Skeptic - 2002 - Vol 15 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 15, Number 4
Date: Winter 2002

This issue of The Skeptic is presented with new editorial hands, Julia Nunn taking over from Kate Holden. The magazine covers a range of skeptical inquiries, focusing heavily on psychological explanations for paranormal phenomena, alongside historical and social commentary.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Julia Nunn and Chris French, welcomes readers to issue 15.4. It announces Julia Nunn's new role as editor and congratulates Kate Holden on her new child. The issue features the second part of an article by Rense Lange and James Houran, proposing an advanced model of the psychological processes underlying hauntings and poltergeists, suggesting that a basic choice between belief and fear exists and that increasing tolerance of ambiguity might change paranormal beliefs. Professor Steve Donnelly's contribution in 'Rhyme and Reason' explores research suggesting skepticism might be linked to brain chemistry. Hilary Evans examines evidence of German army conduct during World War I. The editorial also notes the controversy surrounding the BBC's 'Thought for the Day' program and the broadcast of an 'alternative' thought by Professor Richard Dawkins. Matthew Coniam's article, 'Reconsecration: Towards a Secular Church,' is highlighted, advocating for churches to be dedicated to science. The introduction of a new column by Dr. Michael Heap of ASKE (Association for Skeptical Enquiry) is announced, aiming to keep readers informed of ASKE events. The editorial also mentions a lecture by James Randi co-sponsored by The Skeptic and ASKE, and thanks various individuals for their contributions.

Paranormal Picture Gallery: Airborne Artillery

This section, curated by Hilary Evans, features an illustration of an "Airborne Artillery" device, predating the Wright brothers. It speculates on how such aerial weaponry might have changed the course of warfare, such as the Boer War, if adopted by Queen Victoria's War Office. Hilary Evans is identified as co-proprietor of the Mary Evans Picture Library.

Contents

• The table of contents lists the following articles and features:
• Editorial (Julia Nunn and Chris French)
• Hits and Misses
• Skeptic at large... (Wendy M Grossman)
• The Psychological Reality of Haunts and Poltergeists: Part 2 (Rense Lange and James Houran)
• Skeptical Stats
• Reconsecration: Towards a Secular Church (Matthew Coniam)
• Myths to Die For (Hilary Evans)
• Rhyme and Reason (Steve Donnelly)
• Philosopher's Corner (Julian Baggini)
• ASKE News
• Reviews
• Letters

Hits and Misses

This section covers several brief, often critical, observations:

• How to talk to your cat: Critiques 'cat psychic' Sonya Fitzpatrick and the concept of paying for seminars on understanding cats, drawing parallels to cold-reading techniques.
• Method in the UFO madness: Discusses Billy Buchanan's promotion of Bonnybridge as a UFO hotspot and businessman Gerrit Wals's plans for an alien theme park. It notes the local denial of Buchanan's claims and the logistical absurdity of hearing 5,000 hours of UFO stories.
• Future confused: Mentions an issue at the Institute for Scientific Information regarding the classification of 'citable' scientific reports versus 'entertainment fluff', citing an example of a librarian seeking non-existent books from a future-dated sf piece.
• Moisture-proof: Praises Matthew Parris for tackling the costly beliefs associated with expensive skincare products, noting his personal experiment with moisturizing creams and Vaseline.

Skeptic at large...

Wendy M Grossman writes about her experience with a BBC Manchester researcher seeking an "alternative view on angels." She expresses frustration with the self-absorption often found in stories about angels, contrasting them with global issues like drought and famine. Grossman notes the similarity between stories of angels, ghosts, and aliens, suggesting that belief in them often arises during times of extreme stress. She questions why angels are concerned with trivial human matters while major global crises are attributed to human action.

The Psychological Reality of Haunts and Poltergeists: Part II: An Advanced Model

This article by Rense Lange and James Houran presents a catastrophe theory model to explain paranormal belief and fear. It posits that individuals with low ambiguity tolerance tend to switch suddenly between fear and belief states. The model incorporates hysteresis, suggesting a 'memory' effect where beliefs, once adopted, are not easily relinquished. The authors compare poltergeist-like episodes to contagious psychogenic illnesses, noting similarities in triggers, symptoms, and the role of stress. They cite examples and research, including studies on neuroticism and hypochondriasis in paranormal believers. The article concludes that ghosts, haunts, and poltergeists are largely social facts, influenced by our physiology.

Other Features

• Reconsecration: Towards a Secular Church: Matthew Coniam argues that churches should be dedicated to the wonder of science.
• Myths to Die For: Hilary Evans examines evidence related to World War I atrocities.
• Rhyme and Reason: Steve Donnelly discusses research on skepticism potentially being linked to brain chemistry.
• Philosopher's Corner: Julian Baggini contributes.
• ASKE News: Introduces a new column by Dr. Michael Heap to inform readers about ASKE events.
• Reviews and Letters: Regular sections featuring book reviews and reader correspondence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical viewpoint, emphasizing rational and scientific explanations for phenomena often attributed to the paranormal. Psychological factors, such as belief, fear, and ambiguity intolerance, are presented as key to understanding experiences of haunts and poltergeists. The publication also engages with historical events and social commentary from a critical perspective. The editorial stance is one of encouraging critical thinking and questioning extraordinary claims, while also advocating for scientific understanding and secularism.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 15, Number 4, dated June 2002, features articles on the reconsecration of churches for science and a historical examination of the German army's atrocities in Belgium during World War I. The magazine's ISSN is 0956-4402, and it is published in the United Kingdom.

Reconsecration: Towards a Secular Church

Matthew Coniam proposes that churches, which are often seen as the 'soft spot' in an atheist's armor, could be repurposed for science. He acknowledges their architectural and contemplative value, suggesting that instead of being abandoned or repurposed for less practical uses like cinemas, they could serve as secular cathedrals dedicated to scientific inquiry. Coniam argues that these buildings, with their inherent capacity to inspire awe and reflection, could host weekly services focused on scientific exploration, such as discussions on cosmology, evolution, and the vastness of the universe. He posits that such a 'secular church' would encourage seriousness, contemplation, and humility, offering a profound experience akin to religious worship but grounded in truth, reason, and science. He quotes Richard Dawkins on the potential for scientific concepts like evolutionary change to inspire great art and music, aligning with this vision.

Myths to Die for

Hilary Evans examines new evidence regarding the atrocities committed by the German army during its invasion of Belgium in 1914, as documented in the book 'German Atrocities: A History of Denial' by John Horne and Alan Kramer. Evans argues that the scale and nature of these atrocities were far worse than commonly believed, challenging the initial skepticism that attributed many reports to wartime propaganda. The article details how the German army, driven by a belief in their own superiority and a distorted view of warfare, used the myth of 'franc-tireurs' (civilian irregulars) to justify the brutal treatment and summary executions of thousands of innocent Belgian civilians. Evans highlights that no evidence of actual franc-tireur activity was found, and that panic, disarray, and a pre-existing prejudice against the Belgian population were the true drivers of the violence. The article discusses how the myth of the franc-tireur led to the myth of the atrocities themselves, and draws parallels to later historical events, emphasizing Santayana's warning about the consequences of forgetting the past. The piece concludes that both myths and disbelief can be misleading, urging a critical approach to historical accounts.

Skeptical Stats

This section presents a collection of diverse statistics, including:

• Annual losses by the Royal Mail (£1 billion).
• Costs associated with changing the Royal Mail's name to Consignia and back.
• Number of letters lost weekly.
• Pioneer 10 spacecraft's distance from Earth.
• Angelina Jolie's request for her ex-husband to return blood phials.
• Percentage of worldwide online activity by the US and China.
• Number of wives selling advertising space on husbands' penises on eBay.
• Amount made by top management of bankruptcies from share sales.
• Number of people collecting over $10 million.
• Stephen King's remaining books to write.
• Global population percentages that are obese and chronically hungry.
• Ratios of buy:sell recommendations by Wall Street analysts, including during the dot-com boom.
• Number of people when adding those who know binary and those who don't.
• Number of imported endangered wildlife species seized in Britain and the estimated annual value of worldwide wildlife crime.
• Distance asteroid 2002MN missed Earth.
• Percentage of Santa's reindeers that must be female based on antlers.
• Average time Britons spend reading novels and on all types of reading.

The section is compiled by Wendy M Grossman and thanks Rachel Carthy for assistance.

The Parking Lot is Full

A short comic strip by Jack McLaren and Pat Spacek, featuring a character named Cindy with the mental power of jellokinesis.

Little-Known Fact #312

This fact states that the discovery of gravitational force was made by Sir Ogilvie Newton, Isaac's older brother, who sought inspiration in an 'anvil orchard'.

Contributors

Biographical notes are provided for James Houran, an Instructor of Clinical Psychiatry, and Rense Lange, who holds Masters' degrees in Psychology and Computer Science and works as a psychometrician.

Skeptics in the Pub

An announcement for 'Skeptics in the Pub', a monthly evening event for those interested in or skeptical about the paranormal, featuring invited speakers and discussions. Contact details for Nick Pullar are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes critical thinking and skepticism, particularly in the context of historical events and pseudoscientific claims. The editorial stance is to debunk myths, question unsubstantiated beliefs, and promote evidence-based reasoning. The article on reconsecrating churches advocates for a secular, science-focused approach to traditional religious spaces, reflecting a broader theme of re-evaluating established institutions through a rational lens. The historical piece on WWI atrocities serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of myth-making, propaganda, and the consequences of unchecked prejudice, reinforcing the magazine's commitment to historical accuracy and the debunking of historical revisionism. The 'Skeptical Stats' section further supports this by presenting factual data to counter sensationalism or misinformation. The overall tone is analytical, evidence-driven, and critical of unsubstantiated claims, whether they stem from religious dogma, historical revisionism, or paranormal beliefs.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 15, Number 4, published in September 2002, features a cover story titled 'Rhyme and Reason' by Steve Donnelly, exploring the neurological basis of belief and skepticism. The magazine covers a range of topics including psychology, philosophy, science, and reviews of relevant books, alongside news from the Association for Skeptical Enquiry (ASKE).

Rhyme and Reason: The Dopamine Connection

Steve Donnelly, a physics professor, discusses his perplexity at the prevalence of paranormal beliefs, even among scientists. He highlights research by neurologist Peter Brugger, which suggests a link between dopamine levels and skepticism. Experiments involving the drug L-dopa, which increases dopamine, showed that both sceptics and believers became less accurate in identifying real words and faces. Intriguingly, sceptics became more likely to interpret scrambled stimuli as real, leading Brugger to suggest that dopamine helps people 'see patterns' and that paranormal beliefs might be associated with higher dopamine levels. Donnelly ponders the implications, questioning if skepticism itself could be a sign of brain dysfunction or if believers have abnormally high dopamine levels. He also touches upon the potential link between dopamine levels and health outcomes, referencing a study on church-goers.

Philosopher's Corner: A Primer on Philosophical Terms

Julian Baggini, editor of The Philosophers' Magazine, provides a glossary of key philosophical terms. He defines 'a posteriori' reasoning as empirical and 'a priori' as armchair reasoning. 'Certainty' is described as something philosophers aspire to but rarely achieve. 'Evidence' is presented as premises for an argument, even if logically invalid. 'Forms' refers to Plato's concept of ideal existences. 'Logic' is acknowledged as difficult but optional for students. 'Regress' describes a seminar participant losing an argument. 'Rights' are defined by Bentham as 'nonsense on stilts'. Finally, 'Valid' arguments in philosophy are distinguished from common parlance, where a conclusion follows from premises, regardless of their truth.

ASKE News: Preparing for the European Skeptics Congress

Michael Heap, Chairman of ASKE, announces that ASKE will host the 2003 European Skeptics Congress in London from September 5-7. He details the venue at Kings College London and discusses plans to make the congress more engaging. Efforts are being made to address the issue of language barriers for non-native English speakers by displaying summaries of talks. To combat the 'preaching to the converted' problem, ASKE aims to attract an audience with diverse views and encourage provocative, well-reasoned arguments. Potential debate topics include the necessity of education, medicine, and democracy, and whether scientists themselves should be subject to skepticism. The congress will feature symposia on science, health, medicine, parapsychology, anomalistic psychology, and a debate titled 'Scientists on the Defensive'. Invited speakers include Professor Edzard Ernst and Professor Robert Morris.

Reviews

Food Science: How to Dunk a Doughnut: The Science of Everyday Life by Len Fisher is reviewed by Wendy Grossman. The book explores scientific principles through everyday phenomena, with Fisher having won an Ig Nobel Prize for his work on dunking biscuits. The review highlights how seemingly simple problems can lead to complex scientific inquiries.

Covering the Cover-Up: Out of the Shadows: UFOs, the Establishment and the Official Cover-up by David Clarke and Andy Roberts is reviewed by Christopher C French. The book documents the history of official interest in UFOs in Britain, concluding that the 'cover-up' was primarily about managing public relations and the fact of official interest, rather than concealing alien technology. French notes that the authors suggest the cover-up is one of ignorance.

Conned Again, Holmes: Cautionary Tales of Logic, Maths and Probability by Colin Bruce is reviewed by Will Stevens. The book uses a Sherlock Holmes setting to explore paradoxes and problems in logic, probability, and statistics. Stevens finds it illuminating for those with some background in the subjects but potentially challenging for beginners.

Gould's Fond Farewell: I Have Landed: Splashes and Reflections in Natural History by Stephen Jay Gould is reviewed by Louise Johnson. This collection of essays, published shortly before Gould's death, covers his personal history, science, and evolutionary theory. Johnson describes it as a thought-provoking and heartwarming read.

Letters

Believing in spirit photos by Hilary Evans responds to a statement about modern writers being skeptical of spirit photographs. Evans expresses dismay at the unambiguous statement of Fred Gettings, who reproduces spirit pictures as genuine unless specified otherwise, questioning how anyone could suspend disbelief to accept them.

Your magazine's general lack of scepticism on mental illness topics is a letter from Martin D Kessler, who criticizes The Skeptic for not being skeptical enough about mental illness and psychiatrists, calling it a 'politically correct area'. He argues that mental illness is a myth and that Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a 'con game'.

Your magazine's general lack of scepticism on mental illness topics: a reply is from an author responding to Kessler's letter. The author clarifies that the article on MPD left the question of its authenticity open, pending further research, which is a skeptical stance. The author also defends the role of psychiatrists in relieving suffering and argues that intervention should only be withdrawn if it causes more harm than good.

Psychic Balls or Crystal Clairvoyants by Leo Robbins (pseudonym) details a series of unsolicited offers received from individuals claiming psychic abilities, including psychics, astrologers, and 'magickal practitioners'. Robbins describes how these offers, often for talismans, guides, or 'prosperity' items, were sent using various pseudonyms and addresses, questioning the motives and authenticity of such claims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of belief, skepticism, and the scientific method. The magazine consistently promotes critical thinking and challenges pseudoscientific claims, whether they relate to the paranormal, psychology, or even everyday phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rational inquiry and evidence-based reasoning, as exemplified by the ASKE news and the reviews of books that either uphold or challenge scientific principles. The letters section highlights ongoing debates within the skeptical community, particularly concerning the application of skepticism to sensitive topics like mental health.