British and Irish Skeptic - 1989 - Vol 3 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: The British & Irish SKEPTIC
Issue: Volume III, No. 3
Date: May/June 1989
Publisher: The British & Irish Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £1.50 (IR£1.70)

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, a publication dedicated to the scientific examination of claims of the paranormal, features a range of articles and reviews. The cover highlights topics such as near-death experiences, pyramids, health fraud, the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie), and a European skeptics conference.

Contents

The issue includes the following articles:

• Hits and Misses by Steve Donnelly (p. 4)
• Quackbusters by Nick Beard (p. 7)
• Pyramids, Pyramyths and Pyramidiots by Barry Williams (p. 8)
• Sprite by Donald Rooum (p. 13)
• Down the Tunnel by Sue Blackmore (p. 14)
• Twitching Sticks by Anthony Garrett (p. 17)
• Heaven and Earth by Michael Hutchinson (p. 18)
• Skeptic at Large by Wendy Grossman (p. 19)
• Skeptics in Bavaria by John Lord (p. 20)

Additionally, there are several reviews and a letters section.

Article Summaries

Hits and Misses (p. 4)

Steve Donnelly presents a collection of brief skeptical observations:

• Crystal Balls Up: Four British clairvoyants on a trip to Ireland had their equipment, including crystal balls and cheque-books, stolen, despite claiming premonitions.
• Spirited Dispute: Christians in Driffield protested a spiritualist convention, leading to a debate about the nature of spirituality.
• Living Doll: An article discusses the 'Annabelle' doll, claimed to be possessed by a spirit, and the claims of 'psychic investigator' Ed Warren.
• Alternative Diet: A report from the American Sun newspaper suggests cheeseburgers are a health food due to a fatty acid that inhibits cancer in lab animals. It also mentions a story about a vegetarian mother giving birth to a green baby.
• Hard Boiled Belief: The New York Times reported on people who believe it is easier to balance an egg on its end during the vernal equinox, a claim scientists dispute.

The Vedic Medic (p. 5)

This section discusses Dr Deepak Chopra MD's advocacy of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, which he believes can cure common disorders by changing one's mental attitude. The article quotes village healer Dr Brihaspati Dev Triguna's advice on eating and bowel movements.

Ion Lady (p. 5)

Reports suggest Margaret Thatcher used a method involving immersion in a bath with a weak electric current and Ayurvedic massage to maintain her shape, a therapy attributed to Madame Veronique.

Seeds of Doubt (p. 5)

This piece examines claims made by Geoffrey Boltwood, who reportedly demonstrated the ability to 'heal' inhibited cress seeds, leading to improved germination rates. The article notes that two London medical scientists conducted tests, and The Telegraph and Scotsman published reports. It also mentions Uri Geller's challenge to Boltwood and Boltwood's subsequent refusal to appear on a TV show.

Numerological logic (p. 6)

Vernon Jenkins is discussed for his theory that the first eight words of the bible in Hebrew correspond to numbers that can be derived from measurements of an A4 sheet of paper. The author humorously notes that God used the metric system and was into origami.

Magical motor (p. 6)

An article from Electronic & Wireless World describes Dr Stefan Marinov's 'ball-bearing motor,' which purportedly generates mechanical energy from nothing, contradicting the law of energy conservation. The author notes that journalist Frank Ogden witnessed the demonstration and observed a wire disintegrating under the enormous current.

Quackbusters (p. 7)

Nick Beard details the official launch of the Campaign Against Health Fraud. The campaign faced some media coverage issues and criticism from various sources, including the Guardian, Nursing Times, Hospital Doctor, and the Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Despite opposition, the campaign has received support and new members.

Pyramids, pyramyths and pyramidiots (p. 8)

Barry Williams explores the myths and facts surrounding pyramids, particularly those in Egypt. The article, referencing I.E.S. Edwards' work, discusses the history of Egyptian pyramid construction, refuting claims of slave labor and primitive technology. It debunks Erich von Däniken's theories, emphasizing the intelligence and practical skills of the ancient Egyptians. The article also touches upon the motivation behind pyramid building, suggesting it was for religious purposes, and addresses the claim that modern society could not replicate such structures. It contrasts Egyptian pyramids with those in Central America, noting differences in purpose and construction.

Reviews

• The Newsreader's Tale (Steuart Campbell) (p. 22)
• The Psychic Tea Room (Hocus Pocus) (p. 23)
• Channeling (Nick Beard) (p. 24)
• Shocking Stuff (Steve Donnelly) (p. 25)

Letters (p. 27)

This section contains correspondence from readers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the promotion of scientific skepticism and critical thinking. The magazine actively debunks paranormal claims, exposes health fraud and quackery, and questions pseudoscientific explanations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a rational approach to understanding the world. The articles consistently challenge unsubstantiated beliefs and highlight the importance of scientific methodology in evaluating extraordinary claims.

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, dated May/June 1989, features articles examining various pseudoscientific claims and offering skeptical explanations. The magazine covers topics ranging from pyramidology and near-death experiences to water divining and the efficacy of prayer.

Pyramyths and Pyramidiots

This article explores the origins of 'Pyramyths and Pyramidiots,' focusing on 19th-century British authors who linked the Great Pyramid to Biblical prophecy. John Taylor believed the pyramid was built by Noah to God's specifications, proposing the 'Biblical cubit' was 25 inches. He also noted the pyramid's dimensions suggested knowledge of pi. Charles Piazzi Smyth, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, took up Taylor's ideas, proposing the 'Pyramid inch' of 1.001 was the divine unit of length. Both men objected to the metric system. The article criticizes the lack of empirical evidence for these theories, noting that Smyth's 'Divine Standard' was allegedly filed down by a follower and that casing stones were of different sizes. It also mentions that followers of Smyth, including founders of the Jehovah's Witnesses, predicted the end of the world based on pyramid measurements, with dates ranging from 1874 to 1925.

The article then discusses 'Pyramid Power,' the idea that pyramid shapes channel 'energies unknown to science.' It traces this concept to a French occultist who claimed a dead cat became mummified in a model pyramid. Later, a Czech named Drbal claimed a razor blade retained its edge under a cardboard pyramid. Film actors and others claim benefits like enhanced meditation, food preservation, and even killing bacteria. The author questions how these varied effects could be achieved by a passive shape and suggests that proponents often bend data to fit preconceived notions. The article dismisses 'just imagination' as a theory and highlights the work of Martin Gardner, who satirically promoted pyramid powers, leading to a surprising amount of serious inquiry.

Down the tunnel

Sue Blackmore investigates the near-death 'tunnel' experience, a common element in NDEs. She notes that tunnels are described similarly across various conditions, including drug use, epilepsy, migraine, and stress. Drab's study of 71 tunnel experiences found them to be realistic enclosed spaces, often with a bright light at the end, and frequently associated with serious medical conditions. Blackmore prioritizes theories that explain the phenomenology, avoid multiplying entities, and offer testable predictions.

She dismisses 'real' tunnel theories that posit a literal passage to another world due to lack of evidence and the problems of interdimensional travel. 'Representing transition' theories, like Crookall's idea of shedding states of consciousness, are seen as begging the question of why a tunnel is the chosen symbol. The 'birth and the tunnel' theory, popularized by Carl Sagan, faces problems with infant perception and the visual similarity to birth canals. Blackmore rejects 'just imagination' as an explanation, arguing it fails to explain why tunnels are imagined rather than other symbols.

Physiological explanations are favored. Jack Cowan suggested that form constants like tunnels are generated in the cortex, mapping retinal images to cortical representations. He proposed that disrupted brain states, like those from anoxia or drugs, could cause stripes of activity in the visual cortex, creating the tunnel effect. Blackmore proposes a simpler theory: oxygen starvation leads to random firing of visual cortex cells, with more firing in the center, creating a flickering world that brightens towards the center, appearing as a tunnel. She also suggests that drugs reducing inhibition, like hallucinogens, might produce tunnels, while those increasing inhibition, like Valium, would not.

Blackmore addresses why these experiences feel so real, suggesting that the brain compares representations and chooses the most stable as 'reality.' In conditions of disrupted input (like NDEs), a tunnel form, if stable, can be perceived as real. She concludes that while there may not be a literal tunnel to another world, the experience can be profound and life-changing, offering greater insight into the nature of self and the world.

Twitching Sticks

Anthony Garrett examines water divining, or dowsing. He explains that while diviners can often locate underground water, the mechanism is not psychic. Digging below the water table, regardless of location, will produce a well. Practice allows diviners to learn where the water table is nearer the surface, especially in low-lying areas. Garrett attributes the movement of the divining stick to a 'sub-critical' position, where a small hand movement causes a large twig movement, often unconsciously. Experiments by James Randi ruled out psychic explanations, with diviners performing at chance level when pipes of water were hidden. Garrett concludes that experience and knowledge of geology are key, and there is nothing psychic about the process.

Heaven and Earth

Michael Hutchinson explains the title of his regular column, 'Heaven and Earth,' as originating from Shakespeare and often used by paranormal believers. He uses the column to debunk pseudoscientific claims. Hutchinson discusses the case of Birmingham City football club, which employed astrologers and mediums to lift a curse, only to be relegated the following season. He also recounts seeing a car sponsored by the Church of Scientology crash, suggesting it might be an opportunity for the church to offer 'E-Meter' sessions. Hutchinson then draws a parallel between snooker commentators' selective memory of events (focusing on 'psychic hits' while forgetting misses) and how people recall 'psychic' experiences. He argues that commentators' remarks about a player's performance are often based on probability and pressure, not precognition.

Skeptic at large...

Wendy M. Grossman addresses the question of prayer efficacy. She recounts a reader's inquiry about a study on prayer and its connection to Francis Galton's 1872 'Statistical Inquiries into the Efficacy of Prayer.' Galton's study examined the longevity of the royal family, stillbirth rates among the devout, and insurance company practices, finding no evidence that prayer improved longevity or survival rates. Clergy were found to live the longest, but this was attributed to other factors. Grossman also shares anecdotal evidence from a night nurse and a hospital chaplain who observed no difference in survival rates for patients who were prayed for. She concludes that while prayer may offer psychological comfort and a sense of connection, it does not demonstrably influence outcomes. An update on 'Marie Simone,' an astrologer offering '7-Element Futurescopes,' is also included, highlighting the high cost and dubious claims.

Skeptics in Bavaria

John Lord reports on the CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) 1989 European conference held in Bad Toelz, Germany. The conference featured debates and discussions on various pseudoscientific topics. Speakers addressed fringe medicine, including iridology, acupuncture, and psychosomatic disorders, with a focus on the need for double-blind studies. The conference also covered New Age attitudes towards health, creationism, and dowsing. Professor Imgard Oepen emphasized that pseudosciences can have serious consequences, affecting careers and even life and death. The report notes the irony of holding the conference in a town known for its dubious health cures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims and the promotion of a skeptical approach based on evidence and scientific methodology. The magazine consistently debunks claims related to the paranormal, ancient mysteries, and alternative health practices, advocating for rational explanations and empirical testing. The editorial stance is clearly that of promoting scientific literacy and challenging unsubstantiated beliefs, while acknowledging the psychological comfort some beliefs may provide.

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, dated May/June 1989, is Volume III, Number 1. It is published by Manchester Skeptics and features a cover headline listing several topics including 'Near-death experiences', 'Pyramids, pyramyths and pyramidiots', 'Here come the Quackbusters!', 'Nicholas Witchell's Nessie', 'Twitching Sticks', and 'European skeptics conference'. The price is £1.50.

Conference Report: European Skeptics Conference

The issue begins with a report on a European conference, likely organized by GWUP and CSICOP, which brought together representatives from various backgrounds and disciplines. Professor Rolf Manne spoke on the use of dowsers in Norway, a method that had scant success but faced political issues. James Randi proposed a standard methodology for testing dowsers, emphasizing the importance of asking subjects about their expectations and what they would do if they failed. Amardeo Sarma of GWUP described the Munich Earth Rays Project, investigating alleged underground water veins emitting 'E-Rays' believed to cause sickness, and expressed concern that the DM400,000 project might be wasted on inadequately designed tests.

Mark Plummer read a paper on graphology, noting its increased use by employers for screening potential employees following the discrediting of the polygraph. Dr John Lord of Surrey University spoke on 'Parapsychology: the suicidal pseudoscience', arguing that its experimental assumptions prevent well-grounded conclusions. Dr Curt Roslund explained how Swedish universities combat pseudoscience through courses on astrology, teaching students to interpret charts critically. Dr Claude Benski discussed common mistakes in interpreting statistical data, including accepting false hypotheses and rejecting true ones, and a third error of giving the right answer to the wrong question. Dr Jean Paul van Bendegem explored the work of philosophers of science, including Larry Laudan, to distinguish science from pseudoscience. Andreas Dill, an East German journalist, traced the connection between fascism and pseudoscience, particularly the Nazis' use of pseudoscientific ideas. Dr David Fisher provided an overview of pseudoscientific work in the UK, noting that while much existed, not all was pathological.

The conference was described as lively and intellectually stimulating, with special praise for Amardeo Sarma's simultaneous translation efforts. The hope was expressed for a CSICOP European Conference every two years, with the next potentially in 1991. John Lord is noted as having recently been awarded his Ph.D. for a skeptical thesis on parapsychology.

Reviews

The Newsreader's Tale

This section reviews Nicholas Witchell's 'The Loch Ness Story', a revised edition of a book first published in 1974. The reviewer criticizes Witchell for personal bias, accusing him of ignoring contrary evidence and books, including the reviewer's own. Witchell is noted to have recognized that some photographs were faked but ignored recent claims about others. The review highlights Witchell's embarrassment over the 1975 AAS underwater photograph, which he previously dismissed as not being a tree stump but now must admit was likely one. Despite revisions, Witchell is described as having boundless faith in Nessie and is certain monster-hunters will be proven right. The reviewer faults Witchell's legal training for his obsession with witness testimony and lack of technical understanding, stating that Witchell's interpretation of data is influenced by his prejudice for the monster's existence.

Further criticisms include Witchell's mistakes about Loch Ness's level, the Foyers power station, and the Mackay sighting. His misspelling of Adomnan and Scot II is also noted. The additions to this edition include descriptions of the Loch Ness (and Morar) Project and an account of a symposium Witchell did not attend. Dr Denys W. Tucker's appendix is discussed, focusing on his dismissal from his post due to his interest in Nessie. Tucker's view that Loch Ness harbors a breeding herd of Cryptocleidus is contrasted with the caution of five colleagues who stated that AAS photographs did not constitute acceptable evidence. The review concludes by noting that Sir Peter Scott's foreword was rewritten, but the cover still features Scott's painting of two floating monsters. The reviewer suggests that neither Scott nor Gerald Durrell approach the subject scientifically and cannot believe there is no monster.

The Psychic Tea Room

This review discusses a BBC1 program titled 'The Psychic Tea Room' aired on June 24, 1989. The reviewer describes various participants, including a 'beauteous plastic blonde', a man who thought he was a dolphin, a lady channeling 'Muko or Kumo', and a 'soulful female' fortune teller. The reviewer notes that the examples of psychic successes were all from deceased individuals, making them impossible to disprove. The program is criticized for its lack of substance and for demonstrating the widespread belief in fortune-telling and magic, which the reviewer deems undesirable and not something to be publicized.

Dolphins (Film Review)

This section reviews a film featuring a man apparently asleep in a chair, experiencing vague swimming motions, followed by footage of dolphins. The man then appears to suffer convulsions, after which he speaks to followers about the freedom of the seas and the feeling of well-being associated with identifying with dolphinry. The reviewer finds the film to be a poorly garbed and under-nourished production.

Sylvester Stallone's Mum (Film Review)

This part of the review discusses the appearance of Sylvester Stallone's mother in the film, describing her as resembling Margaret Rutherford and Edith Sitwell. Her role in the film is unclear, but she attempts to contact her famous son by phone.

Perpetuum Mobile (Review)

This review discusses Jon Klimo's book 'Channeling: Investigations on receiving information from paranormal sources'. The book is described as exploring channeling, where ordinary people receive messages from other personalities. Klimo's work is characterized by purple prose and an interdisciplinary approach. The reviewer notes Klimo's disclaimer about not burdening the reader with qualifying phrases for critical objectivity, suggesting that if such phrases are needed, the subject might not be worth writing about. The book is deemed to 'ooze pseudoscience', and the author's claim to have included science is questioned. The reviewer criticizes the book's lack of scientific accuracy and its embrace of various pseudoscientific concepts, including Kirlian photography and pyramid power. The book's discussion of computers as potentially evil manifestations of electricity is also noted.

The Electric Shock Book

This review discusses Michael Shallis's book 'The Electric Shock Book'. The reviewer notes the book's focus on the effects of electric fields on human health, citing a US court case where the Houston Power Authority was ordered to pay damages. The book is criticized for its uncritical, New Age approach, accepting claims about Kirlian photography, orgone therapy, and pyramid power. Shallis's research into the 'energizing' of water molecules by electromagnetic fields is met with skepticism. The review highlights the book's discussion of crystal healing, 'Chi', and the connection between electricity and spiritual worlds, calling it 'baloney'. Shallis's concern that computers are evil manifestations is also mentioned, with the reviewer advising against purchasing the book.

Letters to the Editor

Sago Trouble

John Brunner from Somerset writes to correct David Fisher's claim that 'Guam disease' is due to 'sago palm flour'. Brunner clarifies that the damage is caused by flour from cycads, not palm sago, although some sources list both as sources of sago flour.

Tales of a Librarian

Ernest Jackson from Hull discusses two common types of questions librarians encounter: the 'Who-invented-the-wheel syndrome' and the 'yes-and-no' syndrome. The former involves enquirers seeking a specific inventor for common items, often overlooking historical context. The latter deals with questions that have multiple authoritative but conflicting answers, such as whether fluoride is harmful or if homeopathy works. Jackson emphasizes that librarians should present different opinions and authorities rather than being expected to provide definitive answers.

Strange one!

Jennifer Bradshaw from Manchester describes a puzzling occurrence where she and her husband frequently see digital clocks and watches displaying 1:11 or 11:11. She estimates this happens about 10 times a week and asks for a skeptical explanation, otherwise she will avoid flying on a BAC 111 on November 11, 2011.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and anecdotal evidence. It emphasizes the importance of scientific methodology, critical thinking, and reliable evidence. The reviews and articles actively debunk or question claims related to UFOs, parapsychology, astrology, faith healing, and other phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific rationalism and against the uncritical acceptance of unsubstantiated claims. The magazine aims to investigate and scrutinize paranormal claims, providing a platform for skeptical viewpoints and reviews of relevant literature and media.