Skeptic - 1994 - Vol 8 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 8, Number 2, published bimonthly from Manchester, UK, features a cover story titled 'The Creation: What Really Happened?'. Additional articles include 'Crop circles—the full story, part 2' and 'Freud and the paranormal'. The issue is dated May 1994 and priced at £1.85.

Articles

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery: Lourdes: the continuing miracle (part one)

This section explores the phenomenon of Lourdes, focusing on the claim by 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous to have met Jesus' mother on February 11, 1858. The article highlights the immense global pilgrimage to Lourdes, making it one of the world's most visited places, and its significant economic impact on the region. It questions the literal reality of Bernadette's experience, noting that the statue in the grotto, revered by millions, was actually derided by Bernadette herself as not resembling her vision. The article suggests the Church benefits from the pilgrimage through direct offerings and the sale of candles. The concluding part is promised for the next issue.

Hits and Misses

This column by Steve Donnelly covers several disparate topics. It begins by discussing the Weekly World News (WWN) and its use of sensationalist, invented stories, citing an article about 'Hyper-Cerebral Electrosis' (HCE), a supposed medical phenomenon causing heads to 'pop like a fire-cracker' in highly intelligent individuals. The column then critiques the use of electromagnetism in alternative health, specifically mentioning the 'Magnetic Bed' promoted by Scott Lucy, who falsely claimed astronauts suffered calcium loss due to the absence of Earth's magnetic field. The author dismisses these claims, comparing them to ineffective folk remedies.

Wild thing

This short piece notes that Reg Presley, lead singer of The Troggs, is back in the news regarding royalties from his song 'Love is All Around', which he intends to use for crop circle research. It mentions his reference to a 200 ft penis-shaped crop formation near Chequers and his discussion of the 'megalithic yard'.

Ouch!

This section reports on Andy Bryant, a 32-year-old hypnotist who underwent a vasectomy without anaesthetic, demonstrating self-hypnosis to control pain. While successful, there was a moment of discomfort. The surgeon was impressed by the reduced bleeding, and Bryant also claims to have used positive thought to halt hair thinning.

Spontaneous (court) cases

This section discusses legal cases related to alleged hauntings. In Lancashire, a couple was deemed 'gullible and naive' for buying a reportedly haunted house for £420,000, as estate agents had previously quoted details of spirits in publicity. In contrast, a New York State court case, Stambovsky vs Ackley, allowed a contract for a house purchase to be broken because the property was haunted by poltergeists, with the court explicitly stating 'As a matter of law, the house is haunted'.

Cereology is Dead—Long Live Cerealogy!

This article by Robin Allen, part 2 of a skeptical history of crop circles, discusses the reappearance of circles in 1992. It notes that many cereologists saw this as a test of the phenomenon's genuineness, expecting hoaxers to have stopped. However, the phenomenon returned with hundreds of formations, including notable examples like the 'East Meon' pictogram and the 'Dharmic Wheel' at Silbury Hill. The article details how the 1992 season, despite initial confidence, was marred by increasing numbers of fakes and doubts about authenticity. It highlights the exposure of key figures and formations as hoaxes, including the claim that Doug and Dave were responsible for many 1992 formations, including the highly regarded East Meon pictogram. The article also touches on the failure of Project Argus to find scientific evidence and the debunking of phenomena like the 'Grasshopper Warbler' sound and strange lights in circles as misinterpretations or faked evidence. It concludes that by 1993, hoaxing had become largely irrelevant, but cereology continued to grapple with issues like dowsing, ostensible miracles in hoaxes, and the tendency of researchers to embrace flawed methodologies and ignore contradictory evidence.

Very Diplomatic. Can We Get Onto Hoaxing Now?

This section, continuing the skeptical analysis of crop circles, addresses the argument that hoaxers cannot create genuine-looking circles. It notes that many modern researchers dispute the abilities of hoaxers. The author presents objections to the idea of total hoaxing, including the claim 'No human being could do this!' and provides a quote from Chad Deetkin of The Circular, who details his extensive investigation of anomalous effects in formations, including physical, mechanical, electrical, and physiological aspects, and dowsing.

Are These People Gullible, or What?

This short piece presents quotes from Dave Chorley ('flattened corn'), John Martineau ('man-made with garden rollers, string and planks of wood. It is equally possible that some of them arrived by means currently quite unknown to science.'), and Doug Bower ('These people are crazy!'). It then discusses the start of the 1994 circle season, noting formations in rape near Winchester and Avebury, and predicts that hoaxers will soon move to wheat and barley. The author criticizes 'Homo Cerealogicus' for its flawed research strategies, including grab-bagging evidence, anecdotophilia, premature conclusions, and an intolerance of criticism.

The 'Bythorn Wonder'

This section discusses the 1993 crop formations, particularly the 'Bythorn Wonder' in Cambridgeshire, which was hailed as the most spectacular ever. It mentions the controversy over its authorship, with George Wingfield suspecting the 'Bailey Gang' and Michael Glickman refuting this. Glickman emerged as a proponent of a 'genuine' phenomenon, criticizing the negativity of pro-hoaxers like Krönig and Wingfield. The section notes that by the winter of 1993, hoaxing had been relegated to the periphery, but cereology still faced challenges with Project Argus and the occurrence of anomalies in hoaxes.

Very Diplomatic. Can We Get Onto Hoaxing Now? (Continued)

This part of the article addresses the argument that hoaxers cannot create genuine circles. It presents the objection that 'No human being could do this!' and includes a quote from Chad Deetkin, who investigates anomalous effects in formations. Deetkin details his methodology, which includes examining physical evidence, mechanical and electrical effects, physiological impacts, and dowsing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards paranormal claims, alternative health theories, and pseudoscientific research. The magazine prioritizes empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and scientific methodology, actively debunking claims that lack substantiation. It highlights the role of psychological biases, gullibility, and flawed research practices in the perpetuation of paranormal beliefs. The editorial stance is to challenge extraordinary claims and encourage critical thinking, as demonstrated through its detailed analyses of crop circles, alleged miracles, and pseudoscientific theories.

Title: The Skeptic
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Date: Approximately 2000 (based on content and typical publication cycles, though the cover only states 'Volume 8 Number 2').

This issue of The Skeptic critically examines several topics, primarily focusing on the phenomenon of crop circles and the paranormal interests of Sigmund Freud, alongside a satirical narrative on the creation of humanity.

The Art of Cerealogical Fieldwork: A Skeptical View of Crop Circles

The article begins by dissecting the methodology and beliefs of cerealogists, particularly those who attribute crop circles to non-human or unknown forces. The author, likely Robin Allen given the context, dismisses 'Chadism' – a term used to describe the belief that human beings cannot create genuine circles – as rooted in ignorance and a failure to appreciate the complexity of human ingenuity. The piece argues that the alleged barriers to human manufacture, such as undamaged crop, spiral patterns, sharp cut-offs, and sheer scale, are not insurmountable for hoaxers. Various techniques for flattening crops, including stalk-stompers and rollers, are mentioned, with examples of hoaxers like Doug and Dave demonstrating remarkable speed in creating formations. The author highlights the speed at which a 70-foot circle was made in 1993 (twenty-five minutes) and a sixty-footer in twelve minutes by Doug and Dave, as documented by CircleVision.

The article addresses the argument that 'too many' circles are reported to be hoaxes, refuting it by stating that the greatest number reported in one year was 232 in 1990, which is not an overwhelming figure when considering potentially dozens of hoaxing teams. Cerealogists are accused of inflating numbers by counting component parts of pictograms as separate formations. The author also challenges the notion that hoaxers wouldn't bother creating complex formations, drawing parallels to other extreme human activities like mountain climbing or Channel swimming. The rewards for hoaxers are described as the thrill of creating a stir, public attention, media coverage, and a sense of artistic pride, with examples like the Cheesefoot Bohemia event where people paid to enter.

Motives for hoaxing are varied, ranging from religious urges to a desire for attention. The article mentions rumours of hoaxers planning to publish 'how-to' manuals, suggesting a potential increase in activity. Weaker arguments against hoaxing, such as circles appearing in remote locations, are also debunked. The author criticizes cerealogists' objections as lacking imagination or being wilfully arrogant, demonstrating an allergy to experiment. The piece concludes that the science of cerealogy is characterized by a banality that reflects a poor understanding of human nature.

So That's It Then. All a Hoax.

This section, likely a continuation by the same author, solidifies the argument that the phenomenon is largely a hoax. While acknowledging the possibility of novel atmospheric phenomena, the author deems it unlikely they would manifest as true crop circles. The article suggests that the study of cerealogy has resulted in social sciences proving one thing, while physical sciences have proven nil. The author expresses amusement at the efforts of cerealogists and offers a thought for the victims of the crop circus, including those whose reputations were ruined, who suffered paranoia, and farmers who incurred losses. The piece notes that while some farmers profited, many did not, citing the example of a farmer driven to tears by people trampling his grain.

The Creation: What Really Happened by Mike Walsh

This is a satirical, fly-on-the-wall account of the origins of humanity, presented as a dialogue between God and Archangel Gabriel. God is depicted as somewhat weary and irritable, dealing with the mundane aspects of creation. The narrative touches upon the creation of Adam and Eve, their intelligence, and the subsequent problems arising from their actions, including the incident with the forbidden fruit. God's discussions with Gabriel reveal his thought processes regarding human reproduction, his frustration with Satan, and his somewhat crude sense of humour, particularly concerning the invention of sexual intercourse and the concept of sin. The story includes humorous exchanges about the 'horse' and the 'begats' in the Old Testament, and God's desire for humans to praise him. The narrative culminates with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden after they ate the forbidden apples, leading to God's anger and a volcanic eruption.

Freud and the Occult by Rebecca Drayer

This article examines Sigmund Freud's extensive interest in paranormal phenomena, a subject often downplayed by his followers. The author, Rebecca Drayer, notes that Freud's reputation was enhanced by his delving into the occult, with opinions on him ranging from 'Columbus of the mind' to 'the most consummate of charlatans.' While many psychoanalysts prefer to ignore this aspect of Freud's work, Drayer argues it is essential for a complete picture of his personality.

The article explores whether Freud truly believed in the phenomena he studied. Scholars generally agree he was a skeptic but open-minded. Peter Gay suggests Freud believed supernatural phenomena could be explained naturally, but thought thought transference might be possible. Ernest Jones described Freud's attitude as an 'exquisite oscillation between scepticism and credulity,' with a constant battle between the desire to believe and a bias towards disbelief.

Drayer focuses on demonstrating that Freud's belief in the occult was not necessary, as many phenomena he studied can be explained by psychoanalytic theory. Freud's involvement with the paranormal spanned from 1905 to 1932, with colleagues like Carl Jung and Sándor Ferenczi also studying the occult. The phenomena are categorized into those associated with dreams and those occurring during waking hours, further subdivided into prophetic and telepathic occurrences. Freud also examined superstitions, viewing them as products of the unconscious mind, often representing unconscious expectations of punishment for negative emotions.

Freud defined telepathy as the instantaneous transmission of events between minds, requiring strong emotional ties and negative emotions. This differs from professional parapsychologists' definitions. He considered telepathy potentially useful in psychoanalysis, suggesting analysts act as 'receptive organs' to the patient's unconscious. Psychoanalysts like Helene Deutsch and István Hollós explored the role of the occult in psychoanalysis.

Drayer points out a flaw in Freud's telepathy explanation: if telepathic messages are distorted by the dream-work, proving their telepathic nature becomes difficult, as they could simply be other unconscious images. An example of a 'telepathic' dream analyzed by Freud involved a widower dreaming of his second wife and newborn twins. Freud interpreted this as a wish-fulfillment fantasy, not a telepathic message, suggesting the man unconsciously wished his daughter had given birth earlier or desired more children. Despite this, Freud maintained that telepathy was not disproved.

The article also discusses prophetic dreams, with Freud analyzing one case where a woman dreamed of meeting Dr. K, only to meet him the next day. Freud attributed this to the censor between the unconscious and conscious, and the woman's potential unconscious desire to identify with her mother. Freud's analysis of spontaneous experiences, like supposed thought transference experiments and observing objects rattle, were generally inconclusive. He also examined failed prophecies of fortune-tellers, not for their predictive value, but as support for telepathy. One case involved a childless woman who received a prophecy of marriage and children, which Freud interpreted as a transference of her unconscious desire and a screen memory, rather than a genuine prediction.

Ultimately, Drayer concludes that most reported paranormal phenomena have mundane explanations, and people persist in believing due to factors like infantile omnipotence fantasies, a desire to elevate oneself to a divine level, or narcissism. The author suggests that belief in the occult can be an attempt to regain a 'lost appeal of life on this earth,' akin to the character Miniver Cheevy who felt born at the wrong time.

Contacts and References

The issue concludes with a list of 'Skeptical Contacts' for U.K. Skeptics, London Student Skeptics, and Wessex Skeptics, including contact details and electronic mail addresses. A comprehensive list of references for the articles, particularly the one on Freud, is provided, citing various works by Freud, Peter Gay, Ernest Jones, and others.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims, particularly crop circles, and a critical examination of psychological theories, especially Sigmund Freud's engagement with the occult. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, aiming to debunk paranormal phenomena by offering rational, scientific, and psychoanalytic explanations. The magazine promotes a rationalist viewpoint, emphasizing critical thinking and the application of scientific methodology to phenomena often shrouded in mystery or belief.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 8, Number 2
Date: 1994
Character: A publication dedicated to skeptical inquiry into paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and unusual phenomena.

Psychic Diary: An unexpected encounter

Toby Howard recounts his visit to West Kennet long barrow, a Neolithic burial mound in Britain. While exploring the stone passage, he discovered a shrine with fresh flowers, incense, and a burning red candle. He was perplexed as he had seen no one enter or leave the area, and the tomb was sealed. Howard dismisses the idea of supernatural intervention, attributing the shrine to a 'corporeal tent-based entity' and not the 'Earth Goddess'. He notes encountering a man and his young son on their way to the barrow as he left, hoping they were not 'New Age authors'. Howard is identified as a lecturer in computer graphics at the University of Manchester.

Skeptic at Large: Distinguishing fantasy from reality

Wendy M Grossman writes about a meeting of former members of the London Church of Christ (LCC), a group known as the 'Boston Movement'. Kyle Degges, a former preacher for the LCC, shares his experience of the loss of faith and the anger felt by former members towards the government for granting the LCC religious and charity status. The article highlights the LCC's recruitment methods on university campuses and the emotional impact on former members, drawing parallels to open Al-Anon and AA meetings. Degges explains how the LCC abuses Biblical quotations and discusses the common types of anger among former members: anger at themselves, family, and God. Grossman notes that while skeptics might analyze cults through concepts like mind control, the recovery process for those exploited requires understanding from those who have shared similar experiences.

Reviews

An over-enthusiastic theory?

Jenny Randles reviews Steuart Campbell's book, 'The UFO Mystery: Solved'. Randles acknowledges Campbell's pedigree as an investigator but criticizes the book for being 'over-enthusiastic'. While agreeing with Campbell's earlier work on optical mirages explaining some UFO sightings, Randles finds his application of this theory to cases like alien abductions and landings to be a 'caricature of itself'. The review highlights specific cases, including the Socorro, New Mexico landing and the Todmorden 'spacenapping' of Alan Godfrey, where Randles argues Campbell's mirage theory fails to account for all the evidence, such as physical traces and witness testimony. Randles concludes that while Campbell correctly identifies stellar mirages as a possible explanation for some UFOs, his theory is not a universal solution to the UFO mystery.

The illusion of illness

Richard Singelenberg reviews Martin Gardner's 'The Healing Revelations of Mary Baker Eddy: The Rise and Fall of Christian Science'. The review begins with a case of a child's death due to a Christian Science follower's refusal of medical care, highlighting the movement's rejection of conventional medicine and its financial involvement. Singelenberg notes that Gardner's book is part of a long tradition of anti-Christian Science literature, rooted in his own Protestant upbringing. While acknowledging the book's potential legitimacy in exposing a sect's hidden agenda, Singelenberg criticizes it for rehashing old information and not adequately addressing the movement's growth or recent financial issues. The review suggests that those still grappling with their religious past may not be the most objective commentators on deviant belief systems.

Salvation through science?

Tim Axon reviews Mary Midgley's 'Science as Salvation: A Modern Myth and Its Meaning'. Midgley, a moral philosopher, critiques the quasi-religious doctrines of 'Progress' derived from scientific ideas and the tendency to view science as a means of salvation. Axon sympathizes with Midgley's sentiments regarding speculative and indulgent fantasies about the future, such as personality downloading and space colonization, which he believes stem from a desire for power and overcoming the fear of death. However, Axon suggests that these ideas may not hold significant weight within the scientific community and that 'scientism' is often a mild prejudice rather than a pervasive ideology. He advocates for a broader conception of scientific literacy that situates science within its proper philosophical, historical, and social context, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding between scientists and scholars from various disciplines.

Letters

Island of sanity

Ian Harris from Chester-le-Street praises The Skeptic for providing intellectual tools to combat those who believe in pseudoscience. He inquires about the scientific evidence for ionisers and requests an article on the topic. Harris also humorously suggests that Skeptics form a political party, citing the Natural Law party's broadcast as an example of how easily political airtime can be obtained.

The boy named 'Sue'

Ernest Jackson from Kingston upon Hull connects the magazine's mention of a 'strong' son named 'Sue?' to Johnny Cash's song. He provides historical context, linking the song's prototype to S. K. Hicks, a prosecutor in the 1925 'Monkey trial' in Dayton, Tennessee. Jackson notes that while Hicks won the case, his role is often overshadowed by the famous speeches and the film adaptation.

Ark observations

John Clarke from Uxbridge responds to an item about Noah's Ark, suggesting that the 'Ark' is a common geological feature, specifically an anticlinorium or synclinorium. He explains that the visible bedding planes and the shape of the land, when viewed from aerial photographs, resemble a boat. Clarke proposes that ancient people likely invented fables about giants to explain this feature, and the Ark myth later became linked to it. He argues that the dimensions of the 'Ark' and the biblical description are due to the dimensions of the exposed synclinorium, suggesting the Bible placed the cart before the horse.

Back issues

This section lists available and out-of-print back issues of The Skeptic magazine, detailing the articles published in each volume and issue from Volume 1 (1987) to Volume 8 (1994).

Subscribe to The Skeptic

This section provides subscription rates for The Skeptic magazine, including postal rates for the UK, Europe, and the rest of the world, as well as prices for back issues. It also gives the mailing address for subscriptions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently promotes a rational and evidence-based approach to understanding phenomena, challenging pseudoscience, New Age beliefs, and unsubstantiated claims. The magazine features critical reviews of books and articles, investigative reports, and letters from readers that engage with these themes. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific methodology and critical thinking, aiming to distinguish between genuine phenomena and misinterpretations, hoaxes, or deliberate deception. The magazine also touches upon the psychology of belief, the nature of cults, and the importance of distinguishing between scientific inquiry and ideology.