Skeptic - 1994 - Vol 8 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 8, Number 3
Date: 1994
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £1.85
ISSN: 0959-5228

This issue of The Skeptic delves into a range of topics, critically examining claims of pseudoscience and paranormal phenomena. The cover prominently features the debate "Vivisection: Science or Pseudoscience?", with other articles exploring "Here there be Dragons", "The Flying Saucer Myth", and "Healing waters".

Articles and Content

"Vivisection: Science or Pseudoscience?" by Simon Brophy

This article scrutinizes the claims made by anti-vivisectionists, arguing that they often employ pseudoscientific tactics. Brophy identifies several characteristics of pseudoscience, including anachronistic thinking, looking for mysteries and paradoxes, appealing to myths, misleading use of evidence, untestable beliefs, argument from false analogy, and misinterpretation of scientific remarks. He contends that animal rights activists often rely on emotional appeals and selective evidence rather than rigorous scientific methodology. The article also highlights that many medical discoveries have not originated from animal experiments and that the focus should be on understanding the causes of diseases rather than just treating symptoms.

"Vivisection-The Case Against" by Lynn Williamson

Williamson presents a strong argument against vivisection, asserting that experimenting on animals is an unnecessary evil. The article questions the scientific validity of veterinary-based research, citing significant species differences that render animal results unreliable for human health. It details the vast numbers of animals used in experiments annually, including invasive procedures and psychological stress. Williamson argues that drug companies are not legally required to test on animals and that many drugs proven safe in animal tests have later caused severe harm to humans. Examples include DES, Eraldrin, Clioquinol, Azauracil, Flamil, Thalidomide, and Phenacetin. The piece also points out that many human diseases have no animal equivalents, and that animal models for conditions like cancer and AIDS are often inaccurate. The author suggests that epidemiological studies and clinical observations are more reliable methods for advancing medical knowledge and that industries can manipulate animal research results to disguise hazards and avoid compensation claims.

"Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery: Lourdes, the continuing miracle: part two" by Hilary Evans

This section examines the phenomenon of alleged miracles at Lourdes. While acknowledging that a proportion of pilgrims do experience physical benefits, Evans cites Dr. Donald West's conclusion that evidence for anything truly 'miraculous' is extremely meagre. Despite this, millions of pilgrims continue to hope for cures each year.

"Hits and Misses" by Steve Donnelly

This column covers several brief, often quirky, stories:

• Words of wisdom: Discusses the phenomenon of people believing in spirits communicating through mediums, and more bizarrely, the "Barbie Channeling Newsletter" where a channeller claims to receive messages from the Barbie doll. Publication of the newsletter was temporarily halted by Mattel due to concerns about its association with the occult.
• Animal magic: Features Susan Scott, a naturopath who claims to psychically communicate with pets to diagnose and treat their ailments using herbs and diets. She has treated various animals, including ferrets and goldfish, and uses hair clippings as a gauge of health.
• Autumn versus summer babies: Explores Michael Heap's suggestion that children born in autumn may perform better academically than those born in summer due to differing ages at school entry. A graph shows GCSE point scores in Oxfordshire, indicating a slight advantage for September-born children.

"In the stars"

This short piece notes that authorities in Lithuania are seeking expert advice from astrologer Mr. Pavel Globa regarding the safety of Chernobyl-type reactors at the Ignalina nuclear plant. Globa, who reportedly foresaw the Chernobyl disaster, is drawing up astrological charts for the reactors.

"Big game"

Reports on an incident in Enfield where police and experts from London Zoo were called to catch a supposed lion. The 'ferocious' animal turned out to be a ginger tom cat named Bilbo or tabby cat Tiggy.

"Submarine Nessie"

This article reveals that the famous "Surgeon's Photograph" of the Loch Ness Monster, taken in 1934, was a hoax. Marmaduke Wetherall, a film-maker, admitted that he constructed a model of a sea-serpent from plastic wood and photographed it, with Colonel Robert Wilson acting as the front-man. Nessie expert Steuart Campbell expresses skepticism about this claim, questioning its verifiability.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to phenomena that often fall outside mainstream scientific consensus. The magazine actively debunks claims of pseudoscience, paranormal events, and unsubstantiated medical or scientific assertions. There is a strong emphasis on scientific rigor, the importance of verifiable evidence, and the dangers of relying on anecdotal accounts or emotional appeals. The editorial stance clearly favors rationalism and skepticism, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to seek out reliable sources of information. The issue highlights the need for better public education to counter the appeal of pseudoscience, particularly in areas like medical research and animal rights.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 8 Number 3
Date: July 1994
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £2.50
ISSN: 0959-5791

This issue of The Skeptic features a range of articles examining pseudoscientific claims, historical health fads, and skeptical investigations into popular myths. The cover story, 'The Saucer Error' by Martin Kottmeyer, debunks the common perception of UFOs as originating from science fiction, tracing the 'flying saucer' image back to a journalistic misinterpretation of Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting.

Water, Water Everywhere

Russell Dear's article, 'Water, Water Everywhere,' critically examines the historical practice of hydropathy, or 'water cures.' It traces the origins of water therapy from ancient physicians like Hippocrates and Galen to 19th-century figures like James Currier and Vincent Preissnitz, and its popularization by Sebastian Kneipp. Dear highlights how hydropathy, despite its historical prevalence and anecdotal successes, relies on vague jargon and spurious analogies, ultimately classifying it as a pseudoscience. The article also touches upon Charles Darwin's personal use of hydropathy to cope with chronic health issues.

Saint George and the Whale

'Saint George and the Whale' by Sergio Della Salla presents a satirical argument for the existence of dragons, humorously refuting skeptical claims that alleged dragon bones are merely whale bones. The author uses pseudo-scientific reasoning and statistical analysis to 'prove' that these relics are indeed from dragons, while also discussing the cultural significance of dragons and the scientific possibility of future cloning based on DNA. The article critiques the 'skeptic nihilists' who dismiss such evidence.

The Saucer Error

Martin Kottmeyer's article, 'The Saucer Error: The myth of the flying 'saucer',' argues that the iconic disc shape of UFOs is not a product of extraterrestrial design or science fiction, but rather a consequence of a misreported description by journalist Bill Bequette in 1947. Bequette misinterpreted Kenneth Arnold's description of the objects' erratic movement ('like a saucer skipping across water') as their shape. Kottmeyer contends that this journalistic error, amplified by media attention and Arnold's own drawings, created the 'flying saucer' mold that shaped subsequent UFO imagery and reports, rather than pre-existing science fiction concepts.

Psychic Diary

Toby Howard's 'Psychic Diary' column humorously describes trainspotting as a 'cult,' exploring its complex social structure, jargon, and shared values. Howard, an ex-trainspotter, likens the activity to a cult phenomenon, complete with a hierarchy of members and a shared obsession with locomotive registration numbers. He suggests that despite the often unpleasant realities of train travel, railways hold a romantic appeal.

Skeptic at Large

Wendy M Grossman reviews Fay Weldon's novel 'Affliction' in her 'Skeptic at Large' column. The novel depicts a wife whose husband becomes hostile due to the influence of an unscrupulous therapist promoting a mix of astrology, New Age ideas, and hypnotherapy. Grossman discusses the novel's connection to the anti-therapy movement and criticisms of the False Memory Foundation, questioning the ease with which memories of trauma can be recovered through hypnosis. She offers a skeptical perspective on the dramatic changes portrayed in the novel and the potential for therapy to merely embolden individuals to act on pre-existing desires.

Vivisection: A Cruel Practice

An article (unattributed in the provided scan but likely part of the issue's content) argues strongly against vivisection, highlighting its cruelty and questioning its scientific validity. It points out that government taxes fund vivisection, and many companies and charities support animal experimentation. The article cites studies suggesting that animal experiments can be misleading due to physiological differences between species and advocates for 'cruelty-free' products. It frames the debate not as a choice between animals and humans, but between vivisection and genuine science, urging consumers to change the status quo.

London Student Skeptics (LSS)

This section provides contact information for the London Student Skeptics, noting that meetings for 1994 were affected by administrative issues but were expected to resume in October. It encourages interested individuals to contact Bill Harman for information and to assist with the LSS stand at the 1994-5 Freshers' Fair.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around debunking pseudoscientific claims, critically examining historical fads, and applying rational inquiry to popular myths and phenomena. The magazine's stance is clearly one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated beliefs, whether they relate to UFOs, alternative health practices, folklore, or even the interpretation of literary works. The editorial approach prioritizes evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking, aiming to expose flawed logic and misinformation. The inclusion of articles on vivisection and the critique of certain therapeutic practices further underscore a commitment to ethical considerations and scientific integrity.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 8 Number 3
Date: 1994
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK

This issue of The Skeptic features a range of reviews and articles focusing on skepticism, the paranormal, and scientific inquiry. The cover story is a review of Joe Nickell's book 'Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Relics, Stigmata, Visions & Healing'. Other significant reviews include Paul Kurtz's 'Towards a New Enlightenment', Jim Schnabel's 'Dark White' on UFOs, Jonathan Weiner's 'The Beak of the Finch' on evolution, Jean Marigny's 'Vampires: The World of the Undead', and 'Entering the Stream: An Introduction to the Buddha and His Teachings'. The magazine also includes a crossword puzzle and a call for contributions.

Reviews

Myths of miracles

Joe Nickell's 'Looking for a Miracle' is reviewed by Robert E McGrath. Nickell's book presents a case against the existence of modern-day 'miracles' such as weeping icons, the Shroud of Turin, and faith healing. McGrath notes that Nickell meticulously documents his investigations, finding no evidence of supernatural occurrences and often revealing hoaxes or mundane explanations. The review highlights Nickell's careful approach to criticizing irrational claims without attacking believers' characters. McGrath praises Nickell's understated yet uncompromising style as a model for rational investigation.

The world according to Kurtz

Paul Kurtz's 'Towards a New Enlightenment: The Philosophy of Paul Kurtz', edited by Vern L. Bullough & Timothy J. Madigan, is reviewed by Jerry Cosyn. This collection of Kurtz's recent papers is presented as a tribute on his retirement from academic life. Cosyn emphasizes Kurtz's significant contributions to critical thinking, particularly through founding CSICOP and The Skeptical Inquirer. The book is divided into six sections covering moral and political philosophy, humanism, skepticism, religion, love, and death. Cosyn notes that while familiar to Kurtz's followers, the book is best sampled rather than read cover-to-cover. He praises Kurtz as a civilized, rational, and thoughtful human being.

Back to the egg

Piero and Alberto Angela's 'The Extraordinary Story of Human Origins' is reviewed by Jerry Cosyn. Cosyn finds the book to be a thoroughly readable and engaging account of early man, particularly pleasing for its lack of condescension towards non-scientific explanations. The authors use analogies and descriptive narration to present a compelling picture of human evolution. While acknowledging that the book admits to haziness in fine details and that it lacks an index, Cosyn praises its informative nature for the curious layman and its inclusion of a bibliography and appendices on scientific methods. A minor criticism is the occasional lapse into describing events as 'probably' happening without evidence, and a lack of skepticism regarding the possibility of modern hoaxes after discussing the Piltdown Man hoax.

Alien adventures

Jim Schnabel's 'Dark White' is reviewed by Mike Rutter. Schnabel's book examines UFO sightings and abduction phenomena, presenting various viewpoints without polemic. Rutter notes that Schnabel explores theories involving temporal lobe disturbances and psychological factors, as well as the traditional view of alien spacecraft. The review mentions theories by Philip J. Klass, Paul Devereux, Michael Persinger, and John Derr, which attribute sightings to plasma discharge or geological phenomena. Rutter highlights Schnabel's sympathetic and mind-blowing accounts of abductees' experiences, recommending the book as essential reading for anyone interested in UFOs.

Evolution observed

Jonathan Weiner's 'The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time' is reviewed by Robert E McGrath. McGrath states that the book is not about whether evolution is true, but that it is a fact. The book focuses on the work of Rosemary and Peter Grant, who have studied Galapagos Finches for twenty years, documenting measurable changes in beak size in response to environmental pressures. The review emphasizes that this work directly demonstrates natural selection in the wild, countering claims that evolution has never been observed. McGrath notes that Darwin underestimated the power of natural selection and that evolution occurs daily.

Pains in the neck

Jean Marigny's 'Vampires: The World of the Undead' is reviewed by John Lord. This paperback explores the history of the vampire concept in Western civilization, from ancient Greece to the modern era. Lord highlights Marigny's coverage of the Black Death, Gilles de Rais, Vlad the Impaler, and the European witch craze, as well as the influence of Bram Stoker's novel. The review points out key dates in the myth's development, including Buffon's naming of the vampire bat and the publication of Polidori's 'The Vampyre' and Stoker's 'Dracula'. Lord finds the book to be a neat introduction to vampirism as a cultural phenomenon, noting its excellent illustrations and concluding with a brief look at the vampire in 20th-century appearances.

Buddha for beginners

'Entering the Stream: An Introduction to the Buddha and His Teachings', edited by Samuel Bercholz & Sherab Chodzin Kohn, is reviewed by Adrian West. West describes the book as a companion reader to Bernardo Bertolucci's film 'Little Buddha'. He notes that the book is a serious effort, presenting a wide range of material covering Buddhist background, with contributions from respected authorities. The book is logically laid out, offering a historical perspective and covering major schools of Buddhism. West finds it encouraging for promoting open-minded skepticism.

Seeing behind the mask

James Randi's 'The Mask of Nostradamus' is reviewed by Robert E McGrath. Randi, a magician and skeptic, critically examines the prophecies of Nostradamus. The review states that Randi sought firsthand information, including original writings, to construct a picture of Nostradamus the man and his work. McGrath notes that Randi reveals Nostradamus was a physician and astrologer, and that his prophecies, the 'Centuries', are vague and symbolic. The review mentions that many attributed writings are forgeries or contain errors, and that interpretations often involve rearranging letters and words to 'reveal' hidden meanings. McGrath points out the book's minor shortcoming of fewer digressions and a major flaw in the near total lack of citations, making it difficult to ascertain sources. However, he praises the book for providing a much-needed critical evaluation of Nostradamus, separating the man from his myth.

Letters

Objective honesty?

Greg Young from Manchester writes, questioning the 'objective honesty' of the skeptical scientific fraternity. He refers to the 'Mars Effect' found by Gauquelin, which he claims was distorted by top scientists, leading to their dismissal from CSICOP. Young mentions recent work by French Skeptics and Professor Suitbert Ertel, which again produced a significant Mars Effect, but notes the French Skeptics' lack of interest in analyzing the sample. He suggests this attitude contradicts the honesty Gilbert Shapiro ascribes to skeptics.

Imperfect science

James R Gordon from London argues that skeptics tend to scoff at other belief systems while placing unreasoning faith in science. He posits that science is just another belief system and questions the assumption that testability, central to the scientific method, is universally applicable. Gordon suggests it is time for skeptics and scientists to acknowledge that there may be other ways of looking at and interacting with the universe.

Fantasy v reality

P G Andrews from Glasgow agrees with Wendy Grossman's comment about the difficulty of distinguishing fantasy from reality in society. He notes that while UFO abductees and ghost conversers might seem eccentric, large numbers of people send expensive wedding gifts to fictitious TV soap characters, suggesting a widespread inability to distinguish fantasy from reality.

UFO Conference

Details are provided for a UFO Conference in Blackpool on the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 27/28. Speakers include Philip Mantle, Dr Serena Roney-Dougal, Albert Budden, Mike Dave Oran (who will also perform with his band Story Teller), Jenny Randles, Lucy Pringle, and Arthur Tomlinson. An anonymous speaker is also listed. The conference includes discussions on UFO investigations, the UFO-pineal connection, electronic pollution, alien communications, crop formations, and personal encounters with UFOs. Ticket prices and contact information are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Skeptic strongly emphasizes critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and the debunking of paranormal claims. The reviews consistently evaluate books based on their adherence to rational inquiry and evidence-based reasoning. The magazine appears to advocate for a rigorous approach to understanding phenomena, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to seek evidence-based explanations. The 'Letters' section reveals some internal debate within the skeptical community regarding the scope and application of scientific methods and the definition of 'objective honesty'. The overall stance is one of promoting a rational worldview and challenging unsubstantiated beliefs, while also acknowledging the complexity of human belief systems and the ongoing nature of scientific discovery.