Tampa Bay Skeptics Report

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics Report, Volume 23, Number 3, from Winter 2010-11, is published by Tampa Bay Skeptics and edited by Gary P. Posner, M.D. The magazine focuses on critical examination of paranormal claims and fringe science, with a stated ISSN of 1049-0423 and a price of $15/yr. for four issues. The cover headline is 'Hiccups and Poltergeists.'

Hiccups and Poltergeists

Gary P. Posner, M.D., discusses his skepticism regarding paranormal phenomena, using the case of Jennifer Mee, the 'Hiccup Girl,' as an example. He questions whether her prolonged hiccups were genuine or a publicity stunt, drawing parallels to psychic claims and Robin Williams' impersonations. Posner notes that Mee later confessed to luring a man to a vacant home for a robbery that resulted in his death, leading to murder charges. He hypothesizes that Mee's condition might have been a cry for psychological help, similar to the 'poltergeist' case of Tina Resch, where a troubled teen's actions garnered attention. Posner suggests that media exploitation of such cases for entertainment purposes can be harmful.

At the World's Largest Telescope

Terry A. Smiljanich recounts his trip to the 10.4-meter Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) in the Canary Islands. As a member of the UF Astronomy Department's Advisory Council, he assisted in installing a mid-infrared camera, CanariCam. Smiljanich describes the GTC's capabilities, its construction, and the challenges faced, including unusual weather and technical difficulties. He notes that while astronomers believe life is prevalent in the universe, they are skeptical of UFO visitations due to vast interstellar distances. The article touches upon the scientists' observations regarding Americans' persistent belief in creationism and religion.

Pi in the Sky

Valerie Grey explores the fundamental nature of mathematics and logic, questioning whether 1+1 must always equal 2. She discusses how mathematical constants like pi (π) and e are derived from pure logic and calculation, not empirical measurement. Grey highlights the 1897 Indiana House of Representatives bill that attempted to establish a new value for pi, interpreting it as a legislative attempt to redefine mathematical truths and suggesting it implies a disregard for logical consistency, akin to fraudulent paranormal claims. She connects this to economic theories relying on unlimited resources and the concept of a flat Earth.

Snippets

This section provides brief news items and commentary:

• Paul the Psychic Octopus: The famous octopus, known for predicting World Cup results, has died. His fame led to book and movie offers, but also death threats and accusations of being an agent of 'Western propaganda.'
• Pseudoscientific Therapies: An ad for a Tampa General Hospital Community Health Education Program on 'Aromatherapy' is noted, raising questions about the scientific basis and claims of such therapies, echoing a previous article on the subject.
• Media-Driven Panics: An essay by Henry I. Miller criticizes the media's tendency to create panics by reporting biased or incomplete scientific information, citing a report on the chemical BPA found on store receipts as an example.
• UN Space Ambassador Misunderstanding: News from England about a supposed UN 'space ambassador' appointed to communicate with aliens is clarified as a misunderstanding; the UN official was head of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, and the event was a panel discussion on how humanity might respond to extraterrestrial contact.

TBS in the Media

This section details mentions of Tampa Bay Skeptics (TBS) and its editor, Gary Posner, in other media. Posner was quoted in the Gainesville Sun regarding paranormal investigators helping North Florida and in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune discussing 'stigmatized property laws' related to haunted houses. The article notes that Posner, a reformed UFO buff, warns that paranormal beliefs have not stood up to critical examination.

Letters • Readers' Forum

• Lou Fiorentino writes in defense of psychic medium George Anderson, citing personal experiences where Anderson accurately provided specific details about his deceased wife and family members, arguing that while not strictly science, it involves faith.
• Aras Erekul, M.D., from Istanbul, Turkey, discusses a study published in the BMJ by Prof. Leonard Leibovici on remote, retroactive intercessory prayer for patients with bloodstream infections. The study concluded that prayer was associated with shorter hospital stays and fever duration, prompting Erekul to seek the skeptics' take on the subject. The editor adds a note suggesting the study might have been written with tongue in cheek.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics Report consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscientific therapies, and media sensationalism. The magazine emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry, logic, and evidence-based reasoning. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of skepticism, as evidenced by its name, its focus on debunking or questioning extraordinary claims, and its promotion of scientific endeavors like astronomy. The publication also serves as a platform for members to share their views and engage in discussions on these topics, while also providing information on the organization's activities and membership options.