Skeptic - 1992 - Vol 6 No 1

Magazine Overview

The Skeptic, Volume 6, Number 1, January/February 1992

This issue of The Skeptic, published bimonthly from Manchester, UK, presents a diverse range of articles focusing on paranormal phenomena, skepticism, and critical thinking. The cover prominently features "Paranormal Trends in the USSR," illustrated with a stylized Soviet banknote incorporating a UFO, an alien head, and astrological charts, alongside the price of £1.85.

Contents Overview

The issue includes articles such as "Hits and Misses" by Steve Donnelly, which critically examines alternative therapies like acupuncture and discusses a ghost story involving snooker. "Spooky snooker" details a ghost at a police training center in Crewe that allegedly manipulates snooker balls. "Maxwell speaks" reports on medium Nella Jones's purported communication with Robert Maxwell. "Prophet and loss" addresses the claims of David Icke, a former footballer and Green Party spokesman, regarding his spiritual beliefs and predictions.

"Narnia nonsense" discusses accusations of inciting devil-worship in the USA through C.S. Lewis's "Tales of Narnia." "Devilry in Devon" reports on a church banning yoga sessions, deeming it the "eighth deadly sin." "Up-and-away" covers the departure of Transcendental Meditators (TMers) from Washington D.C. "Is your goldfish a pisces?" humorously touches on astrological readings for pets. "Gardner's world" describes a New Age group in Seattle centered around arch-skeptic Martin Gardner.

"Where Do We File 'Flying Saucers'?" by Hilary Evans explores the challenges of archiving UFO-related imagery in the Mary Evans Picture Library, questioning the nature of reality and myth. "Psychic Questing" by Lucy Fisher details the concept and a conference on psychic questing, involving group journeys to sites of perceived mystical significance. The issue also features "Reviews" and "Letters."

Key Articles and Themes

Hits and Misses (Steve Donnelly):
This section covers several distinct topics. Firstly, it addresses acupuncture, noting its widespread acceptance as an alternative therapy but raising concerns about the training of practitioners in Britain. Dr. Bernard Lee is cited as worrying that many patients receive substandard treatment. The article distinguishes between general acupuncture and "deep-needle therapy," highlighting the potential dangers of the latter if performed by inadequately trained individuals. It advises readers to stick to homeopathy or non-contact therapies.

Secondly, "Spooky snooker" recounts a peculiar ghost story from a police training center in Crewe, where a ghost, possibly a nun, is reported to have moved snooker balls. The police have appealed for information from witnesses.

Thirdly, "Maxwell speaks" refers to an interview with Nella Jones, a medium for The Sun, who claims to have communicated with the late Robert Maxwell. Jones described him as "arrogant, rude and bumptious." Maxwell reportedly denied jumping or being pushed, and stated he "used" the Mirror's pension fund money, expressing disappointment at not making the Mirror a greater newspaper.

Fourthly, "Prophet and loss" discusses David Icke, a former footballer and Green Party spokesman. Icke explained his controversial predictions by claiming he was being made to say them by higher beings as part of his spiritual development. Although he has stopped making specific predictions, he maintains beliefs in reincarnation, karma, and spiritually superior beings. He is promoting his new book, "Love Changes Everything."

Narnia nonsense (Page 5):
This piece discusses how C.S. Lewis's "Tales of Narnia" have become the subject of controversy in the USA. Extracts from the books are reportedly included in an anthology used by primary school children in California, leading to accusations from some parents and right-wing Christian groups that the books encourage children to "dabble in witchcraft." J.R.R. Tolkien and Roger McGough are also mentioned as authors whose works in the same anthology are accused of promoting Satanism.

Devilry in Devon (Page 5):
An article from The Independent reports that the parish church of St. Andrews in Ashburton, Devon, has banned yoga sessions from its hall. Twelve women who had been using the hall for weekly yoga were told the activity is "unchristian" and that "evil could enter their minds during meditation," as yoga is based on Hindu teachings.

Up-and-away (Page 5):
This short piece notes that Transcendental Meditators (TMers) are reportedly abandoning Washington D.C. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is quoted as being adamant about leaving the city. For ten years, TMers had attempted to lower the city's crime rate through collective meditation, but with little success. The reasons cited for the exodus include disturbing nocturnal gunfire and the government's refusal to officially support the Maharishi's "heaven on earth" initiative through collective meditation. The article wryly notes that Washington is about to lose "a few thousand floating voters."

Is your goldfish a pisces? (Page 5):
This humorous piece introduces Julia Holliday, who offers astrological horoscopes for pets, including cats, dogs, horses, donkeys, goats, and even hamsters. The service requires the pet's date, time, and place of birth, breed, sex, and neutering status, costing £15.

Gardner's world (Page 5):
This article describes a New Age group in Seattle, Washington, that is centered around the personality of arch-skeptic Martin Gardner. The group studies his works and believes that human will will lead to spiritual empathy with the universe, making science "obsolete." The group views Gardner as a "cosmic trickster" who delights in misleading people. When confronted, Martin Gardner expressed surprise and suggested it might be a joke.

Where Do We File 'Flying Saucers'? (Hilary Evans, Pages 6-8):
Hilary Evans, co-proprietor of the Mary Evans Picture Library, discusses the practical challenges of archiving and classifying images related to UFOs and other paranormal phenomena. She questions the reliability of historical depictions, noting that artists and illustrators often create images based on myth and imagination rather than direct observation. The article highlights how the library's collection reflects a "monument to revisionism," where pictures can lie and blur the lines between fact, fiction, and fantasy. Evans concludes by questioning the significance of filing flying saucers, suggesting that the differences between fact, fiction, and fantasy become meaningless.

Psychic Questing (Lucy Fisher, Pages 9-10):
Lucy Fisher describes the concept of "psychic questing," which she likens to a medieval pilgrimage involving group travel to destinations identified through dreams, meditations, or omens. The article details the "Third Great Psychic Questing Conference" held in London in November 1991. Andrew Collins, the originator of the concept, explains its development from UFO research to a focus on "psigenic" theory—that psychic ability is transmitted genetically. Collins describes psychic questing as a way to uncover a "mystical history of spirituality" through synchronicities, omens, and dreams. The article also touches on the "People of Hex," described as a sinister group performing dark rituals at sacred sites. Paul Weston, another speaker, recounts his experiences with strange phenomena and his exploration of ancient Egyptian cat goddess Bast and the seven holy wells of Isis.

Fisher characterizes psychic questing as a Romantic pursuit that allows participants to connect with ancient civilizations and repossess a perceived authentic British landscape beneath modern suburban development. It is presented as an outlet for fantasy and imagination, with an emphasis on the journey and ongoing discovery rather than a definitive end.

Reviews and Letters (Pages 22, 26):
These sections provide space for reader feedback and critical assessments of relevant books and phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and alternative therapies. The magazine aims to debunk sensational stories, question unsubstantiated beliefs, and promote rational inquiry. Recurring themes include UFOs, psychic phenomena, alternative medicine, and the critical examination of historical and cultural narratives. The editorial stance emphasizes evidence-based reasoning and a healthy dose of skepticism towards claims that lack empirical support. The magazine relies heavily on reader contributions, suggesting a community engaged in the pursuit of skeptical investigation.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: January/February 1992
Volume: 5
Date: January/February 1992
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0952-7770
Price: £2.50

This issue of The Skeptic magazine features a diverse range of articles focusing on paranormal phenomena, skepticism, and critical analysis of pseudoscientific claims. The cover story, "Ask Professor Mesmo," presents a Q&A with a fictional 'Professor Mesmo' who addresses reader queries about psychic phenomena, including a dog's unusual behavior and channeling spirits. Other prominent articles include an investigation into the rise of 'New Age' and paranormal beliefs in the Soviet Union, an analysis of a famous UFO photograph as a hoax, a review of failed psychic predictions for 1991, and an examination of the efficacy of 'Sea Bands' for seasickness.

Ask Professor Mesmo

In the "Ask Professor Mesmo" column, a reader, Colonel Basketcase, describes the peculiar behavior of his West Highland Terrier, Rabbie, which includes dancing and leaping, leading him to suspect the dog is channeling the spirit of a deceased relative's dog. Professor Mesmo explains that animals are sensitive to energy waves and can communicate on the 'animal spirits' plane. He advises the reader to investigate if recently deceased pets in the neighborhood exhibited similar 'party tricks' and suggests reporting findings to the 'Psychic pets Investigation Group' (PIG).

New Beliefs for Old?

Tim Axon's article, "New Beliefs for Old? A look at paranormal trends in the Soviet Union," discusses the growth of paranormal interest and new religious movements in the USSR following the decline of Marxism-Leninism. Axon argues that humans have an innate need for belief systems, and the ideological vacuum created by the failure of both orthodox religion and secular ideologies like Marxism-Leninism has led to the embrace of 'New Age' and other alternative beliefs. He cites examples such as the psychic Nina Kulagina, faith healer Anatolii Kashpirovskii, and the popularity of astrology and UFOlogy, noting that the relaxation of censorship under glasnost has facilitated their spread. Axon suggests that this trend reflects a 'crisis of belief' in the Soviet Union, mirroring that in the West, and that these alternative beliefs offer security during times of uncertainty.

The Silver Man: Retouched Reality?

Ole Henningsen's article, "The Silver Man: Retouched Reality? A famous picture of an 'alien' is a simple hoax," critically examines a well-known UFO photograph. Henningsen, a commercial artist, proposes that the image is a composite, likely created by a newspaper's photographic retoucher. He analyzes the perspective, lighting, and the unnatural stance of the figures, suggesting it was a staged hoax, possibly for an April Fool's joke in the early 1950s. He notes that the purported authors' names, 'gefalscht' and 'erlogan', translate to 'forged' and 'imaginary' in German, further supporting the hoax theory.

Future Imperfect

Robert Sheaffer's article, "Future Imperfect: Psychics' 1991 predictions fizzle," documents the consistent failure of prominent psychics to make accurate predictions. The Bay Area Skeptics compile these predictions annually, highlighting their vagueness and inaccuracy. Sheaffer provides numerous examples from psychics like Jeane Dixon, Maria Graciette, and John Monti, whose predictions for 1991 ranged from earthquakes and political scandals to celebrity baldness and assassination attempts, none of which materialized as stated. The article emphasizes that genuinely surprising news events of 1991, such as the Soviet coup and the dissolution of the USSR, were not predicted by any psychic, underscoring the lack of evidence for psychic powers.

1992 Skeptical Predictions

Marjorie Mackintosh offers a satirical list of "1992 Skeptical Predictions by resident seer." These predictions humorously anticipate events such as a boom in astrology for politicians, Russian scientists studying homeopathy, an exorcism at Number Ten, and the government awarding contracts for levitation training. The predictions also include an increase in UFO sightings, Oliver North bundling books with paper shredders, crop circles explained as alien saucers, and Uri Geller being used to disable armies.

Bands of Hope

Lewis Jones's article, "Bands of Hope: The wrist bone connected to the...?" investigates the effectiveness of 'Sea Bands,' wristbands marketed to prevent seasickness. Jones recounts tests conducted by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Consumers' Association, which yielded anecdotal evidence but lacked control groups. He highlights that the Institute of Naval Medicine tested Sea Bands against the drug hyoscine and placebos, finding no benefit from the Sea Bands, concluding they were no better than dummy remedies. The article also touches upon the origins of the idea, attributed to a Mr D.S.J. Choy in 1982, and questions the scientific basis for such claims.

Psychic Diary

Toby Howard's "Psychic Diary" column discusses the phenomenon of conspiracy theories, particularly in relation to UFOs. Howard suggests that 'suppressed truths' serve as an 'escape valve' for individuals feeling powerless. He notes the prevalence of UFO conspiracists in the USA and their belief in various alien species like 'Greys,' 'Nordics,' and 'Talls.' Howard posits that the belief in being selected as a recipient of 'revealed truth' is a shared characteristic among conspiracy theorists, cultists, and scientologists, and that even skeptics can fall prey to a sense of 'specialness.' He recounts an experience in Haworth where a New Age shop voted James Randi 'Twit of the year,' illustrating the skepticism directed towards skeptics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic are the critical examination of paranormal claims, the promotion of scientific skepticism, and the debunking of pseudoscientific phenomena. The magazine consistently adopts an editorial stance that favors evidence-based reasoning and challenges unsubstantiated beliefs, whether they stem from psychic predictions, UFO sightings, or alternative medicine. The articles collectively aim to educate readers about the lack of scientific validity in many popular paranormal beliefs and to encourage a more critical approach to extraordinary claims.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: January/February 1992
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic magazine, dated January/February 1992, features a prominent article titled 'Skeptic at Large' by Wendy M. Grossman, exploring the emergence of skepticism within online communities and the challenges of discerning credible information.

Skeptic at Large: The Age of the Electronic Skeptic

Wendy M. Grossman discusses her experience logging onto CompuServe and discovering the 'New Age Forum,' run by the editors of 'Magical Blend' magazine. She expresses dismay that a forum dedicated to New Age topics would be hosted on CompuServe, a platform known for its focus on business, science, and technology. Grossman highlights CompuServe's vast databases and services, emphasizing its role as a resource for factual information. Despite her initial reservations, she finds that the forum contains both requests for information and intelligent discussions, including a debate on the scientific provability of homeopathy and a reference to a 'Skeptical Inquirer' article. Grossman questions why skeptics were not more proactive in establishing such forums themselves, suggesting a lack of forward-thinking within the skeptical community.

Reviews

Learning to be Conscious

This section reviews Julian Jaynes' 'The Origin of Consciousness in the Bicameral Mind.' The reviewer notes that this is a reprinting of the original 1976 edition with a new afterword. The book presents a novel theory that human consciousness arose in historical times, not as a gradual emergent property, but as a consequence of the 'breakdown of the bicameral mind.' The theory connects consciousness to religion and is supported by historical and mythological evidence. The reviewer acknowledges the book's compelling nature but points out vagueness and inconsistency in Jaynes' explanation of the breakdown's cause and progression. The review also mentions David Stove's essay on the topic and cites two other relevant books.

Chasing the Aliens

This review covers two books by Timothy Good: 'Alien Liaison: The Ultimate Secret' and 'The UFO Report 1992.' The reviewer describes Timothy Good as a prolific writer on UFOs whose approach aligns with American ufology, focusing on extraterrestrial aspects. 'Alien Liaison' is said to present evidence for the reality of aliens and their visits to Earth, with claims of recovered UFOs and alien bodies. The review notes that much of the book is a rehash of earlier material but includes substantial interview content. 'The UFO Report 1992' is presented as a compendium of UFO reports from 1990-1, covering topics like crop circles, RAF reports, and sightings in China, Russia, and Puerto Rico. The reviewer finds the books worthwhile for those interested in the subject, noting that 'Alien Liaison' offers a concise exposition of the 'nuts and bolts' view of UFOs, while 'The UFO Report 1992' indicates how deeply UFOs are embedded in the human psyche.

The Gaia hypothesis

This review discusses Lawrence E. Joseph's 'Gaia-The Growth Of An Idea.' The review explains that Gaia was the Greek goddess of the Earth and that James Lovelock's 1979 book 'Gaia: A New Look At Life On Earth' proposed that the Earth can be considered a single organism. The review explores whether Gaia is science or religion and how its popularization has led to a 'new age' movement. Joseph's book is described as a comprehensive look at the literature on Gaia, featuring colorful characters and controversies. The reviewer notes the book's focus on the scientific and philosophical aspects, distancing itself from the more 'dippy' excesses of 'new age' Gaia fans.

Old Moore old hat?

This review examines 'Old Moore's Almanack, 1992 Edition.' The reviewer notes the almanack's long history dating back to 1697 and its predictions for 1992, based on astrology and other methods. Criticisms are leveled at the vague and generalized nature of many predictions, with examples of 'might happen' forecasts and 'shotgun' predictions. However, the review acknowledges a few clear forecasts, such as a military coup in Sri Lanka and the fall of the Algerian government. The reviewer also points out a significant error: predictions involving the Soviet Union, a country that had ceased to exist before the year began. The review finds the advertisements to be the most interesting and unintentionally amusing part of the magazine.

Communing with the Findhorn Angel

This review discusses Carol Riddel's book, 'The Findhorn Community: Creating a Human Identity for the 21st Century.' The reviewer notes that the Findhorn Community in Scotland is often associated with 'giant vegetables.' The book is described as a comprehensive account of the community, its focus on nature spirits and channeling, and its structured, multi-stage process for individuals to join, which is compared to the difficulty of becoming an astronaut. The reviewer also mentions that the author makes unfavorable comments about 'psychic glamour' and distinguishes the Findhorn movement from the broader 'New Age' movement.

Letters

Gospel truth

This letter responds to a previous letter about the Gospels, arguing that the 'Temptation Stories' represent Jesus abjuring self-promotional miracles. The writer disputes the idea that Jesus might have believed in supernatural powers but dared not use them, stating that Gospel accounts should be seen as myths and fables, not pre-scientific history.

An aerial view

This letter commends Martin Hempstead's article on crop circles and adds further evidence against the 'natural phenomenon' idea. The writer questions why Victorian literature does not mention crop circles and notes that 'flying saucer' enthusiasts, who were actively seeking evidence, did not report them until decades later.

Stand up and be counted

This letter congratulates The Skeptic on its entertaining and informative content. The writer expresses frustration at the resurgence of belief in the supernatural and hopes that by taking a higher profile, The Skeptic will encourage more people to declare themselves skeptics and dispense with outdated and dangerous ideas.

TV failure

This letter discusses the TV series 'James Randi: Psychic Investigator.' The writer suggests that the series failed to get its point across because it was perceived by many as merely an expression of Randi's personal prejudices, rather than a balanced examination of psychic phenomena. The writer acknowledges Randi's right to his views but points out that others hold passionate beliefs in psychic phenomena.

Fair play

This letter addresses two previous letters. The first concerns the use of the word 'McCarthyism' in relation to alerting educational welfare officers about a social worker's 'strong fundamentalist leanings,' arguing that alerting superiors is essential. The second letter addresses a complaint about 'fair play' regarding space given to James Randi's Defence Fund versus Geller's Defence Fund, suggesting that the Skeptic should not be expected to commission a reply to a printed submission and that Randi's resources should be brought in line with Geller's.

Let's talk about sex

This letter is a correction to a previous article titled 'Why don't creationists talk about sex?' The writer apologizes for the imprecise wording and clarifies that the intended question was about why people who seek to disprove natural selection by citing counter-examples do not offer the origin of sex as such an example.

Skeptic virus attack

This letter uses the Mandelbrot set shaped crop circle as a metaphor, suggesting that the world is a giant computer and that aliens are running its graphics demos. The writer humorously blames 'The Skeptic Virus' for playing dirty tricks.

A question of intelligence

This letter responds to Wendy Grossman's comment on IQ tests, defending their scientific validity and objectivity. The writer questions why Grossman, a former MENSA member, fundamentally disbelieves in the criteria for IQ test membership.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around critical thinking, the examination of paranormal claims, and the promotion of scientific skepticism. The magazine actively reviews books and articles that challenge pseudoscience and New Age beliefs, while also providing a platform for letters and discussions that engage with these topics from a skeptical perspective. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and evidence-based reasoning, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to actively participate in promoting skeptical viewpoints.