Skeptical Eye - Vol 08 No 3 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: National Capital Area SKEPTICAL EYE
Issue: Vol. 8, No. 3
Date: 1995

This issue of the Skeptical Eye, published quarterly by the National Capital Area Skeptics, focuses on the resolution of a significant legal battle, the growing utility of the Internet for skeptical discourse, and a critical examination of visual data presentation.

Cuckoos and Cocoa Puffs: The End of the Geller Saga

The lead article, "Cuckoos and Cocoa Puffs" by Carol Krol, details the conclusion of the long-standing legal conflict between psychic Uri Geller and magician James Randi, along with CSICOP (The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal). After years of lawsuits spanning the globe, a settlement was reached in January 1995. Geller had initially sued Randi and CSICOP for $15 million in 1991, alleging defamation. However, a U.S. Court of Appeals decision in December 1994 sided with a lower court, ordering Geller to pay sanctions to CSICOP for legal fees. The court's opinion, written by Judge David B. Sentelle, noted Geller's "litigious history" and Randi's efforts to expose Geller's feats as fraudulent. Geller was originally ordered to pay $149,000 to CSICOP. The settlement involves Geller paying $40,000 of up to $120,000, with an agreement to pay a total of $70,000 over the next three years, in addition to sums from any new actions. Michael Kennedy, Randi's attorney, described the agreement as a "global settlement of all disputes."

The article also touches upon Randi's past legal troubles, including a case in Japan where he was convicted of "insult" for comments made about Geller, though he was not compelled to pay due to American law not recognizing the charge. Randi expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from friends and strangers on the Internet, noting how people were "exceedingly generous." He also highlighted the Internet's utility for gathering information, citing an instance where a request for a trick on a Cocoa Puffs box box led to a swift response from a collector.

Editor's Remarks: The Power of the Marketplace

In her editor's remarks, Carol Krol discusses her extensive experience with magazines and laments the prevalence of pseudo-scientific content in mainstream publications. She notes that while magazines are powerful in shaping opinions, their primary driver is profit, which can lead to the promotion of what sells rather than what is scientifically sound. However, she sees hope in the trend of magazines striving to strengthen their relationship with readers through market research, which gives readers a more powerful voice. Krol encourages readers to actively engage by writing letters and making their opinions known to media outlets, advocating for a proactive role in the "marketplace of ideas."

"The Watchful Eye" and Media Engagement

Chip Denman recounts his experience responding to an NBC-TV request for individuals with "spirit guide" experiences. Denman presented a skeptical viewpoint, which led to an invitation to appear on the program, though he was unable to accept due to short notice. The magazine highlights its ongoing feature, "The Watchful Eye," led by Elena Watson, which serves as a "current events" page to keep readers informed about media coverage of skeptical topics. Readers are encouraged to submit their observations and feedback.

The Electric Skeptic: Navigating the World Wide Web

Chris Ragaisis contributes "The Electric Skeptic," an article focused on the burgeoning World Wide Web and its utility for skeptics. He traces the history of the Internet from its origins in defense communication to its expansion into research and academic institutions, and the explosion in popularity following the invention of e-mail. The introduction of the World Wide Web, particularly with user-friendly browsers like Mosaic, made the Internet accessible to a much wider audience. Ragaisis provides a brief history of Mosaic and its graphical interface, explaining how it simplified navigation. He offers practical advice on accessing the Web, including options for dial-up connections and alternative browsers like "lynx" for those with limited resources. The article lists several key websites for skeptics, including the NCAS page, The Skeptics Society page, and various international skeptic resources. It also points to resources for entertainment, such as the "Snake Oil" site and the Jack Chick archive. Finally, Ragaisis explains how to obtain the Mosaic browser and mentions upcoming topics like gopher and ftp archives.

By The Numbers: What's Wrong With This Picture?

Chip Denman's column, "By The Numbers," critically analyzes a political flyer from the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. Denman, who often speaks to reporters seeking a skeptical perspective, found the flyer's use of graphical data to be "quantitatively illiterate." He dissects several graphical elements, including a schoolhouse illustration, enrollment projections, per pupil expenditure charts, and tax rate comparisons. Denman argues that the flyer employs visual distortions and misleading representations to create an emotional impact rather than convey accurate information. For instance, the enrollment graph presents a linear projection that contradicts the visual metaphor of the schoolhouse, and the dollar signs representing per pupil expenditure are visually shrunk by 64% despite a much smaller actual decline. He also points out the misrepresentation of tax rate data, where a chart labeled "Tax rates" actually depicts the "% change in the property tax rates." Denman concludes by recommending several books on data visualization and statistical interpretation, including works by Darrell Huff, Edward Tufte, and William Cleveland, emphasizing the importance of critical evaluation of visual data.

X Marks a Spot...In Our Own Backyard

This short piece notes the connection between the popular TV series "The X-Files" and the University of Maryland in College Park, where the character Dana Scully is an alumna. It suggests that the show could benefit from a dose of reality by advising Scully to attend a "Science vs. Pseudoscience" course at the university.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking and scientific scrutiny. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of debunking paranormal claims and exposing pseudoscience, as exemplified by the detailed coverage of the James Randi-Uri Geller legal resolution. The magazine actively encourages reader engagement and participation in skeptical activism, particularly through the use of new media like the Internet. There is a strong emphasis on media literacy, with a dedicated section critiquing the manipulative use of data visualization in public communication. The overall tone is informative, analytical, and committed to promoting a rational worldview.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 8, No. 3
Date: 1995
Publisher: Skeptical Eye
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Skeptical Eye, dated 1995, focuses on scientific skepticism, critical analysis of popular beliefs, and reviews of recent books and events. The cover story, "COULD IT HAPPEN HERE? The Return of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9" by Neil L. Inglis, examines the implications of the comet's impact on Jupiter for Earth and discusses the need for public education to combat scientific ignorance.

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 and Public Education

Neil Inglis recounts attending a public science program titled "Cosmic Impacts on Earth and Jupiter," organized by The Planetary Society. He highlights the society's role in public education, featuring prominent scientists like Carl Sagan, Richard Berendzen, Sally Ride, and Roald Sagdeev. Inglis notes the accessibility of the program, costing only five dollars, in contrast to other more expensive symposia. He introduces Dr. Chris Chyba, a planetary scientist, who presented on the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia. Chyba explained that the meteor exploded in the atmosphere, creating a shock wave that heated trees but did not flatten them. He also discussed the joint US/USSR research expedition to Tunguska in 1991. Chyba's presentation emphasized that paranormal explanations are unnecessary for such events, as scientific hypotheses can fit the observed data.

Dr. William Boynton and Dr. David Morrison discussed potential doomsday scenarios from large cosmic impacts, including species extinction, prolonged darkness, ocean acidification, tsunamis, and mass starvation. However, they also noted that natural ecosystems would recover and that coastal areas might mitigate temperature drops.

Inglis also touches upon the Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T) meteor impact boundary, with Dr. Boynton presenting evidence linking it to the Chicxulub impact site in Mexico, dated to 65 million years ago. This analysis, supported by iridium levels, refuted volcanic explanations for the impact layer.

Dr. Gene Shoemaker, a co-discoverer of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, shared his experiences, acknowledging his wife Carolyn and praising the Mount Palomar telescope. His presentation, complemented by slides, focused on the physics of plume formation after comet impacts and the visual beauty of the comet's tail, described as "the string of pearls."

Shoemaker emphasized the importance of public education forums in raising awareness and dispelling the "giggle factor" surrounding comet impacts. He noted the contrast between skeptics' tendency to dismiss events as not happening to them, and the reality that such impacts have occurred and could happen again.

The article concludes by reflecting on the limitations of organizations like The Planetary Society in addressing the social chaos that would follow a major impact, such as food hoarding and riots. A lighthearted anecdote about a stampede at a conference hall compared to a stadium after an NFL game provides a moment of perspective.

Book Reviews

"The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini" by Ruth Brandon

Reviewed by Jamy Ian Swiss, this section critically examines Ruth Brandon's biography of Harry Houdini. Swiss questions the premise that Houdini habitually risked his life, citing experts like James "The Amazing" Randi and Teller who believe Houdini was too smart to take such chances and that his equipment was designed to prevent fatal accidents. The review argues that Houdini's actions were calculated to create an illusion of danger for publicity and performance, not a genuine death wish.

Swiss also criticizes Brandon's reliance on psychoanalytic interpretations, such as suggesting Houdini's "compulsive suicide wish" or his supposed need to find supernatural success. The review dismisses Brandon's speculation about Houdini's impotence, his motivations for pursuing spiritualism, and her interpretations of his fascination with bondage and near-asphyxiation as unfounded and speculative. The reviewer points out numerous factual errors in the book, including misrepresentations of Houdini's stunts and the mislabeling of magic tricks.

Despite its flaws, the review acknowledges that the book offers some valuable insights, particularly in its analysis of the historical context of theatrical performers and audiences, the birth of motion pictures, and a skeptical view of Old Testament magic. The section on the Houdini marriage is noted as a strong element, with new historical material presented. However, the pervasive flaws and questionable assumptions lead Swiss to conclude that the entire work must be called into question.

"The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time" by Jonathan Weiner

Reviewed by Rob Pike, this section praises Jonathan Weiner's book for its clear and elegant prose in explaining Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection. The review highlights the work of Peter and Rosemary Grant, who have meticulously studied finches on Daphne Major in the Galapagos Islands since the 1970s. The book details how a severe drought in 1978 provided a crucial test for Darwin's theory. During the drought, finches with larger beaks were more successful at cracking hard seeds, leading to a measurable evolutionary shift in beak size within a single season. The review commends Weiner for providing the experimental evidence and numbers that have historically been considered scanty for natural selection, thus vindicating Darwin's theory.

Other Articles and Features

"Giant Octopus Disappears With Nessie" reports on new evidence that debunks legends of giant octopuses. Analysis of tissue samples from alleged giant octopus remains found in Florida and Bermuda suggests they were not from giant cephalopods but from whales or sharks, dealing a blow to cryptozoological claims.

"Watchful Eye" section includes several short items:

• A summary of the Human Potential Foundation's (HPF) "Project and Program Summary," which involves a joint agreement with the Chinese Academy of Somatic Science for research on external qi gong in accelerated bone healing. The reviewer, Steven J. Goodson, expresses skepticism about the "Newage" group.
• A review of Jeannette R. Scollard's "Say What?" in Entrepreneur magazine, which critiques the vacuous vocabulary of corporate motivational consultants.
• A mention of a "No-Touch Therapy" article from Time magazine, which skeptically examines "Therapeutic touch" in nursing schools and hospitals.
• A report on a study published in The Lancet regarding homeopathy's effectiveness in treating asthmatics, noting that while research suggests potential, larger studies are needed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the promotion of scientific skepticism and critical thinking. The magazine consistently challenges pseudoscientific claims, speculative interpretations, and unsubstantiated beliefs, whether related to UFOs, paranormal phenomena, or questionable historical interpretations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning, empirical data, and rigorous scientific methodology. The reviews of books on comet impacts, evolution, and Harry Houdini all emphasize the importance of factual accuracy and the dangers of succumbing to sensationalism or unproven theories. The "Watchful Eye" section further reinforces this by highlighting media reports that either debunk myths or critically examine trends in popular culture and alternative medicine.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 8, No. 3
Date: 1995
Publisher: NCAS
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Skeptical Eye, published by NCAS, delves into various topics related to skepticism, pseudoscience, and critical thinking. It features reviews of articles, discussions on scientific principles, and calls to action for skeptical organizations.

Articles and Reviews

"Stemming Your Ills: The Skeptic's Guide to Herbal Medicine"

This section reviews an article by Lamar Graham in Men's Journal, which examined the purported benefits of herbal concoctions. The review criticizes the article as one-sided and anti-science, despite its headline. Rob McCaleb, president of the Herb Research Foundation, is quoted stating that herbs are health-building and promote natural defenses. The review notes the author's inaccurate correlations between herbal medicine and prescription drugs.

"It's Not What You Do That Counts, It's What You Belong To"

This piece discusses an article by Bruce Watson in Smithsonian Magazine, which highlighted various societies dedicated to fringe beliefs, such as the Society of Earthbound Extraterrestrials (SEE). The review points out that while SEE has members who claim to be UFO pilots, skeptics were conspicuously absent from the article's focus.

"How to Think" Series

The magazine highlights The Washington Post's new monthly section, "Horizon: The Learning Section," edited by Boyce Rensberger. This section emphasizes science and critical thinking, encouraging readers to test claims and check facts. Skeptics are encouraged to applaud this effort for its focus on the process of thinking.

"You Can Never Prove a Theory True"

An article by Boyce Rensberger explains that scientific progress is made by testing theories rigorously and being unable to prove them false, rather than proving them true. It emphasizes that scientists express a high degree of confidence rather than absolute certainty.

"Skeptics Demonstrates Levitation!"

This article describes a toy called the Levitron, sold at The Nature Company, which demonstrates levitation through scientific principles. The toy is a finger-spun top that hovers above a wooden base without visible support. The author, Chip Denman, challenges readers to explain the phenomenon and test their explanations.

"Wonder Bra? THE LIFE FORCE DISK"

This section features an advertisement for the "Life Force Disk," which is presented as a product that enhances well-being and effectiveness through electro-magnetic vortexes. Leo H. Elliot from Charlottesville, VA, forwards the ad, noting its exaggerated claims, particularly its implied breast-enhancing capabilities.

Letters

Richard Dengrove from Alexandria, VA, comments on Mike Epstein's review of Joe Nickell's book. He argues that while natural explanations are important, miracles are not a scientific concept but a religious one. He believes that the pursuit of natural causes should continue, but that declaring a miracle is a religious act.

Special letter from the Rocky Mountain Skeptics

Béla Scheiber, President of the Rocky Mountain Skeptics, writes about their efforts to expose "Therapeutic Touch" (TT) as anti-science. He notes that their local effort has gained international attention. He proposes that organizations survey hospitals and nursing schools to determine the extent of TT's institutionalization. He also announces the formation of a new group, "Nurses For Rational Therapies," dedicated to promoting sanity in nursing issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific literacy, and the rigorous examination of claims, particularly those related to pseudoscience and alternative medicine. The magazine encourages skepticism towards unsubstantiated assertions and highlights the importance of evidence-based reasoning. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific methodology and against the uncritical acceptance of paranormal or pseudoscientific phenomena. The issue also emphasizes the role of education in fostering these critical thinking skills.