Skeptical Eye - Vol 09 No 2 - 1996

Magazine Overview

This issue of the National Capital Area Skeptical Eye, Volume 9, Number 2, dated 1996, focuses on the establishment of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) and features an in-depth interview with Uri Geller. The magazine is published quarterly by the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS).

Randi Foundation Simply Amazing

The lead article, "Randi Foundation Simply Amazing" by Jamy Ian Swiss, details the creation of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Announced on April 2, 1996, and beginning operation on June 1, 1996, the JREF is located in new headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Made possible by a generous sponsorship from an anonymous donor, the Foundation aims to spread James Randi's rational message and continue his life's work. Mr. Randi expressed his enthusiasm for using this opportunity for public education.

• The chief goals of the Foundation include:
• Developing a library of skeptical and paranormal works in print and on video.
• Providing extensive on-line resources.
• Conducting basic parapsychological and paranormal research.
• Awarding educational prizes and scholarships.

The new facilities include administrative and office space, a library, ample room for a future auditorium for lectures and presentations, and a research area for paranormal research. The library will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, offering copies of materials at low or no cost via fax, telephone, Internet, mail, or direct loan. The video library will begin with Randi's personal archive of over 400 hours of recorded paranormal material, which will be digitized for long-term storage and high-quality copying. Plans are underway to equip the video facility with high-quality dubbing capacities compatible with international video formats. The Foundation is also investing in advanced computer resources and will make comprehensive materials available on the Web, including the full text of Randi's book, "An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural" (1995).

The Foundation will support and cooperate with existing organizations worldwide that share its goals, focusing on combating pseudoscience, superstition, quackery, nonsense, and misinformation. Donations of printed media, books, journals, photographs, video, and audio are welcomed, with tax valuations provided for donors. Randi hopes the JREF will become the most complete specialized library in the world. The Foundation also plans to conduct and/or finance original research in paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims, encouraging scientists and engineers to design experimental protocols and publicize results. It is considering grants for parapsychologists and may conduct its own research, including Zener card trials and remote viewing studies. These facilities will also be used to demonstrate experimental design and conduct classes and seminars. The Foundation will award prizes, scholarships, and grants to promote quality work in critical thinking, especially at the high school level, with students competing through projects or essays on paranormal subjects.

Randi states that these efforts are extensions of work he is already doing in Hungary, where he supports students. He also plans to foster similar initiatives by providing funds for subscriptions to Hungarian science magazines for schools. A Foundation newsletter is anticipated, possibly developing into a printed journal, with an on-line publication expected by the end of the year. The James Randi Legal Defense Fund will continue to operate, providing aid to individuals sued by those attempting to stifle rational discourse. The fund currently has under $15,000.

The Foundation will also administer the 2000 Club and its "Pigasus" Prize. The $10,000 prize, originally offered by Randi for a demonstrable paranormal phenomenon under proper test conditions, has grown to over $630,000 pledged by more than 200 individuals in 15 countries. The award will be given to anyone who proves a genuine psychic power under proper observing conditions. The Foundation is seeking assistance in various specialties, including computer programming, graphic design, and audio/video production. Randi expects the Foundation to be financially self-supporting within two years, relying on grants and other funding to provide information at minimal cost.

Mr. Randi is also off to France and Holland to film a pilot series for A&E called "Scams, Scoundrels and Swindles." He has also had an asteroid named after him, Asteroid 3163 Randi.

Letters

This section includes correspondence from readers:

• Phil Klass of Washington, DC, suggests that the "ball of light" described by a reader named L.B. might be "ball lightning," a phenomenon that science has not yet fully explained. He shares two anecdotes of ball lightning incidents, one involving a USAF pilot and another a suburban housewife.
• Captain John L. Bender of Bethesda, MD, wonders if the light described by L.B. could be St. Elmo's fire, recalling a similar experience in the North Atlantic.
• Rich Dengrove of Alexandria, VA, praises the magazine's articles on how people's minds stray from science, emphasizing that humans are not inherently scientific and must work hard to be so.
• Walter Warnick, Ph.D. of Laytonsville, MD, suggests that the magazine should offer more balance by presenting opposing views, citing Ray Hyman's evaluation of remote viewing experiments and the need for Jessica Utts's perspective. He argues that experimental design and statistical analysis, rather than years of public scrutiny, are sufficient to determine the validity of such claims.

The editor notes that the debate over parapsychological experiments has been ongoing and provides references to articles by Charles Honorton and Ray Hyman, as well as online resources for Jessica Utts's evaluation and Ray Hyman's critique of remote viewing.

Uri Geller: A Skeptical Perspective

This interview, originally from Spark (Reading University newspaper) and reprinted with permission, is conducted by Simon Jones. It explores Uri Geller's activities and claims.

Geller discusses his current activities, including a TV show "Beyond Belief" that reportedly received 2.6 million calls from people describing their experiences. He mentions writing books, doing TV shows worldwide, and creating a "very strange telephone" prototype. He is also planning a clothing line and a trip around the Middle East.

When asked about gambling, Geller states he does not play the National Lottery himself but his children do, and he keeps away from it, believing he cannot guess numbers psychically. This is contrasted with his claims of being paid by mining companies to search for minerals. He has also refused lucrative challenges to reproduce his "powers" under conditions that would exclude fraud, such as a 1988 offer of 250,000 pounds from Gerald Fleming.

Geller explains his reluctance to perform metal bending, stating that he cannot perform under pressure in a laboratory setting, though it happens on stage or in other important places. He admits to being tired of being labeled a "spoon-bender" and wants to move away from it. He also claims that his psychic intervention helped Reading Football Club, attributing it to synchronicity and his concentration.

He suggests that if allowed to address the Sydney Olympics in 2000, he could psychically initiate world peace. He believes that opening minds to psychic phenomena is important because "they know it works."

Geller also claims contact with aliens, specifically a being called "IS" from the planet "Hoova," whose messages were left on his tape recorder. He has seen lights in the sky and UFOs but has never seen a being. He acknowledges his belief in psychic phenomena, UFOs, space aliens, numerology, astrology, and pantheism, and wonders if his "powers" are a gift from God, ultimately concluding that "everything comes from God."

Regarding past legal actions, Geller mentions that over the last five years, he has brought or threatened many legal actions against critics, though he has abandoned most. He was ordered to pay $20,000 to Prometheus Books and $120,000 to the CSICOP organization after a court battle. He expresses no regrets about litigation, stating that only lawyers make money.

The interview details a bizarre incident where Geller attempted to tamper with the dictaphone recording the interview, trying to wipe out a portion of the conversation. Despite this, the interview continues, and Geller eventually bends a spoon for the interviewer, which the interviewer believes was achieved through trickery and distraction.

Center For Inquiry Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

This section reports on the one-year anniversary of the Center for Inquiry (CFI) in Amherst, New York, founded by Paul Kurtz. The CFI is organizing projects such as a media watch committee, programs to attract youth to scientific methods, a school for skeptics, and new regional offices. Kurtz describes their work as a "never-ending battle against irrationalism."

Skeptic Gets Star Treatment

A brief note announces that the International Astronomical Union has honored James Randi by naming an asteroid after him, Asteroid 3163 Randi, discovered in 1981. Randi expressed pride in this recognition.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes skepticism, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. It aims to debunk paranormal claims and pseudoscientific assertions by providing evidence-based analysis and highlighting the work of organizations like the James Randi Educational Foundation and the Center for Inquiry. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rationalism and against irrational beliefs, as evidenced by the focus on James Randi's work and the critical examination of figures like Uri Geller. The publication serves as a platform for readers to share their views and for the NCAS to disseminate information and foster a skeptical community.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 9, No. 2
Date: 1996

This issue of Skeptical Eye focuses on critical examination of various claims, from scientific organizations and statistical methodologies to alternative medicine and purported paranormal phenomena. The magazine features articles that investigate the Center for Inquiry, the principles of experimental design, and the efficacy of unconventional treatments and products.

The Center for Inquiry

The Center for Inquiry (CFI), located in Amherst, New York, serves as the headquarters for both CSICOP and the Council for Secular Humanism (CSH). The building houses a library of 15,000 skeptical books and journals, audio-visual studios, seminar rooms, and offices. Joe Nickell, a senior research fellow, expresses excitement about the center's permanent staff and increased efficiency. Paul Kurtz is credited with the vision and determination to build the center, ensuring the future of CSICOP and CSH, especially after facing lawsuits. The CFI is expanding its programs, including a media watch committee and plans for radio and television productions. The Center for Inquiry Institute is being enhanced with nationwide workshops and a planned school offering courses in examining paranormal claims, communication skills, skeptical ethics, and magic tricks. The Institute aims for accreditation and seeks grants for elementary and high school educational packages. CFI has also opened regional offices, including CFI Midwest in Kansas City, Missouri, and CFI West in Los Angeles, with a third regional office, CFI Rockies, planned for Boulder, Colorado. A British CFI branch has opened at Oxford University. CFI officials are open to proposals for new regional offices.

By The Numbers: Statistical Insights

Chip Denman, manager of the Statistics Laboratory at the University of Maryland, discusses the importance of proper experimental design, focusing on blinding and randomization. He explains that these techniques are crucial for overcoming unintended human bias. Denman uses the example of a caller seeking to improve truck fuel economy with a device. He emphasizes that a statistician's role often involves diagnosing problems with collected data, sometimes concluding that the data is unusable. Denman highlights the "placebo effect," where expectations can influence outcomes, and the need for double-blind, randomized studies to minimize such biases. He contrasts this with the "Hawthorne Effect," observed in studies at the Western Electric Company's Hawthorne plant, where the act of being observed altered worker performance. Denman also recounts the story of "Clever Hans," a horse that appeared to perform arithmetic but was actually responding to subtle body language cues from its handlers, illustrating the necessity of blinding in investigations. He concludes that without proper blinding and randomization, it is difficult to reliably distinguish genuine signals from noise in experimental data.

Don't Try This at Home: Silver Cleaning

David G. Shaw investigates the product "Silver Lightning," which claims to clean silverware by dipping it in water with an aluminum plate. Shaw replicated the experiment using aluminum foil and baking soda, confirming that the tarnish was removed, but only below the waterline, and a rotten-egg smell (hydrogen sulfide) was produced. He explains that tarnish is silver sulfide, and the process involves an electrochemical reaction where the aluminum acts as the anode, silver as the cathode, and the baking soda/salt solution as the electrolyte. The reduction of silver sulfide releases hydrogen sulfide gas. Shaw notes that any aluminum or aluminum-lined container can achieve the same result, recommending inexpensive foil baking pans over the branded product. He also humorously suggests that avoiding eggs and Brussels sprouts, which can cause tarnish, is another solution.

Watchful Eye

This section highlights Richard Leiby of The Washington Post for his skeptical coverage of a conference by Richard Hoagland, who presented claims of "suppressed evidence" of ancient lunar structures. Leiby's reporting concluded that Hoagland was "basically a kook." The section also mentions an article from Newsweek about the growing acceptance of alternative medicine, noting that insurance companies may shift towards covering it due to cost-effectiveness.

Health and Alternative Medicine

An article from Newsweek discusses how insurance companies are beginning to consider alternative medicine due to its lower costs compared to traditional treatments. Examples include comparing bypass surgery costs to diet-and-lifestyle therapy, and Ceclor medication to warm garlic oil. The article notes that while the benefits of alternative procedures may be unproven, they are often cheaper. Seattle is highlighted for its plan to establish a taxpayer-subsidized naturopathic health clinic, offering treatments like acupuncture, homeopathy, and nutritional therapy. A New York Times report notes that some medical doctors are skeptical of natural medicine claims, calling them overblown or fraudulent. The section also mentions veterinarians offering holistic care for pets, including acupuncture and homeopathy.

Spirited Theatrics: A Review of "Blithe Spirit"

Grace Denman reviews Noel Coward's play "Blithe Spirit," produced by the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Contrary to her expectation of a romantic comedy, Denman found the play to be a story of three selfish souls who take pleasure in hurting each other, with the supernatural element serving as a plot device. She notes the play's effective staging and cast performance but finds no characters earning support or respect, except perhaps the misused psychic. Denman reflects on the historical use of ghosts and supernatural themes in literature and film, from "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" to "Angels in the Outfield," and their continued popularity.

Medjugorje in Marlboro?

Harley Newman investigates a purported shrine in Marlboro, New Jersey, created by Joseph Januszkiewicz, who claims to have been cured by the Virgin Mary and to receive her messages. Despite the lack of endorsement from the local priest, the shrine attracted large crowds, causing traffic and financial burdens for the township. Newman visited the shrine and observed worshippers seeking healing, but he remained skeptical, concluding there was "nothing to Januskiewicz's visitations." The article notes that a restraining order was later instituted to prevent trespassers.

Let's Get Metaphysical

Ron Jones recounts his visit to a "Metaphysical Expo" in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which featured astrologers, tarot readers, palm readers, numerologists, and sellers of new age products. He describes the atmosphere as reminiscent of old-time fairs and expositions. Jones details his encounter with a vendor selling homeopathic products and a Chinese tea that he believes caused a caffeine overdose. He notes that expanding one's consciousness at such events comes with a material price.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism towards extraordinary claims. The magazine scrutinizes pseudoscientific products, questionable medical treatments, and purported paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning, scientific methodology, and rigorous investigation, as demonstrated by the articles on statistical design, the debunking of the Marlboro shrine, and the critical review of alternative medicine. The magazine encourages readers to question claims and rely on scientific principles, as exemplified by the quote from Cecil Adams: "If extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence, stupid claims demand...well, something a little less rigorous."

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 9, No. 2
Date: 1996
Publisher: NCAS (National Capital Area Skeptics)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Skeptical Eye delves into complex topics at the intersection of science, spirituality, and skepticism. It features an in-depth review of a lecture on the mathematics of consciousness by Roger Penrose, an account of a visit to a metaphysical fair, and an editor's column reflecting on the persistent presence of paranormal claims in popular culture.

The Mathematics of Consciousness

The lead article, "The Mathematics of Consciousness" by Marv Zelkowitz, reviews a talk given by Roger Penrose, Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. Penrose's central argument is that if consciousness is a physical concept, it must be governed by the laws of quantum theory. He proposes four possible explanations for consciousness, focusing on the idea that it might be governed by non-computable mathematical formulas. Penrose suggests that consciousness cannot be mechanized or executed on a computer because it is a non-computable function. He also touches upon the interaction between quantum mechanics and the general theory of relativity, and the potential role of nerve cell signal transference in consciousness. Zelkowitz notes that Penrose's theory is detailed in his books "The Emperor's New Mind" and "Shadows of the Mind." The lecture, according to Zelkowitz, offered no definitive conclusion, highlighting the complexity of consciousness.

A Visit to the Metaphysical Fair

Another section recounts the author's experience at a fair, which offered a variety of spiritual and paranormal products and services. The author encountered booths promoting "Zodiak Shampoo," consultations with "guardian angels" (with names like Shephtha and Moonbeam), and an abundance of crystals. The author notes the friendly but sometimes overly serious nature of some vendors, recounting an interaction with an "Angel Lady" who did not appreciate a light-hearted comment about Howard Hughes' angel. The fair also featured representatives from the National Spiritual Science Center, an organization offering spiritual development courses. A significant portion of the fair was dedicated to crystals, and a lecture room hosted a discussion about an ancient crystal skull found in Mexico, which was linked to psychic powers. The author humorously observes that some attendees seemed more comfortable with crystals than with the idea of alien abductors.

Editor's Column: They're Here!

Carol Krol's editor's column, "They're Heeeere!," addresses the persistent presence of paranormal claims in the media and popular culture. She highlights the case of Dorothy Allison, a psychic consulted by the Newark Police Department to help locate missing boys. Krol contrasts Allison's description with Zelda Rubinstein's character in "Poltergeist," expressing skepticism about such claims being presented as solutions to real-life problems. She lists various paranormal phenomena, including alien autopsies and celestine prophecies, as examples of topics that continue to gain attention. Krol references Carl Sagan's book "The Demon-Haunted World" and Cecil Adams' "The Straight Dope" column as examples of skeptical voices. She praises individuals and organizations that promote critical thinking, mentioning the formation of the James Randi Educational Foundation as a positive development in the skeptical community. Krol concludes by asserting that while paranormal phenomena may persist, so do the efforts to debunk them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the nature of consciousness, the prevalence of paranormal beliefs and practices, and the importance of scientific skepticism. The magazine's stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning, actively questioning and debunking claims that lack scientific support. It positions itself as a platform for promoting rational inquiry and defending against what it perceives as the encroachment of pseudoscience into public discourse.