GARDNER ON DISTANT HEALING • SHELDRAKE ON THE STARING EFFECT • WORLD SKEPTICS CONGRESS THE MAGAZINE FOR AND REA SO N Volume 25, No. 2 • March/April 2001 consciousness MID

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'.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^mn^^^^^^^^^^yl THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE AT THE -INTERNATIONAL (ADJACENT TO THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF AT BUFFALO) • AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION , Chairman; professor emeritus of philosophy, State University of New York at Buffalo , Executive Director , Senior Research Fellow Lee Nisbet, Special Projects Director

FELLOWS

James E. Alcock,* psychologist. York Univ., Thomas Gilovich, psychologist, Cornell Univ. Dorothy Nelkin, sociologist, New York Univ. Toronto , magician, columnist, Toronto Joe Nickell,* senior research fellow, CSICOP , magician and inventor, Albany, Stephen Jay Gould, Museum of Comparative Lee Nisbet* philosopher, Medaille College Zoology, Harvard Univ. Bill Nye, science educator and television host, Marcia Angell, M.D., former editor-in-chief, Susan Haack, Cooper Senior Scholar in Arts Nye Labs New England Journal of and , prof, of philosophy, University James E. Oberg, science writer A. Baker, psychologist, Univ. of of Miami Loren Pankratz, psychologist, Oregon Health Kentucky C. E. M. Hansel, psychologist, Univ. of Wales Sciences Univ. M.D., psychiatrist, author, Al Hibbs, scientist. Jet Propulsion Laboratory John Paulos, mathematician, Temple Univ. consumer advocate, Allentown. Pa. Douglas Hofstadter, professor of human Steven Pinker, cognitive scientist. MIT ,* biopsychologist. Simon understanding and cognitive science, Indiana Milton Rosenberg, psychologist, Univ. of Fraser Univ., Vancouver, B.C., Canada Univ. Irving Biederman. psychologist, Univ. of Gerald Holton, Mallinckrodt Professor of . M.D., clinical professor of Southern California and professor of history of science, medicine. Stanford Univ. , psychologist, Univ. of the Harvard Univ. Amardeo Sarma, engineer, head of dept. West of England, Bristol ,* psychologist, Univ. of Oregon at T-Nova Deutsche Telekom Henri Broch, physicist, Univ. of Nice, France Leon Jaroff, sciences editor emeritus, Time Innovationsgesellschaft mbH Headquarters, Jan Harold Brunvand, folklorist, professor Sergei Kapitza, editor. Russian edition, executive director, GWUP, Germany. emeritus of English, Univ. of Utah Evry Schatzman, president French Physics Vern Bullough, professor of history, California Philip J. Klass,* aerospace writer, engineer Association State Univ. at Northridge Edwin C. Krupp, astronomer, director. Griffith Eugenie Scott physical anthropologist, execu­ Mario Bunge, philosopher, McGill University Observatory tive director. National Center for Science John R. Cole, anthropologist, editor. National Paul Kurtz.* chairman. CSICOP Education Lawrence Kusche, science writer Center for Thomas A. Sebeok, anthropologist, Leon Lederman, emeritus director, Fermilab; Frederick Crews, literary and cultural critic, linguist, Indiana Univ. professor emeritus of English. Univ. of Nobel laureate in physics , science writer California, Berkeley , psychologist. Emory Univ. Elie A. Shneour, biochemist, author. Lin Zixin, former editor, Science and F. H. C. Crick, biophysicist. Salk Inst, for director, Biosystems Research Institute, Biological Studies, La Jolla. Calif; Nobel Prize Technology Daily (China) La Jolla, Calif. laureate Jere Lipps, Museum of Paleontology, Univ. of Dkk Smith, film producer, publisher, Terrey . zoologist, Oxford Univ. California, Berkeley Hills. N.S.W.. L. Sprague de Camp, author, engineer , professor of , Robert Steiner, magician, author. Cornells de Jager, professor of astrophysics. Univ. of Washington El Cerrito, Calif. Univ. of Utrecht, the Paul MacCready, scientist/engineer, Jill Cornell Tarter, astronomer. SET! Institute. Bernard Dixon, science writer, London, U.K. AeroVironment, Inc., Monrovia, Calif. Mountain View. Calif. Paul Edwards, philosopher, editor, John Maddox, editor emeritus of Carol Tavris, psychologist and author. Los Encyclopedia of Philosophy David Marks, psychologist City University, London. Angeles, Calif. , professor of anthropology. Walter C. McCrone, microscopist. McCrone Stephen Toulmin, professor of philosophy, Central Connecticut State Univ. Research Institute Univ. of Southern California Antony Flew, philosopher, Reading Univ., U.K. Mario Mendez-Acosta, journalist and Marilyn vos Savant Parade magazine con­ Andrew Fraknoi, astronomer, Foothill College, science writer. Mexico City. Mexico tributing editor and CBS News correspon­ Los Altos Hills, Calif. Marvin Minsky, professor of media arts and dent ,* science writer, editor. sciences. M.I.T. Steven Weinberg, professor of physics and SKEPTICAL INQUIRER David Morrison, space scientist NASA Ames astronomy. Univ. of Texas at Austin; Nobel Yves Galifret. vice-president. Affiliated Research Center Prize laureate Organizations: France Richard A. Muller, professor of physics. Univ. Marvin Zelen, statistician. Harvard Univ. .* author, critic of Calif., Berkeley Murray Gell-Mann. professor of physics, Santa H. Narasimhaiah, physicist, president. * Member, CSICOP Executive Council Fe Institute; Nobel Prize laureate Bangalore Science Forum, India (Affiliations given for identification only.)

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•. K.SI lNQ» IKIK -ISSN 0194-6~30i i> pubUsed bimonthly by the Commincc for the tatdo- rcpMB. review**, jnJ letter* published in the SkUTKAl INQUIRER tcpioem iht Scientific Investigation of Claim* of the Paranormal. 1310 Sweet Home Rd„ Amherst. NT views and work of individual authorv Their publication doo noi neccsvarik COWPPIW an 14228. Printed m U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid ai Buffalo. NY. Subscnption prices: one year endorsement by CSICOP or its members unless so stated. (six issues), $35; rwo years, S58: three years. $81: single issue. $4.95. Canadian and foreign orders: Copyright ©2001 by the Commincc tor the Scientific Investigation of Claims of thr Payment in U.S. hinds drawn on a U.S. bank must accompany orders; please add US$10 per year Paranormal. All rights reserved. The SKEFTKAI iNgnRER is available on 16mm microfilm, for shipping. Canadian and foreign cuuomcrt arc encouraged to use Visa or MasterCard. 35mm microfilm, and 105mm microfiche from L'niscriits Microfilms International and u Inquiries from ihc media and the public about the work of the Committee should be made indexed in the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature. to Paul Kurtz. Chairman. CSICOP. Box 703. Amherst, NY 14226-0703. Tel.: "16-636-1425. Subscriptions and changes of address diould be addressed to: SkUTK.M INQI 1RIR, Box FAX 716-636-1733. "03. Amherst. NY 14226-0703. Or call toll-free 1-800-634-1610 (outside U.S. call 716-636- Manuscripts, letters, books for review, and editorial inquiries should be addressed to 1425 ('Id address as well as new are necessary for change of subscribers address, with su Kendrick Frazier. Editor. SKETOCAI INQUIRER, 944 Deer Drive NE. Albuquerque. weeks advance notice. SKEITK.U INQURFR subscribers may not speak on behalf of CSICOP NM 87122. FAX 505-828-2080. For Guide for Authors, see page 64 in the September I or the SKI l-1 it Al I\gi IRER. October 2000 issue, or send a fax request to the Editor, It is also as-ailablc on the web at Postmaster Send changes of address to SXEFTICU INQUIRE*, Box "03. Amber*.: H\ http://www.csicop.org/si7guidc- for-a uthotv h t ml. 14226-0703 COLUMNS

Skeptical Inquirer EDITOR'S NOTE 4 March / April 2001 • VOL 25, NO. 2 NEWS AND COMMENT Retired Air Force Balloon Expert Expands on Origin of 'Majestic WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE INFORMATION 12' UFO Hoax / L. Sprague de Camp: Erudite Writer on ARGUMENT AGAINST EVOLUTION? Archaeology, Ancient Engineering, and (and Science Fiction Too) / Company Settles Lawsuit Disputing Health Claims / Tabloid Busts Fox TV on Pyramid 35 Darwin in Special 5 '' Meets Artificial Intelligence SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO W. V. QUINE PAUL KURTZ 8 Proponents of Intelligent Design" claim information theory refutes Darwinian evolution. Modern physics and artificial CONFERENCE REPORT intelligence research turns their arguments on their head. Rousing World Skeptics Congress TANER EDIS Convened in Sydney, Australia PAUL KURTZ 9 40 A Bit Confused NOTES OF A FRINGE-WATCHER and Information Theory Distant Healing and Elizabeth Targ The argument of some creationists that modern information MARTIN GARDNER 12 theory refutes Darwinian evolution is based on a confusion between two distinct information concepts. At the heart of INVESTIGATIVE FILES the Darwinian is not information, but complexity. Mysterious Australia DAVID ROCHE JOE NICKELL 15

PSYCHIC VIBRATIONS ARTICLES The Great Conspiracy ROBERT SHEAFFER 19

22 What Can the Paranormal Teach Us FORUM About Consciousness? How to Live With Evolution SUSAN BURY 56 Parapsychologists seem to assume that phenomena—if tfjey exist—would prove the "power of consciousness. " Yet this FOLLOW-UP may be no more than trying to use one mystery to solve Research on the Feeling of Being Stared At another. Susan Blackmore reviews some of the evidence for RUPERT SHELDRAKE 58 psi and asks just what it does tell us about consciousness. SUSAN BLACKMORE Robert Baker Replies to Sheldrake ROBERT A. BAKER 61 28 Spontaneous Human Fooling and Falling into the Feeling of Being Stared At Confabulation: Requiem for Phyllis DAVIS MARKS AND JOHN COLWELL 62 Examination of an oft-repeated tale of spontaneous human combustion reveals distortions, errors, and mystery mongering. NEW BOOKS 54 SCIENCE BEST SELLERS 55 43 Introducing 's ARTICLES OF NOTE 55 Version of At tlte age of thirty-two, Italian paranormal investigator LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 64 is the author of half a dozen books, performs and lectures to capacity crowds across the globe, runs BOOK REVIEWS a national organization of Italian skeptics, and is a hit with the Italian media. A life that may seem very complex to most is very simple to Polidoro: IK is merely leading a life The Genesis Question: Scientific inspired by his boyhood hero Harry Houdini. Advances and the Accuracy of Genesis By Hugh Ross MATT NISBET MATT YOUNG 51 46 A Psychological Case Study of Humanist Manifesto 2000: 'Demon' and 'Alien' Visitation A Call for a New Planetary Humanism By Paul Kurd A clinical psychologist discusses a case of a depressed indi­ MARK DURM 52 vidual who misinterpreted hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations as visitations by demons and aliens. He came The Triumph of Evolution and the Failure of Creationism close to suicide, and even considered killing his family. By Niles Eldredge ANDREW D. REISNER JAMES C. SULLIVAN 53 Skeptical Inquirer EDITOR'S NOTE THf MAGAZINC FOR SCICNCI ANO MASON

EDITOR Kendrick Frazier The Kubrick/Clarke Year, and Our Own Odyssey EDITORIAL BOARD James E. Alcock Barry Beyerstein started thinking about this column just before New Year's, so perhaps it's Thomas Casten Iunderstandable that, in the of New Year's resolutions, I have a thank you Martin Gardner Ray Hyman to give and a guilt to express. The thank yous are, in fact, two: to our readers Lawrence Jones and to our authors. Together, you are our strength. I may be biased (well, I am Philip J. Klass biased), but I think our readers are the best: smart, curious, questioning, knowl­ Paul Kurtz Joe Nickell edgeable, concerned, aware. Thank you for your suggestions, your ideas, your Lee Nisbet keen interest, and your criticisms. As for our authors, you are unsung heroes. Amardeo Sarma You bring your world-class knowledge, expertise, passion, dedication, and con­ Bela Scheiber Eugenie Scott cern to the task of investigating, evaluating, interpreting, explaining, informing, CONSULTING EDITORS and educating. The articles in this issue exemplify that. And you do it for only Robert A. Baker Susan J. Blackmore intangible rewards—knowing that you are contributing to the public good. My John R. Cole guilt? That's easy. I haven't been as good a correspondent with readers and Kenneth L. Feder authors (would-be and actual) as I would like. For every message and letter I C. E. M. Hansel E. C. Krupp manage to respond to, there are five others I want to but do not. I am sorry. Scott O. Lilienfeld Given the volume of material and the limitations of time, I cannot do much David F. Marks James E. Oberg better. But I do wish it were otherwise. Thank you for understanding. Robert Sheaffer David E. Thomas MANAGING EDITOR This is not only the Kubrick/Clarke year of 2001, with all the ideas and images ART DIRECTOR that engenders, it is the year we at CSICOP and the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Lisa A. Hutter celebrate our 25th anniversary. It has been quite an odyssey! No space to reflect PRODUCTION on all that now, more later. Just wanted you to know. Paul Loynes CARTOONIST Rob Pudim WEB PAGE DESIGNER Patrick Fitzgerald Forget about UFOs. The real thing is in the sky! And you've got to go look at PUBLISHER'S REPRESENTATIVE it. A huge spacecraft is visible in our nighttime skies. Ever since the Barry Karr International Space Station got its wings (solar panels) in early December, CORPORATE COUNSEL courtesy of the crew of the space shuttle Endeavour, the ISS has shone brightly Brenton N. VerPloeg BUSINESS MANAGER by reflected sunlight on some of its early-evening or before-sunrise passes. Sandra Lesniak (Perhaps 2001 wasn't so far ahead, after all.) My wife Ruth and I had seen it FISCAL OFFICER twice earlier from Albuquerque but witnessed a dramatic passage early in the Paul Paulin evening of December 29. We had the special advantage of ideal seeing condi­ CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Anthony C. Battaglia tions: a crisp, clear night outside a cabin at an elevation of 8,740 feet in the CHIEF DATA OFFICER northern mountains, miles from any lights. It was spectacular! Michael Gone The ISS crossed the entire sky from west to east. You could almost see (or per­ STAFF Patricia Beauchamp haps imagine) structure to it. Friends in Albuquerque saw the same passage, so Jodi Chapman city lights don't matter too much. One of my colleagues later told me it Allison Cossitt Michelle Keiper affected him the same way it did me: For both of us it aroused the excitement Jennifer Miller we remembered as kids when seeing Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, Matthew Nisbet in October 1957. Except this is a lot brighter. Various Web sites, including Ranjit Sandhu Anthony Santa Lucia NASA's and Sky & Telescope's (www.skypub.com), can tell you where to look John Sullivan from your location, but one of the best is Heavens-Above: www.heavens-above. Vance Vigrass com. Check it out! PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR Kevin Christopher INQUIRY MEDIA PRODUCTIONS Thomas Flynn DIRECTOR OF UBRARIES Timothy S. Binga

The SKEPTICAL INQUIRER is the official journal of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, an international organization.

4 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER NEWS AND COMMENT

Retired Air Force Balloon Expert Expands on Origin of '' UFO Hoax

DAVID E. THOMAS Organization (APRO). Bennewitz was not reveal it (Klass 1983, p. 17). very active in , eventually coining Gildenberg participated directly in B.D. "Duke" Gildenberg worked for the now-famous terms "grays" and the WS119L project, which involved many years in the Air "extraterrestrial biological entities (EBEs)." using high-altitude balloons to carry Force (USAF) Skyhook Balloon pro­ He was routed to Sgt. Doty in November reconnaissance cameras directly over gram, run out of Holloman Air Force of 1980, when he approached AFOSI for Soviet territory, taking full advantage of Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The information on UFO sightings. Doty confusion between its flights and program was involved with numerous himself became heavily involved in "UFOs" whenever possible. When top-secret activities on the White Sands UFOlogy, even appearing as secret infor­ Russian premier Khrushchev banged his Missile Range in southern New Mexico. mant "Falcon" on a program entitled shoe on a table at the United Nations in Some of the Skyhook balloons were five "UFO Cover-up? Live!" televised nation­ 1955, that table also held a large object times larger than the Hindenberg ally October 14, 1988 (Peebles 1994). —a balloon-supported recon camera— Zeppelin's seven million cubic feet, car­ In the summer of 1980, Bennewitz from the WS119L program itself. The ried payloads up to five tons, and flew at began to record strange radio signals in 119L program was directly linked to altitudes above twenty miles. They were the vicinity of the Manzano Weapons project Moby Dick, also heavily undoubtedly responsible for numerous Storage Area (then a repository for involved in UFO lore (Peebles 1991). Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) nuclear warheads southeast of The MJ-12 documents included a sightings attributed elsewhere to Albuquerque on the eastern edge of supposed top-secret briefing for extraterrestrial spacecraft. Kirdand AFB). He snuck around the area President-elect Eisenhower on Roswell Recently Gildenberg has been and photographed strange lights emanat­ and aliens, in which General Nathan researching the origins of "Majestic 12," ing from Coyote Canyon, a remote test Twining participated. There actually a supposed secret government group area on Kirtland just south of the was a classified briefing for Eisenhower, with responsibility for UFO-related Manzano facility. But even though but it didn't concern Roswell. The brief­ activities, like reverse engineering of the Bennewitz's many UFO claims were later ing was conducted by Rand Corpora­ "alien ship" rumor says was recovered at severely tarnished by his mental problems tion, whose officials monitored WS- Roswcll. Prominent UFO author (Peebles 1994), the curious activities near 119L and other classified reconnaissance William Moore released the first of the Coyote Canyon were corroborated by programs. General Twining was in­ purported MJ-12 documents on May more credible sources, including the volved because he was the top military 29, 1987, along with Jaime Shandera Military Police. For example, MPs figure involved with WS-1191- and Stanton Friedman (Peebles 1994). reported suspicious aerial observations But Gildenberg says the MJ-12 con­ Philip J. Klass has found numerous flaws over Coyote Canyon on August 8, nections go well beyond the one linking which prove that die documents are August 11, and September 2, 1980 "Aquarius" with WS119L. The Coyote forgeries, most notably that President (Good 1988). Armed with Bennewitz's Canyon sightings Bennewitz made were Truman's signature on a key MJ-12 observations. Doty contacted William reported to Doty, and eventually to memo was photocopied from a legiti­ Moore and provided material related to Moore, and ultimately led direcdy to the mate, non-UFO related letter (Klass what was called secret "Project Aquarius." creation of the MJ-12 "conspiracy" legend. 1990). Several other eccentricities, such The UFO researchers eventually It turns out that Gildenberg knows as date formats, suggested links to connected Project Aquarius to covert what Bennewitz saw in the summer of William Moore himself (Klass 1989). "UFO"-related activity at Holloman, 1980 at Coyote Canyon. It happens that Gildenberg's studies led him to focus and also linked it to a site in Montana. Gildenberg's Skyhook group was flying on two men involved with MJ-12: Sgt. Gildenberg thinks Project Aquarius tethered balloons in support of a highly Richard C. Doty, formeHy a special agent can be directly related to a Cold War classified program in Coyote Canyon on with the Air Force Office of Special project actually called "Project the exact days the MP's reported activ­ Investigations (AFOSI) at Kirdand AFB Gopher," and also called WS119L. ity. Gildenberg's Skyhook balloons were in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Paul (WS stands for "Weapons System," an not themselves classified, but the pay- Bennewitz, president of a small physics intentional misnomer. It was not really load they supported was. firm (Thunder Scientific Lab) in a weapons system.) The program was In addition to the tethered Skyhooks, Albuquerque, and also a UFO investigator so classified that even a top-secret Gildenberg would release small pilot bal­ for the Aerial Phenomena Research briefing for some top CIA officials did loons ("pibals") to measure wind speeds

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 5 NEWS AND COMMENT during the experiments. The illuminated L. Sprague de Camp: Erudite Writer on half of die Skyhook support balloon def­ initely presented a "saucer-like" appear­ Archaeology, Ancient Engineering, and ance, and the bright lights shining on die Pseudoscience (and Science Fiction Too) small, rapidly ascending pibal balloons produced a "zooming/vanishing" effect L. Sprague de Camp, author of more was one of the leading early figures in when die lights were turned off. These than 100 science fiction and fantasy nov­ science fiction, getting his start in the effects combined to produce what looked els plus nonfiction works on archaeology, 1930s and 1940s at the same time as like flying saucers skirting erratically over ancient engineering, and fringe-science colleagues such as , Robert Coyote Canyon. and pseudoscience, died November 11, A. Heinlein, Lester del Rey, and Gildenberg has uncovered many other 2000, in Piano, Texas, where he lived. Frederik Pohl. John W Campbell, the connections between the dark wotld of He was 92. His wife, Catherine, his con­ influential editor of Astounding Science UFO conspiracy and the equally gloomy stant companion and frequent co­ Fiction magazine, pointed to de Camp's world of the Cold War in the 1950s and author, had died in April 2000. stories as an example of the kind of sci­ 1960s. For example, part of the Roswell De Camp was a founding CSICOP ence fiction he was looking for. mydiology involves a crashed alien ship Fellow. In fact, accompanied by They were based on imaginative but near Corona, New Mexico; and, some Catherine, he participated in the confer­ careful and reasonable extrapolation from 1980s information searches under ence at which CSICOP was formally contemporary science. De Camp was "Corona" revealed secret classifications. founded, "The New Irrationalisms: known for his erudition (especially about Gildenberg recalls that small animals and Pseudoscience," April history), scientific accuracy, polished such as chimps were flown in Project 30-May 1, 1976, at the State University writing, and "swashbuckling" style. Discoverer nose cones as unclassified pro­ of New York at Buffalo. One of his com­ Although best known as a fiction jects, not hidden from the public. But a ments there pungently countered the writer, de Camp was a meticulous secret military project was also included litany from credulous believers that you researcher who brought his interests in in some Discoverer nose cones, and the must always keep an open mind. "Many science, history, and archaeology and his name of this project was Project Corona! people have developed that are background as an engineer (B.S. in aero­ Corona was actually an early satellite not only open, but gaping," he said. nautical engineering from California reconnaissance program, but it wasn't He also spoke at the conference of Institute of Technology in 1930; masters declassified until the 1990s. Thus, UFO the circular logic often used by pseudo- from Stevens Institute of Technology in researchers looking for information on scientists, such as UFO enthusiasts who 1933) to his nonfiction works. During "Corona" in the 1980s would find a tan­ start by assuming what they wish to World War II, de Camp, Heinlein, and talizing but classified trail. prove—that flying saucers exist. He Asimov independently worked on Gildenberg claims many of the mys­ outlined five criteria for judging UFO research projects at the Materials teries of the conspiracy-laden UFO contact reports. And he spoke of the Laboratory of the Naval Air Experi­ world are explained, once the veils of tendency for pseudoscientific ideas— mental Station at the Philadelphia Navy secrecy are pulled from America's own such as , which by the begin­ Yard. "For three-and-a-half years, clandestine Cold War experiments. ning of the 1900s had been thoroughly Heinlein, Asimov, and I navigated desks discredited—to keep popping up in new and fought the war with flashing slide References guise: "In the history of cultism, one is rules," de Camp later wrote. Good, T. 1988. Above Top Seem: The Worldwide always experiencing a feeling of de'ja vuT (In a letter to me in June 1981, de UFO Coverup. New York: William Morrow. He also lambasted the then-highly Camp addressed claims in a newly pub­ Klass, Philip J. 1983. UFOs: The Public Deceived. popular ancient-astronaut works of lished book, The Philadelphia , pp. 16—17. Erich von Daniken. "Von Daniken's Experiment, that during World War II . 1989. "MJ-12 Papers Authenticated?" SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Spring 1989. books are solid masses of misstatements, scientists at the Philadelphia Navy Yard . 1990. "New Evidence of MJ-12 Hoax." errors, and wild guesses presented as had developed a way to make a ship SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Winter 1990. facts, unsupported by anything remotely invisible. He pointed to how he, Asimov, Peebles, Curtis. 1991. The Moby Dick Project. resembling scientific data." He said a and Heinlein were all there. "If any Smithsonian Institution: Washington, D.C. . 1994. Watch The Skiei. Smithsonian thorough analysis would require a book experiment remotely resembling that Institution: Washingron, D.C. several times larger than the original. "It described by Messrs. Berlitz and Moore David E. Thomas, a physicist, is presi­ would take years of my time; and, if I had taken place. I am sure we should dent of New Mexicans for Science and were mad enough to write it, who then have heard about it. 1 need hardly say Reason and a SKEPTICAL INQUIRER con­ would read it?" that we heard not a word, nor was any of sulting editor. De Camp, a native of New York City, our own work along such lines.")

6 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER NEWS AND COMMENT

De Camp's book Ancient Engineers, most beloved friends") in the Fall 1992 other things claimed by the company. published in several editions, chronicles "Celebration of Isaac Asimov" issue Mehrban's suit sought restitution for the ingenuous methods engineers (reprinted in the 1997 edition of consumers, cessation of these claims, throughout history (Egyptian, Meso- Asimov's The Roving Mind). and payment of reasonable attorney tees potamian, Greek, Hellenistic early and In "The Uses of Credulity," he con­ and costs. late Roman, Oriental, and European engi­ sidered that "when a characteristic like The National Council Against Fraud neers) used in constructing great works human credulity becomes so widespread served as the plaintiff, and I was the and monuments. According to a current in a species, we must suspect that it plays expert witness in the case. The case was list on Barnes & Nobles Web site. Ancient a part in enabling the species to survive, settled out of court with a $5,700 pay­ Engineers is his best-selling in-print book. even though we may not know what that ment to Mehrban and a court-approved For Great Cities of the Ancient World function is." He said some credulity is stipulation prohibiting the defendants (1972) he traveled thousands of miles necessary for people to embrace an ide­ from making fifty-seven of the disputed over several years to study thirteen ology, and ideology "is one of the lubri­ advertising claims within California. ancient sites. Citadels of Mystery (1964, cants, like liquor and hypocrisy, that A case summary can be viewed at with Catherine) explored twelve won­ enable men to live together...." Yet ide­ www..com/04Consumer ders of the ancient world; the cover ologies can and often do get out of hand. Education/News/mehrban.html; the of the 1989 Ballantine edition described "So we must continue to combat the consent agreement is at www.quack him as "a man with the mind of an more destructive ideologies. The scien­ watch.com/04ConsumerEducation/ archaeologist, the heart of an adventurer, tific 's job may be compared to News/mehrbansettlement.html. and the soul of Indiana Jones." that of die trash collector. The fact that —Stephen Barrett Several of his books were about fringe- die garbage truck goes by today does not science and pseudoscience. Among them mean that there will not be another load Stephen Barrett, M.D., is Board Chair­ are Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in tomorrow. But if the garbage were not man of Quackwatch, Inc. P.O. Box 1747, History Science, and Literature, described collected at all, the results would be Allentown, PA I8I05. as "the most detailed study ever compiled much worse. . .." of lost continent mythology"; Spirits, —Kendrick Frazier Stars, and Spells (1966, with Catherine), about and occultism; The Ragged Kendrick Frazier is Editor of the Edges of Science (Owlswick Press, 1980), a SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. collection of articles on the borderland between "the bright-lit land of science on Aromatherapy one side, and the dark domain of magic, occultism, and pseudoscience on the Company Settles other"; and The Fringe of the Unknown Lawsuit Disputing (Prometheus 1983), another collection of Health Claims articles on borderline or controversial matters in science and technology. It Los Angeles attorney Morse Mehrban included chapters on Mad Men of has won a civil lawsuit against Aroma Science, Orthodoxy in Science, Hoaxes in Vera, Inc., a leading manufacturer of Photo by Benjamin Radford Science, and from Afar. aromatherapy supplies and personal- In 1995, Prometheus published his care products. The suit, filed in 1997, The Ape-Man Within, a book of social charged that the company and its presi­ Tabloid Busts Fox TV anthropology that considered why peo­ dent Marcel Lavabre had violated on Pyramid Special ple behave in such unreasonable, inef­ California's Business and Professions fective ways, exploring how viewing Code by making advertising false claims Tabloid television shows are better others as adversaries had been a survival about many products. known for promoting pseudoscience and trait in our primitive past. Mehrban disputed that the products the paranormal than being skeptical of De Camp's writings in the SKEPTICAL can promote health and wellbeing, relax them. But the show Inside Edition INQUIRER include "The Uses of the body, relax the mind, enhance recently exposed trickery and deceit on Credulity" (Spring 1986, reprinted in mood, purify the air, are antidotes to air the 1999 Fox TV special "Opening the the SI anthology The Hundredth pollution, relieve fatigue, tone the body, Lost Tombs: Live From Egypt," hosted Monkey, 1991) and his tribute to Isaac nourish the skin, promote circulation, by Maury Povich. The television "event" Asimov ("one of my oldest, closest, and alleviate feminine cramps, or do various was one of the most successful TV

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 7 NEWS AND COMMENT

specials in recent years, garnering world­ Pyramid—a pyramid Fox said hadn't seen before by anyone. wide publicity with its promise that view­ been explored in 5,000 years." In fact, the In fact, similar allegations were published ers could watch as ancient Egyptian pyramid had been previously explored in the September/October 1999 SKEPTICAL tombs would be unearthed on live televi­ several times and written about as early as INQUIRER by Richard Carrier. In his special sion. In the program, Povich and the 1800s. Questioning Hawass, Meagher report "Flash! Fox News Reports that Aliens Egyptologist Zahi Hawass explored pyra­ quoted from the Fox special: "'We opened May Have Built the Pyramids of Egypt!" mids and found mummies and ancient the Queen's Pyramid—See what no one Carrier wrote, "The 'reality' aspect of the artifacts, apparently for the first time. has seen for five millenniums.' Is that show is also suspect; much of it seemed The Inside Edition segment, "Povich accurate?" Hawass responded, "That's ... staged. It was apparent that Hawass has and the Tombs," shows that much of the mat's ... no." explored many of these sites before, identify­ special was not in fact a dramatic live "I cannot discover a tomb in two ing art and translating inscriptions, in prepa­ discovery as promised, but instead a hours," the beleaguered Hawass said. ration for the show (and then, perhaps, 'set­ staged event. The segment was reported "What do you want me to tell you? It ting them up' by covering them with sand)." by Matt Meagher and aired in was a set-up? Okay, fine." Even without the most recent revelations, December 2000. In fairness to Hawass, it seemed that the Fox special was shameless in its Doubts about die authenticity of he was being called to answer for many approach. Though reality and good science Fox's claims came from many quarters, of Fox's misstatements. The respected surfaced now and then, much of the show including University of Bristol Egyptologist, in his love for his work included theories of advanced civilizations, Egyptologist Aidan Dodson, who said and honest desire to interest the world aliens, psychic , UFOs, the Face of Hawass, "He's very much giving the in ancient Egypt, had apparently been on Mars, and Atlantis. impression that these things are being nudged into bending die truth for the —Benjamin Radford found in front of the camera, which is special. For his part, Povich said that he certainly not the case. Zahi Hawass is had understood that the discoveries he Benjamin Radford is Managing Editor of the probably one of the most distinguished and Hawass were making had never been SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. • Egyptian Egyptologists around. There's no way that Zahi would ever have opened anything live unless he knew what was on the other side of the door." W.V. Quine Under questioning from Meagher, (1908-2000) Hawass admitted that in most cases he The skeptics community has lost a powerful sup­ knew exactly what they would find. porter. Willard Van Orman Quine, considered to be Meagher asked him, "When you're one of the leading contemporary American philoso­ phers, died on December 25, 2000. A proponent of down in a tomb with Maury Povich, pragmatism, he was a defender of ­ and you open a wooden coffin, is that ology as the most reliable path to knowledge. He the first time you had seen the coffin?" defended a naturalized epistemology. For Quine, Hawass: "Me? . . . No. That burial sense experience is integrated with mathematical chamber belonged to the tomb that we and scientific abstraction to postulate theories found a month ago. Before the show." about the world, that are tested or disconfirmed. Hawass explained that most of the Quine was one of the original 25 scientists, philosophers, and skeptics who things he showed live had indeed been endorsed a statement sponsoring the formation of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, on May 1, 1976. He was seen before, emphasizing that it was live elected as one of the first Fellows of CSICOP, along with other distinguished for the audience, not necessarily for him philosophers, such as Brand Blanchard (Yale). Ernest Nagel (Columbia), Sidney or the world. When Hawass was asked if Hook (NYU), and Antony Flew (Reading University). Quine taught all during his he thought that the viewers believed life at Harvard University. He became president of the American Philosophical that these tombs were being opened for Association and was elected as a Humanist Laureate of the International the very first time, he responded that he Academy of Humanism. He was also a founding contributing editor of Philo. didn't know. "I don't care about live or the leading freethought theoretical magazine in the world, now published at the Center for Inquiry. Among his writings were From a Logical Point of View not live!" Hawass said. (1953), Word and Object (1960). Philosophy of Logic (1970), Pursuit of Truth There was also some question about (reissued in 1992), and From Stimulus to Science (1995). the accuracy of claims regarding another pyramid. Said Meagher, "Later in the —Paul Kurtz show, viewers were told they were wit­ nessing the opening of this Queen's

8 Match/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Rousing World Skeptics Congress Convened in Sydney, Australia

PAUL KURTZ

he Third World Skeptics the audience—which numbered over Congress—later renamed Skep­ 400 at various sessions. Of special sig­ Ttics World Convention III by nificance was the excellent address by the Australians so as not to confuse it Geoffrey Dean, probably the leading with third-world countries—was held at critical investigator of astrology in the the University of Sydney from world, which provided an overview of November 10 through 12, 2000. The the scientific evidence for and against Sydney Congress followed closely on the astrology, and the dearth of adequate heels of the Olympic games, which empirical support. In a concurrent ses­ tested athletic prowess—we were testing sion, Sanal Edamaruku, head of the mental gymnastics! Indian Rationalist Association, criticized The first World Congress was held at the deceptive godmen in his country. the State University of New York at Ryutarou Minakama, representative of Buffalo in 1996, and the second was held the Japanese Anti-Pseudoscience at the University of Heidelberg in 1998. Activities Network, dealt with the Aum Supreme Truth . There was a hard­ This Congress, according to the ihPaul Kurtz presents Australian skeptic Barry Australians, was by far the best—and I Williams with the "Distinguished Skeptics" hitting critique of Qigong by a six- agreed—for it not only served up a mine award. person Chinese delegation, headed by of good information, but was pervaded icance was the fact that CSICOP brought Professor Shen Zhenyu. CSICOP has a by a rousing spirit of good will and to the Congress skeptics from various longstanding history of cooperation humor. All told, lorry speakers partici­ Asian countries, including India, China, with skeptical Chinese groups. We have pated. The Congress was cosponsored by and Japan. sent delegations to China and they have CSICOP and the — The main focus of the Congress was visited our conventions. Chinese dele­ which comprises ten groups throughout on , which has gates sought to expose Falun Gong, and, die country, a lively and rather influential emerged as a global problem. It became surprising to us, read a defense of the organization, which includes some of the clear that there needs to be coordinated Chinese government's crackdown on leading figures in Australia: Phillip international investigations of the claims and imprisonment of dissidents. Sima Adams (noted columnist and media of alternative medicine, particularly Nan, a popular debunker, demonstrated celebrity), Dick Smith (highly respected since pharmacological companies and how tricks and illusions were employed businessman), and Alan Cameron (head self-proclaimed healers are selling their by Qigong Masters and how such char­ of Australia's Securities and Investments products and services and raking in large latans deserved to be punished by the Commission). Many leading scientists in sums of money. Those who believe in Communist Party. Australia read papers, including Professor evidence-based scientific medicine As Chairman of CSICOP I felt com­ of Geology Ian Plimer, noted clinical agreed that although we need an open pelled to issue a disclaimer: CSICOP is immunologist Professor John Dwyer, mind about complementary , interested in the scientific evaluation of paleontologist Michael Archer (director we need to insist upon double-blind Qigong. We deplore, however, any of the Australian Museum), anthropolo­ randomized tests. effort to defend political repression, and gist Made J. Hennenberg, and others. There were three main sub-themes we wished to disassociate ourselves from The convention was organized by Barry discussed at the Congress: (1) Health and the statements of the Chinese delega­ Williams, the indefatigable Executive (2) Well-being, which dealt with scams in tion. Incidentally, this was the first time Director and editor of the organization's medicine, and (3) Wealth, which exposed magazine. The Skeptic, and its President, fraudulent financial schemes. WORLDS SKEPTICS CONGRESS Throughout the Congress there were Richard Gordon, M.D. Of special signif- Continued on page 34 good-natured and provocative ex­ changes by between panel members and SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 9 Fund • Future CSICOP AT THE CENTER FOR INQUIRY Promote CSICOP

Using the Media & Telecommunications to Promote Science and Reason The Fund for the Future is a capital campaign to provide CSICOP with the resources needed to more effectively influence media and public opinion. The 90s were defined by a telecommunications revolution, along with an explosion of available to the scholar and citizen alike. The hunger for , pseudoscience, the paranormal and miraculous solutions has never been more acute. The Ten-Year Plan Contributions are needed for current priorities: • Increased media appearances by skeptical spokespersons • Press releases, opinion pieces and media alerts • Greater exposure through the Internet, including webcasting • National initiatives coordinated by the Council for Media Integrity Instructional materials introducing to elementary and secondary school students Video production How Can You Help? CSICOP has established its expertise and integrity. It's time to command more media attention and a larger audience. The Center for Inquiry Fund for the Future is about new methods of outreach and broader influence, and is driven by an ambitious ten-year strategic plan for growth. I We depend on the support of readers and friends to continue leading the international . Gifts to the Fund for the Future provide the resources we need to respondt o today's challenges. All gifts are gratefully accepted. The Fund for the Future welcomes gifts of encourage­ ment and major investments. Cash contributions and gifts of stock are needed for immediate growth and new initiatives. We also offer a range of planned giving opportunities, from bequests to assorted tax-advantaged trusts and pooled funds. Planned gifts support our work in the future and can provide an income stream for you and a beneficiary. You may also make a gift supporting the general endowment, or establish a special purpose fund underwriting a long-term project that expresses your personal interests and commitment to skepticism. In today's stock market, gifts of highly appreciated securities offer particular advantages to the donor. When donating stock to a charitable organization, you avoid taxes and maximize the impact of

the asset you are donating. ..T Contact the Development Director at (716) 636-7571 to discuss accomplishing your philanthropic and financial goals and contributing to the Fund for the Future. CSICOP XT .. at the Center for Inquiry P.O. Box 703 Amherst, NY 14226-0703 (716) 636-1425 ext. 311 Bill Nye "Tlu> Science Pax (716) 636-1733 Guy," Joe Nickell, and entertainer Sieve Allen appear Council for Media Integrity on a radio show. Formed just weeks after its inclusion in the Ten-Year Plan, the Council for Media Integrity monitors and challenges media programs that convey unfounded claims and mislead the public about science. Members include E. 0. Wilson, Stephen Jay Gould, and many others. CSICOP will invest in electronic infrastructure to facilitate rapid ri response to irresponsible programs.

Enhanced Library Resources

Co^hair of the Fund for the The Center for &»**•" skeP,k's' library—already the finest Future Campaign: above, °f >ts kind in the world—needs additional funding to enlarge its author and critic Martin con' collection and add electronic media. Worldwide modem access to Gardner. the library's catalog is already nearly complete.

Adult Education The Council cosponsors the Center for Inquiry Institute, which has already expanded its offerings to include a new three-year certificate program in science and skepticism. Courses are scheduled in Amherst, Los Angeles, and other cities.

Regional Outreach With the establishment of The Center for Inquiry-West (Los Angeles), The Center for Inquiry-Midwest (Kansas City) and The Center for Inquiry-Rockies (Boulder, Colorado), giant steps have been taken to enhance direct field service to skeptical activists. Additional regional centers are planned, with expanded calendars of activities.

Focusing Upon the Young To present the skeptical message more compellingly to the young CSICOP will develop new materials— ranging from age-appropriate print publications to audio and video cassettes and instructional courseware. Goals include enhanced understanding of science and improved skills. NOTES OF A FRINGE-WATCHER MARTIN GARDNER

Distant Healing and Elisabeth Targ

Elisabeth Targ team of Targ and his paraphysicist chic phenomena, such as Susy Smiths Tries mighty hard friend Harold Puthoff made a big splash Book of James in which she reports on To convince everybody that in parapsychological circles in the channeled messages from the spirit of in California can 1970s. They claimed to have established . Targ died in 1999, at age Heal the sick in Afghanistan. beyond any doubt that almost every­ ninety-two. His original name was —A Clerihew body is capable of "," William Torgownic, taken from his par­ by Armand T. Ringer their term for what used to be called ents when they came from Russia to set­ . In addition, they claimed tle in Chicago where he was born. never cease to be amazed by how they had validated 's psychic William Targ's beliefs in the paranor­ easily a set of beliefs, no matter how ability to remote-view pictures, and his mal trickled down to his son Russell, and Ibizarre, will pass from parents to ability to control the fall of dice by PK now they have descended on Russell's children, and on to grandchildren. I sus­ (). They sat on the fence attractive and energetic daughter pect that the vast majority of true believ­ about Uri's ability to bend spoons and Elisabeth. Her mother Joan, by the way, is ers in every major have parents keys because rJiey were never able to the sister of chess grandmaster Bobby and grandparents of the same faith. It is capture the actual bending on film. Fischer. Elisabeth is a practicing psychia­ rare indeed when sons and daughters Some parapsychologists called this a trist with an M.D. from Stanford make a clean break with strongly held "shyness effect." University, and psychiatric training at fundamental beliefs of their parents. Russell inherited his psi beliefs from UCLA's Neuxopsychiatric Institute. Ms. This was brought home to me his father, William Targ. When I lived in Targ is firmly convinced that persons have recently when E. Patrick Curry, a retired Chicago I used to visit the father's book­ the power to use psi to heal the computer engineer, now a consumer store on North Clark Street, a store he sick over long distances even when they health advocate in Pittsburgh, sent me a opened when he was twenty-two. It had don't know the sick but only see their batch of material about Elisabeth Targ, a large section devoted to books about photographs and are given their names. daughter of the paraphysicist Russell the paranormal and the occult. After Elisabeth first participated in psi Targ. Readers of SI will recall how the working for a time as an editor for experiments when she was a teenager. , in Cleve­ On page ninety-six of The Mind Race Martin Gardner has two new books of land, Targ moved to Putnam in (1984), a book by Russell Targ and his essays: Did Adam and Eve Have Navels? where he rose to editor-in- former psychic friend Keith Harary, Discourses on , , chief. His entertaining autobiography, Elisabeth is identified as a medical stu­ Urine , and Other Dubious Indecent Pleasures, was published in dent at Stanford, and an "experienced Subjects (WW Norton, 2000), based on 1975. At Putnam Targ was responsible psi-experimenter and remote viewer." In his SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Notes of a Fringe- for many best-sellers, including Erich 1970 she took part in a series of what Watcher columns; and From the von Daniken's notorious Chariots of the the authors call successful experiments Wandering Jew to William E Buckley Gods. (In his autobiography Targ calls it with a psi-teaching machine. She is said Jr.: On Science, Literature, and Religion a "quasi-scientific" work on archae­ to have recently obtained degrees in (Prometheus Books, 2000), a collection of ology.) Under his editorship Putnam biology and Russian. his other essays and reviews. also published a raft of books about psy­ The authors describe a curious

12 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER experiment in which Elisabeth correctly tests that failed? One in four, and one in nating study, she added, concerned predicted in September 1980 that six, are not low probabilities. remote healing of tumors on mice. The Reagan would win the November elec­ There is more about Elisabeth in the study showed that the healers who were tion for president. Here is how the test book. In May 1982 she and her fathet farthest from the mice had the greatest worked. conducted a workshop at the Esalen influence in shrinking the tumors! Ms. Targ's friend Janice Boughton Institute during which successful remote Ms. Targ has received $800,000 from selected four objects to represent the four vision tests were carried out with Ms. the Department of Defense to head a possible outcomes of die election: Carter Targ participating. four-year study of the effects of alterna­ wins, Reagan wins, Anderson wins, or none of the above. Each object, its iden­ tity unknown to Elisabeth, was put in a Although Ms. Targ is firmly persuaded that distant small wooden box. Boughton then asked healing works, she confesses that no one has any Ms. Targ, "What object will 1 hand to you at twelve o'clock on election night?" notion of how a healer and healee can be Elisabeth then predicted the elections connected over long distances. outcome by remote-viewing the object she would be given. Her description of the object was white, hollow, conical, Elizabeth Targ is now the acting tive healings on patients with breast can­ with a string attached to die cone's apex. director of the Complementary cer. The complementary healings The object that correlated with Reagan's Medicine Research Institute (CMRI). It include yoga, guided imagery, move­ victory was a conical shaped whistle with is part of the California Pacific Medical ment and art therapy, and others. "Wc a string attached to one end. Center (CPMC), in turn part of the are getting told that we can't study this," Of course six weeks later Ms. Targ University of California School of she said, "but the beauty of the scientific had to be handed the box with the whis­ Medicine. Her institute is devoted to method is that we can. We can deter­ tle. Otherwise, as die book's authors put investigating such alternative forms of mine if it works—and if so, for whom it, the initial question would have been healing as , , and how." meaningless. remote healing, , CRMI's main achievement so far is a A similar test of Elisabeth's ability to herbal remedies, meditation, yoga, chi six-month double-blind study of the remote-view a future event involved a gong, guided imagery, and . The effects of remote healing on forty horse race at Bay Meadows. On the institute's literature does not mention patients in the San Francisco Bay area night before the race, six objects, , reflexology, , who had advanced AIDS. Forty practic­ unknown to Ms. Targ, were assigned , , and ing healers were recruited for the study numbers that corresponded with num­ other extreme forms of alternative heal­ from healing traditions that included bers on the six horses in the race. As ing. Apparently they are too outlandish Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Native before, Elisabeth was told that at the end to merit investigation. American shamans, and graduates of of the race she would be given the object In 1998 Ms. Targ received $15,000 "bioenergetic" schools. They were given that correlated with the winning horse. from the Templeton Foundation, an photographs of the AIDS victims, their Ms. Targ predicted the race's out­ organization established by billionaire first names, and their blood counts. come by visualizing something hard John Templeton, an evangelical Presby­ For an hour every day, over a ten- and spherical that reminded her of an terian who showers cash on persons and week period, the healers directed their apple and was transparent. One of the organizations he thinks are promoting psi energy to the patients by using objects was an apple juice bottle. It had religion. His interest in Ms. Targ's insti­ prayer or meditation. The experiment been assigned the number on a horse tute springs from her research support­ was supported by the Institute of Noetic named Shamgo. Shamgo won. Natur­ ing the healing power of prayer. Studies, founded by astronaut Edgar ally, after the race Elisabeth had to be In a speech on distant healing that Mitchell, a true believer in all varieties of handed the apple juice bottle to make Ms. Targ gave at die Second Annual psychic phenomena, including the pow­ sense of die experiment. International Conference on Science and ers of Uri Geller, and by New York City's What a skeptic would like to see Consciousness, in Albuquerque, New Parapsychology Foundation. would be a transcript of everything Mexico, April 29-May 3, 2000, she Ms. Targ and three associates Elisabeth said when she was describing reported that the National Institutes of reported the results of the experiment in the target. Did she say much more than Health (NIH) now provides funds for a paper titled "A Randomized Double- the remarks quoted by her father and his research on "distant mental influence on Blind Study of the Effects of Distant coauthor? If so, there may have been a biological organisms." Of more than 135 Healing in a Population with Advanced selection of just those remarks that studies of distant healing on biological AIDS." It was published in the presti­ seemed to describe the target. But I'm organisms, she said, about two-thirds gious Western Journal of Medicine only guessing. Also, were there similar reported significant results. One fasci­ (December 1998). The authors claim

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 13 that the twenty AIDS patients who coauthored by Puthoff, is about their erences to The Course in , a received the healing energy (without tests of remote viewing when they monstrous, vapid tome said to have knowing they had been selected for such worked for SRI International (then called been dictated by . Also mentioned treatment), showed significantly better the Stanford Research Institute). without criticism are the powers of improvement than the twenty patients Margaret Mead wrote the book's intro­ Arigo, Brazil's famous psychic surgeon in the control group who did not receive duction. Targ's second book, Mind Race, who operated with his "rusty knife" on the energy. As one report summarized was written, as I said earlier, wirli psychic thousands of patients, following instruc­ the progress of the group receiving the Keith Harary. His third book Miracles of tions whispered in his left ear by a dead energy, they had "fewer and less severe Mind: Exploring Nonlocal Consciousness German . new illnesses, fewer visits, fewer and Spiritual Healing, published in 1998 Targ credits Jane with having stimu­ hospitalizations, and improved mood." by World Library, is coauthored with lated a seemingly miraculous remission The NIH, through its National Jane Katra, a psychic healer. of what had been diagnosed (by whom?) Center for Complementary and The first half of Miracles of Mind cov­ as metastic cancer. "I have been well for Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), has ers the history of remote viewing, includ­ the five years since Jane did healing treat­ provided funding for Ms. Targ to con­ ing high praise for Upton Sinclair's book ments with me," Targ writes. "We will duct a three-year study of distant heal­ Mental Radio about his wife's ability to never know if I actually had metastic ing on 150 HIV patients. The funding remote view his drawings. The second cancer, or if it was a misdiagnosis. What for the first year alone is $243,228, with half of Miracles of Mind is about psychic we do know for sure is that Jane's inter­ a starting date of July 1, 2000. The healing. Targ diat such healing, actions with me saved me from NCCAM has also funded a four-year especially healing at a distance, is related chemotherapy, which quite likely would project to study the effect of distant to the "interconnectedness" of all things have killed me. . . . Did they [his doc­ healing on persons with a brain tumor by a quantum field such as the nonlocal tors] tell a well man that he had a termi­ called glioblastoma. The starting date field of 's guided wave the­ nal disease, or did a man with a terminal was September 18, 2000, with a first- ory of . disease recover through the ministrations year grant of $202,596. Borh studies, Miracles of Mind is a strange book. of a spiritual healer?" Targ has no doubt Ms. Targ said, will be double blind. It Some chapters are written by Targ, others that it was Jane Katra who healed him. looks as though Ms. Targ, over the next by Jane Katra. In a few chapters it is hard The following paragraphs from one few years, will be receiving more than to tell who is writing. Almost every person of Patrick Curry's letters sum up well the two million dollars of government funds engaged in parapsychological research is distant healing trend in which Ms. Targ for her research on remote healing, the favorably mentioned, including such far- is playing so prominent a role: cash coming from our taxes. out paranormalists as Jule Eisenbud, The rise of Elisabeth Targ's distant Ms. Targ is the author of "Evaluating Andrija Puharich, Jeffrey Mishlove, Joe healing studies is not a mere example Distant Healing: A Research Review," McMoneagle, and many others. of defective science leaking into medi­ published in Alternative Therapies (Vol. Katra owes an enormous debt to cine ... it is a leading wedge of a nascent mystical movement that has 3, November 1997), and in the same theosophy. She speaks admiringly of been gathering tremendous steam in issue, "Research in Distant Healing Madame Blavatsky, theosophy's recent years. The parapsychological Intentionality Is Feasible and Deserves a founder, as well as England's leading enterprise has taken on a new life in its Place in Our Healing Research theosophists Annie Besant and Charles alliance with alternative medicine and the consciousness movement. What Agenda." The executive editor of Leadbeater. I could hardly believe it, but we have is a very productive alliance of Alternative Therapies is Dr. Larry the book cites (page 94) Occult parapsychologists, old-fashioned mys­ Dossey, who started the distant healing Chemistry, a weird 1898 book by Besant tics, new-fashioned mystics, and psy­ research with his 1993 book Healing and Leadbeater which describes chedelic mystics that has gotten a major foothold in medicine. Words: The Power of Prayer and the Leadbeater's clairvoyant probing of the Practice of Medicine. interior of atoms. He is actually credited Their presence is extraordinarily strong within NCCAM (National with having first discovered by clairvoy­ Although Ms. Targ is firmly per­ Center for Complementary and suaded that distant healing works, she ance that hydrogen has three isotopes! Alternative Medicine) and other alter­ confesses that no one has any notion of Miracles of Mind takes seriously such native-oriented sections of NIH how a healer and healee can be con­ paranormal phenomena as out-of-body (National Institutes of Health). There is a growing presence at dozens of travel, near- experiences, chakras nected over long distances. She closes major medical schools, especially die second paper just cited with these (imaginary energy points in the human Harvard. . . . They have primary words: "The connection could be body), the Akashik Records (on which devotion not to the ethics of science through the agency of God, conscious­ all Earthly events are recorded), the but to their own that they have a mission in serving the New visions of Edgar Cayce, and the para­ ness, love, electrons, or a combination. Consciousness. Distortion, and exag­ The answers to such questions await normal powers of Philippine psychic geration of all sorts, are ignored in future research." surgeons (to which Katra devotes an devotion to their belief in the new Russell Targ's first book. Mind Reach, entire chapter). There are favorable ref­ paradigm.

14 March/Apnl 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER INVESTIGATIVE FILES JOE NICKELL

Mysterious Australia

t is a spectacular land to which many mysteries. Here is an encapsulated skep­ ren who stay on organized sleep-overs to superlatives apply- Separated from tical look at some of these Australian gain the "convict experience." Ithe other continents for some forty enigmas. (1 hope to discuss others later.) Unlike most "haunted" places the million years, Australia has produced Barracks maintains a file, contain­ unique flora and fauna, and its history Convicts' ing accounts of experiences recorded "began twice": first, some fifty to sixty Reputedly "the most haunted building just after they occurred. Curator thousand years ago when the nomadic in Central Sydney" (Davis 1998, 2), the Michael Bogle graciously made these Aborigines reached the shores, and sec­ Hyde Park Barracks served as secure available for me to study in his office. ond, on January 18-20, 1788, when housing for government-assisted male Bogle takes a "professionally neutral" eleven British ships stance on the subject of arrived laden with con­ hauntings, but admits victs (Chambers 1999, he has himself had no 1-10). ghostly experiences. I had a wonderful (Neither had four staff opportunity to visit members I interviewed Down Under during there; a fifth described a the Third Skeptics few incidents she attrib­ World Convention, uted to a ghost, but held in Sydney on none occurred at the November 10-12, Barracks.) 2000. I determined to Despite the neutral­ extend my sojourn ity, the museum's so­ another two weeks, so licitation of overnight that I could investigate visitors' "thoughts and several myths and mys­ feelings" about their teries. 1 began with die visit—utilizing a hand­ "haunted" Hyde Park Figure 1. Hammocks in the "haunted" old Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney where it is possi­ out with space to record Barracks and then was ble to spend the night, thus recreating the "convict experience." (Photos by Joe Nickell) their impressions—no joined by Sydney magic historian Peter convicts. Opened in mid-1819, its cen­ doubt encourages spooky thoughts. The Rodgers for three days of excursions. tral building held an average of 600 men handout says in part: "Should you have Subsequently, the Victoria Skeptics gen­ who were assigned to various workplaces an 'eerie' meeting of some sort, or erously flew me to Melbourne. From by day and lodged at night in twelve merely sense an inexplicable presence, there, Australian Skeptics' Chief rooms outfitted with hammocks (figure the museum would appreciate your Investigator Bob Nixon, Victoria 1). Now a museum, it has attracted Skeptics vice-president Richard Cadena, reports of various phenomena attested Joe Nickell is CSlCOP's Senior Research and I motored along the "Shipwreck by security guards and others who spend Coast" to Warrnambool pursuing other Fellow and author of numerous investiga­ the night there, including schoolchild­ tive books.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER MatchMprit 2001 15 description—with as much detail as 1998, 174). Certainly it is a stark show­ years ago, but continued to exist on possible." It continues: "The accompa­ ing of nineteenth-century penal life with Tasmania where it eventually suc­ nying [floor] plans will help you on your exhibits of grim implements of restraint cumbed to habitat destruction and journey through the building and and punishment together with various bounty hunting. The last known thy­ enable you, where appropriate, to map mementos mori. An advertising brochure lacine died in a zoo in 1936 (Park any 'out of the ordinary' occurrences." promises: "Experience the haunting and 1985). Nevertheless, since then hun­ Not surprisingly, then, several people eerie atmosphere of the gaol, and by lis­ dreds of sightings have been reported, did report having eerie feelings. For tening carefully, you can almost hear the and were even on the increase in the instance, one pre-Halloween (October clank of the prisoners' chains." 1980s; however, there were scant reports 11), 1991, account stated of attacks on sheep or other that a security guard domestic animals as would "hoped" a certain fellow have been expected if thy- guard "could make a lacines were making a connection with the ghost" comeback (Park 1985). which "everyone in Security Still, thylacines are "fre­ knew of" and which was quently reported seen in the typically experienced as "a coastal border country chilling sensation" on the between Victoria and South third floor. Other respon­ Australia" (Gilroy 1995, dents described apparent 74). Indeed, as we drove "waking dreams": some­ along the Great Ocean times apparitional experi­ Road from Melbourne to ences that occur in the twi­ Warrnambool, Bob Nixon light between wakefulness recalled one reported Figure 2. Thylacine or "Tasmanian tiger"—believed extinct since 1936—as a and sleep (Nickel! 1995; mounted specimen in the Australian Museum. Tasmanian tiger sighting 2000). For example, one some years ago near Lome respondent reported seeing "a man However, evidence of ghostly phe­ (where we ate lunch). This was an area standing beside my hammock looking at nomena at the site is scant, notwith­ of virgin "bush" country (a eucalypt for­ me" and wearing period clothes. Her standing a questionable "ghost" photo est), but, alas, all we saw was beautiful account reveals she had "tried to imag­ half-heartedly brought out by a gift- scenery. (I also kept an eye out for the ine what it must have been like for the shop employee when the topic of haunt- thylacine while looking for the yowie in convicts who stayed there"—thus help­ ings was broached. She conceded that the Blue Mountains—to be discussed ing set the stage for such an experience. some people did get "feelings" at the site presently—another area where the On occasion in the written narratives but that she had worked there for ten striped creature is reportedly seen are suggestions of possible pranking—as years without paranormal experience of [Gilroy 1995].) when one of a group of forty-seven her own. She jokingly conceded that she Hope springs eternal, but it increas­ schoolchildren felt a "long hand" reach in only worked one day a week and that ingly appears that if the thylacine is not under her sleeping bag to touch her on perhaps "the ghosts take Tuesdays off." to forever remain elusive, an idea of the hip (or was that instead merely the paleontologist Mike Archer must pre­ effect of a runaway imagination, or even Cryptids vail. Archer, who is also director of the another waking dream?). Once, a child's The term "cryptid" has been coined to Australian Museum, has suggested res­ footsteps heard by two guards were first refer to unknown animal species or to urrecting the species. Using DNA from attributed to one of the children having those which, believed extinct, may only a preserved specimen, he proposes to gotten up but—that reportedly not hav­ have eluded scientific rediscovery clone the creature, giving us a glimpse of ing been the case—was explained as a (Coleman and Clark 1999, 75). that possibility at the skeptics confer­ sound that "must have been made by the Examples of the former are the yowie ence. (For a discussion of the relevant wind." One experiencer heard a tapping (Australia's version of ) and the biotechnology see Lanza et al. 2000.) sound diat staff subsequendy ascribed to a bunyip (a swamp-dwelling, hairy crea­ The yowie, on the other hand, has left mechanized display. ture with a horselike head) (Coleman only meager traces of its supposed exis­ Such incidents seem typical of those and Clark 1999, 49-50; 255-257). An tence, like those of other hairy man-beasts reported at die Hyde Park Barracks, as example of the latter is the thylacine. reported around the world. These include well as many otiier allegedly haunted Also known as the Tasmanian tiger, die Himalayan , the North American sites. For instance, "some say" that the the Thylacinus cynocephalus was a sasquatch, and similar creatures alleged to Old Melbourne Gaol is "the repository of wolflike marsupial with prominent inhabit remote regions of China, Russia, many troubled spirits, die ghosts of crim­ stripes on its back (figure 2). It became southeast Asia, and elsewhere. inals who suffered and died there" (Davis extinct on the mainland some 2,500 The yowie is a fearsome, hairy creature

16 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER of Aboriginal mythology. Also called some abandoned coal mines that Peter logical pursuit. We searched the sur­ Doolagahl ("great hairy man"), it is vener­ humorously dubbed "yowie caves," rounding mountainous terrain (see fig­ ated as a sacred being from the time of before eventually retracing our route. ure 3) for signs of die elusive yowie, creation which the Aborigines call the We saw no "Hairy Giants of Katoomba" again without success. Here and there Dreamtimc. An alleged sighting by a but, to be fair, we encountered little the raucous laughter of the kookaburra hunting party of setders in 1795 was fol­ wildlife. The ringing notes of the bell- seemed to mock our attempt. An lowed by increased reports from the bird did herald our visit and announce employee told us he had worked at the mountainous regions of New South that we were not alone. site for diree years widiout seeing either Wales in the nineteenrli century. For a yowie or the inn's resident example, in 1875 a coal miner "ghost," indicating he believed exploring in the Blue Mountains west in neidicr. of Sydney reportedly stalked a hairy, Failing to encounter our apelike animal for a distance before it quarry, we ended our hunt rela­ finally eluded him. Sightings of the tively unscathed—soaked, to be yowie mounted as settlers penetrated sure, and I with a slightly the country's vast interior, and yowie wrenched knee. But consider hunter Rex Gilroy (1995, 197) now what might have been: head­ notes that his files "bulge with stories lines screaming, "Skeptics from every state." mauled by legendary beast!"—a The self-described "'father' of tragic way to succeed, certainly, yowie research," Gilroy (1995, 202) and with no guarantee, even if boasts the acquisition of some we survived, that we would be 5,000 reports together with a collec­ believed! Even Gilroy conceded tion of footprint casts, but he com­ (1995, 202) that "nothing short plains of "a lifetime of ridicule from of actual physical proof—such both ignorant laymen and scientists as fossil or recent skeletal alike." When Peter Rodgers and I remains or a living specimen— ventured into the Blue Mountains, will ever convince the scientific we experienced something of the community of the existence of prevalent local skepticism at the the 'hairy man.'" information center at Echo Point But that is as it should be: In (in the township of Katoomba). many instances the touted evi­ Staffers there were emphatic that dence for Bigfoot-type crea­ the yowie was a mythical creature tures—mostly alleged sightings pursued by a few fringe enthusiasts. and occasional footprints—has (To them yowies exist only as popu­ Figure 3. Terrain of the legendary yowie (Australia's Bigfoot) been shown to be the product of viewed through Carlotta Arch in the Jenolan Caves reg ion. lar toys and chocolate figures mar­ error or outright deception keted by Cadbury.) Resuming our drive wc next stopped (Nickell 1995, 222-231). Crypto- Nevertheless, to Gilroy "the Blue at Meadlow Badi, an historic resort area zoologists risk being thought naive Mountains continues to be a hotbed of overlooking the Megalong Valley—also when they too quickly accept the evi­ yowie man-beast activities—a vast reputed yowie country (Gilroy 1995, dence of "mammal" footprints. "Some region of hundreds of square miles still 217-218). From there wc surveyed the of these tracks," insists Gilroy (1995, containing inaccessible forest regions countryside which was, however, largely 224), "have been found in virtually seldom if ever visited by Europeans." shrouded in fog. We continued on to inaccessible forest regions by sheer The fabled creatures are known there, he Hartley, then took a narrow, winding chance and, in my view, must therefore says, as the "Hairy Giants of Katoomba" road some 44 kilometers to Jenolan be accepted as authentic yowie foot­ and also as the "Killer Man-Apes or the Caves. Gilroy (1995, 219) states that the prints." It seems not to have occurred to Blue Mountains" (Gilroy 1995, 212). Aborigines believed the caves were die credulous monsterologist that a In the Katoomba bushland, Peter anciently used as yowie lairs, and he given "discoverer" might actually be the and I took the celebrated "steepest cites reported sightings and discoveries very hoaxer. But the debate continues. incline railway in the world" (built as a of footprints in the region. coal mine transport in 1878) down into We passed through the Grand Arch, Spiritualist's Grave Jamison Valley. The miserable weather a majestic limcsionc-cavcrn cntrancc- Among die sites diat supposedly make gave added emphasis to the term rain- way into a hidden valley, and surveyed Australia "a very haunted continent" is jvrest through which we "bushwalked" the spectacular grotto called Devil's the Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney (hiked) west along a trail. Wc passed Coachhouse, continuing our cryptozoo- ("International" 2000). One of the graves

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 17 (as practiced by spiritual­ ists like and ), the attraction to alleged spirit communication continues. So does the interest in other paranor­ mal claims. Although I pursued several mysteries that had a decidedly Australian flavor, they nevertheless represented many of the same themes—hauntings, monsters, etc.—that are found virtually everywhere. How familiar is the strange, we might say, and even, considering Australia's distinctive natural offerings, how strange the familiar.

Acknowledgments I am supremely grateful to John and Mary Frantz for their generous establishment of an investigative fund that helps make much of my research possible. Also, in addition to those mentioned in the text, I am grateful Figure 4. Trio of magicians—Joe Nickell, Peter Rodgers. and Kent Blackmore—recreating 1910 to my Australian friends Barry Williams gathering of Houdini and friends at the grave of spiritualist William Davenport. and Ian Bryce for their assistance. Closer to home I also owe thanks to Michael there has a profound link to that not even his sons knew it." Dennett, Christian Ambrose, Tim Binga, and once attracted famed magician My own interest in the Davenport Tom Flynn, Ranjit Sandhu, Ben Radford, Lisa Hutter, Barry Karr, Kevin Christopher, Harry Houdini. It is the burial place of Brothers was renewed when I was able and—of course—Paul Kurtz. one of die notorious to help bring to light the contents of and the subject of an interesting story. their personal scrapbook (Nickell 1999). References Ira and William Davenport toured I had continued my interest in the duo Chambers, John H. 1999. A Traveler's History of the world giving demonstrations of by locating and visiting Ira's grave in Australia. Gloucestershire. U.K.: The Wind- alleged spirit phenomena. While the Mayville, New York. Now, finding rush Press. pair were securely tied in a special myself in Sydney, I determined to recre­ Christopher. Milbourne. 1976. Houdini: A Pictorial Biography. Reprinted New York: "spirit cabinet," the "spirits" played ate Houdini's visit to William's grave. I Gramercy Books, 1998, 60-83. musical instruments and performed was accompanied again by Peter Coleman, Loren, and Jerome Clark. 1999. other "manifestations" in darkened the­ Rodgers and by another magician, Kent A to Z New York: Fireside (Simon & Schuster). aters. Then on July 1, 1877, while they Blackmore (both of whom had visited Davis, Richard. 1998. The Ghost Guide to were on tour in Australia, the long-ail­ the site in 1983). Australia. Sydney, Australia: Bantam Books. ing younger brother William died and The Rookwood Cemetery is huge, Gilroy, Rex. 1995. Mysterious Australia. Mapleton, was buried at Rookwood. requiring some time for us to relocate Queensland. Australia: Nexus Publishing, 67-76. 194-227. Decades later, in 1910, while Houdini the grave (in the Church of England Gregorys Blue Mountains in Your Pocket. 1999. was himself on tour there (and inciden­ Necropolis, section E, grave number (Map 238, first edition.) Macquaric Centre, tally entered Australian history by 848). Armed with weed clippers and a N.S.W.: Gregory's Publishing Co. Houdini, Harry. 1924. A Magician Among the becoming the country's first successful bouquet of fresh flowers, we soon had Spirits. Reprinted New York: Arno Press, aviator), die great magician/escape artist made the site presentable once again. 1972. 17-37. paid a visit to die grave, accompanied by Like the trio who preceded us in 1910, International Haunted Places. 2000. htip://free hosiing2.at.webjump.com/269be35db/ha/ two fellow magicians (Christopher we three magi posed for photographs haumcd-places/Intcrnational.htm (August 4). 1976). Houdini (1924) found die grave to record the event (figure 4). Alas, Lanza, Robert P., et al. 2000. Cloning 's Ark. "sadly neglected" and so, he wrote, "I had neither William Davenport's nor any Scientific American. November, 84-89. Nickell. Joe. 1995. Entities: Angels. Spirits. it put in order, fresh flowers planted on it other spirit put in an appearance—as Demons, and Other Alien Beings. Amherst, and the stone work repaired." far as we could tell. But it was never­ N.Y.: Prometheus Books. Subsequently, when Houdini met die theless an occasion to recall those who . 1999. The Davenport Brothers. surviving brother, Ira was so moved by lived in earlier times and to reflect on SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 23-4 (July/August): 14-17. Houdini's act of kindness diat he con­ how things have since changed yet . 2000. Haunted inns: Tales of spectral fessed die brothers' tricks, even teaching remained much the same. For guests. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 24.5 (September/ his fellow escapologist "the famous instance, while the physical manifesta­ October): 17-21. Park. Andy. 1985. Is this toothy relic still on the Davenport rope-tie, the secret of which," tions of spiritualism's earlier era have prowl in Tasmania's wilds? Smithsonian. Houdini noted, "had been so well kept largely been supplanted by mental August, 117-130. •

18 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER PSYCHIC VIBRATIONS ROBERT SHEAFFER

The Great Chupacabra Conspiracy

or about the last year, Chile and a short time later the university tails on the recent major sightings. It other South American countries announced that the remains were that of contains photos of animals that have Fhave suffered a veritable blitz of a dog. However, local residents are out­ supposedly been killed by , chupacabra attacks, the supposed fero­ raged, insisting that university officials and supposed tracks of the beast. You cious "goat suckers" that torment must have switched the genuine chu­ can even listen to a simulation of the Hispanic farmers and ranchers, but pacabra remains with that of a dog. Dr. Blood Predator's fearsome cry. One never trouble those from other cultural Edmundo Torres, vice chancellor and intriguing hypothesis suggested on the backgrounds. Joseph Trainor's UFO director of scientific research at UNAN- Web site is that the chupacabras may Roundup from the U.K. informs us Leon, denies that any such thing was actually be "alien pets." (www.ufoinfo.com/roundup/v05/ rnd05_21 .shtml) that, the newspaper Rancher Jorge Luis Talavera apparently shot one Cronica of Concepci6n, Chile, reported that not only were the chupacabras up of the elusive chupacabras. This caused great to their usual tricks, but that they excitement among cryptozoologists and UFOIogists, appear to be at the center of a sinister conspiracy. In fact, a whole family of the only to be deflated when a short time later the fierce little devils were reportedly cap­ university announced that the remains were tured—a Daddy Chup, a Mommy Chup, and a tiny little Baby Chup— that of a dog. "and were delivered to agents of the USA's FBI agency which arrived at done, but he is assumed to be part of the But Chupacabras are not the only Calama from Santiago [where the conspiracy. Talavera claims to have strange creatures running about that sci­ American federal police have an office in sighted a second chupacabra, but this entists are too closed-minded to accept. their embassy]. The creatures quietly one is only "about the size of a Pekinese According to a recent BBC news story would have been taken to the USA," dog," which would make it all die easier (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/ where I suppose they were carried away for the scientists-in-cahoots to switch world/asiapacific/ncwsid_ 1059000/ to . the body of this genuine fierce creature 1059099-stm) no less a personage than In Nicaragua, rancher Jorge Luis with that of a yappy, spoiled pup. Princess Rangsrinopadorn Yukol of Talavera apparently shot one of the elu­ But some serious-minded investiga­ Thailand claims to have seen, and even sive chupacabras on August 25, 2000. tors seek to initiate a scientific study of filmed, long-haired elephants (said to be The wounded creature staggered off, but chupacabras and raise it above the level related to woolly mammoths) that have its remains were discovered three days of ridicule. With this aim, Dr. Virgilio secreted themselves in a remote part of later and delivered to the Universidad Sanchez-Ocejo of the Miami UFO that country. But Dr. Preecha Puangkam, Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua Center has given the alleged creatures (UNAN) in Leon. This caused great the "scientific name" of "hemo preda­ Robert Sheaffer's World Wide Web page for excitement among cryptozoologists and tor." His Web site at http://blood UFOs and other skeptical subjects is at UFOIogists, only to be deflated when predator.homestead.com contains de- wunv.debunker. com.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/Apnl 2001 19 an expert on elephants, said after viewing hundreds of wings that propel them seen in the photos, revealing that the die film that it shows only ordinary ele­ through the sky. Science does not seem camera was much closer to the ground phants, and he even identified the herd aware of them, but we obtain a steady than anyone had previously suspected. captured on film. But this has not stream of these reports. We urge anyone Either farmer Trent ran out of the house deterred a band of intrepid explorers, to attempt to capture them for scientific with his camera, then unexpectedly including the Princess, who have set off analysis. Assuming these reports are crouched down near the ground to get into the wilderness to stalk the woolly accurate we may have discovered a new photos of a saucer as it flew by, or else he wanted to put as much distance as pos­ sible between his camera and the tiny Veteran researcher Don Worley of the model UFO that he had hung from the overhead wires. Carpenter says, "The Institute for UFO Research has listed a number overall geometry of the positions and of instances in which the UFO aliens abducted the attributes of the camera suggest that he was attempting to frame a nearby someone but brought them back wearing object in such a way as to maximize the different clothes. amount of sky around it and enhance its apparent altitude." You can judge for yourself after seeing Carpenter's pages at Thai neo-mammoths. We wish them the life form. Sometimes they appear to www.ufx.org/mcminn/photo.htm. best of luck. have light-making ability similar to Recent research reveals that the alien This column recendy reported on lightning bugs." abductors are not quite as clever as the mysterious, fast-moving "flying In recent years, UFO proponents some have thought. In fact, in many rods" that are being reported from many have one case they have been touting as cases they can be downright careless places (SI March/April, 2000, p. 20). the most solid, indisputable proof of the and stupid. Veteran researcher Don MUFON's Eastern Director George A. existence of flying craft seen in plain Worley of the Institute for UFO Filer reports (http://ufoinfo.com/filer/ daylight. It is the pair of famous photos Research has listed a number of 2000/ff_0039.shtml) that one of these taken by the late Paul Trent of instances in which the UFO aliens critters was apparently captured and McMinnville, Oregon, on May 11, abducted someone but brought them killed with bug spray. According to Filer, 1950, and left unresolved by the back wearing different clothes Chuck Rogers of Bethlehem, Condon Committee investigation in (www.frii.com/-iufor/worley.htm). For Pennsylvania, inadvertently captured a 1969. (This is in spite of numerous example, one woman was apparently rod in his home, which tried to escape. inconsistencies and implausibilities that abducted wearing a Victoria's Secret "Apparently it was caught inside a gro­ have been known for years. See my Web nightgown, but brought back wearing a cery bag in his sink and started to thrash page at www.debunker.com/trent. man's oversized shirt. "What man until it flew swiftly out of the bag. html.) Now UFOlogist Joel Carpenter awakened in the Victoria's Secret night­ Barely visible, it flew into the next room seems to have dealt the Trent photos a gown," asks Worley, "and what did he where his lab is located and hit the foam major, and possibly fatal, blow. tell his wife?" Another woman appar­ tile ceiling a few times. Sulfur powder Carpenter, an enthusiast for restoring ently had her nightgown switched for was in the lab and used to control para­ old vehicles, noted the similarity of the T-shirt of a Japanese marathon run­ sites on their dog. He spotted the flying Trent's supposed UFO to the side mir­ ner (which is all the more puzzling, rod and sprayed insect spray at it and rors that were used in trucks during the given the almost total absence of UFO didn't see it for a while. He spotted a 1920s and 30s. As it happens, the prin­ abduction claims from Japan). A diaphanous, transparent, and obviously cipal reason that the Trent "UFO" is farmer in moved but apparently immobile (dead) object in the sulfur considered anomalous is that the failed to inform his regular UFO powder. When he touched the object, it Condon investigation revealed that den- abductors, who peered in the usual disintegrated into the powder." Since sitometric measurements of its under­ windows and frightened the new ten­ the remains of the creature in the pow­ side show it to be brighter than expected ants out of their wits. der have apparently not been saved, the for a plain, shaded white nearby surface. * * » loss to science is incalculable. However, if the underside of the Filer adds, "Periodically we receive object is a mirror instead of a diffuse Just because not much has been written reports of flying objects that appear to reflector, what we are seeing is not a lately about the ongoing war on the part be something like flying transparent jel­ shaded surface but the reflection of a of against its critics does not lyfish, caterpillars, or rods. They have sunlit patch of ground, and we should mean that they have suddenly reverted been videotaped and appear to come in hence expect a much higher reading. to civilized norms (see this column, various sizes from a few inches long to Carpenter also did a virtual reality September/October 1995). If anything, ten feet or more. They seem to have reconstruction of the nearby objects it means that such harassment has

20 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER become so commonplace that it is no one of Scientology's most persistent crit­ longer newsworthy. In Clearwater, ics, has been driven into personal bank­ Florida, the location of one of Scien­ ruptcy by the group. He posted on the tology's major headquarters, an ongoing Internet a letter he wrote to a judge, con­ battle rages against anti-Scientology taining an excerpt from one of protesters and pickets, most of whom Scientology's secret scriptures about how are from the Lisa McPherson Trust the group's "E-meters" (crude devices (named for a young woman who died of that are nothing more than simple gal­ neglect and/or mistreatment while in vanometers) could be used to diagnose "isolation" in a Scientology "prison" for and treat diseases. Henson argued that persons who have broken the rules—see Scientology was practicing medicine www.xenu.net/archive/events/lisa_ without a license as well as promoting mcpherson/the_trust). This frequently dangerous and unproven medical prac­ involves shoving and other physical tices, and hence his revelation and discus­ interference against critics that some­ sion of this act constituted protected free how the Clearwater police are unable to speech on a subject of public interest. But In an effort to promote "see." Many of the Clearwater police after a series of bizarre rulings against science and skepticism among officers during their off-duty hours are Henson by the judge, Scientology all generations, the Committee paid $21 per hour by Scientology to obtained a judgment of $75,000 against for the Scientific Investigation serve as a private security force, and crit­ him for "copyright infringement." The of Claims of the Paranormal amount of money that the organization ics charge that this makes it impossible (CSICOP), is pleased to for the police to be fair and neutral in has spent to crush Henson using top- announce the launch of the ongoing battle of ideologies. dollar legal talent dwarfs the amount they the Program. Critics have filmed Scientologist could ever hope to collect from him by at The Web-based program strong-arm agents physically interfering least a factor of ten, and probably much is geared towards students, with protesters and sticking gum on more that that. Such persecution is parents and educators. their camera lenses, but Clearwater clearly intended not to protect police are singularly uninterested in the Scientology's legitimate interests but to indisputable video evidence of these serve as a warning to other would-be The goals of the Young crimes. In February 2000 some German activists of the fate awaiting them should Skeptics Program are: filmmakers requested to interview one they follow Henson's example. »To promote science and skepticism within all facets ot society and among Scientologist at his home. He declined. Now the Scientologists are attempt­ all generations. Shortly afterward, as the filmmakers ing to have Henson put in jail for »To provide multiple outlets (or young allegedly threatening to attack their people to learn and involve themselves were walking back onto the street, a man in science, skepticism, and critical with a hammer ran out from the house main headquarters with nuclear cruise inquiry. threatening them, and hitting their missiles (see www.xenu.net/archive/ »To work with parents, teachers and students in on effort to promote video camera with the hammer. The WIPJwir5-25.html). According to the learning, defend and advance science entire hammer attack was captured on police report on the incident, "some education, and encourage critical thinking in all areas of life video (you can see the video at threats [were] being made against the «To help young people make sense of www.lisatrust.net/Media/barnard.htm), Church on the Internet newsgroup, the world by developing the tools and but Clearwater police refused to arrest or alt.Religion.Scientology. In the docu­ gathering the information to navigate through the nonsense effectively. prosecute the man, and suggested that it ments, it shows Keith discussing how • To nurture curiosity, wonder, and the was the filmmakers who were "trespass­ an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic imagination whte sharing m the fascination of reality and the ing" and committing a "felony" by missiles) could be accurate enough to excitement our universe has to offer recording the attack without the hit the Church of Scientology. [G] also • To explore extraordinary claims ond attacker's permission. The Scientologist showed me documents that have pic­ Investigate unexplained phenomena, with the hammer, Richard Bernard, was tures of the Church in San Jacinto, while enkjying ourselves in the process • To inspire future generations to proudly later found to be wanted for skipping with satellite coordinates, so that a mis­ carry the torch of science and reason bail on a charge of cocaine trafficking, sile could be accurately launched at the and keep the flame burning bright for years to come and was arrested and sent to Key West to Church." As far as is known, Henson serve a one-year sentence. (Scientology possesses no nuclear weapons, nor any claims to be uncompromisingly anti­ cruise missiles to deliver them. None­ For more information please drugs, but apparently sees no problem in theless the case is going to trial in contact Program Director using drug dealers as their attack dogs.) Riverside County, California, charging Amanda Chesworth at Engineer Keith Henson of Palo Alto, Henson with making "misdemeanor [email protected] California, a free speech advocate and terrorist threats." LJ

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 21 What Can the Paranormal Teach Us About Consciousness?

Parapsychologists seem to assume that psychic phenomena—if they exist—would prove the "power of consciousness." Yet this may be no more than trying to use one mystery to solve another. Susan Blackmore reviews some of the evidence for psi and asks just what it does tell us about consciousness.

SUSAN BLACKMORE

onsciousness is a hot topic. Relegated to the fringes of science for most of the twentieth century, the Cquestion of consciousness crept back to legitimacy only with the collapse of behaviorism in the 1960s and 1970s, and only recently became an acceptable term for psy­ chologists to use. Now many neuroscientists talk enthusias­ tically about the nature of consciousness, there are societies and regular conferences on the topic, and some say that con­ sciousness is the greatest challenge for twenty-first century science. Although confusion abounds, there is at least some agreement that at the heart of the problem lies the question of subjectivity—or what it's like for me. As philosopher Thomas Nagel (1974) put it when he asked his famous

22 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER question "What is it like to be a bat?"—if there is something it is Wkefor the bat then we can say that the bat is conscious. This truly scientific position seems to be to remain on the fence, and is what we mean by consciousness—consciousness is private yet to do so makes progress difficult, if not impossible. and subjective and this is why it is so difficult to understand. For this reason, if for no other, you have to jump to one Meanwhile parapsychologists not only claim to have found side or other of the fence—and preferably be prepared to evidence for psi (paranormal phenomena), but seem to assume jump back again if future evidence proves you wrong. I have that paranormal phenomena have obvious and important jumped onto the side of concluding that psi does not exist. implications for consciousness. For example. 's My reasons derive from nearly thirty years of working in, and (1997) comprehensive popular review of parapsychology is observing, the field of parapsychology (Blackmore 1996). called "The Conscious Universe: The Scientific Truth of During that time various experimental paradigms have been Psychic Phenomena" and there are numerous papers on claimed as providing a repeatable demonstration of psi and (ESP) and psychokinesis (PK) that use several have been shown to be false. For example, in the such phrases as "consciousness interactions" (Braud and 1950s the London University mathematician Samuel Soal Schlitz 1991) or "the anomalous effect of conscious intention" claimed convincing evidence of with his special (Pallikari-Viras 1997) or "consciousness related anomalies" subject Basil Shackleton, with odds estimated at 10" against (Radin and Nelson 1989). But why are these two contentious the effect being due to chance (Soal and Bateman 1954). topics so often thrown together? Are ESP and PK really the These results convinced a whole generation of researchers effect of consciousness? Would paranormal phenomena, if and it took more than thirty years to show that Soal had, in they exist, force us to a new understanding of the nature of fact, cheated (Markwick 1978). Promising animal precogni­ consciousness? If so they would be most important. I therefore tion experiments were blighted by the discovery of fraud wish to explore this assumed relationship between conscious­ (Rhine 1974) and the early remote viewing experiments were ness and psi. found to be susceptible to subtle cues which could have pro­ I would love to be able to provide a fair and unbiased assess­ duced the positive results (Marks and Kammann 1980). As ment of the evidence for psi and decide whether it exists or not. Hyman (1995, 349) puts it, "Historically, each new para­ But this is simply impossible. Many people have tried and failed. digm in parapsychology has appeared to its designers and In some of the best debates in parapsychology the proponents contemporary critics as relatively flawless. Only subsequently and critics have ended up simply agreeing to differ (e.g., Hyman did previously unrecognized drawbacks come to light." and Honorton 1986; Hyman 1995; Utts 1995) or failing to reach any agreement (Milton and Wiseman 1999). The only The Ganzfeld Experiments The most successful paradigm during that time, and the one Susan Blackmore is Reader in the Department of Psychology, I shall concentrate on, has undoubtedly been the ganzfeld. University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 2JP. Subjects in a lie comfortably, listening

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 23 to white noise or seashore sounds through headphones, and Sargent's laboratory in Cambridge where some of the best wear halved ping-pong balls over their eyes, seeing nothing ganzfeld results were then being obtained. Note that in but a uniform white or pink field (the ganzfeld). By reduc­ Honorton's database nine of the twenty-eight experiments ing patterned sensory input, this procedure is thought to came from Sargent's lab. What I found there had a profound induce a psi-conducive state of consciousness. A sender in a effect on my confidence in the whole field and in published distant room, meanwhile, views a picture or video clip. After claims of successful experiments. half an hour or so the subject is shown four such pictures or Questions About the Ganzfeld Research videos and is asked to choose which was the target. It is claimed that they can do this far better than would be These experiments, which looked so beautifully designed in expected by chance. print, were in fact open to fraud or error in several ways, and The first ganzfeld experiment was published in 1974 indeed I detected several errors and failures to follow die pro­ (Honorton and Harper 1974). Other researchers tried to repli­ tocol while I was there. I concluded that the published papers cate the findings, and there followed many years of argument gave an unfair impression of the experiments and that the and of improving techniques, culminating in the 1985 "Great results could not be relied upon as evidence for psi. Eventually Ganzfeld Debate" between Honorton (one of the originators of the experimenters and I all published our different views of die the method) and Hyman (a well-known critic). By this time affair (Blackmore 1987; Harley and Mathiews 1987; Sargent several other researchers claimed positive results, often with 1987). The main experimenter left the field altogether. quite large effect sizes. Both Hyman (1985) and Honorton I would not refer to this depressing incident again but for (1985) carried out meta-analyses but came to opposite conclu­ one fact. The Cambridge data are all there in the Bern and sions. Hyman argued that the results could all be due to Honorton review but unacknowledged. Out of twenty-eight methodological errors and multiple analyses, while Honorton studies included, nine came from the Cambridge lab, more claimed that the effect size did not depend on the number of than any other single laboratory, and they had the second flaws in the experiments and that the results were consistent, highest effect size after Honorton's own studies. Bern and did not depend on any one experimenter, and revealed certain Honorton do point out that one of the laboratories con­ regular features of ESP. In a "joint communique"' (Hyman and tributed nine of the studies but they do not say which one. Honorton 1986) they detailed their points of agreement and Not a word of doubt is expressed, no references to my investi­ disagreement and made recommendations for the conduct of gation are given, and no casual reader could guess there was future ganzfeld experiments. such controversy over a third of the studies in the database. The ganzfeld achieved scientific respectability in 1994 Of course the new autoganzfeld results appear even better. when Bern and Honorton published a report in the presti­ Perhaps errors from the past do not matter if there really is a gious journal Psychological Bulletin, bringing the research to repeatablc experiment. The problem is that my personal expe­ the notice of a far wider audience. They republished rience conflicts with the successes I read about in the literature Honorton's earlier meta-analysis and reported impressive and I cannot ignore either side. I cannot ignore other people's new results with a fully automated ganzfeld procedure—the work because science is a collective enterprise and publication Princeton autoganzfeld—claiming finally to have demon­ is the main way of sharing our findings. On the other hand I strated a repcatable experiment. cannot ignore my own findings—there would be no point in Not long afterwards Wiseman, Smith, and Kornbrot doing science, or investigating other people's work, if I did. (1996) suggested that acoustic leakage might have been possi­ The only honest reaction to the claims of psi in the ganzfeld is ble in the original autoganzfeld. This hypothesis was difficult for me to say "I don't know but I doubt it." to assess after the fact because by then the laboratory at Similar problems occur in all areas of parapsychology. The Princeton had been dismantled. However, Bierman (1999) CIA recently released details of more than twenty years of carried out secondary analyses which suggested that sensory research into remote viewing and a new debate erupted over leakage could not account for the results. Since then further these results (Hyman 1995; Urts 1995). (See Ray Hyman, successes have been reported from a new ganzfeld laboratory "Evaluation of the Military's Twenty-Year Program in Psychic in Gothenburg, Sweden (Parker 2000), and at Edinburgh, Spying" and "The Evidence for Psychic Functioning: Claims where the security measures are very tight indeed (Dalton, vs. Reality," both in SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 1996.) Morris, Delanoy, Radin, Taylor, and Wiseman 1996). The Whenever strong claims are made critics from both inside and debate continues. outside of parapsychology get to work—as they should—but How can one draw reliable and impartial conclusions in rarely is a final answer forthcoming. such circumstances? 1 do not believe one can. My own con­ These are some of the reasons why I cannot give a defini­ clusion is based not just on reading these published papers tive and unbiased answer to my question "Are there any para­ but also on my personal experience over many years. I have normal phenomena?" I can only give a personal and biased carried out numerous experiments of many kinds and never answer—that is, "probably not." found any convincing evidence for psi (Blackmore 1996). I But what if I am wrong and psi docs really exist? What tried my first ganzfeld experiment in 1978, when the proce­ would this tell us about consciousness? dure was new. Failing to get results myself I went to visit A common view seems to be something like this: If ESP

24 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER exists it proves that mental phenomena are independent of space there are theoretical reasons why I believe the attempt is doomed. and time, and that information can get "directly into conscious­ The Missing Link Between Psi and Consciousness ness" without the need for sensory transduction or perceptual processing. If PK (psychokinesis) exists it proves that mind can To make their case that psi actually involves consciousness, reach out beyond the brain to affect things directly at a distance, experiments rather different from those commonly done will i.e., that consciousness has a power of its own. be needed. Let's consider the ganzfeld again. Do the results I suspect that it is a desire for this "power of consciousness" show that consciousness, in the sense of subjectivity or subjec­ that fuels much enthusiasm for the paranormal. Para­ tive experience, is involved in any way? psychologists have often been accused of wanting to prove the I would say no. There are several ways in which conscious­ existence of the soul, and convincingly denied it (Alcock 1987). ness might, arguably, be involved in the ganzfeld, but there I suggest instead that parapsychologists want to prove the power appears to be no direct evidence that it is. For example, are of consciousness. In philosopher Dan Dennett's (1995) terms subjects conscious of their own success? Even in a very suc­ they are looking for "skyhooks" rather than "cranes." They want cessful experiment the hits are mixed with many misses and to find that consciousness can do things all by itself, without the subjects themselves cannot say which is which (if they dependence on a complicated, physical, and highly evolved brain. could the successful trials could be separated out and even bet­ I have two reasons for doubting that they will succeed. First, ter results obtained). In other words, the subject is unaware of parapsychologists must demonstrate that psi has something to do the ESP even when it is occurring. Indeed in other contexts with consciousness and they have not yet done this. Second, there have been claims that psi occurs unconsciously and can

Giving Up the Ghosts: End of a Personal Quest

Since writing "Why Psi Tells Us phenomena—and launched me on But perhaps the real reason is Nothing About Consciousness," a crusade to show all those closed- that I am just too tired—tired, Susan Blackmore has "given up the minded scientists that conscious­ above all, of working to maintain ghosts" altogether. This personal ness could reach beyond the body an open mind. I couldn't dismiss all note tells why. She published this in and death was not the end. Just a those extraordinary claims out of slightly shorter form in New few years of careful experiments hand. After all, they just might be Scientist November 4, 2000, and changed all that. I found no psy­ true, and if they were true then wanted to share it with SKEPTICAL chic phenomena—only wishful whole swatches of science would INQUIRER'S readers. thinking, self-deception, experi­ have to be rewritten. mental error, and even an occa­ Another psychic claimant turns —EDITOR sional fraud. I became a skeptic. up. I must devise more experiments, At last. I've done it. I've thrown in So why didn't I just give up then? take his claims seriously. He fails— the towel, kicked the habit, and There are lots of bad reasons. again. I see a picture of Cherie Blair gone on the (psychic) wagon. After Admitting you are wrong is always wearing her "bio-electric shield." It thirty years I have escaped from a hard—even though it's a skill that matters that people pay high prices fearsome addiction. every scientist has to learn (or are for fake gadgets. I run the tests. The Come to think of it I'm not sure some scientists always right?). But it shields don't work. No one wants to I've gone cold turkey yet. Only last does get easier with practice and I know, for negative results aren't month I was at my last psychical no longer fear having to change my news. A man explains to me how research conference. Only days ago mind. Starting again as a baby in a alien abductors implanted some­ did I empty out the last of those new field is a daunting prospect. So thing in the roof of his mouth. Tests meticulously organized filing cabi­ is losing all the status and power of show it's just a filling—but it might nets, fighting a little voice that being an expert. I have to confess I have been.... warned: "Don't do it—you might enjoy my hard-won knowledge. Yes, No, I don't have to think that want to read that again" as a great I have read Michael Faraday's 1853 way any longer. And when the psy­ wave of relief swept it away with report on table tipping, and the first chics and clairvoyants and New the thought "You've given up!" 1930s studies in parapsychology, and Agers shout at me (as they do), Paper after paper on ESP, psychoki­ the latest arguments over meta­ "The trouble with all you scientists nesis, psychic pets, aromatherapy, analysis of computer-controlled ESP is you don't have an open mind," I and haunted nouses hit the recy­ experiments, not to mention the won't be upset. I won't argue. I cling sack. If the cold turkey does infamous Scole report {New won't rush out and do yet more strike, the dustbin men will have Scientist, January 22, 2000). Should I experiments just in case. I'll smile taken away my fix. feel obliged to keep using this sweetly and say, "I don't do that Actually I feel slightly sad. knowledge if I can? No. Enough is anymore." Thirty years ago I had the dramatic enough. None of it ever gets any­ out-of-body experience that con­ where. That's good enough reason vinced me of the reality of psychic for leaving. -Susan Blackmore

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 25 be detected only by physiological monitoring, such as in tries to influence the output of a random number generator remote staring experiments (Braud, Shafer, and Andrews (RNG), whose output is reflected in the display. Alternatively 1993) or by using sophisticated brain recording techniques they might listen to randomly generated tones with the inten­ (e.g., Don, McDonough, and Warren 1998). tion of making more of the tones high, or low, as requested, or The ganzfeld does involve a kind of mild altered state of con­ they might try to affect the fall of randomly scattered balls or sciousness. Indeed Honorton first used the technique as a way of various other systems. The direction of aim is usually random­ deliberately inducing a "psi conducive state." However, it has ized and appropriate control trials are often run. It is claimed never been shown that this is a necessary concomitant of ESP in that, in extremely large numbers of trials, subjects are able to the ganzfeld. Experiments to do this might, for example, compare influence the output of the RNG. Is this an effect of con­ the scores of subjects who reported entering a deep altered state sciousness on a physical system? with those who did not. Or they might vary the ganzfeld condi­ I don't see why. The experiments demonstrate a correlation tions to be more or less effective at inducing altered states and between the output of the RNG and the direction of aim spec­ compare die results. These kinds of experiments have not been ified to the subject by the experimenter. This is certainly mys­ done. In the absence of appropriate control conditions we have terious, but the leap from this correlation to a causal explana­ no idea what it is about the ganzfeld that is the source of its appar­ tion involving "the effect of consciousness" is so far unjusti­ ent success. It might be consciousness or the state of conscious­ fied. The controls done show that the subject is necessary but ness; it might be the time spent in the session, the personality of in no way identify what it is about the subject's presence that the experimenter, the color of the light shining on the subject's creates the effect. It might be their unconscious intentions or eyes, or any of a huge number of untested variables. There is sim­ expectations; it might be some change in behavior elicited by ply no evidence that consciousness is involved in any way. the instructions given; it might be some hitherto unknown Another example is recent experiments on the remote energy given off when subjects are asked to aim high or aim detection of staring (e.g., Braud, Shafer, and Andrews 1993). low. It might be some mysterious resonance between the RNG It has long been claimed that people can tell when someone and the subject's pineal gland. else is looking at them, even from behind. Ingenious experi­ As far as I know, no appropriate tests have been made to ments now use video cameras and isolated subjects to test this find out. For example, does the subject need to be conscious claim. Results suggest that the staring and non-staring periods of the direction of aim at the time? Comments in the pub­ can be distinguished by physiological responses in the person lished papers suggest that some subjects actually do better being stared at. In other words, they are able to detect the star­ when not thinking about the task, or when reading a magazine ing—but not consciously. Oddly enough, these results are or being distracted in some other way, suggesting that con­ often described in terms of "consciousness interactions" even scious intent might even be counterproductive. though the detection is explicitly non-conscious. Perhaps this is not what is meant by consciousness here, In related experiments subjects are asked to influence biolog­ but if not, then what is meant? Perhaps it is enough for the ical systems such as another person's blood pressure or muscular person to be conscious (i.e., awake), or perhaps the very pres­ activity, the spatial orientation of fish, movements of small ence of a person implies the presence of consciousness. In mammals, or the rate of haemolysis of red blood cells. Influence any case, to identify that the effect is actually due to con­ and non-influence periods are randomly allocated and effects sciousness, relevant experiments will have to be done. They detected from the comparison. Braud and Schlitz (1991) call might compare conditions in which subjects did or did not these "consciousness interactions with remote biological sys­ consciously know the target direction. Subjects might be tems." Yet again, I am not convinced that these data need have asked on some trials to think consciously about the target anything to do with consciousness. If the data are genuine then and on others be distracted, or they might be put into dif­ I agree with the authors that they show "a profound intercon- ferent states of consciousness (or even unconsciousness) to nectedness between the influences and the influencees in these see whether this affected the outcome. Such experiments experiments" (p. 41). But what could be responsible? Any num­ might begin to substantiate the claim that consciousness is ber of things may change in the influencer—such as muscle involved. Until then, it remains speculation. tone, cortical arousal, expectation, the firing of specific neurons, Some parapsychologists have suggested to me that when the activity in different neural nets, and so on. If there is such a they talk about consciousness affecting something they mean thing as PK it might be related to any of these variables. For to include unconscious mental processes as well. Their claim example some unknown force might emanate when a particular would then be equivalent to saying that something (anything) conical firing pattern occurs and this be more likely when the about the person's mind or brain affects it. However, if the influencer is trying to influence the system. Such an effect need term consciousness is broadened so far beyond the subjective, have nothing to do with consciousness or subjectivity at all. then we leave behind the really interesting questions that con­ In PK experiments the claim that consciousness is involved sciousness raises and, indeed, the whole reason why so many is again made explicit, as in the title "The effects of conscious­ psychologists and philosophers are interested in consciousness ness on physical systems" (Radin and Nelson 1989). Yet, as far at all. If we stick to subjectivity then I see no reason at all why as I can see, there is no justification for this. In these experi­ paranormal claims, whether true or false, necessarily help us ments a subject typically sits in front of a computer screen and understand consciousness.

26 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Theoretical Problems References The second reason I doubt dial the paranormal power of Alcock, J.E. 1987. Parapsychology: Science of the anomalous or search for die soul? Behavioral and Brain Sciences 10: 553—643 (plus commentaries by consciousness will ever be proven is more theoretical. As our other authors). understanding of conscious experience progresses, die desire to Bern, D.J.. and C. Honorton. 1994. Does psi exist? Replicablc evidence for an find die "power of consciousness" sets parapsychology ever more anomalous process of information transfer. Psychological Bulletin 115 4-18. against die rest of science (which may, of course, be part of its Bierman, D.J. 1999. The PRL autoganzfeld revisited: Refuting the sound leakage hypothesis. Journal of Parapsychology 63: 271-274. appeal). The more we look into the workings of die brain the less Blackmore, S.J. 1987 A report of a visit to Carl Sargent's laboratory. Journal it looks like a machine run by a conscious self and die more it ojthe Society for Psychical Research 54: 186-198. seems capable of getting on without one (e.g., Churchland and . 1996. In Search of the Light: The Adventures of a Parapsychologist. Sejnowski 1992; Crick 1994). There is no place inside die brain Buffalo. New York: Prometheus. Braud, W., and M. Schlitz. 1991. Consciousness interactions with remote bio­ where consciousness resides, where mental images are "viewed," logical systems: Anomalous intcntionaliry effects. Subtle Energies 2, 1-46. or where instructions are "issued" (Dennett 1991). There is just Braud, W., D. Shafer, and S. Andrews. 1993. Reactions to an unseen gaze massive parallel throughput with no obvious center. (remote attention): A review, with new data on autonomic staring detec­ tion. Journal of Parapsychology 57: 373-390. Experiments such as those by Libet (1985) suggest that con­ Churchland, PS., and T.J. Sejnowski. 1992. The Computational Brain. scious experience rakes some time to build up and is much too Cambridge, MA. MIT Press. slow to be responsible for making things happen. For example, in Crick. F. 1994. The Astonishing Hypothesis. New York: Scribner's. Dalton. K.S., R.L Morris, D.L. Delanoy, D.I. Radin, R.Taylor, and R. Wise­ sensory experiments he showed that about half a second of con­ man. 1996. Security measures in an automated ganzfeld system. Journal tinuous activity in sensory cortex was required for conscious sensa­ of Parapsychology 60, 129-147. tion, and in experiments on deliberate spontaneous action he Dennett. D. 1991. Consciousness Explained Boston: Little, Brown. . 1995. Darwin's Dangerous Idea, London: Penguin showed diat about the same delay occurred between the onset of Don. N.S., B.E. McDonough, and C.A. Warren. 1993. Event-related brain the readiness potential in motor cortex and the timed decision to potential (ERP) indicators of unconscious psi: A replication using subjects act—a long rime in neuronal terms. Though these experiments are unsclectcd for psi. Journal of Parapsychology 62: 127—145. controversial (see die commentaries on Libet 1985; and Dennett Harley, T. and G. Matthews. 1987. Cheating, psi, and die appliance of science: A reply to Blackmore. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 54: 199-207. 1991) they add to the growing impression that actions and deci­ Honorton, C. 1985. Meta-analysis of psi ganzfeld research: A response to sions are made rapidly and only later does the brain weave a story Hyman. Journal of Parapsychology 49: 51 -86. about a self who is in charge and is conscious. In odier words, con­ Honorton, C, and Harper, S. 1974. Psi-mcdiated imagery and ideation in an sciousness comes after the action; it does not cause it. experimental procedure for regulating perceptual input. Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research 68: 156-168. This is just what some meditators and spiritual practition­ Hyman, R. 1985. The ganzfeld psi experiment: A critical appraisal. Journal of Parapsychology 49: 3-49. ers have been saying for millennia; that our ordinary view of . 1995. Evaluation of the program on anomalous mental phenomena. ourselves, as conscious, active agents experiencing a real exter­ Journal of Parapsychology 59: 321-351. nal world, is wrong. In other words we live in the illusion that Hyman, R., and C. Honorton. 1986. A joint communique: The psi ganzfeld we are a separate self. In mystical experiences this separate self controversy. Journal of Parapsychology 50: 351-364. Libet, B. 1985. Unconscious cerebral initiative and the role of conscious will dissolves and the world is experienced as one—actions happen in voluntary action. The Behavioral and Brain Sciences 8, 529-539. but there is no separate actor who acts. Long practice at med­ Commentaries 8: 539-566 and 10: 318-321. itation or mindfulness can also dispel the illusion. Now science Marks, D., and R. Kammann. 1980. The Psychology of the Psychic. Buffalo. seems to be coming to the same conclusion—that the idea of New York: Prometheus Books. Markwick, B. 1978. The Soal-Goldney experiments with Basil Shackleton: a separate conscious self is false. Ncw evidence of data manipulation. Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Parapsychology, meanwhile, is going quite die odier way. It is Research 56: 250-277. Nagel, T. 1974. What is it like to be a bat? Philosophical Review 83: 435-450. trying to prove that consciousness really does have power, that our Pallikari-Viras, E 1997. Further evidence for a statistical balancing in proba­ minds can reach out and "do" things, not only within our own bilistic systems influenced by die anomalous effect of conscious intention. bodies but beyond diem as well. In this sense it is deeply dualist Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 62: 114-137. even while making reference to interconnectedness. Parker. A. 2000. A review of the Ganzfeld work at Gotheburg University. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 64: 1-15. Parapsychology is often perceived as being more "spiritual" than Radin. D.L, and R.D. Nelson. 1989. Evidence for consciousness related anom­ conventional science. I diink it may be quite die odier way around. alies in random physical systems. Foundations of Physics 19: 1499-1514. With the welcome upsurge of interest in consciousness, and Radin. D. 1997. The Conscious Universe. San Francisco, Calif.: Harper. Rhine, J.B. 1974. Comments: A new case of experimenter unreliability. the number of scientists and philosophers now interested in Journal of Parapsychology 38: 215-225. the field, I look forward to great progress being made out of Sargent, C. 1987. Sceptical fairytales from Bristol. Journal of the Society for our present confusion. I hope it will be possible to bring Psychical Research 54: 208-218. together the spiritual insights with the scientific ones—so that Soal. S.G.. and F. Bateman. 1954. Modern Experiments in Telepathy. London: Faber & Faber. research can reveal what kind of illusion we live in, how it Urts, J. 1995. An assessment of the evidence for psychic functioning. Journal comes about, and perhaps even help us to see our way out of of Parapsychology 59: 289-320. it. As far as this hope is concerned parapsychology seems to be Wiseman, R. M. Smith. and D. Kornbrot. 19%. Exploring possible sendcr- going backwards—hanging onto the idea of consciousness as to-cxperimenter acoustic leakage in the PRL autoganzfcld experiments. Journal of Parapsychology 60: 97-128. an agent separate from the rest of the world. This is why I doubt that evidence for psi, even if it is valid, will help us to Acknowledgment understand consciousness. Thanks to the Perron-Warrick Fund for financial support.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 27 Spontaneous Human Confabulation: Requiem for Phyllis

Examination of an oft-repeated tale of spontaneous human combustion reveals distortions, errors, and mystery mongering. JAN WILLEM NIENHUYS

ccording to popular books on the unexplained, a young woman burst into flames spontaneously in a Acrowded discotheque in Soho, London, and burnt to ashes in minutes. This extraordinary event apparently occurred at the end of the 1950s. The story of Maybelle Andrews dying such a tragic and mysterious way has appeared in a number of versions. In April 1999 it surfaced in the respectable world of a magazine about the Dutch language (where it caught my attention). The discotheque disaster was mentioned in an article about Dutch words for spontaneous human combustion, or SHC. The inspiration for that article was a 1991 firefighter's mag­ azine. The story may have appeared reliable because firemen

28 March/Apnl 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER supposedly don't tell old wives' tales. remark is added that the victim didn't smoke and that she Having investigated the various ways in which this and hadn't been in contact with cigarettes. Russell writes: "She other similar stories have been reported in books and maga­ roared like a blow-torch and no man could save her." zines, I can shed light on die tale's origin. This version was probably the source for an article in True

The Making of a Horror Story Where does the Maybelle Andrews story She roared like a blow-torch and come from? In itself it is highly implausi­ ble. Just for a start, an adult no man could save her." can't burn within five minutes just like that. Because of the short time involved, it would require a very high temperature, but the total heat of (May 1964) by the American writer Allan W. Eckert. He dated combustion of the human body is such that the effect would the accident on September 20, made the location "the midst of be similar to burning ten liters (or quarts) of gasoline within a crowded dance floor," let the poor girl "burst into intense five minutes. The nightclub would have been gutted, and all people present would have died of a combination of lack of oxygen and smoke poisoning. But the story of Maybelle isn't unique in the annals of SHC. There is a similar story that dates back to the sad death of Phyllis Newcombe as a conse­ quence of a fire at the ballroom of the Shire Hall in Chelmsford, England, in 1938. The story about Phyllis's accident first entered the world outside Essex through an item about the inquest, published in the Daily Telegraph on September 20, 1938. That story was somewhat unclear, because it didn't mention the date of Phyllis's death, and paid inordinately much more attention to the fact that the ambulance had taken all of twenty minutes to arrive. This may have given readers the superficial impression that the ambulance was too late to save Phyllis. Prominent in the story was a quote from Coroner L.F. Beccles: "From all my expe­ rience I have never come across a case so very mysteri­ ous as this." The first author to write about Phyllis was science fiction writer Eric Frank Russell. In the May 1942 issue of Tomorrow, in the section "Scientific Fantasy," he described all kinds of mysterious , including puzzling fire deaths. Of the latter he summarized nine­ teen cases (all from 1938 and the first week of 1939) that he had culled from British newspapers. He didn't mention Phyllis by name: "Chelmsford woman burned to death in a dance hall" was followed by Beccles's quote. A revised version of Russell's arti­ cle was printed in Fate (December 1950), and this was reprinted in March 1955 in the UK edition of Fate. In Fate "a dance hall" was changed to "in the middle of a dance hall" and Beccles' quote read "as mysterious" rather than "so very mysterious." In Great World Mysteries Russell (1957) consid­ erably embellished the story. The atmosphere on the dance floor is set by "Couples glided around the floor, others chatted and sipped soft drinks," the victim (still unnamed) "burst into flames bang in the middle of a dance hall" and the

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 29 blue flames" (like a blowtorch?), made her crumple silently to James E Duncan. Coincidentally both Russell's Fate arti­ to the floor, and "neither her escort nor other would-be cle and book mention a burn victim named James Duncan rescuers could extinguish the flames. In minutes she was ashes, from Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland, in close proximity, opposite unrecognizable as a human being." Then Eckert made up the column or page. first name "Leslie" for Beccles (and changed the quote again). We can safely assume diat no one named Maybelle Andrews The article was illustrated by a full page picture of a Marilyn died in or near London in 1938, or at the end of die 1950s, as Monroe-esque woman in a sexy pose wrapped in flames. Schurmacher later wrote for Reader's Digest. A search of the reg­ When I e-mailed Eckert to ask for the source of his story ister of birdis and deadis using various spellings revealed no (which I knew originally only through quotes) he e-mailed trace of die death of a Maybelle Andrews between the first quar­ back that he had lost his notes and didn't even have a copy of ter of 1936 to the last quarter of 1946 or between January 1955 his own article. to December 1960. British investigator Melvin Harris has been The creator of the , Vincent Gaddis, looking in vain for Maybelle Andrews as well. He also thinks combines Eckert's version ("bluish flames," "within minutes a that Maybelle is just Phyllis. blackened mass of ashes") with Russell's Fate article ("middle of a dance floor"). His Rhythmic Rotations Beccles quote is a mix of Russell's and Eckert's The following turn on the wheel of fantasy is versions. Gaddis plays the scholar by giving by Michael Harrison. In Fire from Heaven the Daily Telegraph reference, but judging (1976) he writes that he takes his story about from his text he never set eyes on diat source. Phyllis from the Daily Telegraph. He even thanks the newspaper's librarian for providing Maybelle Andrews him with the article. In his story he combines Maybelle Andrews appears in a by die blue flames and the "blackened mass of Emile C. Schurmacher titled Strange Unsolved ashes" of Gaddis with the boyfriend who Mysteries (1967). Schurmacher mentions six "tried to beat the flames out with his bare cases from Great World Mysteries, but neither hands" of Schurmacher. Harrison lets Phyllis Russell nor anyone else is credited. die in just two minutes. Some of Schurmacher's cases are word for The jacket blurb of Harrison's book men­ word identical to Russell's, some differ some­ tions three cases to whet the appetites of his what in wording but not in content, and he readers, and one of them says: "Phyllis seems to mix up Russell's sources. Newcombe engulfed in blue flame's on a The story of Phyllis is transmogrified fur­ dance floor and burned to black ash in min­ ther. Schurmacher's version gives the impres­ utes." Harrison describes the party in the sion that he has seen the Daily Telegraph story, but that he had Shire hall as a "weekly hop" (with quotation marks, as if he only Russell's book on hand when he wrote it up. He doesn't is taking it from the Telegraph) and he describes the inquest mention a source at all, and has only "October" as a date. Shop as a contest between a prejudiced coroner and the standfast manager Phyllis Newcombe, age 22 (she ran a confectionery and inquiring father. Harrison quotes Beccles too, but he store owned by her father), became typist Maybelle Andrews copies Gaddis, rather than the Daily Telegraph. (19), her fiance" Henry McAusland became Billy Clifford (22), Then Harrison discusses die Maybelle case and digresses on the Shire Hall ballroom became "one of London's Soho the remarkable parallels, even surmising that the mysterious nightspots" and "Maybelle" burst into flames while dancing fire from heaven must be attracted to rhythmically rotating the watusi. The fire was extinguished by hands and a topcoat, movements of dancers! but Maybelle died in die ambulance. Ablaze! (1995) by Larry E. Arnold is a 500-page book filled As poignant detail, Schurmacher pictures Billy "with his to the brim with an immense cluttered mass of descriptions and burned hands swathed in bandages" at the inquest. (The conjectures, widi confused source references and without index. Telegraph does mention the fiance1 helping to put out the fire Arnold also describes die death of Phyllis Newcombe (on pages but more detailed stories in other, local, newspapers say 200-201). He writes as if he knows what was in die Daily nothing about his role in extinguishing the fire.) The Telegraph, but he appears to rely completely on Russell, Eckert, remarks of the coroner are somewhat expanded, but they and especially Harrison and his numerous distortions, except for start with "In all my experience I have never been confronted die quote of "Beecles" [sic] which is exactly as it is in the by a case as fantastic as this." The coroner's name is changed Telegraph and in Russell's 1942 version. However, Arnold also read the local newspapers (The Essex Chronicle of September 2, Jan Willem Nienhuys is a mathematician who has taught at the 1938, and The Essex Weekly News of 2 and 23 September) and Eindhoven University of Technology He is board member of the expresses puzzlement at the fact that die story there differs so Dutch organization Skepsis and editor of its quarterly magazine much from Harrison's. That humans can make tilings up often . Address: Dommelseweg JA. 5581 VA Waalre, seems too fantastic for purveyors of the paranormal. Netherlands; e-mail [email protected] Maybelle Andrews is mentioned by Arnold as well, now as a

30 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER case from Oaober 1938. For Maybelle Arnold refers to a per­ August 1938, and die Chelmsford City Football Club played sonal communication from journalist Harrison, who "remem­ its first match on Saturday, August 27. The C.C. Supporters' bered" the words of coroner James F. Duncan, coincidentally pre­ Club organized a dance party for the occasion in the venerable cisely as Schurmacher rendered diem. Sue lines down the other Shire Hall (no "weekly hop" as Harrison imagined). James Duncan pops up in Ablaze!, but this remarkable coinci­ The mayor of Chelmsford and other town dignitaries graced dence apparendy didn't ring any alarm bells with Arnold. the festivities. Among die 400 attendees was Phyllis Newcombe And so it goes on. Colin Wilson copies Schurmacher in The and her fiance" Henry McAusland ("Mack" to his friends). Occult (1971), ("a leading authority on the para­ Phyllis had put on her best dress. It resembled a crinoline, bil­ normal" according to the blurb) copies Harrison in Flights of lowing out and sweeping the floor and was made of white tulle Fancy? (1987), but locates the Shire Hall in Romford and dates with satin underneadi and a dark blue waist sash. Maybelle in the 1920s. Nigel Blundell summarizes Phyllis and When the party was over at midnight, Phyllis and Mack Maybelle in precisely six lines in The stayed a bit longer to talk and to (1996). avoid the rush of the departing revel­ In Mysteries of the Unexplained ers, but then they left too. Mack (1982, published by Reader's Digest) walked a few paces in front of the tragedy in Chelmsford is also Phyllis, but when he had reached the copied from Harrison, with precise staircase (the ballroom was at the references to Gaddis and Eckert. In first floor of the Shire Hall, i.e., sec­ Strange Stories, Amazing Facts (1976), ond floor in U.S. parlance), about also published by Reader's Digest, we fifteen feet from die ballroom exit, find an item written by Schurmacher he heard Phyllis scream behind him. himself, captioned "Strange cases of He turned around and saw the bot­ human incendiary bombs" and tom front of the tulle dress burning adapted from his own book. Here he very brightly and furiously. dates the event "in die late 1950s." Phyllis ran back to the ballroom, In 1967 Schurmacher let Maybelle where about twenty people were die on the way to hospital from inhaled talking together in small groups. smoke, but in 1976 it's first-degree They saw her stumble inside, all burns that were fatal even before the ablaze, collapsing in the entrance. flames were out. One wonders why Mr. Herbert Jewell, one of C.C.F.C.'s instantaneous death by first-degree directors, immediately took action. burns didn't graduate from Reader's He and five others rushed to the res­ Digest into the medical literature. cue and wrapped her in coats, get­ Phyllis Newcombe Spontaneous Human Combustion ting singed eyelashes, eyebrows, and by Jenny Randies and Peter Hough appeared in 1992. They cheeks in the process. An ambulance was called, which arrived also mention the cases of Phyllis and Maybelle, and they say in twenty minutes, and Phyllis was taken to Chelmsford that they cribbed the whole story from Harrison. That's only Hospital. She was diagnosed with serious burns on her legs, partly true: their version of Billy Clifford's testimony is arms, and chest. straight out of Strange Stories, Amazing Facts, and their date At first she seemed to be making quite good progress (her "late 50s" comes from the same uncredited source. sister Edna, now living in California, tells of Phyllis drinking Randies and Hough use the cases of Phyllis and Maybelle champagne), but the wounds became septic and led to pneu­ to surmise that music and dance can attract dangerous kun- monia. And that soon killed her. Even now, in die era of dalini energy. They do not consider that surely billions of ener­ antibiotics, death due to sepsis is a dreaded result of serious getic dances have been performed in die twentieth century burn wounds. Phyllis died on Thursday, September 15, 1938. alone without the dancers bursting into flames. The inquest was held on Monday, September 19, in the same It was the Dutch translation of the Reader's Digest 1976 Shire Hall, which had been a Crown Court since 1791. book (lacking any references whatsoever and omitting the Immediately after the accident it was conjectured that the first-degree burns) that formed the inspiration for a column in dress had caught fire through contact widi a cigarette or a Flevo-alarm of June 1991, the newsletter of the fire brigade of lighted match, dirown down from a higher place above the Lelystad, and hence the source of a 1999 discussion in a mag­ stairs. But witnesses hadn't seen anybody there, and moreover azine dedicated to the Dutch language. Phyllis's fadier, George, had been experimenting with the tulle and he had found diat it wouldn't catch fire by contact with a The True Story of Phyllis burning cigarette, let alone by a grazing contact such as with a Local newspaper accounts of the tragedy of Phyllis yield a falling cigarette end or by the hem of die dress sweeping over completely different picture of what happened. it. It's nearly impossible to set fire to a piece of clodi with a The English soccer season started again at the end of lighted cigarette.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/Ap,,l 2001 31 George Newcombe repeated his test in front of coroner L.F. it. It is a common feature of fires that their precise source can't Beccle (not "Beccles" as reported by the Daily Telegraph and all be found. others). McAusland conjectured that the dress might have So, even though there is an obvious explanation for the acci­ acquired extra combustibility from the vapors of a chemical dent, it remains a peculiar coincidence for which there is only cleaning agent used six weeks earlier, but the coroner disagreed indirect proof: the place where the fire was first seen on the with this theory. dress (in front, near the ground), the fact that given the quick A match that would have been forcibly thrown from a spread of the fire it must have started right there and then, and higher place (a balcony over the staircase) would probably be the fact that the dress could only catch fire by contact with a flame. Coroner Beccle commented: "In all Whoever tries to investigate or explain stories my experience I have not met anything so very mysterious as this." Both local newspa­ of spontaneous human combustion (or other pers gave the same version of the quote. tall tales) should take into account that these It stands to reason that I am not the fitst who has tried to guess what precisely hap­ stories can be distorted enormously, not only by pened. Possibly Phyllis knew too. In the eyewitnesses and newspaper journalists, hospital Mack asked if she knew the care­ less devil that had thrown the cigarette end. but foremost by creative writers. She answered: "What does it matter as long as I get right again?" This answer might out before it reached the floor. Also, Phyllis's dress caught fire suggest that she knew what must have happened, but that she on a spot not directly underneath that balcony. Beccle con­ was such a sweet person that she didn't want to say. jectured that the fire probably was caused by a burning Phyllis was buried on Wednesday, September 21. Many match on the ground. people attended, both at the service in the cathedral and at Now how could a burning match be lying on the ground? the cemetery itself. The Essex Weekly News reported sixty flo­ I have to do a little guessing here. Smoking was not allowed ral tributes. The accident had been an enormous shock to in the ballroom, but the normal behavior of smokers is to Phyllis's parents, who were on vacation at the beach with light up as soon as they leave a non-smoking area (they don't Edna and possibly her three brothers too. Mack was killed drop many cigarette ends then). They light their cigarettes while serving the RAF as a pilot in 1943. Phyllis's grave is with a match and extinguish the match, for example with a unmarked, and the official history of Shire Hall describes the habitual wrist movement and then drop it unthinkingly. The incident without mentioning her name. match will go out immediately when it hits a stone floor. However, when the match falls on a somewhat softer sur­ Fiery Trident from Heaven face it occasionally stays burning for up to five seconds. The The Phyllis case of myth-mongering doesn't stand alone. floor at the exit of the ballroom was described by the coroner During my investigations I stumbled on other ludicrous and as made of rubber, and a demonstrably made-up witness testified that a SHC stories. lighted match on the floor Take, for example, the could go on burning. If my case of Willem ten Bruik. conjecture is correct, the Russell doesn't mention source of the fire was a him in 1942, but he writes match thrown down by in 1950 that "a Dutchman someone who walked at Willy Ten Bruik had been most five steps in front of lugged out of his car near her. Phyllis was an indirect Nimegen [sic]. Willy was a victim of nicotinism. cinder. The car was little Beccle asked whether a damaged...." The source burnt match was found, was "a translated report but police constable The staircase at Shire Hall, where Phyllis Newcombe allegedly burst into flames. taken from an unnamed Thorogood stated that he Dutch paper." It's not clear hadn't found any. He also hadn't found any cigarette butts where whether he received the report in April 1938, or whether that Phyllis's dress caught fire. was the time of the event. In Russell's book it is the latter, and This isn't very remarkable. Immediately after the accident he says that it was "a datum mailed in 1941." This is curious there must have been quite a few people passing the spot, com­ because at that time Holland was occupied by the Germans, ing and going, and an already completely burnt match can eas­ who were at war with the British (among others) and mail ser­ ily have been trampled completely, or alternatively, the match vice to the United Kingdom was definitely below standards. can have been displaced as the hem of Phyllis's dress swept over Gaddis takes from an article by Michael MacDougall in

32 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER the (Newark, N.J.) Sunday Star-Ledger of March 13, 1966, the information that one William ten Bruik died in a Volkswagen, and that the accident happened on April 7, 1938, in Nijmegen (near the east border of the Netherlands). This is strange for three reasons. In the first place Ferdinand Porsche's design for a new type of car was revealed for die first time in the summer of 1938 in New York, and on July 3, 1938, coined the word "Beede" for the car which was then officially known as KdF-Wagen. The first stone for the factory was laid on May 26, 1938, by Hitler himself, but civilian production only started after the World War, and only in 1947 were the first fifty-six Beetles delivered to the Dutch importer. In the second place the name ten Bruik doesn't occur in the Netherlands, at least not in telephone books now in use. There are many "ten Brink" and a few "Bruikman," but no ten Bruik. The Dutch word ten suggests a location (like brink which means village square) and Bruik means usage, so by its forma­ The "Fiery Trident," a "mysterious" triangle of death. tion the name is odd. In the riiird place investigations by municipal authorities, Irish Sea has the same time zone as Greenwich, and before police, and newspapers in the neighborhood of Nijmegen have WWII, Dutch summer time was only twenty minutes ahead not found a newspaper story or a registered death that corre­ of Greenwich, not a full hour. sponds to this case. These authorities know the story, because Harrison exaggerates this story even further. He blames every now and then they are questioned about it. The first such Russell that he missed a curious geographical coincidence question was asked by UFO researcher Philip J. Klass in 1967, related to this triple death. This shows that Harrison reads who was checking an embellishment of die MacDougall story as things in Russell's work that simply aren't there, because told in a UFO book. Ever since then helpful Dutch officials Russell didn't mention Greeley or the S.S. Ulrich. Harrison have been searching old newspapers and archives to no avail. claimed that the diree accidents happened at the vertices of a The story of Willem ten Bruik is told in connection with giant equilateral triangle, and that the names of die spots two other burnings in vehicles, one in Upton-by-Chester near (Ulrich, Upton, and Ubbergen near Nijmegen) also start with Liverpool and the other involving helmsman John Greeley the same sound. aboard die S.S. Ulrich in the Irish sea. The special thing about Then Arnold told Harrison that equilateral triangle wasn't these cases was supposed to be that they happened at exactly what the map said. The S.S. Ulrich would have to have been a the same time: 1:14 P.M. in the Irish Sea, 2:14 P.M. in Upton- few miles west of Le Mans for that, deep inside France. by-Chester, and 3:14 P.M. in Nijmegen; at least that is what the editor Bob Rickard made fun of the dubious UFO book said. How events presumably known only by their "same sound" theory. Harrison changed in the next printing results can be timed so exactly is a in itself. equilateralio isosceles, by moving Nijmegen to the southwest of In Upton-by-Chester die victim was called George Turner. the Netherlands, the neighborhood of Antwerp. He remarked In reality it was Edgar Beattie, around 5 P.M. on April 4. The that the three names really had the same "oo" sound, because April 7 date belongs to die issue of die Liverpool Echo, die of the dialect near Chester. Unbeknownst to him the Dutch source for Russell's report on diis. In Fate die ten Bruik story deviously went on pronouncing the first letter of Ubbergen follows die Upton-by-Chester report, accompanied by die indi­ like die "ou" in double or the "e" in butter. cation "same month, same year," and diat was all MacDougall I will leave now the discussion of die mysterious trident of needed to assert a miraculous coincidence. Schurmacher men­ fiction that struck Earth on that memorable April 7, 1938. tions the Beattie case too (with the Daily Telegraph as reference) I wanted to illustrate that whoever tries to investigate or but he provides die victim (unnamed by Russell) widi die name explain stories of spontaneous human combustion (or other A.F. Smith. Schurmacher seems to like die middle initial F. This tall tales) should take into account that these stories can be dis­ made Harrison point out the remarkable coincidence of two torted enormously, not only by eyewitnesses and newspaper similar accidents on die same spot: another proof of the strange journalists, but foremost by creative writers. They will change pattern-seeking behavior of the fire from heaven. many details, leave them out or add diem, and make up names Whatever happened in die Irish Sea on April 7, 1938, it and dates. Moreover they copy each odier—often without couldn't have been aboard the S.S. Ulrich, because that ship mentioning dieir sources—so the distortions accumulate. never existed, as Philip Klass established. Larry Arnold writes Bookstores are filled with good fiction, and diese twisted, that he couldn't find any deaths of Turner and Greeley in illogical, horror stories about so-called miraculous events British newspapers around rhat time. couldn't be peddled to the public if the authors didn't pretend The simultaneity of diese events is also problematic: the that it all had actually happened.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/Apnl 2001 33 I see them as ghouls preying on the death and misery of Also Consulted other people to earn money and fame or convert others to Arnold, Larry E. 1995. Ablaze!: The Mysterious Fires of Spontaneous Human their silly . They should let the dead rest in peace, Combustion. New York, NY: M. Evans and Co., Inc Blundell, Nigel. 1996. Fact or Fiction! Supernatural London: Sunburst Books. or rather preserve their memory as they really were. Eckert, Allan W. 1964. The Baffling Burning Death. True: The Mans Magazine, May: 32-33. 104-107, 112. Acknowledgments Gaddis. Vincent H. 1968. Mysterious Fires and Lights. Dell Publishing Co., Inc. (first printing David McKay Co. Inc., 1967). The search for the truth of the Phyllis case has been a joint interna­ Harrison, Michael. 1978. Fire from Heaven: A Study of Spontaneous tional effort of many helpful skeptics and others. The author wishes to Combustion in Human Beings. New York. NY: Methuen. (First edition thank: Mike Ashley, Henriette de Brouwer, Andries Brower, Scott Sidgwick and Jackson, Ltd. 1976, revised edition Pan Books, London, Campbell, Edna Conolly (nee Newcombe), Peter van Dijk, Marcel 1977). van Genderen, Mike Hutchinson, Marcel de Jong, C. Kostelijk, Klass, Philip J. 1974. UFOs Explained New York, NY: . Dennis K. Lien, Clare and Ian Martin, Edna Newcombe (sister in law Picknett, Lynn. 1987. Flights of Fancy? 100 years of paranormal experiences. of Phyllis), Joe Nickell, Ed Oomes, H. Rullman, Ranjit Sandhu, Andy I-ondon: Ward Lock Limited. Sawyer, Margareth Schroth, and Wayne Spencer. Pons Automobielhandcl. 1995. De Volkswagenkroniek. Leusdcn. Reader's Digest. 1976. Strange Stories, Amazing Facts: Stories That Are Bizarre, References Unusual, Odd, Astonishing, and Often Incredible. Pleasantville, NY: The Reader's Digest Association. The following newspaper articles were used: . 1982. Mysteries of the Unexplained Pleasantville, NY: The Reader's Girl in Flames at Shire Hall Dance. The Essex Chronicle, September 2, 1938. Digest Association. A Human Torch: Chelmsford Woman Badly Burned. The Essex Weekly News, Randies, Jenny, and Peter Hough. 1992. Spontaneous Human Combustion. September 2, 1938. London: Robert Hale. Supporters' Club Dance. The Essex Weekly News, September 2, 1938. Rickard, R.J.M. 1976. Review of Fire from Heaven. Fortean Times 16, June: Death Following Burns: Girl Whose Dress Caught Fire: Tragedy after Dance 24-26. at Chelmsford. The Essex Weekly News, September 16. 1938. . 1977. Fire from Heaven—a critique (of the revised paperback edi­ Young Woman Dies: Burned at Shire Hall Dance. The Essex Chronicle, tion). Fortean Times 23, Autumn: 26-28. September 16, 1938. Russell, Eric Frank. 1942. Invisible death. Tomorrow, A Journal for the World Girl Burned in Ball Dress: A Coroner's "Most Mysterious Case": Town in Citizen of the Neiv Age, May: 8-11. Need of Official Ambulance. The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, . 1950. Invisible death. Fatei: 8, December 4-12. September 20. 1938. . 1957. Great World Mysteries. London: Dennis Dobson. Unsolved Mystery of Dancer's Death: Dress Which Burst into Flames: Sanderson. Ivan. 1972. Investigating the Unexplained Englcwood Cliffs. NY: Coroner's Comments at Chelmsford Inquest. The Essex Weekly News, Prentice Hall, Inc. September 23, 1938. Schurmacher, Emile C. 1971. Strange Unsolved Mysteries. New York, NY: Deaths: Newcombe & Mr. and Mrs. Geo Newcombe. The Essex Chronicle, Paperback Library, Inc. September 23, 1938. Wilson, Colin. 1971. The Occult: A History. New York, NY: Random Dance Tragedy: Dress Material Experiments at inquest. The Essex Chronicle, House, September 23, 1938. Riddle of the Burning Death (review of Fire from Heaven). The Evening News, All sources involving Phyllis Newcombe are reproduced verbatim in www. February 4, 1978. skepsis.nl/phyllisdoc.html •

WORLDS SKEPTICS CONGRESS Skeptics" awards to Barry Williams for quipped at one point that diere was a sig­ from page 9 his yeoman service to organized skepti­ nificant difference between Australia and cism, Lin Zixin of China in absentia, the U.S.: England sent its prisoners to in fifteen years of give and take with the paranormal sleuth Joe Nickell for his colonize Australia and its religious dis­ Chinese that political issues were investigations of myths, frauds, forg­ senters to settle in America—and diat he injected into the proceedings. It empha­ eries, and hoaxes, and a "Public preferred the former. sizes to us how fearful they are of the Education in Science Award" to Plans are underway to convene the Falun Gong as a possible source of polit­ Richard Wiseman of the United Fourth World Skeptics Congress in Los ical opposition. Kingdom. The Australian Skeptics con­ Angeles in 2002. CSICOP has helped At diis Congress there were magicians ferred the "Skeptic of the Year" and create 100 skeptics organizations in galore, including Steve Walker and Peter "Bent Spoon" awards to their own—I thirry-five countries and several dozen Rodgers from Australia, and observed that a "Triple-Bent Spoon" magazines, and these are growing in and Bob Steiner from the U.S. They perhaps should have been awarded to number. We have helped crystallize the regaled the audience with card tricks and Australian emigre Rupert Murdoch, for current scientific response to the rising other sleight-of-hand demonstrations the media drivel that he has been sell­ tide of irrationality. International confer­ and kept die fun at high peak, especially ing worldwide. ences are not only highly entertaining but at die gala final Banquet and Boat Cruise Australia is a highly secular society; it extremely useful for they allow skeptics to of beautiful Sydney Harbour. has not experienced quite die intensity of meet with others and to share research Of special interest is the fact that die spiritual-religious-paranormal craze findings about the plethora of weird CSICOP bestowed "Distinguished diat has swept the U.S. Richard Lead claims constandy pouring forth.

34 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE INFORMATION ARGUMENT AGAINST EVOLUTION?

Darwin in Mind 'Intelligent Design Meets Artificial Intelligence

Proponents of "Intelligent Design" claim information theory refutes Darwinian evolution. Modern physics and artificial intelligence research turns their arguments on their head.

TANER EDIS

cience no longer treats nature, particularly life, as a supernatural design. Today, the very mention conjures Sup images of young-Earth creationists with their bizarre scriptural literalism. Even the interesting questions creationists raise (Edis 1998a) are overshadowed by the weirdness produced by leaders such as Henry M. Morris, who can—with a straight face—go on about Satan using psychic powers to deceive Eve (1993). There are, of course, more liberal views. Theologians interpret evolution as a progressive spiritual development, the creative influence of an infinite God pouring out onto a finite world (Haught 1999). Others speculate about whether the accidents of evolution were supernaturally tweaked to

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/Apnl 2001 35 ensure we turn up (Peacocke 1986), or if evolution was set in this is easily abandoned at the first hint of a naturalistic alter­ motion by a creative purpose (Wright 2000). Meanwhile, biolo­ native. Dembski therefore proposes to detect intelligent action gists work with blind mechanisms, and any "progress" in evolu­ in a way that avoids becoming an excuse or a weak analogy. We tion is an artifact of the faa that life started out simple (Nitecki distinguish design from accident, he says, by seeing if our data 1988). Liberal notions of design are relatively harmless, mainly exhibit contingency, complexity, and specification. because diey are only loosely connected to modern biology. Contingency means an information-conveying system must Lately, an "Intelligent Design" (ID) movement has been allow many possible arrangements. Not all order is evidence of emerging, trying to steer a course between die inconsequential purpose. Objects we drop fall rather than drift off in random handwaving of the liberals and the lunatic literalism of the cre­ directions, but this only manifests a simple physical law. In ationists. It too promises more than it has delivered. Phillip contrast, it is as easy to type "urqgkwffferj ..." as to type a real Johnson, perhaps their most prominent spokesman, forcefully argument; an isolated string of nonsense-DNA is no different condemns evolutionary naturalism (1991, 1995) but presents in chemical stability from one that codes for a useful protein. no serious alternative. (1996) claims instances of To rule out pure chance taking over in the absence of sim­ "irreducible complexity" in biology, which adds up to little ple constraints, Dembski demands complexity. A world of more than an old-fashioned incredulity about achieving com­ physical laws and random events will occasionally produce plex interdependent structures incrementally. The effect of ID something that makes sense, like a monkey at a typewriter on mainstream science has been negligible. banging out "hello world." But the longer and more complex Even so, ID has scored a few philosophical points. Defenders the message, the more unlikely this is. of evolution often hope a tame science and a defanged religion Specification is crucial for telling what sort of data is mean­ can peacefully occupy separate spheres. Science, we declare, is ingful. Finding 71 encoded in a radio signal from space would "methodologically naturalistic," considering only naturalistic suggest an intelligent source, while any particular random explanations while saying nothing about any deeper supernatural string, though just as improbable, is merely noise. We must be reality (Pennock 1996). But intelligent design is a straightfor­ able to specify meaningful patterns before the fact; otherwise, ward fact claim, one which is true about those objects we make given thousands of crank-hours at work, we can find messages ourselves. That an intelligent agent designed some aspects of in anything, such as a plan of history in the Great Pyramid. nature is also a legitimate hypothesis. If science can say nothing Dembski argues that such criteria can be made rigorous about the probable truth or falsity of such a claim, there must be (1998). Inferring design—or distinguishing messages from something wrong widi our understanding of science. So ID noise—is an important problem, from everyday interpretation of advocates correcdy argue that science cannot be restricted to a ambiguous data in a social context to SETI research. For exam­ predefined set of naturalistic possibilities (Moreland 1994). A ple, astronomers first wondered if periodic signals from pulsars theoretically sophisticated, empirically well-anchored ID indicated alien life, but die signals were too simple and soon a hypothesis can be a serious scientific proposal. physical explanation was found. Dembski formalizes require­ But then the problem is finding such a proposal. ments like complexity, defining a procedure to detect design. Ineffectual complaints about evolution in the Johnson and Dembski's information-theoretic work is fairly respectable.' Behe style are not enough, so skeptics easily dismiss ID as The controversy begins when he applies his criteria to biology, thinly disguised creationism. finding that life exhibits just die sort of specified complexity diat is supposed to signify intelligent design. ID proponents Intelligent Design and William Dembski claim to improve on the classical design argument by provid­ Enter William Dembski. Already known as one of the better ing a rigorous procedure to identify a particular sort of order ID proponents, he has recendy gathered his arguments in a indicating intelligent origin. When tested on objects we know book that claims to put ID on a solid footing (Dembski 1999). the origins of, they say, this procedure reliably sorts out arti­ Surprisingly, he is often correct. Though dead wrong in his facts from the haphazardly cobbled togedier, even when we overall conclusions, he makes interesting mistakes, and his know little about the functions of the artifacts. So it looks like errors highlight how powerful an idea Darwinian evolution is, organisms are also, at some level, products of design. in biology and beyond. ID needs more, since its criteria might fail to distinguish Dembski sets out to fashion a workable notion of supernat­ between explicit design and evolution—both may generate ural intervention. One difficulty is that a miracle sounds like an specified complexity (Elsberry 1999). ID proponents attack all-purpose excuse radier than a genuine explanation. And even this in two ways. One is to produce the usual litany of alleged if we allow a design hypothesis in analogy to human creativity, failures of Darwinian "macroevolution": the origins of life, die Cambrian explosion, Behe's "irreducibly complex molecular Taner Edis is an assistant professor of physics at Truman State machines," and so forth. This is the tedious, disreputable side University, Kirksville, MO 63501. He also maintains the of ID. The second way, however, extends the information- Skeptic Annotated Bibliography at www.csicop.org/6ibliography/. dieoretic argument, promising to show why a Darwinian

36 March/Apnl 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER mechanism cannot create specified information. Newtonian physics. These conserve information at a micro­ Darwinism must fail, Dembski says, because information is scopic level; a complete description of particle positions and conserved. Unintelligent processes that transform and trans­ velocities at any time also determines all past and future states. mit information can never add new content. Consider a mes­ Following Dembski, we might suspect that if complex sage string, "3:45 P.M." This might be translated into "15:45"; no information is gained or lost thereby. Or it might be degraded by a process that rounds times to the nearest hour, leaving "4:00 P.M." If the message was input to a computer program that e-mailed meeting times to a department staff, it might be converted to "Next department meeting: 3:45 P.M.," but the additional comment, though useful, is not really new. Such a program could only be used to transmit meeting times; this information is built into its initial design.

structures appear at some point, this is not a genuine novelty, since these were implicit in previous states. However, such a scenario does not preclude evolution. It suggests a clockwork deism, where the information provided through the initial design unfolds in time, manifesting in complex macroscopic structures. This still leaves the question of how these local pockets of specified complexity are assembled. Random processes do no better. A noisy channel might, with a Variation-and-selection may still do the job. lot of luck, produce "Christmas party: 3:45 P.M.," but mere is no This issue is related to one of the classic problems of reason to trust it. Variation-and-selection can add no meaning­ physics: understanding an irreversible macroscopic world, ful novelty to a message because all it does is reveal information which does not appear to conserve information, when our in pre-programmed selection criteria. According to ID, the cre­ basic microscopic dynamics are reversible. Part of the answer ativity producing information-rich structures like living beings comes from realizing we never have a complete description of cannot be captured by blind naturalistic processes. any system. What approximate knowledge we have rapidly becomes obsolete due to dynamical chaos, as even the smallest Physics and Intelligent Design error grows exponentially. We can only keep track of statistical To see what is wrong here, we can cast ID as a physical claim. properties of systems, through macroscopic variables like First, take a universe with dynamical laws like those of temperature, which behave irreversibly (Gaspard 1992). For

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 37 example, if we bring objects at different temperatures into Randomness also makes physical systems haphazardly explore contact and let diem reach equilibrium, they will end up the their possible states, leading to irreversibility. And now, it same temperature. No measurement can recover their original makes no sense to speak of predetermined order. Random data temperatures, and they will not spontaneously acquire differ­ is patternless (Chaitin 1987), so no cause behind it can be ent temperatures again. inferred; certainly not intelligent design.

It turns out that all that is needed to add the Enter Artificial Intelligence required flexibility to a machine is to let it make use Our physical world is a realm of accidents, of seething, mindless dynamism—the unpre­ of randomness. A random, patternless function can dictable twists and turns of history. Yet be used to break out of any pre-defined framework. expecting a combination of laws and chance, however elaborate, to be genuinely creative It serves as a novelty-generator. So if all we claim may be too much. ID, after all, is not just an is that humans are flexible in a way not captured exercise in information theory; it also draws upon deep-seated that machines by rules, randomness alone does the trick. cannot display creative intelligence. Without some account of the place of intelligence Such loss of information does not challenge ID; it even plays within nature, it is still possible to suspect naturalistic explana­ into creationist suspicions that the second law of thermody­ tions of complexity overreach. namics precludes evolution. But the same physics also underlies Many a science fiction tale tells how a hero defeats a com­ die emergence of order from chaos. If a system behaves such that puter by posing a problem it was not programmed to deal its maximum possible entropy increases faster than its actual with. It then starts saying "does not compute!" in a synthetic entropy, it will be driven away from equilibrium. This creates yet anxious voice, and finally goes up in smoke. Unlike the space for order to form. In particular, Darwinian processes can rule-bound machine, however, we think human intelligence at take hold: simple replicating structures can mutate and diversify, its best is flexible, innovative. We confront situations beyond exploring more complex configurations along the way. All this what we have prepared for, and if we do not always succeed, takes place under ordinary physics, without outside intervention we still often come up with novel approaches to the problem. (Brooks and Wiley 1988, Edis 1998a). As Dembski's argument that information is conserved The information-based arguments of ID, then, allow design makes clear, it is difficult to see how new content can be gen­ to be confined to setting up initial conditions. Hence they are erated mechanically. Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers ask too broad to support a critique of evolution. In fact, the situa­ us to imagine machines that perform a variety of complicated tion is worse, as the deistic view is itself highly dubious. tasks, learning about and responding to their environment in Focusing on microscopic information and deterministic sophisticated ways. But if these machines remain within the dynamics can give the impression the physics of complexity is a bounds of their programming, it is natural to attribute intelli­ nuisance foisted on us because of our imperfect knowledge. gence not to them but to their designers. ID voices this suspi­ Actually, much of what we have learned about complexity is valid cion: that no pre-programmed device can be truly intelligent, under a wide range of dynamical laws and initial conditions: that intelligence is irreducible to natural processes. concepts like irreversibility, self-organization, and Darwinian Such intuitions underlie not only ID but some respectable variation-and-selection are not very sensitive to die underlying criticisms of AI, including those based on Godel's incomplete­ microscopic physics. So studying complexity requires more than ness theorem. This has recently been championed by Roger traditional physics, calling on fields such as biology and Penrose, the eminent physicist (1989, 1994); Godel's theorem computer science (see Badii and Politi 1997). What exact history is attractive because it reveals how any rule-bound system has is realized in a universe does, of course, depend on microscopic blind spots because it is unable to step outside of a pre-defined details. But just obtaining local pockets of specified complexity is framework. And though Dembski considers Penrose to be not too difficult. When a variety of dynamical laws can generate insufficiently anti-naturalistic, ID requires at least some such complexity from random initial conditions, it is quite a leap to critique of AI to be sound. conclude there must be an intelligence behind it all. It turns out, however, that all that is needed to add the Modern physics provides even less of a peg to hang ID required flexibility to a machine is to let it make use of ran­ upon. With general relativity, random boundary conditions domness. A random function, because it is patternless, can be are no longer tucked away in the distant past; a black hole is used to break out of any pre-defined framework. It serves as a as much a source of true randomness as the Big Bang novelty-generator. Plus we can prove a "completeness theo­ (Hawking, in Hawking and Penrose 1996). And quantum rem" showing all functions can be expressed as a combination mechanics is notorious for its pervasive dynamic randomness. of rules and randomness. So if all we claim is that humans are

38 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER flexible in a way not captured by rules, randomness alone does itions are likely to get, and Dembski has made a good stab at mak­ the trick. There is no other option (Edis 1998b). ing ID rigorous. And what we end up with is a Darwin detector. Now we need to use randomness for actual creativity. And we already know an excellent mechanism for putting bare nov­ Note elty to work: natural selection. Dembski's claim that random­ I. Dembski's work has been criticized (Fitelson ec al. 1999), but these objections do not seem fatal. In any case, Dembski's criteria are not signs of ness does not help create content is incorrect; a Darwinian design as he understands it, even if we were to ignore all such criticism. process is different from altering a message through fixed selec­ tion criteria. Everything is subject to random modification— there are no predetermined criteria; nothing but mindless replication and retention of Darwinian thinking is not confined to biology; successful variants. it anchors a naturalistic understanding of all A fuller understanding of something as convoluted as human creativity is a long way complex order, even including our own intelligence. off. But fundamental objections like those Hence today. Darwinism is central to a thoroughly ID raises have largely been overcome. It is almost certain that randomness and naturalistic picture of our world. Darwinian processes are vital in the workings of our brains. So our current sciences of the mind are full of ideas like neural References Darwinism, Darwin machines, memes, and multiple levels of Badii, Remo, and Antonio Politi. 1997. Complexity: Hierarchical Structures Darwinian mechanisms depending on competing processes to and Scaling in Physics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. assemble our stream of consciousness (Dennert 1995). Variation- Behe, Michael J. 1996. Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution. New York: Free Press. and-selection, today, is beginning to be vital for theories of mind Brooks, Daniel R.. and E.O. Wiley. 1988. Evolution as Entropy: Toward a as well as biology. Unified Theory of Biology. (Second Edition). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. A Darwin Detector Chaitin, G.J. 1987. Algorithmic Information Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. What, then, are we to make of ID? It now seems like a bad Dembski, William A. 1999. Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science and argument, concocted of pointless complaints against evolution Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity. . 1998. The Design : Eliminating Chance through Small on one hand, and flawed intuitions about information and Probabilities. New York: Cambridge University Press. intelligence on the other. Discarding ID, however, would be Dennett, Daniel C. 1995. Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the hasty. Important theories about the world convince us by rul­ Meanings of Life. New York: Simon & Schuster. Edis, Taner. 1998a. Taking creationism seriously. Skeptic 6:2 56. ing out serious alternatives. Historically, evolution took shape . 1998b. How Godel's theorem supports the possibility of machine against then-compelling notions of design. ID may be wrong, intelligence. Minds and Machines 8 251. but it is also a decent update of Paley with a real intellectual Elsberry, Wesley R. 1999. Review of The Design Inference by William A. Dembski, Reports of the National Center for Science Education, 19:2 32. appeal. Its errors provide a useful contrast, highlighting what Fitelson. Brandon. Christopher Stephens, Elliott Sober. 1999. How not to is correct in evolution. detect design—critical notice: William A. Dembski. the design inference. Confronting the information-based arguments of ID is Philosophy of Science 66:3 472. Gaspard, Pierre. 1992. Diffusion, effusion, and chaotic scattering: An exacdy especially helpful in revealing how profound an idea evolution solvable Liouvillian dynamics. Journal of Statistical Physics 68 673. is. As ID proponents suspect, Darwinian thinking is not con­ Haught. John F. 1999. God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution. Boulder fined to biology; it anchors a naturalistic understanding of all Westview. Hawking, Stephen, and Roger Penrose. 1996. T/ie Nature of Space and Time. complex order, even including our own intelligence. Hence Princeton: Press. today, Darwinism is central to a thoroughly naturalistic pic­ Johnson, Phillip. 1991. Darwin on Trial Washington: Regnery Gateway. ture of our world. . 1995. Reason in the Balance: The Case against Naturalism in Science, Law and Education. Downers Grove: InterVarsity. So in defending their religious views, ID proponents pick the Moreland, J.P., ed. 1994. The Creation Hypothesis: Scientific Evidence for an correct target. They are also right to emphasize how designed Intelligent Designer. Downers Grove: InterVarsity. artifacts and living things are similar. And Dembski's criteria of Morris, Henry M. 1993. Biblical Creationism: What Each Book of die Bible Teaches about Creation and the Flood Grand Rapids: Baker. contingency, complexity, and specification do reveal a special Nitecki, Matthew H., ed. 1988. Evolutionary Progress. Chicago: The kind of order they share. The irony is, what these criteria actually University of Chicago Press. detect is that there were Darwinian processes at work. The com­ Peacocke, Arthur R. 1986. God and die New Biology. London: Dent. Pennock, Robert T. 1996. Naturalism, evidence and creationism: The case of plexity of life is directly produced through evolution, but an arti­ Phillip Johnson. Biology and Philosophy 11:4 543-559. fact also is an indirect product of the variation-and-selection Penrose. Roger. 1989. The Emperor's New Mind Oxford: Oxford University processes that must be a part of creative intelligence. Press. . 1994. Shadows of the Mind Oxford; Oxford University Press.

Defenders of evolution can now allow themselves a wry smile. Wright, Robert. 2000. Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny. New York: Intelligent Design is as close to respectable as anti-evolution intu­ Pantheon. LJ

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Match/April 2001 39 A Bit Confused Creationism and Information Theory

The argument of some creationists that modern information theory refutes Darwinian evolution is based on a confusion between two distinct information concepts. At the heart of the Darwinian thesis is not information, but complexity.

DAVID ROCHE

n recent years, the notion of "information" has crept into the arguments of creationists and other critics of evolu­ Ition, particularly among proponents of Intelligent Design (ID) (see Edis, this issue). According to such argu­ ments, information theory refutes Darwinian evolution. Carl Wieland (1997) sums up the argument nicely. What mechanism could possibly have added all the extra infor­ mation required to transform a one-celled creature progressively into pelicans, palm trees, and people? Natural selection alone can't do it—selection involves getting rid of information. A group of creatures might become more adapted to the cold, for exam­ ple, by die elimination of diose which don't carry enough of die genetic information to make thick fur. But that doesn't explain the origin of the information to make thick fur. [And] mutations ... are accidental mistakes as the genetic information ... is

40 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER copied from one generation to the next. Naturally, such scram­ rithm has little affect on its size. Shakespeare's play The bling of information will tend to either be harmful, or at best Tempest also contains about 100,000 letters. Its Shannon infor­ neutral. ... Rather than adding information, they destroy information, or corrupt the way it can be expressed (not sur­ mation content is intermediate between the book of As and prising, since they are random mistakes). the book of random letters. If wc ran it through a computer- compression algorithm, we would end up with something In other words, so goes riie argument, the Darwinian process is somewhat smaller than what we started with, but not drasti­ inadequate for explaining the origins of biological (e.g., cally so. The Tempest contains more Shannon information tJian genetic) information. Natural selection cannot produce any a book of 100,000 As but less Shannon information than a new information; it merely shuffles or in some cases eliminates book of 100,000 random letters.' the information that was already rJiere. And mutation cannot create new information either, because mutation is essentially a ran­ Mutation is a random process, and random dom process. So although variation occurs processes do not, at least on their own, generate in nature and natural selection may operate on this variation, evolution leads to neutral complexity. Natural selection, however, is not a or even degenerative change. It does not random process. It is an ordering process, creating provide the "progressive" component required to explain the origins of organisms structure from noise and increasing the degree of with lots of information. Have you spotted regularity in the biological system. the flaw in this argument? It's not as simple as you might think. Another type of information concept is complexity. In one sense, proponents of this argument are right. Both Physicist Murray Gell-Mann has helped in recent years to clar­ natural selection and random mutations can be thought of as ify this concept (Gell-Mann 1994; 1995). According to Gell- leading to a reduction in information. However—and herein Mann, you can think of complexity as a measure of how diffi­ lies the flaw—the type of information is different in each case. cult it would be to describe the regularities of something in Information comes in different forms, so we need to be clear complete detail. Mathematically, it is the difference between regarding what sort of information we are talking about. something's maximally compressed Shannon information con­ One type of information we might call Shannon informa­ tent and its "incompressible" information content—the infor­ tion. This is die type of information concept introduced by riie mation content of those elements of the system that are truly Bell engineer Claude Shannon in 1948 when he laid die foun­ random (Gell-Mann and Lloyd 1996). A book of 100,000 As dations of the modern science of information theory (Shannon has little complexity. It docs not have much incompressible and Weaver 1949). Shannon defined information in terms of information, while its compressible information is highly com­ reduction in uncertainty. So if I sent you the string of binary pressible. The regularities of the book can be completely digits "010," I have specified one of eight possibilities. described in one short sentence ("A book of 100,000 As"). A Assuming equiprobable digits, I have reduced your level of book of random letters also has little complexify. It has lots of uncertainty by a factor of eight. Information is typically mea­ Shannon information, but virtually all of this information is sured as the base-2 logarithm of the reduction in uncertainty, incompressible because there are no regularities to compress. In which in this case translates into three bits of information. contrast. The Tempest has lots of complexify. It has lots of regu­ The Shannon information content of any system can be larities (e.g., words, rules of grammar, aspects of plot develop­ thought of as the reduction in uncertainty resulting from a ment etc.) and so virtually all of its information content is com­ complete specification of that system. In other words, you can pressible. Yet once fully compressed, it is still quite large. diink of Shannon information content in terms of the length Shannon information and complexity are quite distinct of a concise and fully detailed description of the system. Such concepts. As we have already seen, various systems can be a definition therefore accounts for redundancy. A book con­ interpreted as having lots of one without much of the other. A sisting only of the letter "A" repeated 100,000 times is easy to common mistake of those attempting to use information the­ describe. It has lots of tedundancy and therefore little Shannon ory to debunk Darwinian evolution is to confuse the two con­ information. If we converted it into a computer file and ran it cepts. Dembski's "complex specified information" is the most through a compression algorithm, we would end up with prominent example (Dembski 1998). something much smaller than what we started with. A book of 100,000 completely random letters, in contrast, has no redun­ dancy and therefore lots of Shannon infotmation. There is no David Roche is in the Unit for the History and Philosophy of shorter description of a book of random letters than the book Science. University of Sydney, Australia. E-mail: droche@unsw. itself, so running it through a computer compression algo­ edu.au.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 41 Once we understand die difference between diese two types of process could give rise to such complex organs as die verte­ information—Shannon information and complexity—it is easy brate eye; a question already dioroughly dealt with by many to see what's wrong widi die information argument against evo­ biologists (e.g., Dawkins 1986). lution. If we interpret biological systems in information terms, we The great achievement of Darwinism is not that it explains can see diat natural selection does tend to decrease die amount of the origins of information (in the Shannon sense), but that it information, but only Shannon information. Natural selection explains the origins of complexity. And it does so in terms of a simply removes some members from a population, making it completely material process: random mutation followed by more homogenous and less diverse. The resulting population is non-random selection. Via such a process, the simple can give easier to describe in detail and so has less Shannon information. rise to die complex; "from so simple a beginning endless forms Conversely, mutation makes the population less homogenous most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, and so increases die amount of Shannon information. evolved" (Darwin 1859). Looking at die amount of complexity in the biological system, however, die situation is somewhat different. Mutation is a ran­ References dom process, and random processes do not, at least on dieir own, Darwin, C. 1859. The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray. generate complexity. Natural selection, however, is not a random Dawkins, R. 1986. The Blind Watchmaker. London: Penguin. process. It is an ordering process, creating structure from noise Dembski, W.A. 1999. The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance through Small and increasing the degree of regularity in die biological system. Probabilities. New York: Cambridge University Press. Gell-Mann. M. 1994. The Quark and the jaguar: Adventures in the Simple and Since complexity is simply die lengdi of a concise description of the Complex. London: Abacus. all the regularities in such a system, natural selection, in conjunc­ . 1995. What is complexity? Complexity 1(1): 16-19. tion widi random mutation, can tend to increase complexity. Gell-Mann, M.. and S. Lloyd. 1996. Information measures, effective com­ plexity, and total information. Complexity 2(1): 44-52. Whichever way we interpret the evolutionary critic, Shannon, C.E., and W. Weaver. 1949. The Mathematical Theory of explaining the origin of biological information is straightfor­ Communication. Urbana: University of Illinois. Wieland. C. 1997. Beetle bloopers: Even a defect can be an advantage some­ ward. If by "information" the evolutionary critic means times. Creation Ex Nihilo 19(3): 30. Shannon information, then there is very litde to explain. The second law of thermodynamics will suffice. The world tends Note toward disorder, and this disorder is a physical embodiment of I. After writing this statement. I decided to test it empirically. I created Shannon information. On the other hand, if we interpret three text files: one containing 100,000 As, another containing 100.000 pseudorandom letters, and a third containing Shakespeare's The Tempest. I "information" to mean complexity, then we are simply left then ran each through the compression program WinZip, and achieved com­ with answering the familiar question of how the Darwinian pression ratios of 99.3%, 2.5% and 58.4% respectively. D NEW WEST COAST MEDIA CENTER

We wish to announce that the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) in cooperation with our sister organization, the Council for Secular Humanism (CSH), has purchased a new headquarters building, at 4773 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. This will replace the rented quarters that we have operated out of for die past several years. It will be the West Coast branch of the Center for Inquiry, serving the needs of southern California. It will also be developed as a new national media center. It is appropriate that this be in Los Angeles—the entertainment media capital of the world. We are very excited about what this new center can accomplish. It will focus on creating a response to the para­ normal viewpoint so predominant in the media and seek to provide a scientific-rationalist alternative. We intend to cre­ ate a distinctive new center, and we welcome the support of our readers as we embark upon extensive renovations.

42 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Introducing Italy's Version of Harry Houdini

At the age of thirty-two, Italian paranormal investigator Massimo Polidoro is the author of half a dozen books, performs and lectures to capacity crowds across the globe, runs a national organization of Italian skeptics, and is a hit with the Italian media. A life that may seem very complex to most is very simpk to Polidoro: he is merely leading a life inspired by his boyhood hero Harry Houdini. MATT NISBET

ost ten-year-olds growing up in Italy dream of feats of national heroism on the soccer field, with Mvisions of professional soccer stardom dancing in their heads. But as a young boy Massimo Polidoro dreamed of magic. It all started when Polidoro saw the 1953 Tony Curtis classic Houdini. A romanticized version of the life and times of the legendary escape artist and debunker, the film chronicles Harry Houdini s early beginnings in show business as a dime museum performer to his ultimate (and historically inaccurate) death on stage in the Chinese Water Torture Cell. Amazed by the story of Houdini, young Polidoro developed a fascination with the paranormal. He tried bending metals like popular 1970s television personality Uri Geller, and delved

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/Ap„l 2001 43 into books about telepathy and spiritualism. and I sat down for about an hour before his evening lecture to Fantasy turned to skepticism at the age of fifteen when discuss his career and insights on the world of the paranormal. Polidoro came across the book Journey Into the Paranormal After spending a year abroad with James Randi, Polidoro World by well-known Italian journalist Piero Angela. The book returned to Italy in 1989, and began to shop around to Italian introduced Polidoro to die adventures of American magician publishers the manuscript for his first book Viaggio tra gli James "The Amazing" Randi. The teenage Polidoro wrote to spiriti (Journey into the Spirit World). Polidoro encountered dif­ both Angela and Randi, with Randi responding by sending ficulty in convincing publishers that a book skeptical of the books to Polidoro on skepticism paranormal would interest read­ and die paranormal. A short time ers, but Viaggio tra gli spiriti later when Randi visited Italy on finally made it into print in a lecture tour, Polidoro met widi 1995, with strong sales. Polidoro the magician and Angela. Randi was dien able to follow with a recruited Polidoro to serve for the series of books, all in Italian, that next year as his "sorcerer's included Misteri (Mysteries, apprentice," traveling the globe 1996), Dizionario del paranor- testing psychics and dowsers, and male (Dictionary of the working in front of television Paranormal 1997), Sei un sensi- cameras to unmask mystery and tivo?(Are You Psychic', 1997), La trickery for global audiences. maledizione del Titanic (Curse of Today, at die young age of the Titanic, 1998), / segreti dei thirty-two, life is no less exciting fachiri (Secrets of the Fakirs, for Polidoro. He has built an intet- 1998), L'illusione delparanormale ii.uii >n.i! profile as an author, jour­ (The Paranormal Illusion, 1998), nalist, lecturer, and professional // sesto senso (The Sixth Sense, skeptic. He is co-founder and 2000), and // grand* Houdini executive director of die Italian (The Great Houdini, 2001). His Committee for die Investigation first book in English, titled Final of Claims of the Paranormal Stance: The Strange Friendship (CICAP-Comitato Italiano per il Between Houdini and Conan Controllo delle Affermazioni sul Doyle, is scheduled to be pub­ Paranomale), has published four­ lished by Prometheus Books in teen books, and draws packed the spring of 2001. crowds at public appearances. In In 1989, Polidoro also teamed August 2000, I traveled to with Italian scientist Luigi Amherst, New York, to meet and Garlaschelli to found CICAP, interview Polidoro, who spent and, in the first years, the duo die mondi on a speaking tour of worked tirelessly to recruit mem­ die United States. His first stop bers and subscribers to the was at die Center for Inquiry- CICAP newsletter. The newslet­ International, headquarters for die ter soon grew into the glossy Committee for the Scientific bound magazine Scienza & Investigations of Claims of die Paranormale, reached bimonthly Paranormal (CSICOP), and status in 1998, and today boasts SKEPTICAL INQUIRER magazine. Massimo Polidoro about 2,000 readers. Since 1989, About two inches short of six Polidoro has contributed over feet tall, slender widi a well-groomed Don Quixote goatee, 200 articles and papers, not only to Scienza & Paranormale but Polidoro speaks fluent English, looks younger than his years, also to the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, and lacks die slightest trace of hubris or arrogance. Polidoro SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Skeptic, and James Randi s Swift. As a chief spokesperson for CICAP, Polidoro delivers about four Matt Nisbet is a graduate student in the department of commu­ lectures a month to crowds as large as several diousand. nication at . His research interests include sci­ Polidoro earned a degree in psychology from die University of ence and political communication, public opinion, and public in 1996 with his diesis devoted to the study of die reli­ policy. From 1997 to J 999. he worked as public relations direc­ ability of eyewitness reports of unusual events. tor for CSICOP and SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. Nisbet lives year Polidoro views his work with the Italian media as possibly round in Ithaca, New York. You can reach him at mcn23 his most important achievement. "Before CICAP, the Italian GPcornelLedu. media were absolutely pro-paranormal, and rarely critical, but

44 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER now CICAP has grown into a friendship with many journal­ national leaders in science and skepticism. In the fall of 2000, ists," Polidoro said. He and CICAP have tried to adopt a CICAP unveiled its new national headquarters in the city of media-relations approach that fosters a partnership with the Padua. Occupying two floors of an office building, CICAP Italian media, and makes covering paranormal claims from a will employ three full-time staff members, several part-time critical view easy. CICAP maintains a media e-mail list and a staff, and dozens of volunteers. The organization bases its state-of-the-art organizational Web site. "There are skeptical operations on a growing annual budget of $ 150,000 raised journalists and they are certainly supportive of our cause," mostly through subscriptions and donations. Polidoro said. "But most are looking for a nice story. So if wc I asked Polidoro if living a life inspired by Harry Houdini find a way to present ourselves in a more interesting light, it ever struck friends his age as a bit strange or eccentric. He can be very important." claims it doesn't cause any problems. "Though my work is a Polidoro names alternative medicine (especially homeo­ very important part of my life, I have other interests. I play the pathy), UFOs (specifically the ancient astronaut claims of piano and the guitar, and I am a big fan of the Beatles. Very Robert Hancock), and various miracle claims as the most fre­ rarely do I talk about paranormal subjects with my friends. quent paranormal topics he encounters among the Italian Sometimes they see me on television, and they say they didn't media and public. On the miracle front, Polidoro believes that know I do these things." the canonization by the of stigmatic Padre I also asked him about women his age. Did he have any Pio has helped reignite widespread belief in miracles. "In Italy, thoughts on the notion that women might be more prone to almost every actor and celebrity claims to have been healed at belief or fascination with the paranormal? "It is possible," he some time by Padre Pio," Polidoro said. "I think the Catholic answered carefully, remarking that his girlfriend might have Church might be following the and coming up with something to say about his answer. "Maybe women are less more miraculous events." likely to be attacking, and are not as cynical. Maybe men are Polidoro envisions CICAP's main role as "letting people interested as well but don't manifest their belief in the same have ail the facts, so they can make up their mind. We are not way." Hmmm . . . stated like a true escape artist. trying to convert people. Often people are asking questions about cases that have already been solved. We are trying to give Web Resources The Massimo Polidoro Web Site (In English and Italian) www.massimo information to people." Current efforts by CICAP include polidoro.com increased involvement with schools, initiating programs with The CICAP Web Site (In English) www..org/cn/. teachers to teach critical thinking and science via paranormal topics, and to provide books and tapes as educational Further Reading resources. CICAP is also expanding its Web resources, build­ Polidoro, M. 2000. ; The mcmalist who baffled Sir . SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, January/February. ing a Skeptic's Web dictionary in Italian, and offering the sale . 1997. Secrets of a Russian psychic. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. of books and other materials through the CICAP site. CICAP July/August. . 1994. The girl with the X-ray eyes. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Winter. sponsors eleven regional Italian skeptic organizations, and has . 1993. Testing a psychic on italian television. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, held a national conference every two years that features inter- Winter. D

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CSICOP and the Skeptical Inquirer changed the terms of discussion in fields ranging from pseudoscience and the paranormal to science and educational policy. You can take an enduring step to preserve their vitality when you provide for the Skeptical Inquirer in your will. Your bequest to CSICOP, Inc., will help to provide for the future of skepticism as it helps to keep the Skeptical Inquirer financially secure. Depending on your tax situation, a charitable bequest to CSICOP may have little impact on the net size of your estate—or may even result in a greater amount being available to your beneficiaries. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney in the development of a will or estate plan that meets your wishes. A variety of arrangements are possible, including: gifts of a fixed amount or a percentage of your estate; living trusts or gift annuities, which provide you with a lifetime income; or a contingent bequest that provides for the Skeptical Inquirer only if your primary beneficiaries do not survive you. For more information, contact Barry Karr, Executive Director of CSICOP, at (716) 636-1425. All inquiries are held in the strictest confidence.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 45 A Psychological Case Study of 'Demon' and Alien' Visitation

A clinical psychologist discusses a case of a depressed individual who misinterpreted hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations as visitations by demons and aliens. He came close to suicide, and even considered killing his family.

ANDREW D. REISNER

s suggested, we humans are never from the realm of the irrational despite the bufi Aof science and reason. Normal people can come uncomfortably close to this irrational realm when they are either half awake or half asleep, and expe­ rience either hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallu­ cinations. In these relatively common and normal experiences, a person may be temporarily unable to move, a state known as sleep paralysis, and may experience vivid hallucinations either when first fall in g asleep (hypnagogic hallucinations), or upon awakeni (hypnopompic hallucinations) (Baker 1992, 1987 Fukuda et al. 1987; Penn et al. 1981; Liddon 1967).

46 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER

It can be a terrifying experience, leaving the person wonder­ finally talked him into breaking it off. John agreed, but shortly ing not only about the reality of what they have seen, but also thereafter reconsidered and asked his lover to return. When about their own sanity. The hallucinations seem very real. This she refused, John fell into a deep depression and seriously con­ phenomenon is thought to occur due to a benign but abnor­ sidered suicide. mal transition between sleep and wakefulness. The victim is John developed a friendship with Judy, a devotee of Wicca, essentially experiencing a dream phenomenon while awake, a religion involving the worship of nature and the practice of and is unable to move, because during sleep, the body's move­ "white magic." After long talks and the exchange of personal ment is partially inhibited in order to prevent people from get­ paranormal experiences, the two friends became convinced ting up and acting out their dreams (Liddon 1967; Dement that John's recent visitor was a demon. Walking home late one 1976; Baker 1992). Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucina­ night after one of their talks, the woman felt the sinister pres­ tions are thought to be the culprit in many paranormal phe­ ence of a "demon" following her. This woman's spiritual nomena, including nocturnal visits from aliens (Baker 1987; teacher had given her two special stones, and Judy ordered the Klass 1989; Blackmore 1998; Nickell 1998) and ghosts and "demon" into one of the stones. Giving the stones—one white demons (Baker 1992; Baker and Nickell 1992; Sagan 1996). and one black—to John, she told him to send his negative feel­ ings into the black stone, where the "demon" now resided. Not wanting "a woman to do a man's job," however, John decided John's Case History to release the demon from the stone, ostensibly so he could Ignorance of, and misunderstandings about, these types of conquer it himself. Depressed over his marital problems, and normal hallucinations may cause unnecessary anxiety, or even drinking excessively, John's judgment was slipping. One night play a significant role in the onset and progress of severe psy­ he went to bed holding the stone, and on awakening, the black chiatric symptoms, as in the case of John, a 36-year-old stone had turned green. To John this signified the possible employed, married man. John's difficulties started innocently release of the demon from the stone. He had shown his wife enough. When he was five or six years old, while trying to get the black stone earlier, and she agreed that, yes indeed, the to sleep, he saw a little man in his room who was about six stone had turned colors. When he handed his wife the green inches tall. John saw the little man go in and out of a door in stone and she held it momentarily, it started turning black the room. Later, at age twenty-six, after reading a popular again. This frightened her so much she gave it back to John. book on UFO abduction (Strieber 1987), John woke up, John's depression worsened after asking for the demon's unable to move, and saw a four-foot-tall, gray visitor, resem­ release, and he became suicidal. John held the stone in his bling the prototypic alien described in Strieber's book. This led hand and told the "demon" that if he would show him the best to some speculation on John's part that he may have been way to commit suicide, he would do whatever the demon abducted by aliens, perhaps more than once. The only adverse instructed him to do. Falling asleep that night, John had a social or psychological consequence of this experience was that "vision" of tying his wife down and then killing her and their when he told others about it, and his speculations, he endured two children. He also assumed that this "vision" represented some teasing. the demon's instructions. At first John reasoned that if he Under stress a few years later, John had more experiences of murdered his loved ones, he would then feel compelled to kill awakening in a paralyzed state and seeing a taller, dark and himself, thus accomplishing his suicidal objective. Realizing menacing visitor—one so tall it reached the top of a doorway. the insanity of this, however, John reneged on his deal with the The apparition, moreover, wore a wide-brimmed black hat "demon." Suicide was still on John's mind, however, and one and black cloak, resembling characters from movies he had day while riding his motorcycle down the highway at a speed recendy seen depicting "Zorro" and "The Shadow." John con­ of over 100 miles per hour, he envisioned himself crashing the sidered, however, that the apparition "might be a demon." bike into an oncoming truck. He also had considered ending Some years later things took a turn for the worse when, his life with a shotgun he owned. despite his marriage of fourteen years, John began an affair The most terrifying hallucination, however, occurred after with one of his old female friends. For John this was a story­ consuming a substantial amount of alcohol along with his book romance. It fulfilled fantasies left over from his adoles­ prescribed dose of antidepressant medication. As he was cent years. John had never been popular with women, and laying supine on the floor, passing out due to the beer and having a woman fawning all over him was much too great a medication, he saw the same cloaked, dark figure with a wide- temptation. The affair almost led to divorce, but John's wife brimmed hat. This time the "demon" was bigger, taller than the door frame, and his cloak covered the ceiling. Although Andrew D. Reisner, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist at almost faceless, what there was of the dark, menacing figure's Appalachian Psychiatric Healthcare System (APHS), Cambridge face came down toward John's face, as if the sinister intruder Psychiatric Hospital, Cambridge, OH 43725. He has been a was trying to intimidate John by going nose to nose! licensed psychologist since 1988, and has more than 20 years of Following this hallucination, John was admitted for his first experience in the mental health field. His interests include adult psychiatric hospitalization. While in the hospital he sensed the psychopathology and psychotherapy, the repressed memory contro­ "demon" outside of the window, and felt the "demon" was versy, and the phenomenon of iatrogenesis. angry. In his words, "the demon followed me to the hospital."

48 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER John's reports about his experiences in the hospital were incon­ gogic hallucinations from a book on investigation and debunk­ sistent, however. At first he indicated that he sensed the demon ing paranormal phenomena (Baker and Nickell 1992), and he present outside of die window while he was in bed, perhaps sug­ stated that he intended to obtain and read the entire book. On gesting another hypnagogic or hypnopompic experience. his own, John suggested that the "special stones" he had were During a second interview, however, he indicated that he was probably made of the same material used for "mood rings," and not in bed and was fully awake when he sensed the presence of the angry "demon" At age twenty-six. after reading a popular book on outside. In any event, it appears that prior to and during the hospitalization, he had UFO abduction, John woke up, unable to move, become convinced of the reality of the and saw a four-foot-tall, gray visitor, resembling the demon and was considered psychotic. Since John's first hospitalization was inef­ prototypic alien described in Strieber's book. This led fective, about six weeks later he was admitted to some speculation on John's part that he may have to a different hospital. This is where I first met and evaluated him. Fortunately, his men­ been abducted by aliens, perhaps more than once. tal state improved quickly during the second hospitalization, after he started antipsychotic and antidepressant this accounted for the color changes. John now saw clearly just medications. John's final psychiatric diagnosis was Major how he had become a victim of misinterpretation and sugges­ Depression, single episode, with psychotic features, along witJi tion, and he swore it would never happen again. alcohol and benzodiazapine abuse. (He had been taking a minor At the time of his discharge from the second six-day hospi­ tranquilizer, classed as a benzodiazapine, and claimed he took it as talization, John was essentially free of depression and psy­ prescribed, but he also drank eight ounces of Schnapps every day.) chosis, as well as from suicidal and homicidal thoughts. He Initially, it was unclear whether he might have had other also promised he would stop drinking and would comply with episodes of severe depression. However, after additional evalua­ his outpatient treatment. Finally, he returned to his wife with tion, it appeared that no other episode of emotional difficulty a greater appreciation of both her and his marriage. If you were could be qualified as a major depression, and that the current to meet John on the street today you would see him as normal episode had spanned several months, and included both psychi­ and well adjusted, and would never guess that he was recently atric hospitalizations. As an adolescent, he had become acutely considered psychotic. upset after a girlfriend left him, and impulsively stuck a fork in an electrical outlet resulting in a severe shock. When they reconciled Discussion later in the day, his mood improved. On another occasion, when In the world of science, an anecdotal case can never be used to he realized that he lacked funds to complete his associate's degree, prove anything, but case studies such as this are useful in illus­ John responded by drinking excessively for a month. John's family trating unique situations involving matters that have been also had a history of depression and reportedly one of his relatives studied scientifically. This case in particular stresses the need had committed suicide. Whether or not he had other episodes of for broader education regarding hypnopompic and hypna­ serious depression, it was clear that John adjusted poorly during gogic hallucinations, since ignorance and misinterpretations stress, and occasionally engaged in excessive drinking. can lead to severe emotional distress or worse. Had John not On the second day of his second hospitalization, John was reneged on his deal with the "demon," he and his family might given the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 be dead. People would then wonder why such a seemingly nor­ (MMPI-2), a valid objective personality test. A relatively nor­ mal, polite, and decent person could have done something so mal profile was obtained. Although mild defensiveness was horrible. Fortunately, despite his turmoil and temporary loss noted on the validity scales, John's depression and psychotic of contact with reality, John's good judgment prevailed. thinking had cleared, and he saw his unusual experiences in a Unfortunately, at times we are grimly reminded that things do more rational light. Possibly, what began as a mid-life crisis in not always work out as well for others. an emotionally vulnerable, suggestible, imaginative man The varied, and at times culture-bound, content of alien turned into a serious depression accompanied by a loss of con­ and demonic hallucinations provides another clue that such tact with reality. This was fueled, no doubt, by a misinterpre­ phenomena originate in the mind or brain, rather than tation of his hypnopompic hallucinations, which had received being actual visitations from elsewhere. Hypnagogic images consensual validation from his friend's paranormal interpreta­ can be as simple as balls of light (Baker 1992), or as appar­ tion of the events. ently nonvpiritu.il as an electrified telephone cord (Huston Once in a psychiatric hospital, and separated from occult 1992), "bright green frogs" (McKellar 1954, 266), "colored and paranormal views, the concepts of sleep paralysis and hyp­ trees" (269), or "a ship in a storm" (270). Among a sample nagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations were offered, and of Japanese, one man awoke paralyzed and "... saw a figure, John readily accepted them as the best explanation for his which resembled a Buddhist image, on my stomach." People unusual experiences. In a way, John's suggestibility was working from other cultures may see "spiritual" images more in keep­ in his favor. I had him read a few pages on the topic of hypna­ ing with their own cultural expectations (Fukuda et al.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Match/April 2001 49 1987, 282). Although Siegel (1992, 89) notes some similar­ consequences. But due to his unusual circumstances and a pre­ ities in different historical culture's experience of the "suc- existing severe depression, John entered into a life-and-death cubus" variant of the nightly intruder, he explains these sim­ struggle, partially fueled by his interpretation that the ilarities partly in terms of the half-asleep victim's brain hypnopompic "demon" was real. He returned from the brink of attempting to make sense of common physiological stimuli destruction, hopefully wiser for the experience. Had his inter­ that occur during sleep paralysis, perhaps in combination pretations of his hypnopompic experiences led him to descend with "a return to the frightening, looming shapes of the further into the abyss of unreason, die cost to himself and his infant's perceptual world." family could have been immeasurable. The potential price of When people in different cultures are awakened, paralyzed, misunderstanding these phenomena clearly shows the need for and see, hear, and/or feel an ominous presence, some type of a wider and better understanding of sleep paralysis, and the explanation will always be sought by those afflicted. In different accompanying hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations. cultures, and at other historical times, hypnagogic hallucina­ tions were considered to be attacks by spirits such as incubi, suc- Acknowledgment cubi, Lilith, "Mares" (Siegel 1992), or "Old Hags" (Baker 1992; I thank Robert A. Baker for his review of the manuscript, and for the Blackmore 1998). Interestingly, in the previously noted many improvements that resulted from his efforts. Japanese sample, 43 percent reportedly experienced an apparent Note variant of sleep paralysis, which was sometimes accompanied by The name of this patieni was changed, and this article was published with hallucinations, and many of the subjects believed that evil spir­ his informed consent. I thank John for allowing odiers to benefit from his its were involved with these attacks (Fukuda et al. 1987). experience. Lacking accurate information about sleep paralysis with hypna­ gogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, it is easy to see why peo­ References ple look for supernatural and extraterrestrial explanations for Baker. Robert A. 1987. The aliens among us: Hypnotic regression revisited. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 12(2): 147-162. such frightening and confusing phenomena (Baker 1992). . 1992. Alien abductions or human productions: Some not so unusual Belief in aliens or demons can be tenacious. Some suggest personal experiences. Unpublished manuscript. belief in aliens may, in some way, fulfill a religious need for diose Baker, Robert A., and Joe Nickell. 1992. Missing Pieces: How to Investigate Ghosts, UFOs. Psychics, and Other Mysteries. Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books. who have strayed from die conventional religious parii (Kurtz Blackmore, Susan. 1998. Abduction by aliens or sleep paralysis? SKEPTICAL 1991; Sagan 1996). Others note mat belief in demons, and in INQUIRER 22(3): 23-28. Dement, William. 1976. Some Must Watch While Some Must Sleep. New York: the of exorcism, strengthens peoples belief in die con­ Norton & Co. ventional (Spanos 1996). When religious and quasi-reli­ Fukuda, K.. A. Miyasita, M. Inugami, and K. Ishihara. 1987. High preva­ gious beliefs become involved, with their attending implications lence of isolated sleep paralysis: Kanashibari phenomenon in Japan. Sleep 10(3): 279-286. for die meaning of life, and hopes for an afterlife, the ideological Hopkins, B., D. M. Jacobs, and R. westrum. 1992. Unusual Personal and emotional stakes can become very high, and diese beliefs, Experiences: An Analysis of the Data From Three National Surveys and associated concepts, can become so firmly entrenched diat Conducted by the Roper Organization. Bigelow Holding Corporation, 4640 South Eastern, Las Vegas, NV. they are highly resistant to modification (Kurtz 1991)- Huston, Peter. 1992. Nighr terrors, sleep paralysis, and devil-stricken phone cords from hell. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 17(1): 64-69. Conclusions Klass, Philip. 1989. UFO Abductions: A Dangerous Game. Buffalo. N.Y.: Prometheus Books. But what price might people pay when they are unaware of sci­ . 1993. 3.7 Million Americans kidnapped by aliens? Part 2: entific explanations for visitations by aliens and demons? Since Additional comments about die 'Unusual Personal Experiences' Survey. the experience of hypnagogic or hypnopompic phenomena is SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 17: 145-146. Kurtz, Paul. 1991. The Transcendental Temptation: A Critique of Religion and quite common, and since people often attribute supernatural the Paranormal Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books. causes to these experiences (Fukuda et al. 1987; Liddon 1967; Liddon, S. C. 1967. Sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations. Archives of McKellar 1954), from a statistical standpoint, it is not "abnor­ General Psychiatry 17: 88-96. McKellar, Peter, and L. Simpson. 1954. Between wakefulness and sleep: mal" to engage in such spiritualistic speculation. Moreover, Hypnagogic imaging. British Journal of Psychology 45: 266-276. diere is also evidence diat people who believe that diey have Nickell, Joe. 1998. Alien Abductions as sleep-related phenomena. SKEPTICAL been abducted by aliens are, in general, not mentally ill (Klass INQUIRER 22(3): 16-17. Penn, Nolan, D. Kripke, and J. Scharff. 1981. Sleep paralysis among medical 1989; Blackmore 1998). While there is evidence of some emo­ students. The Journal of Psychology 107: 247-252. tional difficulties among people who claim UFO abduction Reisner, Andrew. 1993. UFO abduction "test" lacks validity. Letter to the edi­ (Klass 1989), others insist that supposedly "genuine UFO tor. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 17(4): 444-445. Sagan. Carl. 1996. The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. abductees" may suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress dis­ New York: Ballantine Books. order (Hopkins et al. 1992). The likelihood, however, diat Siegel, Ronald. 1992. Fire in the Brain: Clinical Tales of Hallucination. New these people were truly abducted has been called into question, York: Dunon. Spanos. Nicholas. 1996. Multiple Identities and False Memories: A Socio- and in most cases, hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucina­ cognitive Perspective. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological tions provide a better explanation (Klass 1993; Stires 1993; Association. Reisner 1993; Blackmore 1998). Stires. I_ 1993. 3.7 Million Americans kidnapped by aliens? Pan 1: Critiquing the 'Unusual Personal Experiences' Survey. SKEPTICAL In general, it appears diat most people who misinterpret INQUIRER 17: 142-144. hypnagogic hallucinations do not experience severe psychiatric Strieber. Whitley. 1987. Communion: A True Story. New Yoric: Avon Books. •

50 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER BOOK REVIEWS

Specious Arguments: Twisting and the Bible

MATT YOUNG

The Genesis Question: Scientific Advances and the Accuracy of Genesis. By Hugh Ross. Navpress, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1998. ISBN 1-57683-111-6. 235 pp. Hardcover, $20.

ugh Ross is a new kind of fun­ claim that lifetimes were typically 900 that the primordial Earth had an opaque damentalist: a scientist who years around the time of Adam. He says atmosphere. He falsely makes it appear Hdoes not deny evolution, geol­ our lifetimes are now a mere 120 years that we have direcdy observed the extra- ogy, and the Big Bang theory but rather because of cosmic rays from the Vela solar planets and studied their atmos­ accepts these theories, with his own vari­ supernova. Ross's arguments would be pheres. He considers Earth's transparent ations, and instead twists both the Bible and rarified atmosphere a mystery and scientific theory to make them because, he claims, the farther from the agree. (Although he has a in Sun and the heavier the planet, the thicker astronomy from the University of the atmosphere. Since Venus's atmosphere Toronto, Ross today directs an institute is very thick. Earth's should be thicker. The "to research and proclaim the factual mystery is solved by the miracle: basis for faith in God and His Word and The Moon crashed into the Earth about the Bible," according to this book.) 4.25 billion years ago, cleared the atmos­ Like his Jewish counterpart Gerald phere of dust and debris, and let the light Schroeder (Young 1998), Ross indulges from the sun through. It is at that time in misleading probability arguments. that God said, "Let there be light." For example, he claims without evi­ The rule, the farther from the Sun, dence that life must have arisen at least the thicker the atmosphere, however, fifty times between 3.86 and 3.5 billion is not true in the solar system. The years ago. Therefore, it must be easy to density of Venus's atmosphere is well create life. Why then can we not manu­ understood, and we need not invoke facture even a single strand of DNA? a Moon miracle to explain a non­ Ross thinks that Earth is so finely tuned existent mystery. that life could not have arisen here acci­ Ross relies occasionally on exact dentally. His argument ignores that there might be billions of other planets more convincing if cosmic rays were the Matt Young is adjunct professor in the that are not quite so finely tuned and on major source of radiation to the gonads. Department of Physics at the Colorado which life did not arise. The odds that At sea level, however, cosmic rays School of Mines and a former physicist life will arise on any one planet are account for only 25 to 40 percent of the with the National Institute of Standards indeed small, but the odds that life will radiation exposure to the gonads and Technology. He is the author of No arise somewhere may not be so small, (Morgan and Turner 1973). Sense of Obligation: Science and given the vast number of somewhercs. Ross cites die discovery of circumstellar Religion in an Impersonal Universe, to Ross accepts uncritically the Bibles disks around ten or more stars as evidence be published.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 51 BOOK REVIEWS

translations of Hebrew, yet his under­ inferred from studies of the Y chromo­ ing their enemies and furthering their standing of Hebrew seems limited to iso­ some and is analogous to mitochondrial conquest, Ross sees God using a holy lated words. For example, he translates Eve. Ross claims that mitochondrial Eve people to make surgical strikes against sheretz nephesh chayyah, a swarm of living predates chromosomal Adam because "reprobation." When reprobation is bad (or wild) creatures, as if it were punctu­ the most recent common ancestor of liv­ enough, it infects everything around it, ated sheretz, nephesh chayyah, swarming ing men was Noah, whereas the female even the soulish animals. Everything things and living creatures. He seems lineage goes through the wives of Noah has to be destroyed, much as a surgeon unaware that two consecutive nouns act and his sons to Eve. removes cancerous tissue. The cancer­ as a prepositional phrase in English. The The existence of mitochondrial Eve is ous tissue, however, consists of humans point is important because, later, he uses still controversial but even so does not beings, most of whom are guilty, if at nephesh to mean "soulish creature," or imply a time when mere was only a single all, by association. I could not help higher animal that can show emotion, woman. At most, we can say diat there was wondering what would happen if Ross whereas the text makes clear that the once an evolutionary bottleneck, when and his co-religionists decide that Jews waters also swarm with creatures with there were only a relatively few women, or skeptics or liberal Protestants or crit­ nephesh. Thus, nephesh does not mean and since men all lineages but mitochon­ ical book reviewers are reprobate and soulish creature but rather any creature drial Eve's have died out. Mitochondrial need to be excised. with the spark of life. Eve may or may not be the ancestor of all Similarly, Ross argues, incorrectly, living women, but she was certainly not This is a shortened version of a review published in the Rocky Mountain Skeptic, July 2000. Many that chayyah necessarily means long- the ancestor of all women who ever lived. thanks to Mike Grant of the University of legged land mammal and therefore that Nor was chromosomal Adam the ancestor Colorado for checking my biology, Shirley and remes necessarily refers to short-legged of all men who ever lived. Gideon Weisz for checking my Hebrew, and Lowell Yemin for supplying the reference by land mammals such as rodents, hares, Ross knows—or ought to know—all Morgan and Turner. and armadillos. These mistranslations are this, but his gullible readers do not, and required by Ross's insistence that God is he exploits them with many such spe­ leading up to the creation of humans and cious arguments. References Morgan, K. Z., and J. E. Turner. 1973. Principles are typical of litetalists' thinking: force What is truly appalling about this oj Radiation Protection, Krieger: Huntington, the translation to agree with your pre­ book, however, is the cavalier way in N. Y. conceived notion, no matter what. which Ross justifies mass murder and Young, Matt. 1998. The Bible as a science text. The myth that God created Eve from genocide by the ancient Israelites. Rocky Mountain Skeptic. November/ December, pp. 2-4 (review ol Schroeder, Adam's rib is too much even for Ross. Instead of a primitive people callously Gerald L., 1997. The Science of God. (New Ross claims that it is based on a mis­ using God as justification for slaughter­ York: Free Press). translation. In fact, says Ross, God took a biopsy from Adam and used genetic engineering to create Eve. (An odd way What Humanism to go about it, since Eve has more genes Stands For than Adam; God should have made Eve first and then pruned.) Ross is plainly MARK DURM wrong. The text states in so many words that God removed one of Adam's ribs Humanist Manifesto 2000: A Call for a New Planetary and filled the void with flesh. You don't Humanism. By Paul Kurtz. Prometheus Books, Amherst, need to fill a small biopsy with flesh. New York, 2000. ISBN 1-57392-783-X. 76 pp. Speaking of DNA, Ross uses "mito­ Softcover, $7.95. chondrial Eve" to verify the date of Biblical Eve. Mitochondrial Eve is a Paul Kurtz introduces the political, economic, and religious hypothetical female who is the putative viewpoints in the world. Although we Humanist Manifesto 2000 with ancestor of all living women. Her exis­ who endorse this document share these comments: tence is inferred from studies of mito­ P common principles and values, we are prepared to modify our views in the chondrial DNA, which is passed The following recommendations are offered in modesty but with the con­ light of new knowledge, altered cir­ through the mother only. viction that they can contribute to a cumstances, and unforeseen problems Less well known than mitochondrial dialogue among the different cultural, that may arise. It is not possible to cre­ Eve is what I will call "chromosomal ate a permanent Manifesto, but it is Adam," the putative ancestor of all liv­ Mark Durm is a professor of psychology at useful and wise to devise a working ing men. Chromosomal Adam has been Athens State University, Athens, Alabama. document, open to revision.

52 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER BOOK REVIEWS

The document should be read by of humanism are: (1) that the dignity and with sufficient power to enforce its rul­ more people, studied by more politi­ autonomy of die individual are central val­ ings. One could argue that the most cians, considered by more ministers, and ues and that humanist ethics are commit­ controversial element in the Manifesto is discussed by more teachers. This ted to maximizing freedom of choice; (2) the recommendation for "an interna­ Humanist Manifesto 2000 is the fifth diat belief in self-determina­ tional system of taxation in order to such document. It was preceded by tion does not mean that humanists con­ assist the underdeveloped sectors of the Humanist Manifesto / (1933), Humanist done just any kind of human conduct; human family and to fulfill social needs Manifesto //(1973), A Secular Humanist and (3) that humanists recognize responsi- not fulfilled by market forces." Declaration (1980), and A Declaration of bilides and dudes to others. The final pages of the book list those Interdependence (1988). In what may be the Manifesto's most who endorse this Humanist Manifesto How can anyone argue with a philos­ controversial section, "The Need for 2000. These 141 endorsers are of many ophy that emphasizes "the values of free­ New Planetary Institutions," Kurtz different distinguished professions and dom and happiness and the virtues of argues for a stronger world body, mod­ from many different countries. The book universal human rights" and "believe[s] eled on the United Nations, but ends with the following paragraph: that it is possible to create a better stronger than the United Nations. He Those who endorse Humanist world"? Kurtz adds further "...we need uses the term "World Parliament" and Manifesto 2000 do not necessarily squarely to confront the severe eco­ says that elections should be based on agree with every provision in it. We do, nomic, social, and political problems the population, not governments. He fur­ however, accept its main principles and offer it in order to contribute to con­ world still faces. The of doom ther believes that the veto in the U.N.'s structive dialogue. We invite other are pessimistic; the Jeremiahs predict Security Council by the Big Five needs men and women representing different misfortune and calamity. We respond to be repealed. Moreover, he urges the traditions to join with us in working that, if our problems are to be solved, it development of an effective World for a better world in the planetary soci­ ety diat is now emerging. will be only by marshaling reason, sci­ Court and an International Judiciary ence, and human endeavor." In sections entitled "Prospects for a Better Future," "Ethics and Reason," "A A Gentle Guide Through 3HTQHA Universal Commitment to Humanity as a Whole," "The Need for New THE TRIUMPH the Evolution/ Planetary Institutions," "Optimism 10 3flUJIA1 about the Human Prospect," among Creationism Issue others, Kurtz weaves a strong argument OF EVOLUTION JAMES C. SULLIVAN for this particular kind of philosophy. M2IHOITA3D The Triumph of Evolution and the Failure of Creationism. In the "Ethics and Reason" section, Niles Eldredge By Niles Eldredge. W.H. Freeman and Company, 2000. Kurtz writes that the highest ethical val­ 223 pp. $24.95. ues are essential and should be realized in the humanist oudook. He argues that the his book is, obviously, intended to ists' relatively recent attempt to put Bible humanist movement has been unfairly go soft on creadonists. The subti- stories on an equal footing with science so blamed for the alleged moral breakdown de about "the failure of both can be taught as rival explanations in of society. He writes further diat human­ T the classroom, has, to Eldredge, some pre­ Crearionism" is printed backwards on the ist ethics "does not require agreement cover. Few will notice. The contents are posterous assertions. One of those is diat about theological or religious premises fairly gentle, too. the Genesis story is literally true. Thus, ... but it relates ethical choices ulti- scientific creationists maintain that Earth Eldredge goes over each creationist mately to shared human interests, wants, is only a little over 4,000 years old. This argument proposed against evolurion the­ needs, and values." Kurtz explains further runs counter to evolutionists who believe, ory. One by one, he refutes each disagree­ that humanists are not against religion, with substantial proof, rhat Earth is actu­ ment, as if he were calmly shooting clay but instead defend the separation of reli­ ally well over 3 billion years old. pigeons out of the sky. The author, how­ gion and state. Humanists are, however, This tome is for laypeople who wish to ever, treats the opposition with kindness against theocracies diat seek to impose t scientific crearionism and keep it out and dignity. one moral or religious code on everyone. of public school curriculums. , Bible fundamental- This same belief was espoused much ear­ Interestingly, only a handful of funda­ lier in die writings of the founding mental Christian sects still deny evolution­ fathers of die United States. James Sullivan writes from South Bend ary rheory while numerous denomina­ Some of the key principles in the ethics Indiana. tions have come to accept all or most of it.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 53 Evolutionists find it frustrating to "Phillip Johnson," says Eldredge, ence in general—and evolutionary debate the issue with scientific creation­ "is, hands down, the most visible and biology perhaps in particular—reflects ists. Every time evolutionists make a successful creationist of the 1990s. . . . an underlying philosophical stance he point, the odier side says die fact is [He] makes no bones about either his calls . . . atheistic." faked, misinterpreted, or just plain false. born-again Christian beliefs or his Yet, as Eldredge points out, evolution Yet scientific creationists' proofs, if conservative political views. ... In theory is well accepted today by most of indeed they have any, are scant and, at most of his earlier public presenta­ Johnson's co-religionists. best, hardly substantial. tions, Johnson spent most of his time Eldredge, a paleontologist, is a cura­ Some so-called learned men and attacking the fossil record—the old tor in the Department of Invertebrate women, scientists, teachers, and lawyers question of gaps and intermediacy. Paleontology at the American Museum among diem, have embraced scientific Johnson, in the rebuttal period [of his of Natural History. He has written creationism. And these people are hon­ current debate with evolutionists], numerous books on science, including est and decent folks, according to this finally gets down to some of the details some with Stephen Jay Gould. Even the book's author. Sadly, their religious faith of what really is somewhat novel about end notes in this book are interesting. guides dieir position against evolution. his approach: his insistence that sci­ It's highly recommended.

NEW BOOKS

Listing does not preclude future review. to some of the basic philosophical and con­ physics professor, rationalist, and writer shows ceptual questions underlying the formula­ how time symmetry at the quantum level Applied Common Sense. Bill Davies. tion of quantum mechanics, one of the most makes it possible to draw a model of underly­ WERD Technology, Inc., Unit 35B, Ste. baffling and far-reaching aspects of modern ing reality that is simpler and more symmetric 155, 10520 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, physics. The books consists of essays by lead­ than the conventional view. This reality is Ontario L4C 3C7, Canada. 2000. ISBN 0- ing thinkers in this field, who have been timeless, with no beginning, no end, and no 9681830-2-6. 214 pp. Softcover (no price inspired by the profound work of the late arrow of time. One consequence is that there given). An attempt to show how one can John Bell. Contributors include Rogct may be multiple universes. Throughout, apply common sense—a practical thought Penrose, Helmut Rauch, Alain Aspect, Gian Stenger emphasizes that the quantum world process that uses critical thinking and prag­ Carlo Ghirardi, Jon Magne Leinaas, Abner only appears mysterious when forced to obey Shimony, Kurt Gottfried, N. David matic intelligent decision making—to solve rules of everyday human experience and that Mermin, and Roman Jackiw. no one need think that any phenomena cur- problems or make rational decisions. The rendy lacking full scientific explanations can author supplies a series of short entries dis­ only be revealed by nonscientific or supernat­ cussing issues in the area of intelligence and Science Meets Alternative Medicine: What ural means. I.Q., gender differences, and politics. He the Evidence Says About Unconventional sometimes provides several viewpoints and Treatments. Edited by Wallace Sampson, identifies "evidence-based data" and "conser­ M.D., and Lewis Vaughn. Prometheus Unexplained Phenomena: Mysteries and vative" and "liberal" opinions. Books, 59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY Curiosities of Science, Folklore and Super­ 14228-2197. 2000. ISBN 1-57392-803-8. stition. Bob Rickard and John Michell. Bizarre Cases. The Committee for the 246 pp. Softcover, $19. An authoritative col­ Rough Guides, 345 Hudson Street, New Scientific Investigation of Claims of the lection of research articles and papers dedi­ York, NY 10014. 2000. ISBN 1-85828- Paranormal (CSICOP), P.O. Box 703, cated to die careful scrutiny of claims of alter­ 589-5. 390 pp. Softcover, $19.95. A well- Amherst, NY 14226-0703. 2000. 168 pp. native medicine presented at the conference illustrated guide to the rich variety of anom­ "Science Meets Alternative Medicine" in Softcover. $10. A collection of twenty-one alous and often bizarre phenomena that Philadelphia, sponsored by CSICOP and the articles from the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. The people have experienced diroughout the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine. It emphasis in this slender book is on mostly centuries. Organized into teleportation, was the first major North American program strange rains, wild talents, the madness of short pieces that involve classic case-study to explore the social movement of alternative crowds, the good folk, invisibles and other investigations of the paranormal. It is medicine. Scientists, , and scholars assailants, the haunted planet, signs and divided into sections on alternative medi­ such as Sampson, Paul Kurtz ("In Defense of portents, images, monsters, and living won­ cine, aliens, entities, urban legends, and Scientific Medicine"), Saul Green, James ders. The book combines selected chapters "mind games" (e.g., "Hidden Messages and Alcock, Barry L. Beyerstein, Ray Hyman, from the authors' two earlier books on unex­ the Bible Code" and "Superstition and the Arnold Relman, Rebecca Long, and Steven plained phenomena. Phenomena and Living Regression Effect"). The aim is to plant a Novella use scientific and rational criteria to Wonders. Don't look for heavy skepticism seed of skepticism and provide readers with review evidence for therapeutic claims, cri­ here. The authors say they approach things good-quality skeptical investigations and tique published studies, and discuss the meth­ with humility and wonder and they seek to information on bizarre claims not normally ods and principles of valid research. replace suspicion with delight, pessimism presented in most popular accounts. with curiosity, and belief widi a desire to understand. They suggest the location of Quantum Reflections. Edited by John Ellis Timeless Reality Symmetry, Simplicity, and truth is "not out there but in the human and Daniele Amati. Cambridge University Multiple Universes. Victor J. Stenger, Ph.D. imagination itself." Press, 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY Prometheus Books, 59 John Glenn Drive, 10011-4211. 2000. ISBN 0-521-63008-8. Amherst, NY 14228-2197. 2000. ISBN 1- 202 pp. Hardcover, $49.95. An introduction 57392-859-3. 396 pp. Hardcover, $33. A —Kendrick Frazier

54 Match/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER ARTICLES OF NOTE

Blackmore, Susan. "Into the Unknown." Upon considering evidence that docu­ ature to support endocrine-based personal­ New Scientist, November 4, 2000, p. 55. mented false memory occurs, they list three ity typing." In fact, even a teacher of alter­ "First Person" opinion piece in which ways to minimize such memories: encoding native medicine calls this form of therapy Blackmore announces she's given up on any influences, retrieval influences, and com­ "woo-woo crap." So why are the public chance of the reality of psychic phenomena. bined encoding and retrieval influences. housing residents healthier? Skeptics say it's (Published in iIn- issue, page 25.) Because an individuals failure to recollect due to the extra attention the residents are detailed information about an item is one of getting, and their belief that this therapy CA Forum on Theory in Anthropology: the main contributors to false memories, will work. Sex and Hoax in Samoa. Current "memory for specific item information plays Anthropology. 41(4):609-622, August- a central role in each of the techniques for Morris, Robert L. "Parapsychology in the October 2000. A three-article forum on the reducing false memories." 21st Century." The Journal of Parapsychology, Mead-Freeman controversy (see related item 64 (2): 123-137, June 2000. Morris revisits on page 57). The contents: Derek Freeman, Garland, Susan B. "A Healing Touch." his decade-old ten identified areas of potential "Was Margaret Mead Misled or Did She The Washington Post, October 24, 2000, difficulties that faced parapsychology at the Mislead on Samoa?"; Martin Orans, Health section, pp. 12-14, 17-18. A end of the twentieth century and offers six "Hoaxing, Polemics, and Science"; and Washington public housing neighborhood new strategies for updating this field into James E. Cote, "Was Coming of Age in Samoa is the scene for a HUD-funded "goddess- more modern times. Included in the list of Based on a 'Fateful Hoaxing'? A Close Look typing" form of alternative healing. This strategies: evaluating more completely what at Freeman's Claim Based on the Mead-Boas therapy, which includes personality typing has already been learned, focusing on valid Correspondence." Freeman then replies. according to three dominant glands (thy­ and reliable measures, breaking down the roid, adrena, pancreas) and the use of divisions between "skeptic" and "researcher," and integrating more effectively with the Dodson, Chad S., Wilma Koutstaal, and incense, candles, and gemstones, is in place knowledge of experts in other areas. Daniel I . Schacter. "Escape from Illusion: to help these residents "improve their lives Reducing False Memories." Trends in by managing stress, preventing chronic ill­ ness, and stopping self-destructive con­ Cognitive Sciences, 4(10):391-397, October duct." Skeptics of this type of therapy argue 2000. The authors ask, "How can memory ARTICLES OF NOTE that there is "nothing in the scientific liter­ misattributions be reduced or avoided?" Continued on page 57

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SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 200I 55 How to Live with Evolution

SUSAN BURY

s we ring in 2001, it's time we dence for evolution is overwhelming. doing the best we can; our present status finally wring out the public Here is an overview from Science and is not the ultimate goal of evolution. Adebate over whether evolution Creationism (National Academy of None of this changes the truth that our occurred and gave rise to the living Sciences 1999): species is unique in the planet's history. world. Evolution is real, and we are The evolution of all the organisms I've often heard religious people say among its products. Let's get over it, get that live on Earth today from ances­ that each of us is special in the eyes of with it, and get on with it. tors that lived in the past is at the core God. Evolution means that you are a of genetics, biochemistry, neurobiol­ unique product of eons of time, a singu­ Evolution was prominent not only in ogy, , ecology, and other the Kansas school board elections but biological disciplines. It helps to lar result of uncounted strands of cir­ also in a closely watched election for one explain the emergence of new infec­ cumstance over generations of human of the state's congressional seats. A quick tious diseases, the development of life. That is as special, glorious, and pro­ antibiotic resistance in bacteria, the found as any religious belief. tour of any news service finds plenty agricultural relationships among wild more head-shaking examples of contro­ and domestic plants and animals, the Step 2: Get With It. versy. A judge campaigning in Alabama composition of Earth's atmosphere, says creationism deserves at least equal the molecular machinery of the cell, If we're taught anything in school, it the similarities between human should be evolution and its meaning in billing with evolution in school instruc­ beings and other primates, and tion. A Minnesota high school teacher countless other features of the biolog­ our lives. Every person should under­ sues his school district for the right to ical and physical world. stand how our genetic heritage unfolds, teach evolution as a fallible theory rather from the egg uniting with the sperm than as accepted truth. Parents in Fort Bones of dinosaurs, mastodons, and through our time in the womb and our Collins, Colorado, protest when a pri­ assorted hominids were not planted by lifetime in the world. This knowledge vate school chartered to teach an God just to give us something to do in can help us understand our behavior, expanded science curriculum refuses to our spare time. (If so, God wouldn't have trends in our society, and the dynamics teach evolution. bothered with baseball.) These critters of world population. Seventy-five years after the Scopes existed in time and space. There will It won't be easy. We must give up the trial, this kind of public argument over always be debate over whether this fossil notion that life can be explained by sim­ evolution takes precious time and atten­ pre-dates fJiat one, whether one geological ple generalizations. To evaluate sweep­ tion away from critical current issues. stratum was thrust up through a later one. ing claims about genes and intelligence, It's time we all learned how to live with Yet the totality of evidence fits evolution. for example, you must understand the evolution. If DNA evidence persuaded you that complexity of how genes express them­ O.J. Simpson killed Ron Goldman and selves in the environment. "There is no Step 1: Get Over It. Nicole Simpson, then you must accept question that children inherit different Evolution fits the evidence, and the evi- that chimpanzees and people are 98 per­ profiles of brain physiology which affect cent the same genetically, that they and mental functioning," says Harvard psy­ Susan Bury is a writer in the areas of sci­ we descended from a common ancestor. chologist Jerome Kagan in Three ence and technology. She lives in Red The Neanderthals were our cousins, and Seductive Ideas. Yet he cites a study Lodge, Montana. they did the best they could. We're showing that children exposed to

56 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER FORUM

cocaine in the womb showed poor Step 3: Get On With It. about "intelligence," accept the stagger­ recognition memory but were not If you think God wants you to act ing complexity of individual human impaired on other cognitive skills. "The morally and do right by your children, development, and try to bring out the decision to average the performances on just think how important it is for the best in each of us. a varied set of tests that require different products of evolution to fly straight. A writer friend who's published more talents in order to come up with one There's no plan to evolution; the than a dozen nature books says that evo­ value called intelligence," Kagan writes, future depends on how we behave. lution doesn't preclude a benevolent "is not logical." With every breath, bite of food, and God who set the process in motion. If you serve on a jury before which elimination of waste, we are part of a We'll always ponder whether we will in DNA evidence is presented, you need at biological exchange with the rest of fact encounter God. While that remains least a clue about what DNA means. If life. With every act of decency, every unknowable, let's get on with what we you're concerned about and die cruelty or falsehood, we affect the well- know. Let's act responsibly in light of role of health insurance, you'd better being of our community. We are the truth of evolution. understand the connection between DNA responsible for determining our effect icst inj; and the actual risk of disease. on everything around us: whether References Most crucially, anyone still arguing we're causing joy or pain, health or Beem, Kate. 2000. Kansas Evolution Battles Go over whether humans evolved is sickness. Evolution places as heavy a Against Conservatives. Kansas City Star IK.iiis.is City), August 2. falling behind the much more impor­ moral accountability on us as any reli­ Farney, Dennis. 2000. Darwin's Shadow Falls on tant debates about whether to regulate gious teaching. Heated GOP Fight in Kansas. The Wall Stmt cloning research, allow people to Much has been made of the evolu­ Journal, July 6. Kagan, Jerome. 2000. Three Seductive Ideas. breed designer children, and a host of tionary roots of differences between Harvard University Press paperback edition: other questions. While fundamental­ men and women. Yet, men are not from Cambridge, MA. ists waste time arguing that we were Mars, and women are not from Venus. Ridley, Matt. 1999. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: hand-made by God, scientists and The sexes evolved together here on HarperCollins. entrepreneurs are playing God by iso­ Earth. Instead of snickering and sniping Steering Committee on Science and Creationism, lating and marketing the very sub­ at one another, let's respect our differ­ National Academy of Sciences. 1999. Science and Creationism: A View from the National stances of life. As a society, we'd better ences along with our basic biological Academy of Sciences, Second Edition. get up to speed. unity. Let's stop looking for easy answers Washington, DC: National Academy Press. D

ARTICLES OF NOTE anthropological research into adolescent characterize and review key aspects of from page 55 sexuality in Samoa as pressed vociferously this controversy in an attempt to put an by Australian anthropologist Derek end to those things for which a reasonable Freeman. (See SI, November/December consensus can be reached, and to put in Rhodes, Richard. "The Media-Violence 1998, May/June 1999, November/De­ context those issues that are likely to Myth." Rolling Stone, November 23. cember 2000.) The contents: James Cote, remain matters of opinion easily influenced 2000, pp. 55-58. "Across 500 years, homi­ "The Mead-Freeman Controversy in by ideological preconceptions." cide rates progressively declined to their Review"; Paul Shankman, "Culture, modern lows, and continued to do so Biology, and Evolution: The Mead- Spinney, Laura. "Blind to Change." New despite the increasing number of media Freeman Controversy Revisited"; Stephen Scientist, November 18, 2000, pp. 28-32. In technologies," writes Rhodes. So do die O. Murray and Regna Darnell. "Margaret an article about "change blindness ... a phe­ claims that media-violence creates violent Mead and Paradigm Shifts Within nomenon that suggests we see far less than children have merit? Rhodes sums them Anthropology During the 1920s"; James E. we think," Spinney calls upon several studies up in two words, "They're baloney." In Cote, "The Implausibility of Freeman's in this area and discusses the "unnerving fact, results from scientific studies are Hoaxing Theory: An Update;" and Hiram consequences" of taking in only tiny pieces proving the exact opposite. As sociologist Caton, "The Mead/Freeman Controversy of information at a time. "Our impression of Steven Messner says, "When people are Is Over: A Retrospect." An appendix gives seeing everything is just that, an impression. home watching TV, dicy'rc not out com­ In fact, we extract a few details and rely on mitting crimes." excerpts from the Mead-Boas correspon­ dence. Some observers have wearied of this memory, or perhaps even our imagination, controversy, others consider it one of the for the rest," says Spinney. She writes that Special Issue: The Mead-Freeman most important in the social because our picture of the world is less dian Controversy in Review. Journal of Youth sciences ever (the 1998 book Great Feudi complete at any given time, "there is die and Adolescence. 29(5):525-616, October in Science, by Hal Hellman, includes it as potential for distortion and error." 2000. A multidisciplinary research journal "one of the ten liveliest disputes ever"). devotes an entire issue to die controversy Writes issue editor James E. Cote: "The —-Jodi Chapman and about the validity of Margaret Mead's authors of this issue have set out to Kendrick Frazier

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/Apnl 2001 57 Research on the Feeling of Being Stared At

RUPERT SHELDRAKE

wo recent articles in the duced himself and asked them to fill in jects were looked at from behind by Baker SKEPTICAL INQUIRER have a response sheet. himself, together with a student, at ran­ claimed that the feeling of being Baker's prediction was that people dom intervals, and asked to say when they T thought they were being looked at. They stared at is an illusion. Both have engrossed in an activity would "never" attempted to refute my own experimen­ attend to a sensation of being stared at. were told that they would be stared at for tal research on the subject, which indi­ Thirty-five out of forty people checked die five one-minute periods during a twenty- cates that many people do indeed have expected response: "During the last 5 min­ minute trial. In accordance with his an unexplained ability to detect stares. utes 1 was totally unaware that anyone was expectations, he found that their guesses A variety of surveys have shown that looking at me." But two people reported were no better than chance. most people believe they can feci unseen that they had been aware that they were Why were these results so different stares (Sheldrake 1994). In his article "being observed and stared at" and three from the consistently positive and statis­ "Can we tell when someone is staring at reported they felt something was "wrong." tically significant effects obtained by us?" (March/April 2000 SI) Robert A. Baker noted that while he was staring at myself and others, even when subjects Baker, a CSICOP Fellow, dismissed this these very subjects, "All three stood up, were blindfolded and separated from belief as false. "Skeptics . . . believe that looked around, shifted their position sev­ starers by closed windows (Sheldrake it is nothing more than a superstition eral times and appeared to be momentar­ 2000)? There are several relevant differ­ anoVor a response to subtle signals from ily distracted on a number of occasions." ences in procedure. the environment" (Baker 2000, p. 40). The answers of these five people In my own experimental design, in a He claimed to provide empirical evi­ went against Baker's prediction, so he series of 20 trials there were more or less dence to support his presuppositions. retrospectively introduced another crite­ equal numbers of control and looking David Marks (also a CSICOP Fellow) rion. He ruled that subjects should be trials, whereas in Baker's there were 15 and John Colwell in their article "The able to say where he had been sitting control and only 5 looking one-minute psychic staring effect: An artifact of when he was looking at them. None periods. This peculiar feature precluded pseudo randomization" (September/ could. He regarded their inability to do a straightforward statistical analysis of October 2000 SI) claimed that my own so as a "good reason to believe that they the results. Each subject was allowed results were an artifact arising from one of were . . . not aware that they were being only five guesses as to when they were the randomization procedures I have fol­ viewed" (Baker 2000, p. 40). But this being looked at. If guesses were entirely lowed: "When random sequences are begs the question. A sensitivity to being random, misses would be three times used people can detect staring at no better stared at does not necessarily imply an more probable than hits. than chance rates," they asserted. In this awareness of the position of the starer. In my experiments each trial lasted article I show that this claim is not true. To complete his analysis, Baker "dis­ only about 10 seconds, but Baker used Both papers are seriously flawed, and nei­ carded" the results from the two people 60-second trial periods. In preliminary ther stands up to skeptical scrutiny. who said they knew they had been stared tests, I found that subjects gave the at. He regarded them as "suspect" because highest percentage of correct guesses Baker's "Demonstrations" one claimed she was constandy being spied when they were asked to guess quickly, For his first demonstration Baker on, and the other claimed he had extrasen­ without spending much time thinking selected people who were engrossed in sory ability. But if the sense of being stared about their response. eating or drinking, watching TV, work­ at really exists, people with paranoid ten­ Baker also introduced three different ing at computer terminals or reading in dencies might be more sensitive than most sources of distraction for his subjects: the University of Kentucky library. He (Sheldrake 1994), and so might people 1. Beside each time on the specimen unobtrusively positioned himself behind who claim to have extrasensory abilities. score sheet shown in Baker's paper there them and stared at them. He then intro­ In Baker's second demonstration sub­ was a pair of unexplained numbers, for

58 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER FOLLOW-UP

example: 0801 1&2; 0802 2&3 (Baker, Marks and Colwell's Claims being looked at, a situation with no par­ 2000, p. 38). I wrote to Baker to ask for In January 2000 die British Journal of allel in real-life experience; and under a clarification, but his reply confused Psychology published a paper entitled these conditions their guesses were no matters further. He said that the times "The ability to detect unseen staring: A better than chance. Hence an asymmetry shown on his specimen time-sheet literature review and empirical tests" by between the two kinds of trials would be "were not on the subject's time-sheet at John Colwell, Sadi Schroder and David expected if there really were an ability to all—since they, of course, would differ Sladen. In dieir principal experiment, detect unseen staring. By contrast, if sub­ from subject to subject. The 1 &2 indi­ diey used mediods based on my own jects were cheating or responding to sub­ cates the first minute, the numbers 2&3 procedures, and followed my own ran­ tle sensory clues, scores should be ele­ indicates the second minute of the domized sequences of trials. They vated symmetrically in both looking and time-period, etc." obtained strikingly significant (p<0.001) the not-looking trials. If I had been one of Baker's subjects, positive results that closely resembled my I would have been at a loss to under­ own findings (Sheldrake 1998, 1999). Experiment One stand his instructions. If I thought I was However, they argued mat their partici­ In their first experiment Colwell et al. being stared at, to start with I would pants' positive scores did not support the (2000) followed my own procedures in have had to calculate from the clock in idea that people really can feel stares; most respects, but instead of testing a which minute this happened. Then I instead, diey were an artifact diat arose large number of subjects in just one or would have had to decide where to write from "die detection and response to two sessions, as in my own experiments, my response. Say I felt I was being stared structure" present in my randomized they tested twelve subjects in twelve suc­ at in the seventh minute. Would I write sequences. This is the paper on which cessive sessions. And instead of die par­ my response on the line labeled 6&7 or Marks and Colwell based their SI article. ticipants working in pairs, taking turns on the line labeled 7&8? as starers and subjects, one of the 2. The instructions published by The Background to diis Controversy authors, Sadi Schroder, was the sole Baker are self-contradictory. He says In my book Seven Experiments That starer in all sessions. In the first three that the subjects were told that there Could Change the World (1994) I sessions the subjects received no feed­ would be five one-minute staring peri­ described how the feeling of being back; in the following nine they received ods. Yet the specimen instruction- stared at could be investigated empiri­ immediate feedback as to whether their sheet states that subjects would be cally both simply and inexpensively. As guesses were correct or not. stared at "five times for two minutes well as carrying out many experiments In the sessions with feedback, in the each." Baker now concedes that this of my own, I published detailed instruc­ looking trials 59.6 percent of the guesses was an error (Baker, personal commu­ tions on my Web site (www.sheldrake were correct. By contrast, in the not- nication, May 27, 2000). To confuse .org) and more than 20,000 trials have looking trials the results were exacdy at matters further, in his article the one- now been carried out, many of them in chance levels, with 50 percent correct minute staring periods are also schools and colleges. These experiments (figure IB). The overall accuracy of the described as "five-minute periods" have given positive, repeatable, and subjects' guesses was significant at the (Baker 2000, p. 38). highly significant results, implying that p<0.001 level. These findings were in 3. Not only did Baker instruct his there is indeed a widespread sensitivity remarkable agreement with my own and subjects to guess when they were being to being stared at from behind those of other investigators. But Marks stared at, but they were also asked to (Sheldrake 1998, 1999, 2000). and Colwell (2000) tried to dismiss compare dieir guess with dieir responses The results showed a characteristic diem as an artifact. in other periods so rJiat diey could and highly repeatable pattern, with The first point in Marks and Colwell's change their previous guesses, if they highly significant positive scores in the argument was diat die positive results wanted to. This instruction might well looking trials and scores close to the were obtained when subjects were given have helped to distract subjects still fur­ chance level of 50% in the not-looking feedback. I too have found diat subjects ther from their immediate feelings. trials (figure la). perform better widi feedback (Sheldrake Like Baker, I predict that those who This pattern is consistent widi an 1994, 1999). We also agree that feedback follow his experimental methods ability to detect unseen staring can enable die participants to improve (including his ambiguous instructions) (Sheldrake 1998, 1999). If die sense their performance widi practice. Colwell are likely to replicate his negative results. of being stared at is real, it would et al. (2000) provided clear evidence for a But I also predict that my own positive be expected to work when people are learning effect, with a significant results should be replicable by those indeed being stared at. In the not- (p<0.003) linear trend of improvement in who use similar methods to my own looking trials the subjects were being accuracy over nine sessions. (Sheldrake 1998, 1999, 2000). asked to detect die absence ok a feeling of Marks and Colwell then postulated

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 59 FOLLOW-UP

that the subjects' success when they were not have been above chance levels and take it for granted that changing the given feedback was due to an implicit shown such an improvement in succes­ starer made no difference? learning of structures hidden in my ran­ sive sessions. This might have occurred Such experimenter effects are not domized sequences. They showed by because they could indeed detect when symmetrical. The detection of Schlitz's means of several tests that my sequences they were being stared at. stares by the participants under condi­ deviated from "structureless" randomness. tions that excluded sensory cues implies Ironically, this was because I adopted a Experiment Two the existence of an unexplained sensitiv­ recommendation by Wiseman and Smith Colwell et al.'s second experiment was ity to stares. By contrast, the failure to (1994) to use counterbalanced sequences designed to test their pattern-detection detect Wiseman's stares implies only that containing equal numbers of looking and hypothesis by using "structureless" ran- Wiseman was an ineffective starer. not-looking trials. Like Marks Perhaps his negative expecta­ and Colwell, Wiseman and 70-i tions consciously or uncon­ Smith (1994) obtained an • Right • Wrong sciously influenced the way 60- unexpectedly positive result in he looked at the subjects. 50- a staring experiment and then In Colwell et al.'s Ex­ tried to explain it as an artifact ! 40- periment Two, the starer, of the randomization proce­ 30- Sladen, as one of the pro­ dure, but in their case they 20- ponents of the pattern-detec­ attributed it to a lack of coun­ tion hypothesis, was presum­ 10- terbalancing. ably expecting a nonsignifi­ The crux of Marks and 0 cant result. His negative Colwell's argument was that looking % not looking % total % expectations could well have because of the deviations from A. Combined results from experiments carried out with adults and in influenced the way in which "structureless" randomness in schools. (Data from Sheldrake 1999, Table 5. Total number of trials: he stared at the participants. It 13.900). my sequences, participants would be interesting to know 70 if Sadi Schroder, the graduate given feedback could have 1 • Right • Wrong learned implicitly to detect pat­ 60- student who acted as starer in Experiment One, was more terns, for example that there o) 50- was a relatively high probability open to the possibility that I 40- of an alternation after "two of a a> people really can detect when kind." But they offered no evi­ § 30- they are being stared at. a. dence that their participants in 20- Other Relevant fact learned to follow such 10- Experiments rules. They also failed to men­ Marks and Colwell claimed tion a fundamental flaw in 0- looking % not looking % total % that their pattern-detection their hypothesis, perhaps hop­ hypothesis invalidated the ing that readers would not spot B. Data from the trials with feedback in Colwell et al.'s Experiment One (Data from Colwell et al. 2000, Table 1. Total number of trials: 2,160). positive results of staring it. Implicit learning should in experiments carried out by principle enable participants to Figure 1. Percentages of correct and incorrect guesses in experiments on the feeling of being stared at. Data for looking trials, not-looking trials, myself and others. If these improve equally in looking and the overall totals are shown separately. experiments had involved and not-looking trials. But this pseudo-random sequences and feed­ is not what happened; significant dom sequences. Sure enough, this time back, as required by their hypothesis, improvements occurred only in the look­ there was no significant overall positive their criticism might have been rele­ ing trials (figure lb). score, although in two of the three ses­ vant. But this is not how the tests were Unlike Marks and Colwell (2000), sions there was a highly significant done, as they would have seen for Colwell et al. (2000) explicitly acknowl­ excess of correct guesses in the looking themselves if they had read mv pub­ edged this problem, but could only sug­ trials. lished papers on the subject. gest that participants may have "focused At first sight, the overall non-signifi­ more on the detection of staring than cant result seems to confirm their First, in more man 5,000 of my own non-staring episodes." This begs the hypothesis. But Marks and Colwell trials, the randomization was indeed question. The subjects must have selec­ (2000) omitted to mention the crucial "structureless," and was carried out by each tively detected when staring trials were fact that in Experiment Two there was a starer before each trial by tossing a coin happening, otherwise their scores would different starer, David Sladen. Can we (Sheldrake 1999, Tables 1 and 2). The

60 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER FOLLOW-UP same was true of more than 3,000 trials in consistent with such an ability. They ability to detect unseen staring: A literature attempted to dismiss these findings with review and empirical tests. British Journal of German and American schools (Sheldrake Psychology 91: 71 -85. 1998). Thus die highly significant positive question-begging arguments. In their Marks, D., and J. Colwell. 2000. The psychic star­ results in these experiments cannot be "an second experiments, which gave the ing effect: An artifact of pseudo randomiza­ tion. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER September/ artifact of pseudo randomization." non-significant results they expected, an October 24(5): 41. Second, when I developed the coun­ investigator with negative expectations Schlitz, M., and S. LaBerge, S. 1994. Autonomic terbalanced sequences that Marks and acted as the starer. This arrangement detection of remote observation: Two concep­ tual replications. Proceedings of the Para- Colwell describe as pseudo-random, I provided favorable conditions for exper­ psychological Association 37th Annual Conven­ changed the experimental design so diat imenter effects, already known to occur tion. Parapsychological Association. 352-360. feedback was no longer given to the sub­ in staring experiments (Wiseman and . 1997. Covert observation increases skin conductance in subjects unaware of when they jects. Since the pattern-detection hypoth­ Schlitz 1997). Both Baker and Marks arc being observed: A replication. Journal of esis depends on feedback, it cannot and Colwell also failed to mention a Parapsychology 61: 185-195. account for the fact diat in more than large body of published data that went Sheldrake, R. 1994. Seven Experiments That Could Change the World: A do-it-yourself Guide to 10,000 trials without feedback there were against their conclusions. In short, their Revolutionary Science. London: Fourth Estate. still highly significant positive results claims were misleading and ill-informed. Sheldrake, R. 1998. The sense of being stared at: (Sheldrake 1999, Tables 3 and 4). experiments in schools. Journal of the Society Acknowledgment for Psychical Research 62: 311 -323. . 1999. The "sense of being stared at" Conclusions I am grateful to Brian Evans for helpful com­ confirmed by simple experiments. Biology ments on a draft of this article. Forum 92: 53-76. In spite of their prior assumption that an -. 2000. The "sense of being stared at" does ability to detect unseen staring must be References not depend on known sensory clues. Biology illusory, both Baker (2000) and Colwell Forum 93: 209-224. Baker, RA. 2000. Can we tell when someone is star­ Wiseman, R.. and M. Schlitz. 1997. Experimenter et al. (2000) in their first experiments ing ai us? SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 24(2): 34-40. effects and the remote detection of staring. obtained unexpected positive results Colwell, J, S. Schroder, and D. Sladen. 2000. The Journal of Parapsychology 61: 199-207. Robert Baker Replies to Sheldrake

ROBERT A. BAKER

ometimes efforts to clarify and noid" and the "psychic") where is the understanding what they were supposed explain only lead to further confu­ evidence they are "more sensitive than to do and acted appropriately. Ssion. This seems to be the case in most" to the detection of being stared Sheldrake was correct however in the my efforts to answer Sheldrake's ques­ at? How are "psychics" and "paranoids" fact that on the sample time sheet on page tions about my "Staring" article (SI identified and evaluated? 38 of my SI article the last line of the text March/April 2000). In my second demonstration states "five times for two minutes each In my first demonstration Sheldrake Sheldrake argues there are pairs of during the experimental period." This, of argues that the three subjects (Ss) who unexplained numbers (e.g., 0801, course, is an error. It should have read "stood up, looked around, shifted their 0802, etc.). By no means are these "for one minute each...." positions several times, and appeared to numbers "unexplained." On page 38 of Sheldrake's argument that by allowing be momentarily distressed . . ." still my SI article a sample subject's time Ss to change their prior guesses would dis­ could have been aware of being stared sheet clearly states time in minutes from tract them from their immediate feelings at. Sheldrake also states "a sensitivity to stan at 0800 pm and then lists 0801, I find totally unconvincing. being stared at does not necessarily 0802, etc. through 0820. Since each S's Finally, Sheldrake's attempt to imply an awareness of the position of starting time differed from other Ss, shoot down the results of my two the starer." True, but "being momentar­ there were different numbers for each S. demonstrations has failed completely ily distracted, etc." does not prove the Ss The time sheet on page 38 was merely and I stand firmly with my original knew they were being stared at either! A an example. conclusion that "it is prudent to con­ distraction could have myriad causes. I can unequivocally state that none of clude that people cannot tell when As for the two others (i.e., the "para- the experimental Ss had any difficulty they are being stared at."

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/Apnl 2001 61 FOLLOW-UP

Fooling and Falling into the Feeling of Being Stared At

DAVID MARKS and JOHN COLWELL

heldrake is convinced that his staring as well as staring trials. As The Influence of the Starer research indicates that many people Sheldrake notes, an explanation for the Sheldrake claims that the lack of an S"have an unexplained ability to detection of staring but not for non-star­ effect in Colwell et al. (2000) Experi­ detect stares." Sheldrake appears to be ing in Experiment 1 was suggested by ment 2 could have resulted from the impervious to the suggestion that his Colwell et al. (2000). The task was to change of starer, not from the use of research was poorly controlled and his detect unseen staring and so participants properly randomized, structureless results created by implicit learning of were likely to focus on the detection of sequences. Sheldrake argues that the pseudo-random sequences. Yet that is the staring trials. Given the clear evidence of ability to detect unseen staring is so truth of the situation, as we show below. structure in Sheldrake's sequences, it prevalent and strong (a large effect) that it can be detected in one sequence of twenty trials with no feedback. The Falling into the feeling that detecting stares is a first three sequences in Experiment 1 genuine ability. Sheldrake has fooled himself with were tests of these claims, but they also provided a direct test of SS's ability to his flawed methods and fervent beliefs. "facilitate" detection. The improve­ ment in detection found in the later sequences coincided with feedback, The Alleged Robustness of would be possible for implicit learning to which contained information on Detecting Stares produce improvements for both staring structure in the sequences. Thus in As pointed out in our earlier article, and non-staring trials. However, this Experiment 1, the availability of infor­ Sheldrake repeatedly has used insuffi­ would have involved more cognitive mation about the structure was varied, cient controls in his research to ensure effort, possibly beyond the participants' but the starer was kept constant, sug­ acceptable internal validity, and his capabilities. Also there is evidence that gesting that the effect was due to the results are in serious doubt. There can participants find it easier to detect pat­ manipulation of information about be little confidence in data supplied by terns and structure for events than non- the structure. anyone when there is no knowledge of events. For example, Marks (1970) A second starer, David Sladen (DS), the conditions under which they were observed that "a run of events has more was used in Experiment 2 because the produced. 20,000, or even 20 million, effect in determining subsequent predic­ original starer, Sadi Schroder (SS), was inadequately described or poorly con­ tions than a run of 'non-events' (i.e. unavailable. Sheldrake suggests that the trolled trials may well appear to be "pos­ absences)." This was found to be the case two starers may have differed in their itive, repeatable, and highly significant" in binary guessing behavior when die beliefs concerning the ability to detect but they count for nothing. The quality structural characteristics remained con­ unseen staring. In reality such differ­ of evidence is much more important stant for events and non-events. Thus a ences were very slight. SS was inclined than its quantity. sequence of stares, with feedback, is to think that an effect would be found. likely to be associated with implicit DS approached the task with an open Implicit Learning learning in which response patterns will mind and was very receptive to the pos­ Sheldrake claims that the linear trend of eventually match stimulus patterns. The sibility of finding paranormal phenom­ improvement in Colwell et al.'s (2000) sequence of non-stares, on the other ena. DS joined the research at the Experiment 1 cannot be due to implicit hand, is less salient and its patterning less beginning of Experiment 2 and was not learning, since this mechanism would easily learned, exactly as Sheldrake and familiar with the results of Experiment have produced improvement in non- Colwell et al. (2000) have found. 1. In sharp contrast to Sheldrake's

62 March/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER suggestion that DS could have been expecting a non-significant result, DS FILL IN THE GAPS IN YOUR was unaware of the hypothesis. It should be added that John Colwell, the princi­ Skeptical Inquirer COLLECTION pal investigator, was also open to find­ • 15% discount on orders of $100 or more • ing the staring detection effect in both • $6.25 a copy, Vols. 1-18 ($5.00 Vols. 19-22). To order, use reply card insert • experiments. Only DM was skeptical JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2001 (vol. 25, no. 1): Special Religion' movement. Scoff / Science and the versus of from the very beginning, and he was Section: Issues in Alternative Medicine: Medicine wars, religion, Palevitz I Science vs. religion, Pazameta I Seidman I Herbal and dietary supplements. Anthropic design, Stenger I Scientific skepticism, CSI- not present during any of the experi­ Allen I Psychoactive herbal medications, Spinella I COP. and the local groups. Novella and Bloomberg I ments and did not participate in any of , Homola I Damaged goods? Science and Two mind-sets, Allen I God is dead, after the weather child sexual abuse, Hagen I Special Report: Science and sports, Reiss I Whence religious belief?. Pinker I the analyses. Thus Sheldrake's point indicators 2000/ Facilitated communi­ Non-overlapping magisteria. Gould I cation, Gardner. You can't have it both ways: about the change of starer is a complete Irreconcilable differences?, Dawkins I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2000 (vol. 24, The concerns of science. Mayrl The reli­ red herring. no. 6): The face behind the Face on gious views of Stephen Gould and Mars, Posner I The new para natural , Gardner. paradigm, Kurtz I Francis Bacon and MAY/JUNE 1999 (vol. 23. no. 3): Special Structureless Sequences the true ends of skepticism, Friedberg Section: Urban legends- The snuff film, I Worlds in collision: Where reality Stine I Bitter harvest: The organ-snatch­ A final point raised by Sheldrake con­ meets the paranormal, Radford / Why ing urban legends. Radford I Bigfoot's bad beliefs don't die, Lester I screen test, Daegling and Schmitt I cerns his claim to have used structureless Supernatural power and cultural evo­ Tracking Bigfoot on the Internet, lution, Layng I The brutality of Dr. Zuefle I Statement analysis. Shearer I sequences in which evidence ol the Bettelheim. Gardner. NAGPRA, science, and the demon- detection of unseen staring was found haunted world, Clark I Urine therapy, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2000 (vol. 24. Gardner. (Sheldrake 1999). In fact this alleged no. 5): and the belief gene. Park I Rogerian Nursing Theory, lack of structure was assumed, and not Raskin I Sun sign columns, Dean and MARCH/APRIL 1999 (vol. 23. no. 2): Mather/ The psychic staring effect, Marks and Colwell I Special Report: The ten-percent myth, Radford I actually tested, since the sequences were Management of positive and negative responses in a Superstition and the regression effect, Kruger, Savitsky, spiritualist medium consultation, Greasley I The laws of and Giktvich I Psychology of the seance. IrVTseman / devised by tossing a coin. It is accepted and archaeology, van Leusen I Hidden messages nature: A skeptic's guide, Pazameta I Special Report: On in DNA?, Larhammar and Chatzidimitriou I The real Chief that this method does not produce ran­ ear cones and candles, Kaushall and KaushallI Little Red Seattle was not a spiritual ecologist. Abruzzi I Joint pain dom sequences, and the interested Riding Hood, Gardner. and weather. Quick I Acupressure, zone therapy and JULY/AUGUST 2000 (vol. 24, no. 4): Thought Field reflexology, Gardner reader is referred to the comprehensive Therapy: Can we really tap our problems away?, Gaudiano and Herbert I Absolute skepticism equals JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1999 (vol. 23, no. 1): Special discussion on testing for randomiciry by dogmatism, Bunge I Did a of the third Report: Armageddon and the prophets of doomsday- kind occur on a Japanese beach in 1803?, Tanaka I Fears of the apocalypse, Kurtz I The Bible and the Knuth (1997). Rethinking the dancing mania, Bartholomew/ Has sci­ prophets of doom, Larue I Science and pseudoscience ence education become an enemy of scientific ratio­ in Russia, Kapitza I Testing dowsing: The failure of the nality?, Ede / Krakatene: Explosive pseudoscience from Munich experiments. Enright I A fallibilist among the Conclusion the Czech Academy of science. Slanina I David Bohm cynics, Haack I The internet: A world brain?, Gardner. and Krishnamurti, Gardner. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1998 (vol. 22. no. 6): Gaps in the Sheldrake's paranormal claim about the fossil record: A case study, Thomas / The Martian Panic detection of staring is unsupported by the MAY/JUNE 2000 (vol. 24. no. 3): Special Report: The sixty years later Bartholomew I The perils of post-hock- new bogus MJ-12 documents, Klass I Mass delusions ery. Ruscio I May the force be with you. Krauss I The evidence. Much of Sheldrake's research and hysterias of the past millennium, Bartholomew Mead-Freeman controversy: A fresh look: Much ado and Goode I Doomsday fears at RHIC, Guiterrez I Save about nothing The 'Fateful Hoaxing" of Margaret Mead, has used pseudo-random sequences our science: The struggle for rationality at a French C6l61 Margaret Mead, Derek Freeman, and the issue of university. Broch I Paraneuroscience?, Kirkland I evolution, Shankman I Second World Skeptics Congress: which enables pattern learning to take Bohm's guided wave theory, Gardner. Science and reason, foibles and , and doomsdays place, creating above-chance-level guess­ MARCH/APRIL 2000 (vol. 24. no. 2): Risky business: / Science and the unknowable, Gardner Vividness, availability, and the media paradox. Ruscio I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1998 (vol. 22, no. 5): Special ing rates for the detection of stares. These Physics and the paranormal. 1 Hooft I Efficacy of Section: What are the chances?. Coincidences: prayer. Tessman and Tessman I Can we tell if someone Remarkable or random?, Martin I Numerology: Comes rates are enhanced by the addition of is staring at us?. Baker I Assessing the quality of med­ the revolution, Dudley I Calculated risks. Cole I How to ical Web sites, Levi I The demon-haunted sentence, study weird things, Trocco / Why would people nof feedback. In falling into the feeling that believe weird things?. Anderson I Starkle, starkle, little Byrne and Normand I Mad messiahs, Gardner. twink, Hayes / Of planets and cognitions: The use of detecting stares is a genuine ability. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2000 (vol. 24, no. 1): Special deductive inference in the natural sciences and psy­ Sheldrake has fooled himself with his Report: The ten outstanding skeptics of the twentieth chology, Schlinger Jr. I What's going on at Temple century/Two paranormal isms of two and a half?. Goode University?, Gardner. flawed methods and fervent beliefs. / Anna Eva Fay, Poltdoro I The pseudoscience of oxygen therapy, Allen I Confessions of a (former) graphologist, TripkJan I The Second Coming of Jesus, Gardner. JULY/AUGUST 1998 (vol. 22, no. 4): Special Report: References Mars Global Surveyor photographs 'Face on Mars'. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1999 (vol. 23, no. 6): The Morrison I Magnetic therapy: Plausible attraction, Colwell, J., S. Schroder, and D. Sladen. 2000. The Universe and Carl Sagan, Davidson I The millennium Livingston I Biomagnetic pseudoscience and nonsense claims, Sabadell I Catching up with eighteenth century ability to detect unseen staring: A literature thought contagion, Lynch / Debunking the : A response to astrology, Kelly /The physics behind four science in the evaluation of therapeutic touch. Bail and review and empirical tests. British Journal of amazing demonstrations. Willey I Another Alexander I Paranormal depictions in the media: How Psycbology 9l: 7\-85. put to rest Sweet / Special Report: Blooming shroud do they affect what people believe?. Sparks I Planting claims. Nickell I The star of Bethlehem. Gardner. a seed of doubt. Shneour I Essiac: The not-so-remark­ Knuth, D.E. 1997. The art of computer program­ able cancer remedy. McCutcheon I Near-Earth objects: ming: Vol II. Seminumerical algorithms (3* ed.) SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1999 (vol. 23, no. 5): Special Monsters of Doom?, Gardner. Reading. MA: Addison-Wesley. Report: Flash! Fox news reports aliens may have built the pyramids. Carrier I Where do we come from?. MAY/JUNE 1998 (vol. 22, no. 3): Special Section The Marks. D.E. 1970. An investigation of mbjectiiv Pigliucci I Profits and prophecy. Wise I Projective mea­ Aliens Files. Abduction by aliens or sleep paralysis?. probability judgements. Doctoral dissertation. sures of personality and psychopathology: How well Blackmore I Before Roswell: The meaning behind the crashed-UFO myth, Bartholomew I Case closed: University of Sheffield. do they work?. Lilienfeld I What every skeptic ought to know about subliminal persuasion, Epley, Savitsky. Reflections on the 1997 Air Force Roswell report. Marks, D.F., and J. Colwell. J. 2000. The psychic and Kachelski I Carlos Castaneda and New Age anthro­ Gildenberg and Thomas I Gray Barker: My friend, the staring effect: An artifact of pseudo randomiza­ pology, Gardner. myth-maker, Sherwood I A skeptic living in Roswell, Churchill I Zero-point energy and Harold Put-toff. tion. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER 24(5): 41-49. JULY/AUGUST 1999 (vol. 23. no. 4): Special Issue: Gardner. Sheldrake. R. 1999. The "sense of being stared at" Science and Religion. Conflict or Conciliation? confirmed by simple experiments. Biology Celebrating creation, Raymo I Should skeptical inquiry For a complete listing of our back issues, call 800-634- Forum 92: 53-76. U be applied to religion?. Kurtz / The *Science and 1610. or see http://www.cskop.org/si/Dack-issues ht-n) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ference basis. Two of Hoagland's supporters indeed, describe the structures as "beckoning reserved this room for a "Mars meeting" and pyramids" in the text—but in a footnote he invited him to speak. The Ames Center says the following: "They seem eroded and management and Public Information Office ancient and are, perhaps, only small moun­ did not know about this talk until tains, sandblasted for ages. But they warrant, announcements appeared a few days in I think, a careful look." advance on bulletin boards around the cen­ Note he does not say that they "might" ter. Wishing to avoid a repetition of the be something artificial; he says diey "might" fiasco at Lewis, Ames withdrew the use of only be natural eroded features. A slip of the the room in the visitor center. typewriter, perhaps—but one can hardly The issues here are complex. NASA has blame people of the mind of Hoagland for no wish to deny Hoagland or other pseudo- grabbing this ball and running with it. scientists the opportunity to speak and pub­ lish their ideas. There is also something to be Michael L. Nardacci said for the educational value of controver­ Albany, New York sial speakers, a justification used for his invi­ tation to speak at Lewis. However, it is not desirable for such people to infer NASA Had author Gary Posner spent as much time endorsement or use supposed NASA con­ and effort on examining aspects of the 1998 nections to legitimize their ideas, as Mars Global Surveyor image of the "Face" as Hoagland has done in the case of his speak­ he did on exposing the character flaws of the The Face Behind the ing engagement at Lewis Research Center. "gifted speaker and author" Richard 'Face' on Mars Hoagland he would have discovered the fol­ David Morrison lowing: a) the high-pass filter used by J PL in Saratoga, California this initially released enhancement (Figure 2 Thanks to Gary Posner for the discussion of of Posner's article) removes visual cues to the Richard Hoagland and the Face on Mars cult true height and shape of the object. (The high ("The Face Behind the 'Face' on Mars," Richard Hoagland is a great speaker and November/December 2000). I can provide shadow-producing central facial features thus with his background sounded incredibly some additional perspective on Hoagland's look like they have been smashed by a giant believable on his theories about the Face on March 20, 1990, speaking engagement at foot. To get a clue of the true height of those Mars. I even made the terrible mistake of NASA Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center features, SI readers, look at the long shadow purchasing the video about the Face on Mars in Cleveland. First, it is worth noting that of displayed in die Viking image given by Figure for $29.99. Now that it was discovered that all the NASA Field Centers, Lewis (which 1 of Posner's article), b) the image was taken the Face of Mars was truly a trick of light and specializes in research and development on dirough a winter haze producing a low-con­ shadow, I want Richard to send me my space propulsion and power technology) is trast image... c) the Sun was from the south­ money back. But I know that will never hap­ probably the least likely to have any plane­ east under the "chin," further distorting the pen. It doesn't surprise me to learn that tary scientists on its staff, or to be sensitive to Hoagland takes credit for the greeting image. (Recall the effect on a facial image of a the issues surrounding the Face. Hoagland's plaques on Pioneer 10 and 11. I salute Carl flashlight directed from below the chin.) d) own rather breathless description of these Sagan and Frank Drake for being the true The image was taken from a 45-degree angle, events in The Monuments of Man (epilogue designers of the plaque. I hope Hoagland unlike the original Viking image which was to die second edition, 1992) tells how NASA takes a long hike up the Himalayans and almost a nadir shot. This makes a naive com­ Lewis staff quickly back-pedaled after his doesn't return for the next twenty years, but parison with the Viking image difficult, e) talk, presumably reflecting discussions with with our luck he'll claim he found Shangri- That, nevertheless, the MGS image of the fea­ better-informed people at NASA Head­ la. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Vol. 24 #6 issue ture displays secondary facial features (such as quarters. It is also interesting to read how makes the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer! nostrils) not seen in the Viking shot and vir­ Hoagland discusses his "PBS interview" at tually ruled out on the basis of chance. 0 That Lewis. As noted by Posner, this was not a re-imaging the "Face" from overhead and PBS interview, but an interview to collect Paul Dale Roberts under better lighting conditions is being given material that might be used for a NASA Chief, LADWP Unit/ Lewis series of television productions tiiat CLASS Help Desk the highest priority. were made available to stations that wanted Department of Community This SKEPTICAL INQUIRER article, the ear­ to use them—mostly small cable outlets. Services and Development lier one (July 1998) by David Morrison of Elk Grove, California NASA Ames, and the reports of numerous Shortly after the Lewis talk, Hoagland network and news organizations in April of arranged an invitation to NASA Ames 1998 displayed this same faulty enhance­ Research Center in Silicon Valley (which At the risk of soiling an icon—St. Carl ment of the "Face." (I note, however, that does specialize in planetary science and exo­ Sagan—I would like to report that Richard not all periodicals used this initial enhance­ biology). His approach was, I think, interest­ Hoagland perhaps inadvertendy got some ment. The one shown by the Planetary ing. Ames has a meeting room seating about backing from Sagan, who did not stop at Report (a periodical put out by the Planetary 60 people in an "off-site" location within its referring only "metaphorically" to the so- Society] was a truer representation.) visitor center. This meeting room was some­ called "pyramids of Mars." On page 130 of Skepticism is a very important scientific times made available to staff on a noninter­ die hardcover edition of Cosmos, Sagan does, tool. However, it must be used without .

64 Match/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Horace Crater Secondly, when beliefs are disconfirmed, Lester's truly superb piece is exceptionally President—Society for Planetary their adherents simply revise diem sponta­ insightful but who did the designing of how SETI Research (SPSR) neously and retroactively; for example, if the beliefs function, i.e., "This means that beliefs The University of Tennessee world did not end physically on a certain are designed to operate independent of sen­ Space Institute day, then it must have ended spiritually, and sory data," and, in reference to data and Tullahoma, Tennessee we the believers are now the enlightened cit­ belief, "They are designed to be able to dis­ izens of the world beyond. (Or, perhaps, we agree." I do not believe diat anything or any­ (Author Gary Posner prepareda Follow-Up did not "deserve" to have the prophecy ful­ one "designed" any of this functionality. column about the Mars 'face' matters. It will filled; thus, the prediction was rendered false "Evolved," yes, "designed," no! So, while appear in our next issue.—ED.) by our own failure, not that of the .) Lester makes brilliant sense, he in no way truly explains how this all came to be. Was Finally, beliefs survive best when their belief "designed" by a creator or did it adherents feel diey are pan of a cohesive com­ evolve? And, if it evolved, I'd like a little Just couldn't help making a comment on munity; an ideologue who gives his followers additional insight as to how it came to be. the "Face on Mars" article. I've seen depic­ a sense of "belonging" has already won the tions of that Pioneer 10 plaque before, and battle against skeptics who seek to disconfirm as always, I'm amazed. . . . his teachings. His followers can simply point Larry Hellyer It was a great idea to put that plaque on to all the otfier members who still endorse die Oswego, Illinois a vehicle leaving the solar system, but I've beliefs, prophecies, or principles that have not always hoped that the plaque we actually (yet) been disproven. The more of these peo­ sent had just a littlebh different sketch of the ple there are, the greater the "prooF that the Gregory Lester writes about the adaptive role lady than the picture we're always shown in leader speaks the truth. "How could so many of beliefs in the human repertoire of brain the media. Because otherwise, if intelligent of us all be wrong?" the believer will ask. functions. A sense of purposefulness runs through his entire article. Words and phrases aliens ever really find that, and have any con­ Skeptics who criticize illogical group beliefs cept of mammal anatomy, they will have no like supposed to. so that, and purpose imply need to be aware of tfiese realities.... More intent or design. They are ideological. There idea how humans could ever get born. importantly, skeptics need to remember that is no empirical evidence that natural It would be incredible, in sometfiing created the people who buy into such beliefs are seek­ processes are ideological. Intelligent Design solely for viewing by another species, to omit an ing a sense of meaning in their lives. The rea­ creationists notwithstanding. item that critical to us. I never cease to marvel son they so viciously resist die assault of logic over how terrified our culture can be of one is because they cannot bear to be stripped of The English language has no easy way to small, perfectly normal body part. Surely Carl their sense of belonging. Their devotion to die distinguish between statements of function­ Sagan would not have let it be sent that way! charismatic founder of their group makes ality and purposefulness. "Vertebrate teeth diem feel both protected and privileged, often have hard enamel on their surfaces so that Kelvin Flory for die first time in dieir lives.... they suffer less wear" is an example. In Ottawa, Kansas German, for instance, this confusion is Jason Zweig avoided because there are two phrases that Investing Columnist mean so that, da mit (purposeful) and so doss Why Bad Beliefs Don't Die Money Magazine (functional) which allow the German writer New York. NY to convey the exact meaning of the sentence. Gregory W. Lester asked "Why Bad Beliefs Lester implies a purposefulness in the evolution of brain function that he almost Don't Die" (November/December 2000). Gregory Lester presented a thought-provoking certainly does not intend. He is not alone. Some other answers are admirably explored in but unconvincing evolutionary just-so story Nearly everyone who writes in English about Expecting Armageddon: Essential Readings in ("Why Bad Beliefs Don't Die." November/ evolutionary biology for a popular audience Failed Prophecy, edited by Jon R. Stone December 2000) to explain the resilience of commits die same error. I have spent thirty- (Routledge: New York and London, 2000). beliefs in the face of evidence to the contrary. five years trying to disabuse my students of First of all, bad beliefs are usually pan of a If the brain only cares whether the belief is their unconsciously ideological thinking. It complex ideological system; for example, when helpful for survival then it could as easily be is like pulling teeth to get them to under­ Jesus Christ did not usher in the Last argued diat changing beliefs according to evi­ stand the distinction I made above. Judgment on April 23, 1843, as preacher dence would have survival value. Whatever the As skeptical thinkers, writers, and teach­ William Miller had predicted, his followers rcason(s) for the brain's reluctance to alter ers we need to be much more careful about drew on many other shared beliefs and experi­ beliefs I suspect it's more complex than Lester ideological phraseology because the muddle ences (for instance, die importance of avoiding would have us believe. An emphasis on sur­ is built into this language. sin and the catharsis of banding together in vival doesn't explain such things as suicide and prayer groups) to comfort themselves amidst Jim des Lauriers participation in dangerous sports where the die failure of Miller's prophecy. Thus, instead Department of Biology brain is accepting things at odds widi survival. of being deprived of a core belief, die adherents Chaffey College I would also point out that following a usually (eel diey have simply lost one of many Alta Loma, California statement with the word period docs not equally important beliefs. And while one pre­ magically imbue that statement with diction may fail, others will be fulfilled by ran­ irrefutable truth. dom chance alone, so long as die prophetic I really enjoyed Gregory Lester's article. He leader is shrewd enough to make multiple (and Dene Bebbington makes a strong case that even in the present flexible) forecasts of future events. Reading, England day, a system of strong beliefs improves

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 65 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

chances for survival. Therefore, 1 must con­ belief) are vague, and, I submit, do not in its parents and the beliefs supporting their clude that evolution will see the end of skep­ address the essence of a belief, nor the con­ authority. Then again, belief may not have tics and a biological shift toward true believers. nection between belief and survival. any survival value after childhood, but once It looks like their beliefs really will save them. I offer the following stronger argument. ingrained it is hard to dislodge. It may just To paraphrase the dictionary, a more useful be along for the ride, like our appendix Brian Gould working definition of belief is a worldview Plainsboro, Harley A. Brown based on limited data. For example, if one [email protected] observes that event A is correlated with another event B, a belief would be the con­ The article presents some interesting ideas Gregory Lester replies: clusion that A is the certain cause of B. If the on why people are reluctant to change their belief, true or false, does not threaten the beliefs when presented with disconfirming I think Mr. Zweigs comments are terrific. He believer's life, there are no negative survival evidence. However, 1 find it surprising that cogently points out that replacing a threatened consequences. If the belief is true, the this article appeared in your magazine. belief with another that serves the same ideologi­ believer can use the belief to avoid the deadly The proposed mechanism for reluctance cal purpose is common. Ifiilly agree and it is con­ event B by making the appropriate response to change one's beliefs is presented in a very sistent with my point. In fact, in psychotherapy it dogmatic fashion. For example, the descrip­ (such as fleeing) as soon as A is observed, often works best not to dispute a problematic tion of beliefs as internal maps of those parts thereby enhancing his or her survivability. It belief so much as to offer a replacement belief that of the world with which we do not have can be argued that natural selection will is similar but more benign and functional favor the individual who makes many causal immediate sensory contact, and the manner As to Bebbington's comments, I quite agree associations and sticks with that worldview in which this protects us from unseen dan­ that changing beliefs in response to data can even when the consequence of A is some­ ger, is presented in a way that seems to imply have survival value. The reason I didn't discuss times observed to be benign. Natural selec­ that these are proven facts. it in the article is that beliefs changing in While it is interesting to speculate on tion should further favor offsprings who response to data has an obvious logic, and I was why people do what they do, die science ol effectively learn the worldview of their par­ addressing the issue that tends to confuse people psychology can currently only speculate on ents and their society. —why beliefs sometimes don't change in this question. Most of the statements so Mark G. Kuzyk response to data. It may also very well be true definitively presented by Lester are not prov­ Department of Physics that the issue is more complex than what I pre­ able. An example is the assertion that "the Washington State University sent, but the article had to be relatively short so whole survival value of beliefs is based on Pullman, Washington I presented only the basics. their ability to persist in the face of contra­ I do think the statement that my theory does dictory evidence." It sounds reasonable, but not explain such things as suicide and dangerous how do you test it? As 1 read Gregory Lester's "Why Bad Beliefs sports is rather precisely wrong. I think my the­ The survival behaviors described could Don't Die" I found myself very much dis­ ory is the only one that does explain these things also be explained by other mechanisms, such tressed by his arguments. For starters he calls effectively. The only way the brain—which is as conditioned responses. No reason to pre­ hypotheses "beliefs" and I don't agree widi this entirely set on keeping us alive—can generate fer his postulated explanation is presented. misuse of terminology. After he does this he self-destructive behavior is by experiencing even There is no discussion of any specific very smoothly works his arguments to a con­ damaging beliefs as having survival value and observational or experimental science, and clusion. People make hypothesis about data all therefore being worth acting on. there are no references whatsoever. the time. My cat hypothesized that when the As to the comment that use of the word Lester discusses beliefs as a means of pro­ can opener hummed it was time for dinner. "period" does not "magically imbue a statement viding information on reasons for things for We often keep a bad hypothesis for awhile, but with irrefutable truth, " 1 could not agree more. which tJiere is no sensory data. Ironically, usually we jettison it after sufficient data I think it is unmistakable that my purpose in one could infer that since there is no sensory proves us wrong. Survival in the wild certainly using the term was to create emphasis and data supporting his proposed reasons for demanded that people make changes in their intensity not to invoke The Truth of the Gods. why beliefs persist, then his explanation for hypothesis quickly or they faced death. From As a result, I find the comment to be a way of this phenomenon is itself a belief. This an evolutionary point of view adaptability to expressing anger toward me by insulting my would suggest that my argument is unlikely changes in environment and climate certainly writing style rather than a sincere attempt to to shake Lester's faith in his theory. dictated against holding detrimental hypothe­ correct a possible misunderstanding. My apolo­ sis. If a person left a tool or a car in a certain gies for using terms that make you so mad Joseph A. Borrello, M.D. location, they expect it to be there when they Portage, Michigan return. This is not faith or belief, just an expec­ Mr. Hellyer and Mr. des Lauriers both make tation based on past experience. An hypothesis a fine point that my use of the word "designed" can certainly become a belief. lacks sufficient semantic specificity, especially for a Gregory Lester does not make a good case readership for whom the term is frequently associ­ for his diesis that "... beliefs arc designed to This occurs when a person ignores con­ ated with the idea of a supernatural entity looking enhance our ability to survive. . . ." Lester tradictory evidence and has faith in a partic­ things over and deciding how sometlmig should docs not define a belief aside from his refer­ ular idea. This common error in rationality work. I appreciate Mr. Hellger's insight that I did ence to its being "the name we give for a sur­ does not seem to have any survival value vis not intend diatparticular meaning. I will be more vival tool." Furthermore, the examples given a vis the rest of the world. However, in deal­ careful about my phmsing in the future. (such as the car in the garage—which is ing with social pressures there might be some I assume Mr. Gould's comments are tongue- more of an example of knowledge than value in obedience to a leader or for a child in-cheek, in which case I appreciate the chuckle

66 Match/April 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and his fine sense of humor. If the comments New Paranatural Paradigm believe I've read before. Specifically, asking are in fact serious, I think that effectively what would it mean to the real world if there responding to a thought process that could gen­ were such things as telepathy, clairvoyance, I very much enjoyed "The New Paranatural erate such conclusions requires more time, etc. He mentions the staggering questions Paradigm" by Paul Kurtz (November/ space, and corrective psychological attention about privacy, ethics, and destiny versus free December 2000) and I feel that I have made than I can offer here. will, among others. But why stop there? For an accidental discovery that is relevant to the If lam reading between the lines accurately all the studies and experiments involved in near-death experience. I think Joseph A. Borrello, M.D. presents the the paranormal, I ask simply: Why has no I am a paramedic with nearly twelve years valuable suggestion that my ideas be scientifi­ one ever come up with "supernatural laws"? of EMS experience, with much of that cen­ cally tested. 1 would like nothing better. But We've known of natural laws for cen­ tered around nonemergency transports from despite his discomfort that suggests a puzzling turies, but no one seems to have explained, healthcare facility to healthcare facility. unfamiliarity with both scientific theorizing for example, how ghosts are supposedly able I recently transported an unfortunate and The SKEPTICAL INQUIRER'S role in facilitat­ to walk through walls, yet physically pick up man (who was dying from metastized pan­ ing thoughtful discourse, my articles tone is objects. It's my opinion that since no one has quite appropriate and usual for what it is—an creatic cancer) from a hospital to a hospice come forward to become a "psychic Isaac attempt to make a case for a particular theory. facility. The patient had received large doses Newton" and list a set of "supernatural laws," of narcotic pain medication, and my partner Nevertheless, be assured that I would welcome coupled with Mr. Radford's well thought-out and I were wheeling him through the hospi­ data that confirms or refutes my ideas. And con­ arguments, yer another nail is hammered tal on our stretcher while carrying on a con­ trary to what I find to be his out-of place, nasty into psi's coffin. personal accusation that I am constitutionally versation with him. incapable of believing anything at variance from He stopped talking when we entered the Rich McGuigan what I have written, credible disconfirmingdata elevator, and laughed a little stridently when Florence, Kentucky could entirely and completely change my mind as we left the elevator at the ground floor. it has on any number of occasions. I might even I asked him to share the joke, and he told be inspired to write a new article contradicting me that he had just had an out-of-body Benjamin Radford says that individual my current position tliat offers Mr. Borrelio an experience. He described, in vivid detail, the responsibility and free will are incompatible additional opportunity to publicly display what sensation of floating above his body while with determinism. He evidently believes that in my view is clearly haughty demeaning arro­ looking down at himself. He was convinced we are free and morally responsible, therefore gance disguised as rational discussion. Accusations that he had died on my stretcher, and that human behavior is not subject to deter­ involving pots and kettles aside, I tell you what— described the incident in such ghastly terms ministic causal laws. What is the alternative? I'll take seriously your criticism of the "tone" of my that he had the hairs on the back of my neck If such laws do not hold, then our actions arc article once the tone of your comments approaches standing on end. We returned to the same to some extent independent of the combined something resembling appropriateness, OK? hospital later that night for another call and effects of heredity and environment. This is I feel that Mr. Kuzyk's comments, while I, naturally enough, looked up at the ceiling to say that they are to that extent random, purporting to refute my position in favor of a in the elevator—this was something I have i.e., a matter of chance. But that is not what "stronger" argument, actually present ideas never had any reason to do before. is wanted by most of those who share Mr. entirely consistent with my own. What he refers I couldn't stop laughing when I discov­ Radford's view. What he and they need, to as "causal assumptions" are what I call ered that the elevator had a mirrored ceiling. although they may not be aware of it, are beliefs. Forming them on "limited data" is pre­ Evidently, the euphoria of the narcotic pain ghosts: each person is inhabited by a non- cisely what I'm saying happens. I think the issue medication combined with the downward material essence, or soul, that is the true between us is a difference in terminology rather motion of the elevator (this causes a sensa­ cause of his actions. When he must make a than a genuine disagreement. tion of falling) and the reflection from the moral decision, his ghost reaches into the I greatly appreciate and agree with Mr. mirrored ceiling created a vivid, out-of-body world from its astral plane and produces tan­ Brown's helpful distinction between "hypothe­ experience for my patient. gible effects. This theory is consistent with a sis. " "expectation, "and "belief "In the article I I know that this may seem like nothing religious world view, but I suspect that many was trying only to distinguish beliefs from sen­ more than an amusing anecdote, but it would (among SI readers, at least) would be sory data, so I used the terms interchangeably be interesting to see how often mirrored ceil­ uncomfortable with it. But I think he is right that there are important ings are used in hospitals and nursing homes. I am a puppet only if someone (human or differences between the words, and I appreciate Perhaps this explains why so many people superhuman) is compelling me to act in a his pointing that out. Unfortunately, he himself from different backgrounds report similar sen­ manner contrary to my own desires and deci­ goes on to make exactly the same type of error by sations with out-of-body experiences. using the term "faith" indistinctly and mislead- sions. There is no evidence that this occurs, ingly inadvertently destroying the very point he Kevin Levites and it is not implied by the deterministic seeks to make. We all fall into it, don't we? Boynton Beach, Florida hypothesis, although it docs follow from that hypothesis that my desires and decisions are Finally I think his point that bad beliefs may themselves die results of prior causes. be artifacts that have essentially outlasted their I have discussed this topic at greater practical survival value is absolutely on-target. Worlds in Collision length in The Rocky Mountain Skeptic, In fact, my article was designed to address May/June 1996. that very thing—the reason they are so hard to Benjamin Radford's article ("Worlds In get rid of once they have outlived their practi­ Collision," November/December 2000) David A. Shotwcll cal utility raises a number of interesting points I don't Alpine, Texas

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 67 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

... If we did live in a world where magick than in trying to understand the actual data. dictions in SR literature arc in Einstein's could and did work, it would be part of our Conclusions in the sciences, and especially in famous 1905 thought experiment, then lives. Magick would be a normal, accepted the social sciences, depend on such a wide claimed and still believed to prove "relative part of our world. It would also be extensively web of evidence that one can almost always simultaneity." In Diabetica (Switzerland, studied, its workings and laws laid out. There find some part that appears to support what­ 1962), philosopher Melbourne Evans would be a Theory of Magick, and laws ever claim is desired, especially when taken showed this argument is based on illicitly describing its mechanics, much as out of context of the evidence as a whole. assigning two different velocities to the same Newtonian mechanics describe planetary Selectivity, and errors of logic, are the primary light beam; and also that it contradicts the orbits. It would also be in extensive use and causes of bad science, and pseudoscience. second postulate of SR itself. I will send an greatly impact our lives.. .. Magick and sci­ I am not an expert on anthropology, so I outline of Evans's brilliant critique to anyone ence would be complementary, and not cannot wholly judge the Freeman/Mead writing to the address below. antagonistic. . . . Gentlefolk, any world controversy. But I certainly form an impres­ Also published by Apeiron in 1998 is an where the paranormal, , super­ sion, and it is not favorable to Freeman. important new way to interpret cosmic red natural, magickal was real would be a sub­ shift: Seeing Red by the NPA's Halton Arp— Robert Clear stantially different world. It might resemble Rhamphorynchus Society a leading astronomer forced into exile in ours superficially, but much of its culture and Berkeley, California Germany after his career in the U.S. was science would be alien to us, built using tools destroyed by censorial intolerance. that exist only in stories in our reality. . . . Please bear in mind, dear reader, that as Alan Kellogg Justifying Criticism of Deborah Frisch recently wrote right here in San Diego, California SI (May/June 2000, pp. 34-39), the true Special Relativity skeptic may properly be skeptical of the views of ordinary skeptics—who include In his restrained reply to my defense of our many uncritical believers in SR. The Mead/Freeman Natural Philosophy Alliance (NPA), Ralph Follow-Up Estling errs in accusing us of opposing most John E. Chappell, Jr. of nineteenth-century physics, as well as Director, Natural Philosophy Alliance The Follow-Up column about Margaret that of the twentieth century (Follow-Up, Mead by Derek Freeman (November/ November/December 2000, pp 60-61). P.O. Box 14014 December 2000) inadvertently highlights "Modern physics" usually refers only to the San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 die importance of context. If the SKEPTICAL latter. Nearly all dissident physicists INQUIRER had not printed Paul Shankman's endorse, e.g., nineteenth-century conserva­ Kendrick Frazier replies: reply along with Freeman's column, I would tion laws; and so also, by the way, do nearly not have been able to make sense of why all "new energy" researchers. We recognize that there is a dissident faction on the outskirts of science that seeks to refute spe­ Freeman asserted that certain evidence was I must decline his invitation to send a crucial. Freeman's failure to provide the detailed refutation of special relativity (SR) cial relativity, and we publish John Chappell's needed context suggests that he has become to his "very nice" physicist friend, who might letter (now his second) in the interests of fair­ focused on this issue to the exclusion of all explain things to me "if he has the time." I ness. But in general the proper place to present else, and thus fails to recognize that not know enough scholars "competent" in evidence and carry out these arguments (if there everybody recalls the details. physics already, among the more than 1,000 is a legitimate case to be made) is in the appro­ In his "brief report" Freeman seeks to dissidents now active (nearly 200 of whom priate journals of physics. prove that Mead's work is based on flawed belong to the NPA). But I do wish to sup­ —EDITOR evidence. Here again, context is all impor­ port my article by citing a few sources for use tant. In a mathematical proof you provide by the readership of SI. your own context via definitions. In the sci­ As a start, one might consult my intro­ Handling of Alternative ences there are (often tedious) sections on ductory comments on defects in SR found on Medicine Letters in Science methods, and it is not uncommon to find die NPA Web site, (http://members that a difference in result is due to a seem­ home.net/saiph/npahome.html). Much more Magazine ingly insignificant (and sometimes undocu­ thorough is the 1998 volume of essays Open mented) difference in method. Freeman Questions in Relativistic Physics, edited by NPA In the November/December 2000 SKEPTICAL states that Fa'apua'a and Fofoa were unreli­ member Prof. Franco Selleri of the University INQUIRER ("Articles of Note" section), a able sources, and then goes on to claim that of Bari in Italy, and published by Apeiron in "selection of views" on alternative medicine since Mead talked to them, all of her work is Montreal; it is replete with other citations. published in the July 14 issue of Science mag­ wrong. However, he fails to disclose the (Apeiron is also die name of one of die leading azine was included. I would like to inform remaining context—such as who else did dissident physics journals; it is on die Internet die readers of SI of die shabby handling of Mead talk to? What otlier information did at http:/Redshift.vif.com.) diat "views" section by Science. Not only was she have? How consistent was it? And so on. mystical New Age alt-physician Lewis Mehl One may read about recent experiments Madrona given nearly one full page to por­ contradicting SR in Peter Graneau (an NPA The disturbing subtext is thai die context tray himself as just a normal "doc," but my member) and Neal Graneau, Newtonian Freeman does quote—references to Boas' and own letter to Science was emasculated of its Electrodynamics (Singapore: World Scien­ Mead's extreme environmentalist conclu­ essentia] purpose by the Science editors with­ tific, 1996). sion—suggest fiiat Freeman is more interested out my permission. in finding evidence for a particular viewpoint The most amazing of the logical contra­

68 March/Apr,I 2001 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dr. Mehl-Madrona had threatened to sue yarn on a loom." This patient's cancer too A Minister's Nonstruggle Science in response to a mention in a June appears to have been cured. Science article of the scandal that led to his leav­ Dr. Mehl-Madrona—the protege of with Science Andrew Weil—has also been a former edi­ ing the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center tor of the journal of Regression Therapy, me In 1934 I began the combined course of (July/August SKEPTICAL INQUIRER). Science, journal of die Association for Past-Life study at St. Lawrence University so I could flagship of the U.S. scientific community, then Research and Therapies, Inc. In that journal capitulated to his threat by giving him a lengthy, he has a published an article where he do both undergraduate and graduate work in uncommented-upon letter in the "views" sec­ claims to have successfully treated a young six years. With excellent high school math tion in which he denied that anything unto­ woman for diabetes using past-life-regres­ teachers 1 did not have to take freshman sion therapy. ward had ever happened in Pittsburgh. math so I went directly into sophomore cal­ These regression techniques are hardly culus. At the end of the course I decided a At the same time, I had sent Science a standard " therapy" or "visualiza­ major in would be a little too strong letter complaining about their tion"—indeed this is New Age psychother­ specialized for one going into the ministry reporter's mischaracterization of Mehl- apy making outrageous daims for physical and so switched to physics and kept math as as well as psychological healing powers. Madrona's cancer-healing treatments as my college minor. "massage." Science's editors then gutted my E. Patrick Curry letter by transforming it into a general com­ I was the only "Theolog" ever enrolled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania plaint about the dangers of alternative medi­ the senior course of Atomic Physics. This was cine while removing all my criticism of their in the late 1930s when the atomic bomb was original article and of Mehl-Madrona's prac­ being worked on. Our professor, John Smith, tices, the very purpose of the letter—again, Hoax and Delusion on had helped write our textbook, and periodi­ without my permission. Their version of my Comoros cally he asked us to correct a coefficient in the letter was printed immediately after Mehl- text because of the latest findings. Madrona's own apologia, in which, among From my duty station in the Indian Ocean (I Throughout sixty-three years in the min­ numerous misrepresentations, he claims to am working with the UN Development istry I have never had to struggle with the sci­ be "solidly a part of conventional medicine." Program and hence living there) in Comoros ence and religion issues because eariy in my For the interest of SI readers who have (these tiny specks halfway between education I declared I was a naturalistic human­ been following alternative medicine and the Madagascar and the African continent and ist without need or worry about a "supreme career of Lewis Mehl-Madrona in particular, one of the poorest countries in the world) I being" pulling all the strings. I also learned that here is the section of my original Science let­ bring you some news about another hoax "Theologians evolve rheir own fog and get lost ter that was excised: and beautiful case of mass delusion. in it" I trust not too many scientists follow suit. Comoros is a mini-archipelago made up I have written the above to help readers not The arridc "Bastions of Tradition Adapt to of four small islands of volcanic origin, one to overreact to the "Rev." before my name, and Alternative Medicine" (6/2/00) ... under­ my thesis is that how a person is introduced in states the erratic claims of some of Andrew of which (the main island) is still active. So the earliest years to the understanding of the uni­ Weil's new breed of "Integrated Medicine" far, so good, but for at least a year the rumor doctors. I was named in that article as the has gone around that there is oil to be found verse will affect his or her mature years. One consumer advocate who had a role in forcing here, especially under the still-active vol­ question asked of our church school pupils is: the resignation of the University of cano. . .. Even the Americans would be on "How old is a drop of water?" And I like to add, Pittsburgh Medical Center's Complementary the point of coming over to start exploration, "Where do you think it has been?" If my own Medicine Director, Dr. Lewis Mehl- educational journey was to start again I would Madrona. As someone who has intensdy if not on land then offshore! Very interesting hope to fit in some astronomy and microbiology. studied this particular doctor's medical ideol­ if you know that it's a sheer drop from the ogy. I was disappointed that the reporter shore to 10,000 feet and more. .. some real Rev. Albert C. Niles inaccurately referred to one of this doctor's deep-sea drilling! cancer treatments as "massage therapy," a North Sebago, Maine therapy which sounds quite innocuous. One doesn't have to be a geologist to see In fact, Mehl-Madrona's "massage ther- that it's just a textbook case of wishful think­ ing from people who want to get rich with­ apy" as reported in his book Coyote The letters column is a forum for Medicine, actually consists of a psychothera­ out having to work for it. Oil under an active peutic method of removing traumatic mem­ volcano: a geological miracle of the first views on matters raised in previ­ ory imbedded, according to him, in a magnitude! And even if the volcano were ous issues. Letters should be no woman's pelvis. This "memory" was puta- inactive, I'd be very surprised to learn that more than 225 words. Due to the rivdy a cause of her advanced ovarian cancer which had spread to six sites. After a series of there is anything other than rock [under it]. volume of letters not all can be intense sweat lodge sessions, combined with I don't know how and when it started, but published. Address letters to it's gotten to the point where even knowl­ "deep" massage and regression techniques, Letters to the Editor, SKEPTICAL he claims to have successfully removed the edgeable people (the few around!) have cancer-causing memories. According to started saying thai there must be some truth INQUIRER. Send by mail to 944 him, her cancer totally disappeared within behind it.... Deer Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM weeks, though diis is not documented. 87122; by fax to 505-828-2080; Best regards and keep up the good work! In another nondocumcnicd account. or by e-mail to [email protected] Dr. Mehl-Madrona participates in a chan­ (include name and address). neling session where die spirit of White Buffalo Calf Woman appears in order to Wouter J.K. De Weerdt untangle an advanced prostate patient's Program Officer brainwaves "as a weaver might untangle UNDP Comoros

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 2001 69 THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE PARANORMAL AT THE CENTER FOR INQUIRY-INTERNATIONAL (ADJACENT TO THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFAIO) AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION Network of Affiliated Organizations International ARGENTINA. CAIRP. Director, Ladislao Enrique 0102 Tallinn, Narva mm. 5. ku, Seoul 120-190, Korea. E-mail K0PSA8 Marquez. Jose Marti 35 - "C". (CP. 1405), Buenos EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF SKEPTICAL ORGANIZA­ chollian.net; www.kopsa.or.kr. Aires. E-mail: deschave8cvtci.com.ar. TIONS. Amardeo Sarma,* Secretary. Postfach 1222. MALTA. SICEC (Society for Investigating The AUSTRALIA. General Inquiries: skeptics8mail.kasm. D-64374 Rossdorf (Fax: +49 6154 81912). Credibility of Extraordinary Claims) Vanni Pule 48. Sirti Street San Gwann, SGN 07 Malta. (+356 381994) com.au. National: Australian Skeptics, Contact: FINLAND. Skepsis. Ilpo V. Salmi. Chairman. Veikko pulevan8keyworld.net. Barry Williams. Executive Officer. P.O. Box 268, Joutsenlahti, Secretary. P.O. Box. 00101 Helsinki, Roseville. NSW 2069. (Phone: 612-9417 2071. Fax: Finland. E-mail contact: Jukka Hakkinen, Jukka. MEXICO. Mexican Association for Skeptical 612-9417-7930. E-mail: skeptics8kasm.com.au). hakkinen8helsinki.fi. Research (SOMIE), Mario Mendez Acosta'. Regional: Australian Skeptics in Tasmania, P.O. Box 582. North Hobart. TAS 7000. E-mail: thor- FRANCE. Cercle Zetetique, Contact: Paul-Eric Chairman, Apartado Postal 19-546, Mexico 03900, nettenetspace.net.au. Australian Skeptics, (Vic), Blanrue, 12 Rue David Deitz, 57000 Metz. Comite D.F. Francais pour I'Etude des Phenomenes GPO Box 5166AA. Melbourne VIC 3001, E-mail: con- NETHERLANDS. , . Paranormaux, Secretary-General, Merlin Gerin, tact8skeptics.com.au. Canberra Skeptics, P.O. Box Secretary, Westerkade 20, 9718 AS Groningen. 555, Civic Square, 2608 Darwin Skeptics, P.O. Box RGE7A2 38050 Grenoble Cedex. Union . New Zealand Skeptics, Bernard 809. Sanderson NT 0812. Gold Coast Skeptics, P.O. Rationalist*. Contact: Jean-Paul Krivine, 5 rue Box 8348, GCMC Bundall OLD 4217. E-mail: Leredde, Paris F 75013, France. Association Howard, Secretary, 150 Dyer's Pass Rd., winkle8onthenet.com.au. Hunter Skeptics, P.O. Franchise pour ('Information Scientifique 2. N.Z. Vickie Hyde, Chair-entity, South Pacific Infor­ Box 166, Waratah NSW 2298, E-mail: bulwie (AFIS) 14, rue de I'Ecole Polytechnique, Paris F- mation Services. Box 19-760. Christchurch 5, N.Z. Fax: admin.newcastle.edu.au. Queensland Skeptics 75005, France. +64 (03) 385-5138. E-mail: nzsm8spis.co.nz. Web: Assoc Inc., P.O. Box 6454, Fairfield Gardens OLD http://www.spis.co.nz/skeptics.htm. GERMANY. Society for the Scientific 4103, E-mail: qskeptic8uq.net.au. South Australia NORWAY. Skepsis. St. Olavsgt. 27. N-0166. Oslo. Skeptics, P.O. Box 377, Rundle Mall, SA 5000, E- Investigation of Para-Science (GWUP), Amardeo PERU. CIPSI-PERU. Contact: M.A. Paz y Mino. Director, mail: lakes8senet.com.au. Western Australia Sarma.' Convenor, Postfach 1222, D-64374 Rossdorf Skeptics. P.O. Box 899, Morley WA 6062, E-mail: (Phone: +49 6154 695021, Fax: +49 6154 695022. E- El Corregidor 318, Lima 25 Peru. E-mail: Bronson8Wantree.com.au. Web site: http://www. mail: info8gwup.org). cipsiperu8yahoo.com. Web: geocities.com/cipsiperu skeptics.com.au. HONG KONG. Hong Kong Skeptics. Contact: Brad PHILIPPINES. Society of Skeptics and Freethink­ Collins. P.O. Box 1010, Shatin Central Post Office, ers, Contact: Marco Licinio F. Gingoyon, 252-z Shatin. NT. Ascension Urgello St, Cebu City, Philippines. BELGIUM. SKEPP, W. Betz, Secretary, Uarbeeklaan 103, B1090 Brussels (Fax: 32-2-4774301). HUNGARY. Hungarian Skeptics, Gyula Bencze, PORTUGAL.CEPO Ludwig Krippahl, Apartado 334. Termeszet Vilaga. P.O. Box 25. Budapest 8.1444. (Fax: BRAZIL Opcao Racional. Luis Gutman. Rua Santa 2676-901 Odivelas. E-mail: cepo8interacesso.pt; 011-36-1-118-7506). Clara, 431, Bloco 5, Apt. 803, Copacabana - Rio de http://www.cepo.interacesso.pt/. Janeiro 22041-010 (+55-21-547-2088 or +55-21- INDIA. Indian Skeptics, B. Premanand, Chairman, 10 RUSSIA. Contact: Dr. Valerii A. Kuvakin, Zdravyi Smysl 235-2476). Chettipalayam Rd., Podanur 641-023 Coimbatore (Common Sense), 119899 Russia, Moscow, Vorob'evy Tamil Nadu. Indian Rationalist Association, Gory, Moscow. State University. Philosophy BULGARIA. Bulgarian Skeptics. Contact: Vladimir Contact: Sanal Edamaruku. 779. Pocket 5, Mayur Department. Daskalov. Krakra 22. BG 1504 Sofia. Bulgaria. Vihar 1. New Delhi 110 091. Maharashtra E-mail: egoshev8einet.bg SLOVAK REPUBLIC. Society for Advocacy of Superstition Eradication Committee. Contact: Critical Thinking (SACT). Igor Kapisinsky, Secretary, Narendra Dabholkar. 155 Sadashiv Peth, Satara-41S CANADA. Alberta Skeptics. Heidi Lloyd-Price, Pavla Horova. 10. 841 07 Bratislava, Slovak Republic. Secretary, P.O. Box 5571, Station A. Calgary. Alberta 001. Dravidar Kazhagam. K. Veeramnani, General T2H 1X9. British Columbia Skeptics, Contact: Lee Secretary, Periyar Thidal. 50, E.V.K. Sampath Road. SOUTH AFRICA. Assn. for the Rational Investiga­ Moller, 1188 Beaufort Road, Vancouver V7G 1R7. Madras - 600 007, Tamil Nadu. tion of the Paranormal (ARIP), Marian Laserson, Ontario Skeptics, Henry Gordon, Chairman. 343 Secretary, P.O. Box 46212, Orange Grove, 2119 South Clark Ave West. Suite 1009, Thomhill Ontario L4J IRELAND. Irish Skeptics. Contact: Peter O'Hara. St. Africa. Cape Skeptics, c/o Leon Retief. 5N 7K5. E-mail: hgordon8idirect.com. Ottawa Skep­ Joseph's Hospital. Limerick. Agapanthus Avenue. Welgedacht, Bellville 7S30. tics. Contact: Greg Singer (skeptic8ottawa.com). ITALY. CICAP (Comitate Italiano per il Controllo South Africa. E-mail: leonr8iafrica.com. President, P.O. Box 1237 Station B, Ottawa, Ontario, delle Affermazioni sul Paranormale). P.O. Box SPAIN. Alternativa Racional a las Pseudociencias Canada K1P 5R3. Sceptiques du Quebec: Alan 1117. 35100 Padova; Tel Fax: 39-426-22013. Scienza (ARP). Carlos Telleria, Executive Director, Apdto. Bonnier, CP. 202. Succ. Beaubien, Montreal H2G 3C9. & Paranormale, Massimo Polidoro, Editor. P.O. Box 1516, 50080 Zaragoza. El Investigador Esceptico. E-mail: www.sceptiques.qcca. 60, 27058 Voghera (PV); e-mail: editor8cicap.org. Contact: Felix Ares De Bias. Gamez/Ares/Martinez, CHINA. China Association for Science and JAPAN. Japan Skeptics. Jun Jugaku, Contact Person, P.O. Box 904, 20080 Donostia-San Sebastian. Business Center for Academic Societies Japan, 16-9 Technology. Contact: Shen Zhenyu, Research SWEDEN. Vetenskap och Folkbildning (Swedish Center. CAST, PO Box 8113, Beijing, China. Honkomagome 5-chome, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113. JAPAN. (Japan Anti-Pseudoscience Activities Skeptics), Sven Ove Hansson, Secretary, Box 185,101 CZECH REPUBLIC. Czech Club of Skeptics. Jin Network) c/o Ohta Publishing Company. Ryutarou 23 Stockholm. Grygar. Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Minakami. Chairperson. Epcot Bid IF, 22, Arakichou. TAIWAN. Tim Holmes. P.O. Box 195. Tanzu. Taiwan. Sciences. Na Slovance 2. CZ • 180 40 Prague 8: Tel Shinjukuku Tokyo. JAPAN (Fax: +81 3 3359-0040. e- UNITED KINGDOM. Skeptical Inquirer Representative, •420 2 6605 2660. E-mail: grygar8fzu.au mail: skeptic8e-mail.ne.jp.) Michael J. Hutchinson. 10 Crescent View. Loughton, DENMARK. Association of Independent Danish KAZAKHSTAN. Kazakhstan Commission for Inves­ Essex IG10 4PZ. Association for Skeptical Enquiry Skeptics, http://www.skeptica.dk. Contact person: tigation of Anomalous Phenomena (KCIAP), (ASKE). Contact: Wayne Spencer. 15 Ramsden Wood Mogens Winther, Nydamvej 10. 6400 Sonderborg, Contact: Sergey Efimov, Astrophysical Institute, Rd, Walsden. Todmorden. Lancaster OL14 7UD, E- Denmark. E-mail: 28368po.ia.dk or Willy Wegner: Kamenskoye Plato, Alma-Ata 480068, Kazakhstan. mail: aske8doofa.demon.co.uk The Skeptic maga­ skeptica8skeptica.dk. KOREA. Korea PseudoScience Awareness. Gun-ll zine, Editor. Wendy Grossman. P.O. Box 475, Manchester M60 2TH. ESTONIA. Contact: Indrek Rohtmets, Horisont EE Kang, Director, 187-11 Bukahyun-dong Sudaemun-

United States ALABAMA. Alabama Skeptics. Emory Kimbrough. Sobety. Terry Sandbek. 4300 Auburn Blvd.. Suite 206, Normandy Trace Rd, Tampa. FL 33602 (813-221- 3550 Watermelon Road. Apt. 28A, Northport, AL Sacramento, CA 95841, (916-489-1774). E-mail: tsand- 3533). E-mail: garypos8aol.com, Web address: 35473 (205-759-2624). bek8M0THER.COM. San Diego Association for httpy/mem bers.aol.com/tbskep/index.html. ARIZONA. TUcson Skeptics Inc James McGaha, Rational Inquiry. Contact Keith Taylor, 858 Auburn GEORGIA. Georgia Skeptics, Becky Long. President Chairman. 5100 N Sabino Foothills Dr.. Tucson. AZ Ave, Chula Vesta, CA 91913 (619421-5844 or 619-233- 2277 Winding Woods Dr.. Tucker. GA 30084 1888. Fax 619-696-9476). E-mail: ktaykx478juno.com. 85715. E-mail: JMCGAHA8PimaCC.Pima.EDU. ILLINOIS. Rational Examination Assoc of Lincoln Phoenix Skeptics. Michael Stackpole. Chairman, COLORADO. Rocky Mountain Skeptics. Bela Land (REALL), David Bloomberg, Chairman. P.O. Box P.O. Box 60333. Phoenix. AZ 85082. Scheiber.- President, P.O. Box 7277, Boulder, 20302. Springfield IL 62708 (217-726-5354), E-mail: CALIFORNIA. Bay Area Skeptics, Wilma Russell, CO 80306 (Tel.: 303-444-7537. Fax: 303-447-8412. chairman8reall.org. Secretary. PO Box 2443. Castro Valley, CA 94546. Center Web: bcn.boulder.co.us/community/rms. E-mail: rmscentral8mindspring.com. . Central Iowa Skeptics Rob Beeston. Director. for Inquiry-West. 5519 Grosvenor Ave, Los Angeles, 5602 SW 2nd St, Des Moines. IA 50322 (515-285- CA 90066 (Tel 310-306-2847) East Bay Skeptics D.C CAPITAL AREA. National Capital Area 0622) Web: www.dangerousideas.net E-mail: Society, Daniel Sabsay. President. 70 Yosemrte Avenue Skeptics, c/o D.W "Chip- Denman. 8006 Valley webguy8dangerousideas.net 1309. Oakland. CA 94611 (510-420-0202). Sacramento Street. Silver Spring, MD 20910, http://www.ncas.org KENTUCKY. Kentucky Assn. of Science Educators Organization for Rational Thinking (SORT). Contact (301-587-3827). Ray Spangenburg/Kit Moser. P.O. Box 2147, Carmkhael, and Skeptics (KASES). Chairmaa Prof. Robert A FLORIDA. Tampa Bay Skeptics. Gary Posner. 1113 CA 95609 (916-978-0321) Sacramento Skeptics Baker. 3495 Castleton Way North. Lexington. KY 40502 LOUISIANA. Baton Rouge Proponents of Rational Peralta. NM 87042, E-mail: detert66.com. John man. 8209 Thompson Run Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Inquiry and Scientific Methods (BR PRISM). Geohegan. Vice President. 450 Montclaire SE, (412-366-1000). E-mail: mindfuietelerama.com. Phila­ Marge Schroth. Director. 425 Carriage Way, Baton Albuquerque, NM 87108. Web: www.nmsr.org. delphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT). Rouge. LA 70808-4828 (225-766-4747). NEW YORK. Center for Inquiry-International. PO Eric Krieg, P.O. Box 1131. North Wales, PA 19454-0131, MICHIGAN. Great Lakes Skeptics. Contact: Lorna J. Box 703, Amherst. NY 14226. (Tel. 716-636-1425) Web: httpyAvww.phact.org, Tel: (215) 885-2089. Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York (ISUNY), Simmons, 31710 Cowan Road, Apt. 103. Westland, TENNESSEE. Rationalists of East Tennessee. Contact John A Tyo. 32 N. Ferry St. - Apt. 5. Schenectady. NY Ml 48185-2366 (734-525-5731) E-mail: skeptic Carl Ledendecker. 2123 Stonybrook Rd, Louisville, TN 31Saol.com Tri-Cities Skeptics. Contact: Gary 12305. New York Area Skeptics (NYASk). Contact: 37777. (865-982-8687). E-mail: AletalLeacJ.com. Barker. 3596 Butternut St., Saginaw, Ml 48604 (517- Jeff Corey. 18 Woodland St., Huntington, NY 11743, 799-4502). E-mail: gary8earthvision.svsu.edu. e-mail: jcoreyeiiu.edu. TEXAS. Houston Association for Scientific Thinking (HAST), Darrell Kachilla. P.O. Box 541314, Houston, TX NORTH CAROLINA. Triad Area Skeptics Club. MINNESOTA. Minnesota Skeptics, Robert W. McCoy. 77254. North Texas Skeptics. Joe Voelkering. Contact: Eric Carlson, Physics Department, Wake 549 Turnpike Rd., Golden Valley, MN 55416. St President. P.O. Box 111794, Carrolrton. TX 75011-1794. Kloud ESP Teaching Investigation Committee Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109. E-mail: (SKEPTIC). Jerry Mertens. Coordinator, Psychology ecarlsonewfu.edu. Tel: 336-758-4994. Web: httpJI VIRGINIA. Science and Reason in Hampton Roads. Dept., St. Cloud State Univ., St. Cloud, MN 56301. www.wfu.edu/-ecarlson/tasc. c/o Lawrence Weinstein. Physics Dept.. Old Dominion University. Norfolk. VA 23529. Web: www.physics. MISSOURI. Kansas City Committee for Skeptical OHIO. South Shore Skeptics. Jim Kutz, 8271 Midland odu.edu/-weinstei/srhr.html. Inquiry. Verle Muhrer, Chairman, United Labor Rd., Mentor, OH 44060. Tel: 440-942-5543. E-mail: Building. 6301 Rockhill Road, Suite 412. Kansas City, jimkutzeearthlink.net. Association for Rational WASHINGTON. The Society for Sensible MO 64131 Gateway Skeptics. Chairperson. Steve Thinking (Cincinnati area), Joseph F. Gastright. Explanations. PO Box 45792. Seattle. WA 98145- Best. 6943 Amherst Ave, University City. MO 63130 Contact. 111 Wallace Ave.. Covington, KY 41014 0792 Tad Cook, Secretary. E-mail: tadeaa.net. (606-581-7315). Central Ohioans for Rational NEW ENGLAND. New England Skeptical Society Inquiry (CORI), Charlie Hazlett, President, 4820 WISCONSIN. Contact: Mike Neumann, 1835 N. 57th (NESS). Contact: Steve Novella. MD, PO Box 185526, Sullivant Ave, Columbus, OH 43228 (614-771-2179); Street, Milwaukee, Wl 53208 (414-453-7425, E-mail: Hamden, CT 06518, E-mail: ctskeptkecompuserve. E-mail: charlieehazlett.net. mikeeomnifest.uwm.edu). com Connecticut Chapter, Contact: Ion Blumenfeld, E- mail: jonejblumenfeld.com. Massachusetts Chapter, OREGON. Oregonians for Rationality. David •Member. CSICOP Executive Council Contact: Sheila Gibson (a/k/a -chairchick"). P.O. Bo* Chapman, President. Tel: 503-292-2146. E-mail: dchap- "Associate Member. CSICOP Executive Council 2537, Acton, MA01720, E-mail: skepchikehotmail.com. maneiccom.com Contact: Josh Reese, secretary, 7555 The organizations listed above have aims similar to New Hampshire Chapter. Contact: J.J Kane, 89 Glen­ Spring Valley Rd. NW, Salem, OR 97304. Tel: 503-364- those of CSICOP but are independent and 6255. E-mail joshreeqwest.com. Web: www.o4r.org. garry Drive, Stratham, NH 03885 Tel: 603-778-6873. autonomous. Representatives of these organizations NEW MEXICO. New Mexicans for Science and PENNSYLVANIA. Paranormal Investigating Com­ cannot speak on behalf of CSICOP. Please send updates Reason. David E. Thomas, President. PO Bo* 1017, mittee of Pittsburgh (PICP). Richard Busch, Chair­ to Barry Karr. P.O. Box 703. Amherst, NY 14226-0703

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS

George Agogino. Dept. of Anthropology, Michael Hutchinson, author; SKEPTICAL INOUIRER Bela Sdieiber,* systems analyst Boulder, Colo. Eastern New Mexico University representative, Europe Chris Scott statistician, London. England Gary Bauslaugh, educational consultant. Philip A. lanna, assoc. professor of astronomy, Stuart D. Scott Jr., associate professor of Center for Curriculum, Transfer and Univ. of Virginia anthropology, SUNY. Buffalo Technology. Victoria, B.C., Canada William Jarvis. professor of health promotion Erwin M. Segal, professor of psychology, Richard E. Berendzen, astronomer, and . Loma Linda University. SUNY, Buffalo Washington. D.C. School of Public Health Carla Selby, anthropologist/archaeologist Martin Bridgstock, lecturer, School of Science, I. W. Kelly, professor of psychology. University Steven N. Shore, associate professor and Griffith University, Brisbane. Australia of Saskatchewan chair, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Richard Busch, magician/mentalist. Pittsburgh. Richard H. Lange. M.D.. Mohawk Valley Indiana Univ. South Bend Pa. Physician Health Plan, Schenectady. N.Y. Waclaw Szybalski. professor, McArdle Shawn Carlson, physicist. San Diego, Calif. Gerald A. Larue, professor of biblical history Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison Roger B. Culver, professor of astronomy, and archaeology. University of So. California. Ernest H. Taves, psychoanalyst, Cambridge, Colorado State Univ. William M. London, consumer advocate. Fort Massachusetts Felix Ares de Bias, professor of computer sci­ Lee, New Jersey David E. Thomas, physicist, mathematician. ence, University of Basque. San Sebastian, Rebecca Long, nuclear engineer, president of Peralta. New Mexico Georgia Council Against Health Fraud, Spain Sarah G. Thomason, professor of linguistics, Atlanta, Ga. Michael R. Dennett writer, investigator. University of Pittsburgh Thomas R. McDonough, lecturer in engineer­ Federal Way, Washington Tim Trachet journalist and science writer, hon­ ing, Caltech. and SETI Coordinator of the Sid Deutsch. consultant, Sarasota. Fla. orary chairman of SKEPP, Belgium. Planetary Society Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist. Princeton J. Dommanget astronomer. Royale James E. McGaha. Major. USAF; pilot Observatory, Brussels. Belgium University and the Hayden Planetarium Joel A. Moskowitz. director of medical psychi­ Nahum J. Duker, assistant professor of pathol­ Richard Wiseman, Senior Research Fellow in atry. Calabasas Mental Health Services, Los ogy. Temple University psychology, University of Hertfordshire Angeles. Barbara Eisenstadt psychologist, educator. Jan Willem Nienhuys, mathematician, Univ. CSICOP clinician, East Greenbush, N.Y. of Eindhoven, the Netherlands William Evans, professor of communication, Subcommittees John W. Patterson, professor of materials sci­ Astrology Subcommittee: Chairman, I. W. Georgia State University ence and engineering, Iowa State University John F. Fischer, forensic analyst. Orlando, Fla Kelly, Dept. of , 28 James Pomerantz. Provost, and professor of Campus Drive, Saskatoon. Sask., Canada Robert E. Funk, anthropologist. New York cognitive and linguistic sciences. Brown Univ. 57N-OX1 State Museum & Science Service Gary P. Posner, M.D., Tampa, Fla. Eileen Gambrill, professor of social welfare. Council for Media Integrity: Network Daisie Radner. professor of philosophy, SUNY, Director, Barry Karr, CSICOP, P.O. Box 703. University of California at Berkeley Buffalo Amherst NY 14226-0703. Sylvio Garattini. director, Mario Negri Michael Radner, professor of philosophy, Health Claims Subcommittee: Co-chairmen. Pharmacology Institute, , Italy McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. William Jarvis, Professor of Health Promotion Laurie Godfrey, anthropologist. University of Canada and Education, NCRHI, PO Box 1276, Loma Massachusetts Robert H. Romer, professor of physics. Linda, CA 92354, and Stephen Barrett M.D.. Gerald Goldin, mathematician. Rutgers Amherst College PO Box 1747, Allentown. PA 18105. University. New Jersey Milton A. Rothman. physicist. Philadelphia, Parapsychology Subcommittee: Chairman, Donald Goldsmith, astronomer; president. Pa Ray Hyman." Psychology Dept, Univ. of Interstellar Media Karl Sabbagh. journalist, Richmond, Surrey. Oregon, Eugene, OR 97402. , astronomer. Southwest Institute for England UFO Subcommittee: Chairman, Philip J. Space Research. Alamogordo, New Mexico Robert J. Samp, assistant professor of educa­ Klass,' 404 -N- Street S.W. Washington, Clyde F. Herreid. professor of biology, SUNY, tion and medicine. University of Wisconsin- DC. 20024. Buffalo Madison Terence M. Hines. professor of psychology, Steven D. Schafersman, asst. professor of •Member, CSICOP Executive Council Pace University. Pleasantville. N.Y. geology, Miami Univ., Ohio "Associate Member, CSICOP Executive Council to promote and defend reason, science, and freedom of inquiry in all areas of human endeavor."

CENTER FOR INQUIRY- INTERNATIONAL P.O. Box 703 Amherst, NY 14226 Tel.: (716) 636-1425 CENTER FOR INQUIRY—MIDWEST United Labor Building .301 Rockhill Rd., Suite 412, Kansas City, MO 64131 Tel.: (816) 822-9840 "TER FOR INQUIRY—WEST 5519 Grosvenor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066 Tel.: (310) 306-2847 CENTER FOR INQUIRY—MOSCOW Brofessor Valerii A. Kuvakin 119899 Russia, A Bird's Eye View of a Galaxy Collision w, Vorobevy Gory, v State University, What appears to be a bird's head, leaning over to snatch up a tasty meal, ;qphy Department is a striking example of a galaxy collision in NGC 6745. A large spiral Ufc ltltfJMA IERMANY galaxy, with its nucleus still intact, peers at the smaller passing galaxy L/c iyk7 in Mahner (nearly out of the field of view at lower right), while a bright blue beak nr Weg 11 and bright whitish-blue top feathers show the distinct path taken during D-64380 Ross rmany the smaller galaxy's journey. These galaxies did not merely interact gravi- 695023 tationally as they passed one another, they actual collided. Credit: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScl/).

THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE PARANORMAL

The Committee is a nc The SKEPTICAL INQUIRER is its official journal. The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the the scientific community, the media, and the public. It also promotes Paranormal encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and science and scientific inquiry, critical thinking, science education, and fringe-science claims from a responsible, scientific point of view and the use of reason in examining important issues. disseminates factual information about the results of such inquiries to Skeptical