Skeptic - 1996 - Vol 10 No 3

Magazine Overview

The Skeptic, Volume 10, Number 3

This issue of The Skeptic, published bimonthly, delves into various aspects of paranormal beliefs and skeptical investigations. The cover prominently asks, "Why do people believe in the paranormal?" and highlights several other articles, including an investigation into the 'incorruptible Yogi,' 'Little grey aliens,' 'Power cable hysteria,' and 'Meet a fake psychic.' The magazine also features news, book reviews, comment, and humor, with a cover price of £2.

Editorial

The editorial expresses dissatisfaction with the current television landscape, noting a proliferation of programs about the paranormal. It distinguishes between escapist entertainment like 'The X-Files' and what it terms 'earnest' programs, including documentaries and chat shows, which it argues lack a balanced, intelligent, and skeptical perspective. The editorial criticizes these programs for doing a disservice to the public's intelligence and often portraying skeptics as marginal figures. It praises a short series by Catherine Bennett in The Guardian as a rare exception and urges readers to write to broadcasters to encourage better programming.

Contents

The issue features a range of articles:

• Hits and Misses by Steve Donnelly
• The Incorruptible Yogi by Leonard Angel
• Little Grey Men by Anson Kennedy
• Sorting the Sheep from the Goats by Chris French
• The Skeptic's Dictionary by Robert Todd Carroll
• The Media and the Pylon Scare by Neville Goodman
• Maybe I am Psychic! by Chris Willis
• Psychic Diary by Toby Howard
• Skeptic at Large by Wendy Grossman
• Reviews
• Letters

Paranormal Picture Gallery

An article by Hilary Evans, co-proprietor of the Mary Evans Picture Library, presents a "Paranormal Picture Gallery." The featured image is of Moses holding the Tablets of the Law, which are depicted as being written in English. Evans humorously questions whether God is an Englishman, offering an "alternative explanation" that the tablets were translated into English for the British, or because they are notoriously bad at languages, dismissing these as absurd.

Hits and Misses

Ab-duck-tion

Steve Donnelly reports on a psychic in Devon who allegedly used a feather to help find four abducted Swedish Blue ducklings worth £400. The owner, Aline Holmes, claimed the ducks were found on the property of Adrian Williams, who had been working on her farm. Williams denied theft, stating the ducks had simply appeared on his land. Magistrates found Williams not guilty, raising questions about relying on clairvoyant identification.

Academic Rigour (Mortis?)

Alan Sokal, a physicist from New York University, submitted a spoof article titled 'Transgressing the Boundaries: Towards a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity' to the cultural studies journal 'Social Text.' The article, filled with nonsensical quotes from academics, was published, leading to a furore. Norman Levitt, a mathematics professor, suggested this revealed arrogance and out-of-touchness within certain academic cliques.

SCE (Spontaneous Clothing Explosion)

This section describes a new phenomenon, Spontaneous Clothing Explosion (SCE), similar to spontaneous human combustion. In one reported case, a healthy Lacoste shirt exploded while on a clothesline, leaving only ash and minimal damage to nearby items. The owner, Alan Fairless, dismissed theories of foul play or atmospheric activity. The author humorously suggests it might be the act of a whimsical deity reserved for those who call their tee-shirts 'leisure garments.'

Merry Wives of Windsor

This piece satirizes the psychic and alternative therapy choices of the Royal ex-wives. It mentions Diana's supposed disinterest in acupuncture and colonic irrigation, and her adoption of Jack Temple's therapies, which include walking among marker flags with water and strapping homeopathic tablets to the head with sticking plaster. The author proposes a humorous "Donnelly Weight Loss Scheme" based on the same principle: strapping problem foods to the head to satisfy cravings without intake.

Sssh!!

This section discusses concerns raised by Professor Donald Tarter regarding the possibility of a rogue world leader sending messages to aliens. It also presents a theory from Charles Pellagrino and George Zebrowski's book, 'The Killing Star,' suggesting that advanced civilizations might use spaceships as missiles, posing an existential threat to Earth. The authors argue that humanity lives in a 'paranoid universe' where species eliminate each other to survive.

The Acid Test

This article examines alternative remedies, focusing on the product 'Pepcid AC.' It notes that its active ingredient, famotidine, used to reduce stomach acidity, has been available by prescription for years. Clinical studies included with the product showed that placebo pills were nearly as effective as the genuine medication (47% vs. 68% for heartburn alleviation, and 55% vs. 74% for symptom alleviation). The author questions why manufacturers include such information, suggesting it might be related to concerns about litigation in the US.

The Incorruptible Yogi

Leonard Angel investigates the claim of the incorruptibility of Paramahansa Yogananda's body after his death, as detailed in his book 'Autobiography of a Yogi.' Angel recounts his initial fascination with yoga and mysticism, his puzzlement over seemingly miraculous claims, and his eventual decision to investigate. He notes that many of Yogananda's reported phenomena are difficult to verify, often occurring in private. However, he focuses on the claim of Yogananda's body remaining undecayed for twenty days after his death, a claim promoted by the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF).

Angel's investigation begins by obtaining Yogananda's death certificate, which indicates he died on March 7, 1952, and that his body was embalmed on or before March 11, 1952. He then consults two embalmers in Vancouver who state that preservation for 20 days without desiccation is not unusual with standard embalming fluids and techniques, and that creams are not necessary. They suggest that the SRF's publicity was misleading by omitting crucial details about the embalming process and the use of a heavy glass lid on the casket, which would have prevented air circulation.

Angel contacts the SRF Mother Centre for comment. The SRF responds through Gary Olson, Vice President at Forest Lawn, who confirms that Harry T Rowe, the Mortuary Director at the time, wrote a notarized letter attesting to the lack of decay. The SRF stands by Rowe's letter, emphasizing the 'extraordinary' nature of the preservation. They state that excerpts in their publications aim to convey the essence of the letter and that the full letter is available in their booklet 'Paramahansa Yogananda: In Memoriam.' Regarding the embalmer, Kenneth I Johnson, and Mr Rowe's credentials, Forest Lawn has no records after so many years.

Angel concludes that the claim of a miracle is unfounded, attributing the preservation to standard embalming practices and suggesting the SRF's publicity was a promotional tactic that omitted key facts.

Little Grey Men

Anson Kennedy examines the belief system of Ufology, using the Roswell incident of July 1947 as a starting point. He describes the core tenets of this belief system, including claims of alien spacecraft crashes, alien bodies, and a clandestine government agreement with aliens ('Greys') in exchange for advanced technology. Kennedy characterizes Ufology as an 'eclectic religion' that accepts extraordinary claims, citing examples like the 'Case of the Century' involving Linda Cortile. He outlines the typical worldview of a UFO believer, including their expectation of government disclosure and their faith in the 'Greys,' a species described as schizophrenic, abducting humans and stealing foetuses while also being seen as potential saviors.

The article details the physical characteristics of the 'Greys' (four feet tall, large craniums, teardrop-shaped eyes) and their supposed origin from Zeta Reticuli or a distant future. It notes their dual role as 'devils' and 'gods' within Ufology, citing authors like Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, and John Mack. Kennedy describes the abduction process, including how 'Greys' enter sleeping victims' homes, subject them to examinations, and extract 'genetic material.' He mentions the controversial theory of hybrid eggs being implanted in women, with developing foetuses never reaching term.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and irrational beliefs. The editorial sets the tone by questioning the quality and balance of mainstream paranormal programming. Articles like Leonard Angel's investigation into Yogananda's alleged incorruptibility and Anson Kennedy's analysis of Ufology demonstrate a commitment to debunking extraordinary claims through rigorous investigation and rational explanation. The magazine challenges claims of miracles, psychic powers, and alien encounters, often providing scientific or logical counterarguments. The overall editorial stance is one of promoting critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning in the face of widespread belief in the paranormal.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 10 Number 3
Date: 1996 (estimated based on content)

This issue of The Skeptic features a range of articles critically examining paranormal claims, media sensationalism, and pseudoscientific beliefs. The magazine aims to provide a rational and evidence-based perspective on topics that often capture public imagination.

Articles

Sorting the Sheep from the Goats: A look at the psychological factors that might explain the widespread, but unjustified, belief in the paranormal

By Chris French

This article explores ten psychological biases that may explain why people, referred to as 'sheep', believe in paranormal phenomena despite a lack of sound scientific evidence, while skeptics are called 'goats'. These biases include:

1. The illusion of control: The tendency to perceive random processes as controllable, with believers being more prone to this.
2. Judgements of probability: People are poor at estimating probabilities, leading them to accept coincidences as paranormal events rather than chance occurrences. The article illustrates this with the birthday problem and the probability of 'precognitive' dreams.
3. Concepts of randomness: A poor intuitive appreciation of randomness leads to reading significance into patterns where none exist. Believers in ESP show this bias more strongly.
4. Reasoning errors: While some studies suggest believers are worse at logical reasoning, these findings have been criticized and not always replicated.
5. Bias in evaluating evidence: Believers tend to perceive evidence as supporting the paranormal, even when it does not, remembering 'successful' demonstrations regardless of actual outcomes.
6. Ignorance of conjuring techniques: Many people believe performers are genuinely psychic, even when aware that tricks are involved.
7. Population stereotypes: Common responses to certain prompts (e.g., the number '7') are not random, but it's unclear if believers are more prone to this.
8. Perceptual biases: Expectations can influence perception, especially in ambiguous situations. Differences between believers and non-believers are expected.
9. Ignorance of 'cold reading': This technique, used by psychics and astrologers, relies on subtle cues to create the impression of psychic knowledge. The article notes that no studies have compared the susceptibility of believers versus non-believers.
10. Ignorance of the 'Barnum Effect': This is the tendency to accept vague, ambiguous statements as descriptive of one's personality. The article questions whether believers are more susceptible.

The author concludes that while these biases don't prove the paranormal doesn't exist, they support the possibility that belief is based on cognitive biases rather than scientific evidence. He suggests that these biases might be evolutionary advantages, enabling quick pattern recognition.

The Media and the Pylon Scare

By Dr Neville Goodman

This article critically examines the media's coverage of the alleged health risks associated with electricity power lines, often referred to as the 'pylon scare'. Goodman argues that despite a lack of strong scientific evidence, media stories have consistently sensationalized the issue, creating public hysteria.

Key points include:

• Early reports (1988-1990): Media coverage, including BBC's Panorama and Channel 4 programmes, highlighted anecdotal evidence of headaches, palpitations, and clusters of suicides, often linking them to power lines.
• Scientific studies: The British Medical Journal (BMJ) and other scientific publications consistently found no firm evidence for or against a link, or noted that any potential effect was weak. However, these findings were often downplayed or ignored by the media.
• Media patterns: The article notes that a small number of scientists and journalists seemed convinced of a link, and their views were disproportionately represented in the media.
• Sensational headlines: Examples of sensational headlines from various newspapers are cited, such as 'Electrical cancer findings diluted' (Guardian), 'Agency backs electric field link in cancer' (Hospital Doctor), and 'Electric jobs 'carry high cancer risk'' (Guardian).
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report (1990): While the report suggested a possible causal link, the media often overemphasized this aspect.
• Later studies and reactions (1991-1996): Despite further studies and a strong statement from the American Physical Society in 1995 finding no consistent link, media coverage continued to focus on potential risks, citing anecdotal evidence and selective findings.
• Henshaw's paper (1996): A paper suggesting electric fields increase radon concentration was reported as 'Evidence that high voltage electricity can cause cancer', despite the authors being careful not to make direct claims and other studies challenging the mechanism.
• Consequences of media distortion: The article points out that media-driven fears can lead to costly actions to reduce exposure, which are not justified by the current scientific knowledge.
• The role of 'convinced' people: The author suggests that the ongoing controversy is fueled by 'convinced' people, grieving parents, and hopeful lawyers who feed the media selective evidence.

Goodman concludes that public controversy will continue until research definitively proves or disproves a hazard, or until the public accepts that science cannot guarantee absolute safety.

The Skeptic's Dictionary: The enduring fascination of the mythical land of Atlantis

By Robert Todd Carroll

This entry debunks the myth of Atlantis, a legendary island described by Plato as a utopia that sank beneath the sea. Carroll traces the origins of the myth and its modern interpretations.

• Plato's account: Atlantis was described as a utopian island west of Gibraltar that sank during an earthquake.
• Controversial theories: Some theories link Atlantis to the volcanic eruption of Thera (Santorini) in 1625 BCE.
• Popularizers: Charles Berlitz is mentioned for popularizing theories about Atlantis, Noah's Ark, and the Bermuda Triangle. Ignatius Donnelly's 'Atlantis: The Antediluvian World' (1882) is cited as a foundational text for modern Atlantis theories.
• Skeptical critiques: Kenneth L Feder is mentioned as a critic who has 'ripped [Donnelly's work] to shreds'.
• Advanced civilization claims: Some theories attribute advanced civilization and technology, including aeroplanes and explosives, to Atlanteans, with Helena Blavatsky and the theosophists inventing the lost continent of Mu.
• Edgar Cayce and J Z Knight: Psychic Edgar Cayce claimed psychic knowledge of Atlantean texts, and J Z Knight channels a spirit named Ramtha from Atlantis.
• Lack of evidence: The article emphasizes that there is no archaeological or geological evidence for either Atlantis or Mu, concluding that the belief is 'just another footnote to Plato'.

Mind games and skullduggery: Phrenology

By Toby Howard

This piece discusses phrenology, a pseudoscience that claims to determine personality traits by examining the bumps on a person's skull.

• Definition: Phrenology is described as the 'science of picking the pocket through the scalp'.
• Origin: Devised by Viennese anatomist Franz Josef Gall (1758-1828), who believed the brain was the seat of mental faculties and that specific regions corresponded to traits, indicated by skull bumps.
• Gall's contribution: Gall was a respectable anatomist for identifying neurons and ganglia, but his extension of this to personality traits was flawed.
• Epiphenomenon: The article explains that character and personality are 'epiphenomena' – by-products of complex biological processes, not localized in specific skull structures.
• Historical influence: Phrenology was influential, with figures like Johann Spurzheim and George Combe promoting it. The British Phrenological Society existed until 1967.
• Modern proponents: Professor Paul Bouts and Peter Van den Bossche are mentioned as modern supporters.
• Conclusion: Phrenology is dismissed as a 'pseudoscientific curiosity'.

Maybe I am Psychic!

By Chris Willis

This article profiles Ian Rowland, a self-proclaimed professional psychic faker who organizes corporate entertainment and 'psychic' shows.

• Ian Rowland's work: He reproduces paranormal phenomena through non-supernatural means, offering 'spoon bending, ESP and other 'psychic' stuff' with humor and patter.
• Approach: Rowland states his work is based on 'genuine psychic research' and his own interest in the subject. He was influenced by Mike Hutchinson of the UK Skeptics.
• Performances: He has performed on Channel 4's 'Break the Science Barrier' with Richard Dawkins and on 'Heart of the Matter', where a tarot reading was judged '99.5% accurate'.
• Philosophy: Rowland's approach is not to debunk but to add information and interest by explaining how the 'tricks' are done, rather than accepting the 'she's psychic' explanation.
• Other activities: He lectures on psychical research, memory training, and critical thinking, and organizes 'psychic dinner parties' and corporate entertainment, including fire-walking.
• Book: He is working on a book addressing his interests, from metal-bending to cold reading.
• Goal: Rowland aims to entertain and provide a good night out, rather than promote a specific viewpoint or preach skepticism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to paranormal claims and pseudoscientific beliefs. The magazine prioritizes scientific methodology, logical reasoning, and critical evaluation of evidence. Recurring themes include the analysis of psychological biases that lead to belief in the paranormal, the debunking of myths and pseudosciences like Atlantis and phrenology, and the critique of media sensationalism that often distorts scientific findings. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, aiming to educate readers about the fallibility of human perception and reasoning, and the importance of empirical evidence in understanding the world.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 10 Number 3, published in 1996, features a cover story titled 'Hacking into the biggest cover-up in the history of the world' by Wendy Grossman. The magazine focuses on skepticism and the critical examination of paranormal claims.

Cover Story: Hacking into the biggest cover-up in the history of the world

Wendy Grossman recounts her experiences at a hacker conference where she discovered a segment of the hacker community that believes it has found evidence of a government cover-up of alien visitations. This rumour dates back to a 1992 edition of the electronic magazine Phrack, which detailed a story from a 'mystery hacker' named 'Quentin' about a project to uncover information on this alleged cover-up. Grossman expresses concern about the linkage of hacker knowledge with UFO conspiracy theorists, questioning whether this indicates a slide into irrational paranoia.

Reviews

Sagan's sagacity

Mike Rutter reviews Carl Sagan's book, 'The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark'. Sagan's book celebrates scientific skepticism and the scientific method in the face of rising pseudoscience. He provides a 'baloney detection kit' for skeptics and applies it to topics like alien abductions, astrology, and faith healing. Sagan argues that most UFO evidence can be explained by misperceptions, hoaxes, or government intelligence data, and that 'UFO Abductions' often occur during sleep or monotonous journeys, readily explained by hypnagogic imagery and sleep paralysis. He also notes that scientists can be fallible, citing historical examples. The book emphasizes the importance of scientific education and skeptical thinking. Rutter highly recommends the book for both skeptics and New Agers.

Objects in the skies

Mike Rutter reviews 'UFO Photographs Around the World' by Wendelle Stevens & August Roberts. Rutter finds the book to be an admirable compilation of UFO photos with extensive documentation, but ultimately concludes that the photos themselves are poor evidence for alien spacecraft, often looking phony or too indistinct to be conclusive. He suggests the book is more valuable as a documentation of the lengths to which believers will go and as a reference for understanding the UFO phenomenon.

Alien logic

Hilary Evans reviews 'Roswell UFO Crash Update: Exposing the Military Cover-up of the Century' by Capt Kevin Randle (Retd). Evans describes the book as dreadful, badly structured, poorly written, and appallingly edited. The main issue is that it assumes the reader has read Randle's previous work and Karl Pflock's report, leading to arguments that refute evidence without explaining it. Evans criticizes Randle's selective use of evidence and his belief in second and third-hand accounts while rejecting first-hand ones. The review highlights Randle's explanation for Colonel Blanchard going on leave after the Roswell discovery as an example of questionable logic.

Paranormal pamphlet

Mike Walsh reviews a booklet accompanying the ITV series 'The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna'. Walsh notes the pro-paranormal bias of the TV series, citing an example where a failed psychokinesis trial was re-run until successful for broadcast. He finds the booklet itself to be less biased and more balanced, offering a neutral presentation of claims and alternative explanations, though acknowledging that some cases remain unexplained.

The real Robin

Christopher C French reviews 'Robin Hood: The Man Behind the Myth' by Graham Philips and Martin Keatman. The review includes a ballad about Robin Hood and notes that the book explores various claims about his identity, suggesting he may not have originated from Sherwood Forest. The reviewer, Vicki Hyde, who is also Chair of the New Zealand Skeptics, notes the book's exploration of different theories about Robin Hood.

Curiouser and curiouser

Vicki Hyde reviews 'Fortean Studies Volume 2', edited by Steve Moore. The volume contains a dozen essays on strange and unexplained phenomena, with contributions ranging from skeptical to open-minded. Hyde notes that all contributors appear to be male. Neil Nixon's essay on 'UFOs and the Media' is highlighted as a refreshingly skeptical look at UFO coverage. The review also mentions Peter Christie's selection of items from 'The Gentleman's Magazine' covering historical accounts of unexplained phenomena and Nigel Watson and Granville Oldroyd's humorous investigation of supposed Russian troop movements in 1914.

Michael Shoemaker's 'The Lightwheel Wonder'

Chris Willis discusses Michael Shoemaker's article 'The Lightwheel Wonder', which analyzes the phenomenon of wheels of light appearing under the ocean. Willis notes the article includes statistical tables but questions the sufficiency of the data, with only 48 reports for analysis. He also comments on the book's layout and price, suggesting a cheaper edition might be more successful.

Acute Angels

Chris Willis reviews 'Ask Your Angels: A Practical Guide to Working with Angels to Enrich your Life' by Alma Daniel, Timothy Wyllie, and Andrew Ramer. Willis describes the book as promoting the idea that unseen heavenly beings are ready to offer divine guidance. He notes that the book draws from various religions and New Age ideas, incorporating fairies, elves, and trolls. The review criticizes the book's reliance on credulity and suggestibility, and its interpretation of coincidences as meaningful. While the ends of self-acceptance and improved relationships are commendable, Willis finds the suggested means disconcerting.

A theory of psi?

Marjorie Mackintosh reviews Lawrence LeShan's 'The Medium, the Mystic and the Physicist'. LeShan attempts to provide a scientific theory for paranormal experiences, proposing that multiple realities exist with different physical laws. Mackintosh finds LeShan's assertion that scientists resist the paranormal due to a desire to disbelieve it to be the reverse of the skeptics' claim. She concludes that the book is a well-sourced theory for believers but unsubstantiated fantasy for non-believers.

Letters

Infamous criticism

Antony Flew comments on a previous article, defending Cyril Burt against allegations of outright fraud and suggesting the criticism should focus on his shoddy methods and dubious conclusions. Flew also discusses a quote from Lewontin regarding intelligence being genetic and immutable, agreeing that Lewontin may not have told the whole story but that his criticism has merit.

UFO mirages

Steuart Campbell writes to Martin S Kottmeyer, arguing that Kenneth Arnold did not report 'incredible speeds' but rather objects he could not identify. Campbell posits that the 'incredible speed' came from a later miscalculation and that Arnold's objects were likely mirages of stationary mountain peaks, citing the changing shape and position of the objects as evidence. Campbell also disputes Kottmeyer's claim that Arnold saw swans, stating that experienced pilots can identify swans and that they do not fly so high.

Absurd beliefs

Sandro G Masoni suggests that diets are a prime area for observing absurd beliefs and practices, responding to an invitation in the editorial to share examples of irrational human behaviour.

The ten-percenters

Lassi Hyvarinen discusses the idea that humans only use 10% of their brains. Hyvarinen argues that this refers to the capacity used at any particular moment, comparing it to a car's capacity. He suggests that full utilization of the brain's capacity at all times would lead to damage, similar to running a car at full speed continuously.

Bookwatch

This section provides brief descriptions of recent books of interest to skeptics. Titles include 'New Lands' by Charles Fort, 'The Trouble With Science' by Robin Dunbar, 'New Age Thinking' by MD Faber, 'The Unconscious Quantum' by Victor J Stenger, 'Spaceships of the Pleiades' by Kal K Korff, and 'The History of the Devil' by Gerald Messadié. It also mentions two books analyzing the 'Mars Effect': 'The Tenacious Mars Effect' by S Ertel & K Irving, and 'The Mars Effect' by Claude Benski et al.

Subscribe to The Skeptic

This section provides subscription details for The Skeptic magazine, including prices for different postal areas and information on ordering back issues. It lists the contents of various back issues from Volume 4 (1990) to Volume 10 (1996), with some issues marked as SOLD OUT.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic are skepticism, the critical examination of paranormal claims, and the promotion of scientific thinking. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, reviewing books and articles that either support or challenge paranormal phenomena from a rational and evidence-based perspective. There is a strong emphasis on debunking pseudoscience and highlighting the importance of scientific literacy. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking and a scientific approach to understanding the world, as evidenced by the reviews of books by authors like Carl Sagan and the critical analysis of paranormal claims.