Skeptic - 1995 - Vol 9 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 9, Number 3
Date: 1995
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £1.85
ISSN: 0959-5228

This issue of The Skeptic magazine, with a cover headline "Fighting Creation 'Science'", explores various topics related to skepticism, pseudoscience, and critical thinking. It features articles on the creationism debate, psychoanalytic literary criticism, urban myths, and the influence of Feng Shui.

Fighting Creation 'Science'

This is the main theme of the issue, with a significant portion dedicated to debunking creation science. Martin Bridgstock recounts his personal battle against the Creation Science Foundation in Brisbane, Australia. He describes how he became involved by accident and the strategies he employed to counter their claims, including analyzing their publications like 'Ex Nihilo' and engaging in public debates. Bridgstock highlights the sophisticated rhetoric used by creation scientists to demand equal representation in schools, comparing their tactics to those of the biologist Lysenko and 'Aryan science'. He points out that their arguments often rely on misquoted evidence and a misrepresentation of scientific consensus.

Steve Donnelly's article "Hits and Misses" touches upon the creation science debate in Queensland, Australia, where the National Party government under Joh Bjelke-Petersen was influenced by fundamentalists. Donnelly notes the pervasive feeling of helplessness in the state and how government contracts and funds were used to support their agenda. He also mentions the lobbying efforts of creation scientists and the pressure put on teachers to present creation science in classrooms.

Psychoanalysis or Psychobabble?

Valeria Woodville critically examines the rise of 'psychoanalytic criticism' in modern literary and film studies. Based on the work of Jacques Lacan, this approach applies Freudian theory to texts, seeking hidden meanings and 'subtexts'. Woodville argues that this method can lead to excessive interpretation, sometimes losing sight of the original meaning of the work, and quotes academics like Carolyn Heilbrun who express skepticism about its overuse. The article references Lacan's analysis of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Purloined Letter' and Slavoj Zizek's views on figures like Hannibal Lecter.

Patently Absurd

Les Francis reports on a US patent granted to Timothy G Zell for creating an artificial unicorn from a goat by surgically moving horn buds. The procedure, if performed early in the animal's life, allows the two horns to grow as one, enhancing the animal's overall development.

Paranormal Picture Gallery

Hilary Evans presents a case from Turkey in December 1934, where a little girl went missing for two months and was found to have been living with a family of bears. She was in good health and reportedly cried when her mother insisted on taking her home, suggesting a bond with her 'foster family' of bears.

Hits and Misses

Steve Donnelly's column covers several brief items:

• Black Russian magic: Boris Yeltsin's appointment of a mystic healer and 'channeller of biomagnetic energies' named Dzhuna as a personal adviser, reflecting a growing interest in the occult in Russia.
• Unlucky black cats: The disappearance of over 100 cats, mostly black or fluffy tabbies, in Clevedon, Avon, leading to fear and speculation about the occult or alien abduction.
• Spreading the myth: An urban myth about Marmite being used for hair regrowth, as reported in the Daily Mail, is discussed, with researcher Jonathan Langley finding no corroborative evidence.
• Silent aliens: The Australian Phoenix Project's five-month search for alien signals using radio telescopes yielded no intelligent signals, with all interesting signals traced to earthly sources.
• Chinese earth energies: The growing popularity of Feng Shui in the West, with companies like Marks & Spencer and Virgin Atlantic adopting its principles to arrange offices and improve employee well-being. The article notes its increasing influence, even in urban renewal projects.
• Fields and trees: Concerns about the effects of electromagnetic fields on human health are mentioned, alongside observations in Michigan where trees near a low-frequency radio antenna showed significant growth differences, raising questions about the impact of radio waves on biological systems.

A Miniature Armageddon

Martin Bridgstock's personal account details his involvement in challenging creation science, particularly the Creation Science Foundation based in Brisbane. He describes how he was drawn into the debate and the methods used by creation scientists to promote their views, including the manipulation of scientific evidence and political lobbying. Bridgstock emphasizes the importance of scientific integrity and the dangers of pseudoscience gaining influence over government policy.

Queensland: the Deep North

This article by an unnamed author details the political climate in Queensland, Australia, during the 1980s under the National Party government led by Joh Bjelke-Petersen. It describes how fundamentalists gained influence in government, education, and the police force, creating an environment where creation science could flourish. The author recounts their efforts to counter the spread of creation science by scrutinizing its claims and engaging with the public and educational institutions.

Fire and brimstone

This section details the escalation of the creation science debate in Queensland, including public meetings, radio debates between creation scientists and skeptics, and the media's involvement. The author describes the intense public reaction and the personal attacks they faced from creation scientists and their supporters.

Nuking creation science

This brief section mentions that in late 1985, The Australian Skeptics decided to sponsor a book aimed at highlighting the fallacies of creation science, indicating a continued effort to combat its influence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and rationalist viewpoint, actively challenging pseudoscience, creationism, and unsubstantiated claims. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question accepted narratives and to rely on evidence-based reasoning. The issue demonstrates a commitment to debunking popular myths and exposing flawed arguments across various fields, from science and religion to literary theory and urban legends.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 9 Number 3, published in 1995, features a range of articles exploring skepticism across various domains, from ufology and pseudoscience to consumerism and media representation of science. The cover story, "Ishtar Descendant" by Martin Kottmeyer, delves into the origins of the iconic alien image from Whitley Strieber's "Communion." Another significant piece, "Gadgets Gone Crazy" by Andy Brice, critiques the excesses of consumerism and the marketing of dubious products. Wendy M. Grossman's "Understanding the Misunderstanding" examines how science is often misrepresented by the media. Toby Howard's "Psychic Diary" humorously explores the phenomenon of questionable purchases, coining the term 'WDIBI' (Why Did I Buy It?). The issue also includes a report on the Creation Science Foundation's financial troubles and a section on "Skeptical Contacts" listing various skeptical organizations.

Ishtar Descendant

Martin Kottmeyer's article investigates the origins of the alien image that appeared on the cover of Whitley Strieber's best-selling book "Communion" (1987). Strieber himself suggested a resemblance to Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess, after removing her hair. Kottmeyer examines this claim, finding it lacking, and explores other potential influences. He notes that Strieber's description of the alien's face, particularly the mouth, is elusive and difficult to capture. Kottmeyer dismisses Ishtar as a direct source, pointing out chronological and geographical disparities, and the goddess's association with fertility rather than the alien's appearance. He also considers Aleister Crowley's painting of 'Lam,' noting its resemblance but also significant differences, particularly in the eyes. The article suggests that the "Communion" alien's features might be a composite, drawing inspiration from various sources. A strong candidate for influence is the alien depicted in the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), particularly its long, thin neck and smooth, bald head. However, the eyes in the film alien are not as large or as blank as in Strieber's depiction. Kottmeyer also proposes Betty Andreasson's drawing of 'Quazgaa' from "The Andreasson Affair" as another significant influence, noting the enormous, tilted eyes and triangular face. He concludes that Strieber's experience might be a 'composite creation,' influenced by a range of cultural elements, and that the alien image has significantly shaped the popular imagination of ufology.

Gadgets Gone Crazy

Andy Brice critiques the pervasive nature of consumerism by examining mail-order 'gadget' catalogues. He argues that skepticism, normally applied to extraordinary subjects like UFOs, should also be directed at mainstream culture and advertising. Brice highlights the absurdity of many advertised products, such as a 'big toe straightener' and 'varicose vein and age spot cover cream,' suggesting that advertising preys on insecurities. He discusses the 'better mousetrap' cliché and the use of pseudoscientific claims, like electromagnetic interference for pest control. The article points out the lack of 'after' photos for many products, implying their ineffectiveness. Brice also touches upon products like 'park-a-plug' and an iron that irons clothes while still on hangers, illustrating the lengths to which manufacturers go to create perceived needs. He notes the use of dubious scientific claims, such as magnetic acupressure pads and air ionizers, and the tendency for products to mix pseudo-science with scientific jargon. The article questions the intelligence of consumers who buy these items, yet acknowledges the prosperity of these gadget magazines, suggesting they offer a glimpse into a future of increased consumerism and the indulgence of insecurities. Brice concludes that the ultimate fruit of technology may be the freedom to indulge these insecurities, questioning what an alien intelligence would make of humanity based on these products.

Understanding the Misunderstanding

Wendy M. Grossman reports on a conference at Oxford's Templeton College that addressed the public's misunderstanding of science. The conference focused on how the media often misrepresents scientific findings, leading to sensationalized or inaccurate headlines. Dr. Simon Barton shared examples of how mundane reports about HIV were twisted into alarmist headlines. Professor Ian Hindmarch recounted instances where studies on drug use and memory problems were distorted. The article also mentions the challenges faced by John Wood in promoting irradiated food due to public fear of radiation, and the impact of the Chernobyl disaster. Michael Swallow of the Water Industries Association discussed the difficulty of convincing the public that tap water is safe. Elizabeth Fisher, a biochemist, pointed out that many editors commissioning science writers have arts backgrounds, suggesting a potential disconnect in understanding. Grossman concludes that the community is not as scientifically educated as it might seem.

Psychic Diary: The terrible WDIBI mystery

Toby Howard humorously introduces the concept of 'WDIBI' (Why Did I Buy It?), a personal enigma stemming from a compulsion to buy books and other items, leading to a 'terrifying loss of personal identity.' He describes his own extensive collection of books, particularly those related to New Age and pseudoscientific topics, as evidence of this phenomenon. Howard highlights one particular book, "X-7 Reporting: Transmissions from Russia on the Theory and Practice of Solar Light Radiations," as a prime example of a WDIBI. He details its origins, involving telepathic messages received by Anne K Edwards and a group called 'X-7' in Siberia, and its publication in the 1980s. Howard admits that he struggles to understand the book's content, a common characteristic of WDIBIs. He reflects on the broader implications of such purchases and the difficulty for skeptics in deciding how to approach New Age and occult artifacts, ultimately finding a cosmic message of 'WDIBI' from a meditative experience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and rational approach to claims that lack empirical evidence or logical coherence. This issue showcases this stance through its diverse articles. The "Ishtar Descendant" piece applies critical analysis to claims of alien origins, seeking evidence-based explanations over mystical interpretations. "Gadgets Gone Crazy" employs a skeptical lens to deconstruct advertising and consumer culture, exposing manipulative tactics and the exploitation of insecurities. "Understanding the Misunderstanding" highlights the importance of accurate scientific communication and criticizes media sensationalism. "Psychic Diary" uses humor to dissect the appeal of pseudoscientific material and the personal psychology behind such interests. The magazine's editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and a healthy dose of skepticism towards extraordinary claims and societal trends that lack rational grounding.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 9 Number 3
Date: 1995
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £4.99

This issue of The Skeptic features a collection of book reviews, letters, and a subscription offer. The reviews cover a range of topics including magic, astrology, spiritualism, Transcendental Meditation (TM), UFOs, and ghosts, all examined through a skeptical lens.

Reviews

Conjuring by James Randi, Esq.

Reviewed by Mike Rutter, this book is described as a splendidly produced and illustrated tribute to conjurors, stemming from Randi's lifelong fascination with magic. It covers the history of magic from ancient times to contemporary practitioners, detailing tricks of manipulation, transformation, and mentalism. Randi also shares personal experiences, including a near-fatal escape attempt. The review notes that the book debunks myths like the Indian Rope Trick and exposes 'supernatural levitation' as mere tricks. It also touches on the history of famous conjurors and illusionists, including Houdini. While praised as a book to dip into, with a good bibliography and index, the reviewer expresses disappointment that Randi, true to his profession's ethics, does not disclose pertinent details of the tricks. The book is recommended for anyone thrilled by conjuring and for skeptics and New Agers to understand how the eye can be fooled.

Novacosm: The Original Zodiac by Melissa Marshall

Reviewed by Vicki Hyde, this book proposes an 'original' lunar zodiac devised by ancient Babylonians, predating the Greek system. Hyde critiques Marshall's work for its lack of detailed knowledge of the Babylonian system, its use of defensive conditionals, and its presentation of absolutes regarding personality correlations with lunar cycles. The reviewer finds the book's scholarship problematic and its claims unsubstantiated, likening its approach to a 'flight into fantasy'. The book is summarized as presenting an alternative astrological system rather than challenging traditional horoscopes.

Clairvoyance: The Truth by Kris Sky

Reviewed by Toby O'Neil, this book by a practicing clairvoyant presents over twenty anecdotal tales of readings. O'Neil describes the book's style as 'breathless' and largely autobiographical, detailing Sky's awareness of psychic powers and her 'psychic guide' named Psy. The reviewer notes that Sky prevents verification of her stories by changing client names. The only testable predictions mentioned were vague or incorrect. O'Neil concludes that the book offers no new evidence beyond the anecdotal and unverifiable, and is only likely to appeal to the naive and credulous.

The Maharishi by Paul Mason

Reviewed by Mike Rutter, this biography chronicles the life of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (MMY) and the TM movement. It covers MMY's origins, his studies, his spiritual development under 'Guru Dev', and the formulation of TM. The review notes the movement's appeal during the flower power era, promising self-realization without stress. It also discusses the 'Siddhis' or occult powers claimed by TM practitioners, such as 'Yogic flying', and the purported 'Maharishi effect' on world peace. The review points out that MMY disparages other yoga systems, claiming TM is the genuine article. It questions the scientific basis of TM, noting the use of Sanskrit terms derived from Hindu deities and the banning of TM in New Jersey schools. The review highlights Mason's lack of critical analysis, his failure to pursue critical questions, and his omission of potentially disturbing facts, such as MMY owning a fleet of helicopters. The reviewer also notes the book's brief and unilluminating reference to a retraction and exposé of Maharishi Ayur-ved published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The Book of Séance: How to reach out to the next world by Tom Cowan

Reviewed by Richard Wiseman, this book is presented as a step-by-step guide to holding séances and becoming a medium, presupposing the reality of survival after death. Wiseman criticizes the book's accepting and uncritical attitude, noting its overwhelmingly positive review of séances and Spiritualism, with only a brief mention of fraud. The book discusses the theory and practice of séances, offering advice on becoming a medium, setting up circles, using Ouija boards, and dealing with hauntings. Wiseman finds the advice helpful for overcoming skepticism but notes that the book is of little interest to skeptics, offering a useful insight into the practicalities of séances but little else.

A Healer's Journey Into Light by Lorna Todd

Reviewed by Harriett Moore, this book is described as a bewildering mixture of beliefs, covering topics from Atlantis to orthodox religions. Moore finds the author's claims, such as Master Ragoczy being Joseph, questionable. The main problem identified is the book's utopian world with love but no sex. Moore concludes that the book is such a flight into fantasy that even ardent New Age believers would find it difficult to take seriously.

The World of Ghosts and the Supernatural by Richard Cavendish

Reviewed by Wendy Grossman, this book is described as an attractively presented, journalistic tour of the occult, unexplained, and mystical worldwide. It is organized into short, subtitled entries, making it easy to read. The European chapter covers familiar territory like ghosts and witches, often illustrated with unsubstantiated anecdotes. The North American chapter includes similar material and urban legends. Grossman notes that the author's critical faculty seems to be applied inconsistently, with a lack of notes or bibliography hindering further investigation. The book is seen as providing a taste of art, religion, and folklore but lacking guidance for further reading.

Supernatural Britain by Peter Hough

Reviewed by Wendy Grossman, this book is described as a guide to Britain's most haunted places, covering ghosts, UFOs, poltergeists, and more. Hough, a member of ASSAP, is noted for not being wholly credulous, using words like 'allegedly' and pointing out controversial research. The book covers a broad geographical range and supernatural topics, including haunted houses, witches, and monsters. Each entry includes basic travel information. Grossman finds the book fun, even if one disagrees with its content.

Letters

Calling skeptics

Tony Youens from Nottinghamshire expresses his feeling of being in the minority as a skeptic and his delight in discovering publications like The Skeptic. He is seeking to connect with other local skeptics to form a group and avoid 'sceptical burnout'.

Mystery of flight

C F Coleman from Oxon responds to a previous article on aircraft flight, arguing that 'conventional' explanations often assume pure streamline flow, neglecting friction and viscosity. He explains how the undersurface of a wing interacts with the airstream, leading to circulation and downwash, which are crucial for lift. He also touches on how stunt pilots adjust elevators and how symmetrical airfoils generate lift.

Reeling in the years

Nick Campion from Bristol corrects David Bradbury's assertion about people getting 'jitters' as the tenth century approached. Campion states that there was only one previous 'millennium' and that there is no evidence of widespread jitters in the year 1,000. He suggests that millennarian outbursts are more likely driven by socio-economic pressures, with numerology providing superficial justification.

Milton responds

This letter is a response from Milton to Jim Lippard's review of his book 'Forbidden Science'. Milton accuses Lippard of doing what his book criticizes: scientific censorship. He defends his book, stating it is an attack on such censorship. Milton argues that his earlier book, 'The Facts of Life', relies on empirical evidence, not creationist literature, and challenges Lippard to specify any flawed evidence or measurements.

Archaic eyes

Paul Devereux from Penzance responds to an article by Martin Kottmeyer. Devereux suggests that beings with 'wraparound' eyes, often seen in UFO literature, have a long history outside of UFOlogy, citing 'eye goddess' and 'eye god' idols from the archaic Middle East. He references Julian Jaynes's theory on the bicameral mind and auditory hallucinations, proposing that these archaic effigies were used in a system of auditory hallucination to organize societies and their conceptualizing. He argues that modern abduction experiences, when viewed in this context, can be seen as a manifestation of 'imaginal' realms of the mind, rather than literal events.

Not the best book

Steuart Campbell from Edinburgh disagrees with Hilary Evans's positive review of 'UFO: The Complete Sightings Catalogue'. Campbell finds the book badly laid out and hard to read, and argues that the reviewer's description of cases as challenging explanation does not make him a skeptic but rather a Fortean. He criticizes the book for its brevity in assessing cases and for omitting important well-researched ones, suggesting it is more for 'ufoists' than skeptics, encouraging belief rather than challenging it.

See-through ghosts

Tom Ruffles from Norfolk corrects a footnote in a previous article, stating that the transparency of ghosts predates early cinema trick photography. He cites 'Spectropia' from 1863 and techniques like double exposures and Pepper's Ghost from the 1860s as examples of transparent ghosts appearing before cinema. He notes that while early filmmakers like Méliès were influenced, their characters often harked back to the Danse Macabre.

DIY Séances

This section contains a brief mention of Tom Cowan's book 'The Book of Séance', reviewed by Richard Wiseman. The book is described as a practical guide to holding séances, assuming the reality of spirit survival. Wiseman criticizes its uncritical acceptance of Spiritualism and its lack of skepticism.

Not of this world

This section contains a brief mention of Richard Cavendish's book 'The World of Ghosts and the Supernatural', reviewed by Wendy Grossman. The book is described as a journalistic tour of the occult and supernatural worldwide, with a lively style and numerous pictures. Grossman notes its potential appeal as a gift book but also its lack of scholarly depth and further reading guidance.

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Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of paranormal, supernatural, and pseudoscientific claims. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical viewpoint, reviewing books and responding to letters with a focus on rational explanations and evidence-based reasoning. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting critical thinking and debunking unsubstantiated beliefs, as evidenced by the reviews of books on magic, astrology, spiritualism, TM, UFOs, and ghosts, all of which are analyzed for their scientific validity and potential for deception or misinterpretation. The magazine actively encourages its readers to question and investigate claims rather than accepting them at face value.