The Skeptic

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 21 Number 2
Date: Summer 2008

This issue of The Skeptic magazine, published in Summer 2008, explores a range of topics from neuroscience and paranormal claims to technological advancements and the nature of belief. The cover prominently features an illustration related to phrenology and the lead article, "Towards a Cognitive Neuroscience of the Dying Brain." Other highlighted articles include investigations into the "Crescent Lake Monster" and an account of "An Evening With James Randi and Friends."

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Lindsay Kallis and Chris French, reflects on the human tendency to replace childhood beliefs with adult fantasies, such as psychics and paranormal phenomena. They argue that a skeptical mind is not innate and requires teaching, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and questioning. The editorial highlights the work of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) in promoting rational thought and announces that an event featuring James Randi raised nearly £3000 for JREF. It also introduces Benjamin Radford's investigation into the "Cressie" lake monster and Dr. Jason Braithwaite's critique of a study on near-death experiences (NDEs) that suggested a challenge to mainstream neuroscience.

The editors invite readers to share their personal definitions of what it means to be a skeptic.

Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery

This section features an illustration and a brief text titled "Evening Classes, 1900's Style." It discusses a course offered by the Psychic Research Company of New York in 1900, which aimed to develop subscribers' brains through "murmured suggestions," suggesting that such methods could impart knowledge for trivia quizzes. Hilary Evans is identified as the co-proprietor of the Mary Evans Picture Library.

Contents

The magazine includes a variety of articles and sections:

• Editorial: Lindsay Kallis and Chris French
• Hits and Misses: Mark Williams
• Skeptic at large: Wendy M Grossman
• Towards a Cognitive Neuroscience of the Dying Brain: Jason J Braithwaite
• Skeptical Stats: Mark Williams
• Searching for Cressie, the Crescent Lake Monster: Benjamin Radford
• An Evening With James Randi and Friends: Jon Cohen
• Philosopher's Corner: Julian Baggini
• Through a Glass Darkly: Michael Heap
• Reviews
• Letters

Hits and Misses

Mark Williams discusses the discontinuation of James Randi's Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge, which was pledged in 1998 and was set to retire in March 2010. Despite numerous applicants, none passed the preliminary tests. The article notes that other organizations, such as ASKE in the UK and Indian Skeptics, still offer prize money for demonstrations of psychic powers. It also mentions challenges from Australian Skeptics, CFI's Independent Investigations Group, and Scientific American. The discontinuation of the JREF challenge is attributed to a desire to fund future projects and scholarships and to reduce the burden of poorly constructed applications.

The section also touches upon the Ganzfeld procedure, a method used to test for telepathy and remote viewing. A study by Harvard researchers using fMRI is mentioned, which aimed to observe neural activity during the procedure. The results of this study, however, were in line with chance expectation.

Skeptic at large

Wendy M Grossman writes about the burgeoning field of eHealth, focusing on companies aiming to sell medical devices and systems to the NHS. These include implantable devices that transmit patient data, networked connections, and computerized management systems. Grossman highlights the potential benefits, such as reduced hospital travel for patients and more time for doctors to focus on critical cases. She also discusses the use of tablet computers for patient records and digital radiography. However, she raises concerns about the potential for remote monitoring to further depersonalize the doctor-patient relationship and the security risks associated with patient data being accessed remotely, citing an example of a system that sent incorrect appointment details and the vulnerability of implanted defibrillators to hacking.

Grossman also references Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst's book "Trick or Treatment?" and the Hawthorne effect, where close monitoring can improve health outcomes. She concludes by recommending the book and emphasizing the importance of securing patient data.

Towards a Cognitive Neuroscience of the Dying Brain

Dr. Jason J Braithwaite offers a critical analysis of a study by van Lommel et al. (2001) published in The Lancet, which suggested that near-death experiences (NDEs) challenge mainstream neuroscience's understanding of the brain and consciousness. Braithwaite argues that the survivalist position, which posits that the mind is separable from the brain, is not supported by the van Lommel et al. study. He contends that the study's methodology and conclusions are flawed, particularly in its interpretation of the 18% NDE reporting rate. Braithwaite asserts that the study provides no evidence for consciousness surviving bodily death and that its claims are at best premature and at worst unfounded.

The article critiques the study's assumptions about anoxia, pointing out that direct measures of anoxia were not taken and that the rate of anoxia onset, rather than its overall level, is more critical. It also highlights the heterogeneity of brain structures and individual differences in response to anoxia, which the van Lommel et al. study failed to consider. Braithwaite concludes that the study poses no serious challenge to current neuroscientific accounts of NDEs.

Searching for Cressie, the Crescent Lake Monster

Benjamin Radford investigates the legend of "Cressie," a lake monster reportedly inhabiting Crescent Lake in Eastern Canada. Radford explores the history of the claims and offers alternative hypotheses for the phenomenon, moving beyond the typical "monster" narrative.

An Evening With James Randi and Friends

Jon Cohen reports on a sold-out event in the UK featuring James Randi, organized by The Skeptic and Skeptics in the Pub. The event successfully raised almost £3000 for JREF and was attended by many "star-struck skeptics." An overheard comment suggested that "If sceptics had a god, he would be called Randi!" The report also mentions Randi's rumored return to the UK in the autumn.

Philosopher's Corner

Julian Baggini contributes to this section.

Through a Glass Darkly

Michael Heap contributes to this section.

Reviews and Letters

The magazine includes sections for book reviews and reader letters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and the debunking of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a rational approach to understanding phenomena, as exemplified by the focus on the James Randi Educational Foundation and the critique of the NDE survivalist hypothesis. The magazine aims to promote a scientific understanding of the world and to challenge unsubstantiated beliefs.

Title: The SKEPTIC
Issue: Volume 21 Number 2
Date: Not explicitly stated, but context suggests around 2007 based on publication dates of cited sources.
Publisher: The Skeptic
Country: USA
ISSN: 1069-5264

This issue of The Skeptic features a prominent article titled "Searching for Cressie, the Crescent Lake Monster" by Benjamin Radford, the managing editor. The magazine also includes a section called "Skeptical Stats," presenting a collection of diverse statistics, and a brief mention of a "Skeptics in the Pub" event.

Searching for Cressie, the Crescent Lake Monster

Benjamin Radford recounts his personal search for Cressie, a lake monster legend from Crescent Lake in northeastern Newfoundland, Canada. The area around Robert's Arm, a town with a population of about a thousand, is described as picturesque, with walking trails and a large, dragon-like creature statue that draws visitors.

Radford, accompanied by Joe Nickell, has previously investigated other lake monster legends without success. His visit to Crescent Lake was also fruitless in terms of finding the creature.

He spoke with local resident Fred Parsons, who claimed to have seen Cressie on July 9, 1991. Parsons described it as a long, snake-like creature, about fifteen to twenty feet long, with a dark brownish color, a sleek body, and no significantly large head, moving on the water's surface. Parsons has since become a collector of local lake monster reports.

The article notes that while there has been no organized effort to verify Cressie's existence, there is no hard evidence like bones or live specimens. Unlike other lake monsters, Cressie has never been photographed; evidence relies solely on eyewitness sightings, with about a dozen reported since the 1940s.

An information plaque at "Cressie's Castle" (a tourist lookout) details local oral traditions, including sightings dating back to the turn of the century. One account from the early 1950s describes two woodsmen mistaking an upturned 'log' for a creature that then slipped beneath the water. Mr. Andrew Burton, one of the woodsmen, described the object as about 25 feet long and a foot in diameter, noting it behaved unusually for a log.

Another significant sighting occurred on September 5, 1991, when Mr. Pierce Rideout reported seeing a disturbance on Crescent Lake, which appeared to be a black, fifteen-foot-long shape moving like a boat's bow wave before sinking out of sight. Recent years have seen other sightings describing a similar long, snake-like shape, with eyewitness credibility generally considered high.

Cressie Candidates:

Witnesses generally agree that Cressie is dark and eel-like. George Eberhart's encyclopedia "Mysterious Creatures" suggests Cressie might be an oversized American eel (Anguilla rostrata), as the lake and surrounding ponds are known for large eels. Although typical eels are less than five feet, RCMP divers investigating a drowning in a nearby pond reported finding eels as thick as a man's thigh. Fred Parsons believes Cressie could be a giant eel, and many residents, like Hughie Ryan and Ray Hewlett, share this view.

Other Explanations:

While the eel hypothesis is popular, other explanations include floating or drifting trees and logs, given that Crescent Lake was historically used for floating logs to European paper mills. The article suggests that sightings are likely a mixture of misidentifications, including logs, large fish, otters, and giant eels. It also acknowledges the possibility of a prehistoric survivor or a creature unknown to science, but questions why such a creature would be rarely seen in a relatively small, accessible lake.

Cressie and Tourism:

The legend of Cressie has been leveraged for tourism by the town of Robert's Arm and the Beothuk Trail Tourism Committee. The town promotes itself as a lake monster tourism destination, with efforts including the "Cressie" sign created by Russell Bragg and "Cressie's Castle," a scenic area with an information plaque. The Lake Crescent Inn also advertises the possibility of seeing the monster.

Radford concludes that whether Cressie is real or not is less important to the residents than its presence in their folklore and imagination. He left without seeing the monster but acknowledged its cultural significance.

Skeptical Stats

This section presents a numbered list of 25 diverse statistics, ranging from scientific facts and technological advancements to social observations and historical trivia. Examples include:

1. Height for releasing 100 origami planes to return to Earth: around 250 miles.
2. Average carrots consumed in a lifetime: 10,866.
3. Muzzle velocity of a new Navy rail gun: Mach 7.
4. Cash prize for "Biggest Loser" competition: £130.
5. Prize money for a car exceeding 100 mph: $10,000,000.
6. Volvo's target for eliminating injuries and deaths in vehicles: 2020.
7. Percentage of evangelical Christians relying on angels for guidance: 97%.
8. Savings by American Airlines from removing one olive per salad: $40,000.
9. Lawsuit against an aviation company after a pilot made a passenger sit in the toilet: over $2,000,000.
10. Proportion of world's wildlife lost since 1970: approximately 27%.
11. Proportion of polar bear population predicted extinct by 2050: two thirds.
12. Length of the longest pliosaur fossil: 150 million years.
13. Energy to forge one aluminum can vs. recycling it 20 times.
14. Proportion of British people believed to have suicidal thoughts: 1 in 1000.
15. Actual proportion of British people with suicidal thoughts: 1 in 100.
16. Average number of doctor suicides per annum in America: 300-400.
17. Number of individuals treated for depression with Fluoxetine: 40 million per annum.
18. Length of time a copper wire remained undetected in a bladder: about 6 years.
19. Weight of ENIAC computer: 28 tonnes.
20. Total energy consumed by ENIAC: 14,997 Megawatts.
21. Energy produced by the Slingshot water cleaner: enough to power 70 light bulbs.
22. Year of the first coin-operated holy water machine: 215 BC.
23. Number of vending machines in Japan: 1 per 23 people.
24. Number of horses died in racing since March 2007: 204.
25. Speed of new CERN fiber optic infrastructure: 10,000 times faster than current broadband speeds.

The section is compiled by Mark Williams and relies on reader contributions.

Skeptics in the Pub

This section announces a monthly event for individuals interested in or skeptical about the paranormal. The event is held at The Penderel's Oak pub in London, starting at 7:00 PM, with a suggested donation of £2.00. Contact information for Sid Rodrigues is provided.

Other Articles and Themes

While the primary focus is on the Cressie article, the magazine also contains a lengthy discussion on the "dying-brain hypothesis" concerning near-death experiences (NDEs). This section critically examines claims that NDEs are evidence of consciousness surviving brain death. It argues that EEG data does not necessarily indicate complete brain inactivity and that phenomena like disinhibition and seizure activity can explain NDEs without resorting to supernatural explanations. The article critiques studies that suggest NDEs are incompatible with current neuroscience, emphasizing that scientific models are subject to revision and that NDEs can be a legitimate area of research for understanding the brain and consciousness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance towards paranormal claims and phenomena. This issue, through its investigation of the Cressie lake monster and its critical analysis of the dying-brain hypothesis, reinforces this editorial position. The magazine prioritizes scientific explanations, logical reasoning, and evidence-based analysis, challenging anecdotal accounts and supernatural interpretations. The "Skeptical Stats" section further supports this by presenting factual, often surprising, data that can be used to counter unsubstantiated claims or to provide a more grounded perspective on various topics.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 21, Number 2, published in 2008, focuses heavily on skepticism, pseudoscience, and critical thinking, with a prominent feature on 'An Evening with James Randi and Friends'. The magazine includes reviews of books and films, and articles exploring psychological phenomena and philosophical debates.

An Evening with James Randi and Friends

Jon Cohen reports on a highly anticipated event in London, organized by Skeptic magazine and Skeptics in The Pub, which sold out quickly. The event featured James Randi, described as the 'founding father of modern day scepticism,' alongside a roster of guest speakers. Richard Wiseman hosted, blending magic demonstrations with explanations of psychological principles.

Professor Chris French discussed the growth of skepticism in the UK and the work of his Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit (APRU), which seeks non-paranormal explanations for unusual experiences. Simon Singh, a science author, spoke about the scientific method and demonstrated the emission of light from sodium atoms using a gherkin. His new book, 'Trick Or Treatment? Alternative Medicine On Trial,' co-authored with Edzard Ernst, is also mentioned.

Ben Goldacre presented a talk on the power of the placebo effect, highlighting how sugar pills and drug colors can influence effectiveness, even acting in opposition to known pharmacological effects. Dr. Susan Blackmore shared her journey from parapsychology to skepticism, detailing how a lack of positive results and evidence of cheating led her to change her mind. She noted receiving hate mail from believers.

James Randi himself spoke about his biography, 'I am James Randi and I will Die Today,' and the difference between stage magicians and psychics. He discussed his million-dollar offer for demonstrating paranormal abilities under controlled conditions, which was set to end in 2010, with funds to be used for scholarships and research. Randi also explained his methodology for designing tests to leave no room for interpretation, citing an example of a remote viewing test in Japan where the claimant failed to perform above chance level. He demonstrated how assumptions can be misleading by using an unplugged microphone and empty eyeglass frames.

The event concluded with video clips of Randi exposing fraudulent psychics and a discussion on the importance of building skeptical communities. The event was deemed a huge success and a significant moment for skepticism in the UK.

Reviews

More Fantasy: Who Shot JFK? by Robin Ramsay

Ray Ward reviews Robin Ramsay's book, criticizing its handling of the Kennedy assassination. Ward argues that Ramsay's own work is remarkable for its ignorance, refuting key points of the official narrative and alternative theories without solid evidence. He notes Ramsay's focus on obscure theorists while ignoring significant works like Gerald Posner's 'Case Closed.' The review highlights Ramsay's dismissal of evidence and his blaming of Johnson without concrete proof.

Mind the Guff: The Psychic Handbook by Craig & Jane Hamilton Parker

This review by Ray Ward critiques 'The Psychic Handbook,' noting its authors' fame from 'The Big Breakfast.' The book is described as a 'cashing-in' effort that promises to help readers unleash psychic abilities. The review points out the book's uncritical tone, citing examples of unqualified statements about geophysical forces, crystals, and psychic phenomena. It mentions celebrity endorsements and heroes like Sai Baba, Edgar Cayce, and Doris Stokes.

Unedifying Failing Object: Nick Pope: The Man Who Left the MOD: The UFO Phenomenon Unveiled

Tessa Kendall reviews a film directed by Philip Gardiner featuring Nick Pope. The review expresses disappointment, stating that the film offers little new information for those familiar with ufology. Pope's biography and his 'possible explanation' for UFOs are mentioned, along with his reluctance to reveal 'secret knowledge.' The review criticizes the film's production values and Pope's self-promotion as 'chief UFO investigator,' deeming the film a vanity project saved only by its UFO-themed music video.

Beyond Quackology: Quirkology: The Curious Science of Everyday Lives by Richard Wiseman

Paul Taylor reviews Richard Wiseman's book, describing it as an eminently readable survey of intriguing psychological findings. The book differentiates itself by focusing on 'quirky' studies, some using mainstream methods for unusual topics, others using unusual methods for mainstream topics. Chapters cover chronopsychology, superstition, deception, decision-making, humor, and altruism. The review highlights Wiseman's research into infrasound and its potential role in unusual experiences, and mentions a study on sacred experiences potentially linked to organ pipe sounds.

Articles

Agnosticism Revisited

Steuart Campbell's views on scientific practice and agnosticism are discussed. The author argues that Campbell overstates and confuses points, particularly regarding the meanings of words like 'agnostic.' The letter distinguishes between different senses of agnosticism and argues that life having no inherent meaning is a reasoned view, not a bald fact.

Where is your God now?

This letter by Jon Donnis from Birmingham recounts the tragic death of 11-year-old Madeline Neumann, who died from diabetic ketoacidosis after her parents chose prayer over medical treatment. The author expresses outrage at the parents' actions and the police's assessment that there was no abuse, questioning the role of faith in life-or-death situations and advocating for cold, hard facts.

Through a Glass Darkly

Michael Heap, Chairman of ASKE, discusses the principle of applying ideas and practices beyond their range of effectiveness, using examples from alternative medicine and the overextension of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He criticizes the government's approach to mental health, suggesting it focuses on creating teams of professionals rather than addressing the underlying societal conditions that cause problems.

Back Issues

A list of available back issues of The Skeptic magazine is provided, detailing the contents of various volumes and issues from 1994 to 2008, covering a wide range of topics related to skepticism, pseudoscience, and critical inquiry. Discount rates for multiple back issue purchases are also listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the promotion of skepticism and critical thinking, the debunking of pseudoscience and paranormal claims, and the exploration of psychological phenomena through a scientific lens. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a rational approach to understanding the world, as exemplified by the coverage of James Randi's work and the critical reviews of books and films that promote unsubstantiated claims. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing scientific inquiry from belief-based systems and on the importance of rigorous methodology in research.