Skeptical Eye - Vol 13 No 1 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: National Capital Area SKEPTICAL EYE
Issue: Vol. 13, No. 1
Date: 2001
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1063-2077
Price: $3.00

This issue of the National Capital Area Skeptical Eye focuses on critical thinking and scientific inquiry, featuring articles on prestidigitation, evolutionary theory, historical legends, and the debunking of pseudoscientific claims.

Jamy Ian Swiss Is the Honest Liar

This article by Helen Hester-Ossa profiles Jamy Ian Swiss, a performer who combines prestidigitation and mentalism with commentary on psychology and skepticism. Swiss performed in Washington, D.C., on April 21, 2001, showcasing his skills with card tricks and his ability to guess the number of cards in a deck. He describes himself as a "professional liar" and questions the reliability of modern lie detectors, likening them to historical methods like the dunking stool. He also states his conclusion that psychics do not exist.

Sensitivity Survey

An article by Michael Jawer outlines a survey designed to identify common factors among people who report heightened sensitivity to their environment, including exposure to chemicals, biological contaminants, or electromagnetic fields. Jawer hypothesizes that these individuals may be more likely to report 'psychic' experiences and invites NCAS members, particularly women, to participate in the confidential survey.

Prez Sez

Paul Jaffe, President of the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS), reviews the organization's accomplishments from the previous year, including expanding their online library, supporting science fairs, and serving as a media resource. He outlines NCAS's plans for 2001, which include continuing monthly programs, increasing the availability of videos, and making past issues of the Skeptical Eye available online. Jaffe also appeals for tax-deductible donations and volunteers.

Festschrift for Stephen Jay Gould

Written by Marvin V. Zelkowitz, this article reports on the Skeptics Society's annual meeting on October 7, 2000, which honored Stephen Jay Gould, a prominent paleontologist and evolution expert. The meeting featured talks on Gould's accomplishments and the importance of skepticism. Key themes discussed included Gould's "Theory of Punctuated Equilibrium," the role of contingency in evolution, and Darwin's concept of an evolutionary "bush" rather than a ladder. Speakers included Daniel Goldin (NASA Administrator), Arthur C. Clarke, Steve Allen, Donald Prothero, Michael Shermer, Louis Friedman, Bill Nye, and Richard Milner. Stephen Jay Gould delivered the keynote address.

The Skeptic's Faust

Richard Dengrove explores the historical origins and legends surrounding Faust. He traces the figure from early mentions in the 16th century, identifying Johannes Tritheim's description of George Sabellicus as a con man, astrologer, and alchemist. Dengrove discusses various tales of Faust's supposed exploits, including his interactions with supernatural servants and his appearance at the University of Erfurt. The article notes that while Faust was often denounced, some were satisfied with his fortunetelling. The legend evolved over time, incorporating elements of the Protestant-Catholic conflict and ultimately overshadowing the historical figure.

Understanding Belief—How We Know What Isn't So

This section summarizes the 2001 NCAS Weekend Workshop held on May 19-20, 2001, in Winchester, Virginia. Approximately 40 people attended to explore why people believe what they do, how science operates, and how false beliefs are perpetuated. The workshop covered logical reasoning and recommended Thomas Gilovich's book "How We Know What Isn't So."

The Amazing Chi Machine

By Fred Kourmadas, D.C., M.S., this article critically examines the "Amazing Chi Machine," an appliance marketed for health benefits. The author recounts an encounter with Audrey, a 78-year-old woman who believed in the machine's efficacy. Kourmadas debunks the claims, explaining that the machine mixes concepts from Chinese acupuncture and "polarity therapy" without scientific basis. He concludes that while a comforting lie might provide emotional benefit, a hard truth is preferable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific literacy, and the debunking of pseudoscience and extraordinary claims. The magazine serves as a resource for information that encourages skepticism and challenges unsubstantiated beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and scientific methodology, as demonstrated by the articles on Jamy Ian Swiss's skepticism, the critique of the "Amazing Chi Machine," and the exploration of historical figures like Faust through a skeptical lens.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 13, No. 1
Date: 2001

This issue of Skeptical Eye delves into the world of anomalous phenomena and skepticism, featuring a report on the FortFest 2000 conference, discussions on pseudoscientific claims, and analyses of media coverage of unusual topics.

FortFest 2000: Conference Report

The main feature is a report by Neil L. Inglis on the 30th Conference on Anomalous Phenomena, FortFest 2000, presented by The International Fortean Organization (INFO). The conference, held at the College Park Holiday Inn, featured keynote speaker Colin Wilson. Inglis describes Forteans as modern-day devotees of inexplicable phenomena, whose interests overlap with skepticism in areas like spiritualism, crop circles, and UFOlogy. He notes that Forteans often delve deeper into cryptozoology and enjoy news about unusual survival stories and "suppressed knowledge."

Inglis recounts specific presentations, including Ralph Rene's controversial claims that the Apollo lunar snapshots were a confidence trick, questioning why astronauts and lunar modules were not incinerated by solar radiation and why astronaut boots did not liquefy on lunar sand. Rene suggested the "lunar horizon" was a painted backdrop. Inglis notes the lack of immediate rebuttals from the audience, though he himself posed questions about the USSR's silence on the matter.

From a skeptical perspective, Inglis outlines several disquieting characteristics of Fortean speakers and authors: a tendency to ignore mundane explanations, a casual attitude toward evidence, an addiction to seeking patterns, a propensity to confuse cause-and-effect and coincidence, and an urge to present arcane knowledge.

Colin Wilson's presentation postulated the existence of an ancient race of mathematicians whose knowledge of astronomy and architecture would humble modern pretensions. He linked them to Neanderthals and modern savants, arguments that involved numerology. Inglis also touches on the historical tendency to overlook pre-Christian achievements and the need for critical thinkers to reappraise assumptions in light of new evidence.

The conference atmosphere is described as not always peaceful, with a speaker discussing crop circles, some of which were attributed to alien spacecraft. Inglis politely questioned if they might have originated from a more mundane source.

Skeptical Correspondence

You Catch More Flies With Honey...

Neil Langdon Inglis discusses the challenges faced by translation professionals when dealing with ill-informed, "gee-whiz" articles, drawing parallels to skepticism and psi. He notes that purveyors of nonsense are often more quotable, while purveyors of sense can seem boring. Inglis suggests offering oneself as a professional source for journalists and highlights that even prestigious publications can print nonsense.

Dangerous Claims

James C. Giglio writes to J. Joseph Curran, Jr. of the Maryland Attorney General's office, flagging a dangerous medical claim in Alternatives magazine. The magazine falsely states that juvenile-onset diabetes can be cured by a herbal treatment, a lie Giglio deems particularly dangerous as this form of diabetes is fatal without insulin therapy. He urges action against the parties responsible.

Question Posed to the Post's On-line Astrologer...and her Answer

Gary Goldberg questions why astrologers, including "Charlene Lichtenstein," have not taken up James Randi's $1 million challenge for proof of astrology's predictive power. Lichtenstein replies that astrology is not for predicting the future but for personal growth and enlightenment. She dismisses Randi's challenge as a ploy by those with ingrained prejudices seeking attention, comparing it to a Holocaust denier's reward offer.

Media Notes

This section highlights various activities and publications within the skeptical community. Stephanie A. Hall's article "Folklore and the Rise of Moderation among Organized Skeptics" is available online. Sheila Gibson has a regular column in Michael Shermer's Skeptic magazine. NCAS Founding Father Chip Denman gave a science/pseudoscience talk at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences. A report on Joseph Newman's "Energy Machine" is available on the NCAS web page, detailing Bureau of Standards tests that found the device consumes more energy than it produces.

One Cosmos, Two Very Different People

Eric Choi writes about the OneCosmos Network, a multimedia joint venture between Ann Druyan (of Carl Sagan Productions) and Joe Firmage, a millionaire convinced of extraterrestrial visitation and reverse-engineering of alien technology from the Roswell UFO crash. Choi expresses concern that the venture, despite Ann Druyan's involvement and her commitment to Carl Sagan's legacy, might unintentionally lend credibility to Firmage's fringe theories and pseudoscience fields like ufology.

The Man Behind the Curtain

ZoAnn Lapinsky reviews John Edward's TV show "Crossing Over with John Edward." Edward claims to be a conduit for the deceased, using typical cold reading techniques. Lapinsky, a skeptic, analyzes his methods, noting how audience members are led to believe in his abilities due to their desire to connect with loved ones. She describes cold reading as making broad, interpretable statements that the recipient imbues with personal meaning.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently champions critical thinking and skepticism in the face of anomalous claims and pseudoscientific assertions. It highlights the importance of rigorous research, the dangers of misinformation (particularly in medical claims), and the need to distinguish between genuine scientific inquiry and speculative or unfounded theories. The editorial stance is clearly pro-skepticism, analyzing phenomena like Forteanism, UFOlogy, and psychic claims through a critical lens, while acknowledging the human desire for belief and the entertainment value of the unusual.

Title: Skeptical Eye
Issue: Vol. 13, No. 1
Date: 2001
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics

This issue of Skeptical Eye delves into the nature of deception, belief, and skepticism, featuring critical analyses of psychic phenomena, magic, and the events of September 11, 2001.

Man Behind the Curtain: The Psychic's Methods

The primary focus of this section is an examination of psychic mediums, particularly John Edward, and the techniques they employ. The author argues that Edward's abilities are not miraculous but rather the result of "cold reading," an old technique used by mindreaders and spiritualists. Cold reading involves making vague, suggestive statements that can be interpreted in multiple ways, allowing the subject to provide the meaning. The psychic then uses the subject's responses to reinforce the impression of accuracy. Examples are provided of how psychics use "fishing expeditions" and educated guesses based on human nature to elicit information and create the illusion of contact with the deceased.

The article questions the logic behind psychic claims, such as how deceased individuals retain memories without brains and how spirits communicate. It highlights how seemingly specific details provided by psychics can be generic enough to apply to many people, and how the process of establishing a connection often relies on the subject's own input and suppressed memories.

The Honest Liar: Deception in Magic and Con Artistry

This section introduces Jamy Ian Swiss, described as a "master of deception" and a co-founder of the National Capital Area Skeptics. Swiss presents a show called "The Honest Liar," which explores various forms of deception, including cheating, con men, lying, and psychic illusions. The article quotes Karl Germain, who states, "The conjuror is the most honest of all professionals. First he promises to deceive you, and then he does so." Swiss's fascination with deception stems from an obsession with the truth. He explains his approach to magic as "honest lying," where the intent to deceive is upfront. He views magic as a way to tap into the "domain of childhood" and create a fantasy world, but ultimately states, "The fantasy world I create as a magician is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there."

Notes from New York: The Day

This personal account by Jamy Ian Swiss details his experiences on September 11, 2001. He describes his day starting with a routine walk to work, noticing smoke, and then being awakened by a friend with news of the attacks. He recounts watching the towers fall on live camera, the overwhelming sense of disbelief, and the subsequent community response, including donating blood and seeking solace in Central Park. The narrative touches upon the disruption of communication, the influx of calls from fellow magicians, and the need for journalism to make sense of the senseless. The piece concludes with the lingering sensory impressions of the day, such as imagined sirens.

The Mind of a True Believer

Written by Barry Blyveis, this article explores the author's difficulty in comprehending the mindset of "True Believers." Blyveis recounts an experience on a Jewish Reconstructionist listserve where he encountered individuals promoting New-Age beliefs, homeopathic remedies, and naturalpathy. He expresses concern that such practices might dissuade people from seeking conventional medical treatment for serious illnesses. Blyveis explains the principles of homeopathy, highlighting the extreme dilution of substances. His attempts to engage in rational discussion were met with accusations of "SCIENTISM" and "rudeness." He was eventually kicked off the listserve for his critical stance and for suggesting the list's name be changed from "Recon-J" to "Occult-J." Blyveis concludes that influencing True Believers is an "almost hopeless endeavor."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently champions skepticism and critical thinking, challenging claims of the supernatural and paranormal. The articles dissect the methods used to create illusions of psychic ability and highlight the importance of rational inquiry. The magazine also addresses the impact of significant real-world events, such as 9/11, through a personal and reflective lens. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a cautious approach to unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the human need for comfort and understanding in the face of tragedy and the complexities of belief systems.