Skeptical Eye - Vol 02 No 4 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Fall 1988, Vol. 2, No. 4
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Skeptical Eye delves into various aspects of skepticism, focusing on health quackery, the debunking efforts of James Randi, and the state of scientific literacy in the United States. It highlights an upcoming NCAS meeting on quackery and features articles that critically examine paranormal claims and pseudoscientific practices.

October 16 Annual Meeting to Focus on Quackery

The cover story announces an NCAS Annual Meeting on October 16, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. The meeting aims to address a wide range of questionable health therapies, posing questions about the efficacy of immunoaugmentive therapy, homeopathy, and the impact of vitamins and special diets. It notes that questionable therapies cost consumers $4 to $5 billion annually. The event will feature a display of seized quack devices by the FDA and a keynote address by Stephen Barrett, M.D., who will discuss quackery and nutrition cultism. Barrett is a psychiatrist and founder of the Lehigh Valley Council Against Health Fraud.

Randi on the Offensive at the Humanist Congress

By Neil L. Inglis, this article describes James Randi's participation in the Tenth Humanist World Congress. Randi, known for his direct and often offensive style, targeted psychics like Uri Geller, questioning his career path from psychic phenomena to selling aluminum siding and working as a pitchman for ice cream. The article notes Randi's talent for offending people but acknowledges his effectiveness in challenging paranormal claims. It also touches upon Randi's investigation into the "homeopathic effect" experiments by Dr. Jacques Benveniste, criticizing the French scientific establishment for fostering self-delusion.

"In Response to Today's Story..."

By Julie D. Stern and Randy Lockwood, this piece encourages skeptics to actively engage with the media by writing letters to editors and producers to counter the spread of credulous reporting on paranormal claims. It provides guidelines for writing effective letters, emphasizing brevity, promptness, and a calm, rational tone. It also suggests contacting sponsors of programs that promote pseudoscience.

From the Stars to Star Wars

By Stephen R. Dujack, this article explores the intersection of astrology, parapsychology, and national security. It discusses President Reagan's use of astrology and Senator Claiborne Pell's support for Uri Geller's involvement in determining Soviet treaty compliance. The article references a National Academy of Sciences report that found no scientific justification for psychic phenomena. It details Geller's claims of spying for the CIA and influencing political events, while also noting that many of his claims have been debunked or are uncheckable. The article also touches on the history of US government research into parapsychology, including projects like "Grill Flame," and the concerns raised about potential Soviet psi attacks.

President's Message

By D.W. "Chip" Denman, the president of NCAS, this message recounts attending a faith healing rally featuring Morris Cerullo. Denman describes the event, the audience, and Cerullo's performance, noting the emphasis on donations and the use of "healing cards" and release forms. He expresses concern about individuals being encouraged to avoid skeptical evidence, particularly in cases like a woman encouraged to forgo medical treatment for a breast lump.

Fairy Ring Mushrooms

By Alexander White, this article discusses fairy ring mushrooms and their purported connection to UFO landing sites. It explains the biological formation of fairy rings through mycelial growth and how they can create patterns in lawns and meadows. The article notes that some species can interfere with plant growth, creating rings of sparse grass, and mentions large fairy rings found in Kansas estimated to be 500 years old.

CSICOP and SI at the Humanist World Congress

By Neil L. Inglis, this piece highlights the presence of CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) and its publication, Skeptical Inquirer (SI), at the Humanist World Congress. It mentions Mark Plummer, CSICOP's executive director, discussing research into graphology and giving a tour of the SI headquarters. The article notes the challenges of low circulation magazines but praises the efficiency and quality of SI's publications. It also mentions James Randi being called away to comment on the Oral Roberts fraud trial, reinforcing his role as a prominent skeptic.

Soviet Psi Attacks?

This section, continuing from page 3, discusses the US government's continued research into parapsychology, particularly "remote viewing," despite concerns about flawed experimental procedures. It mentions the "Grill Flame" project and the psychic Ingo Swann, whose predictions were often sensationalized. The article questions whether this wasteful research is still ongoing and highlights the lack of transparency from government agencies.

The Skeptic's Bookshelf

Reviewed by Michael Hoffman, this section reviews two books on the origin of life: "Origins of Life" by Freeman Dyson and "Origins" by Robert Shapiro. Both books critique the current paradigm in origin-of-life research, with Dyson proposing that metabolism preceded genes and Shapiro suggesting that early life was based on proteins. The review recommends both books for those interested in the topic and notes Shapiro's skeptical attitude aligns with NCAS's goals.

The First Millennium

By Guy W. Moore, this article reviews the historical period preceding the year 1000 A.D., focusing on millennial fears and signs of damnation. It discusses the appearance of comets, famines, and epidemics like St. Anthony's Fire, and how inflamed imaginations interpreted these events as portents of the end of the world.

Twelve Ways To Spot a Quack

By Zev Remba, this article provides a practical guide for identifying quacks and pseudoscientific health practitioners. It outlines twelve common tactics used by quacks, including reliance on anecdotes, promises of miraculous cures, use of jargon, unrecognized credentials, claims of persecution, and reliance on mass media reports instead of scientific studies. It also mentions Dr. Lawrence Burton's clinic in the Bahamas and the issue of HIV contamination in his "protein fractions."

News From Other Skeptics Groups

By Lee J. Rickard, this section summarizes news from various skeptical organizations. It notes the increasing volume of newsletters and highlights excerpts from the Skeptical Eye appearing in other publications. It mentions reports on the declining fortunes of parapsychology research due to funding issues and negative reports, and the passing of Tim Dinsdale, known for his Loch Ness Monster film. The section also covers debates on parapsychology, the use of graphology in personnel decisions, and creationist debates.

Newspaper Editors Are Dummies

By Michael Zimmerman, this article presents the results of a survey on scientific literacy among newspaper editors. The survey revealed a significant lack of basic scientific knowledge, with many editors holding misconceptions about dinosaurs, the Earth's chronology, and the nature of scientists. Zimmerman argues that this widespread scientific ignorance poses a risk to democratic society's ability to make rational decisions on scientific matters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Skeptical Eye are the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, particularly in the realm of health and paranormal phenomena, and the promotion of scientific literacy and rational thought. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, advocating for evidence-based reasoning and a cautious approach to extraordinary claims. The magazine actively encourages its readers to engage with media and public discourse to counter misinformation and promote critical thinking. The publication serves as a platform for debunking fraudulent schemes and highlighting the importance of scientific understanding in society.

This issue of 'The First Millennium' (from p. 7) explores the pervasive fear of the world's end that characterized the first millennium, particularly around the year 1000. Despite the lack of official documentation, compelling evidence suggests that many people, especially those from lower societal strata, were obsessed with this ill-defined fear. The text draws parallels to modern times, suggesting that similar anxieties could be amplified by contemporary media.

The Millennium and Societal Layers

The article contrasts the societal anxieties of the first millennium with the broader historical context of Europe's formation. It highlights that while the church and statesmen were focused on building a new Europe, a significant portion of the populace harbored deep-seated fears about the end of times. Historian Henri Focillon's concept of 'moral geology' is introduced to explain how different levels of humanity within a society might experience time and events differently. The text suggests that the 'man of prehistory' and 'middle strata of Christianity' could be susceptible to millennial cries, especially with the amplification provided by modern media like television and supermarket tabloids.

The issue posits that future events, such as the appearance of a bright comet or supernova, or astrological predictions, could reignite millennial fears in the late 1990s, providing a backdrop against which current events can be viewed with greater interest.

NCAS Activities and Membership Renewal

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to encouraging NCAS (National Capital Skeptics Association) members to renew their memberships. The charter membership period ended on September 30, and renewal notices are being sent out. The article highlights NCAS's activities over the past year and a half, including public meetings on UFO abductions and fringe science in the courts, and efforts to build media contacts. NCAS is described as the third largest local skeptics group in the United States.

Future plans for NCAS include a forum on fringe medicine at the annual meeting, a panel discussion on astrology in December, and increased Special Interest Group (SIG) activities. Members are urged to continue their support by renewing their memberships.

NCAS Annual Meeting

The issue provides details about an upcoming NCAS annual meeting. The meeting will feature several speakers addressing topics related to unproven therapies and health-related quackery:

• Grace Powers Monaco, an attorney, will discuss her experience representing the American Cancer Society in landmark cases against laetrile and her ongoing litigation against promoters of unproven therapies.
• Marvin Schissel, D.D.S., a New York City dentist, will reveal how quackery has infiltrated everyday dentistry and how patients are harmed by claims related to silver fillings, infertility, gynecological ailments, and cranial osteopathy.
• Gabe Merkin, M.D., a sports medicine expert, will explain popular misconceptions about diet, nutrition, and exercise, and discuss fad diets and the use of certain foods for performance enhancement.
• Geoffrey Drucker, from the U.S. Postal Service's consumer protection division, will discuss recent USPS prosecutions against quacks and promoters of unproven therapies, highlighting the difficulties in combating them. He recently led the successful prosecution of Kurt Donsbach.

Following the program, NCAS will host a reception from 5 to 6 p.m. for members and guests.

Directions to the Annual Meeting

Directions are provided for reaching the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Attendees can arrive by car, entering from Jones Bridge Road at Grier Road (the back entrance, as the front is closed on Sunday), and parking in the garage (free, but requires security check-in). Alternatively, attendees can take the Metro Red Line to the Medical Center stop, followed by a 10- to 15-minute walk.

Millennial Bibliography

A bibliography of works related to the last millennium is provided by Guy W. Moore, including:

• Barraclough, G. (1976). *The Crucible of Europe: The Ninth and Tenth Centuries.*
• Duckett, E. (1967). *Death and Life in the Tenth Century.*
• Focillon, H. (1969). *The Year 1000.*
• Guthrie, D. (1946). *A History of Medicine.*
• Lopez, R.S. (1959). *The Tenth Century: How Dark the Dark Ages?*
• Ottewell, G., and Schaaf, F. (1985). *Mankind's Comet.*

Mushrooms and Fairy Rings

An article briefly touches upon mushrooms and fairy rings, noting that descriptions vary and that the fungi's mycelia are good fertilizers. It suggests that other explanations, such as unsuitable soils or harmful chemicals, should be considered for areas where grass does not grow.

Voices From the Skeptic Tank: Naptha Speaks

This section features a brief, humorous message from 'Naptha' for NCAS members, presented as a horoscope for Libras, predicting a surprise and advising limited caloric intake.

Membership/Renewal Form

A membership and renewal form is included, outlining membership levels (Single, Double, Full-Time Student) with corresponding prices. It also lists areas of interest for members, including Astrology, Communications, Creationism, Education, Fringe Medicine, and UFOs. The form directs members to make checks payable to NCAS and mail them to Grace Denman at 8006 Valley St., Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards unproven claims, particularly in the realms of health and fringe science. The publication actively promotes critical thinking and scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the NCAS's activities and the content of the articles. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of debunking pseudoscience and promoting rational discourse, while also engaging with historical phenomena like millennial fears through a critical lens. The emphasis on membership renewal and the detailed information about NCAS's events underscore its role as a community-building organization for skeptics.