Skeptic - 1993 - Vol 7 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 7, Number 2
Date: March/April 1993
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £1.85

This issue of The Skeptic magazine, published bimonthly, offers a critical examination of various phenomena, maintaining a strong stance against pseudoscience and unsubstantiated claims.

Contents Overview

The cover story, "The Myths of Meditation" by Arthur Chapell, likely explores the purported benefits and potential misconceptions surrounding meditation practices. Other featured articles include "The Cyril Burt Affair" by Ray Ward, which re-evaluates the controversial claims of scientific fraud against the renowned psychologist; "Equine Pseudoscience" by Russell Dear, investigating unsubstantiated practices related to horses; and "All That Glisters Is Not Gold" by Paul Munro and Dave Mitchell, which may scrutinize claims of valuable discoveries or phenomena.

Articles and Features

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery

This section, authored by Hilary Evans, presents a case study of Mrs. Guppy, a medium who, in June 1871, was reportedly levitated from her home to a spiritualist séance three miles away. The account details her sudden appearance on a table in a trance, with witnesses attesting to the locked doors and the impossibility of her having entered the room conventionally. The article notes that while Mrs. Guppy later confessed to cheating at séances, this particular incident was not under her control, and her flight remains unproven.

Hits and Misses

Steve Donnelly's column, "Hits and Misses," discusses the evolving landscape of sensationalist journalism, particularly the use of computer graphics in publications like Weekly World News to create seemingly authentic photographs of paranormal events. Donnelly expresses concern that similar technology could be used to fabricate video footage of UFOs and other phenomena, potentially deceiving the public and the media.

Chinese Medicine

This brief report notes a forthcoming study in the UK on traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on herbal prescriptions for skin conditions. It also mentions a new consumer protection law in China that allows for the death penalty for makers of false medicines.

Calling Venus

This piece recounts an unusual occurrence in Sedbergh, where television viewers experienced bursts of off-planet communication, with phrases like "Hello, Venus. Earth calling." being broadcast. The cause was suspected to be an amateur interplanetary scientist, possibly linked to a local inventor named Hilary 'Catweazle' Bullock.

False Testament

This article summarizes a study by Professor Thomas Thompson, which concluded that the first ten books of the Old Testament are likely fiction, written centuries after the events they describe. The study found a lack of archaeological evidence for key biblical narratives, such as the Exodus and the conquest of the promised land.

Conspiracy Theory

This section reports on The First International Conference that Exposes an International Deception. Despite organizers' hopes for 12,000 attendees, only about 400 participated. The conference aimed to expose a global conspiracy involving powerful people seeking to suppress information, linking UFOs, Satanic influence, and a secret world government dedicated to devil worship.

Ungodly Aliens

Steve Donnelly expresses concern about the behavior of alleged aliens, citing their disregard for air corridors and their involvement in animal mutilations. He references an article suggesting the Roman Catholic Church is planning to search for extraterrestrial beings to bring them into the Christian faith.

Nostradamus

This brief note warns potential members of an Encounters book club to avoid purchasing "Nostradamus: The End of the Millenium" due to an inaccurate prediction about George Bush's re-election in 1992.

Vicious Circles

Robin Allen reviews three books on crop circles: "Crop Circles: Conclusive Evidence?" by P. Delgado, "The Circlemakers" by A. Collins, and "Crop Circles: Harbingers of World Change" edited by A. Bartholomew. Allen critiques the methodologies of cerealogists, arguing they often rely on subjective interpretations and anomalies rather than rigorous scientific analysis. He suggests that the researchers are more interested in finding mysteries than in solving them, and that the books under review, while containing interesting photographs, often lack scientific substance and are filled with speculation and esoteric theories. Allen humorously suggests that changing a plug would be a more challenging task for these researchers than explaining crop circles.

The Cyril Burt Affair

Ray Ward's article re-evaluates the accusations of scientific fraud against Sir Cyril Burt. Ward, referencing books by Ronald Fletcher and Robert B. Johnson, argues that the case against Burt, particularly as presented by Professor Leslie Hearnshaw, is deeply flawed and that Burt was likely the victim of a "bitterly tragic injustice." Ward contends that Hearnshaw selectively interpreted evidence to support his conclusions and that the accusations of fudged statistics and invented collaborators have not been definitively proven.

The Independent UFO Network Presents: UFOs: Fact, Fraud or Fantasy?

This section announces an upcoming international UFO conference in Sheffield, listing various speakers and detailing the event's features, including lectures, book stalls, and memorabilia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently promotes critical thinking and scientific skepticism. This issue highlights the dangers of pseudoscience, the manipulation of evidence, and the importance of rigorous methodology in research. The magazine challenges unsubstantiated claims in areas such as parapsychology, spiritualism, and ufology, while also examining historical cases of alleged fraud and controversy within scientific communities. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a rational approach to understanding the world.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: March/April 1993
Volume: 10
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Language: English
ISSN: 0957-1712

This issue of The Skeptic presents a collection of articles critically examining phenomena often associated with the paranormal, pseudoscience, and unusual beliefs, all from a skeptical perspective.

Carlos Castaneda and the Don Juan Caper

Robert McGrath reviews 'The Don Juan Papers,' edited by Richard de Mille, which thoroughly debunks Carlos Castaneda's influential books, such as 'The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge.' McGrath asserts that Castaneda's work, presented as anthropological field research, is in fact a sophisticated hoax. Skeptics, including many anthropologists, found Castaneda's accounts of his experiences with the Yaqui shaman Don Juan to be factually incorrect, particularly regarding descriptions of the desert, wildlife, and ethnography. De Mille's work is described as a comprehensive investigation into the hoax itself, Castaneda's life, the nature of skepticism and belief, and even scientific misconduct. The article highlights that Castaneda's raw field notes were never published or made available to his doctoral committee, and his claims about Don Juan's knowledge of Yaqui are questionable. The books are characterized as an 'elegant and exquisite anthropological hoax,' possibly the largest since the Piltdown Man. The success of the hoax is attributed to its skillful construction, mirroring people's expectations, and the endorsement it received from academic and popular circles. The article also touches upon the 'new shamanism' movement influenced by Castaneda's work.

All That Glisters Is Not Gold

Paul Munro and Dave Mitchell investigate a reported 'miracle' from Medjogorje, Yugoslavia, where rosary bead chains were claimed to transform from silver to gold. Their laboratory investigation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) revealed that the chains were made of brass plated with a thin layer of silver. The perceived gold color was due to the detachment of this silver coating, exposing the brass beneath. The authors explain this phenomenon as 'dissimilar metal corrosion,' where the more chemically reactive metal (silver) corrodes more rapidly when in contact with another metal (brass). They suggest that the cool, damp conditions within the shrine, combined with salt and abrasion from pilgrims' hands, likely accelerated this corrosion process, rather than any supernatural intervention.

Skepticism—1895 Style

Tom Ruffles recounts an amusing newspaper report from 1895 detailing an encounter between journalist Harry A Warren and a spiritualist medium, Dr Louis Schlesinger. The report describes Schlesinger's attempts to prove his mediumistic abilities through a 'Living and Dead Test.' While Schlesinger initially appeared successful with other audience members, Warren challenged him by stating a person he claimed was deceased was, in fact, alive. The article highlights the historical practice of skepticism and the methods used to test spiritualist claims, contrasting the potential hazards of such investigations in the past (like duels) with modern-day risks (lawsuits).

Equine Pseudoscience

Russell Dear examines 'Professor Beery's Illustrated Course in Horse Training: Book 2, Disposition and Subjection,' criticizing its classification of horses into four personality types based on facial features. Dear argues that this system is an example of pseudoscience, involving anthropomorphism and arbitrary classifications. He points out the subjective nature of interpreting facial lines and the author's implication that training can overcome any natural tendency. The article questions the validity of such methods for understanding animal behavior and suggests that many such classifications are more akin to folklore than scientific inquiry.

The Myths of Meditation

Arthur Chappell debunks common misconceptions about meditation, arguing that it is not a passive state of 'doing nothing' but an active mental process. He corrects the myth that there is only one meditation technique, noting the existence of hundreds across various traditions. Chappell criticizes meditation cults, particularly those in the Hindu faith (like TM and ISKCON), for promoting a dislike of the human mind, viewing it as a source of dissatisfaction and questioning. He explains that the aim of meditation in these contexts is often to stifle rational thought and induce an altered state of consciousness, which can lead to hallucinations, delusions, and a detachment from material reality. The article also discusses the use of visualizations, mantras, and breathing exercises, warning that these can be used for manipulation and control within cults. The author concludes that meditation can make individuals unhappy with their current reality and susceptible to external influence, suggesting that life is often satisfying enough without it.

Psychic Diary: Home Sweet Gnome

Toby Howard discusses the phenomenon of garden gnome 'napping' in Manchester, linking it to broader themes of folklore and the 'little people.' He notes the police terminology of referring to gnomes as 'garden furniture' and explores the historical folklore of fairies and elves abducting humans, suggesting a possible 'folk revenge' motif for the modern gnome disappearances. Howard also draws parallels to crop-circle hoaxing and the idea of terrestrial intelligences being responsible. He speculates that the gnome disappearances might be the work of pranksters, possibly 'Booze 'n' Roller' brigades, who send postcards from exotic locations. He also references folklorist Jan Harold Brunvand's work on urban folklore, including a story about garden gnomes gathering for a meeting.

Prometheus Books Prize Crossword

A crossword puzzle themed around skepticism and paranormal topics is included, with a prize offered for the first correct solution.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of claims that lack empirical evidence or scientific validation. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, debunking alleged miracles, paranormal phenomena, and pseudoscientific theories. The editorial stance champions rational inquiry, scientific methodology, and critical thinking, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to seek evidence-based explanations for phenomena.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 7, Number 1
Date: March/April 1993
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic features a prominent column by Wendy M. Grossman titled 'Skeptic at Large: The mismeasure of women,' which reviews Carol Tavris's book 'The Mismeasure of Woman.' The magazine also includes several book reviews, a call for papers for an upcoming conference, and a letters section.

Skeptic at Large: The mismeasure of women

Wendy M. Grossman reviews Carol Tavris's 'The Mismeasure of Woman,' a book that critically examines scientific research on sex differences. Grossman praises Tavris's work for its thorough research and entertaining style, noting that it picks apart scientific attempts to measure intelligence, similar to Stephen Jay Gould's 'The Mismeasure of Man.' Tavris argues that scientists often find what they are looking for, and that the differences between sexes, brainwise, are less than the variation within each sex. The review highlights Tavris's critique of how research is reported, particularly the tendency to compare women to men as the norm, and the neglect of women's health issues, such as heart disease. The book also touches on the influence of societal expectations on perceived differences.

Reviews

Watching your Ps and Qs

This section reviews 'The Write Stuff: Evaluations of Graphology, the Study of Handwriting Analysis,' edited by Barry L. Beyerstein and Dale F. Beyerstein. The reviewer, Lewis Jones, notes that the book brings together evidence for and against graphology. He points out the proliferation of graphological societies and the claims made by practitioners, which are often vague and unsubstantiated. The review highlights the 'Barnum effect' where people tend to accept general readings as accurate for themselves. Jones concludes that the book is comprehensive and essential for anyone interested in handwriting analysis, offering a scientific perspective.

Dreamy therapy

Lewis Jones reviews Arnold Mindell's 'The Dreambody in Relationships.' The reviewer finds the book's concept of the 'dreambody' intriguing but criticizes its accessibility, stating that it is written from a professional therapist's perspective, making it difficult for the layman to fully grasp. The book explores how the subconscious reveals true beliefs and feelings through dream-like signals.

A remarkable woman

Daf Tregear reviews Anne Taylor's biography of Annie Besant. The review highlights Besant's multifaceted life as a feminist activist, journalist, public lecturer, and later, a prominent figure in the Theosophical Society. Tregear emphasizes that the book reveals a wider personality beyond Besant's involvement in the Bryant & May match-girls' strike and Theosophy. The review details her work with the National Secular Society, her alliance with Charles Bradlaugh, her campaigns for free thought and birth control, and her later dedication to promoting Hinduism in India. The reviewer praises Taylor's writing style and attention to detail.

Science versus dogma

Brian Monahan reviews Herbert C. Corben's 'The Struggle to Understand: A History of Human Wonder & Discovery.' The book chronicles the historical struggles of scientists against superstition and religious dogma. Monahan notes that Corben focuses on the interference of politically expedient dogma, particularly Christianity, in scientific development. While appreciating the book's detailed account of persecution, Monahan criticizes its limited focus on the general difficulties of doing science and the positive benefits of scientific knowledge. He suggests that Corben could have broadened his analysis to include other forces that shape scientific endeavor today, beyond religious dogma.

Shamen at large

Lucy Fisher reviews a lecture by Terence McKenna titled 'Shamanism and the End of the World as we know it.' The review describes McKenna's thesis that human evolution was triggered by psychedelic drugs and his critique of modern society and 'soulless capitalism.' McKenna advocates for a return to shamanic religion and a reconnection with nature. The review notes the audience's enthusiastic reception of McKenna's ideas.

The foolish guru

John Yates reviews George Feuerstein's 'Holy Madness,' which explores the psychology of the guru-disciple relationship and the phenomenon of the 'Holy Fool' or 'Trickster' guru. Yates finds the book fascinating, filled with anecdotes about various spiritual teachers. He notes Feuerstein's charitable approach to the subject matter.

Behind the Mars Effect

Alan Smith reviews 'Science or Pseudo? The Mars Effect and Other Claims,' a collection of papers from the Third EuroSkeptics Congress. The book covers topics such as the psychology of paranormal belief, quantum mechanics, and the debate surrounding the 'Mars Effect.' Smith highlights the papers on the Mars Effect, including a contribution from Françiose Schneider-Gauquelin, and notes the ongoing controversy surrounding astrology.

Letters

Sheldrake replies...

Rupert Sheldrake responds to a review by Toby O'Neil, defending his work and correcting O'Neil's interpretation of Descartes' motivations. Sheldrake also addresses O'Neil's critique of the word 'trialogue,' providing dictionary definitions to support its validity.

Sympathy for magicians

Tom Banner writes about the perceived differences between skeptics and magicians, suggesting that skeptics may be too quick to dismiss phenomena without considering the possibility of trickery, similar to how magicians operate. He argues for a degree of sympathy for magicians who demonstrate impossible feats.

Campbell replies...

Steuart Campbell responds to Janet Bord, clarifying his comments on a photograph related to ball lightning and defending his use of exclamation marks in his writing, citing H.G. Fowler's 'Modern English Usage.'

Creative imagination

R.J. Wentworth-Davidson expresses concern that magazines like The Skeptic may suppress people's natural creative imagination, which he believes is fundamental to science, art, and romance. He uses an example of a '12th century druid' mine-tub to illustrate his point about preserving magic and mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of claims, particularly those related to pseudoscience, paranormal phenomena, and controversial scientific theories. The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and evidence-based approach, as evidenced by its reviews of books that challenge popular beliefs and its focus on scientific methodology. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and the debunking of unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the importance of creative thinking and the history of scientific progress. The magazine also shows an interest in social and psychological aspects of belief systems and the reporting of research.