Skeptic - 2003 - Vol 16 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 16 Number 1, published in Spring 2003, is dedicated to critically examining various phenomena often considered 'exceptional' or paranormal, with a strong emphasis on distinguishing scientific inquiry from pseudoscience. The magazine features articles by psychologists and other contributors, exploring topics ranging from remote viewing and psychoanalysis to the nature of intelligence and animal behavior.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Julia Nunn and Chris French, sets the tone for the issue by highlighting the common thread of distinguishing science from pseudoscience across its articles. They introduce David Marks's first part of a series on parapsychology, focusing on remote viewing, and express skepticism about its validity, suggesting wishful thinking as a partial explanation. The editorial also touches upon the enduring popularity of Freudian theory, despite its perceived lack of scientific rigor, and discusses Matthew Coniam's ambivalent take on Michael Bentine's paranormal beliefs, linking it to the surreal humor of The Goons. Martin Parkinson's humorous critique of motivational speakers is also mentioned, alongside the regular columns, letters, and reviews.

Articles and Features

Exceptional Experience? Part 1: Remote Viewing

David Marks begins a three-part assessment of parapsychology with a critical examination of remote viewing (RV). He argues that interpretations of 'exceptional experiences' (EEs) often conflate the experience itself with its interpretation, leading to premature acceptance of paranormal claims (PIEs) over normal theory accounts (NIEs). Marks plans to discuss four paranormal claims: remote viewing, Ganzfeld ESP, detecting unseen staring, and pets' ESP. This first part focuses exclusively on RV, citing the SRI series of experiments by Puthoff and Targ (1972-1985) and the SAIC/Star Gate series (1985-1995). He critiques these studies for methodological flaws, data suppression, and lack of replication, concluding that the claimed RV effect is a cognitive illusion. He notes that while carefully controlled studies find no effect, poorly controlled ones often do.

Psychoanalysis: Science or Pseudoscience?

Anna Järvinen contributes an article examining the scientific status of psychoanalysis, aligning with the issue's theme of scientific rigor. The editorial notes that psychology students often find Freudian work scientifically questionable.

Michael Bentine: Behind the Door

Matthew Coniam explores the ambivalence surrounding humorist Michael Bentine, who held paranormal beliefs. The article draws a parallel between Bentine's proneness to fantasizing and the surreal humor of The Goons, also noting Peter Sellers's similar beliefs.

Motivational Speakers

Martin Parkinson offers a humorous perspective on motivational speakers, finding them wanting and questioning their ability to genuinely change lives.

Skeptic at large...

Wendy M Grossman's column, 'Skeptic at large...', discusses Arthur C. Clarke's famous quote about advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic, and Michael Shermer's extension of this to extraterrestrial intelligence being indistinguishable from God. Grossman questions the assumption that technological advancement equates to innate intelligence, drawing parallels to historical figures and the challenges of understanding different technological eras. She also touches upon the prevalence of homosexuality in the animal kingdom.

The Really Big Greeting

This piece reviews the concept of homosexuality in the animal kingdom, citing studies that show its existence and challenging claims that it is unnatural. It references a study of sheep brains and notes that previous research indicated 6-10 percent of rams are gay.

Men on the Moon

This short piece discusses NASA's initial plan to have James Oberg write a book debunking moon landing conspiracy theories, and their subsequent decision to cancel the project after criticism that it might inadvertently legitimize the theories.

Hits and Misses

• This section includes several short items:
• Remote viewers need chocolate, too: Reports on claims that remote viewers predicted the 9/11 attacks and discusses the potential for remote viewing to be used by security services. It humorously notes the need for remote viewers to eat chocolate.
• Jaws: the re-enactment: Discusses bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Scotland facing food shortages due to declining cod stocks, leading them to prey on humans and other marine life.
• Attack on the clones: Examines the implications of cloning, referencing a study on cloned mice that found abnormalities, suggesting potential ethical concerns for human cloning.

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery

This feature includes an illustration of a 54-year-old fakir, To Kha, who underwent a 120-hour burial in a glass coffin in Stuttgart, Germany, monitored by doctors who testified to his well-being.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the critical examination of claims that fall outside conventional scientific understanding. The magazine consistently advocates for rigorous scientific methodology, evidence-based reasoning, and the separation of genuine scientific inquiry from pseudoscience, wishful thinking, and confirmation bias. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, aiming to debunk unsubstantiated claims and promote a rational approach to understanding exceptional or anomalous experiences. The inclusion of diverse topics, from parapsychology to the ethics of cloning and the behavior of animals, underscores a broad application of skeptical inquiry.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 16, Number 1, dated "Volume 16 Number 1" (likely early 2003 based on context), is published by The Skeptic and focuses on critical analysis of paranormal claims and pseudoscientific theories. The cover prominently features an article questioning whether psychoanalysis is a science or pseudoscience, illustrated with an image of Sigmund Freud.

Article: Remote Viewing and the CIA Report

This section critiques the findings of a CIA report on remote viewing (RV) research, specifically referencing studies conducted by SAIC. The report concluded that while some statistically significant effects were observed, they did not unequivocally demonstrate the existence of a paranormal phenomenon. A primary criticism was the reliance on a single judge, the Principal Investigator, for assessing matches, which raises concerns about bias and the inability to determine if effects were due to genuine psychic ability or methodological artifacts. The report highlighted that the lack of independent judges meant a paranormal interpretation could not be accepted. Furthermore, it noted "particularly troublesome" instances where RV reports were allegedly changed to align with known background cues, casting doubt on the validity of dramatic 'hits' and making it difficult to interpret the role of the paranormal independently. The CIA report concluded that the evidence did not justify the application of remote viewing in intelligence operations, citing the lack of operational value even after two decades of research and the inherent difficulties in intelligence gathering. A conflict of interest was also noted, with Ed May serving as both Principal Investigator and judge. The summary of methodological problems includes: same viewers and target set across experiments, single judge, same laboratory setting for most experiments, principal investigator as judge, and lack of replication.

Article: Michael Bentine: Behind the Door

Matthew Coniam examines the late Michael Bentine, known for his comedy but also a serious paranormal researcher and believer. Coniam reviews Bentine's books, "The Door Marked Summer" and "Doors Of The Mind," detailing Bentine's account of his father's serious investigation into the paranormal and his own subsequent psychic experiences. Coniam notes Bentine's sincerity and the emotional frankness of his writing, particularly an anecdote about predicting his son's death. However, as Coniam became a skeptic, he found Bentine's claims problematic. Bentine made extraordinary claims, such as the ability to part clouds by concentration, and asserted that all his paranormal experiences were genuine, even recounting stories of exposing fake mediums. Coniam questions Bentine's assertion that he was a serious scientist, suggesting his paranormal beliefs stemmed from a different kind of thinking. The article touches upon Bentine's revival of the idea that devil worship inspired German Nazism, which Coniam dismisses as disproved. Bentine's insistence on the validity of numerous fringe beliefs, including mind-reading, levitation, and feng-shui, is contrasted with his scientific claims. Coniam suggests Bentine's "paranormal double-think" involves manipulating typical arguments, such as redefining mathematics as a game and imagination as more important than equations. The article criticizes the fallacy that if something cannot be disproved, it should be taken seriously, leading to the acceptance of "every imaginable lunacy." Coniam recounts an anecdote where Bentine claimed to have the formula for the atomic bomb, which turned out to be a jest. Ultimately, Coniam concludes that Bentine's gift for imaginative fancy, which made him a comedy originator, also made him prone to fantasy in his private life. He believes Bentine wrote "The Door Marked Summer" fully aware that the documented events did not take place, attributing the convincing narrative to his imaginative capacity.

Article: Psychoanalysis: Science or Pseudoscience?

Anna Järvinen explores the scientific status of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis. Despite Freud's insistence that his work formed the basis of psychology, considerable argument has existed regarding its scientific validity. Some argue that Freud's work is inherently pseudoscientific, while others note its significant influence on Western culture. The article discusses how 'ultimate questions' about human life, which physical scientists often dismiss, are seen by some as belonging to the 'domain of myth,' similar to psychoanalysis. Järvinen outlines the core concepts of psychoanalysis, including the division of the mind into conscious, preconscious, and unconscious levels, and the theory of psychosexual development. However, she highlights that psychoanalysis is primarily grounded on pseudoscientific, non-falsifiable postulations. While some testable predictions can be derived, they have often been proven untrue. The article cites researchers like Hans Eysenck who have studied Freudian concepts experimentally. It points out that explanations for phenomena like infantile amnesia, which psychoanalysis attributes to repression of sexual desires, are better explained by developmental factors like brain immaturity and language acquisition, yet psychoanalysts have been slow to revise their theories. The article argues that psychoanalysis fails to meet scientific criteria such as being data-driven, changing in response to new observations, and having cumulative progress based on evidence rather than authority. It describes psychoanalysis as a "scientific fairytale" and notes that human sexuality, a core subject, is laden with taboos that may hinder objective scientific investigation. Despite its flaws, the article acknowledges the ingenuity and creativity of Freud's theory and its plausible explanations for aspects of human sexual behavior. However, it concludes that psychoanalysis belongs to the 'domain of myth' and is not scientific.

Article: Rhyme and Reason

Steve Donnelly discusses the recent legal action against psychic medium Miss Cleo by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for fraud and malpractice. Donnelly expresses hope that this case might lead to increased public skepticism towards psychic mediums, particularly those operating expensive telephone lines. He notes that allegations of fraud have long plagued the paranormal field, citing the Fox sisters in the mid-1800s as an early example. Donnelly points out that even eminent scientists like Sir Oliver Lodge and William Crookes became convinced of psychic phenomena in their later years, despite skepticism from others. He contrasts this with contemporary platform mediums who, while having abandoned overt trickery like 'rappings,' still employ techniques like cold reading. Donnelly questions whether the Miss Cleo case will significantly impact the credibility or profitability of mediumship, given that lawsuits primarily focus on financial fraud (e.g., undisclosed phone charges) and the revelation that Miss Cleo is an actress named Youree Harris. He notes that the core paranormal claims are largely unaddressed in these lawsuits. Donnelly expresses a cynical hope that the negative publicity might reduce public demand for such services but bets that it will not significantly alter human gullibility or the profitability of the "billion dollar industry."

Philosopher's Corner: Humor and Philosophy

Julian Baggini, the editor, reflects on how reading books, particularly Simon Critchley's "On Humour," has altered his thinking. He distinguishes between his own experience of reading, which rearranges his mental architecture, and what he assumes happens to most people, which is gaining new information. Baggini argues that humor, especially satire, can jolt people out of ordinary ways of seeing the world, prompting them to question their assumptions and think afresh. He contrasts confirmatory humor, which relies on shared prejudices, with humor that reveals new absurdities or casts familiar ones in a new light. Baggini uses examples like "The Day Today" news spoof and Peter Kay's "Phoenix Nights" to illustrate how brilliant satire can unsettle viewers, making them question themselves. He describes a scene from "Phoenix Nights" where clubland humor triumphs over 'trendy alternative nonsense,' leading the viewer to cheer for the former, thus questioning their own preconceptions. Baggini suggests that Critchley's book explores this unsettling aspect of humor and advises readers to prepare for their minds to be "covertly reconfigured."

Skeptical Stats

This section presents a list of 26 diverse statistics, ranging from the percentage of Europeans too large for UK airline seats (25%) to the number of guitars owned by Douglas Adams (23). Other statistics include the number of new computer viruses found monthly (800), the estimated number of slaves worldwide in 2002 (27,000,000), and the number of US deaths caused by hospital infections in 2000 (90,000). The statistics are sourced from various publications and websites.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims and pseudoscientific theories, a critical examination of psychological theories, and an exposé of fraudulent practices in the psychic industry. The editorial stance is clearly critical and evidence-based, consistently questioning claims that lack empirical support and highlighting methodological flaws in research. The magazine promotes a scientific worldview and encourages readers to apply critical thinking to extraordinary claims. The inclusion of 'Skeptical Stats' reinforces this by presenting factual data that often contrasts with popular beliefs or sensationalized accounts.

Title: The SKEPTIC
Issue: Volume 16, Number 1
Date: 2003
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: United Kingdom

This issue of The Skeptic focuses on critical thinking, skepticism, and the examination of paranormal claims and pseudoscientific ideas. It features articles, book reviews, and letters to the editor that challenge unsubstantiated beliefs and promote a rational approach to understanding the world.

ASKE News: Promoting Skepticism in Education and Public Outreach

Michael Heap, Chairman of ASKE (The Association for Skeptical Enquiry), details ASKE's activities, including organizing lectures at universities and schools. These presentations, often themed 'Normal or Paranormal?', aim not just to debunk paranormal claims but to convey fundamental messages like 'Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence' and 'Science tries to explain things from what we already know' (Occam's Razor). Heap describes how these talks use demonstrations and interactive elements to encourage a skeptical response, particularly in children. He also highlights the tendency of the human mind to impose structure on randomness, using examples like inkblot patterns and hidden figures. ASKE welcomes participation and offers assistance in organizing similar events.

'Coming Soon to an Office Near You': A Critique of Inspirational Leadership

Martin Parkinson reviews the trend of 'inspirational leadership' and motivational speakers, particularly focusing on Anthony Robbins. Parkinson recounts a personal experience with a colleague who adopted Robbins' rhetoric, describing it as 'cod-Nietzschean drivel'. He argues that while the concepts of fulfilling potential and attitude are valid, the language used by figures like Robbins can be 'cultoid' and borders on pseudoscience. Parkinson expresses concern about the ubiquity of 'magical thinking' and the repetitive use of terms like 'Leadership', 'Vision', and 'Excellence' without necessarily generating these qualities. He notes that the trend has become pervasive in workplaces.

Book Reviews

'XTL: Extraterrestrial Life and How to Find it' by Simon Goodwin and John Gribbin

Reviewed by Mike Hutton, this book is described as a clearly written and well-illustrated introduction to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The authors, both astronomers, focus on finding habitable planets rather than the form life might take. The review notes the inclusion of the Drake equation and a discussion of Fermi's Paradox. However, it concludes that the final section on 'Searching for Civilizations' is too brief, leaving the book feeling incomplete. It does, however, provide useful web addresses for SETI data analysis.

'Darwin's Cathedral: Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society' by David Sloan Wilson

Reviewed by Paul Taylor, Wilson's book attempts to explain religion through evolutionary theory, using the concept of memes. The review notes Wilson's support for group selection, which is considered heterodox. The reviewer finds Wilson's conclusions on religion unappealing to skeptics, particularly his argument that adaptation is the primary standard for judging thought, suggesting that religious belief can be justified if it helps a group adapt and persist. The reviewer questions the justification of religion based on utility.

'Seeing Ghosts: Experiences of the Paranormal' by Hilary Evans

Reviewed by Tom Ruffles, this book analyzes almost two hundred cases of alleged ghost experiences, primarily from the archives of the Society for Psychical Research and Fate magazine. While acknowledging the scholarly yet light style of the author, the review raises concerns about the quality control of reports from Fate. The reviewer criticizes the book for too readily accepting concepts like 'super-psi' and the 'extended self' as paranormal mechanisms and for not sufficiently allowing for the reconstructive nature of memory, which can lead to embellished accounts. The review concludes that it is a thoughtful attempt but far from the final word.

'Skeptical Philosophy for Everyone' by Richard H. Popkin and Avrum Stroll

Reviewed by Dr Dave Unsworth, this book presents a history of major philosophical controversies by focusing on the role of skepticism. It traces skepticism from ancient philosophy to the 20th century, covering topics like ontology, epistemology, religion, ethics, and political theory. The book includes a discussion on the role of skeptical texts in the American Constitution. It concludes with a debate between Stroll and Popkin on the modern relevance of skepticism, with both agreeing that postmodern relativism should be opposed. The reviewer finds it an excellent and accessible introduction to the historical importance and practice of philosophical analysis.

'Think for Yourself: Questioning Pressure to Conform' by Dr Sharon Presley

Reviewed by Marjorie Mackintosh, this book is described as a small, worthy volume aiming to persuade readers to examine their habits of thought. However, the reviewer finds the tone 'preachy and lecturing', suggesting it might stem from public lectures or self-help tapes. While agreeing with the author's points, Mackintosh feels the writing is too bland to inspire the profound changes it advocates. The book is recommended as a resource for youth groups and community organizations to stimulate discussion on independent thinking. A notable criticism is the presence of typos, such as 'teh' for 'the'.

'Demons of the Modern World' by Malcolm McGrath

Reviewed by Dene Bebbington, this book investigates alleged ritual satanic abuse and the history of demonology. McGrath's main point is that demons are an illusion, and ritual satanic abuse is also an illusion generated by psychologists using techniques to uncover repressed memories. The reviewer learned a lot from the book, appreciating its well-researched approach drawing from various disciplines. The main criticism is the focus on America, with a wish for more discussion on cases in Britain. Bebbington concludes with an unanswered question about why the satanic abuse scare was taken seriously despite a lack of evidence.

Letters to the Editor

Roswell

Steuart Campbell responds to a previous discussion on the Roswell incident, questioning the evidence presented for balloon projects contributing to the 'flying saucer' myth. He challenges the idea that Captain Mantell died chasing a Skyhook balloon and notes discrepancies in records regarding balloon releases. Campbell also dismisses the idea that alien body reports derive from seeing humans from a crashed balloon, questioning the evidence for freeze-drying shrinking bodies.

Keen's response to French

Montague Keen continues a dispute with Chris French regarding evidence for psi (paranormal abilities). Keen argues that negative results in tests are not solely due to 'experimenter effect' but also to tests being designed on false assumptions, such as assuming psi is a universally distributed faculty. He uses the case of Chris Robinson, who demonstrates precognitive dreaming, as an example of how tests designed for other faculties can yield negative results. Keen also presents the case of an Irishwoman who provided detailed information about a murder victim and crime scene, suggesting a paranormal origin for this information and challenging French to explain it without resorting to paranormal explanations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism, critical thinking, and the debunking of paranormal claims and pseudoscientific theories. The magazine consistently promotes a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding phenomena, whether they relate to UFOs, ghosts, motivational gurus, or religious beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry and against unsubstantiated claims, encouraging readers to question and analyze information critically. The book reviews and letters to the editor reinforce this stance by examining various claims and providing skeptical perspectives.