Skeptic - 2006 - Vol 19 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 19, Number 1
Date: Spring 2006

This issue of The Skeptic delves into various topics from a critical and skeptical viewpoint, covering paranormal phenomena, historical mysteries, and scientific debates.

Editorial

Victoria Hamilton and Chris French welcome readers to issue 19.1, noting the persistent public interest in paranormal phenomena despite a lack of evidence. They observe that media coverage often caters to a 'wanting to believe' audience. The editorial highlights Krissy Wilson's skeptical account of attending a psychic show, emphasizing the importance of skeptics being present to critically evaluate such events. It also introduces articles on 'The Mystery of Hellfire Pass,' Friedrich Engels' views on natural science and the spirit world, and Martin Parkinson's piece on acting and 'psychic abilities.' The editors promise regular columns, cartoons, book reviews, and letters.

Articles and Features

Second Sight? Or Just the Blind Leading the Blind?

This article, by Krissy Wilson, recounts her experience attending a psychic performance by Sharon Neill. Wilson maintains her skeptical disposition, finding the performance unimpressive and concluding that the audience was likely predisposed to believe.

The Mystery of Hellfire Pass: Part Three

Paul Chambers and Robert Bartholomew conclude their investigation into the 'Phantom Sniper of Esher.' They propose that the majority of smashed windscreens were likely caused by loose road chippings, exacerbated by the high volume of traffic on the Portsmouth Road and the campaigning efforts of the local newspaper, the Esher News and Advertiser. The article suggests that media attention and local concern about traffic accidents may have contributed to a mild form of hysteria, leading to the over-reporting of incidents.

Just Your Imagination: Part One

Martin Parkinson begins a two-part article exploring the connection between acting, performance, personality, and 'psychic abilities.' He suggests that emotions used in acting, drawn from human experience, can be misinterpreted as psychic perception. Parkinson posits that tapping into this innate capacity to 'read' others might be misconstrued as psychic ability.

Natural Science and the Spirit World: Part One

This installment features a section from Friedrich Engels' 'The Dialectics of Nature.' Engels' work is presented as a counterpoint to his more famous colleague, Karl Marx. Engels defines dialectics as the 'most general laws of motion of nature, society, and human thought,' arguing that nature is in a constant state of flux and change.

Skeptic at large...

Wendy M Grossman reviews the 2003 documentary 'Capturing the Friedmans.' The film chronicles the tribulations of the Friedman family, focusing on Arnold Friedman's arrest for child pornography and the subsequent accusations of abuse against him and his son, Jesse. Grossman argues that the film, particularly with additional footage, suggests Jesse Friedman's innocence, highlighting the failure of the justice system and the impact of 'sexual abuse hysteria' cases from the 1980s. She recommends the film for a skeptical audience.

Hits and Misses

This section covers several brief items:

• Hypnotic enhancement: Discusses Steve Burgess's claims of using hypnosis for breast enlargement, questioning the efficacy and methods.
• Al-most Haunted?: Reports that the TV show 'Most Haunted' was revealed to be fake by one of its own stars, parapsychologist Dr. Ciaran O'Keeffe, who cited 'showmanship and dramatics.'
• Alternative deception: Critiques the discussion around funding alternative remedies by the NHS, with writer Nick Cohen arguing that government support for such practices is a form of deceit.
• Cold comfort: Notes a study in the New England Journal of Medicine finding that Echinacea does not protect against or cure the common cold.
• MMR in the clear: Reports that a Cochrane Collaboration review concluded the MMR vaccine is probably safe and not linked to autism, despite continued skepticism from some media outlets.
• Individualism: Discusses Scott Adams's defense of Intelligent Design, clarifying that Adams did not claim scientists were wrong about Darwinism but questioned the possibility of peer pressure influencing scientific consensus. A quote from a pregnant friend offers a humorous take on 'intelligent design.'
• CSICOP goes to the UN: Announces that the Center for Inquiry, CSICOP's parent organization, has been granted special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The 'Hammersmith Ghost'

This feature recounts the historical 'Hammersmith Ghost' incident from Joseph Taylor's skeptical work on apparitions. In December 1803, rumors of a ghost led to vigilantes lying in wait. Francis Smith, an excise officer, shot and killed Thomas Milwood, a bricklayer dressed in white, who was mistaken for the ghost. Smith was convicted of murder but later pardoned.

Comparison to other phantom sniper incidents

This section compares the Esher 'phantom sniper' case to others:

• Fort's Phantom Snipers: Mentions Charles Fort's accounts of mass shootings, noting two that superficially resemble the Esher incidents.
• The Seattle panic: Describes a 1954 incident in Bellingham, Washington, where over 1,500 windscreens were damaged in a week, attributed to a 'ghostly sniper.' The damage later shifted to Seattle, with reports of pit marks on over 3,000 vehicles, which were linked to atomic fallout from hydrogen bomb tests.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rationalist and skeptical approach to claims of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and unverified phenomena. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based reasoning and critical evaluation. Recurring themes include debunking popular myths, questioning the efficacy of alternative medicine, and analyzing historical cases of alleged supernatural events through a scientific lens. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific methodology and against what it perceives as gullibility or 'wanting to believe' in the absence of proof.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 19 Number 1, published in January 1999, features a cover story titled 'Natural Science and the Spirit World: Part One', an excerpt from Friedrich Engels' 'Dialectics of Nature'. The magazine explores themes of skepticism, psychic phenomena, spiritualism, and the intersection of science and belief.

Seattle 'Glasspox' Incident

The issue begins by examining the Seattle 'glasspox' incident, where residents reported mysterious black, sooty grains on their windscreens. An analysis by the Environmental Research Laboratory at the University of Washington identified the material as cenospheres, tiny particles from incomplete combustion of coal. The article suggests that this incident, coinciding with H-bomb tests, may have paradoxically reduced public anxiety by giving people a sense of 'doing something' about a perceived danger.

'Glasspox' in FATE Magazine

Further discussion on 'glasspox' references three articles from 1950s editions of FATE magazine, which reported mass windscreen damage in Pittsburgh and Rome. Theories cited included sonic booms, cleaning fluids, radioactivity, and even airborne 'bantom ash from radium deposits'. One reader even consulted an Ouija board for answers.

Miscellaneous Cases

Frank Edwards' book 'Stranger than Science' is mentioned for its report on the Esher incidents and a case in June 1952 where Indiana and Illinois state police pursued an elusive 'phantom gunman'.

UFO Sightings

A brief mention is made of two 'tame' UFO sightings reported in the ENA, contrasting them with modern extraterrestrial accounts. A letter writer expresses disappointment that eyewitnesses did not provide more details about the object's direction of flight.

Acknowledgements and Authors

The authors acknowledge staff at various libraries and publications, including The Esher News and FATE Magazine. Dr. Paul Chambers, a television producer and science writer, is noted for his book 'Bones of Contention'. Dr. Robert Bartholomew, a sociologist specializing in culture-specific psychiatric disorders, is also mentioned.

Skeptical Stats

Page 2 presents 'Skeptical Stats', a collection of statistics on various topics, including carbon dioxide emissions, corporate communications, UFO sightings in North Yorkshire, gambling in Britain, homeopathy usage, obesity projections, airline passenger survival rates, mercury in capsules, fraud, Intelligent Design debates, evolution activity in US states, church attendance and voting, psychic abilities in Britain, research on Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and meals consumed in cars. The statistics are sourced from various publications and research studies.

Natural Science and the Spirit World: Part One (Engels Excerpt)

This section features an excerpt from Friedrich Engels' 'Dialectics of Nature', focusing on the perceived conflict between natural science and superstition. Engels critiques English empiricism, citing Francis Bacon's interest in rejuvenation and miracles, and Isaac Newton's later work on biblical prophecy. He discusses Alfred Russell Wallace's experiences with mesmerism and spiritualism, detailing experiments with pupils to induce magnetic sleep, alter sensations, and even affect intelligence. Engels also recounts his own encounter with a mesmerist, Mr. Spencer Hall, whom he describes as a 'mediocre charlatan' using a young girl for 'magnetico-phrenological performances' to prove God's existence and the soul's immortality.

Engels highlights how Wallace's 'ardour' led to self-deception, confirming phrenological maps and noting a 'mysterious relation' between operator and patient. The text also describes Mrs. Guppy's alleged experiences, including being photographed with a spirit and being carried through the air, which Engels dismisses as either deception or spirit photography, noting the photographer Hudson was later prosecuted for falsifying spirit photographs.

Second Sight? Or Just the Blind Leading the Blind? (Krissy Wilson Review)

Krissy Wilson reviews a performance by psychic Sharon Neill, a blind medium. Wilson expresses skepticism about the popularity of mediums and the media's uncritical coverage. She details Neill's performance, which involved attempts to contact deceased individuals named Margaret, William, James, Robert (a suicide), Anne, George, and Rita. Wilson describes Neill's methods as 'cold reading' and 'fishing', where she makes general statements and seeks confirmation from the audience. She notes that Neill struggled to get specific details and that the 'communications' seemed repetitive or vague. Wilson questions why the dead are always portrayed as happy and suggests that acting techniques and suggestibility play a significant role in such performances.

Just Your Imagination? Part 1: Acting (Martin Parkinson)

Martin Parkinson explores the nature of acting and its connection to emotional engagement and personality. He discusses how drama training can make individuals experience emotions intensely and see the world differently, drawing parallels to psychotherapy and self-transformation programs. Parkinson introduces Keith Johnstone, a drama teacher known for his work on improvisation, and quotes from his books. He discusses the concept of 'double consciousness' experienced during acting, where performers can be simultaneously aware of being in a specific setting and in a studio. Parkinson also touches upon the pervasiveness of suggestibility, illustrated through improvisation games like 'magic box' and 'one word at a time', where ideas often seem to stem from external influences rather than original thought.

Skeptics in the Pub

A notice advertises 'Skeptics in the Pub', an evening event for those interested in or skeptical about the paranormal, featuring invited speakers and informal discussions. The event is held monthly at The Old Kings Head pub in Borough, with a suggested donation of £2.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of paranormal claims and spiritualist beliefs through a skeptical lens. The magazine consistently contrasts pseudoscientific claims with scientific evidence and rational explanations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry and critical thinking, debunking claims of psychic abilities, spiritual healing, and unexplained phenomena by highlighting psychological factors, methodological flaws, and potential for deception. The use of historical examples, statistical data, and reviews of performances underscores the magazine's commitment to challenging unsubstantiated beliefs and promoting a rational worldview.

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 19, Number 1
Date: October 2005
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: United Kingdom

This issue of The Skeptic magazine explores various facets of skepticism, psychology, and the examination of extraordinary claims. It features articles by Johnstone, Julian Baggini, and Michael Heap, alongside book reviews and a letter to the editor.

Articles

Pseudo-psi effects (Johnstone)

The article begins by quoting Johnstone on suggestibility, stating that normal people are the most suggestible because they are the most normal. It then delves into Johnstone's ideas about 'one word at a time' storytelling games, where participants contribute words to a story in a circle, often with a beat. Johnstone suggests that when one relinquishes control and speaks spontaneously, it can feel as if an 'outside force' is guiding the narrative, leading to the possibility of cultures using this as a form of divination. The concept is extended to improvising dialogue in unison, with an example of a conference where two hundred and fifty people successfully created a 'character' in unison. The article also touches upon Johnstone's observations about 'space' in theatre, describing how actors' movements create invisible force fields that influence each other. The author interprets these phenomena not as paranormal, but as a result of humans' intense social and hierarchical nature, requiring us to be highly responsive to others' emotions and social cues, often referred to as 'gut feeling'.

Rhyme and Reason: Nothing but the Truth? (Steve Donnelly)

Steve Donnelly discusses the ethical dilemma of revealing secrets, particularly in the context of magic and conjuring. He recounts a BBC Radio 4 program about magicians being ejected from the Magic Circle for revealing tricks. Donnelly reflects on his own reluctance to explain tricks he performs, questioning whether it's justifiable to withhold truth to create mystery. He draws a parallel to the myth of Father Christmas, which he perpetuated for his children, arguing that while it involves deception, it doesn't cause lasting harm and can enhance experiences. He contrasts this with the view of Barbara Smoker, President of the National Secular Society, who criticized the deception of children. Donnelly concludes that in certain cases, like conjuring tricks and the Father Christmas myth, withholding the truth can enhance the experience without causing lasting harm, though he admits this is a 'flaky argument'.

Philosopher's Corner: The Sanity Question (Julian Baggini)

Julian Baggini examines the phenomenon of intense fan devotion, using the example of people queuing for days to see Cliff Richard. He questions the sanity of such behavior but notes that the fans themselves often find community and shared passion in these activities. Baggini relates this to Albert Camus' concept of the Myth of Sisyphus, suggesting that life gains meaning through embracing tasks, even those that appear absurd or without ultimate value. He argues that such passions, when objectively absurd, are more fitting for life's purpose. Baggini extends this to intellectual pursuits, like skepticism and philosophy, suggesting that from a cosmic perspective, all human endeavors are insignificant. He concludes by supporting the passionate pursuits of fans, even if they seem unconventional, quoting Cliff Richard's song 'My Kinda Life'.

ASKE News (Michael Heap)

Michael Heap, Chairman of ASKE (The Association for Skeptical Enquiry), reports on his attendance at the 12th European Skeptics Congress in Brussels. The congress theme was 'Pseudoscience, Alternative Medicine and the Media'. He highlights concerns about the influence of unscientific medicine organizations on the World Health Organisation and mentions a meta-analysis suggesting homeopathy's effects are largely placebo. Heap also discusses presentations by science journalists on how to present skeptical articles effectively. A significant portion of the report is dedicated to a debate on telepathy between biologist Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, who proposed evolutionary advantages for telepathy in bonded pairs, and mathematician Dr. Jan Nienhuys, who argued against telepathic explanations due to the lack of a known mechanism and the possibility of experimental errors. The report also touches on the James Randi Challenge and ASKE's own award for demonstrating paranormal abilities.

Reviews

• Darwin's Legacy: What evolution means today by John Dupré (Reviewed by Tessa Kendall): Kendall criticizes Dupré's argument that evolution tells us nothing about ourselves and our world. She finds his claims that empiricism and Darwinian naturalism leave no room for religion to be obvious and his main theory that cultural evolution is faster than physical evolution to be a reductive overreaction. Kendall argues that Dupré's targets, such as the idea that natural selection doesn't account for human diversity, are largely non-existent among mainstream evolutionists.
• Facts and Flakes: Eight Preposterous Propositions by Robert Ehrlich (Reviewed by an unnamed reviewer): This review discusses Ehrlich's book, which rates scientific propositions on a 'flakiness' scale. The reviewer notes that Ehrlich's aim is to help the lay reader assess evidence and reasoning. The book covers topics like the innate nature of homosexuality, Intelligent Design, and the placebo effect. The reviewer finds Ehrlich's rating of Intelligent Design as only '3-flake' to be a lapse, given its pseudoscientific nature. The review highlights Ehrlich's findings on the placebo effect, where studies show patients and physicians can often identify placebos, potentially unblinding double-blind tests.
• The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson (Reviewed by Mike Hutton): Hutton reviews Ronson's book, which investigates the US Military Intelligence's exploration of psychic phenomena over the past thirty years, including attempts to stop goats' hearts by staring at them. The review mentions Ronson's interviews with figures like General Stubblebine and Col. Jim Channon, and links Channon's ideas to the use of music to disorient Iraqi detainees. Hutton notes the difficulty in accepting that military leaders might operate in supernatural dimensions but asserts that Ronson provides evidence for this.
• The Science of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Michael Hanlon (Reviewed by Ray Ward): Ward reviews Hanlon's book, which uses the Guide to explore scientific topics. He notes that the book is accessible even to non-fans and covers subjects like aliens, the existence of God, time travel, and the significance of the number 42. The review praises Hanlon's critique of conscious machines and his discussion of people's misunderstanding of chance, using examples like the relative risks of driving versus flying. Ward concludes it's an excellent and entertaining book that explores serious matters.

Letters

**A rebuttal (Jeremy Bojczuk)

Jeremy Bojczuk responds to a letter by Ray Ward concerning the Kennedy assassination. Bojczuk challenges Ward's assertion that 'all credible evidence indicates that only three shots were fired, all from behind'. Bojczuk presents the testimony of medical professionals who examined President Kennedy's body, reporting a large exit wound in the right rear of his head, and an entrance wound in his throat. He also mentions other entrance wounds reported by pathologists. Bojczuk concludes that evidence points to at least two shots from behind and two from the front, citing Bertrand Russell's question about how Oswald could have shot the President in the front from behind.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes a skeptical and evidence-based approach to understanding phenomena. It encourages critical examination of claims, whether they relate to magic, paranormal abilities, fan devotion, or historical events. The magazine appears to value scientific reasoning and the debunking of pseudoscience, while also acknowledging the complexities of human psychology and the role of belief in shaping experiences. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and the application of scientific principles to understand the world, as evidenced by the ASKE news section and the book reviews.