Skeptic - 1990 - Vol 4 No 5

Magazine Overview

Title: The SKEPTIC
Issue: Volume IV, No. 5
Date: September/October 1990
Publisher: The Skeptic (formerly the British & Irish Skeptic)
Country: UK
ISSN: 0959-5228
Price: £1.50

This issue of The Skeptic presents a rational examination of pseudoscience and the paranormal, featuring a prominent interview with actor and writer Stephen Fry. The magazine is published bimonthly and relies on reader contributions.

Key Articles and Features

Stephen Fry on Paranormal Piffle

This extensive interview with Stephen Fry reveals his strong skeptical stance. He finds superstition to be "colossally stupid" and believes that the natural world is already so remarkable that it doesn't need artificial mysteries. Fry discusses his personal journey away from religion and towards a liberal humanism, and his appreciation for science, which he feels enhances, rather than diminishes, the beauty of the world. He expresses particular disdain for astrology, calling it "insane," and for the concept of reincarnation, questioning why people always claim to have lived in historically significant or dramatic past lives. He also criticizes claims of ghost sightings, arguing that a genuine encounter would be profoundly shocking, not casually recounted.

Hits and Misses by Steve Donnelly

This section addresses several phenomena. The author discusses the ongoing mystery of crop circles, noting the appearance of "dancing lights" and "genuine" rings in Wiltshire, which were ultimately declared a hoax. The article also touches upon the "Heavy Metal Trial," where parents sued the band Judas Priest for $500,000, alleging that subliminal messages in their album "Stained Class" contributed to their sons' deaths. The author also briefly mentions Prince Charles's views on the healing power of well-designed buildings and the phenomenon of "Underground Ghosts" reported on the London Underground, citing an anecdote about Winston Churchill.

A Panoply of Paranormal Piffle (Interview with Stephen Fry)

This is the main interview piece featuring Stephen Fry. It delves into his views on superstition, his background, and his intellectual journey. Fry explains his aversion to things superstitious, stating that "the world is so remarkable and extraordinary anyway that to try and find things that are subject to no testing, no logic and no reason is ugly." He contrasts this with his appreciation for science and literature, arguing that understanding a subject deeply, like the geology of the Lake District, only enhances its beauty. He recounts his participation in a Channel 4 program called "Star Test" where he refused to answer a question about his star sign, speaking angrily about astrology. Fry also discusses his views on dowsing, which he believes is based on hyperaesthesia and reading signs rather than mystical powers, and the use of randomness, like the I Ching, as a tool for self-confrontation. His "bête noire" is reincarnation and claims of ghost sightings, which he finds to be "ineffable piffle."

The Houdini File, Number Two by Frank Koval

This article examines correspondence between Harry Houdini and Harry Price. It focuses on Houdini's letter of August 18, 1922, where he thanks Price for copies of "Light" (Price's book on Cold Light on Spiritualism) and mentions his own book "Paper Tricks." The letter also discusses an experiment with X-ray marked photographic plates used in a sitting with spirit photographer William Hope. Houdini notes that an exposure of twenty seconds seemed to obliterate the X-ray marks, a point that Price's findings later contradicted. The article also mentions Houdini's book "Paper Magic" and hints at further discussion of "Revelations of a Spirit Medium" in a future installment.

Quis Custodiet Management Consultants? by Anthony Garrett

This article critiques the rise of management consultancy as a "business pseudoscience." Garrett argues that many consultants lack real-world experience and are recruited without having held positions of direct responsibility. He suggests that management consultancy often serves as an illusion of action, increasing self-importance for managers rather than genuinely improving company performance. The author draws a parallel with the City of London, which generates wealth through financial transactions rather than primary production, leading to a focus on means rather than ends. He posits that professions whose effects are secondary are often valued more highly than primary industries, leading to "power without responsibility."

Other Short Items:

• A Hole in the Head by Jean N Dorricott: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• Pig's Ear into Silk Purse? by David Fisher: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• Use Hammers for Nails and Corkscrews for Wine by Jessica Utts: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• Hering's Law by Bill Penny: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• UFOs on the line by Dave Love: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• It's all in the Cards by Medium Rare: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• Skeptic at Large by Wendy Grossman: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• Psychic Diary by Toby Howard: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• Heaven and Earth by Michael Hutchinson: Briefly mentioned, likely a short piece.
• Reviews: A section dedicated to reviewing books or other media.
• Letters: A section for reader correspondence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of The Skeptic is the promotion of rational thought and scientific skepticism in the face of pseudoscience and paranormal claims. The magazine actively debunks unfounded beliefs, from crop circles and astrology to reincarnation and ghost stories. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking, as exemplified by the prominent interview with Stephen Fry, a well-known public figure who champions these values. The magazine aims to provide a platform for skeptical inquiry and to challenge what it perceives as irrationality in popular culture and belief systems.

This issue of The Skeptic, dated September/October 1990, is Volume 4, Issue 11. It features a cover headline "A Hole in the Head" by Jean N Dorricott, focusing on the conflict between creationism and evolution, particularly in Lowestoft. The magazine includes articles on meta-analysis, UFO reports, and homeopathy, presenting a skeptical perspective on various phenomena.

Creationists and APEmen in Lowestoft by Jean N Dorricott

This article details a lecture given in Lowestoft by Dr. Rosevear, Chairman of the Christian Science Movement, who argued against modern science and in favor of the biblical account of a yearlong Flood. The author, Jean Dorricott, recounts her involvement in organizing the event and her interactions with creationist literature and proponents. She describes the lecture's style as casting doubt on radiometric dating and portraying scientists as being in disarray. A key point of contention was Barry Setterfield's work on the decrease of the speed of light, which creationists use to argue for a younger Earth. The author notes that while some scientists present raised objections, many attendees accepted the creationist viewpoint due to the speaker's scientific credentials.

The Skeptic - Page 2

Dorricott continues her critique, highlighting how creationist literature often links evolutionary theory with racism and lawlessness. She advises readers to question the Christian Science Movement (CSM) about their claims. The article mentions that while mainstream churches may not actively protest creationism, they often find no issue with integrating evolutionary theory into their teachings. The author expresses a desire for the CSM's influence in Lowestoft to remain minimal.

Pig's Ear Into Silk Purse? by David J Fisher

This article presents a polemic against the use of meta-analysis, particularly in parapsychology. Fisher argues that meta-analysis, rather than being a new discipline, is a 'form of lunacy.' He contrasts its application in 'soft' sciences with its absence in 'hard' sciences like physics and chemistry. Fisher contends that meta-analysis is essentially a method of 'lumping' together inconsistent conclusions from various reports to create a better idea of what is happening, drawing an analogy to engineering measurements of signals amidst noise. He questions the validity of its underlying statistical assumptions, especially regarding independence, in the 'messy' conditions of soft science experiments. Fisher suggests that meta-analysis has gained traction because it is easy to use and does not require advanced mathematical skills.

The Skeptic - Page 4

Fisher further elaborates on his objections to meta-analysis, citing the 'file drawer problem' (bias due to unpublished studies) and the issue of combining low-quality studies. He argues that the technique is particularly susceptible to bias because research can be chosen post facto to achieve a desired result, and scientific journals tend to publish positive results while ignoring zero correlations. He also points out that the 'interdependence' of studies, due to networks of loyalties and shared beliefs, undermines statistical independence. Fisher concludes that meta-analysis is not a substitute for new, larger, and better-controlled studies and warns of potential dangers, such as cost-conscious funders preferring meta-analysis over new research, or unscrupulous companies using it to support favorable results.

The Skeptic - Page 5

Fisher presents an 'awkward example for meta-analysts' using a table of drug trial data over several years. He notes that while individual studies show inconsistent results, a crude meta-analysis by summing entries leads to a seemingly peculiar outcome. He challenges meta-analysts to identify the peculiarity and explain whether meta-analysis can be fully proofed against such issues. He also references a study by Thomas Chalmers that attempted to disguise study sources to circumvent hidden dependencies, but still found unexplained variability.

Use Hammers for Nails And Corkscrews for Wine by Jessica Utts

Jessica Utts responds to David Fisher's critique of meta-analysis, defending the proper use of statistical methodology. She clarifies that meta-analysis is not a single technique but a set of methods for summarizing studies. Utts agrees with some of Fisher's points but frames them as general statistical problems, not specific to meta-analysis. She argues that Fisher's 'awkward example' illustrates Simpson's Paradox, which arises from collapsing contingency tables and losing information. Utts explains that a proper analysis would consider the research question and data collection methods, suggesting that combining data across years without accounting for population differences or disease variations is a misuse. She proposes comparing 'effect sizes' rather than p-values, which she argues are misleading and heavily dependent on sample sizes. Utts believes that meta-analysis, when used correctly, can help eliminate confusion by focusing on effect magnitudes and trends, and is particularly suited for parapsychology.

The Skeptic - Page 7

Utts further discusses the limitations of traditional hypothesis testing, particularly in parapsychology, where 'repeatable experiments' are difficult to guarantee due to noise. She explains that even with a moderate effect, a 'significant effect' might not be detected in a single experiment due to sample size limitations. She advocates for meta-analysis as a way to address these issues by retaining information from individual studies and looking for trends in effect sizes. She criticizes 'vote-counting' meta-analytic methods but supports those that focus on effect sizes.

The Skeptic - Page 8

Utts addresses Fisher's criticisms regarding the 'file drawer problem' and the combination of low-quality studies. She states that in parapsychology meta-analyses, study quality is evaluated, and higher quality studies tend to yield higher effect magnitudes. She concludes that meta-analysis, like any statistical technique, can be misused, but its proper application is valuable. She advises that those who do not understand statistical methods should not base conclusions on them.

Homeopathy is more than just dilute solutions by Bill Penny

This article introduces Hering's Law, a principle in homeopathy named after Constantine Hering. The law is based on the belief that illness is general, not local, and that symptoms move from acute to chronic forms by progressing from the surface to the interior, lower to upper parts of the body, and from less vital to more vital organs. Homeopathic treatment aims to reverse this process. The article explains that mental illness is viewed as an extreme form of disease, and skin eruptions are considered beneficial as they indicate the disease moving outward. The author expresses concern that delaying conventional medical treatment in favor of homeopathy, especially for skin or mental health issues, could worsen conditions. He draws a parallel between driving out disease symptoms and the old practice of driving out demons.

UFOs on the Line by Dave Love

This article reviews two UK-based UFO information services accessed via premium-rate phone lines: UFO Line (0898-654-637) and UFO Call (0898-121-886). UFO Line, reporting on news from the Independent UFO Network (IUFON), covers topics like 'UFOs from behind the ever-crumbling Iron Curtain' and encounters with humanoids in Hungary. UFO Call, sponsored by BUFORA (British UFO Research Association), discusses reports of red and green lights in the North West sky (attributed to a meteorite shower by BUFORA, but disputed by some UFO groups), a 'classic disc-shaped object' seen in Blackburn, and crop circles. The author notes that BUFORA aligns with the 'Meaden's explanation' for crop circles, linking them to 'glowing UFOs.' The article also mentions the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope being used to 'channel' reports. Both services are updated periodically.

It's all in the Cards - Medium Rare

This section provides instructions for a 'psychic' card trick called 'Medium Rare.' The trick involves a prepared deck of cards and a volunteer. The performer asks the volunteer to choose a card and then writes names on the backs of other cards. The trick culminates in revealing the volunteer's name on the chosen card, creating the illusion of psychic ability. The preparation involves creating two decks with specific card arrangements and pre-written names. The article is reprinted from Psientific American.

Fortean Times

This is a brief advertisement for Fortean Times, a journal covering strange phenomena, news, reviews, and references related to the work of Charles Fort. It describes the magazine as an 80-page issue packed with articles, news clippings, art, cartoons, and letters, and provides subscription details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims and the defense of scientific methodology. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, questioning phenomena such as creationism, meta-analysis when misused, UFO reports, and homeopathy. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous scientific inquiry, statistical validity, and evidence-based reasoning, while cautioning against the uncritical acceptance of claims that lack empirical support or are based on flawed methodologies. The magazine also aims to inform its readers about these topics and encourage critical thinking.

This issue of The Skeptic, dated September/October 1990, features a cover story titled "Skeptic at Large" by Wendy M. Grossman, who also serves as the magazine's founder and a writer. The magazine is published by The Skeptic and is based in the UK.

Skeptic at Large by Wendy M. Grossman

Wendy Grossman opens by observing the "silly season" in the media, noting the BBC's coverage of Colin Andrews investigating crop circles and Prince Charles' comments to the BMA questioning their suspicion of alternative medicine. Grossman contrasts this with the IRA killing of a Catholic nun and Bishop Cahal Daly's reaction, questioning why Daly's own controversial stances on Northern Irish divisions were not challenged. She then focuses on Prince Charles, suggesting that his pronouncements on alternative medicine lack scientific basis and that he may be insulated from real-world experience. Grossman proposes that the Royal Family should be constitutionally prevented from making scientific pronouncements, just as they are from making political ones.

Grossman then turns to crop circles, initially considering Terence Meaden's whirlwind theory but ultimately suspecting human involvement due to the complexity of recent designs. She questions the media's reporting and the lack of rigorous counting and verification of crop circle claims. She concludes that some people are likely amused by the media's coverage.

Psychic Diary by Toby Howard

Toby Howard, co-editor of The Skeptic, humorously claims to possess paranormal powers, including extrasensory perception and telepathy, proposing a hypothetical experiment involving a blindfolded journey to a second-hand bookshop. He reflects on his collection of skeptical books, many of which were previously owned, and mentions titles like Philip Ward's "Dictionary of Common Fallacies" and Martin Gardner's "Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science." He also notes the peculiar nature of remainder shops. Howard discusses his dislike for books with bad covers, citing "Jesus Christ, Heir to the Astronauts" as an example, and lists various paranormal book titles, including "Levitation for Terrestrials" and "Phone Calls From the Dead." He also references "Bizarre Books" by Russell Ash and Brian Lake and Hans Holzer's "Elvis Presley Speaks," as well as Tom Patterson's "100 Years of Spirit Photography."

Heaven and Earth by Michael Hutchinson

Michael Hutchinson, a member of the U.K. Skeptics, examines public belief in the paranormal by comparing opinion polls. A 1987 Channel 4 poll indicated significant belief in telepathy (60%), ghosts (59%), precognition (59%), past incarnations (45%), and communication from the dead (30%). A 1989 book, "Are You Normal?", surveyed 60,000 British adults, showing lower figures for ghosts (25%) and reincarnation (25%) but higher for telepathy (over 50%) and predictions (over 50%). Hutchinson notes contradictions and similarities between the polls. He criticizes media coverage, particularly the BBC's past paranormal programming and Thames Television's "Stories In The Night" series, which he argues presented a biased view. He also points to women's magazines and radio stations like "Talkback Radio" for promoting paranormal beliefs. Hutchinson touches upon the book publishing trade's interest in New Age publishing and notes that despite media promotion, opinion polls show high belief in the paranormal in the UK, concluding that skeptics have much work to do.

Reviews

One reborn every minute? by John Lord

John Lord reviews Hans TenDam's "Exploring Reincarnation," which surveys the literature and evidence for reincarnation. The book includes an extensive bibliography and discusses religious beliefs, cultist practices, and empirically-based work like Ian Stevenson's. TenDam emphasizes recall of past lives and hypnotic regressions. Lord finds much of the speculation unconvincing but praises the book's range. He expresses reservations about "past-life therapy" and suggests reading Antony Flew's "The Logic of Mortality" as a corrective to TenDam's more exuberant flights.

Having fun with free flight by Sue Blackmore

Sue Blackmore reviews Keith Harary and Pamela Weintraub's "Have an Out-of-Body Experience in 30 days" and "Lucid Dreams in 30 days." She notes that the books, despite being from a former Duke University subject, are fun and lay out programs for mental acrobatics and exercises without making outrageous claims. Blackmore mentions the basic principles of dream incubation and visualization for OBEs, and includes a suggestive example of an advanced OBE exercise. She dismisses concerns about potential harm from lucid dreaming research, stating there is no real evidence.

The man-made guru by Frank Chambers

Frank Chambers reviews Mary Lutyens' "The Life and Death of Krishnamurti." Jiddu Krishnamurti, identified as a potential World Teacher by the Theosophical Society, dissolved the Order of the Star in the East and urged followers to find their own path to enlightenment. Krishnamurti emphasized that truth is a pathless land and refused to be considered a guru. Lutyens notes his advocacy of meditation but his refusal to be a meditation teacher, citing his brief encounter with the Maharishi. Chambers suggests that Krishnamurti, despite renouncing the title, may have retained a sense of being the World Teacher, and his teachings continue to spread. He likens his method of transforming violence in the mind to mindfulness in Zen Buddhism.

Running after poltergeists by Mike Rutter

Mike Rutter reviews D Scott Rogo's "The Poltergeist Experience." The book is a collection of poltergeist case accounts, including recent examples investigated by the author. Rogo argues that poltergeist effects are caused by the psychokinetic (PK) powers of a subject, basing his evidence on J.B. Rhine's work with dice and Nina Kulagina. Rutter finds Rogo's views unlikely to be endorsed by those familiar with Fraser Nicol's criticisms. He notes that evidence for poltergeist activity is anecdotal and that subjects are often caught in trickery. Rutter criticizes the book for failing to address serious criticisms of cases by authors like Hall, Podmore, Prince, and Coleman, and for relying on a flawed physical theory.

Watching the detectives by Michael Coleman

Michael Coleman reviews Joe Nickell's "The Magic Detectives." He describes the book as suitable for children aged 10 and up, featuring stories about UFOs, psychics, and haunted houses that are revealed as frauds. The book includes clues and solutions to "magic mysteries." Coleman highlights how the book reveals secrets behind tricks like spoon bending. He notes the stories are not presented chronologically, adding to the fun. He mentions a particularly disturbing story, "The Cinder Woman Mystery," about spontaneous human combustion, which Nickell attributes to a cigarette and body fat igniting.

A long way after Darwin by Alison Donnelly

Alison Donnelly reviews Dougal Dixon's "Man After Man: An Anthropology of the Future." Building on his earlier work "After Man: A Zoology of the Future," Dixon explores how humanity, using genetic engineering, could rapidly alter itself. Donnelly notes Dixon's contemplation of adapted humans for spaceship life, creating a "vacuumorph" reliant on technology. She questions the ethics of manufacturing a slave race and discusses Dixon's concept of "Homo dumbo" repopulating a polluted Earth with less intelligent humans. Donnelly describes the book as a "superior coffee-table production" that is illuminating and fun, rather than strictly realistic.

The return of the fairies by David Langford

David Langford reviews Joe Cooper's "The Case of the Cottingley Fairies." The book details the story of two girls, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, who in 1917 took photographs of fairies. The photographs were accepted as genuine by Theosophists Edward Gardner and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and later published in The Strand magazine. A medium, Geoffrey Hodson, visited the girls, and later the photographers admitted to deceiving him. In 1978, James Randi and other CSICOP members used computer image enhancement to deem the photos fakes, with Fred Gettings tracing fairy figures to a 1914 children's book. Frances finally admitted the hoax in 1981, and both ladies confessed in newspaper interviews. Frances died in 1986, and Elsie in 1988. Langford calls the book a "fascinating look at human gullibility."

Caution: Genius at work by Mike Moran

Mike Moran reviews Tom Graves' "Inventing Reality." The book is subtitled "Towards a Magical Technology" and describes how new inventions are born. Moran finds the book's presentation to be difficult to decipher, noting its short pages, numbered blank pages, and excessive blank space. He quotes Graves on the nature of coincidence and learning. Graves advocates for alternative medicine, fire-walking, psychokinesis, poltergeists, channelling, and metal-bending as proven tools comparable to scientific analysis. Moran is intrigued by a reference to a "man in black" who handed over the design for the Great Seal of the United States and asks for a source. He dismisses the rest of the book as "purely fatuous reasoning."

Hedgehog logic by Frank Chambers

Frank Chambers reviews Stephen Jay Gould's "An Urchin in the Storm." Gould, a palaeontologist and evolutionary biologist, uses the metaphor of the hedgehog (one big thing) versus the fox (many things) to discuss coherence versus flexibility. Chambers notes that Gould applies his criticism to various subjects, including evolution, social history, geology, politics, and healthcare. The book begins with a preface criticizing book reviewers. Chambers mentions Gould's critique of sociobiology, particularly E.O. Wilson, and his support for Anne Fausto-Sterling's work on gender differences. Gould also criticizes Bettyann Kevles for an "adaptationalist" argument. Chambers describes the book as a "distillate of the adversarial competition" in science.

Events

Phantoms of the Sky UFO Conference

Chris Wright reports on the "Phantoms of the Sky" UFO Conference held in Sheffield. He notes that speakers like Andy Roberts and Dave Clarke view UFOs as modern counterparts of fairy tales and demons, rather than spaceships. Bud Hopkins, author of "Elvis Presley Speaks," presented his belief in alien abductions, citing scars as evidence. Wright expresses skepticism about Hopkins' claims and the potential danger of accepting such narratives as literal occurrences. He notes that the conference indicated a shift in Ufology away from the spaceship model towards more psychological explanations.

UFO Brigantia

This section describes "UFO Brigantia," the journal of the Independent UFO Network (IUN), as a bimonthly magazine for serious UFO researchers, featuring articles on various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including controversial topics and archive cases. Subscription details are provided.

Letters

Bird's-eye view

A reader expresses doubts about the "vortices theory" for crop circles, citing personal experience with Australian "willy-willys" (whirlwinds) which are not stationary. The reader notes the absence of zig-zag lines and wonky ellipses in crop circles and the lack of crop circles in the Chiltern Hills, despite the presence of vortices. They suggest asking the Army to conduct night-scout training to observe crop fields for hoaxes or vortex-circle formation.

Evolution vs. creationism

L. J. Clarke inquires about the debate between Christian fundamentalists and the teaching of evolution. He references Dorothy Nelkin's "The Creation Controversy" and Judge W. S. Overton's ruling that "Creation Science" is not science. Clarke also mentions the 1925 Tennessee Monkey Trial involving teacher Scopes and Michael Pitman's "Adam and Evolution." He asks for a verbatim account of the Scopes trial.

Fact and fantasy

A. S. Edwards questions the reasons behind people's beliefs in the paranormal and supernatural, suggesting it stems from a lack of understanding. He argues that childhood exposure to mythology and fiction, combined with adult claims of supernatural realities and an education system focused on memorization, contributes to irrational beliefs.

Angry, but wiser

This letter discusses adverts for "Psychics and Mystics Fairs" and the author's visit to one. The author notes the popularity of such events and browsed among pendulums and crystals, but does not elaborate further on the experience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, critically examining claims of paranormal phenomena, UFOs, and pseudoscientific theories. Articles and reviews often highlight the lack of empirical evidence, the reliance on anecdotal accounts, and the potential for psychological or mundane explanations for reported events. The editorial stance champions critical thinking, scientific methodology, and the debunking of hoaxes and unsubstantiated beliefs. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between genuine scientific inquiry and what the magazine considers to be irrational or pseudoscientific claims. The magazine also engages with the cultural and media landscape, analyzing how paranormal beliefs are presented and perpetuated.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume IV, No. 5
Date: September/October 1990
Publisher: Emjay Reprographics
Country: UK
Price: £1.50

This issue of The Skeptic, a bimonthly publication focused on critical examination of paranormal claims and pseudoscience, features reader contributions and a detailed index of past articles.

Reader Contributions

My Psychic Experience

Barbara Huston from Manchester shares her experience with a psychic reader. Expecting a general reading, she was instead given personal information about her deceased father and a sensitive subject, leaving her feeling upset. Upon discussing the incident with her skeptical partner, she concluded it was a 'cold reading,' where the psychic likely extracted information from her reactions and appearance rather than possessing genuine psychic ability. Huston emphasizes that while the experience was manipulative, it made her wiser and more appreciative of skeptical viewpoints.

My Past Life

Barbara Huston also contributes a piece on reincarnation, stating her firm belief in it. She claims to have memories of a past incarnation from her early childhood, some of which she has verified as an adult without hypnosis or regression. She notes that while she has undergone regression, it has not yielded convincing evidence. Huston asserts that she has no need for external validation, as the proof of her past life as Edith Noville Buckley in June 1946 is within her, and she dismisses any doubts as the ramblings of an overactive imagination.

Eye Witness

Wynne M Simister, a PhD student in Chemistry at the University of St Andrews, recounts an incident from four years prior that he believes could explain some UFO sightings. While walking his dog near Ainsdale, Merseyside, he observed an incredibly bright sphere of light that moved with extreme speed and agility, exhibiting characteristics often attributed to UFOs. Initially baffled, he noticed the sphere jiggling and then realized that his eye movements were controlling its perceived flight. He concluded that a small bubble in the fluid on his eye was acting as a lens, focusing sunlight to create the bright sphere. When a cloud passed, the light disappeared and reappeared, and he eventually saw it 'burst.' Simister stresses that the experience felt intensely real, and without his scientific understanding, he might have concluded he had witnessed a UFO.

Back Issues Index

The magazine provides a comprehensive index of its back issues, cataloging articles from Volume I (1987) through Volume IV (1990). This index lists article titles, authors, and brief descriptions, covering a wide range of topics including psychic phenomena, creationism, alternative medicine, astrology, and UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue, as evidenced by reader contributions and the indexed articles, revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims. The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and scientific approach to phenomena such as psychic readings, reincarnation, and UFO sightings. The editorial stance, implied through the content selection and the publication's name, is to encourage rational explanations and to debunk pseudoscience by providing evidence-based analysis and encouraging critical thinking among its readership.