Skeptical Eye - Vol 05 No 3 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: National Capital Area SKEPTICAL EYE
Issue: Vol. 5, No. 3
Date: Summer 1991

This issue of the Skeptical Eye, published by the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS), focuses on skepticism, pseudoscience, and critical thinking, featuring a range of articles from conference reports to analyses of historical and contemporary phenomena.

The Best and Worst of CSICOP

By Lys Ann Shore

This article reviews the May CSICOP Conference in Oakland, California, discussing the organization's strengths and weaknesses. The conference program broadened its scope to include popular psychology, self-help books, and urban legends, alongside the debunking of pseudoscience. The author notes the conference's setting at the Claremont Resort and its California-esque amenities. The keynote address by paleoanthropologist Donald C. Johanson, discoverer of 'Lucy,' is highlighted as a dramatic account of the search for human origins, emphasizing the importance of addressing the larger implications of research, including creationism, with humor.

Confessions of a Lone Skeptic

By Elena M. Watson

Elena M. Watson, a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, explains her affiliation with the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) for her sanity, as there are no local skeptical groups. She notes that while Hampton Roads is not a 'backwater,' it faces issues with the public's acceptance of paranormal claims, citing examples like fire walking and UFO reports. Watson observes a tendency to dismiss such claims as trivial or harmless, and points to an attitude that people don't really believe this stuff anyway, an attitude exemplified by Jim Raper, managing editor of the Virginian-Pilot and Ledger-Star.

Letters: An Open Letter from the Amazing Randi

This section features a critical letter from James Randi, a well-known debunker and magician, detailing his legal predicament with Uri Geller. Randi announces his resignation from CSICOP to spare the organization further involvement in Geller's lawsuits, which have already cost him over $155,000 in legal fees. He states that Geller is using the legal process to break him financially and silence him. Randi asks for help in setting up a legal fund for his defense, as he has no further funds to continue.

President's Column: Amazing Happenings

By Chip Denman

Chip Denman discusses James Randi's resignation from CSICOP and the introduction of the Amazing Kreskin as a new 'ally in skepticism' at the CSICOP conference. Denman questions Kreskin's suitability as a skeptic, given his history of marketing ESP kits and promoting psychic powers. He notes Kreskin's upcoming book with Prometheus Books and references a past examination of Kreskin's tricks by Marks and Kammann. Denman cites Paul Kurtz's remark that '95 percent of what Kreskin does is a trick' and expresses concern that Kreskin's ambiguous statements might lead people to wrongly conclude he is a genuine psychic. He calls for clarity from performers who wish to be considered skeptics.

Horrorscope: Here's How Paranormal Beliefs Can Hurt

This article discusses the harmful consequences of paranormal beliefs, citing a report from the Washington Post about increased abortion rates in China due to the belief that children born in the Year of the Sheep will have bad luck. The article explains the Chinese zodiac cycle and the cultural implications of certain animal years. It highlights the government's efforts to discourage these beliefs while acknowledging the deep-rooted nature of tradition.

CSICOP Conference, from page 1

This section continues the report on the CSICOP conference. Walter Alvarez, Richard Muller, and Jere Lipps presented on catastrophism and evolution, with Alvarez's group believing they had located the site of the meteoritic impact responsible for the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction in Yucatán, Mexico.

The urban legends session featured Jan Harold Brunvand, who discussed the 'Missing Day in Time' story. Brunvand defined urban legends as bizarre stories told as true, often combining a known fact with an illusion. The 'Missing Day in Time' story, which claims a computer confirmed a biblical event, is traced back to Harold Hill and a book by 'Professor Totten,' with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center denying involvement.

The Sun DID Stand Still

This reprinted article from a handout by Jan Harold Brunvand details the 'Missing Day in Time' legend. It recounts how space scientists allegedly discovered an unaccounted-for day in elapsed time while calculating orbits, which a religious fellow connected to the biblical account of the sun standing still in Joshua. The article also references a similar event in II Kings involving the sun's shadow returning backward.

Maryland's Ghostbuster Bill

This brief report discusses a proposed 'Ghostbuster Bill' in Maryland, which aimed to prevent homebuyers from suing real estate agents for not disclosing murders in a previous home. The bill, inspired by a real estate agent's concern, did not pass the Maryland legislature.

A Skeptic's Response: Mass Hysteria

By Seán O'Néill

This feature provides a skeptical response to questions arising in conversation, focusing on mass hysteria. O'Néill explains the concept using the historical example of the Salem witch trials, noting the societal anxieties and the systematic violence against women. He discusses potential causes, including ergot fungus and mass hysteria itself, defining it as the spreading of symptoms from suggestible individuals, often as a conversion reaction to escape unpleasant situations. The article outlines the development of conversion reactions and notes that mass hysteria is characterized by suggestibility, dramatic behavior, and a disconnect between the situation and the symptoms.

Further examples of mass hysteria are provided, including 'dance manias' in thirteenth-century Europe, the 'phantom anesthetist of Mattoon' in 1945, a 1960s outbreak in an American textile mill, and an incident in Arab schools in the Israeli West Bank. A more typical case is described at West Springfield High School in Fairfax, Virginia, where students experienced fainting and headaches, leading to investigations and a student's death later attributed to a prescribed drug.

O'Néill emphasizes that while external causes are investigated, it is important not to trivialize the fears of those affected. He notes the 'belle indifférence' as a diagnostic cue and suggests that modern media can spread hysteria. He advocates for critical thinking and noninflammatory reporting to address such phenomena.

Cold Fusion Update

By Steve Shore

This update discusses new explanations for the cold fusion phenomenon, including 'hydrons' and new quantum behavior for hydrogen atoms, reported in Fusion Technology. The article notes that Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann have not been heard from recently. It also mentions ongoing funding for cold fusion research at the University of Utah. The author reflects on the polywater episode and cold fusion, concluding that while they may have briefly focused public attention on science, they ultimately weakened the image of the research scientist.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of claims, the debunking of pseudoscience, and the importance of scientific literacy. The NCAS, through its publication, actively promotes skepticism and critical thinking, providing a platform for discussions on topics ranging from paranormal phenomena and urban legends to scientific controversies. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a cautious approach to extraordinary claims, as exemplified by the critiques of Kreskin's public persona and the analysis of mass hysteria. The magazine also highlights the challenges faced by skeptics in communicating their views and the importance of maintaining high standards of criticism.

Title: NCAS Skeptical Eye
Issue: Summer 1991
Publisher: NCAS
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the NCAS Skeptical Eye delves into various topics, from the practical application of folklore in real estate to the philosophical underpinnings of scientific inquiry and the challenges of critical thinking.

St. Joseph-o'-the-'Burbs

By Elena M. Watson

This article reports on a growing trend where people bury statues of St. Joseph in their front yards to expedite the sale of their homes. The practice, which gained traction in Norfolk, Virginia, has led to a shortage of St. Joseph effigies at local religious supply stores. A company in Modesto, California, called Inner Circle Marketing, is capitalizing on this phenomenon by selling "The Underground Real Estate Agent Kit" for $8, which includes a statue of St. Joseph, a tote bag, and instructions for its use. The article also provides the specific ritualistic instructions for burying the statue, including a prayer to St. Joseph for assistance in selling the house. The trend is further illustrated by a Washington City Paper advertisement for a home that explicitly mentions "complete with ghost," raising questions about the intersection of paranormal claims and real estate marketing.

Science Fairs: Can We Do More Than Preach to the Choir?

By Mike Epstein

Mike Epstein recounts his experience judging the Montgomery Area Science Fair and reflects on the program's effectiveness in fostering critical thinking. He highlights two specific student projects that presented challenges: one that used quotations from the Koran to support a project on fingerprint uniqueness, and another that claimed modern aerodynamics originated in ancient Africa based on a similarity between an ancient Egyptian glider and a modern transport aircraft. Epstein discusses the difficulty of encouraging critical thinking when students' beliefs, particularly religious ones, are deeply ingrained. He notes that while some students can engage in discussions about questionable reasoning, others, due to maturity or sensitive social issues, cannot. Epstein suggests that NCAS science fair judges could offer more support to students who lack critical thinking skills, perhaps by inviting them to NCAS meetings or providing relevant literature. He concludes by emphasizing the obligation to share knowledge, quoting Thomas Fuller: "If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."

New Age Bookstore about to Fold?

This short piece reports on the potential bankruptcy of Astraea, Washington D.C.'s largest New Age bookstore and cafe. Owner Norris Blanks, an Australian entrepreneur, is reportedly facing a Chapter 11 filing. The store, which opened a year prior, offered New Age and metaphysical titles, poetry readings, film showings, and concerts. Despite financial troubles, Blanks remains optimistic about the store's spiritual promise and the location.

Meet the BITNET SKEPTIC Discussion Group (LISTSERV)

By Gary Stone

This article introduces the SKEPTIC Discussion Group, an automated e-mail exchange moderated by Norman R. Gall at York University. The group is designed for individuals interested in taking a skeptical and scientifically informed look at paranormal claims, including creationism, health fraud, and crypto-zoology. The article explains how to subscribe to the group via e-mail, detailing the specific commands for different email systems (CMS/VM, VMS, and INTERNET). It also outlines how to send messages to the group and how to access LISTSERV documentation for more information. The article includes a transcript of typical exchanges, featuring a discussion about the debunking of an urban legend concerning Soviet geologists discovering 'hell' in Siberia. The debunking itself is provided by Tom Faller, who uses his expertise as a geophysicist to explain why the story is implausible, citing geological realities like the presence of mud in drill pipes and the limitations of microphones. OrvilleG.Marti also contributes, noting that the story originated from a hoax and was published in a Christian magazine and the Biblical Archaeology Review, which later received criticism for running the story without sufficient skepticism.

Wanted: Computer Equipment for a Skeptics' Bulletin Board

This section announces NCAS's initiative to establish a computerized "Skeptics' Bulletin Board" for members to share thoughts, breaking news, and facilitate NCAS business. They are seeking donations of computer equipment, including modems and entire systems, and provide a contact number for potential donors.

Past Life Reporting

This section details the results of the NCAS board elections, noting the reelection of most members and the addition of Scott Snell. It also mentions a talk given by board member Steve Shore titled "Theory Is Not a Four-Letter Word," which traced the evolution of the concept of theory from ancient Greek philosophers to the present day. Shore's aphorisms on theory are presented, emphasizing its empirical nature, consistency, predictive power, and role in systematizing observations. The article also mentions that Shore's presentation is available on videotape to NCAS members through the NCAS Video Archives, which are maintained by secretary Gary Stone.

Good Publicity for the Sleeping Prophet?

This piece discusses how the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE) capitalized on a segment about Edgar Cayce on the television show "Unsolved Mysteries." The ARE placed an advertisement for an "ARE Open House" two days after the program aired and also ran a television ad immediately following the show, providing viewers with contact information for the center. The article notes that the director of the "Unsolved Mysteries" segment stated the show was not approaching Cayce's story from a position of belief, implying that the ARE still found the publicity beneficial.

The Friendly Connection

By Lys Ann Shore

This article explores how beliefs, particularly those related to miracle cures or paranormal phenomena, spread through a "friendly connection" among individuals. The author uses the example of her Great-aunt Mabel, who readily accepts a friend's recommendation for medication without consulting her doctor. Shore argues that this phenomenon often occurs because people feel cared for, which can override their critical thinking. She provides another example of a professional manager accepting self-help tapes for staff relations. The author suggests that while cautioning individuals is important, simply being aware of this "friendly connection" can help people recognize it and make others aware of it as well.

Keep Your EYE Open

This is a call for contributions to the Skeptical Eye, requesting articles, letters, and original artwork. It specifies the length requirements (500-1000 words) and formatting guidelines, including the submission of floppy disks with typed content. Contact information for submissions is provided.

Help Plan CSICOP's 1992 Conference

This section announces that CSICOP is planning its next North American Conference in Dallas, Texas, in the Fall of 1992. The planning committee is soliciting suggestions for speakers, topics, themes, and events, listing several potential themes such as "Fraud in Science," "Teaching Small Children Critical Thinking," and "Controversies in Science."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the NCAS Skeptical Eye revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and unverified beliefs. The magazine consistently promotes skepticism, scientific literacy, and critical thinking as essential tools for navigating a world filled with unsubstantiated claims. The editorial stance is clearly one of rational inquiry and a commitment to debunking misinformation, while also acknowledging the complexities of human belief systems and the importance of fostering intellectual curiosity, even in challenging contexts like science fairs.