South Shore Skeptic - Vol 13 No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: The South Shore Skeptic
Issue Date: July/August, 1997
Volume: 13, No. 6

This issue of The South Shore Skeptic, a newsletter from a non-profit organization dedicated to science education and the investigation of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, covers a range of topics relevant to skeptics. The organization aims to provide scientific perspectives on pseudoscientific topics and is located in Northeast Ohio.

Upcoming Meeting: Web Surfing for Skeptics and True Believers

A meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 19, 1997, at 7:30 PM in Room 18 of The Life Sciences Building at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. Liam Cohen-Kiraly, a Cleveland graphic designer and web surfer, will present interesting Internet Web Sites, exploring both skeptical and believer perspectives. The meeting will also feature Bill demonstrating web surfing live.

Article: Sound and Other Waves

By John D. McGervey, Ph.D., Professor of Physics at CWRU.

This article explores the phenomenon of 'dead spots' in sound, which occur when sound waves from different directions cancel each other out due to their pitch and frequency. This interference effect is compared to similar dead spots found in microwave ovens, where food might not heat evenly. The author discusses a puzzling question about live ants surviving in a microwave oven, suggesting they might seek out these cooler 'dead spots' to escape the heat. The article uses the analogy of a rope with waves to illustrate interference.

Article: Sonic Booms and Air Travel

By John D. McGervey, Ph.D.

This section addresses common questions about sonic booms, clarifying that they are not caused by breaking a 'sound barrier' but by the piling up of sound waves into a shock wave. The pilot does not hear the boom because the plane outpaces the sound. The article explains that both the front and tail of an aircraft create separate booms, which are usually heard as one. It also touches on how cracking whips and bullets create loud reports by generating miniature sonic booms.

The article then delves into the 'Fear of Runways,' comparing the risks of air travel versus car travel. While driving is statistically much riskier per mile, the per-minute risk during the critical phases of flight (takeoffs and landings) is significantly higher than driving, though these periods are brief. The author notes that despite the statistics, many people experience irrational phobias about flying.

Future Meetings and Other Information

South Shore Skeptics meetings will be held every third Friday of alternate months, starting with September. Steve Hilliard is in charge of the November meeting, and Page Stephens for the January meeting. The organization is planning for future events and looking into incorporating as a non-profit. They have also agreed to develop an online presence, with Bill Cohen-Kiraly and Jim Kutz leading this effort. Elaine Hilliard is coordinating the incorporation process.

The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) will hold a coordinator's meeting for groups in the eastern US and Canada. Steve Hilliard will represent The South Shore Skeptics.

Workshop: JREF to Hold a Conference

The James Randi Educational Fund (JREF) is presenting a workshop titled "SOLVED MYSTERIES: a Workshop for Examining Paranormal Claims" from October 31-November 2 at the Wyndham Hotel in Dania, Florida. Hosted by James Randi, the workshop aims to teach participants how to conduct proper examinations of psychic claims. It will cover five main aspects: evaluating claims, investigating evidence, testing evidence, controlling performances, and demonstrating methods of deception. Dr. Suzanne Hadley will provide guidance on applying statistics to assess data. The workshop will examine topics like 'Psychic' James Hydrick and psychokinesis, and a Russian performer who causes objects to move. Registration prices vary for JREF members and the general public, with early bird discounts available.

Article: The Best Documented UFO Case of All Time

Review by Bill Bazik of a talk by Dr. Joe Bauer.

Dr. Joe Bauer's talk, given at Baldwin-Wallace College, reviewed the "Alien Abduction Syndrome" and "The Alien Autopsy," critiquing the purported medical expertise involved. He noted that 1997 marks the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident. Dr. Bauer suggested that skeptics should focus on rational inquiry, as the term 'skeptic' can be perceived as having a closed mind. He observed that many claimed occult and psychic events demonstrate a need for rational investigation and urged members to volunteer for investigations. He criticized authors like Deepak Chopra and Belleruth Naparstek for promoting unscientific ideas. Dr. Bauer also highlighted James Randi's $1,000,000 offer for proof of psychic phenomena.

The main focus of Dr. Bauer's talk was the extensive documentation produced by Edward Billy Meier, a Swiss 'plain farmer,' including over 1,000 photos and video tapes. Kal K. Korff's book, "The Spaceships of the Pleiades: The Biller Meier Story," details Meier's claims of receiving telepathic messages from extraterrestrials and being directed to UFO locations. Dr. Bauer presented video evidence of Meier being interviewed, which he noted was studded with questionable elements. Korff's research suggests that Meier's photos are often blurry, photos of photos, and that landing tracks can be simulated. The article also mentions that the '60-foot fir tree' associated with Meier's claims does not appear in earlier or later photographs.

Dr. Bauer concluded by noting that many people believe in government cover-ups regarding UFOs. When asked about his interest in UFOs, he stated it lies in how the human mind handles misinformation, referencing PET scanning to study brain activity. He believes that statistically, life likely exists elsewhere in space, but emphasizes that distance makes it irrelevant if superior life forms are too far away.

In Memoriam Bill Voss

By Page Stephens.

This section is an obituary for Bill Voss, a member of The South Shore Skeptics, who was killed in a railroad crossing accident. The author remembers Bill's humor, his contributions to meetings, and his work with Charles Hughes to keep creationism out of the Lakewood school system. Rick Rickards and Page Stephens will speak at his memorial service.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical thinking, scientific investigation, and the debunking of pseudoscientific claims and paranormal phenomena. The South Shore Skeptic actively promotes skepticism, encourages rational inquiry, and provides a platform for discussing topics related to UFOs, psychic phenomena, and the scientific method. The organization's stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by their focus on organizations like CSICOP and the work of James Randi.