Skeptic - 1995 - Vol 9 No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 9, Number 6
Date: 1996 (inferred from content)
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: UK
Price: £2.00
ISSN: 0959-5228

This issue of "The Skeptic" magazine, dated Volume 9, Number 6, presents a collection of articles that critically examine various phenomena, from alleged paranormal events to alternative health practices and scientific theories. The cover features a striking illustration with the headline "Is there anyone out there?", hinting at themes of extraterrestrial life and skepticism towards such claims.

Articles and Features

Hits and Misses by Steve Donnelly

Steve Donnelly's column addresses several topics. Firstly, he discusses the unreliability of "radionics," a purported diagnostic technique. An example is given of inconsistent results from hair analysis for allergies, leading trading standards officers to warn the public against such "hocus pocus" therapies. Secondly, the article touches upon "Bee healthy," highlighting potential dangers of royal jelly, a health product favored by some, which has been linked to adverse reactions and even fatalities. The piece contrasts the risks of natural substances with those of chemical additives in food. Finally, "Ghostman" introduces a new Sony device that claims to predict a person's destiny and medical risks using a combination of high technology and Eastern spirituality. The device, which performs pulse diagnosis, is slated for market release in Japan in 1996.

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery: Hysteria grows in Brooklyn

This section features an illustration from the National Police Gazette, dated October 16, 1886, depicting a scene of "mass hysteria." The accompanying text describes an incident in an 1886 Brooklyn cigarette factory where a girl's fit of hysterics spread to the entire workforce, causing the factory to close. The article explains that while "mass hysteria" was once attributed to the devil, it is now classified as "mass psychogenic illness." However, the underlying causes and psychological mechanics remain poorly understood, despite numerous observed outbreaks triggered by individual fits.

New Psi Research Programme by Susan Blackmore

Susan Blackmore announces her appointment as the Perrott-Warrick Researcher, with a £20,000 annual grant for three years to study "Reality and Imagination: Psi at the interface." The research will investigate psi phenomena in borderline states of consciousness, such as hypnagogia, sleep paralysis, and lucid dreams. The project aims to induce these states in a laboratory and at home to conduct psi tests. It will also explore how confusion between reality and imagination can be induced using false memory paradigms. Blackmore welcomes accounts of experiences where reality and imagination were confused, including out-of-body experiences, alien abduction, and near-death experiences.

La Dolce Saucer by Bill Forth

Bill Forth recounts a personal experience where friends claimed to have seen a UFO during a trip to England. Forth, a self-proclaimed skeptic of UFOs, engages in a debate with his friends who are convinced of their existence. He counters their arguments by suggesting alternative explanations for sightings, such as misidentification, psychological factors, and the power of imagination. He also dismisses the idea of crop circles being created by aliens, proposing a more mundane explanation involving engineering students. Forth explains his shift from a former believer to a skeptic, citing his attendance at UFO cultist meetings and his suspicion that UFOlogy represents a modern myth catering to a yearning for integration and specialness.

Feeling Cosy in the Cosmos by Charles Ward

Charles Ward discusses the human desire for cosmic significance and the tendency to seek comfort in speculative beliefs. He contrasts "hard-nosed skeptics" who accept reality as stark with "soft-hearted ones" who hope for a benign universe. Ward critiques the pursuit of speculative dreams about the distant future, arguing that a healthy mind is geared towards present-day challenges. He suggests that an overemphasis on "faith" can camouflage a pathological state of mind, similar to expecting misery. The article also touches upon the scientific method, noting that theories are subject to revision and that scientists, like everyone else, are influenced by personal opinions and emotions. Ward references de Chardin's "Omega Point Theory" and Frank J. Tipler's "The Physics of Immortality," criticizing Tipler's attempts to link physics with theology and his assertions about life after death and cybernetic successors. Ward concludes by questioning the human desperation for immortality.

Is There Really Anyone Out There? by Mark Lawson

This article, likely related to the cover headline, explores the question of extraterrestrial life from a skeptical perspective. While not fully detailed in the provided text, it is implied that Lawson examines the evidence and arguments for and against the existence of aliens, likely presenting a critical analysis.

Other Sections

• Contents: Lists the articles and their page numbers, including "Feeling Cosy in the Cosmos," "A New Psi Research Programme," "La Dolce Saucer," "Is There Really Anyone Out There?", "The Amazing Dummy Pill," "Names to Conjure With," and "Psychic Diary."
• Reviews and Letters: Standard magazine sections for reader feedback and critical assessments.
• Volume 9, Number 6: Indicates the publication details.
• Copyright: The Skeptic 1996.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is skepticism towards claims of the paranormal, the supernatural, and unproven scientific or pseudoscientific theories. The magazine consistently adopts a critical and analytical stance, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to rely on evidence-based reasoning. Articles debunk or question phenomena such as radionics, UFOs, and certain interpretations of scientific theories. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between scientific inquiry and speculative belief, and on the importance of critical thinking in evaluating information. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting rationalism and challenging what the magazine perceives as irrationality or unfounded belief systems.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 9 Number 6
Date: June 1995
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic tackles a diverse range of topics, from the profound question of extraterrestrial life to the subtle power of the placebo effect and the historical landscape of patent medicines, concluding with a look at the complexities of the human brain.

Is There Really Anyone Out There? by Mark Lawson

Mark Lawson begins by addressing the persistent question of whether intelligent life exists beyond Earth. Despite extensive searches, including SETI programs, no concrete evidence has been found. Lawson highlights the vastness of cosmic time and space, noting that if advanced civilizations existed, they would have had ample time to make contact. He discusses the difficulties of interstellar travel but points out that even robot missions should have yielded some results by now. The article touches upon science fiction's explanations for this silence, such as aliens waiting for humanity to become more peaceful, or their indifference. Lawson introduces the Fermi Paradox, first posed by nuclear scientist Enrico Fermi, which questions the lack of observable alien civilizations. He also explores the possibility that intelligent life might be exceedingly rare. The article touches on the formation of planetary systems, citing the discovery of planets around a pulsar and the potential for many such systems, but emphasizes the difficulty in detecting them. The role of Earth's unique hot core and its influence on volcanic activity, plate tectonics, and climate change is discussed as a factor that may have contributed to the evolution of intelligence. The article concludes with a philosophical reflection on the potential loneliness of humanity in the cosmos, quoting Woody Allen on the importance of enjoying the experience of life regardless of whether there are answers to profound questions.

The Amazing Dummy Pill by Edzard Ernst

Professor Edzard Ernst examines the placebo effect, a phenomenon often overlooked or misunderstood in medicine. He notes that physicians use it more than any other therapy but are uncomfortable discussing it. Ernst defines placebo as 'the form of a therapy without its content' and explains that placebo effects can occur even without a dummy pill, simply through the intention to treat or diagnose. He provides anecdotes, including one from his medical school days where a patient felt better after an ECG, attributing it to the 'high tech' equipment. Ernst discusses how invasive procedures or therapies that involve patient engagement, like creams, can enhance placebo responses. He also highlights the crucial role of the physician's expectation and interaction with the patient. The article debunks the idea of 'placebo-responders,' stating that individuals who respond to placebo in one trial may not in another. It also refutes the notion that placebos only affect subjective symptoms, citing evidence of their impact on objective variables like blood tests and wound healing. The concept of 'nocebo-effects' (adverse reactions to placebos) is also explored, noting their parallel with side-effects of active drugs. Ernst mentions various theories attempting to explain the placebo mechanism, including endorphin levels and cognitive dissonance, though none are definitively proven. He observes a shift in research attitudes, with a renewed interest in understanding and optimizing placebo effects rather than dismissing them as 'background noise.' The article concludes by emphasizing that placebo effects are a valuable, complementary aspect of medical treatment.

Names To Conjure With by Russell Dear

Russell Dear delves into the history of patent medicines, particularly in Britain and the US, from the 18th century onwards. He begins by listing evocative names of old remedies like 'Burlington's Balsam of Life' and 'Dalby's Carminative,' which he suggests highlight the gullibility and greed of earlier generations. The article describes how these medicines were advertised with extravagant claims, often promising cures for a wide range of ailments. Dear notes that the desire for quick cures has persisted, with contemporary examples like GH3X and craniosacral therapy. He points out that collecting old medicine bottles offers a glimpse into social history and the often nefarious dealings of entrepreneurs. The sheer volume of patent medicines sold, with millions of dollars in turnover, is highlighted. The article suggests that the roots of patent medicines lie in medieval alchemy's obsessions with turning base metals into gold, finding a universal panacea, and discovering the elixir of life. Early preparations often contained alcohol and opium, flavored with herbs, and were distributed in small bottles. The rise of newspapers facilitated advertising, leading to a boom in the patent medicine business. The article lists several examples of these early advertisements and their purported benefits. It also discusses the common practice of selling alcoholic beverages disguised as medicine, often under the name 'bitters,' to avoid taxes and social reformers. The article notes that the patent medicine trade was significantly impacted in 1905 by Samuel Hopkins Adams' series of articles, 'The Great American Fraud,' which exposed the dangers of these remedies. The piece concludes by listing more exotic names of patent medicines and reflecting on how scientific medicine, while beneficial, may have lost some of the 'romance' associated with older remedies.

Psychic Diary by Toby Howard

Toby Howard shares his experience of seeing a human brain in a laboratory, which he likens to a scene from a Hammer Horror film. He notes that brains are generally considered unappealing and are best kept out of sight. Howard discusses how the brain features prominently in pseudoscientific thinking, not due to what is known about its capabilities, but rather due to the unknown potential attributed to it, such as telepathy and extra-sensory perception. He touches upon the common misconception that humans only use 30% of their brain. The article emphasizes the immense complexity of mapping the brain and understanding its functions, contrasting it with outdated practices like phrenology. Howard describes the advancements in neuroscience, including the use of Electroencephalograph (ECG) machines to monitor brain activity. He explains how modern ECGs use scalp sensors and software to analyze brainwave rhythms like alpha, beta, and theta. While acknowledging some success in using these rhythms to control external devices, he notes the significant challenges in signal processing and training. Howard expresses skepticism about direct inter-brain communication like telepathy, arguing that the sheer richness of information within the brain makes such direct transmission unlikely. He references a science fiction story where telepathic aliens fail to conquer Earth because they underestimated the diversity of human thought, concluding that this very difference is a safeguard.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to examining claims that fall outside mainstream scientific understanding. This issue reinforces that stance by scrutinizing UFO phenomena, the placebo effect, historical medical practices, and claims of psychic abilities. The magazine champions scientific inquiry, rationalism, and skepticism, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to rely on empirical evidence rather than anecdotal accounts or pseudoscientific theories. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific medicine and a rational understanding of the world, while acknowledging the complexities and mysteries that still exist, particularly in fields like neuroscience.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 9 Number 6
Date: June 1995

This issue of The Skeptic, edited by Wendy M. Grossman, offers a critical examination of various phenomena, from the purported use of psychics by intelligence agencies to the cultural impact of talk shows and the nature of belief systems.

Talk-show Therapy

Wendy M. Grossman opens the issue with an exploration of 'Talk-show therapy,' questioning the value of military spending on psychics and suggesting that 'trash media' might serve a function in diverting attention from more serious issues. She discusses the phenomenon of talk shows, citing Barbara Ehrenreich's observation that guests often lack outside scrutiny. Grossman likens these shows to a modern-day Lourdes, where hosts and therapists offer instant cures and solutions, fulfilling a deep-seated human need for immediate answers.

Reviews

U (must) B joking

This review by Robert Benchley examines Martin Gardner's book, 'Urantia: The Great Cult Mystery.' The Urantia Book, a 2,097-page text published in 1955, is described as containing a celestial hierarchy, prophecies, and a revisionist life of Christ. Gardner's investigation traces the book's roots to Sister Ellen White and Dr. William Sadler, suggesting Sadler plagiarized and re-edited much of the text. The review highlights the discovery of flagrant plagiarisms by Matthew Block and notes the Urantia fundamentalists' unique interpretations of scientific errors. It also touches upon the schisms within the Urantia movement and the legal battles over copyright, concluding that while the book has entertaining segments, its sheer weight of documentation makes it a 'massive sledgehammer' for 'minor nuts.'

Psychoanalysis in ruins

Charles Rycroft's 'A Critical Dictionary of Psychoanalysis' is reviewed by Dave Langford. Langford expresses initial anticipation for a critique of psychoanalysis but finds that the book primarily clarifies Freudian terms without addressing criticisms from figures like Eysenck or Medawar. The review notes that the dictionary is useful for understanding Freudian terms but acknowledges its limitations due to the fragmented nature of psychoanalytic theory.

Chivalry and chutzpah

This review by Martin Bridgstock discusses Courtney Davis and Helena Patterson's 'King Arthur's Return: Legends of the Round Table and Holy Grail Retraced.' Bridgstock praises the book's art but criticizes its text for inaccuracies and 'sheer silliness,' particularly in its treatment of Celtic culture and historical context. The review points out the authors' misrepresentation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's 'History of the Kings of Britain' as factual history rather than myth.

Unwarranted design

Nicholas Humphrey's 'Soul Searching' is reviewed by Vicki Hyde. Hyde describes the book as an erudite and reasoned skeptical view of the paranormal, noting that it may displease both believers and skeptics. She finds Humphrey's argument for 'unwarranted design' appealing but potentially problematic. While agreeing with Humphrey's overall skeptical stance, Hyde finds some arguments logically weak but thought-provoking.

All you have to do is dream

Julia and Derek Parker's 'The Complete Book Of Dreams' is reviewed by Chris Willis. Willis criticizes the book for debasing dream analysis into a form of DIY psychotherapy, common in the 'New Age' section of bookshops. While acknowledging the book's format and illustrations, he finds its content, particularly the dream image dictionary, to be not comprehensive. He questions the authors' claim of providing 'definitive' interpretations and suggests that dream analysis is best left to psychoanalysts.

Here's a funny thing

Ken Anderson's 'Coincidences: Chance or Fate?' is reviewed by Steve Donnelly. Donnelly notes that the book claims to contain the largest collection of coincidences but finds many to be unimpressive anecdotes. He criticizes Anderson for not giving sufficient credence to skeptical approaches and for suggesting that coincidences represent an unknown principle ignored by science.

Cultic twilight

Hans Sebald's 'Witch-Children: From Salem Witch-Hunts to Modern Courtrooms' is reviewed by Vicki Hyde. Hyde notes that the book addresses the lesser-known aspect of boys being involved in witch-hunts alongside girls. Sebald's work is seen as a valuable historical account that draws parallels to modern ritual Satanic abuse cases, emphasizing the importance of learning from history.

Past and present lives

Sue Carpenter's 'Past Lives: True Stories of Reincarnation' is reviewed by Vicki Hyde. Hyde finds the case histories largely unverifiable and open to prosaic explanations, questioning the arguments for reincarnation based on popularity and celebrity. She notes that the idea of eternal existence, while appealing to some, is viewed as a curse by Buddhists.

Letters

Murphy's Law

Martin S. Taylor writes in response to Steve Donnelly's 'Hits and Misses,' agreeing with the principle of Murphy's Law and humorously suggesting Donnelly buttered his toast on the wrong side.

Not little men

Chris Willis responds to a letter from Tom Cross, clarifying that she did not refer to Conan Doyle or other figures as 'little men' in her article.

What's in a name?

Jim England corrects an obituary for John Brunner, stating that Brunner's middle names were Kilian Houston, not part of his real name.

Call for awards

Bernard Howard, Secretary of the New Zealand Skeptics, suggests that Messrs. Bower and Chorley, who have lectured on crop circles, should be recognized with an MBE or honorary doctorate for their work.

Out by a century

Antony Flew points out an error in a previous issue, stating that John Kemble was hanged in 1579, not 1679.

Instant history

John Wallington shares an anecdote about creationists who believe God created caves with stalagmites already in place, reconciling this with a young Earth belief.

Do it yourself

Test Your Psychic Powers

Susan Blackmore and Adam Hart-Davis's book, 'Test Your Psychic Powers,' is reviewed by Steve Donnelly. Donnelly praises the book for its approach of providing scientific tests for paranormal phenomena, effectively introducing skepticism to readers interested in the paranormal without being overtly preachy.

Occult religion

Janet Farrar, Stewart Farrar, and Gavin Bone's 'The Pagan Path' is reviewed by Taner Edis. Edis describes the book as an introduction to Neopaganism, noting its roots in Western occultism and its acceptance of paranormal claims. He criticizes its mythology as unhelpful for women and questions its lack of a community aspect, viewing it as a contemporary religion prioritizing therapy over truth. Edis also raises concerns about how skeptics should respond to occult religions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Skeptic consistently upholds a skeptical viewpoint, critically examining claims related to the paranormal, alternative therapies, and pseudoscientific beliefs. The magazine encourages evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking, challenging unsubstantiated assertions across various fields, from intelligence agency operations to New Age philosophies and historical interpretations. The editorial stance is one of rigorous inquiry, aiming to debunk myths and promote a rational understanding of the world.