News and Comment
New Age Books by Bantam published the pseudoscience titles listed above, it also issued, under Any Other Name. the imprint of New York Times Books, the paperback edition of the Condon Commission report, Scientific Study of he book-publishing business has Unidentified Flying Objects. Few large long been an accomplice in the paperback publishers have managed to Tspread of pseudoscience, quack- steer clear of pseudoscience; one ery, and pernicious nonsense. And in exception appears to be W. W. Norton, contrast to the ephemeral nature of which has stayed on the skeptical side other media products, such as tele- of pseudoscience with its "scientific vision and radio programs or news- debate" books: UFOs: A Scientific papers and magazine articles, books Debate (1974), Scientists Confront have solidity and permanence. This is Velikovsky (1979), and Scientists Con- true even of paperback books, whose front Creationism (1983). relatively low cost and small size make In the past, some small publishers them attractive to buy and read, then have dedicated themselves to publish- swap or resell. A glance at the "Occult" ing books on occult or "metaphysical" section in any used-book store reveals topics. In recent years, with the rise that claptrap in book form can live for of the New Age phenomenon, some decades. Consider, as just one exam- have devoted themselves entirely to ple out of many, Bantam Books, books on New Age topics. A prom- paperback publisher of such pseudo- inent example is the West Coast scientific classics as Erich von publisher Jeremy Tarcher. Larger Daniken's Chariots of the Gods? (1970), Andrew Tomas's We Are Not the First (1971), and Frank Edwards's Flying Saucers—Serious Business (1966)—all OFF WITH THE OLD, still widely available in used-book IN WITH THE NEW. stores. Many publishers sit squarely atop the proverbial fence, publishing infor- mation and misinformation with apparent impartiality. One such is Vintage, a paperback publisher that is part of Random House. In past years Vintage has published both Phil Klass's UFOs Explained (1976) and John Gribbin and Stephen Plage- mann's The Jupiter Effect (1975; rev. ed., 1976). And during the same period
Summer 1991 339 companies have established special Shambhala, best known for books imprints to identify their New Age on mysticism and Eastern religions, books. Here again, Bantam furnishes now directs some of its titles to the an example: Over the past several science sections of bookstores. years New Agers have come to rec- Humanics New Age—as its name ognize the "rainbow people" logo of indicates, a specialty New Age pub- Bantam New Age Books, a line whose lisher—is seeking another label for its motto is "A Search for Meaning, books. Company president Robert Growth and Change." Hall says he has never liked the term Keeping track of the publishing New Age because it "implies crystals, industry's interest in pseudoscience candles, channeling." Most of the offers a glimpse into the changing authors whose books are published by interests of the American reading Humanics are Ph.D.'s, Hall notes. public, from UFOs to the "new phys- Stocked on science shelves, New ics," since publishers sail with the Age titles find more readers. For one prevailing winds of popular culture. thing, people who might be embar- At the same time, however, publishers rassed to be seen browsing in a New influence cultural trends. When pub- Age or occult section of a bookstore lishers began identifying some of their are often delighted to be seen thumb- titles as "New Age," many bookstores ing through books on the science or dropped their traditional "occult" philosophy shelves. section in favor of one labeled "New For bookstores, the New Age cate- Age." These developments both par- gory was a way to group books from alleled and undoubtedly influenced the several subject areas. Many titles came growing public awareness of the from the old occult section, but others amorphous set of beliefs that compose would formerly have been classed in New Age thinking. psychology, philosophy, self-help, or After several years of promoting religion sections. Now it appears that books with the "New Age" tag, pub- such books are migrating back to these lishers have now begun to drop the categories. As one publisher puts it, label, finding that it no longer helps "I see the category itself splintering sell books. A recent feature in Pub- back into its basic disciplines: the lishers Weekly (December 7, 1990), occult, personal growth, Eastern headlined "The Flight from 'New religions, philosophy." Self-identified Age,' " explains that the change is in New Age publisher Jeremy Tarcher large part due to the desire of pub- now describes his company's books as lishers to present New Age titles as covering child-rearing, personal part of the scientific mainstream, health, business, Jungian psycho- rather than segregating them as a analysis, men's consciousness, and special interest. Bantam, for example, sexuality. "All are now subjects one has begun to leave off the "New Age" can look at with a New Age perspec- label from some of its books while tive," he explains. retaining the rainbow people logo By dropping the New Age tag, and motto. Further, it has spun off publishers are not only attempting to from its New Age imprint a line called "mainstream" their titles; they believe "New Sciences." Bantam's stated aim they are responding to a shift in public is to capture the science-minded interest from fads, such as crystals and audience that has made bestsellers of channeling, to more serious spiritual books like Stephen Hawking's Brief quests. Prominent New Age writer History of Time. Marilyn Ferguson, author of The
340 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. 15 New Age Around the World
ot surprisingly, the United New Age perspective. States and other English- France: Metaphysical material is N speaking countries repre- popular. In addition, one French sent the world's largest market for publisher has launched a series of New Age and metaphysical books, "New Age fiction." according to Publishers Weekly Italy: Favorite subjects are (December 7, 1990). In Canada, astrology, yoga, massage, natural native cultures and the environ- medicine, and healing. ment are the focus of New Age Greece: Some 30 to 40 publishers interests; in England, emphasis falls in Greece publish esoteric material, on the Arthurian tradition. Look- on subjects including astrology, ing farther afield, the dubious yoga, acupuncture, homeopathy, honor of being the second-largest massage, Tarot, Zen, I Ching, and market for New Age ideas is held mythology. Greece has at least one by Germany. Subject areas favored specialty New Age bookstore, Pyri- by German readers include anthro- nos Kosmos, or Fiery World. posophy, inner transformation, Countries all over the world dreams, death, and angelic mes- purchase rights to publish New sages, as well as self-help. New Age Age/metaphysical books of Amer- books for children are also popular. ican origin; at the same time, Here's a brief rundown of New Publishers Weekly notes, the "rich Age/metaphysical interests in international heritage" of such Europe, at least as publishers see material in this country, which them. includes such luminaries as H. P. Sweden: Similar to Germany, but Blavatsky (Russian/American), G. I. a smaller market. Popular topics Gurdjieff (Greek/Armenian/Rus- include transpersonal psychology, sian), Ouspensky (Russian), Teil- personal development, intuitional hard de Chardin (French), Parama- development, shamanism. hansas Yogananda (Indian), Alice Holland: No fewer than eight Bailey (British), Rudolf Steiner New Age magazines are published (German), Carl Jung (Austrian), in this small country, covering Reshad Feld (British), Elizabeth mysticism (Eastern and Western), Haich (German), and Dane Rud- meditation, art, religion, martial hyar (French). Of course many arts, computers, health and envir- more names could be added to this onmental issues, homeopathy, and brief list. transpersonal psychology from a —LAS.
Aquarian Conspiracy, uses the term starting to see books about how [to "New Age activism" to describe the achieve it]," she says. As an example current trend. "Ram Dass and others of a New Age activist book, Ferguson have shown why individuals and cites The Simple Act of Planting a Tree society need a new direction. We're by Andy and Katy Lipkis, published
Summer 1991 341 by Jeremy Tarcher. them. According to publishers, books One reason for the growing inter- on divination systems, such as Tarot, est in the practical aspect of spiritual are popular right now, along with pursuits may be the current emphasis spiritually oriented books on environ- on the individual's role in protecting mentalism and indigenous cultures, the environment: New Age thought the men's movement (led by Robert has persistently focused on the impor- Bly's latest, Iron John), feminist spir- tance of the individual in changing ituality (the so-called goddess move- both oneself and the world. Another ment), Jungian ideas, and Eastern factor may be the economic recession,, philosophy as it relates to American since hard times force many people to business. Once again, in their eternal concentrate on pragmatic concerns. quest to sell books, publishers not only Even if bookstores no longer group cater to popular taste but also influ- books in a section labeled "New Age," ence it. many of the same titles are dispersed —Lys Ann Shore in other sections. And if channeling and crystals are out, other equally Lys Ann Shore is a SKEPTICAL INQUIRER questionable subjects will replace contributing editor.
Nation's Mathematicians Behind one door is a car; behind the others, goats. You pick a door—say, • Guilty of 'Innumeracy' No. 1—and the host, who knows what's behind the doors, opens another door—say, No. 3—which \\l A #hen E. F. Hutton talks, has a goat. He then says to you, "Do you want to pick door No. 2?" Is \/\/people listen." Who can it to your advantage to switch your V V forget those indelible choice? television commercials, in which the world came to a virtual standstill, In her column, vos Savant an- focusing its sole attention upon that swered, "Yes, you should switch." She oracle of financial wisdom (that is, explained that, obviously, there is a before Hutton went belly-up)? As a 1:3 chance that the original choice, rule, when Marilyn vos Savant speaks door No. 1, is the correct one. There- in her weekly Parade magazine fore, there must be a 2:3 chance that, column, "Ask Marilyn" (her byline since door No. 3 has now been notes that she "is listed in the 'Guin- eliminated as a possibility, the car is ness Book of World Records Hall of behind door No. 2. For those readers Fame' for 'Highest IQ' "), people listen. requiring further explanation, she In the instance discussed below, illustrated the point with this example: however, they may have been listen- "Suppose there are a million doors, and ing, but they weren't believing— you pick door No. 1. Then the host, although they should have been. who knows what's behind the doors The following "brain teaser" was and will always avoid the one with the submitted to vos Savant last year by prize, opens them all except door No. a reader: 777,777. You'd switch to that door pretty fast, wouldn't you?" Suppose you're on a game show, and Apparently not, based upon the you're given a choice of three doors. chastising letters vos Savant received
342 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. 15 from those who ought to know better—mathematicians who share CSICOP's dismay over the nation's state of "innumeracy." In a follow-up Ask Marilyn" column last December, vos Savant BY MARILYN VOS SAVANT published some examples:
"I'm very concerned with the general public's lack of mathemat- ical skills. Please help by confessing your error. . . '—Robert Sachs, Ph.D., George Mason University "You blew it, and you blew it big! . . . You seem to have difficulty grasping the basic principle at work here. . . . There is enough mathe- matical illiteracy in this country, and we don't need the world's highest IQ propagating more. Shame!"— Scott Smith, Ph.D., University of Florida "Your answer to the question is in error. But if it is any consolation, many of my colleagues have also been stumped by this problem."— Photo by Eddie Adams Barry Pasternack, Ph.D., California Faculty Association One might have thought, or at least hoped, that this second column would In an effort to even more clearly have settled the issue. But in her illustrate the correctness of her February 17, 1991, column, we were original answer, vos Savant invoked treated to the following: the classic "shell game," in which a pea is placed beneath one of three shells. "I am in shock that after being The gambler/victim is asked to place corrected by at least three mathe- a finger on one shell, and the "house" maticians, you still do not see your then lifts away one of the others, mistake."—Kent Ford, Dickinson leaving behind two shells, one of State University which covers the pea. As vos Savant explained, by removing one empty ". . . Albert Einstein earned a dearer shell "we've learned nothing to allow place in the hearts of the people us to revise the odds on the shell under after he admitted his errors."— your finger." She then presented a Frank Rose, Ph.D., University of Michigan "probability grid" containing all pos- sible permutations of the game, showing how "when you don't switch, ". . . Your answer is clearly at odds with the truth."—James Rauff, you win one in three times and lose Ph.D., Millikin University two in three. Try it yourself." (The "shell game" is illegal precisely "May I suggest that you obtain and because, despite the appearance of refer to a standard textbook on 50:50 odds, they actually favor the probability. . . ."—Charles Reid, "house" 2:1.) Ph.D., University of Florida
Summer 1991 343 "... I am sure you will receive many vos Savant asks the nation's math letters from high school and college teachers to perform 400 trials of the students. Perhaps you should keep "shell game" with their students, the a few addresses for help with future first 200 with no "switching," followed columns."—W. Robert Smith, by 200 "switches," with random Ph.D., Georgia State University selections to be made by rolling a die "You are utterly incorrect. . . . How until a 1, 2, or 3 comes up. Even if many irate mathematicians are no "little green woman" arrives in a needed to get you to change your UFO to supervise the trials, I predict mind?"—E. Ray Bobo, Ph.D., a few red faces on those math instruc- Georgetown University tors who will not see the light until the results of the trials are tallied. ". . . If all those Ph.D.s were wrong, the country would be in very serious —Gary P. Posner trouble."—Everett Harman, Ph.D., U.S. Army Research Institute (Readers are also referred to Innumeracy: "Maybe women look at math prob- Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Conse- lems differently than men."—Don quences, by John Paulos, Hill and Edwards, Sunriver, Oregon Wang, N.Y., 1988.)
"When reality clashes so violently Dr. Posner, an internist in St. Petersburg, with intuition," vos Savant responded, Florida, is a member of Mensa, and "people are shaken." In once again founder of the Tampa Bay Skeptics. addressing the question "Should you switch?" she apparently decided this Editor's Postscript: time to invoke a more universally accepted phenomenon. Suppose, she Mathematicians at the Massachusetts says, after choosing door No. 1, and Institute of Technology came to vos having the host step in and "give a Savant's defense. "You are indeed clue" by opening one of the two correct," wrote Seth Kalson, Ph.D. remaining doors, "at that point . . . "My colleagues at work had a ball with a UFO settles down onto the stage. this problem, and I dare say that most A little green woman emerges, and the of them—including me at first— host asks her to point to one of the thought you were wrong!" The same two unopened doors. The chances that thing happened with mathematicians she'll randomly choose the one with at the University of Oregon. After 92 the prize are 1:2 [as opposed to 2:3 percent of the letters vos Savant chances of the original contestant received expressed belief she was winning by switching]. But that's wrong, Frank Anderson, head of the because she lacks the advantage the University of Oregon's Mathematics original contestant had—the help of Department, said, "Consensus is not the host. ... If the prize is behind the issue. She is 100 percent right." No. 2, the host shows you No. 3; and SKEPTICAL INQUIRER reader Lenna if the prize is behind No. 3, the host Mahoney, an atmospheric scientist in shows you No. 2. So when you switch, Richland, Washington, writes that you win if the prize is behind No. 2 she too at first thought the answer or No. 3. You win either way! But if was obvious. "It wasn't till I started you don't switch, you win only if the writing a computer program to sim- prize is behind door No. 1." ulate the set of choices that I realized And if that isn't sufficiently clear, I was wrong. You have more infor-
344 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. 15 mation on the second choice because the emcee knew which cur- tain had the car and took that into account when he chose which curtain to open; after all, he couldn't show the car without prema- turely ending the game." Mahoney says not one of the several technical professionals, including Ph.D. scien- tists, of her acquain- tance who saw the thought problem got the right answer by immediate intui- izable using technical-type rhetoric, tion. And several came up with "very and everyone thinks the solution is fanciful ways of 'proving' that the odds obvious. The basic subtle fallacy seems were even." One "refused to accept to be the idea that because there is the results of my computer program," a choice of two unknowns and only arguing that "in short, if the program one is right the odds must be even. didn't agree with him it was wrong." The point that intuition ignores is that "This circular rationale illustrates there were originally three choices, what I find fascinating about the from which the two-choice set was problem," says Mahoney. "Not even derived. It is remarkable that so many experts have the correct intuition, the technical Ph.D.s should miss that incorrect answer is infinitely rational- point."—K.F.
The Mints Affair and Walker was already contempla- ting giving up the column to pursue 0 At Scientific American other interests, so serious attention was paid to Mims's proposals. On July 27,1989, Mims was invited n May 1988, writer Forrest Mims to come to New York from his home made an unsolicited presentation to in Texas to discuss the column with I Scientific American to take over its the magazine's editor, Jonathan Piel, Amateur Scientist column. He en- and other senior staff. On August 7, visioned a column devoted to hands- Mims visited the offices of Scientific on tinkering, in the style of that American. During the morning his column's longtime writer C. L. (Red) proposals were met with universal Stong, rather than the "physics of praise from the editorial staff. Shortly everyday life" format of Jearl Walker, before lunch, Mims had a brief con- who was writing it at the time. The versation with Piel. Mims was asked editors were committed to a major about his other writing, and he review of the style of the magazine, mentioned that, in addition to his
Summer 1991 345 extensive writing on technology, he Piel apparently agreed to buy the three also wrote for nontechnical journals, articles, saying that this would give including some Christian magazines. Jearl Walker a chance at a vacation. Piel was disquieted by this and asked Apparently over the next few weeks Mims his belief on evolution and Piel changed his mind. On October 30, creationism. Mims replied that he he returned the columns with pay- rejected evolution. Piel quietly ment for only two of them, and denied informed several of his staff, and the that he had ever agreed to purchase afternoon proceeded with no further the columns. Mims then wrote a letter mention of the subject. to Claus-Gerhard Firchow, then pres- Piel agonized over his dilemma for ident of Scientific American, and an several weeks. Although convinced agreement was reached on December that Mims was a worthy columnist, 13,1989. The magazine agreed to pay he was worried that selecting Mims for the third article and publish all as a technology writer could result in three. Mims signed a release preclud- the appearance that Scientfic American ing civil suits for employment discrim- endorsed his decidedly unscientific ination that may have occurred prior views of biology. Some of his staff felt to the signing of the release. The three that there was no problem, while articles appeared in the June, August, others shared Piel's reservations. In and October 1990 issues, respectively. the meantime, Mims began a series Jearl Walker finally did resign as the of frequent telephone calls to Scientific Amateur Scientist columnist, and American, and before long had spoken Mims again applied to succeed him. at length with nearly every member By this time Piel was sure he didn't of the staff. Some of the exchanges want Mims to write the column. On were less than genteel. One staffer August 27, 1990, Mims presented a asked Mims if he were a fundamen- formal complaint to the Committee on talist Christian. (Mims describes Scientific Freedom and Responsibility himself as an Evangelical.) Another of the American Association for the staffer asked his views on abortion Advancement of Science, of which he and made reference to those who is a member. On October 29, the bombed abortion clinics. Mims was committee wrote Mims stating that, asked to agree not to use Scientific while they did not take a position American's name in association with concerning the particulars of the any article on creationism and to dispute, they did "affirm [their] discourage anyone else from doing so. commitment to the principle that On August 30, 1989, Scientific Amer- articles submitted for publication in ican assigned a trial column to Mims journals devoted to science, technol- for a fee of $2,000, and two topics ogy, and medicine should be judged were suggested. Two columns were exclusively on their scientific merit. A submitted on September 23,1989, and person's private behavior or religious a third column sometime later. or political beliefs or affiliations should not serve as criteria in the evaluation All of the staff finally agreed that of articles submitted for publication." Mims should write the column. On A similar complaint was also October 4, 1989, Piel telephoned addressed to the IEEE. Mims's story Mims, who surreptitiously taped the has generated a significant amount of conversation. Piel again praised the press attention, including articles in columns, and again expressed his the New York Times, the Wall Street serious reservations that Mims's Journal, and Harper's. beliefs might reflect on the magazine.
346 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. 15 -rite about science. Another *ug jested thai Iwas attempting t o "pea- Intolerance Threatens Every ciiatc" mainline scientific uiyjni- Creationist Belief Precludes /irlH.iit IJuting J nationally tele- vised dohale, an nnthiopi>l"t;i,-l »l*i Scientist—Amateur Or Not dtfcvtt M airtHreauwrisi organi&j- Credibility On Science Issues invi-,ni ami Madcteiag non questioned my eompciuKy BY ARTHUR L. CAPLAN Ihc Committee on Scientific TO the best of my knowledge, re thin 211 yean Id r e a m e dof Fiecdorn and Rc»poii»ibilils of the mine of these vcicntisi. lead any of American Association fix the Ad- .in »iA. before makingtheir ( j u d g - It i* tough defending the position thaInt Sa manh ninf) bpart Amtrkwis of thwaMighe Unitetd m The Amateur Scientist."the- p o p u - vancement of Science venl ine a kt iirr Pemri Mims a> Ihe juihor ol Suits high whovl hioiiif) Icci- lar column in.Scientific American let that staled. "Aperson's p r i v a t e Thecontroversary h a s received r i - -The Anwtcur SdMtM" eohmw. hooki (rthci omit *nv rcfeicntc W ihiiiin^iitrd me become; a science behavior ot religions B1political be irnsive medij covraage, imw of it Mint' inocu, one of ihe central te- evuluiiim ->\ devote no rawt lhati J i. titer. After tin dream tunc uuc. licfc IK ifTilwitort* should not serve fair ami object •••:. Among Ihe few ol the job—lie i* a com- fe* paragraphs M ihe lulijevt llw Scientific American rfn&xti my as- popular media have a natty habit nt signment to write the column be- Cfc* whnnitcJ fw going equal credence to the letUNI cause of my views on c solution Md puhlicalK* We em- ilv and ihe sucnlifi. Mulu> of irea- abortion. phMfat. in pailietital, n.'LiMr am\ ,1 uvoliilionau thcoi>. The controversy over my ili»- of ike JSI» much iti r u d e m t inlhr viiling> IFAMMI FROm "The Amateur Scien- Com mince thai of ihnse who hjvc embraced ihe tist" has been ct»r.«clcri/ed by irony. il uperson h u f e b teli- c.iijw .'I fortcst Mont. Were he alive today.Rufus. Poner, ginmlj ottisal be- But trctfioniim n not wtcnoe [tie founding alitor of Scientific btMh.lt U'OfllCI Kith The beliefs ol Mints ami olhri American. would re tired from ho. view* commonly held trtatioiiiMs notwiihuanilitm itit own publication, for he advociitei) in tbe vcicniflii; mim- fact Off evolution iv no longer open betid in "Onto Cad" in the y. ltd Be belief* • believes iti4tthcip- magazine's premier issue In !H4'> influence ncs of evolution ale neitiiei uauitik Since Porieri at Hulls wrote about *.h.wlpuhli- •ct verifiable. This b umpHy false. God and I promised mix HI. hi* of i>isfndeiiti.'jii;..-'h -ASu-tw-lHiil. tense was infinitely more cmhiUTiis*- ttclc* utiles i! ercd to esumiw the refinement jnd i.ig than mint beliefs are itflectcd of DurssiniMii in response Another inn) it thai Ihc n M '
Mims still wants to write the selection. He concedes that organisms Amateur Scientist column and has much like blue-green algae flourished some reason to feel aggrieved. During 3 billion years ago and that whales the prolonged negotiations, he for- with vestigial legs lived 15 million went other potentially lucrative years ago, but then asks why paleon- assignments, and he was asked some tologists can't find any "missing links." impertinent questions. On the other The proposals that Mims made hand, there is no evidence of malice covered topics and techniques for on Scientific American's part. If the which he does have demonstrated negotiations with Mims were some- competence, and had Piel not asked what extended, it must be borne in his innocent question, Mims might mind that he was applying for a slot well be writing the column today. As that someone else still held. Piel could it is, he is now the editor of a new have been more decisive, and his hands-on science quarterly called opinion was certainly second-guessed Science Probe! and the Amateur Scien- by his own staff, but his decision was tist column is not currently appearing hardly outrageous. An editor clearly in Scientific American. This is certainly has the right to define an editorial a regrettable affair, but hardly the position and to refuse it to anyone stuff of Greek tragedy. who does not conform to that posi- tion, and Piel's decision was based on —Robert Felt Mims's scientific beliefs, not his reli- gious ones. Robert Felt is the editor of the Pseudo- Prior to the onset of this contro- Science Monitor, the newsletter of the versy, Mims had not written on Midwest Committee for Rational Inquiry, evolutionary issues, nor had he made where this article originally appeared in a systematic study of them. It's hard a slightly different form. (See also Martin to figure out exactly what he believes Gardner's column, "Cal Thomas, the Big when he says that he rejects "Darwin- Bang, and Forrest Mims," in this issue. ian Evolution" but accepts natural —EDITOR)
Summer 1991 347 Paranormal Beliefs rect. ESP, UFOs, mental-healing, and other phenomena really do exist, but In the USSR we must provide scientifically reliable investigations and wait until official science explains them." This report on paranormal interests in Skeptics form a rather small group. the Soviet Union was provided to the They consider claims of the para- SKEPTICAL INQUIRER by Oleg G. normal to be neither truth nor Bakhtiarov, Director, Perspectiva Scien- (alleged) facts in need of special tific Research Center in Kiev, USSR. In investigation. They say: "All these an introductory note to CS1C0P Chair- paranormal phenomena are just mys- man Paul Kurtz, he wrote: "1 was greatly tification—they can't be explained by pleased to read your article 'Paranormal science, so they simply do not exist." Pandemonium in the USSR' /SI, Spring The USSR mass media belong 1990]; thank you for mentioning our mostly to the first group (fans) and center in it. The problem of the growth in some cases to the second (opti- of paranormal beliefs disturbs us very mists). We have no newspaper or much. Indeed, Russia is now returning magazine that provides a truly scien- to the Golden Age of Occultism of the tific investigation of paranormal early 1900s. We are making some efforts claims. However, some efforts in this to provide truly scientific investigations of area are being made by Nauka i Religia these claims to prevent the spread of 'occult (Science and Religion), a journal optimism' in the mass media and in the published by Znaniye (Knowledge), a common conscience. In order to provide public organization. Here is some the U.S. and Western public and skeptics information about the activity of organizations with more information paranormal believers: about the paranormal in the USSR, we send you this survey on the subject by UFOlogy the center's Analytical Section." The headquarters of the Committee ublic opinion concerning para- of UFOs and Atmospheric Anomalies normal belief is divided among (V. Azhazha, President) is in Moscow, Pthree main groups: "fans," and the organization has branches in optimists, and skeptics. all major cities of the USSR. The Fans are ready to believe almost any Committee's main work consists of information about the paranormal; gathering information about UFOs in their faith is rather steady, as if it were the USSR. a kind of religion. Fans are the core The School of Nontraditional members of organizations that focus Sciences in Kiev opened a UFO depart- on UFOs, ESP, mental-healing, spir- ment last year. Lecturers tell the itual channeling, and so on. They students their theories about UFOs, constitute the major part of the USSR contacts with UFOnauts, and so on. common conscience (and of the mass Mystic beliefs (like Madame Blavat- media). sky's Theosophy) are popular here. Optimists believe that the situation Every city in the USSR has its will improve. They say something like group of UFOlogy enthusiasts who this: "Okay, the paranormal is not to gather information about UFOs, give be accepted without any doubt. We lectures, and provide exhibitions of must observe it, analyze it, and so on. photographs, reports of eyewitnesses, But we believe that the facts are cor- and so on.
348 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. 15 Healers Tibetan monk Lakh-do, who lived near Leningrad (the native city of Among the healers are individuals Rootzko); that he knows 16,997 who work alone as well as members languages; that he can read thoughts; of healer organizations. There are that he has had several contacts with several psychic healers' groups in the UFOnauts; that he is the one who USSR, such as the Organization of must "save the ill world"; and that he Professional Extrasenses and the can heal all illnesses. Association of Meditative Autogene Rootzko's healing shows gather Training. Every large city has a huge crowds in Leningrad, Riga, and number of organizations of this kind. Kiev. In Kiev he had two shows in The center of their activity is in Kiev, the Republican Stadium (with 100,000 where there are organized psychic- attending each) and ten shows in the healer groups. These organizations Palace of Sports (twice a day, 30,000 provide healing sessions, lectures, and at each performance). seminars; show films; and publish Usually, Rootzko wears a black literature. There are about 40 such kimono; he is dark, with long hair and organizations in Kiev, and every city a beard. On his shows he makes some in the USSR has a number of similar gestures with his hands (like Tai-Chi- groups. Chuan exercises) and sings something Many people in the United States he calls "Tibetan singing." He also have become acquainted with one of works with hypnosis or suggestion, the healers. I refer to Anatoly Kash- making people "become free of their perovsky, who put on a number of his illnesses." "healing shows" there, as well as in As for the television shows of the Poland, Germany, and Israel. He is well-known Chumak and others like popular in the USSR because of his him (for example, Sidorchuk, in Kiev), television shows, "healing" sessions in they are not officially permitted now. the sports area, and his help to the This may be because of the efforts of Soviet hospitals. physicians who strongly protested Not long ago, a new "star" of against such shows. healing appeared—Gennady Rootzko. There are also "village healers" of He says that he is a pupil of the various kinds, who use phytotherapy
Summer 1991 349 and primitive hypnosis; "kolduns" The Soviet Astrological Associa- (wizards), who use psychic-healing tion is very close to officially declaring and hypnosis—Moscow is the head- itself; according to some reports, it quarters of the Association of Russian may include more than 5,000 mem- Wizards, organized in April 1990; bers. shamans (in Siberia), who use phyto- therapy and psychic trans-healing. —Dimitry V. Kanashkin Almost every village has its own such healer. Dimilry Kanashkin is chief of the Analytical Section of the Perspectiva Nontraditional Philosophies Scientific Research Center in Kiev.
The growth of Glasnost after the long years of silence was the stimulus for the appearance of nontraditional philosophy adepts in the USSR. They Origin of the Myth are headquartered in the Agni Yoga Center in Piga. Their philosophy is About a Missing based on the teachings of Nikolai Day in Time Rerikh, the well-known painter, who is connected with the Urushvati Institute in India. The Agni Yoga he myth that our "astronauts and Center also publishes books by N. space scientists" at Greenbelt, Rokotova (Rerikh's wife) and holds Maryland, located a missing day lectures and seminars. T in time has been around since at least Satanism or cult crimes are not 1969 and apparently even earlier (SI, present in the USSR, but there is some Spring 1986, pp. 258-264; see also SI, belief among the public in the mys- Fall 1986, p. 108). Briefly, the story ticism of Kabbal and medieval magic is that space scientists were checking cults. the position of planets by computer In Moscow there is also a center to avoid collision with satellites. The of the Soviet Hare Krishna Society, computer discovered a missing 23 where lectures, seminars, and courses hours and 20 minutes at the time in Vedic Therapy are presented. Joshua made the sun stand still and an additional 40 minutes at the point Astrology where Isaiah made the sun move backward as a sign to Hezekiah. Astrology is rather popular in the Tom Mclver, in his Spring 1986 SI USSR now. Almost every large news- article, "Ancient Tales and Space-Age paper carries articles about it and Myths of Creationist Evangelism," many people believe them. Some was able to trace published versions consult astrologers more or less of the story to Harold Hill, a "con- regularly. sultant to the space industry." Hill Pavel Globa and his wife, Tamara, claims to have been called in to get are the major astrologers. They a computer up and running after it provide horoscopes for newspapers shut down when NASA's Goddard and give public lectures about astrol- Space Flight Center first opened and ogy. (They gave five shows in Kiev; heard about the Missing Day Incident about 25,000 people were present at there, though he does not know the each.) names of those involved.
350 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. 15 I was able to obtain some further spacecraft tracking stations," accord- information from the National Aero- ing to James S. Lacy of the NASA nautics and Space Administration Office of Public Relations. (NASA) about this tale. NASA quickly informed me that the whole story was —Robert W. Loftin a fabrication. To quote from a letter sent to me by Brian Dunbar, Public Robert W. Loftin is professor of philos- Affairs Officer at the NASA Office ophy, Department of History and Phi- of Space Science and Application in losophy, University of North Florida, Washington: Jacksonville, FL 32216.
This story is a myth that has been around since the mid-1960s, obviously evolving in the interven- ing years, and stems from the reconciliation of different timekeep- M Pell Aide Hears Code ing systems. The need for an "adjustment" to our timekeeping In Backwards Speeches arose from our lack of adequate computing power in the early days of the Apollo program. Designing he word was simone. Played back- navigational paths through the wards, it spelled embarrassment Solar System was made difficult by for Senator Claiborne Pell (D- the complexity of three-body equa- T tions. Part of that complexity lay in R.I.). the critical timing of the motion of Pell is Capitol Hill's best-known each body. At that time there was proponent of psychic research, the no universal agreement as to an only member of Congress known to Earth standard time. NASA now have a full-time special assistant operates on Universal Time (often whose sole job is to promote research referred to as Greenwich Mean into psychic phenomena. One month Time). Earth ephemeris time (side- before Election Day 1990, during the real time) and Universal Time are military buildup for the 1991 Persian not the same, and it was not clear Gulf war against Iraq, this staff in the 1960s which was better for determining trajectories. The reso- member, C. B. Scott Jones, wrote a lution and reconciliation involved letter to Secretary of Defense Richard changing a variety of methods and B. Cheney. settling on Universal Time. At no Jones warned that the word simone time during this reconciliation was appeared when tapes of speeches a "missing day" discovered. made by Cheney, Secretary of State James A. Baker III, and President Bush NASA confirmed that Hill was were played backwards. The speeches, involved with them, although not Jones said, dealt with the Gulf crisis. quite in the capacity that he claims as "I mention this situation in case it a "consultant to the space industry" is a code word that would not be in called in to get computers up and the national interest to be known," running when they crashed. Hill, said Jones, who explained that the formerly president of the Curtis word was discovered through "a Engine Company of Baltimore, "was technology known as Reverse Speech involved in some diesel engine oper- Therapy." Simone, he said, was "a word ations and maintenance contracting that we have never seen in a speech . . . at Goddard and a few remote reversal."
Summer 1991 351 Pell said, "It certainly isn't helpful" credentials. that the letter was leaked to reporters I called Oates, who said he was a at a time when he faced a tough former youth counselor and had reelection campaign against Republi- written a book on reverse speech can Congresswoman Claudine therapy that was published in 1987 in Schneider. Pell added that "while it his native Australia. sounds wacky, there may be some He told me he listened to 20 to 30 merit to [Reverse Speech Therapy]" hours of tapes played backwards each because he trusts in "Scott's own week because he believed that uncon- responsible role in life." scious thoughts surface in reverse Jones was reprimanded, not for speech. Oates called his work "a sending the warning, but for violating discovery of tremendous value." Pell's office policy against staffers' Oates said he heard "simone" five using Senate letterhead stationery times in the 20 to 30 hours of Persian without permission. Gulf speeches by Bush, Cheney, and Anyone with a little imagination Baker that he taped off Cable News can hear words or phrases when Network. Oates wondered if it was speech or song is played backwards. some kind of code word, and he Such unintended "messages" are mentioned his concern to Jones when found in everything from the Bible to Pell's staffer contacted him about rock music. Reverse Speech Therapy. Jones then So one question raised by the wrote the letter to Cheney. "simone" case was, Where did the When I asked Oates for an example word simone come from? of a "simone" message, he cited an To find out, I called Chris Camp, August 8, 1990, news conference by the news director for WPRO-Radio in Bush, where the backwards phrase Providence. I asked him to speak the that caught his interest was "Simone word "simone" into one of the sta- in the sands." He played the tape for tion's tape recorders and then play it me. Like most backwards messages, backwards. Camp reported that it the phrase isn't very clear, but you sounded like enormous." can hear it if you're told what to listen So I asked Camp to repeat the for. experiment, this time by recording the What were listeners actually hear- word "enormous." Played backwards, ing when Bush said "Simone in the "enormous" became "simone" (pro- sands?" Oates said the president's nounced "si-MO-nee"). words were "Iraq has massed an The results suggested that every enormous war machine." "Simone," time Bush, Baker, or Cheney used the he said, came from the sounds in the word enormous in one of their speeches word enormous. to describe the massive military Columnist Philip Terzian said the operation in the Gulf, the word simone affair reminded him of the Beatles' would appear to anyone who listened white album, where listeners heard for a backwards message. Other the backwards message "I bury Paul." words or word combinations might "I've been reading [Jones's] letter to produce the same effect. Richard Cheney backwards," Terzian John Mulligan, a reporter at the wrote, "and [I] am certain I can hear Providence Journal, then tracked the a voice say: 'I bury Pell.' " source of Jones's warning to David It was not to be. Pell's opponent, Oates, an unemployed electronics buff Schneider, could not capitalize on the from Dallas with no scientific issue because she is also a believer in
352 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Vol. 15 psychic phenomena and other uncon- The entry for Psychic is not quite ventional ideas. as forthrightly negative but does Pell easily won reelection. include an essential qualifier, "alleged": It says "psychic" should be —Eugene Emery, ]r. reserved "for parapsychology, the field of alleged mental abilities that are Eugene Emery is the science reporter for not explainable by reference to the the Providence Journal. normal senses. 'Psychic' is a general term, and we are more informative if we use more specific ones when these apply, such as clairvoyant, telepathic, I A Stylebook telekinetic." It would be even better if the 1 With Style stylebook would suggest that "alleged," "self-proclaimed," or "self- described" be used on first reference ewspapers are, often uninten- to a "psychic" or "clairvoyant," and tionally, among the widest wherever possible to place the latter N disseminators of misinforma- designations in quotes. But that's a tion about fringe-science and the minor quibble: the Globe and Mail's paranormal. Major newspapers have stylebook, prepared by J. A. McFarlane stylebooks that provide guidelines for and Warren Clements, has taken an treating all manner of subjects. Pro- important step in the right direction. fessor Fred Donnelly of the University A check of the Associated Press of New Brunswick brings to our Stylebook finds no entries at all on welcome attention some refreshingly these or related subjects. candid and responsible entries in one of them, the stylebook of the Toronto —Kendrick Frazier Globe and Mail, Canada's leading newspaper. Here is the stylebook's entry' on Astrology: "We should not make even the slightest implication in a news NCSE Acquires story that The Globe or any of its staff believe in astrology. See Zodiac." Creation/Evolution The entry for Zodiac says this: Journal "Lower case. It is an imaginary belt around the sky, divided into 12 sections, called signs. It is no longer he National Center for Science correct to say that the names of these Education has become the new sections are those of the principal Tpublisher of Creation/Evolution, a constellation found in them. Preces- magazine/journal devoted to improv- sion of the equinoxes over the cen- ing popular understanding of evolu- turies since the signs were named has tion and critiquing claims by anti- put each of these constellations into evolutionists. the sign after the one that bears its The Berkeley-based NCSE is the name. We must not indicate in a news nonprofit national organization of story, however obliquely, that The scientists and laypersons promoting Globe or any member of its staff evolution education and opposing the believes in astrology." anti-evolutionism of "scientific" crea-
Summer 1991 353 tionism in the public-school class- the first issue of 1991. Students at all room. "The marriage is a natural," levels as well as scholars and journal- says the journal's new editor John R. ists use the Readers' Guide to identify Cole, an anthropologist at the Univer- sources of material for term papers, sity of Massachusetts-Amherst. reports, and books and articles. The NCSE will publish two issues a year addition of the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER to of Creation/Evolution and four issues the Readers' Guide listings will help of the shorter NCSE Reports. For bring to the attention of these wider further information contact Eugenie audiences the kinds of critical evalua- C. Scott, Executive Director, NCSE, tions and discussions on a wide variety 2107 Dwight Way #105, Berkeley, CA of topics for which SI has long been 94704. known to its regular readers. It will now become especially important for more libraries at all levels to carry the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Readers' Guide so that students and researchers can Now Indexes SI have direct access to articles refer- 0 enced. Readers are encouraged to bring SI and the news about the e are pleased to report that Readers' Guide to the attention of the Readers' Guide to Periodical libraries in their areas. WLiterature is now indexing the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, beginning with —Kendrick Frazier
OUT THERE Rob Pudim
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