National Capital Area ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○KEPTICAL YE S• encourages critical and scientific thinking • serves as an information resourceE on extraordinary Vol. 12, No. 1 claims • provides extraordinary evidence that skeptics are cool March 2000
Ghostbusting 101 - Part 2 Searching for Ghosts by Helen E. Hester-Ossa
host Hunter Joe Holbert faced an audience of mostly skeptics that Saturday morning in mid- October, and he was nervous. “Hello, I’m Joe Holbert,” he Gsaid, “and I’m your object of abuse today.” Joe was there to tell the attendees at the ‘Ghostbusting 101’ seminar, sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics, about his ef- forts to use high-technology to track “ghosts” in Leesburg, Virginia, and sur- rounding areas. Entitled “Ghosts and Electromagnetic Anomalies,” Joe’s talk discussed his beginnings as a ghost hunter, the equipment he uses, and some of the places he has investigated, including the “most haunted house in America,” the Lynch House, located right in Leesburg. Reality is Relative photo by Helen Hester-Ossa As Joe states in his handout, “Real- ity is a very personal thing—my reality is dif- who had reported stories of ghosts—then my letters ferent from yours, and yours is different from reality changed.” 2 prez sez the person next to you. My reality did not in- How did Joe’s reality change? He became 3 clude ghosts . . . of course, I enjoyed spooky a believer in ghosts. “If you talk to three Discoverie of tales at Halloween, movies about ghosts, and groups of people, all sane, not under the influ- Witchcraft 5 other oddities, but my reality did not include ence of drugs or alcohol who are upstanding Short List them. I had never experienced what anyone citizens of the community and they tell you 7 would refer to as a haunting situation. they have ghosts in their buildings, what do Teaching the Blind to Read “Ten years ago I initiated a special event you do? Tell them they are crazy, hallucinat- 8 at our local museum—at the time I was on the ing, or believe that they are seeing what they the write stuff 9 board of directors and we needed a fund say and try to figure out how it can be.” media notes raiser. I thought a ghost tour at Halloween Joe is trying to figure out how it can be. 11 would be fun and profitable for the museum. I Joe talked of rooms in which recording Goodbye to Horizon started by contacting some people in Leesburg equipment does not work, framed pictures that 12 Gardner Book continued on page 4 12 letters Pi and the Pyramids Four were very good approximations to a by Tom Napier 28:N ratio, indeed they matched 20, 21, 22 and 23 fingers. This suggests that the Egyp- edit Phactum, the newsletter of the Phila- tians knew roughly what slope was stable and delphia Association for Critical Thinking used whole number ratios around the optimum I(PhACT), and I sometimes get the chance value as a convenient construction guide. I to browse through copies of other skeptical have no idea if this correlation is already well group newsletters. I noticed Walter Rowe’s known in Egyptological circles but I men- article, “Mathematical Mysticism and the tioned it in a letter which appeared in the Great Pyramid” in Volume 11 No 1 of Skepti- Skeptical Inquirer. There I noted I had found cal Eye because I occasionally speak to Mensa no pyramid with a 28:19 ratio. Since this and skeptical groups on pyramid mythology. would have been a 0.15% match to e, the base In 1988, while preparing this talk, I investi- of natural logarithms, it might have given fur- gated the “Pi in the Great Pyramid” myth. I ther confirmation of the ancient astronaut found it had been noted that the slope of theory! Khufu’s Pyramid better approximated 22/7 Table 1 of Rowe’s article gave me a feast than pi. This lead me to wonder if this was an of additional data to work with, albeit mostly artifact of the way in which the Egyptians to two digit accuracy. I was relieved to see measured the slope of a pyramid during con- that nearly all the pyramids he quoted matched struction. the “cubit up by N fingers in” rule. I am also I speculated that they had used a relieved to see that Wenis’ and Senwosret’s plumb-bob and a triangular instrument which pyramids, which come nearest to that elusive measured up one royal cubit, 28 fingers, and 28:19 ratio, give a ratio of 2.67 and not e. inwards a whole number of fingers. In the By the way, the entrance passage to case of Khufu’s pyramid 22 fingers would not Khufu’s pyramid has been alleged to point to only give the measured slope (51 deg 50 min) the position of the star Deneb when the pyra- exactly, it would make the base divided by mids were built. Since it has a slope of two in twice the altitude exactly 22/7. for every one down, Occam’s Razor would This could have been a coincidence so I lead one to think that this slope too is an arti- tried to confirm it by hunting out the slopes of fact of the construction process. some other pyramids. (I didn’t use measure- ments of the bases and altitudes since most Walter Rowe responds: pyramids are too heavily damaged for these to I think that Mr. Napier’s proposal may be accurate. However, the mean slope of a have merit, but there are some arguments that pyramid doesn’t change much with time.) I can be raised against it. The ancient Egyptians found sufficiently accurate references to six expressed the inclination of the face of a pyra- slopes. mid as its seked. The seked was convention- ➨➨➨
National Capital Area Skeptical Eye (ISSN 1063-2077) NCAS Board of Directors Editor/Designer is published by the National Capital Area Skeptics, PO Paul Jaffe, president Helen Hester-Ossa Box 8428 , Silver Spring, MD 20907. Gary Stone, vice president Copyright © 2000 National Capital Area Skeptics. Signed Marv Zelkowitz, secretary articles are the opinions of the authors. Opinions ex- Grace Denman, treasurer pressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position of the Chip Denman, spokesman editors, the Board of Directors, or the National Capital Barry Blyveis Rita Malone Area Skeptics. Jonathan Boswell Eugene Ossa Mike Epstein Scott Snell 24-hour phone number: 301-587-3827 Herb M. Federhen Jamy Ian Swiss e-mail: [email protected] Jim Giglio Walter Rowe Skeptical Eye input: [email protected] Zoann Lapinsky Internet: http://www.ncas.org
NCAS discussion group: [email protected] recycled paper ○○○○○○ 2 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 Pi continued from previous page
ally expressed as the number of horizontal with in RMP problems 56-60 fit the 28:N rule units per one vertical unit rise (it thus corre- pretty well: the slope of the pyramid in prob- sponded with the cotangent of the angle of lem 56 corresponds closely to 28:20; the slope). The vertical unit was the cubit; how- slopes of the pyramids in problems 57-59 al- ever, the horizontal units were palms (= four most exactly fit 28:21; and the slope of the fingers) rather than fingers. Thus, the prob- pyramid in problem 60 almost exactly fits lems dealing with the slopes of pyramids in 28:7. On the other hand, the slope of the pyra- the Rhind mathematical papyrus (RMP 56-60) mid in MMP problem 14 is 28:4.67. It seems and in the Moscow mathematical papyrus that the author of MMP was not following a (MMP 14) express sekeds as palms plus fin- 28:N rule. The discrepancy could merely re- gers (e.g. in RMP problems 57-59 the seked is flect the different ways that scribes and engi- five palms and one finger). The pyramids dealt neers dealt with pyramid slopes.
prez sez by Paul Jaffe
Dear Skeptical Eye reader, In addition to our regular lecture series, One of the roles of NCAS is to provide NCAS will be starting some new, more inter- YOU, our members, with opportunities to get active activities. Rita Malone will be heading more involved in the promotion of skepticism up these programs, including book discussions and critical thinking. To this end, we’ve re- and chances for you to learn more about skep- cently restarted our science fair judging pro- ticism and critical thinking. This is great op- gram. Under the direction of board member portunity to meet other NCAS members and Walter Rowe, you can take the opportunity to increase your own knowledge. For more in- guide and encourage young people as a sci- formation, email Rita at [email protected] or ence fair judge. NCAS gives special awards call the NCAS line at 301-587-3827. to deserving students whose projects show As always, NCAS welcomes your tax- their promise as budding critical thinkers. deductible donations in addition to your This is a perfect way to help make a difference regular membership dues. even if you have only few hours of spare time. Finally, if you would like to receive the To learn more, please contact Walter directly Shadow of a Doubt newsletter via email or at [email protected] or call the participate in the ncas-share online forum, NCAS line at 301-587-3827. please send an email to [email protected] indi- Another way to get more involved in cating your interest. NCAS activities is to run for the board of di- rectors. Being a board member lets you ac- Yours truly, tively shape NCAS’ focus and programs. If you have questions or if you’d like to run for Paul Jaffe ([email protected]) the board of directors, send a message to President, National Capital Area Skeptics
[email protected] or call the NCAS line. photo by H. Hester-Ossa ○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 3 ghosthunter continued from page 1
we must know the nature of the power. I look for the patterns, and after dozens of inter- views, a break appears.” What exactly powers these manifesta- tions? According to Joe, people with high electromagnetic (EM) fields around their bod- ies tend to witness paranormal activities. They are people who do not often use technology, such as waiters, waitresses, receptionists. When they do use high-tech equipment, they tend to have problems with the equipment working. Joe states that the High EM gener- ates 140+ millivolts of electricity, and the Ul- tra High EM generates 1+ volts. The field is a 10 Hz static field, from 50 millivolts to 1+ volt, and averages 70 millivolts. Typically, says Joe, females rather than males will “see” ghosts, although some injury to the left side of the head before the age of six or seven may also induce experiences in both sexes. photo by Helen Hester-Ossa The area of psychic occurrences, says Joe, shows electromagnetic anomalies: an area of Assistant ghosthunter Keeler Anderson operated a video camera during NCAS’s Ghostbusting 101 seminar last October in Leesburg, Virginia. air that has a high static charge. Joe uses the Natural EM Meter in an area of reported activ- ity, and finds readings of a 10 Hz static field, seem to float down off walls gently to the from 50 millivolts to 1+ volt, averaging 70 floor for no apparent reason, rooms that feel millivolts, just like the field around the High overwhelmingly sad, and blood-like stains that EM personality. appear and disappear in rooms where deaths Joe admitted that he has never been able occurred. to videotape a paranormal occurrence, but that High-Tech Arsenal won’t keep him from trying. Armed with an array of sound, light, Time constraints prevented the audience movement, and energy measuring equipment, from asking the numerous questions Joe’s talk Joe tries to measure changes in the atmosphere generated. where a manifestation is said to occur. “Any If you are interested in the Leesburg effect displayed must have a source of power. Ghost Tours, call 703-913-2060 or log on to It also must have a mechanism to harness that http://www.loudoun-net.com/ghostours/ power, but first
Type of Equipment 35mm Cameras Sony Pro-Cam Video Camera JVC Professional Tape Recorder Sony Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder Sound Mixing Board Electro-magnetic Sensor (AC) AlphLab Natural Electro-magnetic Sensor (DC)
Multimeters (Voltage Meter) ○○○○○○ 4 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 Reginald Scot’s Discoverie of Witchcraft by Richard Dengrove
eginald Scot—also Reynald Scot in oracles, prophecy, and, of course, witchcraft, the variable spelling of the time—is he cites Calvin only against magical healing Roften regarded as one of the first of the and the rituals of Catholicism. Another source modern skeptics because of his Discovery of Scot may not have had to cite—educated En- Witchcraft (1584). In the 20th century, many glishmen knew it—was that, according to see his ideas as completely modern and having Keith Thomas, the age of miracles had passed, no relation to other contemporary authors. part of the English Reformation’s original However, astute readers will notice that this is dogma. Although it may not have not exactly the case. It is obvious he is a reli- been widely applied until much gious man; in fact, his beliefs mark him as a later, in 1550 a Bishop Jewel did Puritan. And Scot himself frankly cites writers use it to denounce the Rite of Ex- of his day for his views. Let us examine some orcism as Papist and idolatrous. of his major tenets and see his sources for Another tenet of Scot’s is that them. the Devil is not responsible for One of Scot’s tenets is that the Devil, be- our misfortunes; God alone is. ing a spiritual being, cannot appear in material Job’s problems in the Bible were form. No, he appears to man- and womankind caused by God, not the Devil or by entering into their minds and seeking their witches. Again Scot cites John confusion. As evidence, Scot reasoned that, Calvin, who at least applied it to since the Devil cannot read minds—dogma Job’s problems, if not witchcraft. since the Middle Ages—he should appear to More a propos, Scot cites the honest and respectable in gross and corpo- Brentius that only God could in- real form. But he only appears to the “corrupt fect the air, although witches are and melancholic.” That the Devil is spiritual accused of it. Perhaps Brentius is alone seems anathema to Scot’s time. How- Latin for Johann Brenz, a ever, I gather a reading of Aristotle, the sine Lutheran divine. Writing in the qua non philosopher of the era, could yield 1530s, he did believe that God alone was re- this opinion, as it did to Pietro Pomponazzi. sponsible for our misfortune. His inspiration Scot also mentions the Church father, Tatian. was not the air, but an awful hail storm. There Another source he does not cite for the Devil was a magical aspect to Brenz’s ideas Scot Richard Dengrove being spiritual alone—but he certainly cites it would have rejected: the Devil knew when is the librarian for and it certainly says it—is the Canon misfortunes would hit, and deluded witches the Food and Episcopi, a ninth century document, believed into thinking themselves responsible. Nutrition Service, third century and from the Church fathers. According to Midelfort, Brenz was one of Department of Originally aimed against surviving folk reli- many German theologians who believed from Agriculture. He gion, it was later interpreted as referring to the beginning of the 16th century that our mis- lives with his wife, Heidi, in witchcraft. Witch hunters sought loopholes to fortunes were due to God alone, and not Alexandria, avoid its strictures. witches or the Devil. On a different matter, Virginia. His Another tenet of Scot’s is that no miracles Scot opposes another theologian, the Calvinist ambition is to write have occurred since Christianity was estab- Thomas Erastus. Erastus’ skepticism may a history of occult lished. Scot reasoned they were necessary for have been the equal of Scot’s, the Devil’s magic one of these Christ and his Apostles to establish the faith, powers being just one area. days. but now to claim them is impiety. For this A third tenet of Scot’s is that the view, Scot cites Saint Augustine and John “miracles” of his time were done by deceit, by Calvin. However, while Scot applies it to “cozeners.” This is aimed at white witches, ➨➨➨
continued on page 6 ○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 5 Witchcraft continued from page 5 In Westwell, a young woman used “pythonism,” a term from the classics meaning ventriloquism, to accuse an old woman of witchcraft. In a fake voice, she accused Old Alice of using a Devil kept in a bottle to kill three people. also known as cunning women and other Scot. Who can break completely from his or names. They were village workers in miracles, her own society? the supernatural, especially healing through prayer. Not only were they usually not ac- cused of witchcraft in England, but sometimes Selected Bibliography were employed to hunt witches. They were the Kieckhefer, Richard. Magic in the Middle bane of Puritans like Scot, who considered Ages. Cambridge University Press, 1989, them far more diabolical than black witches. I pp 90-94. The art of trickery, magic tricks have found no authors I am certain influenced during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Scot on the “cozening” of these white witches. Kors, Alan C. and Edward Peters. Witchcraft Roger Bacon in the 13th Century claimed cun- in Europe 1100-1700. A Documentary His- ning women used deceit. But Scot does not tory. University of Pennsylvania Press, refer to Bacon. Also, there was medieval lit- 1972, pp 28-31. The Canon Episcopi. Com- erature on magic tricks, whose purpose was pare it to Book III, Chapter XVI in Scot. often to fool the gullible into thinking one a Midelfort, H.C. Erik. Witch Hunting in South- miracle worker. However, Scot cites none of western Germany 1562-1684. The Social these sources. and Intellectual Foundations. Stanford, On the other hand, he cites incidents from California: Stanford University Press, 1972. his local area, with which he may have had See pp 30-67 for the German theologians personal experience: for instance, from the who attribute our misfortune to God alone. nearby towns of Westwell and Romnie and Also, look up “Canon Episcopi” in the in- about a certain “Mother” Bungie. In Westwell, dex for that work’s influence. a young woman used “pythonism,” a term Scot, Reginald. The Discoverie of Witchcraft from the classics meaning ventriloquism, to by Reginald Scot: with an introduction by accuse an old woman of witchcraft. In a fake the Rev. Montague Summers. New York: voice, she accused Old Alice of using a Devil Dover, 1972 [John Rodker, 1930]. A fac- kept in a bottle to kill three people. Also, Scot simile of the 1584 edition. claims that when his spies demanded to see a Scot, Reginald, Esquire. The Discoverie of witches’ sabbath, the “witches” always made Witchcraft. Being a reprint of the first edi- excuses. tion published in 1584. Edited with ex- A fourth tenet of Scot’s is that many of planatory notes, glossary, and introduction the old women accused of black witchcraft by Brinsley Nicholson, MD, Deputy Inspec- were melancholic, i.e., suffering depression tor General. Rowman and Littlefield, 1973 when they confessed, voluntarily, to pledging [1886], pp 553-63, “Extracts from Wier.” fealty to the Devil or calling up storms, for To show how much Scot quotes from example. One source is Cardan, who, I pre- Wierus. sume, is the French astrologer Jerome Cardan. Thomas, Keith. Religion and the Decline of It is not hard to find another source Scot knew Magic. New York: Charles Scribner’s well, Wierus, Latin for Johann Weyer. Scot Sons, 1971. Look up in index “miracles; often quotes him nearly verbatim on other said to have ceased.” matters. In short, Reginald Scot did not write in a
vacuum. This is not to say anything against ○○○○○○ 6 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 Short Recommended Reading List
s the Board of Directors of the Na- get things like religious cults and Nazis at the tional Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) extreme and Republicanism and Liberalism Aprepared to get together to brainstorm more toward the center. The ultimate message on the last Sunday of February 2000, a flurry of this book is to think for yourself and try not of e-mails suggested possible reading material to give in to the comfort of a group and its in- to prepare for the meeting. Although Board herently limiting regulations.” members brought hundreds of books to the meeting to share, here is just a sampling: Chip Denman, who teaches statistics and critical thinking at the University of Maryland, Why People Believe Weird Things: uses Shermer’s book, Why People Believe Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Weird Things, in his course. “It’s good for Confusions of Our Time introducing ideas, although I wish it did more by Michael Shermer, Foreword by Stephen J. with the WHY part of the title. Chapters 1-3 Gould are at the core of my approach. Some semes- $14.95 ters I also use Thomas Gilovich’s How We Paperback, 306 pp. W. H. Freeman Company, August 1998 Know What Isn’t So, to go more into the cog- ISBN: 0716733870 nitive psychology of belief.” Some other books that Chip has found How We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility of useful: Human Reason in Everyday Life Uncommon Sense: The Heretical Nature by Thomas Gilovich of Science by Alan Cromer. “Interesting, if Paperback, 216 pp. very spotty, history of the development of sci- The Free Press, March 1993 ISBN: 0029117062 ence in human history. I particularly like his definition of scientific knowledge as “public Uncommon Sense : The Heretical Nature of knowledge”—e.g., science is the search for Science consensus of rational opinion among all com- by Alan Cromer petent researchers, and the metaphysics of sci- $14.95 ence defines a public world about which this Paperback Reprint edition (August 1995) consensus is possible.” Oxford Univ Press ISBN: 0195096363 How To Think About Weird Things by Schick and Vaughn. “Textbook introduction How to Think About Weird Things : Critical to weird claims, critical thinking, and philoso- Thinking for a New Age phy of science. by Theodore Schick, Lewis Vaughn (Contributor) “As my list reveals, for me skepticism is $21.95 an essential component of critical, scientific Paperback 304 pp 2nd edition (November 1998) inquiry, and not an end unto itself.” Mayfield Publishing Company Board member Barry Blyveis suggested ISBN: 0767400135 that a good book to read is Eric H. Fromm’s Escape from Freedom Escape From Freedom. Says Barry, “Fromm by Erich H. Fromm created the concept of the True Believer: how $14.00 one surrenders one’s free will for an identity. Paperback 1st Owl bk edition (February 1995) “The thesis of this highly illuminating Henry Holt (Paper) book is that to escape a sense of anomie and ISBN: 0805031499 its attendant seeming rootlessness, many people resort to things in society that superim- pose an identity on them, a kind of drive-up
window for a world view if you will. Thus you ○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 7 Teaching the Blind to Read (Without Braille!) by Neil Langdon Inglis t GWU’s Lisner Auditorium last Sep- was a certain faux-humility about the proceed- tember, what had been billed as a dis- ings (not a “conjuring show,” you see—a total Aplay of Indonesian dances turned out lack of stagecraft and showmanship); I noted to be a horrid display of alleged “psychic” the emphasis on good works in teaching the feats. Yes, there were dances at the beginning blind to read; there were several professions of and end, and jolly good they were too; but the earnestness, and one stunt even failed, for “paranormal” display was clearly intended as good measure. Many “volunteers” were the highlight of the evening. plucked from the audience like daisies from a Practitioners of an Indonesian martial art meadow. Nobody seemed to realize that the Two young were introduced; these people are trained to artists controlled the conditions on stage, and fight in darkness, presumably relying on the possibilities for directly or indirectly cue- men, senses other than sight. Fair enough. One ing the performers discreetly, in an unfamiliar supposedly plump gentleman demonstrated what in karate language, were immense. would I think be called a “kata.” Then the The “Spirit of the New Indonesia 1999” blind, were “psychic feats” began, including a very rou- roadshow is going round the country. It inter- introduced, tine display of blindfolded knife-throwing (ex- ested me that no mention was made of the real cept balloons were the target, a pop-gun the social problems in Indonesia, which all the to perform weapon). The blindfolding was emphasized in shadow-boxing in the world won’t solve. another the next portion of the show, which included an exhibition of blindfolded “reading” of sym- blindfolded bols, words, and colors; it was standard reading Gellerite stuff, of a kind far more imagina- (although if tively replicated by conjurers everywhere. The idea is that the practitioners sense the “emana- they were tions” from the words on the page or card. I noted the emphasis on blind, I’m I was squirming in my chair, although the gullible audience lapped it up. Bear with me, good works in teaching not sure it gets worse. Two young men, supposedly the blind to read; there what the blind, were introduced, to perform another blindfolded reading (although if they were were several professions blindfold blind, I’m not sure what the blindfold was sup- of earnestness, and one was posed to prove). The practitioners of this mar- tial art intend to use it to teach the blind how stunt even failed, for supposed to read, we were told. After the deeds were good measure. to prove). done to much applause, the two young fellows stalked off the stage; perhaps they were indeed blind or visually impaired, although it seemed to me that they were walking in the way that sighted people imagine blind folk to walk, and they strode more purposefully once they thought they were out of the sight-lines. All of the hallmarks of such performances were in evidence. The lady presenter ex- plained that she, too, had once been a skeptic,
although she was now utterly convinced; there ○○○○○○ 8 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 the write stuff skeptical correspondence n the spirit of encouraging skeptical activism, from time to time we will use this column to acknowledge NCAS members who have let us know about skeptical correspondence they have sent (letters to newspaper editors, television producers, Ietc.) or other actions they have taken proactively or in response to various articles, programs, events, etc. of concern to skeptics. So please send us a copy of the text or even just a mention of your skeptical correspondence. Send hard copy to the NCAS mailing address. Copies of email can be sent to NCAS officers at [email protected]. OR, if you already participate in the NCAS interactive email exchange, NCAS-SHARE, then consider sending copies or references to [email protected] to share with others. When you write, be sure to encourage good skepticism when you see it, as well as positively expressing your concerns about uncritical thinking or disregard for established science. Please do not put overt cc’s to NCAS in your original letters o r emails to others (send us a bcc). The Power of Belief Jeff Minerd wrote the following note to John that young children would be watching. That Stossel and received this response: was stupid of me. Anyway, if you would like to order a vid- Dear John Stossel, eotape or a transcript, call 800-225-5222. Ask Congratulations on your excellent pro- for a copy of “The Power Of Belief” which gram “The Power of Belief.” You are provid- aired 6/3/99. Tapes are $34.90 and transcripts ing an invaluable service by airing a much- are $17.90. Sorry about the price; its out of needed skeptical point of view on paranormal my control. beliefs. But happier news: Bob Chitester, of the It may interest you to know that the same Palmer R. Chitester Fund, is now preparing to To you in sort of magical, anti-scientific thinking you adapt and some of my other shows for class- examine in your program has taken hold at the Central room application. Accompanying text material colleges and universities across the country, is being developed as well. He needs help. If Time Zone where a set of literary and humanist scholars you have an interest in helping with a new regularly teach that science is a mere “social who are business, please contact him at 800/876-8930. construction,” or belief system, with no more Some of you wanted to contact people mad claim to the truth than any other “way of who appeared in the show. Hope this helps: knowing.” If you are interested in this topic, a because good place to start is Gross and Levitt’s book James Randi: e-mail: [email protected], fax: your kids Higher Superstition. 954-467-1660 Thanks again for a great program. heard me Skeptic Magazine (Michael Shermer): 626-794-3119 say Santa John Stossel’s response: P.O. Box 338 wasn’t real, Thank you for your comments on “The Altadena, CA 91001 I’m very Power Of Belief”. More than a thousand of Susan Miller (astrologer): you have e-mailed us, so I regret I cannot re- Physicist David Willey (Firewalking segment) sorry. spond to your comments directly. However, I University of Pittsburgh: 814-269-2021 do read most of the e-mails (at least the shorter Elmer Glover (Voodoo Priest): 504-523- ones). To you who were offended, I’m sorry. 1279, 504-821-6533 (after 9 p.m.) To you who were complimentary, thank you, TM Flying: Contact: Sally Peadon at your encouragement means a lot. To you in Madharshi Univ.: 515-472-1200 the Central Time Zone who are mad because Dr. Melvin Morse, Child Psychologist - near your kids heard me say Santa wasn’t real, I’m death experiences: [email protected] very sorry. I totally forgot that the show runs earlier some places; it never occurred to me Sincerely,
JOHN STOSSEL ○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 9 the write stuff skeptical correspondence continued
Reincarnation of Inadequate Data by Scott Snell couple of months ago, the Washing- To the Editor: ton Post Magazine published an ar- I read Tom Shroder’s article on reincarna- Aticle by one of the editors of the Post’s tion with great interest, but also disappoint- Style section. This editor, Tom Shroder, had ment that he dismissed “blood-red dwarves on just written a book about a guy named Ian the fifth moon of Jupiter” as being “wacko.” Stevenson. Stevenson is a psychiatrist at the How can he be so certain? Clearly, all that University of Virginia who has collected a Stevenson can claim he knows for sure is that large number of cases he thinks are compel- some kids seem to know a lot about some ling evidence for reincarnation. dead people. Does that necessarily suggest The article, an excerpt of the book, hit reincarnation as the answer? Couldn’t it be the some familiar notes for those who enjoy read- blood-red dwarves of Jupiter using some “Why,” he ing about scientists who investigate the paran- amazing technology to beam the thoughts they ormal: “Why,” he asks for the third time since collected from people prior to death into the asks for the night has fallen, “do mainstream scientists susceptible minds of Earth children, perhaps third time refuse to accept the evidence we have for rein- as a prank against gullible Earthlings? How carnation?” Shroder mentions at one point that can Shroder dismiss this as a viable possibil- since night Stevenson has been compared to Galileo by ity? has fallen, one researcher. And so on. One answer might be, “Extraordinary “do Another familiar passage in the article claims require extraordinary evidence.” was the contrasting of Stevenson from Stevenson’s work is, unfortunately, not ex- mainstream “wackos” who claim to “have fragments of the traordinary evidence. Until someone can find scientists True Cross or a radio that communicated with a way to study the subject in a way that isn’t a race of blood-red dwarves on the fifth moon so dependent on the honesty and reliability of refuse to of Jupiter.” the people involved, it remains speculative accept the Yet I wondered just how much better and brimming with a lot of wish fulfillment. Stevenson’s evidence (essentially a bunch of evidence interesting anecdotes) was, compared to, say, Scott Snell we have for the (apparently completely unrelated) “Jupiter dwarves” idea that Shroder dismisses offhand- The author of the article replied to my e- reincarna- edly. mail the next day: tion?” So I wrote a letter that they finally pub- lished in the Washington Post Magazine this I agree with you entirely, and agonize on past Sunday. They made some changes to it just that topic quite extensively in my book. that I think make it harder to understand where I’m sorry I couldn’t get into it at greater length I’m coming from.
09/26/008l-092699-idx.html ○○○○○○ 10 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 media CAS member, Jeff Minerd, had his book review of Ken Wilbur’s The im Carr wrote notes NMarriage of Sense and Soul published on February 1, in the January-February 2000 issue of The T2000, that the syndicated public radio til Dawn,” inter- Skeptical Inquirer. program “Soundprint” recently aired a pro- viewed NCAS gram on pseudoscience. “I heard it on member Eugene hip Denman and Kari Coleman were WAMU in the wee hours of Monday morning Ossa about what interviewed by People magazine in (January 31). A certain Chip Denman is happened at the COctober 1999 for a fairly substantial heard at several points in the program. An turn of the first (for People) story on ghosts and spirits. There archived Webcast and audiocassettes can be millennium. This was a whole sidebar on the Fox sisters, com- obtained through their Web site: http:// stemmed from ing mostly from Chip. “They even wanted to soundprint.org/documentaries/2000/ Eugene’s presen- know how much the Foxes charged for their pseudoscience/ tation to NCAS seances,” said Chip. “ (My best answer: $2/ Chip replied “Wow, I did that early last year. It head when they worked at P. T. Barnum’s “SoundPrint” show some years ago — at least was aired (lo- Museum, but most of their work was in private 5, I think. I just compared my cassette tape cally) Tuesday, homes.)” against the RealAudio on the website, and January 11, 2000, they are the same. Except that originally it on WTOP, then CAS Spokesperson, Chip Denman, was titled “On The Edge of Reason” rather fed all over the participated in a 20-minute recorded than “Pseudoscience.” country to CBS Ntelephone interview on Fairfax Cable Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.” affiliates on Sun- Radio WEBR 94.5 FM aired sometime be- day, January 9, tween 2:30 - 4:00p.m. during the “Joel Paul” ave Smolar, radio producer for the just before the talk radio show on Sunday, October 10, 1999. “new” overnight format, hosted by news on the hour. The topic of the show was “Pet Peeves.” Danchor Dean Lane, and named “Dean
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you’ll find a renewal form above ○○○○○○○○○○ Skeptical Eye Vol. 12, No. 1 2000 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 11 NCAS Says Goodbye to Horizon
anuary 13, 2000, marked the final issue of column for 9-13 year-olds, and hope they can the monthly HORIZON Learning Section someday expand their efforts again to include Jfrom the Washington Post. all readers who need lifelong science learning. Over its 5-year run, the HORIZON Calen- Everyone who has ever enjoyed HORI- dar section has been very supportive in an- ZON, Please send email to nouncing NCAS events.We want to thank “Horizon”
Skeptical Eye Mentioned in Gardner Book cott Snell writes: “A 1996 collection of book. The story is about some New Agers Martin Gardner’s essays, The Night is who think Francis Bacon actually wrote SLarge, refers to an issue of the Skeptical Shakespeare’s plays, and the evidence to Eye (vol. 6, no. 4, 1992) on page 374 of the prove it is buried in a Williamsburg graveyard.
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