1993-2-skeptikko

Magazine Overview

Skeptikko, issue 2/93, dated July 13, 1993, is a Finnish magazine published by Skepsis ry. The issue delves into various interpretations of Nostradamus's prophecies and critically examines claims in parapsychology and other fields.

Nostradamus Interpretations

The article "Nostradamuksen tulkit" (Interpreters of Nostradamus) by Karlo Kauko explores how various individuals have interpreted Nostradamus's "Centuries." It begins by mentioning the Danish expert Billenstein, whose interpretations, as cited by Pekka Ervast in his 1923 lectures compiled in "Nostradamus ja Cagliostro," predicted France's defeat in a major war, the destruction of Paris, and the rise of an Antichrist figure. Ervast himself believed this figure would emerge in the early 21st century. The article notes that Billenstein was among the few interpreters not overtly antisemitic, a trait that seemed to fade from Nostradamus interpretations over time, despite Nostradamus's own partial Jewish heritage.

Swedish interpreter Georg Ljungström's work, published around World War I, also shows Billenstein's influence. Ljungström predicted the end of the first World War in 1942, France becoming a monarchy in 1944, and the decline of Britain's superpower status due to conflicts in the Mediterranean. He also foresaw Russia remaining weak and divided through the 21st century and the Catholic Church's influence expanding into Protestant European countries and Russia.

A.L. Hintikka, in his 1928 book "Ikuisen kaupungin vaikutelmien vallassa," also discussed Nostradamus, aligning with Ljungström's prediction of colonial empires collapsing between 1925-1945 and the Catholic Church's growing political and religious power. Hintikka also predicted the eventual downfall of Bolshevism.

Lee McCann's detailed biography of Nostradamus, "Nostradamus, the Man who Saw Through Time," is also discussed. McCann predicted France's liberation in 1944 and the Axis powers' defeat. He also foresaw a key figure emerging from the House of Bourbon, King Henry V, leading France's liberation and capturing Mussolini. McCann also predicted a new religious cult emerging from a saint's tomb and a conflict involving Islamic nations and Europe starting around 1982.

Jean Jovaliste, in his book "Nostradamus, aikamme profeetta" (Nostradamus, Prophet of Our Time), focused heavily on future predictions. He correctly predicted the end of the Soviet Union's rule in March 1991, though he was off by a few months and underestimated the extent of its fragmentation. He also predicted the Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, many of Jovaliste's other predictions, such as a third World War starting in Asia in the early 1980s, escalating conflicts between the USSR and China, an Arab superpower attacking Spain, and a communist superpower emerging in the Balkans and Ukraine, did not materialize as described.

Eino Kaila, in "Nostradamus, 1943," is quoted as criticizing the sensationalist nature of many Nostradamus interpretations, calling them "fake gold" that caters to a desire for substitutes rather than genuine understanding.

Parapsychology and Skepticism

The article "Onko aistien ulkopuolinen kommunikointi vihdoinkin todistettu?" (Has Extraneous Communication Finally Been Proven?) discusses the ongoing debate in parapsychology. It highlights Charles Honorton's Ganzfeld experiments as potentially the most convincing evidence for telepathy, aiming to eliminate normal sensory stimuli. The article mentions the collaboration between Honorton and skeptic Ray Hyman to refine experimental designs. While these experiments suggest something might be happening, the need for extraordinary evidence for extraordinary claims is emphasized. The article also notes the influence of Professor Robert Morris from Edinburgh University.

Tragically, Charles Honorton died in the fall of 1992 at the age of 46. The issue includes a tribute to him by his friend, Susan Blackmore.

The editorial section explains the frequent changes in the editor-in-chief position due to practical reasons, as the role is often held by individuals with other full-time jobs. Hannu Karttunen, the current editor-in-chief, has returned from a two-year assignment in the Canary Islands.

S. Albert Kivinen: "Even the Non-Existent Can Be Studied"

Docent S. Albert Kivinen, a philosopher and researcher in parapsychology, is featured in an article discussing his views. He admits to believing in "perhaps somewhat in premonitions and crisis apparitions." Kivinen, who has a background in studying C.D. Broad's abstract objects, discusses the Ylöjärvi poltergeist case. He maintains a scientific stance, posing the question of whether evidence can be obtained for paranormal phenomena if they exist. Kivinen believes that while science aims to explain the world, it should also be open to philosophical questions about reality, such as the existence of objective values.

Kivinen is a member of the SPR (British Society for Psychical Research) and notes that many British philosophers were involved in its founding. He suggests that philosophers might be more open to accepting unusual claims due to considering various possibilities, but acknowledges that the lack of a clear, understandable explanation for such phenomena remains a contradiction.

He also discusses the challenges of studying alleged paranormal phenomena, noting that even if millions of experiments were conducted, someone could always argue that a different experimental setup might yield proof. Kivinen is critical of the Finnish parapsychology research association, suggesting they should remove "research" from their name as they lack actual investigative methods, preferring to share anecdotes.

Kivinen advocates for Skepsis to focus its efforts on educating young people, arguing that trying to convince those already set in their beliefs is often futile. He believes that educating youth about how seemingly paranormal phenomena can often be explained naturally would make them more critical thinkers.

Other Articles and Sections

"Grafologiaa ja UFOja" (Graphology and UFOs) is a section that includes a discussion on whether handwriting reveals personality. "Käsiala kertoo millainen olet, vai kertooko?" (Does Handwriting Tell Who You Are, or Does It?) is by Marketta Ollikainen.

There is a mention of a UFO panel in Oulu's Tietomaa, reported by Lauri Gröhn.

"NYT ENNUSTAMAAN!" (Let's Predict Now!) offers advice on how skeptics can make accurate predictions, written by Rauni Kaskinen.

Other sections include "Tulevia Tapahtumia" (Upcoming Events), "Keskustelua" (Discussion), and "Kirjat" (Books).

An "Oikaisu" (Correction) section addresses inaccuracies in a previous article about Tutankhamun's tomb, clarifying the number of visitors and details about grave robbers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and critical approach to claims of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and unverified phenomena. It emphasizes the importance of scientific methodology, evidence-based reasoning, and logical explanation. While acknowledging the existence of phenomena that are currently unexplained, the magazine's stance is to seek naturalistic explanations and to challenge extraordinary claims that lack robust proof. There is a strong emphasis on educating the public, particularly younger generations, to foster critical thinking and to distinguish between genuine knowledge and sensationalism or misinformation. The magazine also features discussions on historical figures and their interpretations of prophecies, contrasting them with modern scientific understanding.

This issue of Skeptikko, dated 2/93, features a prominent article on "Charles Honortonin perintö" (Charles Honorton's Legacy) by Susan Blackmore. The magazine also includes articles on the regulation of natural remedies and alternative medicine in Finland, and a piece about Nils Mustelin's new role within Skepsis ry.

Charles Honorton's Legacy

Susan Blackmore, a senior lecturer in psychology, writes about the passing of Charles Honorton, a leading figure in parapsychology, who died of a heart attack at the age of 46 in Edinburgh. Blackmore reflects on their personal disagreements and shared passion for understanding paranormal phenomena. She emphasizes the significance of Honorton's work, particularly his 1990 publication of results from eleven meticulously designed ganzfeld experiments, which showed statistically significant findings that could not be easily dismissed.

The Ganzfeld Experiments

The article explains the ganzfeld technique, developed by Honorton and Harper in 1974. It involves a subject relaxing in a chair with eyes covered by ping-pong ball halves and ears filled with white noise. The aim was to reduce sensory input to enhance the possibility of psi reception. The initial results were encouraging, leading other parapsychologists to replicate the experiments.

The Hyman-Honorton Debate

A major turning point in parapsychology was the "Ganzfeld debate" in 1982. Skeptic Ray Hyman critically reviewed 40 ganzfeld experiments, concluding that the reported success rate of 55% was an overestimation and that methodological flaws correlated with the observed psi effect. Honorton, in response (1985), used statistical methods to eliminate Hyman's concerns and conducted his own meta-analysis, finding no correlation between flaws and results. Their joint communique in 1986 was crucial for bringing skeptics and parapsychologists together for discussion, aiming for a common understanding of experimental design.

Astonishing Results

Following the debate, Honorton and his team at Princeton University refined the ganzfeld procedure. In 1990, they published results from 11 experiments involving 241 subjects and 355 sessions. These automated ganzfeld experiments yielded highly significant results, which Blackmore found difficult to attribute to chance, suggesting that if the results were not due to psi, the cause was not obvious. These studies stood out from previous, often flawed, research.

New Scientist Coverage

A May 15, 1993, article in New Scientist highlighted Honorton's ganzfeld research. It described his original setup and the results, noting that still-image targets yielded results not significantly different from chance (25%), but video clips produced a success rate of up to 40% (77 out of 190 trials), with a probability of about two in a million. Skeptics like Ray Hyman acknowledged that Honorton had addressed many of his objections but maintained his belief in methodological flaws. Susan Blackmore, while not betting on psi, criticized other skeptics for their dismissive attitude towards Honorton's work, stating that a real challenge had been presented.

Replication Efforts

New Scientist reported that researchers were attempting to replicate Honorton's experiments in Edinburgh, Cornell University, and institutions in North Carolina and Utrecht. Results were not expected until the end of that year.

Natural Remedies and Regulation

This section, authored by Maija Airaksinen and Veijo Saano, discusses the proposed changes to Finland's Medicines Act to align with EU directives. The current law distinguishes between "medicinal products" and "medicinal-like products." The latter, which includes many homeopathic and anthroposophic preparations, do not require proof of efficacy or safety and are sold with a disclaimer stating that their efficacy has not been proven to the standard of medicines.

Proposed Changes

The proposed changes would eliminate the "medicinal-like product" category and introduce terms like "herbal remedy" and "homeopathic/anthroposophic preparation." While these would be treated similarly to actual medicines, the requirements for proof of efficacy and safety would not significantly change from the current standard for medicinal-like products. Long-term experience would suffice instead of extensive clinical trials, and the article expresses concern that this might not be sufficient to detect slow-developing side effects like cancer.

Concerns about Marketing and Regulation

The authors are critical of the marketing of natural remedies, which they claim often misuses scientific-sounding language to create a sense of urgency or guilt in consumers. They note that the current regulatory oversight is insufficient, with the National Agency for Medicines (Lääkelaitos) primarily monitoring about a thousand medicinal-like products, while the larger category of special preparations (around 2000) falls under food law and has much looser advertising controls. The proposed changes are not expected to improve this situation. The article argues for stricter regulations on the marketing of natural remedies, similar to those for pharmaceuticals, and for clearer responsibility for oversight.

The Role of Consumers and Healthcare Professionals

The article suggests that consumers need better education to critically evaluate health claims. It also calls for healthcare professionals to encourage patients to discuss all treatments they are using, enabling a more informed approach to healthcare. The authors express concern that the proposed changes could lead to a situation where drugs with questionable efficacy enter the market, reminiscent of the pre-thalidomide era.

Nils Mustelin Shifts Role at Skepsis ry

Nils Mustelin, a founding member and long-time chairman of Skepsis ry (the Finnish Skeptics Society), has stepped down from the chairmanship. He remains an active member and will focus on writing and lecturing. Mustelin plans to produce a four-part television series titled "The Universe and Life," aiming to provide factual information about space and life in contrast to sensationalized UFO claims. This series is inspired by his earlier book, "Life in the Universe?"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine Skeptikko consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based stance. The articles on Charles Honorton's work highlight the importance of rigorous scientific methodology and the ongoing debate between proponents and skeptics in parapsychology. The extensive coverage of natural remedies and their regulation underscores a concern for consumer protection, scientific validity, and the potential for misleading marketing within the alternative health industry. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based claims and critical evaluation of phenomena, whether paranormal or health-related.

Title: Skeptikko
Issue: 2/93
Date: 1993
Publisher: Skeptikko
Country: Finland
Language: Finnish

This issue of Skeptikko magazine delves into various topics related to pseudoscience, skepticism, and critical thinking, featuring articles on graphology, UFO phenomena, and the debunking of hoaxes.

Articles

"PSYCHIC" TESTED ON ITALIAN TELEVISION (Massimo Polidoro)

Massimo Polidoro, an Italian magician and researcher for CICAP, recounts his experience being tested as a psychic on the Italian television show "L'Istuttoria." He performed several tricks, such as bending spoons and guessing drawings, to convince the audience of his psychic abilities. Following his demonstration, he instructed viewers to place their watches and cutlery near their televisions, claiming that his psychic energy would affect them. The show received numerous calls reporting spontaneous events like watches starting to tick, spoons bending, and other unusual occurrences. Polidoro reveals that this was a demonstration of the powerful psychological influence of suggestion, proving that people can be convinced of paranormal events if presented in a credible context. He later exposed his trick to the audience.

GRAPHOLOGY AND UFOS - SKEPSIS ASKS "EXPERTS" ANSWER

This section covers two events organized by Skepsis. The first is a graphology evening in Helsinki where Tero Asp, chairman of the Finnish Graphology Association, was invited to speak. The audience questioned Asp about the scientific validity of graphology. Asp admitted that he had never questioned graphology in his 30-year career and that dedicated graphologists consider it a true science. He stated that graphology is based on intuition and statistical calculations from the 1920s and 1930s, and he believed his knowledge was sufficient without further scientific testing. When asked why graphologists avoid psychological tests, Asp explained that their time is consumed by analyzing handwriting requests. Lauri Gröhn, chairman of Skepsis, pressed Asp for scientific evidence of graphology's effectiveness. Asp argued that if it weren't functional, it wouldn't have survived for 3000 years and gained followers. He also mentioned that he performs graphology analyses for about 30 companies, taking two to four hours per analysis. Asp claimed that a skilled graphologist can reveal personality traits, including sexual orientation, intelligence, and depression, based on handwriting. He provided an example of a harsh analysis of a 27-year-old man's handwriting, describing him as emotionally unstable, egoistic, and prone to unrealistic fantasies. Asp then analyzed five handwriting samples, correctly identifying only one person's profession. The audience remained unconvinced of graphology's scientific credibility.

The second event was a UFO panel in Oulu, attended by Lauri Gröhn as a representative of Skepsis. The panel was held at the Science Centre Tietomaa, which was also hosting a UFO exhibition. The exhibition's content was described as amateurish, and the accompanying UFO library lacked critical material. The director of Tietomaa announced plans to include paranormal phenomena, horoscopes, and distance healing in future exhibitions. The panel included physicist Stanton Friedman, who claimed that alien visitations are being covered up, and Russian cosmonaut Pavel Popovits, who suggested Gröhn take a space trip to believe in UFOs. Vladimir Azaza, head of the Russian UFO Research Center, discussed a device for locating UFO landing sites. Gröhn presented the piezoelectric effect and psychological factors like dreams and hallucinations as possible explanations for UFO sightings and abductions. Associate Professor of Psychology Timo Järvilehto considered belief in psychological and paranormal phenomena to be equal. Gröhn noted a difference in this approach. Järvilehto also stated that hallucinations do not originate within the human mind. Azaza claimed that UFO-related cattle mutilations are alien sample collections. Friedman suggested that UFOs communicate through "paranormal channels." The discussion touched upon the lack of a scientific protocol for UFO research in Russia, with Azaza stating that the only requirement is that the observer is not mentally ill. The panel also discussed the idea of a registry for fake UFO photographs, with Friedman stating that they have methods to detect fakes. The article mentions a Russian electric field measuring device allegedly used to detect "supernatural targets." The panel's discussions were criticized for focusing on minor details rather than substantive issues. The article concludes by questioning the morality of promoting the idea that people are abducted by aliens and the role of UFO enthusiasts as self-proclaimed psychotherapists. The local newspaper coverage of the panel was mixed, with one article being described as "nonsense."

THE CLUB OF LIARS

This article recounts a historical hoax from 1897 involving a farmer named Alexander Hamilton, who claimed to have witnessed a flying machine abduct a calf. The story was later revealed to be fabricated by Hamilton and his friend, journalist Ed F. Hudson, as part of a "liars' club" competition. The hoax gained traction and was published in various UFO literature, including Jacques Vallee's book "Anatomy of a Phenomenon." The article suggests that this calf-napping story was likely the club's most elaborate lie, having survived for nearly a century and even appearing in the UFO panel at Tietomaa.

LET'S MAKE A PREDICTION!

This section offers a satirical guide on how to make "accurate" predictions. It presents a grid of four columns with various phrases. The instructions suggest starting in the first column, moving to any box in the second, then any in the third, and finally any in the fourth, before returning to any box in the first column and repeating the process. The phrases in the grid, when combined, form nonsensical or vague predictions, such as "Maintaining good relationships requires a positive attitude towards fellow humans" or "A change you have long awaited will occur in your emotional life."

UPCOMING EVENTS

This section lists upcoming events organized by Skepsis and related organizations. These include a discussion series on "Belief, Science, and Doubt" at the Espoo Workers' Institute, covering topics like the nature of science, pseudoscientific knowledge, consciousness, the soul, and quantum physics. It also announces a summer excursion for Skeptikko readers on August 21, 1993, which includes a visit to the Hvitträsk restaurant, the Metsähovi radio observatory, and a discussion on "The Urantia Book." Information is provided for registration and contact details.

DISCUSSION

This section contains two letters or responses. The first clarifies details about a Kallavesi UFO case previously discussed in Skeptikko. It identifies the authors of an article in Ultra-lehti as Mikko Toivola (a ufologist) and Olavi Kiviniemi (a critical researcher). The second part of this section is a call for contributions to a database of UFO-related writings. The contributor, Kari A. Kuure, requests photocopies of articles or specific details such as title, author, publication, volume, issue number, page numbers, and keywords.

CLEAR-SIGHTEDNESS ON ULTRA'S PAGES!

This piece discusses an article in Ultra-lehti about the murder of Kyllikki Saari. The article featured psychic Ekku Mattila, who claimed to have gained information about the crime through his psychic abilities, 40 years after the event. The journalist, Tapio Äyräväinen, visited the crime scene with Mattila. The article describes Mattila's paranormal insights into the past events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Skeptikko are the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, the promotion of skepticism, and the debunking of paranormal phenomena and hoaxes. The magazine consistently adopts a rational and evidence-based approach, questioning the validity of graphology, UFOlogy, psychic abilities, and other unsubstantiated beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry and critical thinking, aiming to educate readers and expose fraudulent or misguided claims.

Title: Skeptikko
Issue: 2/93
Date: 1993
Publisher: Skepsis ry
Country: Finland
Language: Finnish

This issue of Skeptikko magazine, published by the Finnish skeptical organization Skepsis ry, delves into a variety of topics related to unexplained phenomena, historical mysteries, and critical inquiry. The magazine aims to promote objective scientific investigation and critical thinking, challenging pseudoscientific claims and popular beliefs.

Articles and Reviews

"Totuus jää tuntemattomaksi" (Truth Remains Unknown)

This section, likely an editorial or lead article, discusses the nature of historical mysteries and the challenges in uncovering the truth. It touches upon a specific instance involving a journalist, Äyräväinen, and a psychic's alleged foreknowledge of an event, questioning the validity of such claims and suggesting that the journalist might be a clairvoyant.

Review of "Tuntematon totuus" (Unknown Truth)

This review critically examines the book "Tuntematon totuus" (Unknown Truth), published by Valitut Palat. The reviewer notes that while the book is presented as shedding new light on historical mysteries, it often rehashes old tales with superficial information. The book, an adaptation of "Great Mysteries of the Past," is criticized for its lack of detailed authorship and its tendency to present unverified information. Specific chapters on Nostradamus and other enigmatic figures are highlighted as being particularly shallow, with the Nostradamus section offering little evidence to support the 'prophet or fraud' debate.

Nostradamus and His Interpreters by Karlo Kauko

This article explores the prophecies of Michel de Nostradamus. It suggests that while many books have been written about his predictions, interpreters have often struggled to align his verses with historical events accurately. The article implies that Nostradamus's prophecies have only occasionally been correct, particularly when they lacked specific details, and that many interpretations are forced.

S. Albert Kivinen: Even the Non-Existent Phenomena Can Be Studied by Marketta Ollikainen

This piece features an interview with S. Albert Kivinen, chairman of Skepsis's scientific advisory board and a philosophy lecturer. Kivinen discusses the study of paranormal phenomena, emphasizing that even if evidence is lacking, the claims themselves can be studied. He also points out the paradox that skeptics are often expected to disprove claims made by believers, rather than the other way around.

Charles Honorton's Legacy to Parapsychology by Susan Blackmore

This article, reprinted from "Skeptical Inquirer," reflects on the work of Charles Honorton, a prominent parapsychology researcher who passed away in November 1992. The article acknowledges the scientific level Honorton brought to parapsychology through his ganzfeld tests and notes the impact of his death on the field.

Medicines and Homeopathical Products: A Bad Mixup

This article by Maija Airaksine and Veijo Saano discusses the potential implications of a new Finnish medical law that would officially recognize homeopathic and other alternative products as medicines. The authors express concern that these products may not be subjected to the same rigorous safety and efficacy testing as conventional medicines, and that the industry might exploit loopholes to advertise them as equivalent to scientifically tested treatments.

Heikkoa kritiikkiä jälleensyntymisopista (Weak Criticism of Reincarnation Doctrine) by Kalevi Kuitunen

This review critically analyzes Mark C. Albrecht's book "Jälleensyntyminen vai ruumiin ylösnousemus?" (Reincarnation or Bodily Resurrection?). Kuitunen notes that Albrecht's book is one of the few Finnish-language critiques of reincarnation. He argues that Albrecht's primary objection to reincarnation is its absence from the Bible, rather than a refutation of the evidence presented by proponents. The review also points out the book's superficial treatment of natural explanations for alleged past-life memories and its reliance on a fundamentalist theological perspective.

Skepticism and the Paranormal

The magazine also includes sections detailing the organization Skepsis, its mission, and its board members. Skepsis aims to promote scientific investigation into paranormal claims and maintains a network of interested individuals and researchers. The publication of Skeptikko magazine is part of its educational and informational activities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Skeptikko revolve around critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and the rigorous examination of claims related to the paranormal, historical mysteries, and alternative medicine. The editorial stance is clearly one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a strong advocacy for evidence-based reasoning and scientific methodology. The magazine encourages readers to question popular beliefs and to seek verifiable evidence when evaluating extraordinary claims.