Skeptic - 2005 - Vol 18 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 18 Number 4
Date: Winter 2005

This issue of The Skeptic offers a diverse range of articles, maintaining its commitment to skeptical inquiry into paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The cover prominently features the question "Alien Abduction or Bad Medicine?", suggesting a focus on re-evaluating common UFO abduction narratives.

Editorial

Victoria Hamilton and Chris French, the editors, welcome readers to issue 18.4, highlighting the variety of topics covered, from "phantom snipers" to aliens and the fundamental debate about the existence of God. They express hope that readers will enjoy the eclectic mix.

The editorial introduces the main articles. It notes that Chambers and Bartholomew's "The Mystery of Hellfire Pass: Part Two" continues their investigation into hypotheses for the cracked windscreens in Esher, considering supersonic booms and the possibility of a human culprit, though concluding that theories involving gunmen or schoolboys are more captivating than mundane explanations like loose stones.

Jamie McCartney's article is presented as offering an alternative explanation for alien abduction claims, focusing on how abductees might misinterpret traumatic events, potentially exacerbated by hypnosis. The article suggests that the commonality in abductees' descriptions, particularly regarding surgical procedures, warrants further research into the experience of wakefulness during surgery.

Alfred Bahr's piece, "The Problem of the Existence of God Seen Through the Eyes of a Physicist," is described as a methodical consideration of possibilities for God's existence, ultimately concluding with "nothing." The editors frame Bahr's argument as a critique of the concept of God creating the universe, likening it to the chicken-and-egg problem.

The editors also mention the regular features, including book reviews, cartoons, columns, and letters, and encourage reader feedback.

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery

This section features an illustration of aliens interacting with humans near a spacecraft, accompanied by a caption describing the aliens' initial trepidation and their approach to a strange conveyance. The accompanying text by Hilary Evans contrasts the amiability of aliens in older science fiction (citing Harl Vincent's "Microcosmic Buccaneers" from 1929) with the more sinister portrayal of modern aliens who abduct and perform humiliating procedures on humans as part of a plan to take over the planet.

Hits and Misses

This section covers several brief news items and developments:

• His Noodly Appendage: This item discusses Bobby Henderson's challenge to the Kansas Board of Education to include the "Flying Spaghetti Monster" as an alternative theory to Intelligent Design in science classrooms. It notes the growing popularity of Pastafarianism, supported by merchandise sales, and mentions Boing Boing's counter-offer of $1 million to anyone who can prove Jesus is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
• Homeopathy under fire: The article reports on a Swiss-UK review published in The Lancet, which concluded that the clinical effects of homeopathy are placebo effects. It highlights the journal's editors' strong stance against homeopathy, urging doctors to be honest with patients about its lack of benefit. The Swiss government has withdrawn insurance coverage for homeopathy, and the Patients Association calls for choice only where proven effective. The article notes the continued support for homeopathy from the Royal Family and celebrities, including Prince Charles.

The Mystery of Hellfire Pass: Part Two

Paul Chambers and Robert Bartholomew continue their investigation into the series of shattered windscreens that occurred on the Portsmouth Road between Esher and Cobham, UK, from December 1950 to December 1953. The incident involved at least 51 vehicles, with no bullets ever recovered and no suspect identified, leading to public hysteria.

Theories Explored:

• Supersonic booms: This theory, suggested by a national newspaper, posited that sonic booms from low-flying military aircraft might have caused the damage. While supersonic aircraft were becoming more common, the authors find this unlikely. They argue that the shattering pattern would likely affect a wider area, including houses, and that supersonic booms rarely break toughened glass windscreens.
• Lone gunmen and naughty schoolboys: This theory suggests a sniper was responsible, supported by reports of hearing a strike and seeing circular pock marks on windscreens. The concentration of incidents along a specific road section and the sound of a gunshot lend credence to this. However, the lack of recovered bullets is a significant problem. The ENA (Esher News and Advertiser) and local council suggested airguns might have been used, as airgun pellets are fragile and might not be found. Experiments showed airgun pellets could shatter windscreens. However, the accuracy required for the sniper, especially in varying conditions and at night, is questioned. The case of Mr. Frank Smith, whose car was allegedly hit by a .317 bullet, is discussed, but inconsistencies, including the bullet's caliber and the lack of recovery, raise doubts about its connection to the other incidents. A suggestion that schoolboys with catapults were responsible is also considered. While a catapult could damage a windscreen, the theory faces similar accuracy issues as airguns and doesn't explain the prolonged period and wide spread of incidents. An anonymous local woman claimed she and her friends threw tomatoes, but this doesn't align with official reports.
• Inferior glass: The Automobile Association (AA) suggested that the damage might be due to inferior glass, but could provide no specific information. The authors note that it's unclear how inferior glass alone could cause such widespread damage, possibly requiring conjunction with vehicle frame movements.

The article concludes that the sniper theory, while having some credibility, faces significant feasibility issues regarding accuracy and the prolonged period of incidents. The police eventually dismissed this theory.

Crystal Clear

This short piece recounts an incident where Herve Vandrot, a French amateur psychic, accidentally started a fire that destroyed his flat and two others. The fire was caused by sunlight passing through the crystal ball he used for his psychic practices, concentrating the beam onto a pile of washing.

What time is it?

This article discusses a US proposal to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to abandon the practice of adding leap seconds. The issue stems from GPS systems, which struggle to synchronize with these adjustments. The article explains the difference between atomic time and Earth's rotation time, noting that the discrepancy has reached 32 seconds. While humans are largely unaffected, astronomers are concerned that decoupling time from Earth's physical rotation could lead to significant navigational issues for spacecraft within a few years.

Curses, foiled again

This brief report describes a scam in South Wales where residents received "curse letters" threatening their lives unless they sent money and a torn Jack of Spades to an address in Austria. The purported sender, a clairvoyant named Samantha, was exposed as a fraud when local residents contacted the South Wales Echo, which alerted the public.

R.I.P.: Philip Klass

This is an obituary for Philip J. Klass, a prominent researcher and debunker of UFO claims. Klass, a senior editor at Aviation Week & Space Technology and author of several books on UFOs, was also a founder of CSICOP. He dedicated much of his career to investigating and debunking UFO phenomena and died without having to pay out a $10,000 reward he offered for confirmed UFO claims.

Skeptic at large

Wendy M Grossman's column, "Skeptic at large," features a piece titled "Be Prepared." Grossman discusses the case of James Basil, who claims to have been abducted by aliens over 12 times. Despite his claims and a website, Basil has produced no physical evidence. Grossman, along with Tony Youens, suggests that abductees like Basil could prepare for future encounters by carrying a kit of tools to collect evidence. This kit would include a digital camera, a fingerprinting kit (with tape or gelatine lifters), plastic bags for collecting small items, a small brush for dust samples, cotton swabs for liquid samples, and a star chart and pen for friendly aliens. The column also references Steve Mann, a professor who has extensively recorded his life with video equipment, as an example of someone who has adopted a lifestyle conducive to documenting such experiences, though aliens have not shown interest in him.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around critical examination of extraordinary claims, particularly those related to UFOs, alien abductions, and religious beliefs. The magazine consistently promotes a rational, evidence-based approach, questioning phenomena that lack empirical support and offering alternative, often mundane, explanations. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, aiming to debunk pseudoscience and promote scientific literacy. The inclusion of "Hits and Misses" and the "Skeptic at large" column further reinforces this by highlighting current events and offering practical advice for critical thinking in the face of unusual claims. The magazine also touches upon the effectiveness of alternative medicine, such as homeopathy, through a critical lens, and explores philosophical questions from a scientific viewpoint.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 18 Number 1, dated July 2003, features a cover story titled 'Alien abduction or bad medicine?' by Jamie McCartney, which explores alternative explanations for alien abduction claims. The magazine also includes an article by physicist Alfred Bahr, 'The Problem of the Existence of God Seen Through the Eyes of a Physicist,' and a 'Skeptical Stats' section.

The Esher Incidents: Stones on the Road?

The issue delves into the Esher incidents, where numerous windscreens were reported as being damaged or shattered. The article "4. Stones on the Road" presents the theory that loose stones flicked up by passing traffic were the cause. It acknowledges that local authorities favored this explanation. The article analyzes the likelihood of this theory by considering the volume of traffic on the Portsmouth Road (then the A3), which was Britain's busiest highway in the early 1950s, with an average of 987 cars per hour during the daytime. It also examines windscreen damage statistics, noting that a 1998 survey by Edgeguard International found 45% of parked cars had stone damage on their windscreens, and that stones cause 90% of windshield replacements. The article further discusses the types of glass used in cars during the 1950s. While modern cars use laminated glass that produces a spider-web pattern, cars in the 1950s predominantly used tempered glass, which shatters into small pieces. This difference in glass type could explain why many windscreens were shattered. The article concludes that the majority of Esher incidents can be explained by loose stones on the road.

Alien Abduction or Bad Medicine?

Jamie McCartney's article, 'Alien abduction or bad medicine?', questions the standard narrative of alien abductions. He suggests that the common elements in these stories—paralysis, being taken to a brightly-lit room, experimentation, and missing time—might be explained by psychological phenomena rather than extraterrestrial encounters. McCartney proposes that 'wakefulness during surgery' is a plausible explanation. He details how patients undergoing surgery, especially with inadequate anaesthesia, can experience paralysis, sensations of pressure, pain, and hear conversations, all while being unable to alert staff. These experiences, combined with the 'other-worldliness' of the event and the influence of popular culture (like 'The X-Files'), could lead individuals to misinterpret these events as alien abductions. The article highlights that even a small percentage of patients experiencing some level of consciousness during surgery translates to a significant number of people annually. It also touches upon false memory syndrome and the role of subconscious processing and imagination in constructing these narratives.

The Problem of the Existence of God Seen Through the Eyes of a Physicist

Alfred Bahr, a physicist, presents a logical and scientific critique of the concept of God. He argues that the theological idea of God residing in 'nothingness' before creation is fundamentally flawed. Bahr contends that 'nothingness' is merely non-existence and cannot possess space, time, or substance, which are necessary for anything, including God, to exist or to act as a creator. He asserts that the universe, according to modern cosmology, emerged from a quantum-mechanical state, implying something pre-existed. Bahr also discusses the concept of an 'infinitely large space-time-world' and the possibility of multiple universes, leaving no room for a theological 'nothingness' or a creator God. He concludes that the existence of God and concepts like heaven and hell are purely products of human thought and fantasy, not reality. The article critiques historical proofs for God's existence, referencing Immanuel Kant and David Hume, and states that the non-existence of God can now be proved with certainty.

Skeptical Stats

The 'Skeptical Stats' section presents a collection of diverse statistics, ranging from the percentage of scientific conclusions that are arguably false (50%) to the cost of national ID cards in the UK (£5.5 billion to £19.2 billion), the prevalence of mental health issues among UK hospital consultants (27% in 1994, 32% in 2002), and the odds of Elvis being alive (1000/1). It also includes data on psychic call lengths and costs, the similarity between human and chimpanzee genomes (96%), and the cost of a holiday for a teddy bear (£68 to £100).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards extraordinary claims, the application of scientific and logical reasoning to explain phenomena, and the critique of religious and pseudoscientific beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly one of rational inquiry, seeking evidence-based explanations for events and concepts that are often shrouded in mystery or belief. The magazine aims to debunk popular myths and provide a grounded perspective, whether examining mundane explanations for seemingly strange events like the Esher incidents or challenging fundamental philosophical and religious tenets through scientific logic.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 18, Number 1
Date: 2005
Character: A publication dedicated to skeptical inquiry, critical thinking, and the examination of paranormal claims and pseudoscientific topics.

Articles and Features

The Light at the End of the Tunnel: A New Device for Theatre Surgeons

This article explores the phenomenon of alien abduction reports, suggesting that a new medical device, the Bispectral Index Monitor (BIS monitor), which measures a patient's level of consciousness during surgery, might offer a terrestrial explanation for some experiences. The author posits that if patients undergoing surgery can be assured of their consciousness levels, it might reduce the perceived need for paranormal explanations like alien abduction. The piece also touches upon the 'living proof' aspect that fuels the alien abduction myth, referencing a Roper Poll that suggested millions of Americans had been abducted. The author suggests that hospitals might be hesitant to offer such explanations due to potential malpractice lawsuits. The article concludes by hoping that a simple study asking abductees about their surgical history could provide a rational explanation, thereby reducing the allure of alien abduction narratives and perhaps leading to a return to more grounded explanations for phenomena.

Rhyme and Reason: The 11:11 Phenomenon

Steve Donnelly, a physics professor, recounts his personal experience in the late 1970s and early 1980s of frequently seeing the numbers 11:11 or 1:11 on digital clocks. He details his calculations suggesting this was statistically improbable and how it initially perplexed him. He eventually rationalized it as a psychological phenomenon where the numbers, once established in his mind, became subconsciously registered. Donnelly notes that if the internet had been prevalent then, he might have sought a more cosmic explanation, citing online theories that the '11:11 symbol' is pre-encoded in cellular memory and is a 'wake-up call for lightworkers.' He concludes by encouraging readers to 'hold strongly on to reasonable quantities of Light' to increase the planet's frequency.

Philosopher's Corner: The Precautionary Principle and Pascal's Wager

Julian Baggini discusses a local pub's psychic night and the landlady's decision to buy a lottery ticket despite the psychic's poor track record. He argues that her reasoning, while seemingly illogical, echoes two respectable arguments: the precautionary principle and Pascal's Wager. The precautionary principle advises caution in the face of potential disaster, while Pascal's Wager suggests believing in God due to the lower cost of being wrong if God doesn't exist compared to the eternal damnation if He does. Baggini suggests that superstition and irrationality persist because the reasoning behind them can be a distorted form of natural, rational thought, coupled with psychological desires. He predicts that irrationality will continue to be seductive to many.

ASKE News: The Status of Parapsychology

Michael Heap, Chairman of ASKE, reports on a symposium on 'Developing Perspectives on Anomalous Experience.' He notes the contrast between some presenters who accepted the reality of psi phenomena (like Daryl Bem, who presented research on telepathy and reverse causality) and the usual skeptical stance. Heap expresses skepticism about the statistical significance of weak effects in parapsychology and questions the relevance of laboratory studies to paranormal claims in everyday life. He also mentions the European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO) and its focus on targeting homeopathy, particularly in light of the 250th anniversary of its founder's birth.

Reviews

• 'Weighing the Evidence: The Obesity Epidemic: Science, Morality and Ideology' by Michael Gard & Jan Wright: Reviewed by Tessa Kendall. The book challenges the direct link between diet/exercise and weight, attributing obesity to socio-economic and political factors, and moral censure. Kendall finds the book repetitive and over-generalizing, with a weak conclusion.
• 'Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslim' by Ziauddin Sardar: Reviewed by Tessa Kendall. The book is described as a fascinating account of Sardar's search for the true values of Islam. Kendall notes that the book presents Islam as variegated and in turmoil, rejecting the idea of a single reformation and instead suggesting a need for an Enlightenment.
• 'Fit for the Purpose or Evolutionary Dead End? How to Read Darwin' by Mark Ridley: Reviewed by John Radford. This slim guide is part of a series aiming to distill complex ideas. Radford notes that while the book focuses on Darwin's ideas, the limited page count makes the extracts seem arbitrary and the range of Darwin's work barely hinted at. He finds it a useful contribution for students but questions the 'How to Read' approach.
• 'The March of Unreason: Science, Democracy and the New Fundamentalism' by Dick Taverne: Reviewed by Tom Ruffles. Ruffles describes the book as a political polemic arguing that 'anti-science eco-fundamentalists' are leading society to ruin. He criticizes Taverne's rhetorical style and tendency to caricature opponents, particularly regarding GM debates.
• 'Surviving Armageddon: Solutions for a Threatened Planet' by Bill McGuire: Reviewed by Martin Parkinson. McGuire, a volcanologist, discusses geophysical disasters and potential solutions. Parkinson recommends the book for its factual content on threats like tsunamis, earthquakes, asteroid impacts, volcanic eruptions, and climate change, noting McGuire's 'optimistic pessimist' outlook.

Letters

• More on Why We Exist: Eugene Bell-Gam responds to a previous negative review of his book, defending his 'solar laboratory theory' and denying sympathy with Young Earth Creationism. The reviewer reiterates criticisms of spurious analogies and muddled thinking.
• Infants and Language: Mark Newbrook clarifies that an infant's ability to recognize written words does not constitute reading, which requires grammatical understanding acquired through spoken language.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and unscientific beliefs. The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and rational approach to understanding phenomena, whether they are presented as UFO abductions, psychic abilities, or alternative medical practices like homeopathy. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific methodology, evidence-based reasoning, and critical thinking, actively challenging what it perceives as irrationality and misinformation. The publication aims to provide readers with tools and perspectives to debunk pseudoscientific claims and to understand the psychological and social factors that contribute to belief in the paranormal. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between genuine scientific advancement and unsubstantiated or fraudulent claims.