British and Irish Skeptic - 1990 - Vol 4 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, Volume IV, No. 1, dated January/February 1990, is a publication dedicated to the scientific examination of claims of the paranormal. It features a range of articles, debates, and reviews, reflecting a skeptical stance on various phenomena.

Contents

The cover highlights several key articles: 'The 1989 Bent Spoon Award', 'Hypnosis: fact or fiction?', 'The Case for PSI', a debate between John Beloff and John Maddox, 'Modern-day alchemy', 'Skeptical predictions for 1990', and 'On the track of leylines'. The issue is priced at £1.50 in the UK and IR£1.70 in Ireland.

Page 2 lists the contact details for various skeptical organizations, including U.K. Skeptics, Irish Skeptics, Manchester Skeptics, London Student Skeptics, Wessex Skeptics, Campaign Against Health Fraud, and CSICOP. It also provides information on electronic mail networks and distributors. The ISSN is 0955-6575. The magazine relies on reader contributions and grants permission for reprinting its material to recognized national or regional groups, including CSICOP.

Page 3 provides the full table of contents, detailing articles such as 'Hits and Misses' by Steve Donnelly, 'Hypnosis and the Occult' by H.B. Gibson, 'What is Hypnosis?' by Lewis Jones, 'A Skeptical Quiz' by Peter Popper, 'The Myth of Leylines' by Medawc Williams, 'Romancing the Stone' by Tom Ruffles, and 'Predictions for 1990' by Marjorie Mackintosh. It also includes 'The Case For PSI' by John Beloff and 'The Case Against PSI' by John Maddox, 'Skeptic at Large' by Wendy Grossman, 'Psychic Diary' by Toby Howard, and 'Heaven and Earth' by Michael Hutchinson. The issue also covers 'The First Annual Bent Spoon Award' and 'New Skeptical Groups', followed by reviews and letters.

Articles and Features

Hits and Misses (Steve Donnelly)

This section covers several disparate topics. The first part discusses UFO reports from the Soviet Union, noting a TASS report of 13-foot-tall aliens with small heads emerging from a disc in Voronezh. It contrasts this with the Western Standard Extraterrestrial (WSE) stereotype and suggests resisting cultural imperialism by developing a British alien stereotype, perhaps inspired by 'The Mekon'.

The second piece, 'Train stopper', recounts the death of psychic E. Frenkel in Astrakhan, USSR, who died attempting to stop a freight train with his mind, believing it to be the ultimate test of his psychic powers.

'Exclusive Beliefs' reports on the Exclusive Brethren sect, who are concerned about compulsory computer education, viewing computers as a 'scientific imitation' that rivals God and leads to infidelity. They also regard television as the work of the devil and want their children exempted from its use.

'The Wall' briefly mentions the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, attributing it to astrological conjunctions between Saturn and Neptune, as claimed by psychic astrologer Russell Grant.

Geller sues Randi

This article details the ongoing dispute between Uri Geller and James Randi. It recounts Geller's past claims of paranormal powers, including a 1974 Daily Mail poll where 95% of readers believed he had psychic abilities. It mentions Geller's alleged involvement in telepathically influencing arms negotiations and claims of working for the CIA. James Randi's 1975 book, 'The Magic of Uri Geller', exposed Geller's tricks. The article highlights a recent report in the News of the World stating that Geller is suing Randi for £45 million, partly over a statement by Randi concerning a scientist who, after being taken in by Geller, allegedly shot himself. Geller claims the scientist died of natural causes.

Channellers Banned?

This piece discusses concerns in the Channel Islands about 'anti-psychic' legislation enacted in Jersey, which forbids the practice of clairvoyance and astrology for financial gain. Astrologers and mediums are reportedly struggling to earn a living, and have formed the 'Ring of Spiritual Enlightenment' to fight the ban.

Dowsers in their Dotage

This section humorously explores the world of dowsing, suggesting that many dowsers are not young and carry a 'kitbag of odd beliefs'. It references an article about Elizabeth Sulivan, an elderly lady who claimed to detect underground water and even a stolen carriage clock using dowsing. The article notes her belief in 'black lines' and the healing powers of Dr Bach's Rescue Remedy.

Santa Claus

This article satirically examines the phenomenon of Santa Claus, treating claims of his existence with mock seriousness. It references 'The Santa Conspiracy' by Jaime Runtles and 'Santa Freeman', an 'unclear physcicist', who claims the US government recovered an anti-gravity machine with the remains of a reindeer in 1947. The piece concludes by suggesting readers chant a Buddhist mantra for protection if they encounter Santa.

Hypnosis and the Occult (Dr H.B. Gibson)

Dr Gibson argues that hypnosis has nothing to do with the occult, parapsychology, or spiritualism, characterizing these as 'flim-flam'. He traces the origins of the confusion to Anton Mesmer and 'animal magnetism' in the late 18th century, a practice involving 'passes' that conveyed magnetism. Mesmerism, while having a placebo effect, did have the property of attenuating pain, a benefit before chemical anaesthetics. Gibson distinguishes this from modern hypnotism, which is primarily a verbal procedure involving suggestions and imagination, potentially leading to 'somnambulism'. He notes that the negative reputation of mesmerism became attached to hypnotism.

Hypnotism is not mesmerism (H.B. Gibson)

Gibson further elaborates on the distinction between mesmerism and hypnotism. He quotes Stam and Spanos, who describe hypnosis as a vague and ambiguous concept with ill-defined characteristics. Gibson emphasizes that hypnotism relies on verbal suggestions and imagination, whereas mesmerism involved non-verbal manipulations. He cites the example of Svengali from 'Trilby' using both methods. The article notes that the 'evil reputation' of mesmerism, associated with charlatanry and occult claims, attached itself to hypnotism from its earliest days.

Reasons for ultra-scepticism about hypnosis (H.B. Gibson)

Gibson discusses the historical skepticism towards hypnosis, even when it gained acceptance in orthodox psychology. He attributes this partly to the association with parapsychology and the desire of some practitioners to appear as 'miracle-workers'. He mentions the work of Clark Hull, who had to abandon hypnosis research due to prejudice, and T.X. Barber, considered the 'Ultra Skeptic No. 1', who later admitted hypnosis is a useful concept. The article also critiques Nicholas Spanos' theory of hypnosis, which equates it with compliance, and mentions a debate between Gibson and Spanos in the Skeptical Inquirer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and scientific examination of paranormal claims. It debunks pseudoscience, criticizes unsubstantiated beliefs, and highlights the importance of critical thinking. The editorial stance is clearly against the acceptance of phenomena like UFOs, psychic powers, and occult practices without rigorous evidence, often contrasting them with scientific explanations or exposing them as hoaxes or misinterpretations. The magazine also serves as a platform for various skeptical organizations and individuals to share their views and research.

Title: The British & Irish Skeptic
Issue: January/February 1990
Volume: 12-20
Date: January/February 1990
Publisher: The British & Irish Skeptic
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Price: 1.50

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic delves into various topics often associated with the paranormal and skeptical inquiry, featuring articles that critically examine hypnosis, leylines, alchemy, and the concept of ghosts.

Articles

What is Hypnosis?

Lewis Jones challenges the conventional understanding of hypnosis, arguing that it is not an altered state of consciousness but rather a learned skill. He cites research, particularly from the book 'Hypnosis: the Cognitive-Behavioural Perspective' edited by Nicholas P. Spanos and John F. Chaves, which suggests that subjects often behave as they believe a hypnotized person should. Jones discusses the historical context of hypnosis, starting with Anton Mesmer, and highlights the importance of control groups in research, noting that subjects in control groups often perform as well as those who undergo hypnotic induction. He points out that the 'skill' of hypnotic subjects lies in their ability to simulate expected behaviors, and that even phenomena like post-hypnotic amnesia can be explained by compliance and suggestion rather than a true trance state. Jones concludes that the term 'hypnosis' is problematic and that the behaviors observed can often be produced by placebos and expectancy-modification procedures.

A Skeptical Quiz

Peter Popper presents a quiz designed to test readers' understanding of skeptical viewpoints on various paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The quiz covers topics such as psychics, the Turin Shroud, UFOs, flat earth theory, and homeopathy, with answers provided that offer a skeptical perspective.

The Myth of Leylines

Medawc Williams debunks the concept of leylines, which are supposedly significant lines connecting ancient monuments. Williams argues that these lines are not real and are easily found by chance on maps, often connecting points that are not archaeologically significant. He criticizes the idea that leylines are ancient, noting that many are propped up by relatively young churches or features. Williams concludes that leylines belong to a collection of discredited occult ideas with shallow roots, comparing them to Tarot cards.

Romancing the Stone

Tom Ruffles explores the enduring interest in alchemy, noting its historical significance in the development of modern chemistry. He discusses the two main variants of alchemy, Egyptian and Chinese, and their influence on European thought. Ruffles mentions Richard Gregory's view that Newton may have spent more time on alchemy than physics. He also touches upon modern claims of alchemical processes, such as alleged transformations of silver to gold in Texas, which were later explained by tarnishing. The article also introduces the organism Thiobacillus ferro-oxidans, which can liberate precious metals, suggesting a form of biological transmutation. Ruffles also references a claimed Russian process for turning lead into gold cheaply, though its viability is questioned.

Predictions for 1990

Marjorie Mackintosh provides a satirical and humorous list of predictions for the year 1990, covering a range of unlikely events involving aliens, politicians, and scientific breakthroughs. These predictions are intended to be amusing and highlight the speculative nature of future predictions.

This House Believes in Ghosts

This section features transcripts of speeches from a debate at the University of Liverpool. John Beloff argues for the existence of psi phenomena, including survival after death, citing historical figures like Oliver Lodge and evidence from mediums. He contends that while scientific evidence for the paranormal is often elusive, its existence cannot be dismissed and that the question is whether there are credible counter-explanations for observed phenomena. Beloff advocates for a broader definition of 'ghosts' to include the paranormal in general, urging against dogmatism. John Maddox, editor of Nature, is expected to oppose this view, advocating for rigorous scientific methodology and the rejection of claims not supported by repeatable experimental evidence. The debate centers on whether science should have the final say on what exists or is possible.

#### The Case for PSI

John Beloff presents the case for psi phenomena, arguing that the mind may have powers that transcend the body. He references historical figures like Oliver Lodge and the investigation of mediums. Beloff acknowledges the difficulty in producing psi phenomena on demand, which he attributes to their 'situation-sensitive' nature. He highlights the work of researchers like Helmut Schmidt and Charles Honorton, suggesting that their findings cannot be easily dismissed as methodological flaws. Beloff also points to spontaneous cases and the testimony of individuals like Roy Jenkins as evidence for paranormal occurrences, such as communication from the deceased.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of claims related to the paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, emphasizing the importance of scientific methodology, empirical evidence, and logical reasoning. The articles challenge widely held beliefs, offering alternative explanations rooted in psychology, science, and critical thinking. The editorial stance clearly favors a rationalist approach, debunking myths and encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims. The use of quizzes, satirical predictions, and direct critiques of paranormal phenomena underscores the magazine's commitment to promoting skepticism and scientific literacy.

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic, dated January/February 1990, features a cover story titled 'The Case against PSI' by John Maddox, which critically examines the belief in psychic phenomena. The magazine includes articles, reviews, and news about skeptical groups, maintaining a consistent focus on rational inquiry and the debunking of pseudoscience.

The Case against PSI by John Maddox

John Maddox argues that while the question of whether ghosts are real is one thing, believing in them is another. He defines the subject as psychic phenomena in general and expresses his personal belief that the evidence for such phenomena must be carefully examined. Maddox posits that if psychic phenomena were as common and substantial as some believe, most people would have experienced them directly. He finds it risky to rely on reported experiences or anecdotal evidence from books. He questions the ability to demonstrate or reproduce psychic phenomena, suggesting they often depend on fashion rather than substance. Maddox dismisses the idea that a decline in talented mediums is a loss, viewing them as a phenomenon of a past era, replaced by modern forms like card guessing and computer tricks.

He recounts a visit to Paris to investigate Dr. Benveniste's claim about diluting biological reagents, noting the sloppy methodology and the potential for self-delusion. Maddox asserts that detailed investigations into phenomena that capture public imagination often reveal them to be insubstantial. He uses J.B. Rhine's card-guessing experiments as an example of statistical artifacts uncovered through investigation. He concludes that while psychic phenomena may not be a necessary part of explaining the real world, they are dangerous because they can be mistaken for symptoms of mental illness like schizophrenia and can foster irrationality in society.

Skeptic at large... by Wendy M. Grossman

Wendy M. Grossman reports on the Transcendental Meditation (TM) settlement in Skelmersdale, UK, and the claims of the 'TM effect,' which suggests that a large number of TM practitioners can influence global events. She notes that reporter Andrew Purvis of The Observer uncritically reported claims of levitation. Grossman references William Poundstone's book 'Bigger Secrets,' which lists TM mantras, and discusses how these mantras are assigned and how the system might be exploited. She questions the advertised effects of the Skelmersdale settlement, citing James Randi's findings that debunked claims of a 'Maharishi Effect' in Iowa regarding crime, unemployment, and accident fatalities. Grossman also touches upon the TM organization's secrecy regarding mantras and the potential for misinterpretation by practitioners.

Psychic Diary by Toby Howard

Toby Howard explores the ancient origins and customs of Christmas, tracing its roots from the winter solstice and pagan festivals like 'Yule' to its current form. He discusses traditions such as mumming plays, sword dancing, wassailing, the Yule log, and the use of evergreen decorations, linking them to symbols of life and fertility. Howard notes the Christian adaptation of the solstice date for Christ's Nativity and the absorption of various pagan elements. He mentions the Christmas tree as a relatively recent tradition, popularized in the 19th century. The article also touches upon local customs like 'Tolling the Devil's Knell' in Dewsbury and concludes by wishing readers a happy Christmas.

Heaven and Earth by Michael Hutchinson

Michael Hutchinson reviews 'Quest,' a fortnightly publication for children aged eleven to fifteen, which aims to cover scientific and technological topics. He discusses a special Christmas edition titled 'The Science of Magic,' which was intended to explain magic, the paranormal, and special effects. Hutchinson, who was commissioned as a consultant, expresses disappointment with the publication's final output, citing numerous examples of gullibility and inaccuracy. He highlights two specific projects encouraged for readers: making a cardboard pyramid to preserve butter and dowsing for hidden objects, both presented with unsubstantiated claims of scientific backing. Hutchinson also lists other dubious claims from 'Quest,' including Doris Stokes hearing messages from the dead and Uri Geller's alleged abilities to bend metal. He criticizes a caption about a bed of nails, which misrepresented the physics involved, and points out inaccuracies in an article on the Indian Rope Trick. Hutchinson concludes by stating he cannot recommend 'Quest' due to its poor quality and the responsibility publishers have towards young readers.

First Annual UK Skeptics Bent Spoon Award

This section announces the winner of the first annual UK Skeptics 'Bent Spoon Award' for the most 'utterly silly idea' featured in a major newspaper in 1989. The award goes to The Sun for its 'Psychic Second of the Century' promotion, which encouraged readers to call in and report cosmic happenings based on a specific time alignment. Runners-up include The Guardian for articles on alternative medicine, The Observer's Andrew Purvis for reporting on TM levitation claims, and Colin Andrews and Pat Delgado for their crop circle alien intelligence theory. The award winners were informed telepathically.

New Skeptical Groups

This section provides updates on the formation and activities of new skeptical organizations. The London Student Skeptics, based at the University of London Union, has a growing membership and a schedule of talks on topics such as skepticism about parapsychology, graphology, and the Fred Hoyle fossil controversy. The Wessex Skeptics have also been formed, attracting individuals from diverse scientific and non-scientific backgrounds, and are open to public membership.

Reviews

The non-miracles of Sai Baba

This review discusses Erlendur Haraldsson's book 'Miracles Are My Calling Card,' which investigates the psychic phenomena associated with Sathya Sai Baba. The reviewer notes that Haraldsson concludes there is no experimental evidence of genuine paranormal phenomena. Sai Baba's stance that science cannot explain the miraculous is seen as a way to evade controlled experiments. The book relies on interviews and case studies rather than experimental science, presenting accounts of materializations and feats from devotees. While the author finds no definite evidence of psychic abilities or fraud, the testimonies are described as long, contradictory, and often second or third-hand, making for heavy reading. The book is deemed well-researched but not for the 'New Age' audience.

Careers by hand

This review covers 'Palmistry: Your Career in Your Hands' by Nathaniel Altman and Andrew Fitzherbert. The reviewer notes the book's premise that modern palmistry can help individuals choose careers based on hand analysis, suggesting it might supplant graphologists in recruitment. It details how hand characteristics are linked to professions, such as farm laborers having plain hands and lumberjacks having long fingers due to 'nature mysticism.' The reviewer finds the book's claims about career matching to be highly speculative and questions the logic behind the premise.

The disbeliever's pilgrimage

This review discusses Malise Ruthven's book 'The Divine Supermarket,' an account of his 'unbeliever's pilgrimage' across the United States to understand the diversity of religions. Ruthven's journey takes him through various religious communities, including Mormons, neo-Nazis, and New Age practitioners. The reviewer finds Ruthven's observations honest but notes that much of the territory covered is familiar, and the book lacks depth due to Ruthven's focus on moving through locations rather than deeply exploring them. The book is described as a mish-mash of travel, history, and sociology, with a critical take on New Age fads.

The nature of trance

Brian Inglis's book 'Trance: A Natural History of Altered States' is reviewed. The reviewer finds the book problematic, noting Inglis's lament that trance is a neglected topic. The book is criticized for making unsubstantiated assumptions about hypnosis and paranormal abilities, and for its bewildering approach, which uncritically accepts out-of-body experiences as hallucinations while commenting on 'group mind' operating telekinetically. The reviewer agrees with the idea that altered states of mind should be studied but feels Inglis's book is confusing and unlikely to advance the cause.

Mystics galore

This section reviews three books by Anne Bancroft: 'Twentieth Century Mystics and Sages,' 'Weavers of Wisdom: Women Mystics of the Twentieth Century,' and 'The Luminous Vision: Six Medieval Mystics and Their Teachings.' The reviewer praises Bancroft's engaging writing style and her ability to present the lives of mystics. However, the reviewer notes Bancroft's 'ubiquitous magnanimity,' pointing out her acceptance of Castaneda's 'Don Juan' as a bona fide person without evidence, and her endorsement of auras and Kirlian photography. Despite this, the reviewer acknowledges a glimmer of cynicism or realism in her appraisals, citing examples like Gurdjieff being called a 'rascal-guru' and questioning the need for Maharishi's material possessions. The review concludes that while the mystics' questions are real, the truth might be buried within their practices.

Seeking the 'Superself'

Ian Wilson's book 'Superself: The Hidden Powers Within Ourselves' is reviewed. The reviewer finds Wilson's approach of considering paranormal phenomena as natural psychological occurrences more fascinating than attributing them to occult forces. Wilson explores various human prodigies and oddities, such as hypnotic regressions and mnemonists. However, the reviewer criticizes the book for being chatty, poorly edited, and relying too heavily on secondary sources and anecdotes. The reviewer also finds Wilson's concept of a 'superself' operating on a 'different evolutionary plane' to be philosophically difficult to sustain, deeming the book weak in philosophical and psychological analysis.

UFOs in Radcliffe

This section reviews a lecture given by Stanton T. Friedman titled 'Flying Saucers are Real.' The reviewer describes the lecture as excruciatingly boring and uninteresting. Friedman's talk focused on the MJ12 cover-up theory, which posits a US government operation to recover a crashed UFO and alien bodies. The reviewer notes that Friedman spent an excessive amount of time detailing the names of individuals involved in the alleged cover-up. The lecture also covered the Betty and Barney Hill abduction experience and the 'Fish map.' The reviewer expresses skepticism about the credibility of the Hills' story and criticizes Friedman for showing well-known fake UFO photos. The lecture overran its allotted time, leaving little opportunity for questions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is skepticism towards paranormal claims, psychic phenomena, and pseudoscientific theories. The magazine consistently promotes a rational, evidence-based approach, often debunking popular beliefs and exposing what it considers to be gullibility and misinformation. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry and critical thinking, actively challenging claims that lack empirical support. The publication aims to inform its readers about the lack of substance behind many paranormal assertions and to encourage a more discerning view of such topics.

Title: The British & Irish Skeptic
Issue: Volume V, No. 1
Date: January/February 1990
Publisher: Emjay Reprographics
Country: UK
Price: £1.50

This issue of The British & Irish Skeptic focuses on reader correspondence and highlights past articles. The cover features several prominent topics such as the '1989 Bent Spoon Award', 'Hypnosis: fact or fiction?', and 'Skeptical predictions for 1990'.

Letters to the Editor

Mediums in Action

Eileen Braben of Widnes shares her skeptical experience attending a 'world famous' medium's performance. She describes the evening as a spectacle of hype and 'razzle-dazzle', attributing the perceived phenomena to social psychology terms like expectation, mental set, and conformity. Braben notes that the audience, largely composed of women from spiritual groups, was primed to expect wonders. The medium used a process of elimination, with audience members raising hands and being eliminated as information was revealed, until only two remained. Braben found no evidence beyond what could be explained by psychological factors, comparing the medium's ability to produce information to a magician's trick.

The Burt Affair

John Lord, a schoolfriend of the author of 'The Burt Affair', R.B. Joynsons, comments on the book's review. He expresses surprise that no one discussing Cyril Burt's work mentions 'Crime as Destiny: A Study of Criminal Twins' by German investigator Prof. Dr. Johannes Lange, first published in Leipzig in 1929. Lange's study compared prisoners in Bavarian jails who were twins, finding extraordinary behavioral similarities in monozygotic (one-egg) twins but few in dyzygotic (two-egg) twins. Lord highlights that Lange's work anticipated Burt's findings. He also notes that 'Crime as Destiny' was introduced by Prof. J.B.S. Haldane and translated by his wife, Charlotte. Haldane, a distinguished geneticist, had foreseen potential conflicts between Soviet power and scientific genetics. Lord credits Haldane's scientific integrity for his eventual departure from the Communist Party due to the Lysenko affair.

Wicker Man

John Brunner of Somerset strongly disagrees with a previous interpretation of the film 'The Wicker Man'. He asserts that the film's central theme is not 'the sacrifice of a true Christian believer' but rather 'the sacrifice of a virgin by choice', which he describes as a pagan act against the forces of Nature. Brunner expresses his hope that skeptics might be more knowledgeable than 'dupes' and admits to frequent disappointment.

Toby Howard responds to Brunner, stating that he did not miss the point of the story but acknowledges Mr. Brunner for pointing out his inadequate summary.

Past Features

The magazine provides a comprehensive list of feature articles from previous volumes, encouraging new readers to subscribe. The subscription details are provided: £10 for a year (six issues) in the UK, £12 in Europe, and £14 surface/£18 airmail for other countries. The address for subscriptions is P.O. Box 475, Manchester, M60 2TH.

• Volume I (1987) - Nos. 1-4 Out of print
• No. 5: Abductions in perspective (Hilary Evans); Geller in Reading (Michael Hutchinson); Magicians, Mediums and Psychics--1 (David Alexander); Carl Sagan's Universe (William Steele); Science vs Pseudoscience-1 (Peter O'Hara); I Saw a Dupe (Karl Sabbagh);
• No. 6: Creationism in Australia (Martin Bridgstock); Noah's Ark Founders on the Facts (Stephen Moreton); Nessie Hunt (Steuart Campbell); Magicians, Mediums and Psychics-2 (David Alexander); Science vs. Pseudoscience-2 (Peter O'Hara); The Royal Nonesuch of Parapsychology (H.B. Gibson); Skeptics' predictions for 1988;

• Volume II (1988)
• No. 1: Geller's Sailboat (Frank Koval); Magicians, Mediums and Psychics-3 (David Alexander); Knock: Some new evidence (David Berman); Predictions 1988: Nelson's Emporium (Frank Chambers); Telepathy: a Mechanism? (Gordon Gray); The 'Alternative' in Alternative Medicine (Michael Heap);
• No. 2: Doris Collins and the Sun (Wendy Grossman); Paul Kurtz Interview-1 (Wendy Grossman); State of the Art (Frank Chambers); S.G. Soal: Master of Deception (Chris Scott);
• No. 3: Findhorn (Steuart Campbell), Paul Kurtz Interview-2 (Wendy Grossman), The Case Against ESP (Anthony Garrett), Telepathy: a mechanism? No! (Steve Donnelly), Recognizing Pseudoscience (Sven Ove Hansson),
• No. 4: A Thorn in Geller's Side (Michael Hutchinson); Sprite; Skeptic at Large (Wendy Grossman); UFO days (Steve Donnelly); Comparative Astrology; Dreams and Visions of Survival (Antony Flew);
• No. 5: Is There Antibody There? (Richard Kay); Dowsing in the Country (Denys Parsons); The Saints and Martyrs of Parapsychology (H.B. Gibson); UFO Hunt (Marcel Hulspas);
• No. 6: Bristol Psychic fair (Hocus Pocus); The Incredible Mr Newman (Frank Chambers); Skeptical Predictions for 1989 (Marjorie Mackintosh); Joe Nickell on the Shroud of Turin;

• Volume III (1989)
• No. 1: Firewalking in Indonesia (Chris Wright); Randi in Manchester (Frank Koval); Complacently Irrational or Irrationally Complacent? (David Fisher); Alternative medicine and the question of evidence (Nick Beard); Psychic Diary; Skeptic at Large; Heaven and Earth; Reviews: Special report: the paranormal on radio.
• No. 2: Perpetuum Mobile (Anthony Garrett); Joseph Newman followup (Frank Chambers); My Psychic Odyssey (Mike Rutter); Cosmic Crystal Crankery (Stephen Moreton); Some Rational and Irrational Feedback (David Fisher); Skeptic at Large; Heaven and Earth; Reviews: Hollywood Channelling; Skeptics Under Attack; Physics and Psychics; Two Casebooks; Ghost Train.
• No. 3: The Committee Against Health Fraud (Nick Beard); Pyramids, pyramyths and pyramidiots (Barry Williams); Near-death experiences (Sue Blackmore); Twitching sticks (Anthony Garrett); European skeptics conference (John Lord); Skeptic at Large; Heaven and Earth; Reviews: Nicholas Witchell's Nessie, The Psychic Tea Room, Klimo's Channelling, The Electric Shock Book.
• No. 4: Remembering Richard Feynman (Al Seckel); Two unpublished Feynman stories; The world of weird HiFi (David Fisher); The lessons of 'cold fusion' (Dave Love); A new test of religion? (Anthony Garrett); Eye-to-eye with Iridology (Hocus Pocus); Having faith in skepticism (Nick Beard);
• No. 5: Elementary, My Dear Mystic (Medawc Williams); Science vs Religion (Barend Vlaardingbroek); The Cultist's Defence (Anthony Garrett); Scepticism: Universal Or Occasional? (Antony Flew); The Nullarbor UFO Mystery-Solved (A.T. Brunt); The Cards Can't Lie? (Mike Rutter);

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue, as evidenced by the letters and the listed past articles, revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims, psychic phenomena, and pseudoscientific beliefs. The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and scientific approach, as indicated by its title and the nature of the articles reviewed. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rational inquiry and debunking unsubstantiated claims, encouraging readers to question extraordinary assertions and to seek evidence-based explanations.