinct from others. He points out numerous errors and misspellings, including the misrepresentation of 'The Sceptic' as 'The Sceptic'. The review highlights internal conflicts regarding the use of hypnosis and questions the representativeness of UFO witness reports. Campbell notes the book's pro-UFO attitude and the absence of genuine skeptical contributions, concluding that it will not gain the respect BUFORA seeks.

Seymour's Astrology

Anthony Garrett reviews Percy Seymour's book 'Astrology: the Evidence', which attempts to construct a theory supporting astrology consistent with present-day science. Garrett argues that the theory is 'seriously misleading'. He criticizes Seymour's dismissal of double-blind testing and his reliance on Michel Gauquelin's controversial findings. Seymour's proposed mechanism involves planetary tidal effects on the Earth's magnetic field, amplified by 'bays' and 'estuaries', which then affect neurons in human foeti. Garrett finds the theory speculative, lacking sufficient information for numerical calculation and statistical validation. He points out loose links in the chain, such as the lack of evidence for magnetic bays and the unproven amplification of planetary effects on neurons. Seymour's closing speculation about the Magi being guided by a rare conjunction is deemed interesting but not part of the major thesis.

Letters

Soviet Healer

Philip Paul writes to query the magazine's reporting on the Russian healer Djuna (Juna). He questions why a significant test by the USSR Academy of Sciences, which concluded Djuna was curing people unconventionally, was glossed over, and whether the author of the original article was suggesting the Academy was pseudoscientific. The editors clarify that their reporting was based on a Bulgarian article by Dr Genchev, who himself criticized the original report for misrepresenting the USSR Academy of Sciences' stance. They apologize for the translation error and credit Ilya Katardjiev for the correct translation.

The Mars Effect

Anthony Garrett responds to a previous discussion on Gauquelin's 'Mars Effect'. He questions the methodology, specifically why Gauquelin chose 12 sectors of the sky, the planet Mars, and sportsmen for his tests, suggesting that different choices could yield different results. He also questions the accuracy of birth registries.

Crop Circles

Christopher Allan comments on the discussion of crop circles, noting that editors often close correspondence when topics become emotional. He hastens to respond to Dave Langford's remarks. Allan suggests a theory that crop circles might be caused by a fungal or bacterial growth underground that multiplies and expands evenly. He also mentions the possibility of 'dust devils' and 'whirlies' as potential explanations.

Crop Circles Revisited

David Fisher discusses crop circles, initially believing them to be hoaxes. However, after speaking with Colin Andrews of the Circles Research Phenomenon Research Group, he acknowledges the existence of 'scruffy' examples that do not appear to be hoaxes. Fisher suggests a theory of vortex shedding from a distant obstruction or a complex mass transfer phenomenon. He cites examples of miniature whirlwinds and stationary dust devils from meteorological literature to support the idea of vortices forming over crops. He urges skeptics to conduct their own research rather than relying on armchair assumptions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims and pseudoscientific theories. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific methodology, evidence-based reasoning, and critical evaluation of claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific explanations and challenges unsubstantiated beliefs, as demonstrated by the reviews of books and the analysis of various phenomena like the 'Tutankhamen curse', astrology, homeopathy, and crop circles. The magazine aims to provide balanced reporting while upholding skeptical principles, as evidenced by the clarification in the 'Soviet Healer' letter.