Skeptical Eye - Vol 07 No 4 - 1993-1994

Magazine Overview

Title: National Capital Area SKEPTICAL EYE
Issue: Vol. 7, No. 4
Date: 1993-94

This issue of the National Capital Area Skeptical Eye, published by the National Capital Area Skeptics, focuses on critical examination of various phenomena, including prophecies, paranormal claims, and end-of-the-world narratives. The magazine features articles on Nostradamus, Qigong, and a filmography of doomsday movies, all approached from a skeptical perspective.

Nostradamarama

This section, written by Elena M. Watson, explores the enduring fascination with the prophecies of Michel de Notredame, also known as Nostradamus. The article begins with a personal anecdote about the author's childhood experience with the number nine and the approach of the year 1999, linking it to the public's interest in apocalyptic predictions. Nostradamus, a 16th-century French physician, is presented as the world's most famous prophet, whose predictions are contained in books called Centuries, published in 1555. These consist of 10 books, each with 100 four-line verses called quatrains. The difficulty in reading and translating these archaic French verses contributes to their mystique and the wide range of interpretations. The article notes the existence of a significant "Nostradamus industry" that produces numerous interpretations and books on his writings, highlighting their continued popularity.

Several books on Nostradamus are reviewed:

• Conversations with Nostradamus by Delores Cannon: This book is described as a "gimmick book" where Cannon speaks to Nostradamus through hypnotically regressed individuals. Quatrain 10-72 is interpreted as referring to eugenics and the secret breeding of fiercer humans for war.
• The Prophecies of Nostradamus and The Further Prophecies of Nostradamus: 1985 and Beyond by Erika Cheetham: These are noted as being easy to read and available. Cheetham's commentary attempts to fit historical events to the quatrains and is obsessed with finding references to Kennedy and Hitler. The second book speculates on time and precognition, with predictions that John Paul II would be the second-to-last pope and World War III would start in 1986.
• Criswell's Forbidden Predictions based on Nostradamus and the Tarot by Criswell: Another "gimmick book" where the author claims to have absorbed Nostradamus' personality. Criswell predicts land changes, continuous destruction, a cruel monarch, melting polar ice caps, and monsters in 1987, followed by book censorship and war.
• Nostradamus and the Millennium: Predict by John Hogue: This illustrated book portrays Nostradamus with a telescope, despite him dying before its invention. Hogue predicts the sinking of the British Isles by 1993 and a major world drought in 1990-1991.
• Nostradamus and His Prophecies by Edgar Leoni: This is described as a massive undertaking containing the complete prophecies in French and English, and is considered the most objective and scholarly book available, though Leoni is characterized as obsessive and gullible.
• Nostradamus: The End of the Millennium: Prophecies, 1992 to 2000 by Peter Lorie and V.J. Hewitt: This is another "gimmick book" that uses a code scheme to date the quatrains. It predicts Bush's re-election in 1992 and the use of sound waves to kill cancer in 1993. A specific prediction for a California earthquake on May 8, 1993, causing San Diego to sink, is mentioned.
• Nostradamus: The Millennium & Beyond: the Prophecies to 2016 by Peter Lorie and Liz Greene: This book uses a new method involving an astrologer/Jungian psychotherapist. Predictions include AIDS becoming a multi-plague, the end of the Holocaust, a new religion, a falling out between the U.S. and Russia, a woman president, the fall of the Catholic clergy, and major government scandals.
• Nostradamus, the Man Who Saw Through Time by Lee McCann: Originally written in 1941, this book sees a rise of the Orient and the downfall of the West between eclipses in 1999, leading to a friendship between Russia and the U.S., and conflict with China.
• Invitation to a Holocaust: Nostradamus by Rene Noorbergen: Predicts World War III as a clash between East and West, occurring between the 1980s and 1995.
• Nostradamus: Prophecies of Present Times? by David Pitt Francis: This book attempts to explain Nostradamus' predictions using biblical prophecy and statistics, suggesting he borrowed from apocalyptic biblical texts.
• The Mask of Nostradamus by James Randi: A biography by the magician and skeptic, Randi, examines ten key quatrains and finds different meanings than commonly cited.
• Prophecies on World Events by Nostradamus by Stewart Robb: The author states his purpose is to prove prophecy is a scientific fact. Robb interprets Quatrain 10-72 as predicting war and Armageddon in 1999, following a 27-year war of the anti-christ starting in 1973.
• The Complete Prophecies of Nostradamus by Henry C. Roberts: Based on an early English translation, Roberts believed himself to be the reincarnation of Nostradamus.
• Oracles of Nostradamus by Charles A. Ward: Ward is described as a true believer who defends the vagueness of predictions by stating that if they were clear before the event, they might prevent it.

Additionally, the article mentions "Nostradamus, the Motion Picture," reviewing "The Man Who Saw Tomorrow" (1981) and "The Man without a Body" (1957). It also touches on a tabloid report about Nostradamus being reincarnated as Carlos Salvadore, who made new predictions including cures for AIDS and cancer, the downfall of the British monarchy, and nuclear war.

Qigong

This section, written by James E. Alcock, delves into the practice of Qigong, originating from ancient Chinese philosophical and cosmological belief systems, particularly Taoism. The concept of Tao, meaning "the way" or "the way of the world," is central, emphasizing energy release and the importance of relaxation and calmness as taught by Lao-Tzu in the Tao Teh Ching.

Qi, pronounced "chee," is described as "vital breath" and the fundamental concept of traditional Chinese medicine. The unimpeded flow of Qi through invisible meridians is believed to maintain harmony between yin and yang, and its disturbance leads to illness. Acupuncture is presented as a method to restore this flow. Qigong, meaning "manipulation of Qi," was developed by Lao-Tzu as an art for martial and therapeutic reasons, teaching practitioners to focus inward, breathe in a particular way, and achieve a state of desirelessness to manipulate Qi.

Some disciples of Lao-Tzu added features to Qigong, claiming abilities like seeing with ears and hearing conversations from afar, linking Qigong to paranormal powers. While Taoism as a religion declined, Qigong survived through monks and martial artists. It saw a resurgence in the 1950s with Chinese physicians examining its effects on ailments like hypertension, though this interest waned during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), when Qigong was denounced as anti-Marxist and even witchcraft.

During periods of social upheaval, paranormal beliefs often flourish. Following the Cultural Revolution, Qigong experienced a revival, with features perceived as paranormal or spiritual being termed "Extraordinary Functions of the Human Body" (EFHB). This framed EFHB as natural, rather than supernatural, properties of human beings.

A 1981 film, "Do You Believe?," showcased EFHB, leading to a phenomenon in China similar to Uri Geller's spoon-bending craze in Britain, where many children suddenly manifested EFHB. Researchers studied these children, who reportedly could "see with their ears" and move watch hands without touching them.

Dr. Qian Xuesen, a prominent figure in China, advocated for Qigong research, believing EFHB in children was due to their ability to manipulate Qi. He considered Qigong "leading edge of technology." However, Mr. Yu Guangyuan challenged Qian, calling Qigong "pseudo-science" and leading to a 1982 conference in Beijing that criticized EFHB studies. While research was officially discouraged, it was permitted on a small scale. Dr. Qian subsequently established the Institute of Space Medical Engineering, dedicated to Qigong research. Qigong masters demonstrated abilities like extracting marked pills and live insects from sealed bottles, and moving objects remotely.

By the late 1980s, interest in Qigong had grown significantly. In the 1990s, Qigong became highly respectable in China, with government ministries funding research and training. Qigong clinics opened, and the Chinese National Science Foundation supported research. The Qigong Cancer Treatment Research Association was formed in 1989.

The distinction between internal and external Qigong is noted. Internal Qigong focuses on breathing and relaxation for health, while external Qigong involves emitting Qi to heal others or move objects. Claims for external Qigong include hearing distant conversations, starting fires with thoughts, and curing serious illnesses.

In 1991, an estimated 60 million Chinese practiced Qigong regularly. Qigong masters became celebrities, appearing on television. The article draws a parallel between the public's reaction to these feats and the West's reaction to psychic spoon-bending.

An anecdote describes a Qigong demonstration in Beijing where a master claimed to emit Qi, causing audience members to react physically, with some wailing, shrieking, or screaming about being cured. Yan Xin, a leading Qigong master, is mentioned for his lectures attracting thousands, with claims of healing the lame, curing cancer, and inducing remission.

A 1988 CSCIOP team, including Paul Kurtz and James Randi, visited China to evaluate Qigong claims. They found that critics of Qigong in China were fearful of speaking out. Two demonstrations were presented at the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine: one of psychic diagnosis and another by Qigong master Dr. Lu, who claimed to treat a woman's spinal lump through Qi emitted from his fingertips. A controlled test involving Dr. Lu and the patient showed that the woman's movements were not correlated with Dr. Lu's Qi transmission, suggesting self-deception or tacit coordination rather than genuine paranormal influence.

In Shanghai, the focus was on internal Qigong, with staff being skeptical of external Qigong. The article notes a general lack of statistical knowledge among Chinese researchers and their excitement about double-blind studies.

The trip to China did not involve controlled experiments, but the authors were able to conduct impromptu studies to eliminate cheating and extraneous variables. They found "no miracles in China" and observed phenomena similar to those seen with Western faith healers or psychics. The Chinese researchers were characterized as either mistaken about their methods, allowing subjects to control experiments, believing powers were obviously real, or unsophisticated in analyzing results.

The article concludes by discussing the propensity for self-deception and magical thinking, drawing a parallel between the Chinese researchers and the Western public. A personal anecdote about a throat infection treated with snake bile and antibiotics illustrates how people credit interventions without understanding the actual cause of recovery.

Have a Nice Doomsday

Written by Elena M. Watson, this section provides a filmography of "end of the world" movies, categorizing them into three types: "Waiting for the catastrophe," "Last survivors trying to cope," and "Post-Apocalyptic society brutality." The article suggests creating a "Doomsday Film Festival" as a way to preview potential end-of-the-world scenarios.

Movies discussed include:

• A Boy and His Dog (1975): Based on Harlan Ellison's novel, about surviving a post-nuclear world with a telepathic dog.
• The Chosen (1978): Formerly titled Holocaust 2000, starring Kirk Douglas as a father whose son plans to destroy the world.
• Chosen Survivors (1974): Eleven people survive a nuclear war in a vault but are attacked by vampire bats.
• Crack in the World (1965): An attempt to create a new energy source causes the Earth to crack in two.
• Damnation Alley (1977): Survival in a post-atomic world with giant scorpions and roaches.
• The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961): Simultaneous atomic testing by the U.S. and U.S.S.R. knocks the Earth out of orbit.
• The Day the Sky Exploded (1959): A missile from Earth hits the Sun, causing space debris to collide with Earth.
• The Day the World Ended (1955): Stereotyped characters hide from radioactivity, fighting amongst themselves.
• Def-Con 4 (1984): A satellite crew returns to find Earth destroyed and a world of mutants and anarchy.
• Deluge (1933): Catastrophic destruction of Earth by a massive tidal wave that destroys New York.
• Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): Stanley Kubrick's black comedy about a nuclear crisis.
• End of the World (1977): Christopher Lee plays an alien priest who wants to stop humans from contaminating the Universe.
• Escape From Planet Earth (1967): Astronauts witness a nuclear holocaust from space.
• Five (1951): The original post-nuclear war survivor movie, with the last five people on Earth living together.
• Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987): A wrestler character named Sam Hell ventures into a mutant-ridden world.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of paranormal claims, the analysis of prophecies (particularly Nostradamus), and the cultural fascination with apocalyptic scenarios, as exemplified by doomsday films. The editorial stance of the Skeptical Eye is clearly one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, emphasizing scientific reasoning, statistical analysis, and the identification of self-deception and cheating. The magazine aims to provide an information resource on extraordinary claims, encouraging critical and scientific thinking among its readers. The articles consistently contrast pseudoscientific or supernatural explanations with empirical evidence and logical analysis.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 7, No. 4
Date: 1993-94
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Film Reviews: Post-Apocalyptic Worlds

The issue opens with an extensive review of post-apocalyptic films, categorizing and summarizing numerous titles released from the 1950s through the late 1980s. These films often explore themes of nuclear war, societal collapse, and survival.

• Last Days of Man on Earth (1973): Based on Michael Moorcock's work, it follows Jerry Cornelius seeking a microfilm for self-reproduction in a sterile post-nuclear world.
• The Last Man on Earth (1964): An adaptation of Richard Matheson's 'I Am Legend,' starring Vincent Price as the sole human survivor battling vampire-like plague victims.
• The Last Woman on Earth (1960): A Roger Corman film where a post-nuclear holocaust leaves one woman and two men who fight over her.
• The Last War (1962): A Japanese film depicting destruction by natural disasters and atomic explosions, but notably without monsters.
• Mad Max (1979): An Australian film set in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by anarchial road warriors, credited with launching Mel Gibson's career.
• Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985): The third installment, featuring Tina Turner.
• Meteor (1979): A film about a five-mile wide meteor threatening Earth, with a large cast including Sean Connery and Natalie Wood.
• Miracle Mile (1989): A man learns the U.S. has fired a nuclear warhead, signaling the end of the world within an hour.
• Night of the Comet (1984): A passing comet turns most people into zombies, leaving only three teenage girls and some mad scientists.
• The Omega Man (1971): A remake of 'The Last Man on Earth' with Charlton Heston, less faithful to the book and missing the vampire element.
• On The Beach (1959): Set in Australia after nuclear war, it shows survivors awaiting death from radiation fallout, featuring Fred Astaire in a dramatic role.
• Panic in the Year Zero (1962): Directed by and starring Ray Milland, it tells the story of a family surviving the A-bomb and ensuing anarchy.
• The Quiet Earth (1985): From New Zealand, an energy experiment devastates the world, leaving only three survivors.
• Radioactive Dreams (1986): A comedic take on the post-nuclear world, featuring grotesque mutants.
• Road Warrior (1982): The second 'Mad Max' film, considered an improvement on the first.
• Robot Monster (1953): An alien named Ro-Man terrorizes Earth with a bubble machine, forcing survivors to watch dinosaur movies.
• The Seventh Sign (1988): Pregnant Demi Moore experiences signs of the coming apocalypse.
• The 27th Day (1957): An alien abducts five people, giving them capsules to destroy the world, creating a dilemma about humanity's fate.
• Testament (1983): A realistic portrayal of a family coping with life after nuclear war and radiation sickness.
• Threads (1984): A grim BBC docudrama about life in Sheffield after nuclear war.
• When Worlds Collide (1951): Based on Philip Wylie's novel, it depicts a planet on a collision course with Earth, leading to an escape rocket mission.
• The World, the Flesh and the Devil (1958): Harry Belafonte, Inger Stevens, and Mel Ferrer are the last three people on Earth after a nuclear accident.

Book Reviews

Crafting the Art of Magic, Book 1: A History of Modern Witchcraft 1939-64 by Aidan Kelly

Reviewed by Richard A. Dengrove, this book challenges the claim that Wicca is an ancient religion. Kelly argues that Wiccan pagan covens only date back to 1939, with Gerald Gardner being a primary figure. Gardner's inspirations, such as Aleister Crowley's 'Gnostic Mass' and Samuel Mathers's 'Greater Key of Solomon,' do not predate 1939 by much, contradicting the common Wiccan assertion of a 4,000-5,000 year history. Dengrove notes that Kelly, an intellectual witch, asserts Wicca meets his needs better than other religions, and that imposture in religion is not a reason to abandon it.

Big Footprints: A Scientific Inquiry into the Reality of Sasquatch by Grover S. Krantz

Rob Boston reviews Krantz's book, which attempts to prove the existence of Bigfoot without physical evidence. Boston criticizes Krantz's methodology, his reliance on questionable sources like Ivan Marx (known for fabricating evidence), and his tendency to ignore contradictory evidence, such as three-toed tracks. Boston concludes that Krantz's work is a "big disappointment" and recommends books by Jerome Clark and Loren Coleman instead.

From the Archives: Skeptical Activities Around the World

Alternative Medicine

Mike Epstein reports on the growing skeptical activity surrounding alternative medicine. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established an Office of Alternative Medicine, drawing attention to the subject. Skeptical groups like NCAS, Rocky Mountain Skeptics, and others have been investigating various practices.

• Qi Gong: Dr. Zhang Honglin of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine decried "pseudo-Qigongists," stating his investigations found "no scientific evidence that proves the existence of supernatural remote Qi Gong."
• Naprapathy: The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL) commented on Chicago media coverage.
• Fringe Medicine: The New York Skeptics heard Dr. Robert Baker speak.
• New Zealand Skeptics: Published articles on the placebo effect, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other alternative treatments.
• Therapeutic Touch: The Rocky Mountain Skeptics are challenging its use by Colorado nurses.
• Life Extension Pseudo-science: The North Texas Skeptics presented a critical article on the work of Pearson and Shaw, and diet supplements.
• Chiropractic and Alternative Medicine: Recent CSICOP Skeptical Briefs contained critical articles.
• Faith Healers: W.V. Grant was highlighted by the Georgia Skeptics and Bay Area Skeptics.

Worth Repeating - Rules for Skeptics

An article reprinted from REALL News outlines eight rules for skeptics, originally written by Ray Hyman, to upgrade the quality of their skepticism: Be prepared, clarify objectives, do homework, do not go beyond competence, let facts speak, be precise, use the principle of charity, and avoid loaded words and sensationalism.

Fun with Psychics

Two anecdotes illustrate the unreliability of psychics. A Tampa Bay skeptic was told his divorced parents were still in love, and a South Shore skeptic was told by a tarot reader that the "devil" card indicated he belonged to a skeptic group.

Fun with Chemistry

An "amateur" alchemist in Larose, Louisiana, attempted to transmute mercury into gold using fire and mercury, failing and suffering mercury fumes. He then sought workman's compensation, but the court ruled that alchemy is not part of a seaman's duties.

Past Life Reporting

Randi and Alcock Speak on Investigating Extraordinary Medical Claims

Chip Denman reports on a talk by James "The Amazing" Randi and Dr. James Alcock, who shared their experiences evaluating unusual medical claims. They traveled to China to provide perspective on Qi Gong healing techniques.

• Qi Gong: Alcock described the historical traditions of Qi Gong, from Lao Tze to modern China. He noted that "hard" Qi Gong, which involves a Master projecting vital energy, is a reflection of materialism. Alcock showed a video where a Qi Gong Master appeared to control a patient's movements remotely, but upon closer inspection, it was found the Master was following the patient's motions, not the other way around.
• Investigations: Randi and Alcock conducted trials with children claiming psychic abilities, finding no support for these claims and observing instances of cheating. They also investigated "psychic surgery," homeopathy, and "innovations" in Russia.
• Randi's Ten Points: Randi listed ten points regarding the failures of the scientific community in addressing psychic, quack, and crackpot claims, including the attitude that all claims are equally deserving, willingness to grant undue weight to PhDs, reluctance to challenge the media, and fear of legal actions.
• Call for Focus: Randi urged scientists to do a better job of policing themselves and reaching out to the public. He suggested that federal money should be focused on evaluating well-known alternatives like homeopathy, acupuncture, and chiropractic.

The Electric Skeptic: Smiley When You Say That, "Pardner"!

Gary Stone discusses the development of "skepticism" emoticons for the internet. Participants in the SKEPTIC* e-mail group developed symbols like `:-/` (standard internet emoticon for skepticism), `:-<>` ("What!?"), `:-?` ("query-cum-cynical"), `B-?` ("Skeptics are cool"), `(@` ("Skeptical Eye" logo), and `B-S` ("I'm Skeptical about that!").

A Skeptic's Response: Value of a Good Name

B. Diane Martin provides a historical and legal context for defamation law. She explains the difference between libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation) and discusses the evolution of defamation law in the U.S., particularly after the Supreme Court's decision in *New York Times vs. Sullivan*. The article highlights the tension between protecting reputation and upholding free expression, noting that while opinion is protected, misstatements of fact are not.

Helping Hands?

Mike Epstein examines the controversial method of "facilitated communication" (FC), used to help disabled individuals, particularly autistic children, communicate. The article discusses a case in Frederick County, Maryland, where a 9-year-old autistic girl used FC to accuse a teacher's aide of rape. The defense questions the validity of the communication, given the girl's developmental level. The judge has ordered a scientific trial to determine the girl's communication ability, emphasizing the need for a level playing field where the facilitator does not influence the testimony.

Church of Elvis?

This brief piece discusses the phenomenon of Elvis Presley worship, noting that a British documentary estimated a million devoted followers worldwide and that a significant percentage of Americans believe Elvis is still alive. It includes an anecdote about a man who felt Elvis's presence during his son's operation.

Finally - An Authority Speaks Out on the Issue of Dinosaur and Human Coexistence!

Mike Epstein humorously critiques young earth creationists by suggesting that Barney the Dinosaur, in a television appearance, authoritatively described the dinosaur era as having "no cities, no cars, no people," thus refuting creationist claims about dinosaur and human coexistence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and evidence-based reasoning. The magazine actively debunks pseudoscience, challenges unsubstantiated claims in areas like alternative medicine and psychic phenomena, and educates readers on the principles of skepticism and critical evaluation. There is a strong emphasis on media literacy and the legal aspects of free speech and defamation as they relate to skeptical discourse. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rationalism and against the acceptance of claims lacking empirical support.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 7, No. 4
Date: 1993-94 (Issue date determined as December 1993 based on content)
Publisher: Skeptical Eye
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Skeptical Eye delves into the nature of predictions, the mysteries of Loch Ness, and legal commentary, all through a skeptical lens.

Articles

"Like a Sturgeon"

This article challenges the long-held belief that the Loch Ness monster, Nessie, is a giant prehistoric sea creature. New research on the ecology of Loch Ness indicates that the loch's fish population is too low to support such a large predator. The estimated total fish biomass is only 20 to 30 tons, meaning any predators feeding on them would weigh at most 10% of that, or 2 to 3 tons. Even if multiple predators were needed to sustain a population, each would weigh around 500 pounds, far too small for a giant prehistoric creature.

Instead, the article proposes a new theory, championed by naturalist Adrian Shine of the Loch Ness Project. Shine conjectures that Nessie might actually be a sturgeon. Sturgeon are large ocean-dwelling fish with long snouts and ridged backs that migrate into fresh water to spawn. Local newspapers from the 19th century reportedly mentioned a large fish in the loch, a tradition that predates the 'prehistoric monster' idea, which the article refers to as the 'media monster.' The ongoing Loch Ness research project is focused on science, not monster hunting, with a set of 14 papers due for publication in *The Scottish Naturalist*.

"The Last Word: Predicting the Future" by Elena M. Watson

This editorial reflects on the tradition of making predictions at the turn of the year, particularly those found in tabloids. The author notes that these predictions are rarely remembered or held accountable. She recounts some outlandish predictions from the *Weekly World News* for 1993, such as Madonna being Jim Nabors' love child and Dolly Parton's breast exploding, none of which occurred.

The author then critically examines the "Fall Predictions" made by Jeane Dixon for *The Star* magazine (October 12-19, 1993). Dixon's predictions are divided into those for "the stars" and for "the rich and famous." Watson finds many of Dixon's predictions to be vague, personal, or qualified with phrases like "may happen," making them difficult to verify. While Dixon correctly predicted that Rosanne and Tom Arnold were not expecting a baby and that Marla Maples and Donald Trump would have their baby before marriage, she was wrong about Eddie Murphy's film comeback, Conan O'Brien's fame, Janet Jackson's seclusion, and Cher's scandal. Dixon also predicted the breakup of Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg, but noted they might reconcile.

For the second set of predictions concerning current affairs, Watson finds Dixon equally inaccurate. She questions whether an assassination attempt on the Pope occurred and if Daryl Hannah and JFK Jr. broke up. Dixon predicted airline disasters for late November through December 4, and the discovery of two new viruses related to AIDS, one potentially a bovine virus and the other traced to leprosy. However, the article points out that leprosy is caused by a bacterium, not a virus, and has a long incubation period unrelated to AIDS. The closest hit for this section was a vague prediction of a "lone gunman is likely to go on a killing rampage," which occurred in December but was not specifically tied to November as Dixon predicted.

The author concludes that Dixon's few accurate predictions required no special talent and could have been made by anyone. She expresses dissatisfaction with the predictive accuracy.

"Mystery Solved"

This short piece reveals the answer to the question of where talk shows find their "outrageous people." The *Associated Press* reported on January 11, 1994, about the National Talk Show Guest Registry, a database run by Chris Darryn in San Fernando Valley. This registry, an offshoot of his database search company, The Research Department, lists individuals willing to appear on talk shows. For a fee of $2.50 per name, producers can find guests such as Elvis impersonators, people who have undergone plastic surgery to resemble celebrities, or individuals with unusual collections. The article highlights Mike St. Lawrence, a UFO abduction insurance salesman, who pays $3.00 a month to be listed. His company, UFO Abduction & Casualty Insurance Co., offers $10 million policies for $9.95, with double indemnity if aliens refer to abductees as "a nutritional food source."

"Last Word, from page 23" (Continued Interview with Naphtha)

This section continues a humorous, fictional interview with a spirit named Naphtha, channeled through NCAS Board Member Jamy Ian Swiss. The conversation touches on various topics, including predictions, politics, and personal insights.

When asked about future predictions, Naphtha humorously states that Jeane Dixon will make many wrong predictions and that an earthquake is coming, which JIS attributes to watching CNN. Naphtha also offers cryptic wisdom for major criminal cases, stating, "They didn't do it. Or else, they did it, but they didn't mean to do it. Or they didn't want to do it." When asked about the world of science, Naphtha predicts little news from the Mars Probe. For personal insights, Naphtha sees JIS meeting a "dark, beautiful stranger" from a far-away land, whose name contains the letters L-O-R-E-N-A.

The interview concludes with JIS thanking Naphtha, who attempts to continue, but JIS cuts him off, ending the segment. The author, Elena M. Watson, then states she will give up on predictions for a while.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The *Skeptical Eye* consistently maintains a critical and evidence-based stance. The magazine prioritizes scientific inquiry and rational explanation over unsubstantiated claims, whether they come from psychics, tabloid journalism, or popular folklore. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards extraordinary claims, encouraging readers to question and seek verifiable evidence. The magazine aims to debunk pseudoscience and highlight the importance of critical thinking, as demonstrated by its analysis of psychic predictions and its exploration of scientific explanations for phenomena like the Loch Ness monster. The inclusion of legal commentary on defamation and fair comment suggests an interest in the intersection of public discourse and factual accuracy.