Skeptic - 1990 - Vol 4 No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 4, Number 6
Date: November/December 1990
Publisher: The Skeptic (UK)
Price: £1.60

This issue of The Skeptic, a bimonthly publication from the UK, offers a critical examination of paranormal phenomena, pseudoscientific claims, and controversial beliefs. The cover prominently features the headline "The Man Who Invented the UFOs" and "The New Demonology," alongside an illustration of a flying saucer and figures in a city. Other featured articles include "Reflections on Past Life Regressions," "What is Scientology?", and "Polywater—the Cold Fusion of the 1960s."

Articles and Features

Hits and Misses

Steve Donnelly reviews the film "Communion," based on Whitley Strieber's alleged alien abduction experiences. While acknowledging Strieber's subjective experiences, Donnelly questions the commercialization of these claims and echoes film critic Barry Norman's humorous take on the aliens' potential motivations. The section also touches upon an alleged UFO sighting in Peoria, Illinois, in November 1981, where Connie Cook reported seeing "four shiny people" who communicated telepathically and inspired her to compose music. A brief mention is made of a "malignant mould" affecting the Tashkent underground system, described as attacking humans and concrete.

Soviet Weakly

This piece highlights the English-language magazine "Soviet Weekly" for its surprisingly uncritical coverage of paranormal topics. It mentions articles on Dr. Yuri Erontiev, who claims to cure diseases with "space energy" amplified by a silver needle, and Nikolai Suvorov, who possesses magnetic powers. The article notes the increase in reported UFO sightings in the Soviet Union since perestroika.

A Bun in the Oven

This short piece refers to previous reports of unusual findings in pregnant women's ultrasounds, including fathers-in-law and ancestors. It includes a humorous exchange from a problem page, where a reader asks if intercourse during pregnancy is safe, and the response warns of the risk of the husband's "pride and joy" being "mauled by various animals, deceased relatives and complete strangers."

A Shock of Hair

An article from the Hull Daily Mail reports on a new potential cure for male pattern baldness developed by a Canadian company, Current Technology Corporation. The process involves electrical stimulation of hair follicles, with a clinical trial showing a significant increase in hair count for most participants.

Houdini File: The Houdini File

Frank Koval details Houdini's early influences, particularly his reading of "Revelations of a Spirit Medium," an exposé of fraudulent mediums. Koval discusses Harry Price's possession of copies of this book and Price's later claims about Houdini's belief in spiritualism, citing a letter from Houdini regarding a "spirit extra" of Professor James Hyslop. Koval asserts that Price selectively reported information and made these claims after Houdini's death, referencing Trevor H. Hall's "Search for Harry Price" as further evidence of Price's "deviousness."

Reason, Science and the New Demonology

Andrew Belsey critically examines the resurgence of belief in supernatural entities like angels and demons, particularly within certain Christian sects. He questions the distinction made between "acceptable" supernatural beliefs (like the resurrection) and those deemed less so (like demonology). Belsey argues that if belief in a supernatural God is accepted, then belief in supernatural demons should logically follow, or conversely, that the rejection of demons should lead to the rejection of God. He contends that the scientific worldview has not been replaced by spiritualism but by a more nuanced materialism, and that science itself is a process of discovery, not a fixed dogma. Belsey concludes that while the existence of spirits is implausible, it is not impossible, but they would be part of nature, not "supernature."

Memory, Fantasy and Past Lives

Michael Heap reflects on past life regressions, agreeing with previous analyses that subjects do not actually relive past incarnations. He argues that explanations based on cryptomnesia are insufficient and that human memory is an active, constructive process. Heap suggests that fantasies and actual memories can crystallize around a focus, forming elaborate structures, similar to an actor improvising a role. He also points to the effects of priming and the subject's motivation to comply with the "past life" regressor, suggesting that the extensive detail recalled might be due to the demand for such information.

Holistic Problems

This section reports on a study published in The Lancet comparing the success rates of orthodox medicine versus holistic techniques at the Bristol Cancer Help Centre. The study indicated that breast cancer patients attending the Centre were twice as likely to die and three times more likely to have their cancer spread compared to those receiving orthodox treatment. While acknowledging the psychological benefits of holistic approaches, the article quotes Professor Timothy McElwain expressing skepticism about the evidence for diet being a treatment for cancer.

Allergic Reaction

Citing a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, this piece suggests that many people who blame food allergies for ailments are self-deceived, as they show the same response to placebos as to supposed allergens. The article notes the growing trend of people paying for treatments that identify and "immunize" them against "problem" foods, and includes a skeptical quote from Dr. Parveen Kumar about the potential for misdiagnosis.

Synthetic Druids

This short item discusses the anger of British Druids over English Heritage's plan to use synthetic matting near Stonehenge to reduce erosion. It questions the ancient origins of the United Ancient Order of Druids, citing the "Dictionary of Common Fallacies" which states the order was founded in 1781.

The Essex Triangle

An article from "Take a Break" is discussed, describing an area in Essex, UK, as a "rural backwater with a sinister harvest of violence, brutality and death," known as the Essex Triangle. The piece attributes this to a "malevolent curse" cast by witches centuries ago, claiming it is an indication of ongoing violence.

Astrology Test

An open-minded Manchester astrologer proposes a scientific test of astrology, involving distinguishing between pairs of people with "opposite" characteristics based on their birth details. The Skeptic magazine is appealing for help in finding birth dates and times for at least 100 such pairs to conduct the experiment.

Reviews and Letters

The issue also includes a "Reviews" section and a "Letters" section, providing further engagement with readers and commentary on various topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and controversial beliefs. The magazine aims to debunk myths, expose fraud, and promote rational thinking. Recurring themes include UFOs, spiritualism, alternative medicine, and the psychological underpinnings of belief. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to rely on scientific evidence and logical reasoning. The publication relies heavily on reader contributions, indicating a community-oriented approach to skepticism.

This issue of The Skeptic, dated November/December 1990, features a range of articles examining paranormal claims and pseudoscience from a skeptical perspective. The cover highlights "The Man Who Invented The Flying Saucers" and the issue includes a crossword puzzle with skeptical themes.

Past Life Regression: A Creative Fantasy?

An article discusses experiments in past life regression, suggesting that the convincing nature of these experiences may stem from subjects' capacity for creative fantasy rather than genuine recall of past lives. It proposes that removing the demand for 'source amnesia' could enhance the realism of these experiences. The author, Michael Heap, suggests that psychologists could scientifically study role enactment and creative fantasy through this phenomenon.

Hobgoblin Goes On Holiday

This humorous piece follows a self-proclaimed 'Hobgoblin' on a walking tour of Somerset and Wiltshire, seeking out second-hand bookshops and mystical sites. The author uses 'psi-missing' principles to find shops just after they close or owners away at auctions. The tour includes visits to Glastonbury, where the author notes the prevalence of psychic paraphernalia and healing services, and experiences a perceived 'time-warp' effect due to people's attire. Despite visiting sites like Stonehenge, no paranormal experiences occur. The author concludes by recounting a skeptical encounter with a Jehovah's Witness.

The Man Who Invented The Flying Saucers

Roger Ford explores the role of Ray Palmer in popularizing the flying saucer phenomenon. Palmer, through his magazines Fate and Flying Saucer, significantly influenced ufological discourse. The article delves into Palmer's later speculation that UFOs might originate from within the Earth, referencing Admiral Byrd's polar explorations. It also discusses the 'Shaver Mystery,' a series of stories published by Palmer in Amazing Stories that readers believed to be factual, leading to widespread belief in 'Deros'—underground, semi-robot beings.

The 'Shaver Mystery' gained traction as readers claimed personal experiences aligning with the stories. The article notes that Shaver's descriptions of 'mech' (mechanical technology) used by the Deros bore similarities to later descriptions of flying saucers and UFO technology. The Dero were depicted as devolved beings, descendants of Lemurians, who tormented humanity using advanced technology. The author suggests that the public's strong response to these stories might have tapped into archetypal human fears.

13 Hazards of New Age Thinking

Pat Kehoe outlines thirteen potential dangers associated with the New Age movement. These include susceptibility to fraud, dissemination of misinformation, elevation of subjective experience over empirical evidence, belief in malevolent supernatural forces, reduction of personal responsibility, and rejection of critical thinking. The article warns that New Age claims can be actively or passively harmful, potentially leading to dangerous practices or the rejection of conventional medical treatment. It also notes the movement's appeal to the vulnerable and the risk of social policies being based on pseudoscientific claims.

Uri Geller - The Conclusive Evidence?

Dominic Twose reviews a television appearance by Uri Geller on September 5, 1990, where Geller allegedly demonstrated extraordinary psychic powers. The author describes Geller's feats, including making time run backwards, refreezing ice, reforming popcorn, untying silks, and precognition. Twose argues that these demonstrations, particularly the apparent time travel, provided "conclusive evidence" of Geller's abilities, surpassing previous experiments and silencing skeptics. The author expresses surprise that Geller was not the main act on the program.

Scientology: What is it? Does it work?

John Clarke provides an overview of Scientology and its precursor, Dianetics. Originating in the 1950s with L. Ron Hubbard's ideas, Dianetics proposed that human problems stemmed from a 'Reactive Mind' and 'engrams.' Scientology introduced 'Processing' and the 'E-meter' to clear these engrams and achieve a 'Clear' state. The article touches on the organization's use of religion to avoid government regulation and critiques its practices, including the potential for 'Dwindling Spirals' and paranoia. Clarke acknowledges that some aspects of Scientology's ideas might be derived from psychotherapy but questions its efficacy, noting that while some individuals report positive changes, others remain unchanged.

Clarke shares a personal anecdote of using Scientology for five years, which led him to travel, settle in a new land, and marry, suggesting a possible positive outcome, though he remains uncertain about the direct cause. He advises readers to "be a scientist. Suck it and see" and to buy the books and an E-meter for a fair check-out.

Intellectually Respectable Creationism

Donald Rooum discusses Alan Hayward's book "Creation and Evolution: the Facts and the Fallacies," presenting a form of creationism that is intellectually respectable and distinct from the antiscience stance of the Creation Science Movement. Hayward defines creationism as a matter of faith, not science, and distinguishes between 'recent creationists' (believing in a 6,000-year-old Earth) and 'ancient creationists' (who accept a succession of creations and creative development). Hayward's view does not rely on pseudoscience or data misrepresentation, though he acknowledges Darwin's theory fits the facts more neatly. The article also considers alternative explanations for species development, such as incomplete meiosis or a deliberate 'new creation' to mislead botanists.

Nothing but a Dirty Film?

Bill Penny recounts the story of polywater, a phenomenon that emerged in the 1960s and is presented as an example of pathological science. Nikolai Fedyakin's initial findings on modified water in glass capillaries were expanded upon by Boris Deryagin and his colleagues in Moscow. They reported that this 'polywater' had significantly different properties from normal water. Despite initial interest and publications, Western scientists remained largely unaware until a 1966 Faraday Discussion. Subsequent research failed to produce more than small amounts of polywater, and by 1967, interest waned. However, at the 1968 Gordon Conference, Robert Stomberg became interested enough to investigate further, highlighting how scientific consensus can be slow to form and how researchers can become convinced of phenomena that do not exist.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to paranormal claims and pseudoscientific theories. The magazine aims to dissect phenomena such as past life regression, UFO sightings, New Age beliefs, Scientology, creationism, and alleged scientific discoveries like polywater, by applying scientific principles, logical reasoning, and skepticism. The editorial stance favors empirical evidence, critical thinking, and the rejection of claims that lack substantiation or rely on anecdotal evidence and subjective experience. The articles often highlight the psychological and social factors that contribute to the belief in such phenomena, as well as the potential dangers of embracing unsubstantiated claims.

This issue of The Skeptic, dated November/December 1990, features a cover story titled 'Psychic Diary' by Toby Howard, exploring the social dynamics of skepticism at parties. The magazine also includes a prominent article by Wendy M. Grossman, 'Skeptic at Large,' which delves into the definition of 'normal' and the nature of skepticism. Several book reviews and letters to the editor round out the content, covering a range of topics from scientific anomalies and New Age beliefs to the nature of consciousness and the paranormal.

Psychic Diary by Toby Howard

Toby Howard's "Psychic Diary" humorously recounts a party experience where the author, identifying as 'The Skeptic,' encounters various individuals with differing views on pseudoscience. The narrative contrasts the author's own nuanced skepticism with the extreme, dogmatic stance of 'Super Skeptic,' who advocates for banning anything not strictly rational. The piece highlights the social awkwardness and intellectual challenges of navigating conversations about the paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs in a casual setting.

Skeptic at Large: So who is normal? by Wendy M. Grossman

Wendy Grossman, founder of The Skeptic, uses Toby Howard's 'Psychic Diary' as a springboard to question the definition of 'normal.' She argues that while Howard's piece suggests skeptics are not normal, her own lifelong engagement with skepticism has made her question the conventional definition. Grossman posits that 'normal' people often rely on external authorities or belief systems (like religion or the paranormal) to make sense of the world, providing a sense of order and decision-making formulas. She contrasts this with the skeptic's drive to investigate and differentiate between truth and fantasy, suggesting this investigative impulse, rather than a minority status or specific beliefs, is what truly defines a skeptic. She also critiques the idea that explaining everything rationally will automatically convert others, noting that people often hold onto their beliefs despite evidence.

Reviews

Things ain't what they seem: Lyall Watson, The Nature of Things

This review discusses Lyall Watson's book, which explores the interactions between living and non-living matter, suggesting objects can absorb energy and influence behavior. The reviewer engages in a mock interview with the book's 'component,' where Watson discusses 'energy' as an unknown force influencing objects, leading to phenomena like returning lost items, cars starting on their own, and statues weeping. Watson's thesis is that inanimate matter is evolving, supported by anecdotal evidence. The reviewer questions the scientific basis of these claims, comparing them to tabloid fodder, but acknowledges Watson's consistency in reports and his concept of 'organic bridges' linking humans and objects. Watson's ideas are also linked to the 'Cold Fusion' affair and the Benveniste affair, suggesting scientific prejudice against unconventional ideas.

Science: Good, Bad and Bogus by Martin Gardner

This section is an advertisement for Martin Gardner's book, highlighting its essays and describing him as wielding 'Occam's Razor like a switchblade.' It provides contact information for purchasing the book.

Pagan poems: Robin Skelton and Margaret Blackwood, Earth, Air, Fire, Water

This review examines a collection of over 250 poems, rhymes, and folk songs related to older, pagan religions. The book aims to depict pre-Christian and pagan elements in British culture. The reviewer notes that while familiar with folklore, those new to the subject might find it a reasonable introduction. The notes explaining the poems are considered sketchy compared to major folklore sources. The collection includes works by Yeats, Jonson, and de la Mare.

Physics and mysticism: TJ Axon, Beyond the Tao of Physics

TJ Axon's book is reviewed as a reappraisal of mysticism and modern physics, addressing issues raised by Fritjof Capra's 'The Tao of Physics.' Axon argues that a mystical viewpoint is not incompatible with physics, citing luminaries like Einstein, Schrodinger, and Bohr. The review discusses Axon's examination of mysticism, its potential connection to quantum mechanics, and the concept of 'spooky action at a distance.' While acknowledging Axon's balanced treatment and his leaning towards the significance of mysticism, the reviewer remains unconvinced about the direct parallels between mystical and physics concepts, suggesting that physicists often do not encounter the same conceptual problems as philosophers.

The unexplained: William R Corliss (Ed.) A Catalog of Astronomical Anomalies

This review discusses William Corliss's 21st volume in his series cataloging scientific anomalies. Corliss argues for the importance of recognizing the unknown. The reviewer, however, points out that many cases presented are not true anomalies but rather errors in observation or data, citing examples like artificial satellite orbit changes and the crater Linne. The reviewer criticizes Corliss's 'rotten apple' argument, which suggests that even if many anomalies are explained, the existence of unexplained ones still validates the field. The review concludes that while Corliss's intention to rescue strange phenomena is reasonable, the problem lies in distinguishing between phenomena that can be accommodated by known laws and those requiring new rules.

NDEs, the universe and everything: David Lorimer, Whole in One: the Near-Death Experience and the Ethic of Interconnectedness

David Lorimer's book on Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) is reviewed. The reviewer finds the descriptions of NDEs and their effects on individuals well-presented, but criticizes the explanations offered as a 'mish-mash of nice-sounding unifying concepts' like telepathic prehension and empathetic resonance. The book concludes that consciousness expands after death and that NDEs are a stage for spiritual growth. The reviewer notes that the book assumes a continuous self and reincarnation, and while exploring moral schemes, it fails to consider explanations for spiritual growth that do not involve paranormal phenomena. The reviewer ultimately rejects the argument that NDEs provide evidence for interconnectedness.

The perils of woolly thinking: Lorna St Aubyn, The New Age in a Nutshell

This review of Lorna St Aubyn's book critiques its tendency to embody the 'woolly thinking' it warns against. The book covers many New Age topics but is not recommended for those easily angered by such ideas. The reviewer notes that the book suggests some New Age followers are modifying their beliefs, such as the idea of 'National Karma' to explain collective suffering. The review concludes with a quote about the ease of being gullible and exploited by wishful thinking.

Experience of God: M Maxwell and V Tschudin (Eds.) Seeing the Invisible

This anthology presents 144 accounts of transcendent experiences from the Alister Hardy Research Centre's collection of over 5000. The accounts, primarily from individuals with a Judaeo-Christian background, describe experiences of a divine power, out-of-body experiences, and sensations of unity with nature. The reviewer notes that the accounts appear sincere and were valuable to the percipients. However, the reviewer criticizes the editors for not including a skeptical perspective, suggesting that the accounts are presented as evidence for conventional religious interpretations without considering psychological or metaphysical explanations. The reviewer wishes the skeptical case had been mentioned.

A fine man: Richard P Feynman, What Do You Care What Other People Think

This review praises Richard P. Feynman's book as capturing his exceptional mind and intellect. The book is described as humorous and enjoyable, covering topics from his bongo-playing sessions to his investigation of the Challenger disaster. The reviewer highly recommends the book for its insight into Feynman's workings and his thirst for knowledge.

Letters

Whatever the weather: John Clarke

John Clarke writes about crop circles, suggesting that their patterns, which resemble meteorological symbols, could be hoaxes perpetrated by pilots. He proposes lie detector tests for pilots at flying clubs to uncover culprits. He also criticizes the media, specifically BBC-1's 'Tomorrow's World,' for presenting crop circles as a mystery when their origin could be explained by basic meteorological knowledge.

Floating blobs: Marcus L Rowland

Marcus L Rowland writes about 'unidentified floating blobs' (UFBs) observed in microscopy, comparing them to Brownian motion. He explains that demonstrating true Brownian motion is difficult in school laboratories, and teachers often allow pupils to mistake 'grunge' in their own eyes for the phenomenon. Rowland clarifies that real Brownian motion is unmistakable but transient, making it hard to replicate consistently. He also provides technical notes on the apparatus used for such demonstrations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic magazine consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to claims of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and New Age beliefs. The editorial stance champions rational inquiry, scientific methodology, and a healthy dose of skepticism towards extraordinary claims. The magazine actively debunks or questions phenomena that lack empirical support, while also exploring the psychological and social aspects of belief systems. There is a recurring theme of questioning societal definitions of 'normal' and advocating for open-minded investigation rather than dogmatic dismissal, even while maintaining a firm commitment to scientific rigor.

This issue of *The Skeptic*, Volume 4, Number 6, published in November/December 1990, features a cover story titled "The Man Who Invented the UFOs" and includes articles on astrology, statistics, and other skeptical inquiries.

Astrological Comment

Anthony Garrett, writing as a non-professional astrologer, presents several skeptical comments on an article by Anthony Garrett (presumably the same author, though the text implies a different author for the initial article). Garrett raises points regarding:

1. Proof of Astrology's Validity: He argues that asking readers to identify with an artificial 'reading' is not proof of astrology's validity unless it can be shown to closely resemble genuine astrological readings. Even then, it might only test subjective views.
2. 'Cold Reading' vs. Computer Readings: While acknowledging 'cold reading' can yield information in personal consultations, Garrett questions whether this applies to computer-generated readings and if it has been tested.
3. Companies and Birth Charts: He asks for proof that companies increasingly looking at job applicants' birth charts is a bad thing.
4. Astrology in Politics: Garrett seeks evidence for claims that astrology will become part of political manifestos, asking which parties and countries are involved and if this is detrimental.
5. Court Case Anecdote: He challenges a court case mentioned where an astrologer advised against an operation, leading to a child's death. Garrett demands details: when and where it occurred, its reporting, background facts, whether the child would have died anyway, and the parents' prosecution. He criticizes this as weak 'anti-astrological ammunition' and suggests that if unnecessary deaths are a criterion, the medical profession should also be banned.
6. Withdrawal from Astronomical Society: Regarding an astrologer's withdrawal from a meeting of the Glasgow University Astronomical Society, Garrett states that to show a pattern, full facts and figures are needed, referring to this as the 'scientific method of proof'. He dismisses speculation not backed by facts.
7. Ms Ridder-Patrick's Assertions: Garrett finds Ms Ridder-Patrick's statement that 'it doesn't matter what you believe' and that she 'didn't believe in astrology' atypical. He suggests this is speculative without surveys on astrologers' beliefs and expects higher standards from a physicist.

Moving to another topic, Garrett expresses gratitude to David Langford for revealing the 'Thirteenth Zodiac Sign' as a hoax by a fellow SF writer. He notes that few astrologers paid attention to James Vogh's books, finding the division of the Zodiac by 13 too complex. However, Garrett disagrees with John Sladek's claim that Vogh's books were entirely a joke or money spinner, stating they show considerable knowledge of astrology and astrological symbolism, with internal consistency. He suspects Vogh was a 'True Believer' and that Sladek's dismissal is an atheist's attempt to downplay a religious episode.

... And Statistics

Val Dobson of Preston contributes a piece discussing the controversy over statistical methodology, particularly concerning meta-analysis as discussed in *The Skeptic* 4.5. Dobson emphasizes the need for correct statistical techniques before applying them to contentious subjects like the paranormal, to avoid erroneous conclusions.

He highlights a disturbing feature of orthodox statistical practice (sampling theory): the existence of multiple methods for answering the same question from the same data, arguing logically that only one correct method should exist. The proliferation of methods arose because they were invented for specific problems with particular numerical characteristics of datasets. While these methods approximate correct answers, Dobson asserts that the true answer is obtained by using the two fundamental laws of probability: the sum rule and the product rule.

These rules, derived from basic desiderata of consistency, mean that using anything else is inconsistent. Dobson defines probability theory as a mathematical logic for making the best guess in the absence of certainty, not a field-testable scientific theory. Therefore, internal consistency is the sole criterion for generating its rules. Probabilities are assigned based on available information and revised if new information is obtained.

He introduces the 'objective Bayesian view of probability' (Bayesian), contrasting it with the 'frequentist' view espoused by sampling theorists. The frequentist view, according to Dobson, confuses the logic of probability theory with physical theories. Meta-analysis, the study of combining data from different experiments, is presented as a way to test hypotheses. However, Dobson argues that the Bayesian view already provides a unique, simple, and consistent prescription for doing this. He concludes that meta-analysis is an 'inconsistent pathology' inappropriate for paranormal experiments and expresses anticipation for Bayesian analyses to reveal insights from parapsychological data.

Back Issues and Subscriptions

Page 2 provides subscription details for *The Skeptic*, listing postpaid rates for the UK, Europe, and the rest of the world (surface and airmail). It also lists prices for back issues. A comprehensive list of back issues from Volume 1 (1987) to Volume 4 (1990) is provided, detailing the articles within each issue. Notable articles include pieces on abductions, creationism, Geller, telepathy, UFOs, astrology, near-death experiences, and the 'cold fusion' controversy.

Cover Story Tease

The cover prominently features "The Man Who Invented the UFOs" and mentions other topics such as "Reflections on Past Life Regressions," "What is Scientology?", and "Polywater—the Cold Fusion of the 1960s."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of *The Skeptic* strongly advocates for critical thinking, empirical evidence, and rigorous scientific methodology. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical towards pseudoscientific claims, including astrology and unsubstantiated paranormal phenomena. The magazine promotes the use of sound statistical methods, specifically favoring the Bayesian approach over frequentist interpretations for analyzing data, particularly in controversial fields like parapsychology. The articles encourage readers to question anecdotal evidence, demand factual support for claims, and be wary of hoaxes and unsubstantiated theories. The inclusion of a detailed index of past articles suggests a commitment to providing a comprehensive resource for skeptical inquiry over time.