Skeptic - 2001 - Vol 14 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Volume: 14
Issue: Number 2
Date: January 2001 (estimated based on content references)

This issue of *The Skeptic* magazine, published quarterly, delves into a range of topics from a critical and skeptical perspective. The cover boldly asks, "Would we be better off stupid?" and features an illustration of primitive humans, suggesting a theme of questioning societal progress and knowledge.

Key Articles and Features

Skeptic in Chains

This column by Wendy M. Grossman discusses the growing acceptance of skepticism in academic circles, citing units at Goldsmiths College and the University of Hertfordshire. It contrasts this with the controversial decision by India's education authority to recognize astrology as a degree course, despite protests from scientists. Grossman argues that the difference lies in how subjects are taught and the legitimacy given to belief systems, distinguishing between researching parapsychology and training to be an astrologer. The column also pays tribute to the late writer Douglas Adams, noting his influence on skeptical thinking through his exploration of belief and curiosity.

Hail and Farewell

Grossman also announces changes in *The Skeptic*'s production and administration. The magazine's DTP and publishing are moving to Buffalo, NY, managed by the Center for Inquiry. The administration, marketing, and finances will be handled by CSICOP's UK representative, Mike Hutchinson. The column thanks Dave Martin for his work on the subscription database and Toby Howard for administrative tasks, noting that Howard will continue editing the reviews section.

Hits and Misses

This section covers several brief items:

• Computer firings: It addresses the story of an employee fired by a computer, clarifying that it was a personality test scored by a computer, not the computer making the decision itself. It notes the public's confusion about computers making life decisions.
• The myth of the Jedi: This piece discusses the persistent belief that if 10,000 people listed "Jedi" as their religion on the UK census, it would be recognized as a religion. It explains that census forms are read by optical scanning software and the purpose of the religion question is for resource allocation.
• This way to the Egress: Peter Lamont, a researcher at Edinburgh University, debunked the Indian rope trick as a hoax. He explained that the "rope" was a pole and the story of the boy disappearing and reappearing was fabricated by the Chicago Tribune.

Oink, flap, oink, flap . . .

This piece questions why skeptics are criticized for caring about truth and evidence. It highlights the case of cellular memory, where a doctor presented it as a factor in organ matching, and the potential for such beliefs to influence public policy. It also mentions the case of an eight-year-old girl who allegedly provided details of her donor's murder after receiving a heart transplant.

Maria Duval continued

This section reports on the continued advertising of Maria Duval's lucky talismans in various countries, noting a questionnaire designed to gauge potential customers' gullibility. It also mentions her website and the use of testimonials.

Sinking logic

This piece debunks the myth that the *Titanic* was advertised as "practically unsinkable." It cites Martin Gardner and Richard Howells, who documented that the term "practically unsinkable" was used only in a few publicity leaflets and that the claim of being "unsinkable" was only promoted after the ship sank.

Skeptiquette

Simon Hoggart explores the challenges of discussing paranormal beliefs with friends and acquaintances. He recounts his interactions with people who believe in ghosts, telepathy, and other phenomena, and the difficulty of responding without appearing to be a "skeptical bore." Hoggart offers strategies for responding to such claims, often by providing mundane explanations or highlighting the lack of evidence, while emphasizing the importance of politeness and avoiding alienating people.

It's Dangerous to Talk

Wendy M. Grossman examines the controversy surrounding mobile phone radiation and its potential link to brain cancer. The article notes public concern, government warnings, and the conflicting messages from science and politics. It discusses the challenges of proving a negative and the influence of corporate funding on research. The piece also touches on epidemiological studies and the limitations of current research, including findings that hands-free earpieces might not reduce exposure and that some studies have shown a weak link to tumors on the side of the head where the phone is used.

Measuring radiation

This section explains Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) as a measure of how much radio frequency radiation is absorbed by the human body. It discusses concerns about antennas on buildings and the safety of mobile phone masts. It also mentions the case of David Reynard and the lawsuit filed by Chris Newman, highlighting the lack of scientific evidence in such claims. The article notes that while some studies show a weak correlation between mobile phone use and tumors, this is not conclusive proof of danger.

Examining the data

This part of the article discusses the methods used to research alleged health hazards, focusing on epidemiological studies. It highlights that research into mobile phone use has generally shown no adverse health consequences, although some studies have noted a weak statistical observation of tumors on the side of the phone-using ear. It also mentions that wired phone users showed similar patterns, suggesting the findings may not be specific to mobile phones.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific evidence, and rational explanations for phenomena. It challenges pseudoscientific claims, myths, and unsubstantiated beliefs, often with a touch of humor. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against the uncritical acceptance of extraordinary claims, particularly those related to the paranormal and alternative health. The magazine aims to inform its readers about the scientific consensus and to debunk popular misconceptions.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 14 Number 2, dated July-August-September 2001, explores a range of topics from potential health risks of technology to the nature of intelligence and the investigation of anomalous phenomena. The magazine features articles on mobile phone radiation, the evolutionary implications of intelligence, a UFO sighting, and research into near-death experiences, alongside a statistical compilation of 'Skeptical Stats' and a philosophical discussion.

Mobile Phones and Health Risks

The article "The Skeptic" by Wendy M. Grossman examines the scientific evidence regarding the health risks of mobile phones. It highlights conflicting study results, with some research from the UK's University of Bristol and the US's National Cancer Institute finding no association between mobile phone use and increased risk of brain cancer. However, a 1999 Swedish study surveyed users who reported symptoms like headaches and fatigue. The article also discusses research exposing animals to radiation, noting that microwaves accelerated cell division in worms, though the general consensus is that any effect is weak. The shift to digital phones and their burst transmission of data is mentioned, along with the industry's efforts to manage radiation levels. Patrick Dixon, a futurologist, predicts that future studies will confirm a slight physiological effect from electromagnetic radiation, though its significance will be debated for years. Conversely, David Morton, a former research scientist, points to antenna riggers who work with much higher radiation levels without apparent ill effects. The article concludes by emphasizing that distraction while driving and smoking are far greater health risks than phone radiation, and that mobile phones can interfere with aircraft navigation systems.

Emergent Stupidity and Intelligence

David Hambling's article, "Emergent Stupidity," questions whether intelligence is truly an evolutionary advantage for survival. He notes that while humankind is the dominant species, intelligence is rare in the animal kingdom, with flight evolving more frequently. The article posits that intelligence, particularly tool-making, leads to a form of 'Russian Roulette' where each advancement carries a risk of catastrophic loss. Human societies, unlike social insects that operate on simple rules for collective benefit, exhibit 'emergent stupidity' due to individualistic decision-making that can harm the species as a whole. Examples include the overfishing of cod in Newfoundland and the failure of governments to agree on environmental measures. The article suggests that the risks to intelligent species come from their own collective behavior, aggravated by institutions like political ideologies, religions, and nation-states. It proposes two scenarios for long-term survival: a technological utopia or a deliberate rejection of technological drive, leading to a more primitive existence.

A Close Encounter of the Fireball Kind?

Steuart Campbell investigates a 1995 sighting by British Airways pilots of an unidentified object near Manchester Airport. The object was described as illuminated, wedge-shaped, and moving at high speed. The Joint Airprox (JAWG) investigation concluded the incident was "unresolved" and "unassessable," failing to identify the cause or risk. Campbell proposes the 'fireball hypothesis,' suggesting the pilots observed a large meteor. He notes that the object was not seen on radar and made no sound, consistent with a distant phenomenon. The appearance of the object aligns with a large fireball meteor breaking up. The British Astronomical Association confirmed a fireball was recorded at the time of the pilots' report. Campbell concludes that the crew's reaction was understandable due to a lack of training in observing astronomical phenomena, but criticizes JAWG's failure to explain the report and questions their competence.

Death on the Brain: Near-Death Experiences

Steve Donnelly's "Rhyme and Reason" column critiques media coverage of a pilot study on near-death experiences (NDEs) in cardiac arrest patients. The study, conducted at Southampton General Hospital, reported that 6.3 percent of survivors experienced NDEs. However, Donnelly highlights that with only 63 patients, this represented just four individuals, rendering the study statistically insignificant. Crucially, none of the patients reported out-of-body experiences (OBEs), which would have provided stronger evidence for consciousness independent of the brain. Donnelly also questions the evidence for 'flatlining' (cessation of brain activity) in the patients and the attribution of experiences to the period of unconsciousness, suggesting the possibility of false memories. He concludes that the media hype was unwarranted given the study's limitations.

Philosopher's Corner: Rationalism vs. Empiricism

Julian Baggini's "Philosopher's Corner" uses the example of football manager Glenn Hoddle to illustrate the philosophical concepts of rationalism and empiricism. Hoddle, described as a rationalist, is characterized by his belief in achieving success through theoretical planning and abstract reasoning, akin to René Descartes. This approach failed when applied to football, as it did not account for the specific players and real-world conditions. Baggini contrasts this with David Hume's empiricism, which emphasizes learning from experience and observation. The article suggests that Hoddle's recent success as manager of Southampton, where he worked with a limited squad, indicates a shift towards a more empirical approach. The piece concludes by hoping that Hoddle continues to embrace empiricism over rationalism.

Skeptical Stats

This section compiles various statistics, including the expected growth of ambient advertising revenue, complaints about advertising, the speed of NASA's Scramjet, deaths from thirst crossing the Mexican border, donations to astrology courses, investment in digital TV, ONdigital subscribers, solar eruption speeds, writer lifespans, the time a singer spent testing a flat's karma, the potential price of a mobile phone design, the percentage of British women and men with bank accounts, expected share prices, smallpox vaccine orders, the cost of gene therapy for dogs, Apple CEO Steve Jobs' compensation, and the date of David Irving's appeal. It also notes Warren Buffett's stock market performance and the estimated number of human proteins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around the critical examination of claims, particularly those that lack robust scientific evidence or are sensationalized by the media. The magazine adopts a skeptical stance, encouraging readers to question popular beliefs and to look for empirical evidence. There is a consistent emphasis on the importance of scientific methodology, statistical significance, and logical reasoning. The editorial stance appears to favor a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding the world, challenging pseudoscientific claims and media hype across various domains, from health and technology to paranormal phenomena and philosophical debates.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 14 Number 2, published in 2001, is a collection of reviews and letters focusing on skepticism, pseudoscience, and the paranormal. The magazine's cover features a drawing of a winged creature above a stack of books, with the title 'The Skeptic' prominently displayed.

Reviews

"That Voodoo That They Do So Well"

This review discusses Robert Park's book "Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud." The reviewer, Christopher C French, finds the book extremely enjoyable and readable. Park, a Professor of Physics, uses the term "voodoo science" to describe four types of bad science: pathological science (where scientists are prone to self-delusion), junk science (testimony of expert witnesses in court), pseudoscience (adopting scientific trappings without understanding concepts), and fraudulent science. The book provides examples of all four varieties and is recommended for bookshelves.

"Starchild"

Roland Vernon's book "Star in the East: Krishnamurti, the Invention of a Messiah" is reviewed by Marjorie Mackintosh. The book chronicles the life of Jiddu Krishnamurti, who was trained from childhood to be a religious leader but lost his faith. Despite this, he continued as a religious leader, supported by wealthy patrons. The review notes that Krishnamurti became skeptical of Theosophy in his twenties after a crisis and an affair, leading him to break away and develop his own abstract ideas. The book is described as fascinating regarding Theosophy's history but primarily appeals to those who take Krishnamurti's teachings seriously. The author makes little attempt to explain or paraphrase these teachings, as Krishnamurti forbade it.

"Softly, Softly"

Will Stevens reviews Clifford A Pickover's "Dreaming the Future: the Fantastic Story of Prediction." Stevens confesses to disliking books that are overlong, rambling, and repetitive. Pickover's book, over 500 pages, is described as containing annotated lists of mantic activities, diviners, popes, and saints. The information is noted as being recycled rather than researched from primary sources. Despite this, Pickover is presented as a skeptic who gently questions the prophetic value of predictions. The reviewer believes Pickover's sympathetic approach may reach readers whom more direct skeptical books alienate.

"Hard-Going"

Andrew Sinclair's "The Secret Scroll: a Quest for the Grail" is reviewed by Willem Betz. The book promises to reveal links between various historical and geographical locations and concepts, including the Holy Land, Venice, Scotland, North America, Rosslyn Chapel, the Dead Sea scrolls, the Masons, and the Ark of the Covenant. The reviewer found the book difficult to get through, describing it as fluently written but crammed with names and concepts that would make Erich Von Däniken blush. It is recommended only for strong readers.

"Questions and Answers"

Charles J Cazeau's "Test Your Science IQ" is reviewed by Paul Taylor. Taylor notes that the title is misleading, as the book is about knowledge, not intelligence. It consists of questions and answers on scientific topics, divided into sections like "Outer Space," "Life on Earth," and "The Paranormal." The paranormal section dismisses fairies, Nessie, ghosts, and other phenomena, including the story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's gullibility regarding Houdini. Cazeau's points about dreams, purported communications with the dead, and premonitions are considered good. The review mentions Cazeau's questioning of Nostradamus's prophetic value and his use of a more sympathetic skeptical tone.

"Evolution is Wrong – Ish"

Ray Ward reviews Henry Gee's "Deep Time: Cladistics: the Revolution in Evolution." The book claims to show how our understanding of evolution is wrong. However, the review clarifies that it is not about undermining Darwinism but rather about the limitations of traditional storytelling in paleontology due to the vastness of geological time. The review introduces cladistics, which focuses on the pattern of life's history rather than assumptions about its process. It discusses the concept of "sister-group relationship" and its implications, such as the link between birds and flight. The reviewer finds Gee's writing vivid but notes that the book can become mind-numbing over its 400 pages.

"Mind-Numbing"

Andrew Collins' "The Gateway to Atlantis: The Search for the Source of a Lost Civilisation" is reviewed by Paul Taylor. The review notes the abundance of books on Atlantis and that Collins himself acknowledges the lack of unambiguous archaeological discovery to confirm the legend. Most scholars deny Atlantis has a basis in reality, considering it Plato's fiction. Collins locates Atlantis off the American Atlantic seaboard, disappearing into the sea around 12-20 thousand years ago, a date coinciding with the invention of agriculture, yet no remains of civilization have been found for this period. The reviewer finds the detail in the book mind-numbing.

"Good News"

Jenny Randles, Andy Roberts, and David Clarke's "The UFOs That Never Were" is reviewed by Wolf Roder. The authors, experienced UFOlogists, explain UFO "sightings" by natural means. The book covers major British UFO sightings and other events like Roswell and the 'alien autopsy' film. The review praises the quality of thought and research, likening it to good skepticism. It suggests that a rational wing is growing within the UFO community, which is seen as positive for a field often rife with florid claims.

"Cautious Skepticism"

Martin Bridgstock reviews "Alas, Poor Darwin: Arguments against Evolutionary Psychology," edited by Hilary Rose and Steven Rose. The book is described as another volley in the "Darwin Wars." The review notes that while the collection contains important arguments, it is marred by misrepresentations typical of skirmishes. An example is given of Hilary Rose accusing Gross and Levitt of proposing that humanities faculty should be fired, which the review refutes with a direct quote.

"Being More Like Him"

John Gillies reviews Kary Mullis's "Dancing Naked in the Mind Field." The book is described as a shapeless series of reflections on various topics, in the style of Richard Feynman. Mullis, a Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, is skeptical of claims that HIV causes AIDS and of human impact on climate change. He is less skeptical of astrology, astral projection, and alien abductions. The reviewer finds the book irritatingly self-congratulatory and superficial.

"A Basketful of Demons"

Pat Shipman's "The Man Who Found the Missing Link: the Extraordinary Life of Eugene Dubois" is reviewed by Frank Chambers. The book is described as a fictional biography. Shipman utilized the Dubois Archives, but notes that Dubois' daughter burned some materials. The review mentions hints of Dubois' homosexuality and portrays him as vain, jealous, suspicious, and holding racial prejudices. He is described as "irascible, paranoid, brilliant and stubborn." After initial poor reception of his claims about Pithecanthropus erectus, he became a recluse. The book is considered a good read but of no specific interest to skeptics.

Letters

"The Media and Dr. French"

Montague Keen writes to express agreement with Chris French's paper "The Paranormal and the Media" but criticizes his selectivity. Keen argues that French focused on Paul McKenna's "The Paranormal World" while ignoring more extensive tests by Rupert Sheldrake regarding the dog Jaytee, which later showed Wiseman's results were consistent with Sheldrake's. Keen also criticizes French's practice of ignoring or explaining away paranormal evidence, stating that it makes it impossible to demonstrate anything paranormal as the goalposts are infinitely moveable. He argues that there is now overwhelming evidence from laboratory-based research into psychokinesis, telepathy, and clairvoyance, and that it is dishonorable to suppress this information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical viewpoint, critically examining claims related to the paranormal, pseudoscience, and unconventional theories. Reviews often highlight the lack of scientific evidence, the reliance on anecdotal accounts, and the potential for self-delusion or fraud. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous scientific inquiry and evidence-based reasoning, while also acknowledging the need for a sympathetic approach to potentially reluctant thinkers in fields like UFOlogy. The letters section demonstrates an internal debate within the skeptical community, with some contributors pushing for a more robust engagement with evidence that challenges conventional skeptical paradigms.