Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 12 no 1 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 12 - No. 1
Date: Summer 1999
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of TBS Report Online features several articles critically examining claims of the paranormal and pseudoscientific phenomena, alongside pieces that celebrate the wonder of science and reason.

The "Miami Circle"

This article, edited from James Randi's e-mail 'Hotline', discusses the 'Miami Circle,' a 38-foot diameter artifact that gained media attention. The archaeologist on site claimed it was an ancient 'calendar circle' aligned to astronomical points with remarkable accuracy, comparable to Stonehenge. The discovery was hailed as potentially ranking with major archaeological finds, promising fame and academic laurels. Basalt tools similar to Mayan artifacts were reportedly found.

However, the author expresses skepticism, suggesting a potential 'huge letdown.' The mayor of Miami invoked Eminent Domain to preserve the site, and local Indian groups are advocating for its preservation as a sacred area. The article questions the archaeologist's selection of post holes and the claimed accuracy, noting that the circle is only clearly visible after being delineated by a backhoe. It also points out that indigenous Indian groups in the area were nomads and left no such traces, and no Mayan artifacts have previously been found in Florida. A more mundane explanation is proposed: the site may have been the location of a circular septic field from a previous apartment building, with a concrete tank at the southern margin resembling a septic tank.

Brian David Andersen: A Nobel Prize in his future?

Authored by Gary P. Posner, this article scrutinizes the claims of Brian David Andersen, who allegedly demonstrated the ability to change the taste and quality of liquids remotely. Andersen's claims were made via mass e-mailing, and he offered audio tapes as evidence. The Tampa Bay Skeptics offered $1,000 for a successful demonstration, but Andersen rejected their proposed double-blind test protocol. Instead, he insisted on a 'quadruple blind' test and proposed an actor, George Hamilton, as 'Project Coordinator' along with 'professional wine tasters.' Andersen then claimed the Skeptics withdrew due to his high standards. The author notes that Andersen's book, 'Rhythms of Nature,' allegedly features their correspondence, but the book itself was described as poorly written and self-published.

Chairman's Corner: "A Wondrous World"

Written by Terry A. Smiljanich, this piece uses the story of the red knot sandpiper's migration as a starting point to discuss the wonders of evolution and natural selection. The sandpipers, particularly the juveniles, undertake an 8,000-mile journey guided by their genetic codes, demonstrating an innate navigational ability that rivals any 'psychic' claim. Smiljanich argues that science, with its discoveries in fields like astronomy and quantum physics, offers more incredible facts than pseudoscience. The article contrasts the awe inspired by religion with the wonder derived from scientific understanding, quoting Chet Raymo who suggests science can be the basis for a religious experience. The author expresses admiration for scientists like Stephen Jay Gould and Carl Sagan who shared their passion for science with the public, adopting their motto: 'If there be a skeptical star I was born under it, yet I have lived all my days in complete astonishment.'

TBS vs. UFO Believers on TV

Jack Robinson recounts a public access TV debate on UFOs between himself and Gary Posner (representing skeptics) and UFO proponents Malcolm Hathorne and Phil Bayly. Robinson, an astronomer, felt his expertise was ignored. Bayly, a retired Air Force Colonel and UFO researcher, claimed that in the early 1960s, RC135 aircraft were targeted against UFOs, with capabilities to intercept and record them. Robinson dismisses this as hearsay, noting Bayly's belief in a government UFO cover-up.

The discussion also touched upon Robert A. Millikan's Nobel Prize, which Bayly misrepresented. Bayly then brought up Zecharia Sitchin's theories about Sumerian civilization being influenced by aliens from a '12th planet.' Robinson critiques Sitchin's ideas as discordant with modern astronomy and labels him a 'minor prophet of a seeming baseless anti-empirical cult.' Bayly and Hathorne expressed belief in an international 'secret government' or 'power brokers' maintaining a UFO cover-up for financial and power reasons. The article concludes by noting the disadvantage skeptics face in debates, as they may not be familiar with specific cases, but emphasizes the importance of asking for specifics and checking evidence.

Snippets and Cartoons

This section includes brief news items and a cartoon. One item reports on the bankruptcy of two major psychic hotlines and the struggles of remaining ones, including a case where a company tried to bill a deceased man. Another anecdote describes a 'singing psychic' who failed to predict a news anchor's imminent childbirth, as the anchor went into labor during their conversation. The cartoon satirizes psychic hotlines and 'propheteers' with a character named 'Madame Zaza, Seeress to the Suckers.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, the importance of rigorous scientific methodology, and the celebration of science as a source of wonder and understanding. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and the promotion of scientific literacy. The articles consistently challenge unsubstantiated claims in areas like archaeology, psychic phenomena, and UFOlogy, while advocating for the beauty and explanatory power of established scientific disciplines.