THE SKEPTICAL INTELLIGENCER
The Quarterly Magazine of ASKE THE ASSOCIATION FOR SKEPTICAL ENQUIRY
Vol 16, 2013, Number 4 (Winter) Incorporating the Skeptical Adversaria: the ASKE Newsletter ______
Edited by Michael Heap To access a pdf copy of this issue, please contact the Editor at [email protected] . If you are an ASKE member and would like a paper copy sending, again email the Editor.
CONTENTS Guidelines for Authors
Regular features: From the ASKE Chairman 1 Of Interest 16 Logic and Intuition 2 Upcoming Events 19 Medicine on the Fringe 3 Logic and Intuition Answers 20 Language on the Fringe 4 About ASKE 21 The European Scene 16 Stop press 21
Articles: Bigfoot Talk: Claims regarding the ‘language’ of cryptids. Part 2: The data by Mark Newbrook 7
Book reviews and commentaries Strange Linguistics: A skeptical linguistic looks at non-mainstream ideas about language by Ray Ward 13
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS The Skeptical Intelligencer welcomes formal and List multiple references in date order: e.g. informal contributions on any subject within the ‘...a number of studies have thrown doubt on ambit of the Association for Skeptical Enquiry this claim (Zack, 1986; Al-Issa, 1989; (ASKE). Erikson, 1997)...’ Formal articles should be aimed at the • In the case of electronic material, give the intelligent layperson, and authors should take author and the date the material was accessed particular care to define or explain unusual terms on line or concepts. Equations, statistics or other • Place Internet addresses URLs in angle numerical and symbolic tools may be employed brackets: e.g.
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 FROM THE ASKE CHAIRMAN Michael Heap
Why are rates of recorded crime read a journal paper on the theory, a next to nothing about epigenetic falling? pile of which he had left by the inheritance but it struck me that this is In October this year I attended a entrance. The theory is: testosterone is the kind of process that someone could symposium on falling crime rates and reduced in obese men; low testosterone easily run away with into all sorts of their probable causes (note 1) . For level in men is associated with reduced places where it has little business. about the last 10 years or more crime tendency to criminal activity; the Epigenetic inheritance and criminal generally (and most kinds of crimes) incidence of obesity is rising; hence behaviour? Sure enough, a Google has been falling in the UK whereas it crime will fall. search reveals what seems to be a had been constantly rising prior to that, The symposium did not address respectable field of scientific study. particularly from the 1960s onwards. several other explanations that have How influential will this become in our One possible cause suggested most been put forward in recent years: criminal justice system? Let’s see. recently (but not discussed at the abortion having a disproportionate Reduced street lighting and symposium) is the manipulation of the culling effect on prospective criminals crime figures by the police, either by not prior to birth; the phasing out of leaded Sometimes an action will not have the recording crimes at all or by petrol; longer prison sentences obvious effect that one would predict – downgrading the seriousness of (inmates tend to be repeat offenders hence the need for good evidence. In recorded offences (note2) . Skeptics but they can’t offend while they’re in September the Shropshire Star (note 4) will not be incredulous in the face of jail); and robust (zero-tolerance) reported that 854 people, mainly from this allegation; where it is policing methods. Some explanations the north of Shrewsbury had signed a advantageous to them, say to of rising or geographical differences in petition asking Shropshire Council to demonstrate improved performance or crime rate don’t fare too well - e.g. reverse a policy which had so far seen to meet targets, people will adjust the unemployment and inequality. around 5,000 street lights switched off data accordingly, even unconsciously. ______between midnight and 5.30am. The Despite this, criminologists in the main petition was prompted by a burglary in agree that the fall in crime is genuine: Each speaker had his own the locality. Residents wanted the it has been reported in very many favoured explanation and lights back on to deter crime and help countries and is apparent in victim presented data that seemed to people feel safer in their homes. surveys as well as crimes recorded by convincingly support it. However, a report advised councillors the police. ______to keep the policy, which will The symposium revealed a Maybe there is not just one eventually be extended to 12,600 street phenomenon that is of interest to explanation and maybe some of the lights throughout Shropshire. The skeptics: each speaker had his own contributing factors are very subtle and report said that in northern favoured explanation and presented Shrewsbury, the number of crimes data that seemed to convincingly difficult to measure. Predicting the behaviour of a single human being is reported between April and June 2012 support it. For one speaker it was hard enough, so predicting the – when lights were on all night – was increased security: as the number of behaviour of thousands of interacting 11. In the same period in 2013 when offences of a particular category rises, humans is pretty impossible (cue for the lights were off, there were 10 so do security and preventative efforts reported crimes. so that the rising trend is eventually economists to comment). reversed (‘crime is self-limiting’). This Keep an eye on epigenetics Notes theory seems to work best for vehicle At the beginning of December the 1. http://www.shef.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1. theft and burglary. Another explanation media were excited by a study in the 270173!/file/MLRProgramme.pdf was low inflation – that is, crime rises journal Nature Neuroscience (note 3) 2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn with inflation because of the greater which reported that the fear response ews/crime/10511503/Fall-in-crime- demand for stolen goods, and hence conditioned to an olfactory stimulus in overstated-says-expert.html more acquisitive crime and more mice before conception may be 3. http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal violence associated with it. A transferred to the next generation and /vaop/ncurrent/full/nn.3594.html questioner from the audience, even the one afterwards, seemingly by 4. http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/ interestingly an economist, promoted the process of epigenetic inheritance environment/2013/09/28/street-lights- an endocrinological explanation and (changes in gene expression without switch-on-appeal-faces-refusal/ invited the audience and speakers to changes in the DNA sequence). I know
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Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 LOGIC AND INTUITION
Designing Psychological Experiments Designing an experiment to test a explanations for any positive results picture, studies that for two minutes, prediction based on some hypothesis observed. In the field of experimental and so on until she has looked at all concerning human psychology is parapsychology, the reports of five pictures separately. deceptively difficult (this may well be extraordinary positive findings have In another room, the other true of other disciplines). Partly owing often been discredited because the participant is informed about what her to this, the psychological research experimenters have overlooked some twin sister is doing and she is also literature is notoriously adversarial; simple way in which, for example, shown the five pictures. For each of the proponents of one particular theory information supposedly conveyed two-minute intervals that her twin will publish the results of an telepathically could have been sister is studying one of the pictures, experiment they have conducted that communicated by more obvious ways, she has to think about her and guess purports to support their theory and even those that involve cheating. which of the pictures she is looking at. disprove an opposing theory. Then the Another occasionally reported problem The picture she selects is then advocates of the supposedly is when the investigator halts the removed, so she only chooses each discredited theory will point to flaws in experiment once the results are looking picture once. She is not informed their opponents’ experimental design favourable for a psi effect, thus whether she is correct or not until the and carry out an experiment that capitalising on the statistical variation experiment is complete. eliminates these flaws. Surprise, in the subject’s accuracy of guessing The researchers carry out this surprise: the experiment supports their over a series of trials. experiment on a sample of identical theory and disproves the first one. But Consider the following experiment twins and report that, while no one is this isn’t the end of the story; the first on telepathy and see if you can spot the 100% correct (all five pictures experimenters will protest that the flaws in the design (we will assume correctly chosen), for most pairs the second experiment is in fact flawed that watertight controls are in place to accuracy rate is well above that and they report a third experiment that prevent any leakage of information expected by random guessing and they maintain clearly demonstrates the between the participants). Incidentally, collectively the results for the sample superiority of their theory. While the I know of no one who has actually are at an astonishing level of statistical second group are preparing their conducted this experiment: I have significance. So, have the counterblast, a third research group invented it simply for the purposes of experimenters convincingly demon- arrive on the scene with their theory this exercise. strated that identical twins are capable and experimental support ….. and on Experiment of communicating telepathically with and on it goes until everyone gets fed The researchers are interested in each other? up and moves on to something else. I demonstrating that identical twins are See page 19 for comments and exaggerate, but not much. capable of telepathic communication possible answers. Designing a psychological with one another. In one room one twin experiment is very much an exercise in is presented with five pictures of logical thinking, and many different scenes. She is asked to choose experimental designs are doomed if the one of the pictures and study it researchers are not alert to possible carefully for two minutes. It is then flaws that would provide alternative taken away and she chooses a second
Editor’s Announcement
ASKE’s Skeptical Intelligencer is a quarterly magazine. Paper editions are available on request (see front page). The magazine is widely circulated electronically to skeptical groups and individuals across the globe. Formal and informal articles of interest to skeptics are welcome from people of all disciplines and backgrounds. Would you like to contribute a regular column in your specialty or area of interest – e.g. an ‘On the Fringe’ feature? Or would you like to take over one of the regular features? Please get in touch with the Editor if you wish to make a contribution to skepticism in this way.
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Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 MEDICINE ON THE FRINGE Michael Heap
‘Health Freaks’ Channel 4 improvement in their condition. This claimant, who had earlier described In October and November this year, was strikingly demonstrated by a this treatment for his osteoarthritis as Channel 4 had a series called ‘Health claimant whose arthritis dramatically dramatically successful, although the Freaks’. Members of the public were improved after she started drinking GPs had expressed their skepticism. I invited to appear on the programme in cider vinegar and honey. She believed don’t know about anyone else but I front of three general medical that the treatment worked because she immediately sensed that there was practitioners and describe to them was de-acidifying her body (with something bothering our medical unorthodox remedies that they had vinegar?). On further questioning she friends. You might have expected them used on themselves and their family also mentioned that she had lost a great to waste no time announcing the glad members. The format was reminiscent deal of weight (going from a size 20 to tidings that three patients with chronic of the BBC programme ‘Dragons’ a size 14) and was taking more arthritis were experiencing less pain Den’: the claimants entered the room exercise. No minor detail. after wearing copper insoles. But no. with their product and made their pitch, Each episode featured a simple test First came the grave but unsurprising and the panel decided whether the of one of the claimed remedies. These revelation that the patients’ copper claim was sufficiently plausible and very limited tests suggested that duct levels were unchanged. Second, it was safe to warrant the investment of a test tape might be a useful treatment for revealed that no change in gait had (albeit of a minimum scale). verrucae and warts; coconut oil is not occurred which might account for any Quite a number of the featured an effective mouthwash; oat baths reduction in pain. Finally the claimant remedies were familiar – bread might be helpful for psoriasis; breast was informed that all participants poultices (for boils), turmeric and milk does not have anti-bacterial reported reduced pain due to their yoghourt (for acne), toothpaste (for properties (at least milk from the one arthritis. Surely that’s the only thing insect bites), standing on your head donor breast); turmeric with yoghourt that really matters? (for baldness), WD40 (for arthritis), does not relieve acne; and copper After some further desultory and drinking breast milk or urine (for insoles might reduce arthritic pain. discussion, the GP who presented the everything). The accounts and the Yes, copper insoles. programme made the following announcement (repeated on the reasoning of those promoting these ______remedies were very reminiscent of the programme’s website): claims and propaganda put forward by All claimants were adamant ‘In response to our findings The purveyors of alternative medicine and (and very convincing) that their Original Copper Heeler Company, which are very familiar to skeptics. In treatments were effective even the company that sells copper only a minority of cases was there any when contrary information was insoles, told us that they believed that scientific rationale for the treatment, provided by the panel. their insoles were a natural drug-free solution to the pain of arthritis and and even then it was not very strong ______(e.g. such-and-such substance may that many of their customers had The last mentioned test was have anti-inflammatory/ antibacterial/ cancelled operations and stopped conducted on three patients. All said analgesic properties). For the condition taking prescription drugs due to they felt less pain after a period being treated there were already wearing them.’ wearing copper insoles. The available to GPs a number of remedies I wonder if you, the reader, share participants also had their blood tested that have been shown to be effective my suspicion of some undercurrents for any elevation in levels of copper, (although in many cases the claimant here, something that was troubling the and sophisticated ‘state of the art’ had been prescribed these without medical team and maybe the assessments at the University of success). Some of the remedies carried programme producers? Why the Salford for any beneficial alteration in potential risks of which the claimant apparent embarrassment of the team in their gait which could have arisen seemed unaware (e.g. your urine acknowledging the main findings of merely from wearing insoles (copper or cannot be guaranteed to be sterile). All the test? (Curiously, on the programme otherwise). Unsurprisingly no copper claimants were adamant (and very website it is stated, ‘However, three of had managed to find its way into the convincing) that their treatments were the volunteers reported a reduction in blood stream and no change in gait was effective, even when contrary pain and said they would continue to detectable. information was provided by the panel. wear the copper insoles’ [italics mine]; The three GPs were shown In particular they were unwilling to were there more volunteers?) And why announcing the results of the test to the accept alternative explanations for the give The Original Copper Heeler 3
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013
Company this extraordinary free the three medical doctors would not be some of their patients are willing to publicity? aware of this; indeed one of them did inflict upon themselves to restrain them Well, the one glaring factor that mutter something about ‘the placebo from crying out ‘Oh my god!’ and ‘I could provide an explanation, if one is effect’ in their discussion of the cannot believe this!’ every time. As for needed, is that even by the most findings. What a blunder! the question ‘Are these people barmy charitable standards the test was There will be second series in due or could their treatment save the NHS rubbish. Take three people with a course. The first series was interesting millions of pounds?’, I am sure the chronic painful condition, start them on and instructive enough to be answer is neither. In particular, never some treatment, tell them they are worthwhile watching, though it was believe anyone claiming they have a participating in a clinical test – for a clearly edited and hyped up for treatment that ‘can save the NHS television programme no less – and entertainment purposes. I am sure that millions of pounds’; even if it could it soon enough they will surely report experienced GPs have sufficient wouldn’t. feeling less pain. I cannot believe that awareness of the bizarre treatments ______
LANGUAGE ON THE FRINGE Mark Newbrook
Does being multilingual (or new formulations of the matters in As noted last year, Trotter also knowing some linguistics) make question should be adopted. This argues that certain kinds of formulaic you a better philosopher? stance involves his rejection in its expression of philosophical interest (Part 3) mainstream form of the ‘emic/etic’ (for instance the logician’s For all X, X A coda to my discussion in the last two contrast (as in phonemic versus is Y = ‘all Xs are Y’, as in ‘all men are issues: some non-mainstream writers phonetic ), which he instead treats as mortal’) are to be deemed develop their own theories regarding essentially a type-token relationship; ungrammatical even though they are the relevance of linguistic facts (as for example, each phoneme is seen as a the normal forms used by the relevant they perceive and analyse them) to type and each of its allophones as a native speakers (logicians) in such philosophical issues, and/or vice versa . token of this type. Trotter’s objection cases. For all X, X is Y is seen as One such person is the psychologist at this point is associated in turn with ungrammatical because there is no and amateur logician John Trotter his opposition on philosophical determiner such as that or the before (mentioned briefly in this column last (ontological) grounds to some types of the second token of X, which would be year). In the 1970s-80s Trotter, a linguistic expression used to express required in more everyday styles of psychology lecturer, developed radical the relationship between types and English if the sentence were to occur views on the logical and structural tokens (for example, he objects to (suitably modified) and to be deemed nature of language, and incorporated definite descriptions such as the dodo grammatical. For instance, in any other these into papers offered for as used to refer to a type, as in the dodo context one would not say For all publication and into his teaching. If is now extinct ). However, whatever lions, lion has paws , or even For Trotter’s main ideas are valid, much of might be the merits of Trotter’s every /any lion, lion has paws; the noun the basis of linguistic theory and by philosophical points, his reasons for lion in the second clause would always extension some important aspects of rejecting the mainstream formulations have a determiner, as in that lion or the contemporary thought on logic must be of the linguistic concepts in question lion . However, this does not imply that mistaken. His papers were rejected by here (‘allophone’ etc.) appear to it must have a determiner in the style editors and reviewers whom he involve (a) a degree of misreading of used in the technical philosophical/ regarded as inadequately informed, and mainstream linguistics (an allophone of logical domain in which such sentences he was allegedly discouraged from a phoneme is not in fact the same thing normally occur. These sentences are presenting his views to students. After as a token of that phoneme; it is itself a not ungrammatical in context in any that time he operated as a private type, more specific and at a less normal sense of this term scholar. abstract linguistic ‘level’, and has its (prescriptivist or descriptivist). Some of Trotter’s main points own tokens, namely the individual Trotter goes on to argue that involve direct criticisms of mainstream instances where it occurs) and (b) an because these expressions are linguistic concepts. For instance, he exaggerated ontologically-based ungrammatical they are also logically holds that some key mainstream preference for one kind of linguistic invalid – and that, because the issue at linguistic concepts such as ‘allophone’ formulation of such matters over hand is central in discussions of logic, and ‘phoneme’ should not be used; another. the whole basis of logic is thereby
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Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 impugned. Indeed, the philosophical (in contrast with Jo goes home at 5 ‘assumptions’, with little fear that underpinnings of contemporary logic p.m. , etc.) has no logical consequences. anyone will actually attempt to and linguistics are grossly inadequate. Chomskyan tangents disprove them. Often, limited interest Both mainstream linguists and is shown in the question of how far the Although in the piece just above I philosophers would deny this. First of ‘assumptions’ and ‘paradigms’ upheld defend mainstream linguistics (and all, the linguistic features in question by a given group of linguists might philosophy) against thinkers such as are found in only some languages. Not actually prove demonstrably preferable Trotter, I would also concede (and all languages even require determiners to alternative ideas. indeed I have argued in print; see now modifying nouns; for instance, Chinese A further problem here lies in the especially Chapter 12 of my Strange and Russian do not. In fact, as I noted fact that different ‘schools’ do not by Linguistics ; Munich: Lincom-Europa, earlier, there are serious problems any means always agree even on what 2013) that in some respects mainstream (albeit not always adequately is valid and relevant evidence in such linguistics is indeed more in need of acknowledged by philosophers) cases, or at any rate upon the relative skeptical attention than some other associated with heavy reliance upon importance of different types of mainstream disciplines. One reason for linguistic data in a philosophical evidence. For instance, some linguists this is the relative lack of consensus or context, because the details of the regard typological surveys of ‘surface’ orthodoxy in linguistics, and how this constructions involved vary so much structures, involving many languages, is handled. Obviously, on many major from language to language. And, even as crucially important in resolving issues involving language almost all if it were accepted that English issues of analysis and theory, while linguists do in fact agree with each sentences such as those cited were others prefer to rely mainly upon close, other, at least in general terms. ungrammatical, it would thus be abstract analyses of one language or a However, one does not have to difficult to argue that some few languages, or indeed upon the penetrate far into linguistics to find formulations were logically invalid on judgments of linguistically-untutored disagreement on basic points. There the ground that there was an issue with native speakers as to whether sentences are many competing ‘schools’, the grammar of the versions of these in their first languages, presented to ‘paradigms’ and ‘frameworks’ within formulations as expressed in English them in surveys, are ‘grammatical’ or many of the branches of linguistics, but not in all languages. English and not. differing from each other on such similar languages have no special fundamental and basic issues as, for ______status in this respect. instance, the ‘true’ or most insightful In the case of linguistics, ______grammatical analysis of sentences as however, the degree of straightforward as Mark has drunk his disagreement is so great that Most grammatical anomalies beer in a language as well-described as the need for skeptical attention (whatever their origin or the English. Of course, all fields display status ascribed to them) some differences of this kind, despite would appear greater than in generate no significant displaying substantial cores of shared some other disciplines. ambiguity and certainly have ideas. In the case of linguistics, ______no logical consequences. however, the degree of disagreement is There is also a tendency for those ______so great that the need for skeptical who focus closely upon analyses of Indeed, the grammatical and logical attention would appear greater than in specific languages to ignore well- statuses of expressions in any given some other disciplines. known facts involving other languages language are very largely independent Professional linguists have not been which appear to disconfirm their of each other. Grammatical issues can conspicuously effective in dealing with theories. In some cases this can even normally bring the logical status of this problem. Some, especially those involve data from well-known varieties expressions into question only if they influenced by postmodernism, seem to of the same language which differ in involve the meanings of these adopt a quasi-relativist view on which the relevant respects from the varieties expressions, for example by rendering the issue is (perhaps) acknowledged best known to the linguists in question. them ambiguous or self-contradictory. but is not presented as truly Various claims made by American Most grammatical anomalies (whatever problematic, even where the different linguists to the effect that such-and- their origin or the status ascribed to ‘frameworks’ appear to be offering such a construction is impossible in them) generate no significant incompatible analyses of the very same English – or even impossible in any ambiguity and certainly have no aspects of the matters in question. One language – are readily refuted by logical consequences. A form such as can make any set of ‘assumptions’ features of non-standard or even Jo go home at 5 p.m. (grammatically which is not self-confounding or standard British English (hardly an non-standard) is normally semantically refuted by obvious facts, and can then obscure language variety!) such as the transparent, and its ‘ungrammaticality’ extrapolate massively from these ordering of pronouns in sentences like 5
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013
I gave it him (normal in much of their specific approach to linguistics is towards Rangoon! But other cases have Northern England). after all globally misguided. This more serious consequences. A British The training of academic linguists method of research might thus be less husband and wife based in Singapore, and the nature of many linguistics damaging and less wasteful of off the southern tip of the Malay departments contribute (often resources than I have argued here. Peninsula, undertook a Sunday drive inadvertently) to these problems. Some Given that even the huge body of up into Malaysia. The navigator, armed departments have a strong bias towards cross-linguistic data accumulated by with a road map, was repeatedly unable one ‘paradigm’ or another. Many of empirical linguistics does not clearly to locate the town of Utara, mentioned these ‘paradigms’ have now developed favour one paradigm over another on a succession of roadside signs. The in such depth and detail that students (‘underdetermination of theory by couple had a row which escalated must spend several years familiarizing fact’), and acknowledging the financial (‘And another thing…!’) and themselves with one ‘paradigm’ before constraints upon linguistic research, I eventually separated! The Malay word their grasp of the material is at such a can see some merit in Roger’s point. utara in fact means ‘north’. (Readers level that they can make fresh However, it is in practice of the Paddington Bear stories may contributions at the ‘cutting edge’. conspicuously rare for Chomskyans recall a similar case involving French Differences within the ‘paradigm’ are and such to admit even the possibility road-signs.) discussed, but its basics are often left of global error. Many of them prefer, I once received an application to unchallenged. Furthermore, many of as noted, simply to ignore study in the postgraduate linguistics the central concepts and issues within disconfirming data; or else they avoid program which I was then each ‘paradigm’ are intelligible only disconfirmation only at the cost of a administering from a student based in within that ‘paradigm’. All this applies degree of non-specificity or abstraction the People’s Republic of China. As the most obviously (though by no means which precludes empirical testing sole proof of his merits he sent me his exclusively) to the world-wide (empirical emptiness). I will return to bizarrely-worded translations of three community of linguists working in the this last topic later with some telling Chinese stories which he deemed tradition grounded in the ideas of examples. especially vital for cross-cultural Noam Chomsky. More fun things understanding – dealing with ‘the art of One reason for this situation lies in making fire by drilling wood’, ‘the Some erstwhile ‘intransitive’ English the relative intractability of linguistic tragic significance of the peacock verbs have recently come to be used data. Linguistics is an essentially which flew southeast’, and ‘why Si Ma ‘transitively’, with objects. One such is empirical subject; but, in the more Qian was castrated’! arrive , as in We will arrive you = abstract or speculative areas of such a It is (predictably) common for non- ‘check you in’, in a notice at a doctor’s domain, it is not always easy to adduce native usage in a given language to office. Other ‘trendy’ verbs were not decisive reasons or evidence for display patterns simpler than those even used as verbs until the last few preferring one account or analysis to which occur in native-speaker years; one such is platform , as in This another. However, it is surely varieties. For example, many learners train will shortly platform at Oxford preferable to seek to address this kind of English produce sentences such as (announcement). of issue with whatever decisive Jo go home at 5 p.m. (see above) in evidence may be found, rather than to ______contrast with standard native-speaker forge ahead at great length with any Other ‘trendy’ verbs were not forms such as Jo goes home at 5 p.m. ; one ‘paradigm’ in circumstances where even used as verbs until the last they have not acquired/mastered the rd there can be little confidence that it few years; one such is 3 -person-singular present tense really is the ‘best’ available – and ‘platform’, as in ‘This train will inflection –s and thus work with a where other equally qualified linguists shortly platform at Oxford’ simpler verb system. Such features can might deem that one has been ‘going become ‘fossilised’, that is to say (announcement). off at a tangent’ for many years. ‘normal’ in a given community of non- When I gave an oral presentation of ______native users; this particular feature, for these thoughts to a philosophy Foreign words can sometimes be instance, is typical of informal and less discussion group in Ulverston heard or read in circumstances where educated Singaporean English. (Cumbria), Roger Lindsay suggested they are liable to be grossly However, there are cases where the that by ‘going off at a tangent’ to such misinterpreted. I awoke once in an reverse is true: the non-native usage is an extent a community of scholars overnight train to the sound of a loud more complex than the native. (such as the Chomskyans) might voice apparently saying ‘Insane!’ over Cantonese has an unusually complex eventually learn so much that they can and over. It gradually dawned on me comparative construction, and in unearth inconsistencies and other that we were in the station at Insein, consequence Hong Kong students of major flaws in their chosen ‘paradigm’ Burma! Fortunately I had not missed English produce convoluted sentences and thus come to the conclusion that my own stop at Pegu, further south such as This book is relatively more 6
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 useful when compared/comparing to my Melbourne friend’s You’d be more about , etc.). As a result of this, pairs of that one ; contrast the much simpler worserer then , with a quadruple words such as formally and formerly – standard native-speaker form This book comparative!) Another case of this homophones in native-speaker usage, is more useful than that one . (It has to kind involves the fact that many non- except in accents where the –r- in the be admitted that some non-standard native users of English (especially in latter word is pronounced – are native-speaker usage also exhibits Asia) avoid reduced vowels such as pronounced differently. much ‘redundant’ complexity; consider ‘schwa’ (as in a, the , the first vowel of
ARTICLES
BIGFOOT TALK: CLAIMS REGARDING THE ‘LANGUAGE’ OF CRYPTIDS. PART 2: THE DATA ______Mark Newbrook
Mark Newbrook has been associated as a lecturer and researcher with universities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and the UK. His main areas of research interest are dialectology, controversies in historical linguistics and skeptical linguistics generally. In Part 1 of this paper (see the previous question of whether or how far (i) I begin with Nelson’s explanatory issue) I discussed the background to Morehead’s material should actually be comments on his transcriptions of the the claims of Ron Morehead and Scott regarded as non-human in origin but material. Nelson reports that his Nelson regarding alleged use of linguistic in nature, either in Nelson’s transcription system, the ‘Sasquatch language by Bigfoot/sasquatch (the terms or on other criteria (including the Phonetic Alphabet’ (or more formally North American equivalent of the largely non-phonological criteria the ‘Unidentified Hominid Phonetic Himalayan yeti). discussed earlier, such as the presence Alphabet’), involves a ‘variation of the As I noted in Part 1, Nelson is of syntax); and (iv) report in specific English Reformed Phonetic Alphabet’. unwilling to make his recordings terms on my analysis of the data and of I have not been able to identify the available on reasonable terms, or to Nelson’s own analysis. system referred to by this last term, and respond to queries about the details of ______the use here of the term phonetic his methodology; and this has suggests an amateur source, on which prevented me from analysing the Nelson reports that his point see below (though other material which is transcribed by him transcription system, the interpretations are possible). Neither on his website and upon which his ‘Sasquatch Phonetic Alphabet’ Nelson nor Morehead has replied to comments there are focused. I will ….. involves a ‘variation of the my queries on this matter. It is also therefore comment here mainly on the English Reformed Phonetic unclear to me why Nelson, who is transcriptions themselves and on what Alphabet’. identified here as a linguist, chose to Nelson says about the data. use a system of this kind in preference ______Specifically, I will: (i) examine the to the language-neutral International extent to which Nelson’s comments Again as stated in Part 1, Ron Phonetic Association Alphabet suggest that his expertise in linguistics Morehead himself appears to regard (IPAA). IPAA is much the most is adequate; (ii) examine Nelson’s the recordings on the CD versatile, precise and unambiguous stated criteria for assessing whether or accompanying his book as adequate, system so far devised for the not the recorded material said to be although of course they involve a transcription of hitherto undescribed produced by Bigfoot should be different body of recorded material. languages, and is certainly superior for regarded as genuine language Given his attitude, I will comment here such purposes to any imitated spelling associated with a non-human species on the material on the CD. system based on the phonetics of a (as Nelson maintains), in respect of For Nelson’s material and specific known language such as their clarity as expressed by Nelson transcriptions, see: English. 2 and their validity (including further http://www.bigfootsounds.com/sasquat Nelson announces that the consideration of the extent to which ch-phonetic-alphabet existence of Bigfoot/sasquatch is Nelson’s expertise in linguistics (this and other cited websites were assumed here, since ‘any Being must appears adequate); (iii) address the accessed repeatedly during January- exist before his [ sic ] language’. It will March 2013). 1 7
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 be clear from my comments in Part 1 ‘words’ Nelson presumably means exceptional languages such as Chinese) that this argument is faulty; it depends ‘word-boundaries’; but he does not – and by no means always coincide in upon the assumption that the material specify how he would expect word- languages like English. Unlike a was produced by Bigfoot (and upon the boundaries to be determined (this syllable, a morpheme must have an view that it is indeed linguistic in might involve phonology, morphology, identifiable meaning (either lexical as nature). On the other hand, Nelson syntax, etc.). Next, it is not at all clear in word-stems such as boy or think or does apparently hold (his wording is what Nelson means by the expression grammatical as in plural or tense not the clearest) that language ‘suspected in cognates’. The markers); and it may correspond with a researchers per se should (mainly?) mainstream linguistic notion of a syllable but may alternatively be work with the actual data rather than ‘cognate’ appears irrelevant in context; shorter than a syllable (for instance a concern themselves with other and, while it is possible for a single consonant phoneme as in the considerations regarding the existence competent linguist to guess at what plural marker -s in cats ) or made up of or otherwise of Bigfoot. This in itself is Nelson might really be referring to several syllables (as in elephant ). not unreasonable (see again Part 1). here, readers should not have to guess Nelson’s transcriptions represent However, by referring here to at such things. the sequences of sounds as divided by ‘transcripts’ rather than to the ______spaces into what appear to be syllables recordings themselves Nelson seems to or near-syllables (mostly – but not all – be assuming that other researchers will Nelson goes on further to state containing one vowel each); but in the endorse his own transcriptions if they that ‘since words cannot be absence of detailed analysis or specific gain access to the recordings. This, of known, and only suspected in comment on apparent meanings it is course, would not necessarily be the cognates’, Bigfoot-utterances not clear whether Nelson means here to case. 3 will be given ‘as individual equate morphemes and syllables, or In another section, where Nelson morphemes (or syllables)’. indeed if he understands/accepts the introduces more focused linguistic ______standard notion of ‘morpheme’. considerations, he expresses himself These conceptual and It is true that, even if the grammar rather naïvely. He makes the very methodological problems suggest that, of a hitherto-unfamiliar language is so obvious point that the ‘grammar and while Nelson obviously has some obscure that there are major difficulties syntax’ [NB: syntax is a part of knowledge of linguistics, his expertise in identifying word-boundaries grammar] of a hitherto unknown in the discipline is seriously lacking. (assuming that words per se exist in language such as this are themselves Nelson provides his own criteria for the language!), the morphemes unknown – and goes on to state that the assessment of the eligibility of (meaningful word-parts) are sometimes distinguishing between lower- and would-be transcribers of the material. less difficult to identify, given that upper-case letters would therefore be These are slanted in favour of those morpheme-boundaries are often more ‘useless and misleading’ (because who, like himself, might be identified immediately apparent in data than sentence-boundaries and such cannot as ‘crypto-linguists’, especially with a word-boundaries. This would depend be determined). Nelson does not seem military background. While Nelson upon the morphological patterns to be aware that phonetic and does allow that professional linguists displayed by the unfamiliar language phonemic transcription systems simply too might qualify, he applies very (see further later). Further: even in the do not distinguish between lower- and stringent criteria, especially in respect absence of grammatical information it upper-case letters as do many alphabets of acceptable ‘transcription programs’, might be possible to identify syllables used for everyday purposes, because in and apparently under-rates the cross- and perhaps their boundaries, since such systems the use of visually linguistic (and cross-dialectal) phonetic ‘syllable’ is a phonetic and different symbols (such as A and a) training which all serious linguistics phonological notion. But even here would imply different students undergo. Most professional there are issues: the definition of the sounds/phonemes. And in many other linguists would disagree with him in term syllable is in fact quite awkward, languages as usually written there is no respect of these matters. In addition, as and a phonetic sequence which counts distinction between lower and upper I noted in Part 1, Nelson’s ‘crypto- as a syllable in the phonology of one cases, in any event – or else the linguistic’ expertise, while not wholly language may not count as one in distinction exists but is used otherwise irrelevant, would not seem to be as another. than in English. centrally relevant as he suggests. In addition, syllables and Nelson goes on further to state that Indeed, linguists would call for an morphemes are entities of quite ‘since words cannot be known, and analyst to have a better knowledge of different kinds (phonetic and/or only suspected in cognates’, Bigfoot- linguistics proper than Nelson displays phonological versus grammatical), utterances will be given ‘as individual here. Of course, Nelson himself might cannot be paired off one-to-one in a morphemes (or syllables)’. This is use his own criteria to exclude their given language (except in altogether thoroughly naïve and confused. By alternative interpretations of the data 8
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 from consideration. This is not furnishing adequate justification. In made by a human. (On Logan’s ideas, necessarily a deliberate move on his correspondence, he states this see part; but see Part 1 and below for other conclusion dogmatically, saying for http://www.bigfootsounds.com/logan.a ways in which Nelson may be seeking instance: ‘I can tell you this; these sp , to avoid professional criticism (by utterances are linguistic, by the human http://www.bigfootsounds.com/experts restricting access to original recordings definition of language. They are not -point-of-view/nancy-logan/ .) of the material, etc.). It may be that glossolalia [‘speaking in tongues’ However, as noted in Part 1, such neither Nelson and his associates on MN]. These beings are much more like judgments have been disputed. the one hand nor the community of us than we previously thought’. Here Nelson also claims that Bigfoot- academic linguists on the other will too he provides no supporting language is (mostly) spoken ever be persuaded to take seriously the evidence; and he has ignored further ‘approximately twice as fast as any views of the other ‘side’ on such emails requesting details of his known language’, and reports that the matters. analytical methodology and his recordings have been slowed down for (ii) I turn now to Nelson’s own stated evidential/argumentational basis for the purpose of accurate transcription. or implied criteria for assessing being so very confident that genuine (This should be borne in mind when whether or not the recorded material language is in question here. As noted considering any details discussed here should be regarded as genuine in Part 1, this is obviously an or in any further work.) Logan suggests language. These he introduces with his unsatisfactory procedure. that this effect, specifically, could not arguably pretentious term ‘Sasquatch In addition, given this viewpoint be replicated by humans, but provides Language Recording Syllogism’ Nelson cannot comfortably claim that no evidence for this claim. 4 (explicitly referring here to the use of the material is altogether unlike ______the term syllogism in logic). human language in structural terms. Nelson also claims that Bigfoot- ______Indeed, he is perforce dealing with a corpus of data which is almost language is (mostly) spoken As things stand, Nelson’s certainly too small to yield reliable ‘approximately twice as fast as criteria involving the evidence on the degree of structural any known language’. ‘characteristics’ of language similarity between the systems ______are covert and thus unclear. exemplified and human linguistic In any event, the presence of ______systems. But obviously he remains clearly non-human sounds per se At the outset, Nelson defines very concerned with the question of (whether or not produced by an animal ‘language’ as ‘utterance demonstrating whether or not the material is of non- such as Bigfoot) would not in itself be the characteristics of human language’. human origin. The main type of especially dramatic unless the material These characteristics presumably evidence which can be invoked in was also shown to be genuinely include those explained in Part 1. But these circumstances is phonetic linguistic (see Part 1). And in fact the Nelson himself does not identify them evidence which might be indicative of alleged dramatic differences between at all; he provides here no evidence of inter-species differences in the form of the sounds in question and those of having considered them seriously in the vocal tract. I thus turn now to the human languages involve, at most, this context. As things stand, Nelson’s question of whether or how far the only (some of) these ‘suprasegmental’ criteria involving the ‘characteristics’ material should actually be regarded as features such as intonation. of language are covert and thus non-human in origin (whether Suspiciously, the marked unfamiliarity unclear. They do not support his view linguistic or not), in these latter terms. of phoneme -length sounds which that the material to hand here is (iii) This issue was introduced in Part 1 might be anticipated in a genuine non- linguistic, or provide any evidence of of this paper. Both Nelson and fellow- human language is not found (as will his own expertise in the discipline, analyst Nancy Logan claim that the be seen). which – as has been shown – is already vocalisations recorded, as a corpus, The conclusion must be that the in question. If linguists knew what could not have been produced by linguistic nature of the material has not Nelson’s criteria actually were, they humans. Nelson for his part claims that been demonstrated – unless by might simply disagree with them. And, the recordings involve a frequency- extraordinary chance some specific applying familiar criteria to the data, range greater than is possible for feature(s) of the very small corpus interested linguists will come to their human voices, in both directions should prove so very dramatic and own conclusions with respect to (higher and lower). He also refers in decisive as to demonstrate this. As far Nelson’s judgment that language more general terms to prosody and as I know, this has not occurred. proper is in question here. resonance features. Logan confidently (iv) Here I report in specific terms on Nelson thus appears to accept the asserts that the tapes are not faked, and my analysis of Nelson’s analysis of the material as genuinely linguistic without that the vocal range is too broad to be data. As noted above, Nelson’s
9
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 transcription system appears dubious should be made explicit (or it should be spelling (the ‘English Reformed (more on this general issue follows); acknowledged that the matter is not Phonetic Alphabet’) instead of the but the details of his transcription of clear). much more versatile IPAA (which, the material are necessarily treated in The 31 phonemes listed (including given accent differences within these terms below. the five with ‘umlauts’, on which see English, would still have been much Re the transcription system (and his below; see further below on Nelson’s preferable). 6,7 application of the system to the data): ‘compound phonemes’) imply a However, it is obviously highly Nelson lists the ‘phonemes’ he finds in phoneme system of approximately unlikely that the phoneme the data, with minimal explanations of average size for human languages system/inventory of a non-human how each ‘phoneme’ sounds, couched (English accents vary between 40 and language, and/or its phonetics/ in terms of English words. As noted in 45 phonemes). Even more allophonics, would really be so very Part 1, he does not provide suspiciously, they also correspond ‘familiar’. Especially given the methodological details of this analysis closely with some of the phonemes/ probable vocal-tract differences, such a so as to justify his decisions as to phones most characteristic of modern system would be expected to include at whether any given pair or set of the western Indo-European (IE) languages least some sounds of very different relevant phones (sounds) are to be such as English; there are no ‘exotic’ kinds (which would have required the treated as allophones of the same phones such as those typical of non-IE use of IPAA or another such means of phoneme or separate phonemes. 5 Now languages (unless one counts the transcription) – even if the phoneme non-linguists often confuse phonetics ‘tongue click’ represented here by inventory were (as might be predicted and phonemics, or (tendentiously or lower-case c, which occurs world-wide in the case of a non-human primate) out of limited knowledge) use the as a non-linguistic vocal gesture – used smaller than that proposed by Nelson. technical-sounding term phoneme to for instance to ‘gee up’ horses – but is Note that Maori, for instance, has a mean ‘phone’. It is not clear how a phone proper in only a few, mainly very small phoneme inventory which Nelson, whose own knowledge of African language families). Further- nevertheless includes a consonant linguistics appears limited, is intending more, all of the sequences of found in no European language. This to use the term here. But even if the sounds/phonemes transcribed are also suggests that either the transcription or term is being used in a standard familiar and non-‘exotic’. the material itself should be deemed manner, any such analysis – especially ______suspicious. in the exotic context of non-human Nelson uses an ‘umlaut’ as a phonation – clearly requires The phonology of Bigfoot- diacritic (accent-mark) over five of his justification, if only (a) to state (if this language, if the language is 31 symbols (A, E, I, O, U), thus is the case) that each phoneme displays genuine, appears very similar to distinguishing these symbols from the only one allophone in the data and (b) those of IE languages and in equivalent five without umlauts. He to demonstrate the genuinely particular to that of English. announces that he uses an umlaut phonemic status of each identified ______rather than a macron here, to avoid phoneme by means of observed Indeed, all of these phones/ confusion. This is a strange decision; contrasts and distributional patterns sequences other than the tongue click the umlaut has very seldom been used involving the phonemes (etc.). If, occur not only in IE but in English as a macron is. Nelson does not in fact instead, the sounds listed are simply specifically, although the glottal stop state explicitly that the umlaut, as he phones and no phonemic analysis is and the sound here represented by Rr uses it here, is intended to serve the being offered, this should be explicitly are confined to certain accents. This normal linguistic use of the macron, stated, and the term phoneme should fact is thrown into high relief by the which is to represent phonetic or not be used. (On one especially fact that Nelson can comfortably phonological vowel-length: long as difficult case, see Note 7.) illustrate all these phon(eme)s except opposed to short; but his English Specifically, it is not clear whether the glottal stop (unillustrated) and the example-words indicate that this is so. the symbol > (glossed as ‘phoneme tongue click with English words (and, Nor does Nelson explain that the drawn out’ and added after phoneme except for Rr, without any reference to macron, a diacritic favoured in more symbols) indicates (a) an allophone specific accents or any other additional traditional sub-disciplines such as (phonetically longer) of a given details). In other words, the phonology comparative philology, is equivalent to phoneme or (b) a different, contrasting of Bigfoot-language, if the language is the now more familiar colon as used in phoneme which is otherwise genuine, appears very similar to those IPAA. Nelson should also, again, have phonetically similar but is inherently of IE languages and in particular to that specified whether the relevant vowel- longer. From Nelson’s wording, one of English. And this point is, of course, length differences are phonemic – as assumes the former (in which case connected with the decision to one might imagine – or only each of the phonemes in question does transcribe the material into imitated allophonic. And he should further have have at least two allophones); but this explained how the umlaut as used here 10
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 contrasts with his symbol >, which, as often so perceived by hitherto altogether unfamiliar and ‘exotic’ stated above, itself represents vowel- untutored native speakers learning language can be used as reliable length (for example, by stating linguistics, and is in some words (such indicators of: (a) the emotional state of explicitly that the former symbol as tune ) spelled with u as if it actually the vocalising entity (this might indicates different phonemes while the were one phoneme. But in other words possibly be so but in a cross-species latter merely indicates different [ju:] is spelled with digraphs or situation it certainly cannot be taken as allophones of the same phoneme – if polygraphs (as in you ). Six of the other given) and (b) whether or not the this is indeed what he intends; see nine items (again including the two ‘utterance’ is a question, a command, a above). 8 conventionally spelled with th ) are ‘direct response’, etc. Intonation Nelson also lists ten ‘compound normally spelled with digraphs in patterns characteristically associated phonemes’. This is a non-standard term English, and two more are often so with responses, interrogatives/ and it is not wholly clear why these ten spelled; the tenth item, /3/ in azure etc., questions and imperatives/commands phone(me)s are grouped together (but is normally spelled with a variety of vary very considerably between human see below), especially as only eight of single letters (mainly S or Z), but it is languages (some of which, for them are transcribed here with digraphs also one of the rarest phonemes in phonological reasons, make minimal such as KH and SJ; the remaining two English. grammatical use of intonation) and are transcribed with single Greek Thus, these ten items may be even between accents/dialects of the letters. This last decision, though conceived by Nelson as ‘compound’ – same language. It is simply not unexplained, is itself not wholly and grouped together and individually possible to arrive at such judgments unreasonable, as both items are in fact transcribed as they are – in part with any reliability when the language single (distinct) phonemes in English because of specifically English in question is unfamiliar, and this is despite the fact that in conventional spelling conventions. Maybe to again all the more the case in English spelling they are both disguise this fact, the specific circumstances such as those in question represented by a digraph (indeed by the transcriptions chosen here are here. Again, Nelson’s linguistic same digraph, th ). sometimes unnecessarily ‘exotic’ in expertise appears lacking. appearance; for example, SH could ______have been used instead of SJ for the Nelson also lists ten ‘compound initial consonant of English shirt . And Overall, a linguist would expect phonemes’. This is a non- in at least six of these ten cases a single a considerably clearer and standard term and it is not symbol (even if it had to be taken from more complete presentation wholly clear why these ten IPAA or simply invented) would have than what Nelson offers, phone(me)s are grouped displayed the phon(em)e system more ______together accurately and unambiguously. Once As noted, I am not in a position to ______again, Nelson’s treatment of this aspect 9 comment on the actual recordings of the material appears weak. All ten of this second group of analysed by Nelson. What I can Overall, a linguist would expect a phones/sequences occur in English, considerably clearer and more comment on is the recorded material although the sound represented by KH presented on the CD supplied with complete presentation than what is confined to a few accents (notably Morehead’s book. Unfortunately, this Nelson offers, with justification of Scottish, as written with ch in words material is not especially interesting or analyses, distinction between such as loch ). Again, this is obviously impressive in this context. For the most phonemes and allophones, etc. But, as highly anomalous. noted, the system outlined is highly part, the very brief extracts are not Six of the ten (including the two clearly linguistic in character, to say suspicious in character, even on the conventionally spelled in English with the least. The one extract which does basis of the unsatisfactory account th ) are single phones (and indeed they appear to be linguistic contains no provided by Nelson. If this material are simple phonemes in English); three ‘exotic’ phones, and it sounds (a) as if really is linguistic in character, it are phonetically more complex and would seem unlikely that it emanates it was produced by a definitely human might be treated either as single voice and (b) as if it was recorded at from a non-human source, or even that phonemes or sequences of two closely- very close range. I am not suggesting it represents a non-IE language. linked phonemes (one is a ‘diphthong’ that this extract has been faked, but it is Nelson’s definition and use of and two are ‘affricates’). The final certainly anomalous in context, and further symbols representing phon(em)e – the sequence [ju:] as in given the extreme brevity of this ‘suprasegmental’ features such as English you , tune , etc. – is phonetically specific corpus of data it is not clear intonation (and his instructions to a sequence of two phones which is in researchers collecting data in the field) how it could be analysed further with some respects treated by English any great expectations as to findings. suggest that he believes that phonetic phonology as a single phoneme, is data (notably intonation data) in an 11
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Of course, if these recordings really await larger amounts of semantic systems available and the accuracy of do represent language or something information in any case. Nelson’s specific analyses and comparable the main goal (especially In addition, even the relatively transcriptions. for non-linguists) will be to arrive at an substantial body of data presented in 4. Logan also states confidently but understanding of what they mean . But, transcription by Nelson is very small; a without specific evidence that the as noted in Part 1, arriving at this point linguist would require longer samples Bigfoot language shows signs of might be even more difficult than (whether or not meanings were complexity and communicative analysing the material in structural available) if the extracts were to be of structures, possibly includes profanities terms. At present it is wholly unclear serious use, especially in determining (how could she deduce something so how far semantic information (word- grammatical patterning. specific?), etc., and in general her and/or utterance-meanings) could Ideally, what is needed is a series of authority cannot be endorsed. See Part rationally be ascribed to such material. analyses of all recordings which are 1 on her apparent lack of linguistic Even Nelson and Morehead do not now or later become available, by training. Morehead for his part has not commit themselves heavily on this several independent analysts having been forthcoming on the identity of front, and where they do make suitable expertise, training and any of the other linguists who have suggestions these are not supported qualifications – if possible acceptable supposedly endorsed Nelson’s work; adequately (see above on intonation, to both Nelson and to mainstream maybe no linguists additional to these etc.). linguists (but see above). If the are involved. Although meanings are eventually proponents of claims such as these 5. A ‘phone’ is a speech-sound to be sought if the material is as show themselves more willing to co- considered ‘phonetically’, that is, as a described, it is sometimes possible to operate with the world community of physical entity, in terms of its identify such material as linguistic, in scholars, this may eventually be articulation with the speech organs, the general terms, without any meanings achievable, and we may thus come to associated acoustic effects in the air being known (whether or not the actual understand the true nature of this and the auditory reception of the sound sounds are available; this depends upon material. in the ear and brain of a listener. In any the particular features at issue). See given language (or accent), the phones Notes Part 1 on the features which distinguish used are grouped into ‘phonemes’. The 1. See also other websites created by human language from communication phones which are members of a given Morehead and Nelson, such as systems of other kinds. 10 Where the phoneme in a given language (its http://bigfootevidence.blogspot.co.uk/2 sounds are available or where a ‘allophones’) are related to each other 011/10/samurai-chatter-spoken- reliable transcription is presented, the in various important structural and language-of.html?m=1 . phonetics and to a limited extent the distributional ways; and they are 2. In addition, it is not clear how phonology of a (putative) language can perceived by linguistically untutored Nelson can be as confident as he is that also be examined in the absence of native speakers of that language the ‘language’ under scrutiny here is meanings. Naturally, analysis of (though not by native speakers of other non-human and at the same time grammatical structure is difficult in languages with different systems) as cheerfully transcribe it into imitated the absence of semantic information, the same sound, even if they are spelling based on the phonology of one but some patterns can sometimes still seriously different in phonetic terms. human language or human language in be discerned. For example, if word- For example, the two ‘L’ sounds in the general. Even transcriptions into boundaries can be established from the English word lull are allophones of the language-neutral IPAA could be phonology (or the orthography, where same English phoneme (/l/). The challenged in this context. But see relevant) it can be determined how far second allophone is found only at the below on the surprisingly close the words of a language tend to be ends of syllables or before consonants, correspondence of the sounds in ‘inflected’ with grammatical affixes the first elsewhere (this is their question with English phones, which (this was accomplished for the Cretan distributional relationship). But in most provides a plausible explanation of ‘Linear B’ script before the language accents of English they are Nelson’s decision but itself suggests represented was identified and the texts phonetically very different (and native that the transcribed material is, at least deciphered, and some specific known speakers of other languages hear them in this respect, rather suspicious in languages thus became more or less as very different). character. likely ‘candidates’ as work progressed The phonemes themselves are 3. Nelson’s stated intention that any further). But by Nelson’s own involved in the ‘phonemic’/ future transcription be ‘standardized’ admission information about word- ‘phonological’ structure of the on the basis of his own specific system boundaries and such is not apparent in language/accent: which phonemes and is also, naturally, subject to the views his material (see above). And of course contrasts between phonemes exist, adopted by other researchers regarding full analyses would obviously have to which sequences of phonemes are the relative merits of the various possible in a word, etc. 12
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013
6. Similar effects occur in allegedly phonetically indistinguishable – or he This last comment suggests a naïve channelled material. For example, all is implying that in Bigfoot-language view of human writing systems; and but one of the phones found in one (not in English) they are freely overall one cannot avoid thinking that unidentified ‘language’ extensively substitutable for each other (‘in free Nelson’s view of what might constitute channelled (without any variation’). linguistic behaviour has been widened understanding) by one particular 8. Nelson’s actual sample of a macron excessively at this point. Australian medium are common in is in fact instead a hyphen (mid-way in 10. There is obviously a danger in English, and the remaining phone is height on the line of characters) rather cases such as this of an analyst over- common in Dutch, the first language of than in the space above a character extrapolating and relying unduly on his the medium’s wife. (where a genuine macron is written). ‘gut-reactions’ (even though these may 7. Nelson also identifies the Bigfoot- 9. Nelson goes on to say that he be quite well grounded in knowledge phon(em)e represented here by L as ‘l expects that his ‘alphabet’ will grow as and experience). I do not say that this in [English] lull’; he ignores the fact additional recordings are collected, and has happened here; but this effect must that the two L-sounds (allophones) in that aspects of alleged Bigfoot be carefully guarded against. Despite lull are (in most accents of English, communication such as ‘howls, Nelson’s cited comment ‘they are not including General American) whoops, growls, screams, whistles, and glossolalia’, the nature of many cases phonetically very different (see Note mimicry of other forest animals’ (!) of glossolalia and other such 5). Either he is implying that Bigfoot- may come to be seen as carrying phenomena suggests that what sounds language is structurally identical with linguistic meaning, as indeed may very much like language (to lay people (most accents of) English at this point ‘wood- and rock-knocking or tooth- or even to those with some relevant (this would be implausible, although popping’; he even suggests that training) need not really be language. without access to the recordings it is ‘manipulated tree, limb and stick But it is difficult to assess the impact impossible to determine the truth), or formations’ might represent written of such effects in cases where most of he is wrongly regarding the two Bigfoot-language ‘much like human the actual data are not available. allophones of /l/ in English as runic or pictographic writing systems’. .
REVIEWS AND COMMENTARIES
Strange Linguistics: A skeptical linguist looks at non-mainstream ideas about language by Mark Newbrook, with Jane Curtain and Alan Libert, 2013. Linguistics Edition series, 93, Munich: Lincom Europa, ISBN 978 3 86288 419 3. ______Ray Ward
Mark Newbrook is known to ASKE with those of mainstream scholarship - comprehensively demolished; people members for his contributions on there are fringe, cult and pseudo- who naïvely expect quick acceptance linguistics. I approached this hefty linguists just like fringe, cult and of their ideas and, when they are book (388 pages of small print) with pseudo-scientists. It proceeds to a rejected, accuse the mainstream of some trepidation, but found much of it discussion of ‘bad English’, the idea being hidebound, conformist, etc.; very interesting, particularly the strong that language is becoming ‘worse’ or those who reject the mainstream from connections between unconventional ‘looser’, and the confusion between the the outset, often displaying and irrational beliefs about language distinct concepts of language and script inconsistency in rejecting orthodoxy and such beliefs generally. and between language and speech (a while craving acceptance by the The book aims to outline and creature which cannot speak may have scholarly world; conspiracy theorists - critique a range of non-mainstream language; one which can produce ‘They are suppressing the truth!’; ideas about language proposed by human-like speech sounds, such as a orthodox scholars’ reluctance to writers who are not professional parrot, may not). comment for fear of giving fringe linguists. It begins with a preface There is indeed much here that is material credibility which they think it describing this aim, a useful glossary familiar to anyone active in the does not deserve; non-mainstream of linguistic terms, and an introduction skeptical world, and relevant to the theorists who either ignore criticism discussing the similarity between wider concerns of skepticism: people and proceed as if no criticism had been unorthodox views on linguistics and seeing what they expect to see and offered, dismiss criticism without general ‘New Age’ views at variance clinging to beliefs which have been comment or with brief comments 13
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 adducing bias, jealousy etc., or even (speaking or writing in unfamiliar suitably skeptically, given the very sue or threaten to sue skeptical critics languages), oral and written different ways in which for misrepresentation or defamation; ‘channelling’, the ‘electronic voice extraterrestrials might communicate: and non-mainstream linguistic ideas as phenomenon’ (EVP) publicised by they may not use auditory-acoustic part of the wider tradition of pseudo- Konstantin Raudive, xenoglossia means at all and, even if they did, history, holding that the accounts of (people speaking or understanding might have vastly different apparatus, history presented by orthodox languages they have not learned, acuity, frequency, etc. Telepathy and scholarship are false. differing from glossolalia in that they similar suggested modes of One thing familiar from paranormal are not supposedly in a trance, but as a communication also have their claims is assertions for which concrete second personality who usually problems: any significant evidence is never forthcoming, an appears not to know the language of communication would still have to be example from the linguistic field being the speaker’s main personality), and in some form of language. (However, the alleged mutual intelligibility of foreign accent syndrome (in which the ‘automatic writer’ with whom widely separated languages - Irish people, often after a head injury, Houdini had a session was Sir Arthur Gaelic understood by indigenous manifest a new accent). Again, a Conan Doyle’s wife, not, as said in this Mexicans, Latvian by Tatars, Welsh by suitably skeptical attitude is taken. book, Doyle’s mother. The book natives of the American Midwest, etc. EVP is almost certainly an artefact of doesn’t mention that Houdini received Attitudes to language can reflect the listening process - people hearing a communication supposedly from his national pride: Newbrook mentions what they expect to hear, similar to dead mother - perhaps this is the source something which I recall from my reverse speech, discussed later. of the confusion with Doyle’s mother - university studies of Turkish politics, Xenoglossia subjects typically display and pointed out that it was in English, a the attempt in the 1920s to claim that minimal and unimpressive command language his mother did not know!) Turkish was the ancestor of all of the other language, which could Reverse speech is the idea that languages, partly for the practical have been obtained from limited, and recordings played backwards reveal purpose of persuading Turks to accept perhaps forgotten, studies, or perhaps hidden messages. However, proponents borrowed words for innovations (if all unconscious exposure to the language prompt listeners with what they should words were originally Turkish, it was or a related one. expect to hear and, as seen with EVP, legitimate to ‘reclaim’ them), but also ______if you are told what you should hear, for nationalistic reasons. you will hear it. It’s a form of I was fascinated to learn that there The discussion of mysterious paredolia, the phenomenon by which are ‘creationist linguists’, part of the writing systems brought back people also see what they expect to creation science/intelligent design memories of people who I see, which is why they perceive Jesus, movement. Like creationists who deny thought were mercifully the Virgin Mary, Mother Teresa, etc. in that all life on Earth evolved, they deny forgotten. clouds, trees, window reflections, that language evolved, asserting that ______patches on walls, toasted cheese, God created language. And, just as The discussion of mysterious buns.... The book mentions Chris creationists declare that God created writing systems brought back French’s demonstration of this, which I each species individually, some deny memories of people who I thought have heard many times. He plays Led that specific languages developed from were mercifully forgotten: George Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven earlier ones, claiming that God created Hunt Williamson and George Adamski backwards without telling his audience each language separately. Most are (who both claimed contact with aliens), what they are supposed to hear and, of fundamentalist Christians and Jews Marcel Homet, Immanuel Velikovsky, course, all they hear is gibberish; then who accept the literal truth of the Bible Erich von Däniken, and the he plays it with the ‘satanic message’ (including the Tower of Babel story, wonderfully-named Otto Muck. The displayed and - one hears it perfectly explaining the diversity of languages as Kensington Stone, whose ‘runic’ clearly! a single state ended by divine inscriptions were claimed as evidence We move on to non-historical intervention) and a very short time that Scandinavians penetrated deep claims of allegedly mysterious scripts, depth for human history and thus into North America, but is in fact codes, texts etc., such as the religious human language. In a further echo of indubitably a fake, is mentioned, as are texts supposedly containing patterns creationism, some creationist linguists Glozel, the Phaistos Disk, etc. which could not have come about by are trained in linguistics, just as some Supposed contacts with aliens who chance and carrying important creationists are trained in biology. The communicate in ways very similar to messages, prophecies, etc. However, relevance of this for general skepticism human speech, sometimes, indeed, the previously-discussed chance is, again, clear. speaking perfect English or other similarities between unrelated words A related theme is language from human languages, are discussed come into play, as does the fact that mysterious sources - glossolalia one can find a wide range of spurious 14
Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 messages in any sufficiently lengthy Instinct . Again, all it really amounts to the table is, of course, of universal text. References to twentieth century is people seeing what they want to see. validity, it may not have been assassinations and the death of Diana, Other themes include claims of perceived and presented in the same Princess of Wales, were found in Moby accelerated foreign language learning, way by another intelligent species. Dick ! Of course, no-one seriously feminism and language, and the Also interesting is the discussion of believes that Herman Melville doubtful business of graphology: fictional developments of English, such predicted these things and hid the graphologists differ, each one insisting as George Orwell’s Newspeak in predictions in his book; it’s an example that their views are the only right ones, Nineteen Eighty-Four (which, of how anything can be found if one again reminiscent of the way in which incidentally, is not entitled 1984 ) and looks hard enough. different fringe practitioners the debased English of Russell Newbrook and his collaborators, as (astrologers, for example) come to Hoban’s post-nuclear-war novel you may have gathered, spread their different conclusions from the same Riddley Walker . Tolkien’s Elvish remit widely, discussing may fringe facts. languages, Star Trek ’s Klingon, matters that may not be considered Newbrook discusses the recent Richard Adams’s Lapine in Watership specifically linguistic. One is spate of books by what Pinker called Down , and others are also discussed. . supposedly hidden numerological the English language mavens, people ______messages, for example isopsephy, the like Lynne Truss and John Humphrys idea that if letters are paired with the who bemoan what they see as falling ‘It appears unlikely that any numbers 1-26 a name can be scored by standards of English. While not greatly auxiliary language will ever be adding together the digits and relevant to the theme of connections learned by sufficient numbers continuing to add until a single digit is with general paranormal and irrational of people and accepted for obtained (e.g., Ray would be beliefs, this is interesting to anyone general use in an international 18+1+25=44=4+4=8); it is then held concerned with English (I declare an context.’ that people with that name will be interest: I am a Committee Member of ______likely to display whatever the Queen’s English Society, which Newbrook ends by saying that in characteristics are ascribed to that defends high standards of English). the book he has covered a great deal of number. It is an excellent illustration of Such hopeless schemes as spelling ground (certainly true), that he has irrational thinking. Should the full reform, Basic English, and that classic been obliged to exclude some name (e.g., Raymond) or a shortened example of something doomed to interesting topics (one wonders what form (Ray) be used. What about failure from the start, artificial they are, given the book’s Michael/Mike, where the shortened languages like Esperanto, are comprehensiveness) and limit form contains a letter the full form mentioned; as Newbrook neatly sums discussion of others severely, and that does not? And, as Newbrook says, the up: ‘[I]t appears unlikely that any many issues could not be covered in numbers could be summed in many auxiliary language will ever be learned the depth that might ideally be desired, ways; any one way is arbitrary. And, of by sufficient numbers of people and but he hopes it will be found useful and course, like many irrational beliefs, it accepted for general use in an interesting. That it certainly is. ascribes fundamental meaning to international context - especially given However, the system of footnoting and human inventions, in this case base 10. the current dominance of English’ - to referencing is confusing, and the Similarly, different alphabets would which I would add that he can say that references have the irritating feature of yield different results, and alphabets again, and would replace ‘unlikely’ giving places of publication but not the are, of course, also human inventions. with ‘inconceivable’. more useful publishers. The main Newbrook’s comprehensiveness ______drawback, however, is the lack of an can be seen in his inclusion of the index, which is very regrettable indeed I declare an interest: I am a science fiction theme of first contact and is not, as Newbrook hopes, Committee Member of the with aliens or artefacts left by them, compensated for by cross-referencing; Queen’s English Society, which and the perhaps over-optimistic the book would be far more useful if it defends high standards of assumptions about the ease of were possible to refer quickly and interpreting their languages through English. easily to what it says about particular shared scientific and mathematical ______languages, people, topics etc. constants, the example best known to On we go to the ‘languages’ of . animals, and the alleged ability of me being a story the book refers to, H. some animals to learn human Beam Piper’s ‘Ominlingual’, in which languages, something comprehensively a long-dead Martian civilisation is demolished by Steven Pinker in a book found to have left a copy of the Newbrook refers to, The Language periodic table of the elements; while
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Skeptical Intelligencer , Winter 2013 THE EUROPEAN SCENE SKE is a member of the European Council for Skeptical Organisations. It has an Internet Forum on Awhich you can read comments on sceptical issues from contributors and post your own. To access this, log on to the ECSO website (below). Contact details for ECSO are: Denkfest 2014 The 16th European Skeptics Address: Arheilger Weg 11, 64380 September 11-14 Congress Roßdorf, Germany Zurich, Switzerland This will take place in London in 2015 Tel.: +49 6154/695021 Core topics: Medicine & methods, and will be hosted by ASKE. Related Fax: +49 6154/695022 evolution, humanism in the 21st organisations will also be involved. Website : http://www.ecso.org/ century. Talks in English and German Further details will be announced later Via the website you can access articles, with simultaneous translation. See: news, and commentary on a range of http://www.denkfest.ch/ topics of interest to sceptics. https://www.facebook.com/denkfest/in fo ______OF INTEREST
SCEPTICISM, SCIENCE ‘Add the Ask for Evidence button accounts from some of those who took AND RATIONALITY to your website: part on our VoYS pages at: http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pag http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pag (GENERAL) es/ask-for-evidence-webbutton.html ’ es/past-workshops.html Sense About Science ‘Making Sense of Drug Safety ‘If you’re thinking about Christmas From Chris Peters of the ‘Ask for Science: Investigating the science of presents visit our Christmas Reading Evidence Campaign’. side effects, our public guide Room: ‘In our first ‘themed week’ in developed with the MRC Centre for http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pag September we shared people’s Drug Safety Science. At: es/christmas-reading-room-2013.html ’ experiences of hunting down the http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pag Wild Culture evidence behind miracle cancer cure es/making-sense-of-drug-safety- claims. See: science.html ‘The Journal of Wild Culture is a brand http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pag ‘If you can help get the guide into new magazine that focuses on the es/ask-for-evidence-on-miracle- as many hands as possible, email: broad and fertile intersection between cures.html ‘ [email protected] ’ culture and the environment. This ‘For some campaigning inspiration ‘Ask for Evidence themed week on manifests itself through, among other take a look at the Ask for Evidence rubbish and recycling claims: things, the desire to foster greater video put together by comedian http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pag understanding between the arts and the Gemma Arrowsmith, highlighting the es/ask-for-evidence-on-recycling- sciences, to open up academic thinking importance of questioning ‘miracle claims-.html ’ to new audiences, to explore the human cures’. ‘The next themed week in the plan face of business, and to underpin http://www.senseaboutscience.org/new will be public health advice claims. Get everything we do with an ethical s.php/350/new-miracle-cure-an- in touch with me to get involved. sensibility and, hopefully, a sense of askforevidence-sketch ‘ ‘Ask for Evidence was launched in humour.’…. On other hand (That’s ‘You may not have Gemma’s Scotland at Glasgow Skeptics in the enough of that – Ed.) comedic gifts but there are other ways Pub with campaign supporters www.wildculture.com you can help the campaign, for Research the Headlines: How to think about dubious instance: http://researchtheheadlines.org/ ’ claims ‘Ask for evidence about a claim – ‘I’m keen to come and talk to your ‘JREF is pleased to release a free 10 then tell us and share what you’ve done journal club, post-doc group or any part video lecture series by Ray Hyman (on our website) with an Ask for other gathering about our plans – get in titled “How To Think About Dubious Evidence case study. touch. Whilst in Scotland lots of early Claims” and companion course guide. http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pag career researchers were busy asking for ‘Smart people can act stupidly by es/a4e_examples_of_evidence_hunting evidence at our Voice of Young failing to apply their intelligence .html Science media workshop. You can read wisely. This course draws lessons from scientist smart people who went astray. 16
This course provides a framework to invention of a new term, whether or ‘In a survey of 460 veterinary help you avoid their mistakes. not the subject matter requires it……. surgeons, the preliminary results of ‘Ray Hyman is a professor emeritus ‘[I]n contrast [to natural scientists], which are announced today, an of psychology at the University of the knowledge we [social scientists] overwhelming 83% said that there are Oregon. Hyman’s published research produce is often a lot more no medical conditions for which has been in such areas as pattern rudimentary and less scientific than our homeopathy could be an effective recognition, perception, problem name tag leads you to believe. If you treatment in animals. This figure solving, creativity, and related areas of hear a social scientist waffling on included the 6.3% of participants who cognition. He has written and about ‘structures of co-determination’ practice veterinary homeopathy published extensively on the between ‘material forces’ and themselves, without whom the figure psychology of deception and critiques ‘ideational factors’ in ‘social would be even higher... of paranormal and other fringe claims. subsystems,’ and you believe it sounds ‘So strongly did veterinary ‘The 10 lecture video course can be complicated, you are more correct than surgeons feel about the matter, 78.4% found on YouTube at you think. Because not only does it felt that their colleagues should not be http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list= sound complicated, but its point is to allowed to practice homeopathy under PL8MfjLNsf_mg9p_Dl2jLbMPxiCVw sound complicated – so that you do not their professional title of MRCVS. hQ0-L realise that there is little or nothing 73% said that whilst they are still ‘The companion course guide can behind it. It is a smoke screen of allowed to do so, pet owners should be downloaded at: verbiage, aimed at making you feel asked to sign a disclaimer that they http://jref.swmirror.com/20730 ’ stupid for even thinking about asking: understand that in trials, homeopathy Anomalistic psychology “What the hell are you talking about?”’ has been shown to be ineffective. http://www.opendemocracy.net/marc- ‘The referral figures are somewhat From Chris French, ch%C3%A9hab/argumentum-ad- skewed by vets not wanting to ‘To mark the publication today of wikipedium-and-what-social-sciences- completely blow clients up about my book, co-written with Anna Stone, might-learn wanting to refer to a homeopath and “Anomalistic Psychology: Exploring risk driving them even further from Paranormal Belief and Experience”, we Non-reproducibility in science conventional medicine. are also launching a new podcast series Weak statistical standards implicated ‘So, although the vast majority of via the Goldsmiths Podcasting Service. in scientific irreproducibility vets disagree with homeopathy, a large You can read a bit more about the book ‘The plague of non-reproducibility in number will either agree to a formal here: science may be mostly due to (vet to vet) referral or consent to the http://www.gold.ac.uk/academics/chris scientists’ use of weak statistical tests, client self-referring to a vet hom of topherfrenchexpertcomment.php as shown by an innovative method their choice. ‘If you want to, you can order a developed by statistician Valen A response from the British copy here: Johnson, at Texas A&M University in Association of Homeopathic Veter- www.palgrave.com/anomalistic College Station. Johnson compared the inary Surgeons is at: ‘Don’t forget, you can get a 15% strength of two types of tests: http://www.bahvs.com/response-from- discount if you enter the code frequentist tests, which measure how the-association-re-press-release-issued- WANPSY at online checkout. unlikely a finding is to occur by by-arlo-guthrie/ ‘The podcast series is produced by chance, and Bayesian tests, which Ben Pester and features Ben in measure the likelihood that a particular The Nightingale Collaboration conversation with a wide range of hypothesis is correct given data See the website below for recent researchers, artists and writers with an collected in the study….At: activity. interest in anomalistic psychology. The http://www.nature.com/news/weak- If you do not already do so, why link to the podcast series, “Navigating statistical-standards-implicated-in- not sign up for free delivery of their the Anomalies: A Journey through the scientific-irreproducibility-1.14131 electronic newsletter? At: psychology of the unexplained” is MEDICINE (GENERAL) http://www.nightingale- here: collaboration.org/ Veterinary homeopathy http://www.gold.ac.uk/podcasts/ ’ Herbal medicine From Niall Taylor: The social sciences ‘Herbal medicines are frequently The preliminary results of a ‘Argumentum ad wikipedium and what contaminated or contain plant species homeopathy poll have been put out as a the social sciences might learn’ by that are a substitute for the plants listed press release: Marc Chebab on the label or contain other species http://www.pressdispensary.co.uk/relea ‘Sadly, the hallmark of a contemporary that may be a filler, a DNA analysis ses/c993700/Vets-say-homeopathy- academic career has become the has found. Some of the herbal isnt-even-good-enough-for-the- medicines analysed were contaminated dog.html 17
with plants that have known toxicity or Book on the soul http://www.theguardian.com/science/2 can interact with other supplements or From Gerald Woerlee: 013/oct/17/yeti-dna-ancient-polar-bear- medications, the study reported…’ At: ‘I am an anaesthesiologist in the scientists?CMP=fb_gu http://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f Netherlands. One of my passions is the ITV’s ‘Mystery Map’ series 6138?etoc = physiological basis for belief in the ‘Just under half of all men (44%) and human soul and paranormal believe aliens exist, according to a http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741- experiences such as the out-of-body survey commissioned for new ITV 7015/11/222 [full text, original article] experience, and the near-death programme Mystery Map. Vitamin supplements experience. I have maintained a ‘It also found that a third of the Most vitamins such as antioxidants skeptical website on these subjects for population (30%) believe in ghosts and don’t help to prevent cancer, heart several years at www.neardth.com . a quarter of women (25%) think dogs disease and dementia, and some Recently I published an extensive book are telepathic. The survey, which supplements could be harmful on Amazon.com that should be of measured levels of belief in the according to the Annals of Internal some interest readers. It is called supernatural and unusual happenings in Medicine 17.12.13 which includes Illusory Souls , and discusses the different regions, found that people three articles on vitamin and mineral medical and physiological evidence for living in East Anglia are most likely to supplements and an Editorial the reality of a human soul, the believe in aliens, evils spirits and describing supplements as a waste of immaterial nature of the out-of-body poltergeists. money. experience, as well as the near-death ‘Mystery Map, presented by Ben http://annals.org/issue.aspx?journalid= experience. The conclusion is really Shephard and Julia Bradbury explores 90&IssueID=929454 very clear -- a soul with the properties some of the nation’s best-known defined by religious books and all Labour and homeopathy mysteries and myths such as the Beast believers in the reality of a separable of Bodmin Moor, the Rendlesham Labour tells new health spokeswoman conscious soul is an illusion. If there is UFO incident as well as phenomena to drop her support for homeopathy . a soul, then it has properties very http://www.independent.co.uk/life- such as spontaneous human different to those proposed by all style/health-and-families/health- combustion.’ At: current believers.’ See: news/labour-tells-new-health- http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press- http://www.amazon.com/Illusory- spokeswoman-to-drop-her-support-for- releases/itv-mystery-map- Souls-Gerald-Woerlee- homeopathy-8876469.html survey#.Uq9mqfRdWel ebook/dp/B00GG244WQ Stanislow Burzynski Does this baby spontaneously FDA documents paint disturbing OTHER UNUSUAL CLAIMS combust? picture of Burzynski cancer clinic Telekinesis hoax A three-month-old boy, Rahul Parumal ‘Stanislaw Burzynski and the cancer ‘Unsuspecting customers at `Snice was admitted to an intensive care unit clinic that bears his name have been coffee shop in New York’s West in Chennai, India after reportedly the subject of concern in the medical Village were horrified when a man suddenly catching fire. He suffered community for years. His practices are spilled a drink over a woman’s laptop, burns of varying severity in the latest well outside the mainstream, and he inducing a violent rage with incident with no apparent external makes extravagant claims for his costly paranormal consequences. The man source of ignition. His parents claimed treatments…..’ was flung in the air and pinned he has had bouts of spontaneous http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterlipso multiple times against the wall, and combustion. Doctors conducted all n/2013/11/11/fda-documents-paint- tables and chairs appeared to move of possible tests, including a chromosome disturbing-picture-of-burzynski- their own accord, apparently test, gene analysis and skin biopsy, to cancer-clinic/ expressing the woman’s anger.’ At: determine if he could actually ‘catch http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news fire’ on his own. The results were RELIGION video/weirdnewsvideo/10364039/Tele negative, raising concerns about abuse. Religious discrimination kinetic-coffee-shop-prank-terrifies- ‘I mistook my friend for Bigfoot’ A witch who was sacked after customers.html A man who shot his friend during a swapping her shifts at a supermarket to Yeti hunting expedition in Oklahoma attend a Wiccan ceremony to celebrate ‘Yeti DNA: has the mystery really claimed that he did so because he Hallowe’en has been awarded £15,000 been solved? A geneticist says samples mistook him for Bigfoot. But the police after winning her claim for religious from suspected yetis match an ancient wouldn’t buy it. discrimination. polar bear, but other scientists are http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/local_ http://annals.org/issue.aspx?journalid= urging caution.’ news/water_cooler/bigfoot-hunt-gone- 90&IssueID=929454 bad-omar-pineda-charged-in- oklahoma-case 18
The psychology of spiritualism ‘You are welcome to consider the ‘And unless you or anyone else has ‘The idea of summoning the spirits notion that I have created an original the intellect and talent to illustrate that took thrilling hold of the Victorian work/adaptation in a genre of your I am wrong in this claim regarding my imagination – and has its adherents pleasing such as speculative fiction, work, there is obviously no false now. But the psychology behind theory-fiction, magical realism, dichotomy. spiritualism is more intriguing.’ ekphrasis, Oulipo, satire, or anything ‘But what I’ve already conclusively http://www.theguardian.com/science/2 else. demonstrated is how hypocritical and 013/oct/20/seances-and-science ‘But I’m also quite confident that ineffectual the “skeptical” community not a single “skeptic” is so far willing is. Not to mention how inept and CONSPIRACY THEORIES to credit my creativity for creating unethical the Shakespearean From Chris French: even a fictional account. establishment is.’ ‘The biggest news from the APRU ‘And not one has made any effort Any offers? recently is that Rob Brotherton had his whatsoever to illustrate that I have not Expectation and viva and passed with flying colours created such a work. Or seems the least misinterpretation (aka, “minor revisions” only). As many bit capable of doing so. Police arrived at a house to reports of a of you will know, Rob’s main research ‘Quite telling in my estimation. possible domestic incident only to find interest is the psychology of belief in ‘However just to be clear it is a the commotion was being caused by a conspiracy theories and he regularly work that somehow magically couple frustrated by Ikea furniture. posts blogs at: subsumes well known alternative http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/12/domesti http://conspiracypsychology.com/ authorship theories. And one that c-incident-turns-out-to-be-couple- ‘Those of you with an interest in reveals a complex political backstory struggling-with-ikea-furniture- this topic might also like to check out that also magically seems to coincide 4184295/ my “JFK anniversary” column for the with both the coincidental mystery Guardian from last November: surrounding the “Bard” and the http://www.theguardian.com/science/2 seemingly strange history of 013/nov/22/john-kennedy-conspiracy- Elizabethan England. theories ’ ‘But of course the answer could not The Defamation Act will come into be that Stratfordian “Shakepeareans” force on January 1st 2014. MISCELLANEOUS are wrong or that an actual Shakespeare’s Sonnets “conspiracy” took place. From Alan Tarica: ‘So again I’m still waiting for ‘I thought you might enjoy my take others like you to at least have the on Shakespeare’s Sonnets. courtesy to recognize my obvious https://sites.google.com/site/eternitypro creative genius. mised/ ______UPCOMING EVENTS THE ANOMALISTIC You are strongly recommended to sceptic group). Current venues are now PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH register (at no cost) with the APRU’s so numerous there is almost bound to UNIT AT GOLDSMITH’S ‘Psychology of the Paranormal’ email be a meeting near you. COLLEGE LONDON list to ensure that you are informed of LONDON FORTEAN SOCIETY http://www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/apru/spea any changes to the programme. Visit: http://forteanlondon.blogspot.co.uk/ kers.php http://www.gold.ac.uk/apru/email- The society meets on the last Thursday http://www.skeptic.org.uk/events/golds network/ of each month, except July and miths http://www.twitter.com/ChrisCFrench December, at The Bell, 50 Middlesex Seminars are held on Tuesdays at 6:10 or Street, London E1 7EX, 7.30pm for p.m. in Room LGO1 in the New http://feeds.feedburner.com/apru Academic Building, Goldsmiths 8pm start. £3 or £2 concessional. College, University of London, New SKEPTICS IN THE PUB CENTRE FOR INQUIRY Cross, London SE14 6NW. Talks are http://www.skeptic.org.uk/pub/ LONDON open to staff, students and members of https://twitter.com/SITP?refsrc=email http://www.cfilondon.org/ Choose the venue you are looking for the public. Attendance is free and there CONWAY HALL LECTURES is no need to book. to access the upcoming events (and information on any associated local LONDON http://conwayhall.org.uk/talks-lectures 19
LOGIC AND INTUITION: ANSWERS Possible answers are as follows:
Following discussion with Adrian that taste or interest might guide S’s chosen by S, and therefore chooses Simpson at the University of Sheffield, early choices and that these factors instead a different picture. At some I present the following answers: would be likely to be similar in both later point S will study the picture that I shall refer to the two twins as S twins. Indeed, if R is explicitly trying was (wrongly) chosen by R and was (the ‘sender’ of the telepathic to guess S’s early choices, she might removed from the latter’s set. Clearly, communication) and R (the ‘receiver’). well choose on the basis of her it will be impossible for R to achieve 1. The pictures will presumably knowledge of S’s tastes or interests. the right answer on this trial, not differ along dimensions such as 3. I seem to recall that there is a having available the correct picture, so vividness or salience or interest. It is body of research on participants’ a second error is inevitable. Also, after quite likely that both participants will choices when confronted with a row of the first error, R will have a picture in look at the most vivid picture first, alternatives, and that this research her set that S cannot choose, having which will tend to increase the chance shows that some choices are more chosen it earlier and having had it that the two participants’ choices will likely than others (e.g. people avoid the removed, so that must inevitably lead agree. This argument might then be first item in a row?). This effect might to an error (which might be the same applied to S’s further choices. be weak, but it would tend to improve error as the one just described or might 2. The possible effect described the chances of R matching S’s choices be a new one). In short, if R makes one above would apply to any participants, unless it was controlled for. error she must inevitably make at least whether closely related or not. Its 4. Another potential problem in this one more. (Better to have a new set of effect would be intensified for twins, design is as follows. Suppose R fails to five pictures on each trial so that the who would probably have similar identify correctly the first picture, or trials are independent.) tastes or interests. My suggestion is another one early in the sequence ______STOP PRESS These items have just been announced.
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