Skeptic - 1995 - Vol 9 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 9, Number 4
Date: 1995
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
ISSN: 0959-5228
Price: £2.00

This issue of The Skeptic focuses on 'Therapist Power: The social psychology of healing and therapy'. It also includes articles on quackery, statistics, Arthur Conan Doyle's spiritualism, and news, reviews, and commentary. The cover features an illustration depicting a therapeutic setting.

Articles and Content

Hits and Misses by Steve Donnelly

This section covers several disparate topics. Firstly, it examines experiments at Aston University that purportedly confirm Murphy's Law, stating that toast knocked off a breakfast table does indeed fall butter-side down. This phenomenon is attributed to the physical constants of the universe, termed the 'Buttered Anthropic Principle'. The article also touches upon the 'anaesthetic barrier', discussing recent findings that some patients under general anaesthesia report a degree of awareness, potentially explaining some near-death experiences (NDEs).

Further topics include 'Clairinterviewance', satirizing the use of corporate psychics for employee recruitment, and 'Angelic Association', noting the high percentage of Americans who believe in guardian angels. 'Nowt taken out' discusses the decision by doctors at Lourdes to disinfect the miraculous water due to health concerns, upsetting some Roman Catholics. Finally, 'Long in the tooth' reports on the first World Dracula Congress in Romania, exploring the myth of Count Dracula and his historical basis in Vlad Tepes Dracula.

Paranormal Picture Gallery by Hilary Evans

This feature recounts the story of two men in Chicago who were striking look-alikes, sharing many life details including their birth dates and family structures. Tragically, both men were killed in 1935 when their cars collided at a crossroads, a shared fate that mirrored their shared lives.

Sherlock and the Spiritualists by Chris Willis

This article delves into the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, and his profound shift towards Spiritualism. Doyle, initially a skeptic, became a fervent believer, particularly after experiencing personal tragedies during World War I. The piece details his investigations into mediums, his correspondence with figures like Oliver Lodge and FWH Myers, and his conviction that Spiritualism offered solace to the bereaved. It also touches upon his later Sherlock Holmes stories, which some consider inferior, and his public advocacy for Spiritualism through books and lectures. The article notes Doyle's exposure of fraudulent mediums, including an instance involving a participant named Moriarty, and his interactions with Harry Houdini regarding spirit communication.

Surely There's Something In It? by Michael Heap

This article explores the social psychology of healing and therapy. It begins by referencing B.F. Skinner's experiments on superstitious behavior in pigeons, suggesting that certain human behaviors, particularly in healing contexts, can be maintained by intermittent rewards. The author, a psychologist with extensive experience, questions the sheer volume of healing and therapy practices available, suggesting that the collective scale of the 'healing industry' far exceeds its actual therapeutic capability. The piece introduces the concept of the 'Tree of Knowledge', representing established, evidence-based knowledge systems, and contrasts it with alternative or complementary medicine. It posits that the power dynamic between practitioner and patient is a crucial factor in the persistence and acceptance of these alternative practices, which are often not supported by or even contradicted by the 'Tree of Knowledge'.

Psychic Diary by Toby Howard

This section is not detailed in the provided pages.

Skeptic at Large by Wendy Grossman

This section is not detailed in the provided pages.

Reviews and Letters

These sections are mentioned but not detailed in the provided pages.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical viewpoint, critically examining claims of the paranormal, pseudoscientific practices, and unverified beliefs. The articles, while exploring phenomena like Spiritualism, NDEs, and alternative medicine, do so with an analytical and evidence-based approach. The editorial stance appears to favor rational inquiry and scientific understanding, as exemplified by the 'Skeptic at Large' and 'Hits and Misses' sections, which dissect various claims and phenomena from a critical perspective. The magazine aims to debunk myths, question extraordinary claims, and promote a rational worldview.

Key Persons and Organizations

Key individuals featured or mentioned include Arthur Conan Doyle, Steve Donnelly, Toby Howard, Robert Matthews, Chris Willis, Michael Heap, and Harry Houdini. Organizations include Aston University, the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), and various publications and institutions related to skepticism and the paranormal.

Notable Incidents

The most prominent incident detailed is the fatal car crash in 1935 involving two look-alike men in Chicago, highlighting a strange coincidence of shared life details and a shared tragic end.

Themes and Tags

The primary themes include Therapist Power, Social Psychology, Healing, Therapy, Skepticism, Spiritualism, and the Paranormal. Tags cover a range of topics such as Quackery, Statistics, Arthur Conan Doyle, Murphy's Law, NDEs, Psychic Recruitment, Angels, Miracles, Dracula, and Sherlock Holmes.

FAQ

Q: What is the 'Buttered Anthropic Principle'?
A: It is the principle that the physical constants governing skull cracking, toast aerodynamics, and similar phenomena were determined shortly after the Big Bang, thus 'freezing' Murphy's Law, as it applies to toast, into the sub-atomic design of the universe.

Q: What was Arthur Conan Doyle's stance on Spiritualism?
A: Initially skeptical, Arthur Conan Doyle became a staunch advocate of Spiritualism, particularly after personal tragedies during World War I, believing it offered a way to connect with loved ones who had died.

Q: How does The Skeptic define 'healing and therapy'?
A: The article defines healing and therapy broadly, encompassing all aspects of situations where a person with a mind or body problem seeks alleviation from another person using special knowledge or expertise.

Q: What is the 'Tree of Knowledge'?
A: The 'Tree of Knowledge' represents established, evidence-based knowledge systems, and contrasts it with alternative or complementary medicine. It posits that the power dynamic between practitioner and patient is a crucial factor in the persistence and acceptance of these alternative practices, which are often not supported by or even contradicted by the 'Tree of Knowledge'.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 9 Number 4
Date: 1997 (estimated based on content and references)
Publisher: The Skeptics Society
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic delves into the pervasive nature of quackery and alternative therapies, examining the psychological underpinnings of their appeal and the methods by which they seek validation. It also provides a comprehensive exploration of probability and statistics, aiming to demystify concepts that often lead to intuitive errors and to highlight their utility in critical thinking.

The Purpose of Healing and Therapy

Michael Heap, a psychologist at the Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies, University of Sheffield, argues that the dominant motive in the history of hypnotism has been clinical, aiming to cure human ills. However, he proposes a redefinition of the purpose of healing or therapy: to authenticate the therapist. This means legitimizing the therapist's power and the validity of their beliefs and practices. He notes that usually, both therapist and patient are committed to upholding the therapist's authenticity. This definition, he suggests, helps explain how practices lacking objective validity can survive and flourish.

Heap outlines several ways therapists authenticate themselves. The most effective is through patient improvement, which demonstrates the validity of their practices. However, therapists unwilling to risk the penalties of such validation may rely on other methods, such as asserting that practices have worked for centuries or that they 'know' they work from experience or patient testimonials. He likens this to Skinner's 'superstitious pigeon' phenomenon, where intermittent rewards maintain behavior. Human beings, however, also rely on beliefs to predict and feel safe, often overvaluing their beliefs at the expense of observations.

Authentication by Charisma, Mysticism, Magic, and Religion

When beliefs and practices lack clear derivation, people seek impressive answers to how they were derived. This can lead to authentication through mysticism (e.g., 'discovered by Amazonian Indians') or charisma (e.g., 'made by an extraordinary individual'). Examples cited include homeopathy, osteopathy, and iridology. Alternative practices often form static structures, with new ideas grafted onto existing ones, often introduced by a charismatic figure. This is particularly noticeable in psychotherapy, with examples like Bach Flower Remedies and Ericksonian Hypnosis. The idea of an 'energy flowing from my hands' is presented as a common theme, reminiscent of Anton Mesmer's 'animal magnetism' and Wilhelm Reich's theories. The appeal of magic, in the sense of investing things with extraordinary properties when not understood, is highlighted. Concepts like the 'unconscious mind' and the 'aura' are cited as examples of magical thinking in psychotherapy and alternative therapies.

Authentication by Pseudo-science

Many people attribute magical properties to science and modern medicine due to a lack of understanding. Consequently, alternative therapists appropriate scientific concepts like force, energy, magnetism, and electromagnetic waves, often claiming they are 'not yet recognised by scientists'. More recent concepts borrowed include vitamins, hormones, toxins, allergy, biological rhythms, brain waves (especially the alpha rhythm), and endorphins. The acquisition of power is the main motivation, and phenomena with an ethereal, intangible quality that promise accessible power are often selected. The alpha rhythm's name is suggested as a factor in its appeal. Furthermore, phenomena that appear to have no harmful side-effects are favored, as treatments with scientifically proven efficacy often carry risks. The historical use of X-rays as a cure in the 1920s and 1930s, before their harmful effects were discovered, is cited as an example.

'Alternative' Therapies are Nothing New (Russell Dear)

Russell Dear expresses bemusement at the constant stream of alternative health-care handouts offering remedies for various ailments. He critiques products like a magnetic necklace with a dubious 'Nedymium' substance and 'Biotens', claimed to relieve pain from numerous conditions. He also mentions 'Spiruline' and 'GH3X' food supplements, noting that their claimed effects are comparable to a holiday. Matol Km is presented as a product that restores youthful energy, and 'Toxoid' is claimed to cure a wide range of ailments.

Dear then traces the history of quack cures, noting that the dichotomy between conventional and alternative healthcare likely emerged with the rise of rigorous scientific principles. He recounts historical examples such as Carl Baunscheidt's 'great resuscitator' (a mechanical mosquito for rheumatism), the Italian practice of drinking animal blood, a German clinic's all-grape diet, and Samuel Thompson's theories on heat and purging. Dr Carlo Forlianini's 'aerotherapy' using a cylindrical metal drum with purified air is also described. The article notes the survival of therapies like hydrotherapy and the concept of 'mind over matter', possibly remnants of Emile Coué's auto-suggestion therapy. Homeopathy is presented as surviving in a relatively unchanged form, its blandness allowing the body's natural healing process to work without further weakening, unlike invasive conventional treatments of the past.

Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics (Chip Denman)

Chip Denman, a statistician at the University of Maryland College Park, explores the role of statistics and probability in understanding coincidence and evaluating likelihoods. He begins with a quote from William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, emphasizing the importance of measurement and knowledge expressed in numbers. Denman highlights that statistics embraces uncertainty and is fundamental to scientific inquiry.

He discusses the common fear of statistics and the difficulty students face with its concepts. Denman defines statistics as a discipline that tolerates and embraces uncertainty. He illustrates the everyday presence of probability and statistics with examples from a newspaper, ranging from job market predictions to astrological forecasts. He points out that the everyday meaning of these terms often differs from their precise mathematical meaning.

Denman clarifies his role as a statistician is that of a professional skeptic, using mathematical tools to analyze data and evaluate hypotheses. He outlines the classic statistical paradigm: formulating hypotheses, using data for quantitative summaries, and rejecting or accepting hypotheses based on probabilities.

He then introduces different interpretations of probability: the classical approach (ratio of equally likely ways), the relative frequency interpretation (limiting value of repeated experiments), and the subjective interpretation (degree of belief). He notes that while the interpretations differ, the numbers often remain the same in practice.

A key example used to illustrate how intuition can be misleading is the problem of tossing two coins. While intuition might suggest a 1/2 probability for double heads, the correct answer is 1/3 when the condition is that at least one coin shows heads. This highlights the importance of precise problem formulation.

Denman also discusses the 'Birthday Problem', explaining that in a group of 23 people, there's a greater than 50% chance of at least two sharing a birthday. He uses this to show how even simple arithmetic can challenge intuitive conclusions. He further extends this to 'precognitive' dreams, demonstrating that even with low probabilities of a dream being accurate, the sheer number of dreams and people means that a significant number of 'psychic' dreams would occur by chance alone.

Psychic Diary (Toby Howard)

Toby Howard, a lecturer in computer graphics at the University of Manchester, reflects on mortality and the concept of an 'Other Side'. He confesses a 'U-turn' regarding his previous positive review of 'Psychic News', which has been acquired by the Spiritualist National Union and had its editorial staff replaced. He laments that any perceived innovations have vanished, and the newspaper has reverted to its previous focus on psychic phenomena.

Howard recounts the reappearance of Liberace at a Nottingham séance via 'direct voice' medium Colin Fry. Liberace allegedly spoke about his possessions and even materialized fingers. Howard humorously speculates on why Liberace might be in Nottingham, imagining a celestial jam session of deceased musicians that Liberace missed.

A comic strip accompanies the diary entry, featuring a character named Jimmy who is presented with 'cold hard logic' and then a 'vast fuzzy sea of electromagnetic-energy-life-force' as a remedy. The strip satirizes the often nonsensical explanations offered in some alternative healing contexts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic are the critical examination of pseudoscience, alternative medicine, and paranormal claims. The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical, evidence-based approach, using logic, statistics, and scientific principles to debunk unfounded beliefs and practices. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific literacy and critical thinking, aiming to educate readers about the fallibility of human intuition when confronted with probability and coincidence, and to expose the often-unscientific foundations of therapies and claims that lack empirical support.

Title: The Skeptic
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
Date: 1995

This issue of The Skeptic features a prominent article by Wendy M Grossman titled "Skeptic at Large," where she reflects on her experiences with internet publishing and a book that she feels misrepresents The Skeptic magazine and its relationship with CSICOP. The issue also includes several book reviews covering a diverse range of topics, letters from readers, and a section on back issues available for purchase.

Skeptic at Large by Wendy M Grossman

Wendy Grossman begins by describing a 'schizophrenic day,' half of which felt like stardom due to being paid for writing for the World Wide Web (d-comm.com), and the other half spent struggling to write an article. She highlights the potential of the internet for commercial publishing, noting that The Economist, which rarely hires freelancers, owns the e-publication where her piece appeared.

The second reason for her 'stardom' is being named as a co-conspirator in a book titled "Dirty Medicine" by Martin J Walker. While flattered, Grossman disputes most of the book's conclusions. She clarifies that while Manchester is the home of The Skeptic due to its editors living there, it is not the UK centre of CSICOP activity. She also refutes the idea of an agreed agenda with CSICOP, stating that the magazine is autonomous and only received a mailing list of subscribers initially. Grossman asserts that her writing is primarily driven by the need to earn a living, not a commitment to industrial science, and her main focus is on computers and cyberspace.

She humorously speculates on conspiracy theories, noting that Nick Beard, a co-founder of the Campaign Against Health Fraud, was the person who got her first computer writing jobs, questioning if the computer industry is secretly funded by the health industry.

Reviews

Myths and gaffs

The Hutchinson Dictionary of World Myth edited by Roy Willis is reviewed by Marjorie Mackintosh. The book is described as a collection of short articles identifying mythical people and motifs from around the world, with good cross-referencing and a bibliography. Mackintosh notes minor errors in dates for artworks but finds it a good standard reference for anyone interested in mythology, suitable for travel.

Persuaded by magic

Tanya M Luhrmann's Persuasions of the Witch's Craft is reviewed by Mike Rutter. Luhrmann, an anthropologist, investigated contemporary witches, pagans, and ritual magicians in England. Rutter notes that the book describes individuals and groups with courtesy and understanding, avoiding credulity or outright debunking. The book categorizes modern occultism into Wicca, Western Mysteries, ad-hoc ritual magic, and non-initiated Paganism. Rutter highlights Luhrmann's observation that these groups are generally law-abiding and socially responsible, with little evidence of Satanism or drug use. The review points out that the book does not discuss topics like psychic healing or astral travel and has a solitary skeptical reference to Sue Blackmore's 'Beyond the Body'. Rutter concludes that the book offers thought-provoking observations on how New Age ideas spread and are believed, recommending it for skeptics.

All at sea

Lost at Sea by Michael Goss and George Behe is reviewed by Mike Walsh. Walsh expresses disappointment, finding the book to be a collection of tales of superstition and the supernatural, with a lack of skeptical analysis. The book is divided into sections on 'Ghost Ships,' 'Mysteries Under The Sea,' 'Lost Liners,' and 'Assorted Tales.' While the initial sections are found to be reasonably well-researched, Walsh criticizes the 'Lost Liners' section for its credulous speculation, particularly regarding the Titanic and Lusitania, citing unsubstantiated claims of premonitions.

GCSE wisdom

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield is reviewed by Tony Lawrence. Lawrence describes the book as having an appealing cover but being rotten at its core, a 'contrived tale' about discovering ancient Mayan insights. He criticizes the narrative for its simplistic portrayal of spiritual development and its aim to raise the collective vibration of humanity. Lawrence finds the story farcical and suggests that many GCSE English students could produce a similar work. He notes that some ideas might have merit but are presented within a fictional narrative, making factual assessment difficult. The review also mentions supplementary materials available for purchase and the potential for future insights to be released.

In eighty nutshells

A Little Knowledge: A World of Ideas from Archimedes to Einstein Clearly Explained by Michael Macrone is reviewed by Martin Bridgstock. Macrone presents 80 short essays explaining major ideas. Bridgstock finds the book's descriptions generally accurate and notes that Macrone doesn't seem to push any particular agenda. He points out a few minor errors regarding Darwin's work. Bridgstock suggests that the book is best read essay by essay rather than straight through and notes that it might conceal the difficulty of working out big ideas. He believes skeptics will appreciate its breezy tone and ability to cut through 'baffle-gab.'

A magical A to Z

The Encyclopedia of Superstitions edited by C Hole is reviewed by Martin Hempstead. Originally published in the 1940s, the book is described as a scholarly and accessible A-Z of superstitions. Hempstead finds it thorough and entertaining for skeptics, illustrating the enduring aspects of human nature. He shares an example of a Scottish superstition involving hair, eyelashes, and nail parings for curing ailments. The review quotes the foreword, emphasizing the importance of understanding superstitions' true meaning and origin.

Talking heads

The Flight of Peter Fromm by Martin Gardner is reviewed by Lewis Jones. Jones finds the book unreadable, describing it as a 'bummer' re-issue of Gardner's 1973 novel. He criticizes the narrative device, where the story is told through the perspective of a divinity student, Peter Fromm, who is only encountered occasionally. Jones finds Fromm incompetent and the novel filled with pseudo-discussions about the resurrection of Jesus. He notes Gardner's afterword, which details his early religious experiences and conversion to fundamentalism.

All in the mind

Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain by Antonio R Damasio is reviewed by Sven Ove Hansson. Damasio, a neurologist, argues that pure reason is a self-defeating ideal and that human rationality is intrinsically linked to emotions and feelings. The review explains that patients with localized brain lesions affecting emotions have a severely reduced ability to set goals and make rational decisions. Damasio's work challenges Descartes' mind-body dualism, suggesting that thinking cannot exist purely without bodily experience. Hansson praises the book for its clarity, its careful distinction between facts and speculation, and its avoidance of 'imperialistic' claims for neuroscience, acknowledging that social phenomena cannot be reduced solely to biology.

Letters

Russian astrology

Nick Campion writes regarding a story about Boris Yeltsin using astrology. He clarifies that while Yeltsin associated with a 'healer' named Dzhuna, she was not an astrologer, and an astrologer who previously approached Yeltsin was rebuffed. Campion notes that other contemporary Russian politicians do consult astrologers, suggesting the essence of the story might be true, but distinguishes it from the consistent use of astrological advice seen in the Reagan White House. He also discusses the belief that Lenin's mausoleum was left ajar to allow his spirit to leave and enter, interpreting this as a manipulation of symbols by Soviet officials. Campion disagrees that superstition is rampant since the end of communism, proposing instead an 'anarchic, almost democratic, explosion of a thousand systems' where superstition changes its forms rather than diminishing.

Ancient ghosts

Elsie Karbaz responds to a letter about 'see-through ghosts,' stating that such descriptions predate cinema photography and the 1860s. She cites examples from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, where ghosts are described as 'wisp of smoke,' 'vapours,' or 'winds,' implying their insubstantial nature. Karbaz suggests that when 19th-century photographers and filmmakers depicted ghosts, they were creating visual representations that corresponded to existing folklore beliefs.

In search of 'Kosmon'

John Brunner seeks help in finding information about 'Oahspe, a Kosmon Bible,' printed in 1960. He describes it as containing a typewritten note about upcoming changes and an address in Sompting. Brunner notes that his reference works do not index the 'bible' or the Kosmon Church and that internal indications suggest it is American, with typical 'cult' characteristics like an artificial history and a naive theory of the universe. He asks for assistance in locating further information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Skeptic consistently champions critical thinking and skepticism, particularly in its reviews of books that delve into paranormal claims, New Age beliefs, and pseudoscientific topics. The magazine actively debunks or critically examines claims that lack empirical evidence or logical foundation. The editorial stance is clearly against credulity and in favor of rational inquiry, as demonstrated by the detailed critiques of books that present unsubstantiated or speculative information as fact. The magazine also engages with the history and evolution of belief systems, from ancient myths to modern superstitions and occult practices, always from a skeptical perspective. The personal reflections of Wendy Grossman further underscore the magazine's commitment to accuracy and its role in challenging misinformation.