Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 24 no 3

Magazine Overview

Title: Tampa Bay Skeptics Report
Issue: Vol. 24 No. 3
Date: Winter 2011-12
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1044-7099
Price: $15/yr. (4 issues)

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics Report, a quarterly publication dedicated to the critical examination of paranormal and fringe-science claims, features a range of articles and snippets that apply a skeptical lens to various phenomena and events.

Articles

iPhony Cures May Have Cost Apple's Steve Jobs His Life

By Gary P. Posner, M.D.

This article examines the possibility that Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, may have delayed crucial surgery for his pancreatic cancer due to his belief in alternative medical cures found on the internet. The author, Gary P. Posner, M.D., references biographer Walter Isaacson's account, highlighting that Jobs' specific type of cancer, an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor, has a better prognosis than typical pancreatic adenocarcinoma if treated early. Despite Jobs' known skepticism towards the paranormal, he reportedly explored 'NewAge' therapies, including acupuncture, herbal remedies, and consultations with a psychic, alongside a strict vegan diet. These alternative treatments ultimately failed, and Jobs eventually underwent surgery and a liver transplant. The article suggests that the delay, possibly influenced by 'magical thinking,' may have allowed the cancer to spread, potentially costing him valuable time. The price of his advanced chemotherapy, which was genetically targeted, exceeded $100,000.

Chairman's Corner: Faster Than Light? Well, Not So Fast!

By Terry A. Smiljanich

This piece discusses the September 2011 report from physicists at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy, who claimed to have measured subatomic particles (neutrinos) traveling from CERN faster than the speed of light by 60 nanoseconds. This finding, if true, would challenge Einstein's theory of relativity. The author emphasizes the scientific process: the scientists reported their findings to peers, invited scrutiny, and acknowledged uncertainties. The scientific community's reaction was one of seeking potential errors, such as systematic errors, electronic malfunctions, or issues with the 'cloud of neutrinos.' Subsequent experiments in November 2011, with tightened neutrino beams, confirmed the 60-nanosecond anomaly, eliminating one source of error. The article contrasts this rigorous scientific approach with the premature speculation of 'woo-woo artists' and the potential for a 'cold fusion' type of fiasco, ultimately praising the report as an example of science at its best.

What is James Van Praagh Hiding From?

By D.J. Grothe, President, James Randi Educational Foundation

This article details the James Randi Educational Foundation's (JREF) ongoing challenge to James Van Praagh, a celebrity medium, to demonstrate his claimed psychic abilities under fair, mutually agreed-upon conditions for a $1 million prize. The JREF, dedicated to providing reliable information about paranormal claims and protecting the public from scams, has extended this challenge multiple times, including through certified letters and media coverage. Van Praagh has reportedly refused to answer or participate in a test. The article speculates on the reasons for his refusal, suggesting that his abilities might be based on cold-reading techniques, past public failures (like on 'The Circle'), exposure for using publicly available information (like on ABC's 'Primetime Nightline'), or even false health warnings (as with Barbara Walters on 'The View'). The piece concludes by reiterating the challenge.

The Story of a Successful(?) Psychic Séance

By James W. Moseley

This article recounts an unusual experience from the late 1970s involving a psychic séance hosted by the Robb family. The author, James W. Moseley, and his daughter Elizabeth participated in a procedure where participants made statements or asked questions, and the recordings were played back to detect any anomalous sounds. During one session, Elizabeth unexpectedly stated, "There are no spirits. You are adults and I am just a young girl. You should all be ashamed of yourselves." On the playback, a whispered voice stated, "She's a fake. It couldn't be true." Later, the playback also produced the name "DENISE" loudly and with panic. The author notes that these sounds were not heard by anyone present during the recording. While acknowledging that this event does not definitively prove anything and could have subtle explanations, Moseley encourages an open mind.

Snippets

• Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC) in Ireland: A case involving 76-year-old Michael Faherty, found dead and burned at home, was concluded by a coroner as 'spontaneous human combustion' due to lack of adequate explanation. However, retired pathology professor Mike Green expressed doubts, suggesting more mundane explanations are likely.
• 'The Psychic Lawyer': Attorney Mark Anthony, who bills himself as 'The Psychic Lawyer,' claims to communicate with spirits and helps people connect with deceased loved ones. His new book is mentioned.
• John Edward's Appearance: Psychic medium John Edward was advertised to appear in Tampa. The snippet humorously notes his crowning as "Biggest Douche in the Universe" on 'South Park,' citing creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
• Yoga and Mental Benefits: A study funded by the NIH and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, involving 228 adults with low back pain, found that yoga was effective in relieving pain primarily through its physical aspects, with no evidence of broader mental benefits.
• Mayan Calendar and the End of the World: Columnist Al Lewis humorously suggests that New Agers misinterpret the Mayan calendar, and that the Mayans, lacking financial calculation skills, simply ended their calendar due to the complexity of predicting economic collapse.

Letters / Readers' Forum

Medical Dowsing Claim by Anita Ikonen: Anita Ikonen submits her findings from investigating medical dowsing claims. She describes tests involving identifying individuals missing a kidney, with varying degrees of success and confidence. In one trial with the Independent Investigations Group (IIG), she was incorrect in the first trial, correct in the second, and correct on the person but wrong on the side in the third. She also mentions a test with the James Randi Educational Foundation where she failed to 'pass' but noted that the missing kidney was in the only space she hadn't identified. She also claims to have detected Hepatitis C in Michael Shermer and described his personal life in detail, which Shermer encouraged her to investigate further. Ikonen requests further testing.

Editor's Reply: The editor notes that the IIG website has an extensive write-up on Ikonen's test. While her successful pick in trial 2 might have been a lucky guess, it could be partly due to information discussed in a JREF forum about the person's physical characteristics from a motorcycle accident. Regarding Michael Shermer, he states that Ikonen herself admitted she did not diagnose Hepatitis C and knew little about it until he explained it. The JREF expressed potential interest in a test protocol that is easy to administer and adjudicate but stated they would not search for people with missing kidneys or allow readings open to interpretation.

Community and Media Affairs

• Media Appearances: Tampa Bay Skeptics (TBS) was briefly featured on a WTVT-TV 13 newscast about reincarnation. Terry Smiljanich was interviewed but his footage was deleted; Gary Posner stepped in.
• William Shatner's 'Weird or What?': TBS received an inquiry from a researcher for William Shatner's History Television series, which investigates unexplained phenomena.
• Presentations: Gary Posner delivered his 'Metamorphosis from 'Believer' to 'Skeptic'' presentation to the Orlando Skeptics and Suncoast Skeptics.
• JREF Relocation: The James Randi Educational Foundation has temporarily moved its administrative offices from Fort Lauderdale, FL, to Falls Church, VA, with plans for ultimate relocation to Los Angeles.

Other Sections

• Tampa Bay Skeptics Consultants: A list of individuals with expertise in various fields, including psychology, medicine, and mathematics.
• Other Skeptical Sources on the Paranormal: A list of recommended books and organizations, including Prometheus Books, Skeptical Inquirer, Skeptic magazine, and the James Randi Educational Foundation.
• Tampa Bay Skeptics T-Shirts: Information on purchasing TBS T-shirts.
• Membership/Subscription/Donation/Back-Order Form: Details on how to support TBS and order back issues.
• Upcoming Meetings: Announcement of the next Tampa Bay Skeptics meeting on Saturday, January 7, featuring an 'Open Forum' and videos.
• TBS Website: Encouragement to visit the TBS website for articles, links, and updates.
• TBS and JREF 'Psychic' Challenges: A reminder of the $1,000 challenge for scientific proof of paranormal phenomena and the JREF's $1,000,000 prize.
• Center For Inquiry-Tampa Bay: Information about CFI-Tampa Bay and its role as a sponsor of TBS.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics Report consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and unsubstantiated medical treatments. The publication actively debunks hoaxes, challenges those who claim psychic abilities to prove them under controlled conditions, and educates its readers about the importance of evidence-based reasoning. The editorial stance is firmly rooted in skepticism, advocating for rigorous testing and empirical evidence while remaining open to genuine scientific discovery. The use of humor and direct challenges, such as the JREF's million-dollar prize, are employed to encourage accountability and transparency in claims of the extraordinary.