Skeptic - 2009 - Vol 22 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 22, Number 2
Date: 2009 (implied by content and cover date references)
Publisher: The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic focuses on the current state and future prospects of parapsychology, featuring a debate among prominent researchers. It also includes a variety of other articles, columns, reviews, and features.

Main Cover Story: Parapsychology: Dead or Alive?

The central theme of this issue is the viability of parapsychology as a scientific discipline. Four eminent researchers present their views:

• Ray Hyman argues that parapsychology no longer exists as a science.
• Richard Wiseman suggests an approach that will make or break parapsychology.
• Caroline Watt maintains that it is far too early to close the book on parapsychology.
• Chris Roe responds to Ray Hyman's critique, discussing when evidence is sufficient.

This debate is framed as a thought-provoking discussion not only about parapsychology itself but also about the broader scientific process.

Featured Articles and Interviews

• The Skeptic Interview with Sue Blackmore: Sue Blackmore, described as 'Britain's First Lady of Scepticism', discusses her career, her shift in focus from skepticism to the nature of consciousness, and her exploration of memetics and Zen meditation.
• Premanand: A Personal Memoir: Lewis Jones reflects on his personal relationship with Basava Premanand, a figure known for challenging fraudulent Indian god-men, who passed away in October 2009 at the age of 79. The editorial notes that further tributes to Premanand will be included in the next issue.
• Phil Plait on TAM London: Phil Plait reports on a weekend event in London.

Columns and Regular Features

• Editorial: Chris French and Lindsay Kallis introduce the issue's new features, including a crossword competition, an essay competition on religious belief and delusion, and a new regular feature called "Focus On..." which highlights specific skeptical groups. They also discuss the parapsychology theme and the passing of Basava Premanand.
• Hits and Misses (Mark Williams): This section covers several news items:
• British Chiropractic Association v Simon Singh: An update on the libel action brought against Simon Singh by the BCA. The article details Singh's defense, his co-authored book 'Trick or Treatment?' with Prof. Edzard Ernst, and the legal proceedings. It also touches upon the quality of evidence for chiropractic treatments.
• Blessed are the Atheists: A satirical piece about a billboard poster by the United Church of the Kingdom of God that made unsubstantiated medical claims, which was subsequently found to breach advertising regulations.
• The Humans Are Dead: Discusses the development of AI-powered systems for marking international English tests, raising concerns among teachers and academics.
• Regression: An examination of a vote in the European Parliament concerning the use of animals in research, highlighting concerns about the relaxation of ethical controls.
• Skeptic at Large (Wendy M. Grossman): This column discusses "Fact Checking," using the example of tennis player Michelle Larcher de Brito's shrieks being reported as excessively loud by the BBC. Grossman critiques the media's tendency towards hyperbole and the importance of accurate reporting, even within skeptical circles.
• Philosopher's Corner (Julian Baggini): "The Enemy of my Enemy" critically examines the tendency on the left to overlook or excuse the human rights abuses of anti-American regimes, using Cuba and Hugo Chavez's Venezuela as examples. Baggini argues against uncritical support for any political leader and emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech.
• Focus On... Voice of Young Science: This new feature highlights the aims and activities of a specific skeptical group.
• Editorial Advisory Board: A list of the esteemed individuals who form the magazine's advisory board.
• Book Reviews:
• *Beyond the Call of Duty: The Realm Beyond* by Rosemary Altea (Reviewed by Jacqui Farrants)
• *Big Ideas: The Essential Guide to the Latest Thinking* by James Harkin (Reviewed by John Radford)
• *Completely Arbitrary Methods: Suckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools of Us All* by Rose Shapiro (Reviewed by Tessa Kendall)
• Letters: A section for reader correspondence.
• Crossword: A new feature introduced in this issue.
• Hilary Evans' Paranormal Picture Gallery: Features an illustration from a 1955 Italian newspaper depicting a farmer's vision of demons, with a brief narrative and commentary.
• Mary Evans Asks Why?: An announcement about an essay competition on religious belief and delusion, in memory of Mary Evans.
• Skeptics in the Pub: Information about the lecture series held in pubs across the UK.
• Cartoon: A comic strip by Donald Rooum.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptic consistently promotes a scientific outlook, critical thinking, and the use of reason. The magazine examines claims of the paranormal, fringe science, and pseudoscientific phenomena, but also extends its scope to a wide variety of public issues that involve science and reason. The editorial stance is one of rigorous inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and a commitment to truth, even when it challenges popular beliefs or political orthodoxies. The magazine encourages contributions from scholars, researchers, investigative journalists, and science writers, aiming for clear, interesting, and accessible content for a diverse readership. The issue highlights the importance of distinguishing between perceived benefits and medical facts, and the dangers of uncritical support for political leaders.

Title: THE SKEPTIC
Issue: Volume 22, Issue 2
Date: January 2010 (inferred from issue date format)
Publisher: The Skeptic Magazine
Country: UK
Price: £3.50
ISSN: 1356-3773

This issue of The Skeptic features a cover story titled "Why So Many Professionals?" by Michael Heap, exploring the phenomenon of professional over-involvement in individual cases. Other articles include "Shirley and Me" by Chris French, discussing encounters with a psychic impersonator; "Celebrity Scepticism: New Tools for Old Ideas" by Tracy King, on leveraging celebrity and social media for skepticism; "The day I saw a ghost" by Mark Duwe, a personal anecdote debunked; "Psychic Joe Power" by Jon Donni, a critique of a media-savvy psychic; and "Skeptical Stats" compiled by Mark Williams. The issue concludes with "Parapsychology: Dead or Alive?" by Ray Hyman, arguing for the demise of parapsychology as a science.

Why So Many Professionals?

Michael Heap, Chairman of the Association for Skeptical Enquiry (ASKE) and a clinical and forensic psychologist, opens the magazine by questioning the extensive involvement of professionals in seemingly minor cases. He recounts his early career experience in a child guidance unit where an entire conference was convened for one child, Tim. Heap notes that while he doesn't intend to be pejorative, the sheer number of professionals involved in cases, whether involving children, mentally disordered offenders, or serious crimes, seems disproportionate and requires explanation. He highlights a case where nine reports from five psychiatrists were commissioned for a man accused of a serious crime, with opinions divided based on who instructed them. Heap points out the vast array of personnel involved in such cases, including police, prison services, probation, social services, legal teams, forensic medical services, and administrative staff, all requiring training. He suggests that while public protection, justice, and the needs of the defendant are obvious drivers, there may be scope for a more skeptical analysis of this phenomenon.

Shirley and Me

Chris French, Editor-in-Chief of The Skeptic and Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, recounts his experiences with Shirley Ghostman, a comedic psychic character created by actor Marc Wootton. French admits to grinning when he heard that Brian Dunning and Michael Shermer had been fooled by Ghostman. He shares his own encounter, which was part of a BBC3 series called "High Spirits." French explains that he was contacted by a 'researcher' for a documentary on spirituality, and agreed to be filmed having a conversation with a psychic. He notes several oddities about the setup, including being told the psychic's name was Shirley only just before meeting him, and cameras already rolling. He initially believed he was dealing with someone with serious mental problems, struggling to voice his thoughts professionally. French, along with other skeptics like Wendy Grossman and Nick Pullar, eventually realized the entire setup was a spoof, a comedy project designed to parody paranormal programming. He concludes that the end result is a good advert for skepticism.

Celebrity Scepticism: New Tools for Old Ideas

Tracy King, who runs a marketing company and works for skeptic organizations, discusses how skepticism has gained traction through celebrity endorsement and new media. She notes that the first James Randi Educational Foundation conference in the UK, TAM London, in October 2009, attracted significant mainstream press and numbers by being billed as a "celebration of science and critical thinking." King argues that the legacy of 'ivory-tower thinking' has held skepticism back, but that new generations are using tools like social psychology and celebrity. She highlights the power of 'new media' like Facebook and Twitter for reaching peer groups and spreading ideas, and the effectiveness of 'appeal to celebrity,' a tactic used by proponents of pseudoscience. King points to celebrities like Jonathan Ross, Eddie Izzard, Stephen Fry, and Tim Minchin who openly support science and critical thinking, using their influence positively. She emphasizes that many celebrities are intelligent and share skeptical viewpoints, and that embracing celebrity culture is necessary for skepticism to remain relevant in the 21st century.

The day I saw a ghost

Mark Duwe, a web designer and amateur astronomer, shares a personal anecdote about seeing what he believed to be a ghost dog. While walking home on a dark, drizzly night, he saw a translucent, glowing, golden dog running across his path. Initially spooked, he later realized the phenomenon was an optical illusion. Duwe explains that the orange glow of a street light, refracted through a droplet of water on his eyelashes, created the illusion of a moving, glowing shape. His brain, in the absence of other stimuli, filled in the visual gap with a familiar image – a dog. He uses this experience to illustrate the concept of pareidolia and how the brain can create patterns from noise, suggesting that many unexplained apparitions might have rational explanations rooted in optical illusions or the brain's pattern-recognition abilities.

Psychic Joe Power

Jon Donni, owner and editor of BadPsychics.com, critically examines the career of psychic Joe Power, detailing his attempts to become a celebrity psychic. Donni traces Power's career from his controversial 2006 announcement that he would contact John Lennon's spirit, which was met with criticism from Yoko Ono's representatives. Donni highlights Power's reliance on stunts for media attention, citing his canceled shows due to poor ticket sales and his claims of assisting police in solving crimes, which were officially denied by Detective Superintendent Geoff Sloan regarding the Lynsey Quy murder case. Donni also points out Power's incorrect identification of the killer in the Sally Anne Bowman murder case. The article details Power's statement criticizing 'TV mediums' while himself facing numerous cancellations. A significant failure mentioned is Power's reading for Karen Matthews, mother of Shannon Matthews, where he failed to detect the child's staged kidnapping. Donni concludes by quoting a Merseyside skeptic, Marsh, who recounts Power's hostile reaction to being challenged, and warns aspiring 'wannabe' celebrity psychics against making unsubstantiated claims, as skeptics will investigate and uncover the truth.

Skeptical Stats

Compiled by Mark Williams, this section presents a collection of diverse and often quirky statistics. Examples include the number of calories in a "Quadruple Bypass Burger" (8000), the minimum weight to qualify for a free meal at the Heart Attack Grill (160kg), the highest price paid for a deck of cards ($143,352), the size of a diamond made from a baby's ashes (0.5 carat), the length of the longest recorded chicken flight (13 seconds), the number of nuclear weapons lost since 1945 (50), the cost of the meaning of life on eBay ($3.26), the number of relationships covered by Hallmark cards (105), the time for headphones to increase ear bacteria by 700% (1 hour), and the number of people injured annually by London Underground sliding doors (127). Other stats cover money from Nigerian scams, Scouts in a wobble board ensemble, live rat-snakes held in the mouth, hospitalizations from medication reactions, money lost from a convertible car, teenagers not believing in God, Americans owning a bible, beliefs about Joan of Arc, head-turning before a kiss, smallest newspaper, commands a dog can follow, steps at Chand Baori, distance covered by a remote-controlled car, time to clone an ID card, and decimal places recited for Pi.

Parapsychology: Dead or Alive?

Ray Hyman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Oregon, argues that parapsychology, as a discipline, has ceased to exist in its original form. He explains that for 160 years, parapsychology sought scientific recognition by collecting evidence for 'psi' (psychic phenomena). However, he notes that in the past decade, a growing number of parapsychologists, termed 'neoparapsychologists,' have acknowledged that the evidence for psi is inconsistent, elusive, and fails to meet strict scientific criteria. These neoparapsychologists argue that psi's inability to be captured by scientific methodology is an intrinsic property of psi itself. Hyman critiques the reliance on meta-analyses, arguing they lack statistical robustness and can be misleading by combining disparate results. He points to the "decline effect" and "experimenter effects" as patterns that parapsychologists use to claim psi exists, but which Hyman suggests are more likely due to various phenomena rather than a single coherent psi phenomenon. He criticizes the lack of a positive definition and test for psi, making claims unfalsifiable. Hyman concludes that if the neoparapsychologists are correct, parapsychology is dead, and any continued endeavors will be without a phenomenon that can be scientifically demonstrated and measured. He stresses that science requires lawful, systematic, and replicable phenomena, which parapsychology has failed to provide.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around critical thinking, scientific methodology, and the debunking of pseudoscientific claims. The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, questioning extraordinary claims and demanding rigorous evidence. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of empirical data, replicability, and logical reasoning. The editorial stance is clearly pro-science and anti-pseudoscience, advocating for a rational approach to understanding the world and challenging beliefs that lack a solid evidential basis. The articles collectively promote the idea that while skepticism may sometimes be perceived as negative, it is a crucial tool for discerning truth from falsehood, especially in an era increasingly influenced by media, celebrity, and anecdotal evidence.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 22, Issue 2, published with a cover date of 'VOLUME 22. ISSUE 2' and priced at £4.95, features a prominent cover headline: 'PARAPSYCHOLOGY: DEAD OR ALIVE?'. The issue delves into the current state and future prospects of parapsychology, presenting a debate among prominent figures in the field and related skeptical communities.

Articles and Contributions

'Put up or shut up' by Richard Wiseman

Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology, argues that after over a century, parapsychology remains on the fringes of academia due to a lack of replicable evidence. He notes a pattern of 'ship jumping' where new paradigms emerge as old ones fail to produce consistent results. Wiseman proposes a three-rule approach for the field to make one final attempt to establish evidence for psi: focus on one or two promising procedures, conduct strict replications across multiple labs under optimal conditions, and pre-register study details. If this fails, he contends, the field should accept the null hypothesis and 'put up or shut up'.

'Putting things in perspective' by Caroline Watt

Caroline Watt, a founder member of the Koestler Parapsychology Unit, argues that it is too early to close the book on parapsychology. She highlights the small number of researchers globally and the challenges they face in securing funding and balancing research with academic duties. Watt acknowledges the need for more systematic approaches and prospective meta-analyses, as suggested by critics. She also introduces the concept of 'neoparapsychologists' who propose that psi might not be testable in the usual manner but can be inferred through correlations in data. Watt believes that while the field faces challenges, it is not yet dead.

'When is Evidence Sufficient?' by Chris Roe

Chris Roe, Senior Lecturer and Research Leader for the Psychology Division at the University of Northampton, responds to Ray Hyman's critique, arguing that parapsychology's death is an exaggeration. He clarifies that the primary aim of parapsychology is to study anomalous experiences, not solely to gain scientific recognition. Roe points to the increasing integration of parapsychology into mainstream academia in the UK, with accredited graduate training and inclusion in university specifications. He defends the quality of research, citing the use of double-blind methods, and argues that Hyman's claims about poor replication are vague. Roe suggests that the 'butterfly science' pattern, where researchers shift paradigms, is driven by the need for novelty to secure funding, hindering the systematic work needed to satisfy skeptics.

'Ray Hyman replies'

Ray Hyman responds to the contributions, focusing on the issue of replication and the lack of a 'paradigm experiment' in parapsychology. He argues that while individual experiments might be methodologically sound, the outcomes across a series of experiments are inconsistent and do not meet accepted scientific standards for reproducibility. Hyman uses the failure to replicate the PEAR experiments and the Broughton and Alexander study as examples. He contends that modern science has flourished by focusing on phenomena that are lawful and independently replicated, and that parapsychology's claims fall outside this scope due to their inconsistency.

'The Skeptic Interview with Sue Blackmore, Britain's First Lady of Scepticism'

Chris French interviews Sue Blackmore, who discusses her journey from parapsychology to her current focus on consciousness and memetics. Blackmore explains her initial interest in 'weird things' and her extraordinary out-of-body experience, which led her to parapsychology. However, after years of experimentation, she found the evidence did not support her initial thoughts and had to change her mind. She moved away from parapsychology, finding that the field's lack of replicable results and the tendency to make excuses for failures were problematic. Blackmore became interested in the psychology of belief and the mystery of consciousness. She discusses her work on 'memetics', inspired by Richard Dawkins, as a way to understand how culture and ideas spread and compete. She also touches upon her practice of Zen meditation and its connection to understanding consciousness and the self.

'The Institute for Knowing Things'

This section includes a short, humorous comic strip about the 'Devil's Footprints' that appeared in Devon in 1855, with a witty deduction about the devil's footwear.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The central theme of this issue is the ongoing debate about the scientific validity and future of parapsychology. The magazine presents a skeptical viewpoint, with contributions from researchers like Richard Wiseman and Ray Hyman who emphasize the need for rigorous, replicable evidence and criticize the field's current state. However, it also includes perspectives from those within parapsychology, like Caroline Watt and Chris Roe, who defend the field's efforts and highlight the challenges it faces. The inclusion of Sue Blackmore's interview, detailing her departure from parapsychology and her shift to studying consciousness and memetics, further underscores the magazine's critical yet open approach to exploring phenomena related to the mind and belief systems. The overall stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, demanding high standards of evidence and methodology while acknowledging the complexity and enduring interest in anomalous experiences.

This issue of The Skeptic, Volume 22, Issue 2, published in 2009, features a diverse range of articles focusing on skepticism, critical thinking, and the debunking of pseudoscience. The cover story is a personal memoir by Lewis Jones reflecting on his relationship with Premanand, a figure known for exposing 'godmen' in India. The issue also includes an interview with renowned psychologist and author Susan Blackmore, a report on the TAM London conference, and a 'Focus On' segment detailing the work of Voice of Young Science.

Interview with Susan Blackmore

Susan Blackmore discusses the current state of psychology and the philosophy of consciousness, noting that while the mind-body problem is becoming more acute with increased understanding of the brain, the current focus on neural correlates might be a dead end. She expresses excitement that consciousness is now a 'sexy topic' and openly discussed, unlike in her student days. Blackmore also comments on the rise of skepticism, attributing it to a societal need, particularly religious skepticism, and the explosion of alternative therapies. She touches upon the demographic shift in skepticism to include more women, suggesting biological differences play a role, though acknowledging societal pressures. Blackmore believes fewer women than men will actively promote skepticism, but acknowledges their increasing presence.

Premanand: A Personal Memoir by Lewis Jones

Lewis Jones recounts his personal relationship with Premanand (1930-2009), whom he met in 1992. Premanand, an Indian man with a white beard and kurta, was known for demonstrating his methods to clarify rather than mystify, exposing 'godmen' who tricked poor people out of their savings. Jones describes Premanand's demonstrations, such as producing holy ash and performing tricks like stopping his pulse. He highlights Premanand's mission to clarify magical methods and his refusal to accept donations, aware of enemies in the 'miracle trade'. Jones also shares personal anecdotes, including Premanand's stay with him, discussions about magic, and his assistance with Premanand's relative. He mentions Premanand's publications, including 'Indian Skeptic' magazine and the book 'Science versus Miracles'.

TAM comes to London

Phil Plait reports on the first TAM London conference, organized by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), held on October 3-4, 2009. The event attracted over 500 attendees and featured speakers such as Professor Richard Wiseman, Professor Brian Cox, journalist Simon Singh, physician Ben Goldacre, Ariane Sherine, musician George Hrab, and Mythbuster Adam Savage. Plait himself spoke about asteroid impacts. The performance by musician Tim Minchin is highlighted as a particular success. The event also included a live video Q&A with James Randi via Skype. Plait concludes that TAM London was a great success and hints at the possibility of future events.

Focus On... Voice of Young Science

This section introduces Voice of Young Science (VOYS), a network of early career researchers associated with Sense About Science (SAS). VOYS members are involved in public communication, challenging pseudoscientific claims, and creating resources for their peers. They have investigated misleading product claims, releasing a dossier called 'There Goes the Science Bit...' and 'The Detox Dossier', which concluded that 'detox' marketing is a myth. VOYS also addressed the promotion of homeopathy for serious diseases in Africa by writing to the WHO, which responded with clear supportive comments condemning such practices. The section also mentions VOYS workshops on media engagement and their publications, 'Standing up for Science' guides.

Reviews

Beyond the Call of Duty: The Realm Beyond by Rosemary Altea

Jacqui Farrants reviews Rosemary Altea's book, describing it as a collection of tedious accounts of her mediumship and healing experiences, including a legal battle. Farrants finds the book unconvincing and geared towards believers, criticizing Altea's self-promotion and insistence on her abilities. She concludes the book offers nothing new and is a waste of time.

Big Deal: Big Ideas: The Essential Guide to the Latest Thinking by James Harkin

John Radford reviews James Harkin's book, which presents 143 'big ideas' in an alphabetical order. Radford admits to not reading the book thoroughly, finding it tedious. He describes the typical pattern as introducing a term, quoting a source, and adding comments. He likens the content to short newspaper columns and suggests the book is a collection of buzz-words rather than in-depth analysis. Radford recommends saving the money.

Suckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools of Us All by Rose Shapiro

Tessa Kendall reviews Rose Shapiro's book, which characterizes Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a 'faith-based practice' and a 'complex combination of superstition and market forces'. The book examines prevalent CAM examples, stating that 'the only thing they have in common is that they don't work'. Kendall highlights the financial spending on CAM in the UK and the potential dangers of unregulated therapies, especially for seriously ill people. The review notes that homeopathy is called the 'gateway drug' of CAM and discusses its appeal. The book critiques various CAM practices, including homeopathy, chiropractic, and reflexology, and names individuals and products. It also touches on the history of some CAM therapies, revealing their modern origins rather than ancient wisdom. The review concludes that the book is a valuable resource for fighting pseudoscience with evidence.

Letters

Another conspiracy?

Steuart Campbell questions why a hypothesis about the JFK assassination, suggesting a bodyguard in a following car killed the President by mistake, is being ignored, referencing his previous letter on the topic.

Ray Ward replies, acknowledging familiarity with the hypothesis but not having read the entire book. He mentions the legal action taken by George W. Hickey, the Secret Service agent involved, which was dismissed but later settled.

An author's request

Hilary Evans is seeking statements from people who have experienced Street Lamp Interference (SLI), where street lamps apparently turn off as people walk by. Evans is also interested in experiences with other appliances and any suggested explanations.

Heading down the wrong path?

Duncan M. Butlin criticizes an article in a previous issue, suggesting it encourages paranormal beliefs rather than skepticism. He argues that the article's conclusion, that there might be something in paranormal stuff, is an ignominious defeat for skepticism.

Jon Donni replies, clarifying that he exposes mediumship rather than encourages it, and that understanding it is necessary to expose it. He states he has exposed more mediums than anyone else and that his approach is that of a skeptic, not a cynic.

It's nice to be appreciated!

Michael Marshall from the Merseyside Skeptics Society congratulates The Skeptic on its revamp and praises the content, including an interview with James Randi. He highlights Wendy Grossman's article on the magazine's history and emphasizes the importance of resources like The Skeptic for critical thinking.

Chris French's interview with James Randi

This letter, from Rupert Sheldrake, criticizes Chris French's interview with James Randi, stating that Randi was not challenged sufficiently. Sheldrake takes issue with Randi's statements about his 'telephone telepathy' research and Randi's claims about a dog named Jaytee. Sheldrake accuses Randi of being rude and offensive and argues that organized skepticism needs better quality control.

James Randi replies, clarifying that a quote attributed to him in Sheldrake's letter was from a handout written by Andrew Mayne, not himself. Randi also addresses Sheldrake's claims about his research, stating that he was referring to general tests and that Sheldrake's 'research' appears to misinterpret documents. Randi challenges Sheldrake to provide the full video record of his experiments.

Chris French replies, explaining that he was not aware of Randi's Pigasus award until reading Sheldrake's letter and that his focus was on Randi's overall influence. French reiterates his respect for Randi and his belief that experts can come from various backgrounds, not just formal qualifications. He also mentions his own past testing of claims, including telephone telepathy, with no supporting results.

Crossword by Skepticus

A crossword puzzle is presented with clues related to skepticism and science. The deadline for entries is June 30, 2010.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around the promotion of critical thinking and scientific skepticism, the debunking of pseudoscience and alternative medicine, and the exploration of consciousness and the mind-body problem. The magazine maintains a clear editorial stance in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a critical approach to extraordinary claims, as evidenced by its reviews, interviews, and the 'Focus On' section. The letters to the editor also reflect ongoing debates within the skeptical community regarding methodology, specific cases, and the public perception of skepticism.

Title: AFU Archives for the Unexplained
Issue Date: N/A
Publisher: Archives for the Unexplained (AFU)
Country: Sweden

This document is a page from the Archives for the Unexplained (AFU) organization, detailing their digitization project and soliciting support. It outlines how the organization has been digitizing documents since 2010 to share with the public and encourages donations, both monetary and in the form of files for archival preservation.

Digitization Project and Call for Donations

The AFU project, running since 2010, aims to make archived documents accessible to the public through digitization. The organization explicitly requests support from its audience, asking for "single or regular monetary donations" to sustain their work. Furthermore, they invite individuals to donate their files for "future preservation at our archival centre."

Contact and Financial Information

The organization's primary contact information is provided, identifying them as "Archives for the Unexplained (AFU)" with a postal address at "P O Box 11027 600 11 Norrkoping, Sweden." Their official website is listed as www.afu.se. For financial transactions, several methods are detailed:

• Paypal: [email protected]
• IBAN: SE599500009960420490 7143
• BIC: NDEASESS (associated with Nordea/Plusgirot, Stockholm)
• Swish (Sweden only): 123 585 43 69

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this document is the preservation and dissemination of archival material related to the unexplained. The editorial stance is one of active engagement with the public, seeking both financial and material contributions to further their mission. The emphasis is on transparency and providing clear channels for support and interaction.