Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 15 no 1 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 15 - No. 1
Date: Summer 2002
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Document Type: Magazine Issue

TBS "$1,000 Challenge" retest of Bill Pierce: Same old same old

This article, by Gary P. Posner, details the retest of a challenge posed to Bill Pierce, a dowser who claimed the ability to divine the presence of hidden gold remotely using Polaroid photographs. Pierce had previously failed the James Randi Educational Foundation's $1,000,000 prize challenge and a prior TBS "$1,000 Challenge" in Summer 2000. A retest was conducted on April 2, 2002, following a mutually agreed-upon protocol.

The challenge was divided into two parts. Part 1 required at least 19 correct identifications out of 24 plates (a 1-in-303 chance feat). Part 2, contingent on success in Part 1, required at least a 22-for-26 performance (1-in-3,749), for a combined 1-in-1,135,000 test.

Miles Hardy, TBS vice-chairman, hid a gold coin under some plates. Pierce's selections for gold were plates 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20. Of the twelve plates that actually had gold, Pierce correctly identified three (5, 11, and 17). He was also correct about six of the twelve plates that had nothing beneath them (1, 2, 14, 16, 22, and 23). His overall 9-for-24 performance was considered well within chance expectations.

The article notes that each Polaroid print encompassed eight plates. Pierce indicated he was most confident about photo #1 (plates 1-8), but only got three out of eight correct. He later conducted an unofficial test with six plates and got two wrong.

In an email prior to learning the results, Pierce stated, "If I failed the test it will show a weakness in my dowsing and I want to know if there is." However, in an April 30 posting on a treasurenet.com forum, Pierce claimed he failed the test "on purpose" due to stress. He later clarified that he does not seek an excuse and respects the honesty of the investigators.

Combined with his previous effort (15 for 23), Pierce's overall record is 24 for 47, which is close to a purely chance result.

Talking to the Dead?

This article, by Jack Robinson, discusses the ABC-TV program "Contact: Talking to the Dead" featuring psychic medium George Anderson. The author expresses skepticism, noting that the TV program was one-sided and that newspaper articles, such as one by Walt Belcher in the Tampa Tribune, provided a more balanced perspective.

Belcher's article is described as educational and entertaining, including information about Tampa Bay Skeptics. Belcher contacted Gary Posner, who commented that "Any good magician or psychologist could perform readings that are just as convincing" and that while such messages might make people feel better, if not genuine, it is deception.

The article highlights Belcher's use of qualifying words, such as "Psychic George Anderson claims to contact Bonnie Lee Bakely..." and "Bakely's alleged message from the spirit world... is like most of the messages Anderson receives: She's in a happy place, having found peace in the spirit world."

Posner's commentary on the show suggests that the host might have known the subjects in advance and that the program's editing focused on positive "hits" rather than challenging Anderson's abilities. Posner recalls a 1999 MSNBC discussion where Anderson agreed that magicians and psychologists could perform convincing readings. Posner also references James Randi's $1,000,000 challenge, suggesting Anderson could win it easily if his abilities were genuine, but that Anderson would likely never agree to such a test.

"Star Goddess" Janet Sciales profiled in St. Petersburg Times

This article, by Gary P. Posner, discusses a profile of local astrologer Janet Sciales in the St. Petersburg Times. Sciales, known as the "Star Goddess" on her radio show, was an inaugural member of Tampa Bay Skeptics (TBS) in 1988. At the time, she believed astrology was real but agreed with TBS's philosophy regarding psychic powers and pseudoscience. Over the years, she has been billed as a "psychic astrologer."

Posner notes Sciales' resemblance to Janet Harduvel, the widow of an Air Force pilot whose F-16 crashed in South Korea. Sciales claimed to have predicted Diane Sawyer's marriage through astrology. She also reportedly timed crucial legal actions based on astrological charts, crediting this with her trial success.

The article points out that an earlier, longer version of the St. Petersburg Times article included paragraphs that were omitted from the final published version. These omitted paragraphs discussed how Sciales faces the scientific community's view of astrology as a "pseudoscience." They also mentioned that in the 1980s, Sciales spoke before the Tampa Bay Skeptics and dickered about setting up a scientific test of astrology, but they could not agree.

Sciales was quoted in a May 7, 1989, Times article stating, "I'm not going to put my reputation on the line if they're not going to do the same thing." Posner, in a follow-up letter to the editor, pointed out that Sciales was aware of TBS's $1,000 prize for a successful test but had elected to cancel her appointments.

Snippets

This section contains several brief news items:

• Jesper Parnevik and the Moon Landing Hoax: Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik is described as eccentric and a believer in conspiracy theories, including the idea that the Apollo moon landings were a hoax. He reportedly read a book supporting this claim.

• "Miss Cleo" Controversy: The article addresses the controversy surrounding "psychic" infomercial queen "Miss Cleo" (Youree Dell Harris). Her attorney, William Cone, Jr., claimed she was a genuine shaman with talent. However, her birth certificate reportedly establishes she was born in Los Angeles to American parents, not Jamaica, as she claimed. Cone suggested the allegations might be politically motivated.

TBS in the Media

This section notes that Gary Posner was quoted in several media outlets:

• An April 1 San Antonio Express article by Richard Marini about "Prayer and Healing."
• A Tampa Tribune article by Walt Belcher on April 22, discussing TV shows about talking to the dead.
• An April 21 article in The Record (a northern New Jersey newspaper) by Virginia Rohan, also on the theme of talking to the dead.
• An earlier version of the St. Petersburg Times article on Janet Sciales mentioned TBS.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims, critical analysis of media portrayals of psychic phenomena, and the importance of scientific testing. The Tampa Bay Skeptics, through the writings of Gary Posner and Jack Robinson, consistently challenge extraordinary claims, emphasizing the need for evidence and exposing potential deception or misrepresentation in media and by individuals claiming supernatural abilities. The publication advocates for critical thinking and a scientific approach to evaluating such claims.