Skeptic - 1994 - Vol 8 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Volume: 8
Issue: Number 4
Date: 1994
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £1.85

This issue of 'The Skeptic' magazine, published bimonthly, tackles a range of topics related to paranormal phenomena, pseudoscience, and skeptical inquiry. The cover prominently features the headline "Mysterious Energies and Martial Arts," alongside other articles on mediums in movies, religious understanding, psychometric testing of high IQs, and high-voltage healing.

Articles and Features

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery

This section, curated by Hilary Evans, features "Mary and Marie: two interesting materialisations." Part One discusses the purported materialisation of Mary Queen of Scots in the 1870s in London. The article notes the adoption of practical garments by spirits and observes a trend of spirits wearing long white robes that conceal their bodies and headgear, questioning how easily they would be recognised.

Hits and Misses

This regular column by Steve Donnelly covers several short items:

• Bottled memories: Discusses Fred Dale's "Reminiscence Therapy," which uses bottled smells to trigger memories in elderly people, citing benefits for patients in Clifton Hospital.
• Vanishing vehicles: Highlights an anecdotal phenomenon reported in the Sunday Telegraph where vehicles seen in a rear-view mirror disappear under inexplicable circumstances. It suggests hypnotic regression might reveal if such experiences are linked to abduction.
• Ouija jury: Reports on an attempted appeal by a convicted murderer who claimed that jurors consulted a Ouija board to identify him as the killer. The article questions the admissibility of such evidence in court.
• All a hoax: Mentions a poll stating 9% of Americans believe the Apollo moon landings were a hoax, and includes a quote from Charles Johnson, president of the Flat Earth Society, who links the film 'Capricorn One' to exposing a space hoax.

Satanic star

This piece discusses an advertising campaign by Britain's main churches featuring a five-pointed star over a nativity scene, which some evangelical Christians complained resembled a satanic pentagram. The artist, Tom Hewitt, reportedly added extra points to the star to remove any perceived satanic influence.

Angelic workshop

This item describes workshops on "Discovering Angels" and "Archangels as power stations," costing £21 for a day or £98 for a weekend. The specialist hosting these events is Theolyn Cortens, who claims to have had a powerful angelic encounter in 1974. The author speculates that fairy sightings might be explained as demagnified mirages of distant angels.

Lucky deposit

This article recounts a letter from Harry Edwards of the Australian Skeptics, who claimed his pet chicken's droppings brought him good luck, including winning a lottery. Edwards offered the "lucky chicken crap" for sale for $10 for 5g.

Mysterious Energies and the Martial Arts

Authored by Andrew Brice, this article explores the belief in "mysterious energies" such as 'chi' and 'ki' within martial arts. Brice argues that this belief stems from the historical and mythological roots of martial arts, the secrecy surrounding techniques, and the desire of instructors to enhance their authority and attract students. He suggests that demonstrations of 'making oneself heavier' can be explained by simple physiology and psychology. The article posits that the allure of mysterious energies offers a shortcut to power, appealing to those who wish to avoid strenuous training. Brice concludes that while many martial artists are sincere in their beliefs, the claims for mysterious energies lack evidence and should be relegated to mythology, suggesting that focus should be on physical prowess and training.

London Student Skeptics (LSS) Programme

This section lists upcoming events for the Autumn Term 1994, including talks on holistic medicine, parapsychology, the Benveniste experiment, and reports from the European Skeptics Conference.

Skeptical Contacts

This section provides contact information for U.K. Skeptics, London Student Skeptics, and Wessex Skeptics, as well as details for electronic mail and World Wide Web access to 'The Skeptic' magazine.

Paranormal IQ Scores?

Written by Andrew Colman and David Stretch, this article critically examines the claim of Marilyn vos Savant having an IQ of 228. The authors refute the argument that this score is statistically impossible based on modern IQ definitions (mean 100, standard deviation 15). They address criticisms from Hugh Farey, who argued that the score was derived from an older ratio-based IQ conception. Colman and Stretch explain that the statistical definition of IQ was introduced before vos Savant was born and that the ratio method is not applicable to adults. They also counter Martin Hempstead's argument that IQ distributions cannot be normal, explaining the central limit theorem. The authors conclude that the claim of an IQ of 228 is improbable and that arguments supporting it are based on flawed reasoning, including mistaken identity of measurement methods, unsupported assertions about different IQ definitions for children and adults, and the postulation of a hidden subgroup of geniuses.

Alien Abductions

Susan Blackmore investigates the phenomenon of alien abductions, noting that a Roper poll indicated nearly 4 million Americans have had such experiences. She describes abductee testimonies as convincing and discusses potential explanations, including sleep paralysis and experiments by Michael Persinger involving magnetic fields to stimulate temporal lobe activity. Blackmore concludes by directing readers to a Horizon documentary for further information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the critical examination of claims related to the paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs. 'The Skeptic' magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, employing scientific reasoning, statistical analysis, and psychological insights to deconstruct extraordinary claims. The editorial stance is one of promoting rational inquiry and evidence-based understanding, challenging beliefs that lack empirical support, whether they pertain to martial arts energies, IQ scores, alien encounters, or spiritual phenomena. The magazine encourages readers to question assertions and to seek verifiable explanations for phenomena, while also providing a platform for discussions within the skeptical community.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 8 Number 4
Date: 1994

This issue of The Skeptic delves into the intersection of Spiritualism and popular culture, particularly its portrayal in film and media, alongside articles examining faith, skepticism, and historical curiosities.

Sitting in the Dark: Tinseltown's Fascination with Spiritualism by Chip Denman

This article traces the historical relationship between Spiritualism and cinema, noting that audiences have been sitting in the dark, anticipating ghostly visions, long before the advent of movies. The origins of modern Spiritualism are pinpointed to March 31, 1848, with the Fox sisters, Kate and Maggie, in Hydesville, New York, who claimed to communicate with spirits through rapping sounds. This phenomenon quickly gained traction, leading to public séances and the sisters' eventual move to Rochester, where they charged for their services.

Within a few years, the ability to communicate with spirits spread, manifesting through various means like rapping, knocking, and scrawling messages. The U.S. Senate even received a petition with 15,000 signatures demanding an investigation into these phenomena. Initially, séances were serious, with messages delivered via coded raps. However, as they evolved, they became more theatrical, with darker rooms and more dramatic manifestations, including materialized spirits.

Despite numerous exposures of fraud and shifting public tastes, Spiritualism persisted through the Victorian era and into the 1920s. The media circus surrounding Harry Houdini's investigations of the Boston medium 'Margery' (Mina Crandon) in 1925 signaled the decline of Spiritualism as a major growth industry, solidifying its public image.

The film industry, developing concurrently with Spiritualism, also evolved its special effects. Early filmmakers like George Méliès used his magician's background to create film fantasies, pioneering trick photography. French film entrepreneurs followed suit, producing shorts that exploited spiritualist themes, sometimes skeptically, as seen in Gaumont's 'Séance de Spiritisme' (1910), which depicted a man faking séances.

As filmmaking matured, spiritualistic themes became less central, often relegated to B-movies and depicted as outright scams. The Charlie Chan series featured several films with séance-related plots, exposing phony psychics. The 1948 film 'The Amazing Mr X' (aka 'The Spiritualist') featured a phony medium, and even the Bowery Boys tackled fake mediums in 'Ghost Chasers' (1951).

'Nightmare Alley' (1947) offered a darker, more cynical take, portraying a carnival barker who becomes a medium heading a religious movement. The film was noted for its accurate portrayal of mind-reading tricks and cold readings. 'The Medium' (1951), an opera adaptation, explored a phony spiritualist whose life is touched by an unknown force.

'Houdini' (1953) depicted the escape artist's obsession with ghostbusting, showing him debunking a séance. However, the film took liberties with Houdini's death. Later films like 'Séance on a Wet Afternoon' (1964) presented a more sympathetic view of spiritualism, depicting a deranged woman and her husband involved in a kidnapping plot, and accurately portraying modern séances where attendees' imaginations play a significant role.

The article concludes by noting that while horror films often use ghosts and hauntings, they rarely reflect the optimistic religious aspect of Spiritualism. It suggests that movies often reflect public skepticism and cynicism, and warns against smugly assuming modern audiences are too sophisticated to be fooled.

A Matter of Faith by Jean Dorricott

This article argues for a more understanding approach to religious belief, critiquing the tendency of some skeptics to caricature religious images and beliefs. The author challenges the notion that religious faith is necessarily a belief against evidence, suggesting that while scientific understanding has erased the need for a God in the traditional sense (no gaps for divine intervention, no need for a Big Bang starter), there are other ways to approach faith.

The author posits that humans, as complex adaptive systems capable of reflection and moral reasoning, possess a unique place in the universe. This capacity for consciousness, self-awareness, and the ability to create moral laws, show compassion, and appreciate beauty, can be seen as evidence of something greater than mere chance. The article suggests that faith can be an act of believing in a higher power that endowed the universe with the potential for such complexity and consciousness, rather than a belief in a personal God who intervenes directly.

It discusses concepts like 'top-down Causation' as proposed by Arthur Peacocke, where consciousness is a causal property of the brain. Miracles are reinterpreted not as law-breaking events, but as the realization of God's presence in ordinary situations. The article also touches upon the role of human needs, such as the hope for an afterlife and comfort in times of distress, in shaping religious beliefs.

Ultimately, the author advocates for a collaborative approach between skeptics and religious individuals, urging for understanding before judgment and highlighting the shared goal of warning the public against charlatans who exploit paranormal beliefs.

Shock Horror Probe! Discovering bakelite marvels from the past by David Langford

This article humorously explores outdated technology, focusing on the charm of old slide rules and the Swiss Precision Mechanical Pocket Calculator. It then shifts to a detailed and critical examination of the Ediswan High-Voltage Healing Box from 1933, along with its various specialist electrodes and the Ediswan Ozone Inhaler.

The author describes the Ediswan Box as a device that promised 'high-frequency healing' and came with a catalogue of thirty-one electrodes for treating a wide range of ailments, from abscesses to warts, and even issues like alcohol and drug habits. The article details the function of several electrodes, including the Surface Electrode, Rake Electrode, and Metal Saturator, and humorously speculates on the purpose of others, such as the Nasal, Urethral, Vaginal, Rectal, Prostatic, and Dental Cavity models.

The Ediswan Ozone Inhaler is described as a device offering relief for respiratory ailments. The author recounts his own experience with the Ediswan Box, noting the 'eerie violet glow' and 'paralyzing reek of ozone' it produced, and his wife's reaction of 'Stop! Stop! It's going to do something awful!' The article highlights the contrast between the perceived efficacy of these devices in the 1930s and their absence from the market today.

It concludes with a reference to a past New Scientist headline competition: 'ALTERNATIVE HEALER USED BARBED ELECTRIC ENDOSCOPE-SHOCK HORROR PROBE', underscoring the often dubious nature of such alternative medical devices.

Psychic Diary by Toby Howard

This column reviews the current state of 'Psychic News', a publication that has undergone a significant transformation. The author, who previously found the magazine to be a 'bastion of nonsense' with its focus on the afterlife and spirit communications, notes its recent shift towards a more 'balanced' view.

He highlights two articles from a recent issue: one by Tom Haigh discussing a 'demonstration of experimental transfiguration' by Graham Bishop, which Haigh found unimpressive, and another sympathetic piece on parapsychologist and skeptic Susan Blackmore. The author expresses disappointment at this change, as he had grown accustomed to the magazine's consistent lack of skepticism. Despite this, he acknowledges that 'Psychic News' has become a part of his Thursday reading routine, alongside 'The Guardian' and 'The Orcadian'.

The article also touches upon the author's personal fear of death and his aversion to the idea of a 'fragrant foggy world in a white suit' trying to communicate with psychics.

Skeptic at Large: Media madness by Wendy M Grossman

This column critiques various media phenomena, starting with Sister Marie Gabriel's prediction of a Jupiter collision and her subsequent advertisement in 'The Independent' for precautions. The author points out that Gabriel's ads are not about science but about soliciting money, drawing a parallel with American TV evangelists.

The article then discusses a 'Evening Standard' spread linking classical music to astrology, questioning the demographic basis for such a connection and noting its promotional tie-in with 'BBC Music Magazine'.

Grossman also addresses a BBC 'QED' program about mercury in dental amalgam fillings, expressing skepticism about the program's presentation and the British Dental Association's response. She questions the reliability of media outlets that promote astrology while also reporting on scientific issues.

Finally, the column examines the 'Sunday Times' campaign against the notion that HIV causes AIDS, primarily through articles by Neville Hodgkinson. The author raises concerns about the media's responsibility in presenting 'alternative' or 'balanced' views and questions liability if such presentations lead to negative health consequences.

Reviews

Rare mediums by Gordon Stein

This review discusses Gordon Stein's book, 'The Sorcerer of Kings,' which details the careers of mediums Florence Cook and Daniel Home. The reviewer notes that while many mediums were frauds, a few, like Home and Cook, were tested by scientists, including Sir William Crookes, who proclaimed them genuine. The review highlights the authors' arguments that both Cook and Home were likely fakes, and that Crookes' testimony is questionable. It also mentions the book's brevity, compressed facts, and references, which may be challenging for new readers, but ultimately deems it a 'fascinating and well-argued study.'

Healthy herbs? by Barbara Griggs

This review of Barbara Griggs' 'The Green Witch: A Modern Woman's Herbal' describes the book as divided into three sections, offering lively introductions and extensive lists of plant permutations. It notes the inclusion of historical references, recipes, and remedies, particularly in the 'Home and Kitchen' section. The reviewer finds the culinary details delightful but expresses a personal preference for tea-leaves over herbal infusions due to their caffeine content.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the critical examination of paranormal claims and beliefs, particularly their intersection with popular culture and media. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, aiming to debunk fraudulent claims while also advocating for a nuanced and understanding approach to genuine inquiry. The articles highlight the historical evolution of Spiritualism, its portrayal in film, and the media's role in shaping public perception of paranormal phenomena. There's a recurring emphasis on scientific reasoning, the exposure of trickery, and the importance of critical thinking when evaluating extraordinary claims. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting rationalism and discouraging the uncritical acceptance of pseudoscience, while also acknowledging the complexities of faith and belief.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 8 Number 4
Date: 1994

This issue of The Skeptic offers a diverse range of articles and reviews, primarily focusing on skeptical inquiry into various phenomena, including the natural world, pseudoscientific claims, and societal issues.

Reviews and Articles

'The Green Witch' Review Angela Cernoculschi reviews 'The Green Witch,' a book that explores the use of herbs, fruits, and vegetables for cosmetics, food, and remedies. While appreciating the 'Beauty Care' section for its focus on self-indulgence and natural ingredients, she expresses caution and skepticism regarding the 'Remedies' section, advising readers to seek professional guidance for serious conditions and to approach claims about specific herbs with a critical eye.

'Great Essays in Science' Review Dave Love reviews Martin Gardner's anthology, 'Great Essays in Science.' He notes the book's unclear provenance but highlights its aim to present compelling writing about science. The collection features 34 essays, with introductions by Gardner. While acknowledging contributions from notable figures like Sagan and Asimov, Love finds some selections, such as Freud's 'Dreams of the Death of Beloved Persons,' to be outside the realm of proper science. He also questions the inclusion of a chapter from Laura Fermi's biography of Enrico Fermi, which details the operation of a nuclear reactor. Despite some disappointment with the material selection, Love concludes that the collection offers subjective value and contains plenty worth reading.

'True Hallucinations' Review Mike Rutter reviews Terence McKenna's 'True Hallucinations.' He describes the book as bizarre, intriguing, but almost totally unreadable. The book details McKenna's attempts to find enlightenment through hallucinogenic drugs and his investigations in the Amazon Basin. Rutter criticizes the book for its lack of rational explanations, its reliance on suggestion and expectation, and its peculiar assertions about psychoactive agents and mystical visions. He finds the references to 'elf chemists,' synesthesia, and mystical visions tedious, though he notes an interesting suggestion about Tibetan religious art owing its quality to psychedelics. Rutter suspects the book might be an elaborate prank.

'Health Service Wildcat' Review John Yates reviews Donald Rooum and Victoria N Furmurry's 'Health Service Wildcat.' He praises the book for combining scathing social and political commentary with subversive humor, delivered through the anarchist cat character, Wildcat. The book critiques the government's actions concerning the Health Service. Yates highlights the book's intelligent and honest skepticism, recommending it for its potent message delivered through engaging illustrations and humor.

'The Guinness Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits' Review Nick Neave reviews Rosemary Ellen Guiley's 'The Guinness Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits.' He finds the book enjoyable and informative, covering a wide range of topics related to the supernatural. However, he notes an inconsistency in the book's approach, with some entries presented skeptically while others, particularly those on clairvoyance and parapsychology, are treated as factual. Neave expresses frustration with this shifting stance, finding it irritating.

'The Beat of a Different Drum' Review Steve Donnelly reviews Jagdish Mehra's biography of Richard Feynman, 'The Beat of a Different Drum.' He describes it as a serious, scholarly work that provides a detailed account of Feynman's life and work from a theoretical physicist's perspective. Donnelly notes that the book contains numerous graphs and equations, making it potentially intimidating for non-physicists, and suggests James Gleick's earlier biography might be more suitable for a general audience. However, he commends Mehra's work for offering insight into Feynman's personality, life, and physics.

'Crop Circle Apocalypse' and 'Crop Circle Communiqué II' Review Robin Allen reviews John Macnish and Jayne Wilde's 'Crop Circle Apocalypse' (book) and 'Crop Circle Communiqué II' (video). He argues that it is easy to create crop circles and that many are man-made. Allen criticizes the book for typos and production errors but praises the video for its professional quality and its focus on hoaxing. He highlights footage of circlemakers at work, including time-lapse sequences. Allen notes that the contemporary cerealogy community dismisses Macnish's findings, attributing them to faked footage or computer graphics, and suggests this dismissal stems from a biased perspective.

Events: International Society for Cryptozoology Meeting Robert E McGrath reports on the 11th Membership Meeting of the International Society for Cryptozoology (ISC). He describes the meeting as notable for its rigorous standards of evidence and open-minded consideration of unorthodox questions. The ISC defines cryptozoology as the study of 'hidden animals.' The meeting featured papers on vertebrate species, ongoing research topics like the 'megamouth' shark and the Eastern Puma, and video footage of an unidentified animal in New Britain. Dr. Roy Makal presented research on Mokele-Mbembe and showed video footage from New Britain, which he interpreted as a large 'sea serpent.' The discussion also touched upon the 'Surgeon's Photo' related to the Loch Ness monster and the debate surrounding its authenticity.

Letters to the Editor

Scrolls update? John Brunner inquires about the publication status of the Dead Sea Scrolls analysis.

Disinterested tourists Anthony Flew questions the lack of souvenirs brought back by tourists from alleged abduction sites, suggesting it casts doubt on the authenticity of such stories.

Animal rights M V Evans argues that 'rights' are a legal construct based on duties, and that non-human animals do not possess rights in the same way humans do. He criticizes 'Animal Rights' activists for attempting to impose their views by force and terror, calling it anarchy.

Animal nonsense Dr Christian Potts strongly criticizes Lynn Williamson's article on vivisection, calling it 'dismal garbage.' He refutes claims about drug removal from the market and the idea that animal testing is not crucial for medical discoveries, citing examples like insulin and penicillin. Potts defends vivisection as a necessary scientific tool and urges the magazine not to publish such misleading content again.

Rosary facts Harry Edwards points out that Bernadette Soubirous's description of the Virgin Mary fingering her rosary is anachronistic, as the rosary practice was adopted much later.

Life in the stars? Vivien Gibson wonders if an investigation into the correlation of planets with professions beyond the 'Mars Effect' in sports could be fruitful, based on a surprisingly accurate birth chart she received.

Circle questions Lassi Hyvärinen questions why crop circles, if of extraterrestrial origin, appear only in the UK and Canada. He also probes the idea of the 'Goddess' driving hoaxers and questions the gendered terminology.

The saucer mystery Steuart Campbell discusses the reported discoid shape of UFOs, arguing that the term 'saucer' is not solely responsible for the shape description. He suggests a natural phenomenon capable of creating such shapes exists.

Back Issues and Subscription Information

The magazine provides details on subscription rates and a list of available back issues from Volume 1 to Volume 8.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to examining claims, particularly those related to the paranormal, pseudoscience, and controversial topics. The magazine actively encourages skepticism, challenges unsubstantiated assertions, and provides platforms for reasoned debate through its reviews, articles, and letters section. There is a clear editorial stance against unfounded beliefs and a preference for scientific rigor and rational explanation, as evidenced by the critical reviews of books on topics like 'The Green Witch,' 'True Hallucinations,' and crop circle phenomena. The magazine also engages with societal issues, such as the health service and animal rights, from a critical perspective.