Skeptic - 1991 - Vol 5 No 5

Magazine Overview

The Skeptic, Volume 5, Number 5, September/October 1991

This issue of The Skeptic, a bimonthly publication focused on critical examination of paranormal claims and pseudoscience, delves into a variety of intriguing topics. The cover story, "A Miracle on Video?", investigates the case of Mrs Jean Neil, whose alleged miraculous healing is presented on video. The magazine also features articles on psychic hoaxes, the origins of crop circles, and the debate between creationism and evolution. The issue includes regular columns and reviews, maintaining its commitment to rational inquiry and skepticism.

Articles and Features

Hits and Misses by Steve Donnelly

Steve Donnelly's column addresses several instances of alleged fraud and deception. It highlights the case of unqualified Tarot card readers working for a phone service, and a medium who allegedly deceived grieving individuals by using information from local newspapers and cold-reading techniques. The article also recounts the confession of Bassam Assaf in Paris, who admitted to faking contact with the Virgin Mary to persuade his wealthy employer to invest in business ventures, leading to financial ruin for the employer. The column also touches upon the book "The Cyril Burt Scandal", which re-examines the evidence against Sir Cyril Burt, suggesting he was wrongly accused of scientific fraud.

FT 19

This section reports on the discovery of aeroplane wreckage off the Florida coast, which initially raised hopes of solving the mystery of the loss of Flight FT 19 in December 1945, a key event in the Bermuda Triangle legend. However, subsequent investigations revealed the wreckage to be of an older type than those in Flight FT 19, leaving the mystery unresolved.

FT 58

This brief note mentions the latest issue of "Fortean Times" (No 58), a magazine dedicated to cataloguing unexplained phenomena. It highlights some of the unusual headlines featured in the publication and provides background on Charles Fort, the philosopher who inspired the magazine.

Cosmic Cactus

This short piece recounts an unusual event reported in the "Surrey Mirror" where a cactus, which had remained lifeless for 25 years, flowered on the 100th birthday of its former owner. The author humorously suggests looking out for further 'cosmic messages' in plants and vegetables.

Psychic demonstration by James Randi

This section discusses James Randi's "Psychic Investigator" series and its impact on public interest in the paranormal. It notes that psychics have criticized the series for misrepresenting their abilities. A consequence mentioned is the formation of a national defence committee by psychic Maurice Dunbar, who aims to organize a large-scale demonstration of psychic powers to counter Randi's skepticism.

Elixir of youth?

An article from the "Sunday Times magazine" is summarized, discussing a cream called 'Retin-A', developed by Professor Albert Kligman. While marketed for acne, it is reportedly used by many women to reduce wrinkles and signs of aging. The cream works by causing the skin to peel and stimulating new growth, potentially repairing damage caused by sunlight ('photo-aging'). The article notes that while prescribed in the UK for acne, its use for cosmetic purposes is unlikely to be sanctioned soon.

Ever-Increasing Circles by Steve Donnelly

This article addresses the controversy surrounding crop circles in southern England. It details the confession of Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, who admitted to creating crop circles for 13 years using non-paranormal methods. Their confession initially fooled crop circle expert Pat Delgado, who later retracted his assessment. The article also mentions that the formations can sometimes be recognized as approximations of mathematical sets, like the Mandelbrot set. It also briefly touches upon Anthony Garrett's research into 'plasma vortex' theories for circle formation.

Psychics and Semantics by Mike Rutter

Mike Rutter critiques Lewis Jones' argument that claims of psychics should not be investigated if they are patently absurd. Rutter argues that skeptics should not dismiss claims purely on semantic or theoretical grounds without considering potential evidence. He uses examples from science, such as the concepts of gravitational fields and quantum mechanics, to illustrate how seemingly illogical ideas can become accepted with empirical evidence. Rutter emphasizes that skepticism should be based on empirical evidence rather than semantic arguments or 'dogmatism'.

Loco in Lowestoft by Jean Dorricott

Jean Dorricott recounts her experience attending a 'Creation or Evolution' evening at a public library in Lowestoft, led by a speaker who presented creationist arguments. Despite identifying herself as a scientist, she and her husband were the only dissenters. The speaker used biblical quotations and materials from the American Infant Science Series. Dorricott notes that while the meeting was 'excruciatingly dull', it provided useful information, leading her to alert educational welfare officers about the speaker's strong fundamentalist leanings and potential connection to ritual abuse cases. She also contacted an Elder of the church to provide alternative viewpoints and resources.

The London Student Skeptics Autumn Term Meetings for 1991

This section lists the scheduled meetings for the London Student Skeptics group, including a wine and cheese evening, talks on Harry Price and 'Looking for a witness to The Flood', a discussion on 'A Christian Freethinker (?) looks at the New Age', and a video screening of a James Randi episode.

Something To Shout About: The Documentation of a Miracle? by Dr Peter May

Dr Peter May investigates the claim of a miraculous healing of Mrs Jean Neil, presented in a video titled "Something to Shout About - The Documentation of a Miracle". Mrs Neil, who had suffered from a spinal injury, angina, a hip problem, and other ailments for 25 years, reportedly stood up and ran around an auditorium after evangelist Reinhard Bonnke laid hands on her. Dr May contacted Mrs Neil and her GPs, obtaining medical records. His findings suggest that while Mrs Neil reported a significant improvement, the medical evidence did not immediately support a supernatural explanation. The article details her various conditions, including a spinal injury, short leg, hip issues, heart disease, hiatus hernia, and bronchitis, and examines the medical reports and treatments she received. Dr May's analysis of the 'miracle' claims, particularly regarding her spinal condition, notes that X-rays taken after the alleged healing showed no change, despite subjective improvement. He also questions the nature of her other ailments, suggesting some may have been aggravated by medication or were not as severe as presented.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around the critical examination of extraordinary claims, the identification of fraud and deception, and the application of scientific and empirical methods to paranormal phenomena. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, encouraging readers to question claims that lack robust evidence. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rationalism and scientific investigation, aiming to debunk pseudoscience and promote critical thinking. The publication relies on reader contributions and aims to provide a platform for skeptical viewpoints and investigations into claims that often appear in popular media.

This issue of The Skeptic, dated September/October 1991, features a range of articles critically examining claims of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and alleged miracles. The magazine adopts a skeptical stance, aiming to debunk fraudulent or unsubstantiated claims through scientific reasoning and historical analysis.

Smith and Blackburn: Hornswogglers Extraordinaire by Martin Gardner

Martin Gardner's lead article delves into the history of deception in psychical research, focusing on the notorious hoax perpetrated by Douglas Blackburn and G A Smith in the late 19th century. Gardner argues that many psychic investigators fail because they lack a basic understanding of magic and conjuring tricks, making them susceptible to simple deceptions. He recounts how Blackburn and Smith, through a carefully orchestrated telepathy act, fooled prominent members of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), including Edmund Gurney and Frederic Myers. Blackburn later confessed to the elaborate fraud, explaining the methods used, such as secret signals and codes. Gardner highlights how Smith's later denial of trickery and Blackburn's subsequent detailed explanations were met with disbelief by some SPR members, who accused Blackburn of lying.

The article also touches upon other cases of alleged psychic fraud, including Ted Serios's 'thoughtography', Nina Kulagina's use of magnets and invisible thread, and Uri Geller's spoon-bending feats, suggesting a pattern of investigators being 'hornswoggled' by simple tricks.

The Strange Case of Edmund Gurney

This section, likely a continuation or related piece, discusses Edmund Gurney, a founder of the SPR, and his association with Smith and Blackburn. It mentions Gurney's significant contributions to psychical research, including his book 'Phantasms of the Living'. The text notes that Gurney's later depression might have been linked to the realization of being deceived by Smith. It also touches upon Gurney's personal life, including his marriage and his untimely death.

Spirits at Large: A skeptical visit to a spiritualist church by Lucy Fisher

Lucy Fisher recounts her visit to a spiritualist church in Hornsey, offering a critical perspective on the mediumship experience. She describes the atmosphere and the medium's attempts to contact spirits and deliver messages to the congregation. Fisher notes the use of common techniques, such as offering 'anniversaries' and asking for 'yes' or 'no' responses, which she suggests increase the likelihood of a hit, regardless of genuine spirit communication. She contrasts the perceived 'benign folksiness' with a more 'aggressive manner' when the medium seeks recognition for messages. Fisher concludes by reflecting on Marx's concept of religion as 'opium' and her own view that people should have their real desires met rather than illusions.

Thicker Than Water by Bernard Howard

Bernard Howard critically examines the concept of homeopathic dilutions, using a quote from Shakespeare's Macbeth as a starting point. He calculates the extreme dilutions involved in homeopathic practice, comparing them to the hypothetical scenario of Macbeth washing his blood-stained hands in the ocean. Howard argues that the dilutions are so vast that the original substance would be virtually non-existent, rendering the practice scientifically baseless. He references the 'Benveniste experiments' as an example of extreme dilutions used in test-tube experiments, suggesting that even Macbeth's hypothetical dilution is far less extreme than those employed in homeopathy.

Creative Arguments: Why don't creationists talk about sex? by Donald Rooum

Donald Rooum questions why creationist arguments against Darwin's theory, which often focus on specific biological phenomena, rarely address the evolutionary advantage of sexual reproduction. He notes that while creationists challenge the development of traits like polar bear camouflage or insect wings through natural selection, they overlook the apparent paradox of sex: it requires significant energy and resources, and parthogenic organisms can reproduce more easily. Rooum suggests that the advantage of sex lies in genetic recombination for the population's long-term benefit, but it's difficult to pinpoint an individual advantage that would have driven its evolution. He speculates that creationists avoid this topic because discussing sex would inevitably lead to discussions of human reproductive organs and their messy conflation with excretory functions, which would undermine their 'Argument from Design' by questioning the nature of the supposed designer.

Psychic Diary by Toby Howard

Toby Howard shares his observations from an 'over-priced and over-plush hotel' where he witnessed people throwing coins into a concrete pool. He reflects on this custom as a form of worshipping water and making wishes, noting its prevalence in public wells and fountains. He references 'Sacred Waters' by Janet and Colin Bord, mentioning that some wells were used for 'cursing' as well as granting wishes. Howard connects this practice to the ancient pagan ritual of 'well dressing' and how it has been appropriated by the Christian Church. He concludes by contemplating the importance of participation in such customs, even if the act itself is irrational.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of claims related to the paranormal, pseudoscience, and religious beliefs. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical and rationalist stance, employing scientific reasoning, historical analysis, and logical argumentation to debunk or question unsubstantiated claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based understanding and against what it perceives as gullibility or deception in the public's engagement with these topics. Articles challenge the validity of psychic phenomena, spiritualist mediumship, homeopathic remedies, and creationist arguments, advocating for a scientific approach to understanding the world.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: 5.4
Date: September/October 1991
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic presents a range of reviews and articles that critically examine various claims and phenomena, with a strong emphasis on skeptical inquiry and rational analysis.

Skeptic at Large: What am I?

Wendy M. Grossman opens the issue with a personal and critical essay titled 'Skeptic at Large: What am I?'. She expresses her frustration with the book 'Brainsex' by Moir and Jessel, not for its scientific research on biological differences between male and female brains, but for its arguments that women should accommodate themselves to these perceived differences. Grossman argues that the women's movement arose from genuine dissatisfaction, not a desire to make women unhappy. She likens the book's reasoning to that found in Stephen Jay Gould's 'The Mismeasure of Man', which critiques the history of science attempting to prove the superiority of white middle-class men, labeling such arguments as 'bigotry'. Grossman also challenges the idea that men are biologically unsuited to marriage, pointing out that marriage exists globally. She uses an anecdote of children with reversed gender stereotypes to question the authors' reliance on anecdotal evidence and their dismissal of counter-examples. Grossman predicts that Moir and Jessel's assumptions about men and women will be proven wrong, given the rapid cultural changes in women's lives over the past 30 years.

Reviews

In search of the paranormal

This review, by Dave Love, discusses James Randi's prime-time TV series and accompanying book, 'James Randi: Psychic Investigator'. Love notes that the series aimed to give skepticism a high profile in the UK media and congratulates Granada TV and Open Media for producing skeptical programmes. The review outlines the typical format of the shows, which involved Randi performing tricks, guests demonstrating 'powers', and discussions with invited experts and the audience. Love highlights the 'healers' show featuring Stephen Turoff, whose practice of making incisions without sterilization is described as appalling. The most spectacular 'hit' of the series, according to Love, was achieved by map dowser Michael Cook. Love also praises the book for explaining hot and cold reading and the unreliability of eyewitness testimony, though he notes that the show's concessions to TV made the tests less rigorous. He suggests that the book is aimed at a general audience and hopes it will act as an antidote to other paranormal material.

Interfering in reality

Sean O'Brien reviews Michael Talbot's 'The Holographic Universe'. The book proposes that the universe is analogous to a hologram, with objects being products of a deeper implicit reality. O'Brien explains that this idea, originating from physicist David Bohm and biologist Karl Pribrim, suggests that the brain works holographically and that our reality is constructed from interference patterns. Talbot uses this concept to explain paranormal phenomena, such as the mind-body separation and the possibility of mind travel. O'Brien finds the scientific foundations intriguing but cautions that the book's use of this hypothesis to explain paranormal events lacks sufficient scientific support. He suggests that the holographic universe idea might be worth examining if paranormal phenomena are ever proven to exist and cannot be explained by normal science.

Assessing Nessie

Hilary Evans reviews Steuart Campbell's 'The Loch Ness Monster'. Evans describes the book as a thorough and objective analysis of the evidence, setting a new standard for research into the Loch Ness Monster. He contrasts Campbell's work with other studies, finding some outdated or eccentric, and praises Bauer's study for its contribution to the social dynamics of anomaly research, Mackal for his valuable material, Binns for being devastating but prone to overstatement, Dinsdale for his documentation, and Whyte for being readable. Evans highlights Campbell's meticulousness and honesty, particularly his change of mind from a 1975 stance that suggested the possibility of a breeding herd of monsters to a more skeptical conclusion. Evans concludes that Campbell's verdict—that there is no reason to believe in lake-monsters—is plausible and convincing, but emphasizes that these are speculations. He suggests that unless stronger evidence emerges, the Loch Ness Monster will likely remain a figure of folklore rather than fauna.

A flawed encyclopaedia

Tom Ruffles reviews John Spencer's 'The UFO Encyclopaedia'. Ruffles finds the book disappointing, especially given its editor's position within BUFORA. He criticizes the overwhelming focus on biographies of individuals connected to UFOs, to the exclusion of critical articles, and the 'gee whizz' aspect that creates an imbalance. Ruffles points out the disproportionate coverage given to the Aetherius Society compared to SETI, and the eccentric categorization of entries. He also notes omissions, such as Carl Jung and the MJ-12 controversy, and criticizes the short bibliography. Ruffles suggests that the book is best borrowed from the library rather than purchased, despite its potential usefulness for those interested in the subject.

Anarchy can be fun

Les Smith reviews Donald Rooum's 'Wildcat ABC of Bosses'. Smith describes the book as hilarious, with Rooum's illustrations and words making serious political and social statements. The book features an anarchist cat named 'Wildcat' and presents an anarchist alphabet with quotes and illustrations. Smith notes that Rooum highlights the 'painful truth that the political "left" is as ridiculous as the political "right"'. The book's views are described as extreme, with violent and disturbing images, but presented with flair and humor, aiming to make readers laugh and think.

Combatting cults

Rachel Winston reviews Jean Ritchie's 'The Secret World of Cults' and Steven Hassan's 'Combatting Cult Mind Control'. Both authors agree that cults are dangerous. Ritchie, a journalist, recounts the history and practices of various cults, while Hassan, an ex-cult member, focuses on mind control techniques. Winston notes that both books distinguish cults from mainstream religions by discussing free choice, but she questions this distinction, suggesting that some fundamentalist groups operate similarly to cults and that few churches encourage critical questioning of their tenets.

Not all scientists are illiterate

Ian Piumarta reviews Bernard Dixon's 'From Creation to Chaos'. This anthology of scientific writings is praised for dispelling the myth that scientists are dry authors. The book features a diverse range of extracts from various disciplines and historical periods, including reflections on scientific inquiry, the nature of science and religion, and the excitement of discovery. Piumarta highlights Darwin's account of the development of his ideas and Otto Frisch's recollections of his collaboration with Niels Bohr. The book is recommended as an excellent sampler to inspire further reading in science.

Letters

Wordplay revisited

Dr Martin Dace writes to point out that Lewis Jones's argument against ESP, which substitutes 'radio' for 'brain', could also be applied to radios themselves, questioning how they can tune into specific stations and filter out interference.

Of dates and toads

Tom Ruffles expresses irritation that book reviews in The Skeptic do not include publication dates, making it difficult to ascertain the age of the books. He also addresses Lewis Jones's 'straw toad' argument about testing psychics, finding the idea of an amphibian sealed in rock for millions of years ludicrous.

English disease

Mike Walsh responds to MW Evans's letter about illiteracy, agreeing with Evans's desire for consistent language use. However, Walsh sarcastically notes that his attempt to rewrite Evans's letter resulted in only five words, the first four being 'I am a pedantic', implying that Evans's own message was already precise.

Living language

John T. Wilson writes to criticize MW Evans's letter complaining about illiteracy. Wilson argues that English is a living, evolving language determined by its speakers, not fixed by immutable laws. He dismisses Evans's pedantry as carping and ill-informed, urging the editors to cut such drivel to make room for more worthwhile content.

One of the majors

Nicolas Walter comments on a review of Carl Lofmark's books, stating that they received attention from a major publisher, as mentioned in the review.

Subscribe to The Skeptic

This section provides subscription rates and contact information for The Skeptic magazine, along with a list of available back issues with their corresponding article titles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic include a strong emphasis on critical thinking and skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and unverified phenomena. The magazine actively promotes rational analysis, scientific evidence, and the debunking of hoaxes and misinterpretations. There is a consistent effort to educate readers about the methods of critical inquiry and to expose flawed reasoning, whether in books, media, or popular beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting scientific literacy and challenging unsubstantiated claims across a wide range of topics, from parapsychology and ufology to gender studies and linguistics. The reviews are generally thorough and analytical, aiming to provide readers with well-reasoned assessments of the material presented.