Skeptic - 2005 - Vol 18 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 18, Number 1
Date: Spring 2005
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0959-5228

This issue of The Skeptic, edited by Victoria Hamilton and Chris French, presents a range of articles exploring paranormal claims and skeptical viewpoints. The editorial highlights the dual focus on near-death experiences and the 'Angels of Mons' legend, setting the tone for an issue that scrutinizes extraordinary claims.

Featured Articles

The Angels of Mons and Elsewhere: Part One – The Bowmen and Other Legends

Scott Wood's two-part assessment begins by tracing the origins of the 'Angels of Mons' legend. It starts with extracts from The Sunday Times in August 1914, describing the dire situation of the British Expeditionary Force during the retreat from Mons. Arthur Machen's fictional story, 'The Bowmen,' published in the London Evening News in September 1914, is presented as a key source. Machen's story depicted ghostly archers aiding British soldiers. The article details how this fictional account was interpreted as a real supernatural event by publications like The Occult Review and Light, and how various individuals contributed to the legend's spread. Machen himself maintained that the story was fiction, attributing the 'shining warriors' and 'angels' to misinterpretations and embellishments of his original tale. The article also touches upon other accounts, including those from officers and soldiers, and mentions the Society for Psychical Research's investigation, which yielded negative results regarding firsthand testimony. It notes the existence of various books that either support or debunk the legend.

An Anaesthesiologist Examines the Pam Reynolds Story: Part 1: Background Considerations

Gerald Woerlee presents the first part of his examination of the Pam Reynolds story. He outlines his skeptical stance on paranormal phenomena, summarizing his belief that evidence unequivocally demonstrates the non-existence of paranormal perceptions. Woerlee suggests that while many researchers struggle to produce evidence under controlled conditions, the counter-argument is that 'sceptical' researchers might be the ones unable to elicit these effects, or that the methods of research are not yet adequate. He intends to delve deeper into the incident that shaped his skeptical views in the second part of the article.

In Search of ET

Dene Bebbington discusses the merits and challenges of searching for intelligent extraterrestrial life (SETI). The article prompts readers to consider how far the search should extend and evaluates the pros and cons of SETI initiatives.

Overcooked

Martin Parkinson critically examines Tony Buzan's approach to memory and learning. Parkinson argues that while learning can be enhanced, it should not be commodified in the way Buzan suggests, implying that the education system would have been revolutionized if such methods were truly effective.

Columns and Sections

Editorial

Victoria Hamilton and Chris French welcome readers to the issue, introducing the main articles on near-death experiences and the 'Angels of Mons.' They acknowledge the ongoing debate about researching paranormal phenomena and the challenges faced by skeptical researchers.

Hits and Misses

• This section covers several brief items:
• Ig Nobel Awards 2004: Highlights include the Coca-Cola Company's UK subsidiary winning the Chemistry prize for its Dasani water, the Vatican's Economics prize for outsourcing prayers, and awards for inventing karaoke and studying the link between country music and suicide rates.
• Belgian Bravery: Reports on 23 Belgian Sceptics who staged a protest against insurers covering homeopathy by pretending to commit suicide with homeopathic dilutions of poisons. They gained media attention but did not die.
• Dogs for Bush: Mentions Jackie Stallone's claim that her psychic dogs predicted a 15% victory for George W. Bush, contrasting it with the actual 2% victory margin.
• The Lack of Power of Prayer: Reviews the Columbia University prayer study, noting that one of its authors was indicted for fraud and that the study's methodology was flawed.

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery

This section features an illustration from 'La Tribuna Illustrata' depicting a farmer confronting a 'scarlet Devil.' The accompanying text, 'A Blow for Skepticism,' narrates the story of a farmer in Latvia who was tricked by a thief disguised as a devil, highlighting the farmer's quick thinking and skepticism.

Skeptic at large...

Wendy M Grossman discusses the phenomenon of the 'toasted cheese sandwich' that appeared to show the face of the Virgin Mary. The sandwich was sold on eBay for $28,000 to GoldenPalace.com. Grossman questions the claims of its preservation and the buyer's motives, linking it to a trend of internet 'stars' like animated hamsters and a coffee pot webcam.

Pardoned

In Halloween 2004, the Scottish town of Prestonpans pardoned 81 people executed for witchcraft centuries ago. The event was marked as Witches' Remembrance Day, and the pardons also extended to cats.

Haunting for Profit

An article discusses how ghosts can affect property values, with ancient ghosts potentially adding value, while more recent ones might decrease it. It mentions actress Joanna Lumley selling a house due to a ghost and a court case where a buyer sued for not being informed about a haunting.

Reviews, Letters, Cartoons, and Other Sections

The magazine also includes a letters page, book reviews, cartoons, and regular columns like 'Rhyme and Reason' and 'Philosopher's Corner.' The 'Skeptical Stats' section is highlighted as a source for interesting trivia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical examination of extraordinary claims, the nature of belief, and the distinction between fact and folklore. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, aiming to debunk paranormal phenomena and pseudoscientific assertions through reasoned analysis and evidence-based arguments. The magazine encourages readers to contribute their findings and engage with the presented material critically.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 18, Number 1, dated "Volume 18 Number 1" (likely early 2005 based on references), is published by The Skeptic and focuses on skeptical investigations into various phenomena. The cover headline highlights the "Angels of Mons" legend, suggesting it halted the German advance.

Article: The Angels of Mons

The article delves into the history and skepticism surrounding the "Angels of Mons" legend. Brigadier General Charteris' book "At G.H.Q." (1931) is cited as dating a letter about the event to September 5th, predating the publication of "The Bowmen." However, Dr. David Clarke, in his 2002 article "Rumours of Angels: A Legend of the First World War," points out inconsistencies, such as a letter dated February 1915 discussing an account not published until May 1915. Clarke suggests Charteris may have instigated the rumors to boost British morale. Jacqueline Simpson, in a response in "Folklore," questions Charteris' reliability. The article also discusses Danny Sullivan's 2002 claim of having film footage of the Angels of Mons, which he later admitted was a hoax to sell a book. Chris Morris's investigation for Radio 4's "The Making of an Urban Legend" included a recording of a soldier, John Ewings, describing a figure with a "flaming sword" at Mons. The article concludes that the debate about the Angels of Mons is ongoing.

Article: 'All Day Long We Marched'

This section debunks the narrative of the "All Day Long We Marched" article, stating it was false and used by the official censor, F.E. Smith, to emphasize the need for fresh recruits. The article notes that during the retreat from Mons, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) suffered 1,600 casualties, with Germans around 5,000. Over 14 days, the BEF had 15,000 casualties compared to the French army's 210,000. The myth of the defeat at Mons is attributed to this period. The BEF, comprising one cavalry and four infantry divisions, faced 14 German divisions. The British forces, bolstered by Boer War veterans, were adept at trench digging and using cover, making them appear as an "invisible enemy." The retreat was not to escape a bloodbath but to link up with the withdrawing French army. Veteran accounts describe continuous marching and lack of food. The article mentions various descriptions of the angels, including glowing figures in a cloud, yellow mist, or a clear sky, and their role in creating a dark cloud that hid the British. The diversity of these accounts suggests myth-making rather than genuine supernatural reports. The "First World War" is described as the "first media war," where a nation seeking hope readily embraced such stories, leading to confusion with sermons, myths, "The Bowmen," and commercial exploitation. The author intends to show in part two that the Angels of Mons evolved from older stories, not solely from World War I origins.

Article: An anaesthesiologist examines the Pam Reynolds story Part 1: Background considerations

This article by Gerry Woerlee, an anaesthesiologist, examines the near-death experience (NDE) of Pam Reynolds, which has been presented by some as definitive proof of the paranormal and an afterlife. Woerlee acknowledges the profound nature of Reynolds' experience but questions its interpretation. Pam Reynolds, diagnosed with a large brainstem aneurysm in 1991, underwent complex surgery involving general anaesthesia, cardiac arrest, and cooling the body to 15 degrees Celsius. During this procedure, she reported an out-of-body experience, observing the surgery, and passing through a vortex to a world of light where she met deceased relatives. Woerlee argues that her experience is a product of her body and mind's reaction to the extreme physiological stress and anaesthesia, not evidence of a paranormal phenomenon. He states that after years of research, he has concluded there is no evidence for paranormal perceptions, and people do not possess such abilities. He cites the lack of reproducible evidence from paranormal research conducted over 120 years by numerous institutions. Woerlee also discusses how dreams, which occur for about 2 hours per night, might be conducive to paranormal perceptions, but careful dream research has not yielded conclusive results. He notes that pharmacological enhancements of neurotransmitters during dreaming sleep, used in common medicines, do not lead to reported paranormal abilities. The article also touches on the idea that blind and deaf people might be expected to develop paranormal senses, but there is no popular belief to support this. Finally, Woerlee suggests that gambling casinos, with their reliance on statistics and random chance, provide a laboratory for testing paranormal claims, and the consistent earnings of casinos indicate no evidence of paranormal influence.

Article: In Search of ET

Dene Bebbington explores the likelihood of success in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). He begins by referencing Carl Sagan's sentiment that if humanity is alone, it's a "waste of space," given the universe's vastness. Project Phoenix, part of the SETI Institute, uses large telescopes to scan for alien transmissions. Despite efforts, no confirmed signals have been detected, including the 1977 'Wow!' signal. The article discusses the Fermi Paradox, which questions the absence of observable alien civilizations. It introduces the Drake Equation (N = R* x fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L) as a framework for estimating the number of detectable civilizations, where N is the number of civilizations, R* is the rate of star formation, fp is the fraction of stars with planets, ne is the number of planets hospitable to life, fl is the fraction where life emerges, fi is the fraction where intelligent life evolves, fc is the fraction capable of interstellar communication, and L is the civilization's detectable lifespan. Bebbington notes that while planet formation appears common, many discovered exoplanets are gas giants, not ideal for life. The article also touches on the "Rare Earth" hypothesis, suggesting complex intelligent life is rare due to a unique combination of factors on Earth. The Doomsday argument, a statistical argument suggesting humanity might be near the end of its lifespan, is also mentioned as a factor influencing the probability of long-lived civilizations. The article concludes that while there are good grounds for both sides of the argument for extraterrestrial life, the search for an answer to the question "are we alone?" makes SETI a worthwhile endeavor.

Article: Overcooked

Martin Parkinson reviews Robert Todd Carroll's "Skeptic's Dictionary" and discusses Tony Buzan's work on memory and learning techniques. Parkinson finds Buzan's methods, such as "mind mapping," to be useful but "ludicrously over-packaged and hyped." He questions Buzan's interpretation of Shereshevsky, a man with a prodigious memory, suggesting that Luria's "The Mind of a Mnemonist" implies the importance of forgetting, which Buzan seems to overlook. Parkinson categorizes Buzan's genre of self-help as "overcooked" – edible and with some nutritional benefit, but unnecessarily dressed up and hyped, like overcooked food.

Skeptical Stats

This section presents a collection of miscellaneous statistics, including the price of Uri Geller's signed artwork, the number of accused witches executed in 17th century Scotland, the founding of CERN, lunar colonization predictions, Arctic warming ratios, tennis prize money, Mandarin speakers' pitch accuracy, the cost of a nap in New York, tortoise birth defects, homeopathy course costs, Mars Exploration Rover weight, Atkins diet followers, SEC accusations against Lord Conrad Black, minimum investment for an individual management account, a "Pet Psychic's" media appearances, Amazon ranking of her book, a sonic boom in Norfolk, "white substances" banned by the Hallelujah diet, Athens Olympics costs, time saved on housework by appliance owners, and the number of cutlery items found in a spoon bender's suitcase.

Skeptics in the Pub

This is an announcement for a monthly event held in a pub for those interested in or skeptical about the paranormal. Each meeting features a speaker, followed by an informal discussion. Details are provided for The Skeptic website and contact information for Nick Pullar.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is skepticism towards claims of the paranormal, supernatural, and extraordinary. The magazine critically examines legends like the "Angels of Mons," near-death experiences, and the search for extraterrestrial life, presenting scientific and rational explanations. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry, aiming to debunk unsubstantiated claims and promote evidence-based reasoning. The "Skeptical Stats" section further reinforces this by presenting a range of facts and figures, often highlighting the mundane or the statistically improbable, rather than the extraordinary.

Title: The Skeptic
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Date: 2005

This issue of The Skeptic magazine explores various facets of skepticism, reason, and the paranormal through a collection of articles, reviews, and letters. It features contributions from academics, researchers, and individuals sharing their experiences and analyses.

Articles

Rhyme and Reason by Steve Donnelly

Steve Donnelly recounts his experience at the fifth World Skeptics Congress in Italy, highlighting the value of conjuring for skeptics to demonstrate phenomena and then debunk them as trickery. He discusses how theoretical expectations can inadvertently influence experimental results, a phenomenon well-understood by psychologists but less so by physicists. He uses an example of a physicist colleague whose methodology led to an unexpected discovery due to subjective bias, urging scientists to avoid such biases and consider attending skeptical conferences.

Philosopher's Corner: Reason and Logic by Julian Baggini

Julian Baggini examines the common perception of reason and logic as 'cold,' contrasting it with the passionate nature of intellectual disputes. He questions whether reason is inherently cold or if 'reasoners' are simply not. Baggini argues that while reason is a powerful tool, it is not perfect and is influenced by emotions and prejudices. He suggests that embracing the imperfection of reason is crucial and that placing too much faith in rational principles can lead to social disaster, citing examples from "The Simpsons" and Jung Chang's "Wild Swans." Despite its limitations, reason is presented as the most effective tool for understanding and solving problems.

ASKE News by Michael Heap

Michael Heap reports on the Fifth World Skeptics Congress held in Albano Terme, Italy. He mentions key speakers such as Paul Kurtz, Joe Nickell, Ray Hyman, and James Randi. The report touches upon presentations concerning eyewitness testimony, the assassination of President J.F. Kennedy, and the science and psychology of anomalous phenomena, including a demonstration involving Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven." The report also notes the passing of Professor Robert Morris and the active role of the Irish Skeptics Society.

Letters

Achieving "Enlightenment" by Joel Kirschbaum

Joel Kirschbaum describes an accidental experience of 'heightened awareness' that occurred while studying for his Ph.D. preliminary examination, attributing it to intense mental concentration and normal brain chemistry operating on 'overload,' rather than drugs or psychosis. This experience led to heightened sensory perception, which gradually subsided.

Updating Youens by Guy Lyon Playfair

Guy Lyon Playfair responds to a letter from Tony Youens, clarifying that an article on the Jacqui Poole case, involving police officer Tony Batters and medium Christine Holohan, appeared in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. Playfair notes that Montague Keen and Tony Batters have passed away and states he will not be replying to Youens's letter.

Rendlesham by Steuart Campbell

Steuart Campbell addresses claims made by James Easton regarding the Rendlesham incident. Campbell reiterates his earlier suggestion that the Shipwash lightship, rather than Orfordness lighthouse, was the source of the reported light, citing evidence from Colonel Halt's tape recording. He also mentions the possibility of astronomical objects and superior mirages contributing to the incident, criticizing the inappropriate use of equipment by some involved.

Reviews

TRUST ME, I'M A SPIN DOCTOR: Trust: From Socrates to Spin by Kieron O'Hara

Reviewed by John Radford, this book explores trust as a universal component of human life, from individuals to governments. O'Hara discusses problems arising from too much or too little trust, citing the MMR vaccine as an example. The review notes that the book draws on philosophy, sociology, and history but could have benefited from more on anthropology, economics, ethology, law, and psychology. Radford finds the book readable and informative, endorsing the author's conclusion that individuals should strive to be trustworthy.

CULTS AND THE CORTEX: Brainwashing: The science of thought control by Kathleen Taylor

Reviewed by Richard Wiseman, this book examines brainwashing through history, social psychology, and neuroscience. Wiseman finds the arguments in the neuroscience section unconvincing, questioning its utility in explaining brainwashing. While acknowledging the book provides interesting information, he suspects its central argument about understanding phenomena from a neuroscience perspective will not have a significant impact.

NO GHOST IN THE MACHINE?: Mortal Minds: A Biology of the Soul and the Dying Experience by G.M. Woerlee

Reviewed by Christopher C. French, this book by an anesthesiologist addresses questions about death, near-death experiences, and life after death. Woerlee proposes explanations for phenomena like the tunnel experience based on oxygen starvation and retinal function. The review notes that Woerlee concludes true death occurs when the brainstem ceases to function, that near-death experiences are physiological, and that there is no life after death. The book is described as interesting and provocative.

SOUL FEUD: The Problem of the Soul: Two visions of mind and how to reconcile them by Owen Flanagan

Reviewed by Paul Taylor, this book examines the concept of the soul in light of scientific research. Flanagan argues against supernatural concepts and defends physicalism, the view that mental events are brain events. The review notes that Flanagan espouses neo-compatibilism, which reconciles rational choice with causation, and offers a naturalistic account of the self and ethics. The book is suggested as a useful resource for skeptics and potentially for believers.

Back Issues

A comprehensive list of past issues of The Skeptic magazine is provided, detailing the articles published in each volume from 1991 to 2004, covering a wide range of topics related to skepticism, science, and the paranormal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic include the critical examination of paranormal claims, the application of scientific methodology and skepticism to various phenomena, and philosophical discussions on reason and belief. The magazine consistently promotes a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding the world, encouraging critical thinking and debunking pseudoscience. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry and skeptical analysis, as evidenced by the selection of articles and reviews.