Skeptical Eye - Vol 06 No 4 - 1992

Magazine Overview

This issue of the National Capital Area Skeptical Eye, Vol. 6, No. 4, published in 1992, focuses on investigative skepticism, media criticism, and critical thinking. It features articles debunking sensational claims and promoting rational inquiry.

Vaultarama II: The Dig

By Elena M. Watson, this article details a three-week excavation conducted by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists at the Bruton Parish churchyard in an attempt to find a vault allegedly buried by Sir Francis Bacon. Despite claims from New Age mystics, the dig, which went as deep as 6 feet, found no evidence of a vault. Geological investigations by Professor Gerald Johnson also yielded no findings of a buried object, though they did uncover ancient sea shell deposits that might have explained earlier electrical resistance test results. The article also recounts the history of the vault claims, including the actions of Marsha Middleton and Frank Flint, who illegally dug in the churchyard and were later charged with trespassing and destruction of property. Marie Bauer Hall, who originated the claim in 1938, is also mentioned, as is Fletcher Richman, who made bizarre claims about the vault's contents and his own past life as Nathaniel Bacon. The rectory of Bruton Parish Church, represented by Rector Richard May, aimed to put an end to the media circus surrounding the claims, stating that the excavation was the final effort.

Skeptic investigates, discovers: Tabloid Tells Tall Tale!

Written by Kevin Tucker, this piece chronicles his investigation into a sensational article published in the Weekly World News on September 1, 1992. The tabloid claimed that American scientists in Vietnam had discovered a Stone Age family resembling Neanderthals, along with new species of animals like flying eels, gigantic turtles, and a unicorn-like horse. Tucker, a zoologist, attempted to verify these claims by searching for the named scientists, "American biologist Clifton Reid" and "French anthropologist Rene Dupont," finding no trace of them in scientific literature or databases. He also discovered that the New York Post article cited as a source by the tabloid only reported the discovery of a dagger-horned mammal, a parrot-billed bird, and a sunbird, with no mention of Neanderthals or other extraordinary creatures. Further investigation revealed that the "unicorn-like horse" was likely a two-horned goat, and that the World Wildlife Fund, the expedition's sponsor, did not support the sensational claims made by the Weekly World News author, Carl Keener. Tucker concludes that the article was largely fabricated, emphasizing how easy it is to investigate such claims with basic research skills.

Letters

This section includes a letter from Toni Tumonis of Silver Spring, Md., responding to an article titled "Euroskeptics." Tumonis hypothesizes that the skeptical movement in the United States is male-dominated due to cultural expectations for women to be non-confrontational and emotional, contrasting with the masculine traits often associated with skepticism. She suggests that women may face a role conflict in being both skeptical and socially accepted, and that they might be more inclined to apply skepticism to personal relationships, which could be threatening.

Prez Sez: Let It Snow

By Chip Denman, President of NCAS, this piece announces an upcoming weekend workshop on critical thinking, scheduled for February 13-14. The workshop, titled "Within Reason: Tools and Applications of Critical Thinking," aims to supplement NCAS's public lectures by offering practical sessions on scientific thinking for a broader audience, not just debunkers. Featured speakers include Joe Himes, Pam O'Neill, Seán O'Neill, Steve Shore, and Jamy Ian Swiss. The workshop will cover topics such as the scientific method, evaluating claims, utilizing libraries, understanding beliefs, and challenging perceptions. It will be held at the Cliffside Inn in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and includes an optional ghost tour.

Eye On Local Groups

By Mike Epstein, this article surveys recent activities of local skeptic groups across the country. The Georgia Skeptics reportedly explained the "Golden Door" phenomenon seen in photographs as an artifact of instant camera irises. Other groups investigated weeping statues, holy blood, and crop circles. The Bay Area Skeptics' Shawn Carlson appeared on "48 Hours" discussing weeping icons. The Rocky Mountain Skeptics investigated apparitions at a shrine near Denver, and the Tampa Bay Skeptics continued their investigation of the mentalist Kreskin, also setting up a computer bulletin-board system. The article also mentions Kreskin's CNBC show where he interviewed a discerner of spirits and a cult consultant.

A Skeptical Thinker in the Seventeenth Century

By Walter F. Rowe, this essay explores the contributions of Francis Bacon and Sir Thomas Browne to skeptical thought. Bacon's "Diseases of Learning" identified issues like studying words over substance, overly complex arguments, and delight in deception. Browne, influenced by Bacon, wrote extensively on various topics, including medical observation, anthropology, and the occult. The article notes Browne's appearance as an expert witness in a witchcraft trial, where he affirmed his belief in the existence of witches, contrasting with the skeptical approach to such phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the importance of critical thinking, the rigorous investigation of extraordinary claims, and the debunking of pseudoscience and media sensationalism. The NCAS, through its publications and events like the workshop, actively promotes a skeptical approach to information and encourages its members and the public to question claims and seek evidence. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and evidence-based conclusions, as demonstrated by the detailed investigations into the Bacon vault and the tabloid article.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 6, No. 4
Date: 1992

This issue of Skeptical Eye delves into a variety of topics, ranging from historical figures and their skeptical inquiries to contemporary scientific debates and conferences. The magazine features articles on Sir Thomas Browne, the authorship of Shakespeare's plays, the 1992 CSICOP conference, the phenomenon of cold fusion, and the enduring legacy of Edgar Cayce.

Sir Thomas Browne: A Skeptical Physician

The issue opens with an examination of Sir Thomas Browne, a 17th-century physician and writer, and his contributions to skepticism. The article highlights Browne's defense against the proposition that disbelief in witches could lead to disbelief in God. It details his testimony in a witch trial, where he offered a physician's opinion that the victims' symptoms were likely due to hysteria, though influenced by the Devil and witches. Critics found his involvement discreditable, but the article suggests his diagnosis was perceptive, setting aside supernatural elements.

Browne's seminal work, *Pseudodoxia Epidemica* (also known as *Vulgar Errors*), is presented as a key text in skeptical thought. The book, which went through six editions in his lifetime, aimed to comprehensively expose common errors across seven books covering topics from minerals and plants to cosmology and history. Browne identified several causes of common errors, including the Fall of Man, the disposition of common people, misapprehension, fallacious deductions, credulity, supinity (laziness), adherence to antiquity, tradition, authority, and the work of Satan. His list is noted as being similar to a modern skeptic's.

An example of misapprehension cited is Servius's account of the Centaur legend, explained by Browne as the sight of young Thessalians on horseback with their heads lowered while watering. Browne's definition of credulity as a "weaknesse in the understanding, without examination assenting to things" is also quoted. His discussion of supinity emphasizes how people are content to "live in doubts of things whose satisfaction is in their own power." The article notes that supinity was not one of Browne's vices.

*Pseudodoxia Epidemica* is viewed as an extended treatise on method, employing authority, reason, and experience. Browne critically assessed authorities, finding Aristotle correct in some biological matters but less so than moderns like William Harvey. He attributed a significant portion of vulgar errors to Pliny's *Natural History*. When using reason, Browne marshaled ingenious arguments, such as his critique of the phoenix legend, noting the lack of eyewitness accounts, disagreement on its habitat, and its poetic or symbolic treatment.

The work also describes experiments conducted by Browne to test common notions, including the poisonous nature of spiders, the effect of swallowing broken glass, and the properties of spermaceti. He even extended his methods to paranormal matters, disproving the efficacy of "sympathetic needles" for distant communication by demonstrating that moving one needle did not affect the other, and that magnetized needles would repel each other. He also pointed out the difficulty of synchronizing clocks for such communication.

Browne's writing style is highlighted as important to the development of the English language, with his frequent creation of new words and phrases, earning him praise from Samuel Johnson.

Bacon Bits: Debunking the Shakespeare Authorship Conspiracy

This section addresses the persistent theory that Sir Francis Bacon, rather than William Shakespeare, authored the plays attributed to the Bard. The article, written by Elena M. Watson, traces the history of this "Anti-Stratfordian" belief.

Early theories attributed authorship to figures like Sir Walter Raleigh, the Earl of Oxford, Christopher Marlowe, and even Queen Elizabeth I. The idea that Shakespeare, the actor, might have been illiterate due to his few genuine signatures, which varied considerably, fueled speculation. The post-Romantic era's preference for a more aristocratic poet also contributed to the search for a secret identity.

The first hints of Bacon's alleged authorship appeared in the late 18th century, with Delia Bacon's 1857 book, *The Philosophy of the Plays of Shakespeare Unfolded*, becoming a foundational text for Baconians. She proposed that Bacon directed a stable of writers. By 1885, the Bacon Society was founded.

Ignatius Donnelly, known as the "U.S. Prince of Cranks," is highlighted for his 1888 book, *The Great Cryptogram*, which claimed to reveal ciphers proving Bacon's authorship of Shakespeare's works and others. Donnelly's other passions included Atlantis and a giant comet catastrophe.

The article also discusses a more recent claim from *Virginia Pathways* that Bacon was connected to Colonial Freemasons and a "visionary blueprint of a new form of government." However, the article debunks this by noting that no Masonic lodge in America predates 1730, and Francis Bacon died long before the establishment of the Grand Unified Lodge. The mystical influence on Freemasonry is noted as a later trend.

Furthermore, the article addresses the speculation that Bacon founded the Rosicrucians, another secret society, but notes that the origins of the Rosicrucians are obscure and may be based on fictional figures. There is little evidence that Bacon himself was an occultist.

Marie Bauer Hall's claims about a hidden vault and Bacon's son Nathaniel bringing manuscripts to Virginia are dismissed as relying on unreliable secret codes and ciphers, similar to Donnelly's methods. The article points out that the idea of Bacon as the true author is outdated, even among Anti-Stratfordians.

Handwriting expert Charles Hamilton finds the case for a non-Stratfordian Shakespeare tenuous, stating that variations in Shakespeare's signatures are not unusual and that there is no reason to believe he was illiterate. Modern scholarship has provided more information about Shakespeare's life, rendering authorship speculations obsolete.

"Fairness, Fraud, and Feminism": Report on the 1992 CSICOP Conference

Elena M. Watson reports on the sixteenth annual CSICOP conference held in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. The conference, hosted by the North Texas Skeptics, was titled "Fairness, Fraud and Feminism: Culture Confronts Science." Keynote speaker Richard Dawkins, author of *The Blind Watchmaker*, was a notable presence. The event was marked by a severe thunderstorm and a false fire alarm.

Multicultural Approaches to Science

The first session, moderated by Eugenie Scott, focused on "Multicultural Approaches to Science: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." The discussion addressed the impact of deconstructionist and political correctness movements on education. Scott argued that these approaches, which view knowledge as relative and present only positive historical views, ultimately harm minority students by teaching them falsehoods.

Diana Marinez, a biochemistry professor, spoke about engaging minority students in science through a positive multicultural approach, not tied to political correctness. She used Chicanos as an example, highlighting statistics on low minority participation in higher education and the increasing importance of science-based jobs. Marinez suggested incorporating real-world examples, such as the nutritional benefits of the Mexican diet and the Mayan mathematical system, to interest Chicano children.

Joseph Dunbar, a physiology professor, critiqued the "melanin scholars" who, he argued, take a politically correct approach to an extreme by appealing to African-American students based on skin color. He detailed claims that high melanin levels confer remarkable properties, such as energy conversion, protection against mutations, and ESP, explaining how scientific studies were misinterpreted to support these ideas.

Bernard Ortiz de Montellano, an anthropology professor, discussed the Portland Baseline Essays, an Afrocentric approach to teaching science that he found problematic. He argued that any "centric" approach denigrates those outside the group, can spoil the potential for other multicultural approaches, and promotes scientific illiteracy. The essays' claims that ancient Egyptians were black and discovered everything first, and that they used a "transmaterial" science, were presented as examples of how a political agenda can distort facts. Montellano expressed concern that such misinformation would harm minority students.

Gender Issues in Science and Pseudoscience

The second session, moderated by James Alcock, explored "Gender Issues in Science and Pseudoscience." Alcock noted the historical connection between parapsychology and spiritualism, often associated with women.

Carol Tavris, a psychologist, questioned the male-centric perspective in traditional science and the sexual dichotomy it often creates. She discussed two gender biases: the chauvinist view, which blames women for problems, and the feminist view, which posits women are different but better. Tavris argued that studies emphasizing gender differences get attention, while those showing similarities are ignored, questioning who benefits from such polarization.

Susan Blackmore, a psychologist, addressed the low representation of women in CSICOP, noting that proportionally fewer women are skeptics than scientists. She suggested that this might be due to CSICOP's approach, which she characterized as "masculine science" focused on conquest, objectivity, and control, contrasting it with "feminine science" interested in discovery, subjectivity, and understanding.

Blackmore concluded that dichotomies can create problems.

Skeptical Magazine

A brief mention is made of *Skeptic* magazine, the quarterly publication of the Skeptics Society of southern California, highlighting its special section on cryonics and its "Skeptics Forum."

Future Foretold by Sage from Ancient Past

This article reports on John Ward Anderson's visit to the disciples of Sage Agasthiyar in India, who claim to have recorded the future of every individual. For a fee, Anderson learned about his past and future lives, with his present life complicated by past-life misbehavior. Agasthiyar's predictions were written on palm leaves, and consultations involve answering questions about one's present life. Anderson also received "penance plans" involving visits to temples and offerings.

The article notes the pervasiveness of astrology in India, with nearly everyone consulting stars for various reasons, from marriages to illness. It quotes the *Indian Express* on astrology representing a major preoccupation in a society facing modern pressures, with family astrologers being as common as family doctors.

Scientific Exploration: The 1992 Meeting of the SSE and a Visit to the PEAR Lab

Mike Epstein reports on the 1992 meeting of the Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE), an organization that provides a forum for scientists with differing beliefs to discuss anomalous phenomena. The SSE, founded in 1980, has nearly 400 members and publishes the *Journal of Scientific Exploration*.

The meeting featured presentations on a wide range of topics, including geological anomalies, environmental factors in anomalies, pendulum devices for testing man-machine interactions, correlations of birthmarks with wounds, quantum energy, geomagnetic field effects, human/machine interactions, ball lightning, and UFO abduction reports. Controversial topics included alien-induced creationism and orgone energy phenomena.

A highlight was a visit to the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) Laboratory, headed by Robert Jahn. The lab investigates anomalous man-machine interactions through experiments correlating human operator intentions with random-event-generating apparatus. Epstein, initially skeptical, was impressed by the experimental design and data collection, though he remained skeptical about the results. The experiments involved devices like a "Random Mechanical Cascade" and a random binary generator, with operators attempting to influence the distribution of outcomes. The article notes the crucial problem of separating operator intention from other potential sources of bias.

Cold Fusion: The Movie

Steve Shore reviews a video produced by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) titled *Cold Fusion*. The video features a lecture by Joe Santucci of EPRI on the initial results of the Pons-Fleischmann experiment and subsequent findings.

The video outlines the basic claims of the Utah experiments, emphasizing the attraction of electrolytic fusion due to its lower cost and complexity compared to standard fusion research. Santucci notes that the experiments are delicate and require technique.

The article details EPRI's involvement, including funding Jones for muon-catalyzed fusion research and Pons for electrochemistry. It mentions other groups involved, such as Texas A&M University, SRI, Stanford University, and Case Western Reserve University, and notes support from the Office of Naval Research and the CIA. The involvement of an ex-EPRI employee in the Texas group is also mentioned.

EPRI rapidly mobilized a team to study cold fusion, with members working on patent applications. The article contrasts this with the Utah group's refusal to release samples or results due to patent anticipation. Santucci cautions about the experiments, noting that neutron detection occurred in rare bursts and that tritium detection amounts were high, consistent with detected heat production. The "jealous phenomenon" aspect is mentioned, where negative results do not necessarily rule out the effect.

The article highlights the importance of national labs reproducing results, noting that Los Alamos and Yale eventually reported negative findings. The video is seen as a valuable document of the real scientific method at work, illustrating how hypotheses can cover failures and how replication can be difficult when insufficient information is provided. The article concludes that the cold fusion phenomenon eventually vanished.

Edgar Cayce Update

This section reports on the continued resurgence of interest in Edgar Cayce, the "Sleeping Prophet." His story has been dramatized on TV's "Unsolved Mysteries," and there are plans for a play and a movie. The Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE) is expanding its publishing ventures, aiming to release a significantly larger number of books and tapes annually.

The Virginia premiere of Granville Wyche Burgess' play, *The Freak*, is mentioned, which is set in Cayce's hometown and explores his doubts about his healing powers. The article also notes plans for a Cayce movie, "Signs and Wonders," with a budget of $10 million.

Electronic Directory

This section provides information on how NCAS members can have their e-mail addresses included in the member directory and lists board members with their respective e-mail addresses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptical Eye consistently promotes a critical and evidence-based approach to extraordinary claims. The magazine features articles that debunk pseudoscience, question conspiracy theories, and examine the scientific methodology behind various phenomena. The issue highlights the importance of skepticism in understanding topics ranging from historical beliefs about witchcraft and authorship to modern scientific controversies like cold fusion and the study of anomalous phenomena. The magazine also addresses issues of fairness and representation in science, as seen in the report on the CSICOP conference.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 6, No. 4
Date: 1992
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Skeptical Eye delves into various topics related to skepticism, critical thinking, and the investigation of unusual claims. It features articles on paranormal investigations, psychological phenomena, and historical curiosities, all approached from a rational and evidence-based perspective.

A Vain Pursuit: Investigating Ghosts in Occoquan

Elena M. Watson recounts her visit to Occoquan, Virginia, a town that promotes itself with a brochure promising "Ghosts, Ghosts, Ghosts..." Watson, intrigued by the possibility of ghosts, found the local enthusiasm for the subject to be somewhat lacking. The brochure, titled "A Spirited History of Historic Occoquan," published by the Occoquan Merchants' Association in 1988, presented ghost stories authenticated by local legend and town gossip. These stories were generally mild, involving mysterious footsteps or whispers, with one notable exception being the alleged spirit of an Indian at the Occoquan Inn, described as a tall man with long black hair and a dignified face, who supposedly appears in the upstairs restroom mirror.

Watson's inquiries at the information center and museum yielded little concrete information. The woman at the information center produced a copy of the brochure but knew nothing about the ghosts herself. The museum worker confirmed that people sometimes ask about ghosts, but the brochure's angle did not seem to be a significant tourist draw. The brochure was illustrated by June Ball of Two Sisters Gallery, who had collected tales from merchants and occupants of historic buildings. Ball also reported taking photographs, one of which, from the Country Shop, allegedly showed a double exposure of a figure in a window that was empty at the time of photography. However, Ball did not respond to Watson's request to see the photograph.

Watson notes that the Occoquan art colony began in the basement of an old funeral home, suggesting a possible source for the ghost stories. She concludes that evidence for ghosts, like the spirits themselves, is often ephemeral.

Secrets of Skeptical Thinking: Capturing the Spirit of NCAS Events

Joe Himes, a physicist and NCAS board member, led a mini-workshop on critical thinking. Using examples from various publications, Himes guided the audience through steps to evaluate strange or unusual claims. He introduced the "Hundredth Tabloid" phenomenon, where a story gains belief once it appears in numerous tabloids. Himes advised a three-step process for examining claims: first, check if the strangeness is deliberate; second, determine if the paranormal is implied or explicit; and third, check if the claim is falsifiable. If all answers are yes, the claim is likely worth investigating. He also outlined a procedure for examining claims, emphasizing repeatability, objectivity, predictions, and evidence, while cautioning against personal observations, testimonials, ad hominem arguments, and jumping to conclusions.

Mind Control and Cults

Mentalist Bob Fellows presented on mind control and cults. He used mentalist routines and humor to engage the audience. Fellows cautioned that illusions are designed to fool intelligent people and that manipulation is central to cultism. He provided a mnemonic, "MEETPD" (Manipulation, Exclusivity, Exploitation, Totalitarianism, Psychological Damage), to summarize cult characteristics. The audience suggested traits of people likely to join cults, including being idealistic, naive, freethinking, lacking information, having low self-esteem, being under stress, or experiencing cultural disillusionment. Fellows stressed that anyone can be vulnerable to manipulation and that understanding these dynamics can help individuals resist.

Other Stuff

Chip Denman, NCAS president, was interviewed by the Baltimore Sun about topics ranging from 19th-century Spiritualism to modern ghosts. The article highlighted NCAS's role in promoting skepticism. Jamy Ian Swiss, an NCAS sleight of hand artist, participated in a New York City government initiative to educate citizens about street cons, demonstrating "Three Card Monte" for the press. Swiss also spoke on deception and perception at a meeting of the New York Area Skeptics.

In Search of:

NCAS is seeking suggestions for facilities for future events, requiring rooms for 75-500 people with metro accessibility, parking, audio-visual equipment, and weekend availability.

Keep Your Eye Open

Readers are encouraged to submit articles, letters, and artwork for future issues of the Skeptical Eye. Contributions should be 500-1000 words and can be submitted on floppy disk along with hard copy.

Time to Renew? Time to Join?

A notice reminds readers to check their mailing labels for membership renewal status and encourages them to join or renew their NCAS membership to support the organization's programs.

The Last Word: Tales from the Vault

Lys Ann Shore presents two historical vault stories. The first concerns an excavation at St. Mary's City, Maryland, which aimed to find the coffins of early Calvert family members but yielded inconclusive results due to a lack of identifying markers. The second story recounts the medieval claim of the abbey of Vézelay to possess the bones of St. Mary Magdalen. This claim, made to boost pilgrimage tourism, was challenged by southern French monks. In 1265, an excavation at Vézelay purportedly uncovered a coffin with bones and hair, along with a certificate attributed to Charlemagne. The author notes a historian's dry remark that such certificates could be prearranged, emphasizing that extraordinary claims, whether past or present, require solid evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and historical anomalies. The magazine encourages evidence-based reasoning, thorough investigation, and a healthy dose of doubt when evaluating extraordinary assertions. The editorial stance is one of rational inquiry, aiming to educate readers on how to approach unusual claims with a discerning mind. The publication actively supports the NCAS's mission of promoting scientific literacy and critical evaluation of information.