Skeptical Eye - Vol 12 No 2 - 2000

Magazine Overview

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 12, No. 2
Date: 2000
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1063-2077

Ghostbusting 101 - Part 3: Would You Trust This Woman?

This article, the final installment in the "Ghostbusting 101" series, focuses on Kari Coleman. The National Capital Area Skeptics sponsored this program in October, examining investigations of the spirit realm from the 19th century to the present. Kari Coleman, an actress who posed as a psychic for Penn & Teller's "Sin City Spectacular" TV show, discussed her personal experiences and the methods she used in giving readings. The author notes that Coleman is smart to associate with figures like Penn & Teller and that she researched tarot cards, consulted with skeptic Ray Hyman, and watched a tape of James Van Praagh to prepare for her role as a tarot reading psychic. Coleman's performance, using memorized lines and her insight into human nature, is described as convincing, especially to those seeking hope.

Letters

Mike Jawer writes in response to an article about Joe Holbert, suggesting it could have had a more critical slant. He found the write-up to be thoughtful and humorous. A separate inquiry from INDIGOFILMS seeks to use images from the Condon Report for a documentary on The History Channel. The NCAS replies that the copyright is owned by the University of Colorado and provides contact information for Milagros Caraballo, who was the secretary to the Board of Regents in 1998-99.

Prez Sez

Paul Jaffe, President of NCAS, welcomes new members and emphasizes the value of NCAS support for programs like public lectures, media feedback, and an online document library. He promotes online shopping through sites like igive.com and consumersaints.com, where a percentage of purchases can be donated to NCAS. Jaffe also discusses NCAS's review and comments on the draft strategic plan of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), highlighting the hope that under Dr. Stephen E. Straus, NCCAM will rigorously assess complementary and alternative medicine procedures. He mentions that NCAS has coupons for Six Flags America available to members. The section concludes with a schedule of NCAS meetings for 2000-2001, to be held at the Bethesda Public Library.

A Weekend at the Washington MUFON Symposium (Part 2)

Scott Snell reports on the Saturday evening session of the 1999 Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) Symposium, which featured Budd Hopkins. Hopkins, a painter and sculptor, discussed a 1961 UFO abduction case involving Sean McIntyre. Hopkins believes many abductees are unaware of their experiences and often report "missing time." He uses hypnosis to elicit details, which can transform seemingly mild cases into spectacular ones, sometimes involving alien examinations, sperm extraction, and the creation of "alien/human hybrids." Critics express concern about Hopkins' use of hypnosis, alleging leading questions and the unreliability of testimony given under hypnosis. Hopkins claims to guard against suggestions and notes that not all abductees require hypnosis. He recounted the McIntyre case, which he initially found too strange to include in his first book, "Missing Time." The presentation was hampered by singing from a neighboring room, but Hopkins used the situation for witty remarks. The McIntyre story details a car levitating and moving upwards after the engine died, with the driver encountering a man who directed him down a two-rut path. McIntyre awoke in a motel room with no odometer change over approximately 100 miles. He initially suspected the Army but later dismissed it. Under hypnosis, McIntyre described being on a table with small gray creatures with "parking meter" heads, feeling helpless, and experiencing arousal. Later sessions revealed more details about the examiners. Hopkins found the induced ejaculation detail significant, as it mirrored reports from other abductees and helped counter skepticism based on the Betty and Barney Hill case. The author questions Hopkins' critical thinking, citing his interpretation of screen memories and his belief in the Travis Walton case despite evidence suggesting it was a hoax. Hopkins argues that skeptics are too rigid and that the willingness to believe in UFOlogy has grown over time. He also contrasts the unbelievability of abduction experiences with the Holocaust, suggesting both are difficult to accept.

MUFON2 continued from previous page

Budd Hopkins, discussing the McIntyre case, noted that the initial story was told to his wife months after the alleged event. Hopkins regretted not digging deeper into the case. He also discussed his founding of the Intruders Foundation (IF) to support abductees. Hopkins' approach to questioning abductees under hypnosis is described as trying to avoid leading questions by phrasing them against his own expectations, such as asking about alien hair color. The author questions the validity of Hopkins' quote, "An extraordinary phenomenon requires an extraordinary investigation," suggesting it implies the phenomenon exists before it is proven. The article notes that the IF sells T-shirts with this saying.

Media Notes

Stephanie A. Hall's article "Folklore and the Rise of Moderation among Organized Skeptics" is available online in the e-journal New Directions in Folklore Impromptu Journal Issue 4. Sheila Gibson, chairchick of the New England Skeptics Society (NESS), has a regular column called “For Entertainment Purposes Only” in Michael Shermer's Skeptic magazine.

Alternative Engineering: A Postmodern Parable

Steven Novella, M.D., writes about the rise of "Alternative Engineering" (Alt Eng), a movement that appeals to those disenchanted with modern technology. Alec Waterstone, a self-styled alternative engineer without formal training, claims his lack of conventional knowledge allows for unique solutions. His project for a 1,200-foot non-suspension bridge, supported by Feng Shui principles, is presented as an example. City planners are intrigued by the lower cost compared to conventionally designed bridges. Professor Anthony Trellis of State-of-the Art University criticizes Waterstone's designs as contrary to physics and unsafe. Waterstone dismisses such criticism as protectionism from the "old guard" and argues that motorists should be free to decide for themselves if they want to use his bridges, rejecting the idea of regulations as overly paternalistic.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking and scientific investigation, particularly in areas involving extraordinary claims and pseudoscience. The magazine features articles that scrutinize paranormal phenomena, UFO reports, and alternative belief systems, often contrasting them with scientific evidence and skeptical analysis. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and the application of scientific methodology to evaluate claims, as seen in the critiques of Kari Coleman's psychic performance, Budd Hopkins' UFO abduction research, and the concept of "Alternative Engineering."

This issue of Skeptical Eye, Volume 12, Number 2, dated 2000, features articles on "Intuitive Cars," "American Lunacies," and "Sixteenth & Seventeenth Century Parodies of Astrologers."

Intuitive Cars

The article "Intuitive Cars" introduces Andy Wily, president and CEO of Natural Designs, a Kansas-based car company. Wily, who holds a degree in engineering, advocates for "Integrative Engineering," a philosophy that blends modern scientific engineering with older, less scientific ideas. Natural Designs' new model, the Millennium 2000, eschews traditional safety features like airbags and seatbelts, instead utilizing a patented psychoactive material called "Natural Safe." Wily claims this material will gently repel occupants thinking safe thoughts, preventing injury in a crash. He dismisses concerns about safety, attributing any negative outcomes to passengers not thinking "safely" enough, and highlights the car's limited speed. Wily also criticizes conventional automakers, suggesting their vehicles pose a greater risk. Skeptics, like Perry DeAngelis, question the safety of these vehicles and call for simple crash tests, but Wily argues that crash dummies cannot adequately test the psychoactive material. Despite skepticism, GM and Ford have reportedly begun using Natural Safe coatings. The article mentions Amy Zinger, who survived a collision and attributed her safety to Natural Safe. Senator Hackem from Iowa has reportedly pushed legislation to exempt manufacturers using alternative or integrative principles from consumer protection regulations.

Political Achievement

This section details the growing acceptance of "Alternative Engineering." Andy Wily has been named chairman of a new Integrative Engineering Department at Zones University. Senator Hackem has also spearheaded a bill to create a Center for Alternative Engineering, which will redirect funds from infrastructure maintenance to study and promote alternative engineering principles. Furthermore, the Canadian College of Rainbow-Coloured Integrative Engineering is in negotiations to affiliate with Dork University, a move that has faced opposition from Dork's math and science faculty. The article notes a $25 million donation from the Integrative Engineers to Dork University, which the university president claims did not influence the decision.

American Lunacies

Authored by Paul Jaffe, this article reports on a panel discussion titled "American Lunacies: Exploring the Beyond" at the Sixth Annual Virginia Festival of the Book. The panel, moderated by Avery Chenoweth, included Michael Shermer, Jodi Dean, Alex Heard, and Joel Achenbach. The discussion centered on the increasing prevalence of belief in pseudoscience and paranormal phenomena. Panelists debated whether things are getting worse, with Alex Heard suggesting that millennial activity has garnered attention but such beliefs have always existed. Joel Achenbach noted a shift from "hardware issues" (like UFO sightings) to more personal experiences. Michael Shermer cited an anecdote about crop circles being attributed to aliens and questioned the logic of such beliefs. Jodi Dean highlighted the role of media and technology in spreading these stories and suggested that people's fascination stems from a desire to doubt mainstream reality. Alex Heard commented on the disenfranchisement that might lead people to embrace pseudoscience. The panelists discussed the nature of belief, the difference between faith and proof, and the challenges of objectively examining personal experiences.

Michael Shermer recounted an experience where, while sleep-deprived during a bike race, he felt abducted by aliens, illustrating how unusual accounts can have prosaic explanations. Jodi Dean discussed how abductees often seek certainty and are willing to question everyday reality. Alex Heard noted the difficulty for abductees to objectively examine their experiences, as they often consider their beliefs to be absolute truth. He also defended people's right to hold unconventional beliefs.

The discussion touched upon the tension between scientific orthodoxy and change, with Shermer quoting, "You want to be open-minded enough to accept new ideas, but not so open-minded that your brains fall out."

Sixteenth & Seventeenth Century Parodies of Astrologers

Written by Richard Dengrove, this article examines early English parodies of astrological almanacs, focusing on works from the 16th and 17th centuries. These parodies, such as "Erra Pater," were not necessarily anti-astrology but rather anti-astrologer, often reflecting a degree of class snobbery. The article notes the existence of German parody almanacs from 1480 and mentions Francois Rabelais's "Pantagrueline Prognostication" from 1533. Early English parodies included works by Ffrauncis Fayre Weather, Adam Fouleweather, Adam Evesdropper, and Simon Smel-knave, with 1591 being a notable year for such publications. The article also lists "The Raven's Almanacke" (1608), "The Owles Almanacke" (1618), and "The lacke Dawes Prognostication" (1623). The parodies often satirized societal trends and beliefs, with some aiming at scholars and famous thinkers. The article provides examples of the humorous content, such as Adam Fouleweather's predictions about summer and Smel-knave's advice on farming. The full title of "The Owles Almanacke" is given, highlighting its satirical intent. The article also mentions "Poor Robin" (1664), which became popular and included prognostications about events like pregnancies. As belief in astrology waned, more popular astrologers like William Lilly and John Partridge were lampooned. The article notes that these anti-astrologer parodies later influenced almanacs like Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanack."

The Write Stuff

This section includes "skeptical correspondence" from NCAS members. It highlights the NCAS's focus on promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding. A letter from Paul Jaffe, president of National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS), to Dr. Stephen E. Strauss, Director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), is presented. The letter commends NCCAM's draft Strategic Plan for emphasizing rigorous scientific evaluation of alternative health care practices. NCAS offers suggestions to ensure this focus is maintained consistently and concisely. They request to be kept informed of future developments and public comment opportunities.

NCAS Members Judge Area Science Fairs

This section lists NCAS members who judged various science fairs in March and April 2000. Walter F. Rowe judged the Fairfax Area Science Fair and the PG County Science Fair. Mike Epstein and Walter Rowe judged the Montgomery Area Science Fair. The listed projects cover a range of topics, including "Overnight Fame: Is It Possible to Distort Source Memory," "Native American Medicine: Fact or Fiction," "ESP: Is It Real?," "Self-Fulfilling Psychology," and "Do Magnets Affect the Growth of Plants?"

By the end of the evening, Kari was emotionally drained and feeling guilty.

This is a continuation of a story about Kari, who posed as a tarot-reading psychic for a Penn & Teller show. The article details how Kari, despite making general statements and receiving cues from participants, felt like a fraud. She confessed her deception to her "victims" afterward, explaining that she was not psychic but could discern things through human interaction and empathy. While most participants had a positive experience, Kari felt guilt and like a "monster." She reflects on the trust people place in psychics and the difficulty of lying to them about their hopes and dreams.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, the importance of scientific rigor, and the historical context of skepticism. The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical approach to extraordinary claims, whether they concern futuristic car technology, paranormal beliefs, or historical practices like astrology. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking, contrasting it with unsubstantiated beliefs and the marketing of unproven concepts. The issue highlights the role of organizations like NCAS in advocating for scientific literacy and challenging misinformation. The inclusion of historical parodies of astrology underscores a long-standing tradition of skepticism and satire directed at unfounded claims.