The Arizona Skeptic A Journal Promoting Critical Thinking Volume 6, Issue 1 July/August 1992 question, we should have expected an Science and Dianetics event which was incompatible with the By Jeff Jacobsen theory-an event which· would have L.Ron Hubbard constantly makes the ·claim that refuted the theory. dianetics is a "scientific fact." In fact, he makes that (3) Every "good" scientific theory is a claim 35 times in Dianetics. For example, "All our prohibition: it forbids certain things to facts are functional and these facts are scientific facts, happen. The more.a theory forbids, the supported wholly and completely by laboratory evidence" better it is; (p. 96). Hubbard shows that he highly regards correct (4) A theory which is not refutable by any scientific ·experimentation by carefully hedging his conceivable event is non-scientific. approval of another scientific ··experiment done by Irrefutability is not a virtue of a theory (as someone else. This test was conducted in a hospital to people often think) but a vice. see whether unattended children became sick more often (5) Every genuine test of a theory is an than attended children. "The test. .. seems to have been attempt to falsify it, or to refute it. conducted with proper controls" (p. 143), he cautiously Testability is falsifiability: some theories states, not having apparently seen the entire written are more testable, more exposed to report. refutation, than others; they take, as it In The Phoenix Lectures, Hubbard is also critical of were, greater risks. the early psychiatric work of Wundt in the latter<1800s: (6) Confirming evidence should not count "Scientific methodology was actually not,· there and then, except when it is the result ofa genuine immediately classified... what they did was unregulated, test of the theory; and this means that it uncontrolled, wildcat experiments, fuddling .• around can be presented as a serious but collecting enonnous quantities ofdata...u t unsuccessful attempt to falsify the theory. 1· am similarly cautious about Hubbard's (I now speak in such cases of experiments, especially since there seems to be no record "corroborating evidence.") of how they were done, what exactly the results were, (7) Some genuinely testable theories, when what kind of control group was used, whether the found to be false, are still upheld by their experiments were double blind, how many subjects there admirers-for example by introducing ad werein eachexperiment, and other pertinent data..I have hoc some auxiliary assumption, or by re­ asked· ranking Scientologists for this data, and have interpreting the theory ad hoc in such a fervently searched for it myself, and have yet to see·it. way that it escapes refutation. Such a This brings up the question of whether Hubbard can call procedure is always possible, but it his original research science. rescues the theory from refutation only at And, in keeping with the need to understand each the price of destroying, or at least word we use, it brings up the question of just what lowering, its scientific status.2 science is. What does it take for someone to The falsifiability approach is a good one, because no legitimately make the claim that his ideas are theory can be proven as a fact unless every case possible scientifically proven? When can something· be called a is individually example to see that it applies to every scientific fact? possible case. For example, a popular example of a As with many subjects in life, the deeper one looks "fact" in science classrooms of the 19th century was that into science, the murkier it gets. There is not even one "all swans are white." This was, however, shown to be single agreed-upon definition for science in the scientific untrue when a variety of swan in South America was community. Those people who seek to establish a discovered to be black. This .''fact'' was proven wrong by unifying definition are dealing in what is called the a previously unknown exception to the rule, and this philosophy of science. One of the most respected and example points out that it is never. entirely possible to most influential of these is Karl Popper. Popper claims prove a theory in the positive without examining every that no theory can be called scientific unless it is possible case of. that theory. (It is, of course, not falsifiable, that is, unless it can be demonstrated that possible to completely falsify many theories also, but deliberate attempts to prove a theory wrong are for the sake of brevity I would refer the reader to unsuccessful. Thus, a theory must open itself up to Popper's Logic of Scientific Discovery for further criticism from the scientific community to see whether it arguments on this subject.)3 can withstand critical scrutiny. Let us go now momentarily to one of Hubbard's Popper's formulation for scientific validation is: scientific claims: (1) It is easy to obtain confirmations, or Its [the reactive mind's] identity can now verifications, for nearly every theory-if be certified by any technician in any clinic we look for confumations. or in any group ofmen. Two hundred and (2) Confirmations should count only if they seventy-three individuals have been are the result of risky predictions; that is examined and treated, representing all the to say, if, unenlightened by the theory in 2 The Arizona Skeptic July/August 1992

various types .Qf inorganic mental illness audited. The experiment was carefully laid out according and· the many varieties of psychosomatic to dianetic theory and was at all times done under the ills. In each one this reactive mind was cooperation and suggestions ofthe Foundation. found operating, its principles unvaried.4 The subject· was knocked unconscious with .75 After the brief discussion previously of science, we grams of sodium pentathol by Dr. A. Davis, M.D., who can begin to question Hubbard's claim to scientific is one of the authors of the experiment. Whellthe validity. Exactly who were these 273 people? Were subject was found to be unconscious, Mr. Lebovits was they believers in Hubbard's. theories or a representative left alone with the subject while two recording devices sample of the public at large? Exactly how was the recorded the session..••.. Mr. Lebovits read a 35-word experiment conducted that proved the existence of the section of a physics book to the subject, administering reactive mind? This needs to be known so others can try pain during the reading of the last 18 words. He then left it to test for variables that Hubbard may have the room, and the patient was allowed to rest for another overlooked, to see ifhis experiment produced a statistical hour, at which time he was awakened. fluke, and to help in conducting experiments to try to Two days. later, the professional auditors from the disprove the theory. The more times an experiment is Dianetic Research Founda.tion began to audit the subject, conducted, the more likely it is shown·· to be true, trying to elicit the engram, or recording of the keeping in mind of course that no matter how many experiment that according to dianetic theory resided in the times an expedition went looking for white swans, "it subject's reactive mind. would find them, so long as they didn't go to South The auditors did elicit several possible passages from America. the subject and supplied these to the experimenters. The Was Hubbard seeking confirmation in his results were that "Comparison with the selected passage experiments or was he attempting to refute his theory, as shows that none of the above-quoted phrases, nor any Popper suggests a true man of science would do? other phrases quoted in the report, bear any relationship Designing a test that will provide confmnation of a at all to the selected passage. Since the reception of the thesis is not difficult. frrst interim report, in November 1950, the experimenter tried frequently and repeatedly to obtain further reports, A Real Experiment Comes Up Dry but so far without·success."g Hubbard does mention an experiment to perfonn that can The experimenters concluded by stating that while prove the existence ofengrams: their test case was only one subject, they felt that the If you care to make the experiment, you experiment was well done and strongly suggested that the can take a man, render him "unconscious," engranl bypothesiswasnot validated. I know of no hurt him and give him information. By other scientifically valid experimentbesides this one by Dianetic technique, no matter what non-dianeticists which attempted to prove Hubbard's infonnation you gave him, it can be engram theory. recovered. This experiment should not be There is one point I consider the most damning to carelessly conducted because you might Hubbard's attempt to cloak dianetics in scientific render him insane.5 (emphasis in validity. While he seems to be inviting others to original) conduct their own investigations (and thus seems to be Three researchers at the University of California, open to attempts to refute his claims), he never explains Los Angeles, decided in 1950 to give this experiment a his own experimental methods, thus closing the door to the scientific community's ability to verify his claims. try.6 If an individual should be placed, by some In order to evaluate Hubbard's claims, the scientific means of [sic] other, into an unconscious community would seek to replicate his experiments to state, then, according to traditional see if the same results were obtained and to check for psychology, no retention of the events possible influences on the experiment Hubbard may have occurring about him should take place and overlooked. They would also, as Popper suggests, try to consequently, no reports of such events shoot holes in the.theory,·either·on a logical basis or by can be elicited from the individual, no conductingrefutational experiments. matter what methods ofelicitation are If Hubbard really respected science, he would employed (hypothesis I). According to welcome and help the •• scientific community in its dianetics, retention should take place with attempts to both support and refute his theories. But he high fidelity and, therefore an account of and his successors in Dianetics and Scientology refuse to the events can be elicited by means of join in scientific debate over the merits of his ideas, maintaining a dogmatic rather than scientific stance. My dianetic auditing (hypothesis 11).7 attempts to get the experiments .from the Church of The Dianetic Research Foundation of Los Angeles Scientology have been in vain. I.have never heard of cooperated with the experimenters by providing a subject anyone who has seen them, nor even anyone who and several qualified auditors. The subject was a 3O-year­ claimed to know how they were conducted. It is mainly old male who worked for the foundation and was for this reason, I believe, that dianetics cannot claim considered a good .candidate for the experiment by the scientific validity. Until Hubbard's supposed original foundation since he had "sonic" recall and had been July/August 1992 The Arizona Skeptic 3 experiments are released to the public, dianetics can only be called science fiction. A Healthy Dose. of Sarsaparilla As a footnote, the only reference I found to By Jerome L.Cosyn Hubbard's actual notes on any original experiments was Hanging in my living room is an advertising poster from on a taped lecture by Hubbard in 1950. He stated at that sometime in the late 18008. It hangs in my house time that "my records are in. little notebooks, scribbles, largely because of the wonderful. artwork: a lovely, in pencil most of them. Nam.es and addresses are lost... angelic, round-cheeked young girl, with blue. eyes and there was a chaotic picture..." A certain Ms. Benton curly blonde tresses and rosebud lips. A vision of asked Hubbard for his notes to validate his research, but virginal Victorian virtue, the epitome of youthful when she saw them, "she finally threw up her hands in innocence and beauty, a paragon of health and rectitude, horror and started in on the project [validation] clean.,,9 If she gazes serenely into the distance, head turned slightly this is the type of material Hubbard was basing his to profile in a posture that conveys wonder and hope and "scientific facts" on, then there· is probably no need to a guileless and immaculate strength. .Pride without even see them to be ···able to·· reject them with good arrogance. Innocence without gullibility. A slight flush conscience. ofrose in her cheeks reveals her energetic enthusiasm for life, for this child faces each new day with eager Notes confidence. Her eyes betray no hint of worry or guilt or fear; she has never known pain or disease or suffering. 1L. Ron Hubbard, (Los Angeles: The ]Jhoenix Lectures In this painting is encapsulated everything the white Bridge Publications, 1982), p. 203. Anglo-Saxon Victorian American parent could possibly 2Karl Popper, Conjectures and. Refutations: The Growth hope for his children. The artist-totally unknown, of ofScientific/pseudoscience, or even from smaller, more sedate print, are the phrases: "Makes the nonscience. A recent overview ofsome Weak Strong" and "Improves the Complexion, Purifies different "theories ofscience" may be found in the Blood". Across the bottom is the slogan: chapter 2 of RonaIdN. Giere's Explaining "How fair·she grows. from day to day." Science: A Cognitive Approach (Chicago: She Uses University of Chicago Press, 1988). Popper's AYER'S SARSAPARILLA "falsifiability" criterion probably is the most How quaintly absurd we find such claims today, for popular criterion for distinguishing between a simple product once known as a "tonic" (which is still science and pseudoscience used by scientists the general term for soda pop in certain areas of the themselve~, the problem is.that it appears to country) but which was essentially the drink.we now call rule out some scientific theories and include root .beer. What would we think of A&W root beer some nonscientific ones (see, e.g., Laudan'.s advertised as "Makes the Weak Strong"? .How about articles in Michael Ruse's But Is It Science "Improves the Complexion, Purifies the Blood"? The (Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus, 1988), reviewed in sophisticated American mind of today would of course AS, FebruarylMarch 1990 and July 1990). scoff at such pretensions, even if truth-in-advertising 4L. Ron Hubbard, Dianetics (Los A.ngeles: Bridge laws let them slip through. We know better than to Publications, 1987), pp. 70-71. place our faith in wild claims of health and vigor from 5Ibid, p. 76. ordinary foodstuffs. We c~ smile at the naive charm of 6Jack Fox, Alvin E. Davis, and B.Lebovits, "An those simpler times, seeing through such transparent Experimental Investigation ofHubbard's attempts to manipulate us as easily as a modem ten-year­ Engram Hypothesis (Dianetics)," Psychological old dispels the myth of Santa Claus. Newsletter 10(1959):131-134. Nowadays we would never. be. taken in by snake-oil 7Ibid,· p. 132. incantations and absurd assertions from fast-talking 8Ibid, p. 133. medicine show hucksters. Today, Americans are vastly 9'What Dianetics Can Do," Lecture Series 2, 1950. more aware, more per~ptive than those simple minded Reprinted with permission frorn The Hubbard is Bare by Jeff bumpkins of yore. We're seasoned, sharp and cynical, Jacobsen. Copyright © 1992 by Jeff Jacobsen, P.O. Box educated, worldly. We know about health .and medicine 3541, Scottsdale, AZ 85271. and nutrition because there are thousands of books and magazine articles, talk show interviews and free government pamphlets, concerned co-workers and 4 The Arizona Skeptic July/August 1992 relatives and even complete strangers on the street to Jerome L. Cosyn· is a software engineer and freelance explain it to us. We can't get through a day without writer, a former contractor for NASA at the. Kennedy being told a dozen times what's truly healthful and what Space Center, and has recently had his first article to avoid; we're bombarded, lambasted, inundated with accepted for publication outside the U.S., in The Skeptic endless volleys of wellnessprograms and organic magazine ofGreat Britain. He lives in Wooster, .. Ohio. vegetables, workouts and· smokeouts, vitamins and minerals and high-fiber, low-sodium alternatives. We Book Review monitor our calorie intake, our caffeine intake, our sugar Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven intake,· our sodium intake, our cholesterol intake; we Hassan watch the MSG and eschew carcinogens. We aerate, 1988, Park Street Press, 226 pp., $16.95 chlorinate, and fluoridate; we exercise and aerobicize. In (hb), $12.95 (pb) even the smallest towns can be found a cornucopia of Reviewed by Chaz. Bufe organic bean curd, hydroponic tomatoes, hand-made Cults: it's rare that people can agree.oo even a defmiti()n marmalade and high-protein low-fat tofu. .In short, we of them, .•·.and one sardonic explanation bas been that are the most health conscious,· medically aware, "cult" is a pejorative term employed by members ofany biologically in-tune society that mankind has·· ever given religion to refer to other religions. Dictionary produced, and it would be completely impossible for so definitions are equally vague: "a group or sect bound obvious a canard as "Purifies the Blood" to deceive even togetherby devotion to or veneration of the same thing, a simple minded·hick from out in the sticks where they person, ideal, etc.," so it's little wonder that there is no can't even get MTV. consensus on .what constitutes a cult. These days, when we are told that a certain breakfast Thus, those who. prefer precision in language can cereal will prevent cancer, we know that it is true, only welcome Steven Hassan'snew book, Combatting because clean-cut, smarmy, bespectacled men with Cult Mind Control. While Hassan's prime concern is to straight white teeth and conservative ties and white provide infQnnation of "exit counseling" for cult smocks stand before us clutching clipboards like stone -members, in the course of his· discussion· he furnishes tablets handed down from the· mount by the god of much needed information about the nature and defining scientific scrutiny, with actual factual objective reports characteristics ofcults. that prove it to be so. Television advertising is awash in In preparation for his discussion of exitcounseling a veritable Sargasso Sea of graphs and •charts and (a n()I1coercive alternative to "deprogramming"),< Hassan, diagrams and statistics and reports, from the AMA,·the a former member and high-ranking official of the ADA, the FDA and ubiquitous independent study teams, Unifica~on Church, or Moonies, lists several different demonstrating to us with unimpeachable authority that types of cults. Spe£ifically,he lists religious cults such the products offered to us are blessed and beneficial.C. as the Unification Church and the Church of Everett Koop is tireless, writing books, giving Scientology; political cultssllch as the Lyndon interviews, doing research, traveling everywhere, LaRouche· organization; psychotherapy cults such as checking everything, providing a steady, life-giving EST; and commercial cults, though he doesn't name any stream of facts to keep ushealthy and prolong our lives. (Amway comes to mind). And if you can't believe aformer Surgeon General of the What all these have in common is what Hassan United States of America, who can you believe? considers the defining characteristic of destructive cults: A. bran muffin a day will add years to your life. The "mind control.". Accqrding to Hassan, ''mind control is right facial cleanser will actually slow the aging process. used to change a person'sbeliefsysteIIl without informed Mothers who care about their kids would rather die than consent and make hiIn dependent on outside authority feed them the wrong brand of peanut butter. A simple figures." Quite often, cults initiate the mind-control shot glassful of cough syrup will eradicate enough process through the use of deceptive recruiting symptoms to fill several chapters of. a medical techniques. One war in which cults such as the encyclopedia. Chicks dig guys who use tartar control Unification Church, Church of Scientology, and toothpaste. The nutritionally correct choice ofbread will LaRouche organization do this· is through the operation build. your bOdy in a baker's dozen ways. Just one of of front groups which recruit unsuspecting members of these pills will cause your body to bum away as many the public. Then, once a potential member bas been calories as if you'd run a marathon-and it's sucked into the cult's controlled atmosphere, the cult COMPLETELYSAPE! You take your life in your proceeds to reconstruct his or her personality. hands if you use a product that isn't doctor tested, Cults do this through a three-state process: clinically proven,· medically effective, nutritionally unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. "Unfreezing" refers beneficial, dentist approved and scientifically validated. to techniques such as those used by the Moonies to Yes, gone are the da.ys of primitive hucksterism and disorient potential members at Unification Church those quaintly transparent claims of health and vitality "retreats." These include sleep deprivation, complete from ordinary food and hygiene products. American denial of personal privacy, malnourishment, the use of health awareness has come of age. "Purifies the Blood" deliberately confusing language ("The more you try to indeed. understand what I am saying, the less you will never be We've come a long way, baby. able to understand it UnderstandT'), guided meditations, confessions, and prayer sessions. Once a potential July/August 1992 The Arizona Skeptic 5 member is "unfrozen," cults move quickly to "change" readers in ways to unsettle cult members during chance him or her, to impose a new personality structure. This street encounters. Hassan observes that straightforward is done through indoctrination: "Repetition, monotony, verbal attacks almost always leave cult members feeling rhythm: these are the lulling, hypnotic cadences in like members ofa persecuted, virtuous minority, and end which the formal indoctrination is'generally delivered." up 'strengthening their commitment to the cult. He In their disoriented state, "unfrozen" potential recruits are believes that appearing to be sympathetic and interested, often told that their "old self' is holding them back, and and then (after initial rapport has been established), that they should ask God what to do with their lives. asking questions such as "Is your group considered to be Not surprisingly, "God" usually answers that they should controversial by anyone? If people are critical of your join the cult. group, what are their main objections?" "What does Once the new cult identity has been established, it is your group believe?· Does it believe that the ends justify "refrozen." This is done through several means including the means? Is deception allowed in certain disownment of one's "old" self and interests (in as circumstances?" and "What are the three things you like dramatic a manner as possible), teaming up with a more least about the group and the leader?" are much more established cult member who serves as a model, effective ways to shake a cult member and to influence immediate assignment of the new member to recruit him or her to leave the cult eventually. others, the adoption ofa new name, and radical alteration Overall, Combatting Cult Mind Control is a gold of personal appearance, as in the Hare Krishnas. Once mine of information for curious skeptics and for families the new personality has been "refrozen," cults cement with members in cults. There are, however, certain their hold on the new member by deliberately fostering aspects of Hassan's beliefs and of his approach to "exit phobias which make the idea of leaving the cult a counseling" which, I suspect, most skeptics would find terrifying prospect, by stripping him or her of assets disturbing. Probably the most troubling aspect is that (which makes admission that she or he has made a while Hassan does encourage cult members to question mistake by joining the cult.. extremely, pa!nful), and, and to doubt, he .does not encourage them to do so in a probably most important, by teaching the new member systematic manner; thatis, his approach does not teach thought-stopping techniques. or encourage scientific thinking-and it doesn't' even Cults, virtually without exception, are virulently seem to recognize that it exists. Thus, Hassan considers anti-intellectual, and they emphasize blind acceptance of former mind-control cult members who have their teachings as a cardinal virtue. Doubt and subsequently joined fundamentalist, creationist churches questioning-in other words, critical thougbt-are to be successes. He relates instances of his working considet'edsinful ~n(rdangerous,and in many cults with a.ChurchofChrist preacher, Buddy Martin, during members are told that their doubts come directly from the "exit counseling" sessions. In some cases, members of devil. A Moonie slogan expresses this cult position Christian fundamentalist cults (such as "shepherding" quite succinctly: "Stamp Out Doubt." churches) have "exited" from their cults directly into This is done through thought-stopping techniques, Manin'scon~gation. especifilly the use of hypnotic praying and chanting. Another troubling point is that Hassan-in the Whenever doubt raises its frightening head, cult members admitted total absence of physical evidence-insists that can stop it dead in its tracks througbrepetitions praying there are underground satanic. cults engaging in "ritual and chanting. (It's of more than passing interest to·note sex, bloodletting, ...the killing of animals" and "ritual that at least one mainstream religion, the Catholic murder." Given that Hassan seems to have no Church, makes use of thought-stopping techniques; for appreciation for scientific investigation, it isn't terribly generations Catholic school children have been taught by surprising that he's been taken in by the tabloid-style their religious instructors that they should,ward off hype concerning "satanic cults." But itis saddening. "impure thoughts" through repetitious prayer.) Because he presents so much valuable information in the After presenting his analysis of cult mind-control, book, it seems quite likely that many readers will accept Hassan then lists several complementary methods as true his unfounded statements about "satanic cults." through which the hold of cults upon members can be (For sane analyses of the "satanic cult" question, see In broken. These revolve around re-establishing contact Pursuit of Satan, by Robert D. Hicks, Prometheus with the member's "real self' and very carefully Books, 1991, and Satan Wants You, by Arthur Lyons, influencing the person to begin thinking for himself Mysterious Press, 1988.) once again. For legal and ethical reasons Hassan prefers Two minor, but irritating, aspects of Combatting this approach to coercive "deprogramming" (despite the Cult Mind Control, in its hardback version, are that it fact that he himself underwent a successful has no index-a crying need in a book of this type-and deprogramming), and he cites in detail a large number of that it was "typeset" on alaser printer. I've seldom seen cases which demonstrate the effectiveness of his style of a worse-looking "typesetting" job; and I find it exit counseling. In many ways, these cases constitute mystifying that the publisher would spend the very large the most fascinating portion of this very readable book, sum of money necessary to print a hardcover book, but and they should provide great encouragement to anyone deliberately fill it with 300-dot-per-inch, laser-printed with a friend or family member in the clutches ofa cult sludge. Fortunately, these problems were corrected in One especially useful section of the book, and one the subsequent paperback. which skeptics will find of particular interest, instructs 6 The Arizona Skeptic July/August 1992

But, even if they had been left uncorrected, these "Radiative Processes and the Generation ofUFO problems would be relatively minor. Combatting Cult Experiences." International UFO Reporter Mind Control is well written, often fascinating, and 14(5, 1989):9-11, 23. provides a wealth of information on the nature and "CriticalComments About Earth Lights and the TST." practices of destructive cults. It belongs .on· the Journal o!UFO Studies (n.s.) 2(1990):144-146. bookshelf of every skeptic with an interest in cults; and "The TST: Down for the Count" Journalo!UFO it should provide hope to anyone with a loved one in the Studies (n.s.) 2(1990):166-168. grip of a cult. Other Critical .Works Chaz Bufe is the author ofAlcoholics Anonymous: Cult Mauge, C. "Persinger's Tectonic Strain Theory: or Cure? (reviewed in AS, January/February 1992)and Strengths and Weaknesses." Magonia no. 24, presently lives in Tucson. This review is reprinted, with November 1986, pp. 13-18. permission of the author, from The Match I, Summer Campbell, S. "Lights of Fancy." Probe Report 3(4, 1992, pp. 33-35. A slightly different version also April 1983). appeared in the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, BASIS, Campbell, S. "UFO Data" (letter) New Scientist November 1991, pp. 3, 5. (September 15, 1983):799. Campbell, S. "UFOs and Faults." (letter) New Scientist Michael Persinger and Tectonic (October 20, 1983):217. Strain Theory By Jim Lippard Book Review The MarchiApril Arizona Skeptic printed my review of Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric by Howard Sp(1ce-Time Transients and Unusual Events by Michael Kahane A.Persinger and Gyslaine F. Lafreniere, a 1977 book 1992, 6th edition, Wadsworth, 350 pp. which attempted to find· correlations between various Reviewed by Jim Lippard alleged anomalies, finding .significant correlations I have been teaching logic and critical thinking courses at between such events and solar and geophysical forces. In the University of Arizona for the last few years and have that review, I called this alleged correlation "interesting" tried a number of different approaches and textbooks in and. stated that it "deserves further investigation," while each. For logic, my favorite book has been Howard expressing some reservations about some of Persinger's Kahane's Logic and Philosophy: A Modern Introduction. data. As it turns out, Persinger's theory, known as As a result, after teaching critical thinking three times "tectonic strain theory". or TST, pas been subjected to previously with different texts each time, none of them further investigation. What foIIows is a bibliography quite t("{my satisfaction, I decided to try Kahane's book assembled by Chris Rutkowski of the Royal designed for critical thinking courses, Logic and Astronomical Society <9f Canada at the University of Contemporary Rhetoric. I believe I've found a winner. Manitoba, who has himself published a number ofworks A disadvantage of some critical thinking texts is that critical of Persinger (see below). the authors sometimes don't seem well-versed in logic. Rutkowski's Work . Kahane, the author of a popular·(and entertaining) logic "Geophysical Variables and Human Behavior: XVI. text, doesn't suffer from this problem. Logic and Some Criticisms." Perceptual and Motor Skills Contemporary Rhetoric is well organized, filled with up­ 58(1984):840-842. to-date and relevant examples (including some from the "Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XXXIV. Further Skeptical Inquirer), and is enjoyable to read as well as to Comments." .Perceptual and Motor Skills teach from. My students appear to be enjoying the book 63(1986):18. as well. "Earthlights, earthquakes, UFOs and the TST; or, Who The nine chapters of the book give the reader an is.Michael Persinger and Why is He Saying introduction to arguments and reasoning, a classification Those Things About MeT' International UFO of forms of fallacious· reasoning, a discussion of Reporter 11(1, 1986):4-8. impediments to cogent reasoning such as superstition, "Explaining Everything with the TST: A Response to prejudice, and self-deception, and a discussion of the use Paul Devereux." International UFO Reporter and misuse of language. Three chapters address specific 11(6,1986):22. forums of argument: advertising, the news media, and "UFOs as Natural Phenomena" In Evans, H. & school· textbooks. Examples in the book address such Spencer, J., eds. UFOs 1947-1987: The 40­ issues as the paranormal and fringe sciences, political and Year Searchfor an Explanation. London: economic issues, scientific controversies, .and. more. Fortean Tomes, 1987, pp. 273-279. Still more examples are drawn from cartoon sources such "Geophysical Alternatives." In Spencer, J. & Evans, H., as Doonesburyand Calvin and Hobbes, each illustrating eds. Phenomenon. London: Futura, 1988, pp. some particular fallacy in a memorable way. 301-307. This book is highly recommended for all skeptics; (with Marc del Bigio) ''UFOs and Cancer?" Canadian my only reservation is its excessive price (almost $30 Medical Association Journal 140(June 1, for a paperback). Given the price, it is probably 1989):1258-1259. worthwhile to look for previous editions at used bookstores that deal in college texts. July/August 1992 The Arizona Skeptic 7

completed newsletter. The bottleneck in the production Book Review is getting copies made, folding and stapling them, and Sai Baba's Miracles: An Overview edited by mailing them off. If you would like to volunteer your Dale Beyerstein labor (copying, staples, and stamps are paid for out of 1992, privately .. published, 128 pp.,$10 the Phoenix Skeptics' account) to get the newsletters out Reviewed by Jim Lippard in a more timely manner, please contact the Phoenix Dale Beyerstein, a philosophy professor active in the Skeptics or the newsletter editor. British Columbia Skeptics and co-editor (with his Applications are also being accepted for the position brother Barry) of the recent Prometheus book.The Write of editor, to take over the job sometime in 1993. Stuff, has assembled a fascinating look at the alleged miraculous powers of Indian guru Sai Baba.. The book Electronic Version of the simply takes Sai Baba's claims one at a tiIne, quoting Newsletter from books by his followers, and then. examines the ASCII text versions of the Arizona Skeptic are available evidence produced by investigations of his critics. Sai beginning with volume 5, number 1 (July/August Baba claims to be omniscient and omnipotent, to have 1991). They are presently available for download from resurrected the dead, to have telepathic powers, to have GEnie's PSI-NET area and the Cleveland Freenet materialized objects from nothing, and to have fulfilled Skeptics SIG. If you would like ASCII versions of the ancient prophecies ofboth the Bible and the Koran. newsletter to upload to .local bulletin boards or other Beyerstein's book shows discrepancies between commercial services such as CompuServe or Prodigy, accounts ofSai Baba's followers, internal inconsistencies you may obtain them by sending a 3.5-inch diskette to in Sai Baba's claims, and presents plausible explanations the editor at P.O. Box 42172, Tucson, AZ 85733 (send for every alleged miracle in this book. In one case, a either a disk mailer and postage or an S.A.S.E.) or, if materialization which Sai Baba performed before a you have Internet access, by sending email to camera exhibits strong evide"!}ce of sleight-of-hand. The [email protected] (or [email protected]). videotape is available from Sai Baba's followers. . Also available is an index (by author and by subject) to The book is in a format which makes both easy all published issues of The Arizona Skeptic. Specify reading and quick reference (should Sai Baba begin to Macintosh or MS-DOS format. Subsequent issues will gain a following in the southwestern U.S.; apparently he become available as they are published; issues prior to has followers in Canada). There are a fair number of volume 5 may also become available in the future. typographical errors, put this is certainly forgiveable in light of the nature oithe publication (5.5-inchhy 8.5­ Upcoming Meetings inch, laserprinted with cardstock cover, self-published). The Phoenix Skeptics will meet at the Jerry's Restaurant Copies of the book may be obtained from Dale on Rural/Scottsdale Road between McKellips and the Beyerstein, Apt. A, 1267 W. 70th Ave., Vancouver, BC river bottom, with lunch at 12:30 on the frrst Saturday V6P 2Y4, Canada. ofeach month except where it conflicts with a holiday. The September meeting will be on the second Media Update Saturday, the 12th. The scheduled speaker is Chaz Bufe, Jeff Jacobsen's previous contribution to the Arizona author of Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure? Skeptic, "Dianetics: From Out of the Blue?" (AS, (reviewed in AS, JanuarylFebmary 1992). September/October 1991) was reprinted in the British and Irish skeptics' magazine, The Skeptic (vol. 6, no. 2). Articles of Note Jim Lippard has recently been criticizing creationism Jacob Cohen, "Yes, Oswald Alone Killed Kennedy," before a largely creationist audience in two radio debates Commentary 93(June 1992):32-40. A look at the on Christian station KVOI 690 AM in Tucson. The movie JFK and the case against multiple gunmen in debates were both with Monty Wyss, head of the Tucson the Kennedy assassination. Association of Creationists and principal of Tucson David H. Freedman, "A Chaotic Cat Takes a Swipe at Christian School, and took place on June 12 (for one Quantum Mechanics," Science 253(August 9, hour) and July 7 (for two hours). The debates were taped 1991):626. Joseph Ford of Georgia Tech claims to (though only the flfst 90 minutes of the July 7 debate), have found a flaw in quantum theory. When a and copies may be obtained by sending blank cassettes physical system called Arnol'd's cat is transformed and S.A.S.E. (with appropriate postage) to Jim Lippard from classical theory to quantum theory and back, at P.O. Box 42172, Tucson, AZ 85733. Also see the its chaotic aspect is lost, and that's not supposed to Margaret Niel article listed in "Articles of Note," this happen. This is just in theory, but Ford thinks he issue. can come up with a physical experiment which will demonstrate that quantum mechanics is wrong. Newsletter Production Volunteers Herbert Lindee, "Ghost Lights of Texas," Skeptical Needed Inquirer 16(Summer 1992):4Q0-406. Lindee offers a As you have no doubt noticed, this publication has not possible solution to mystery lights seen in Marfa been arriving to your mailbox on time. This is not and Saratoga, Texas (see also the two articles on the because of lack of material, or even because of lack of a Marfa lights in A.S, ~ay/June 1992; Lindee's 8 The Arizona Skeptic July/August 1992

solution is not compatible with James Long's Christian paper) 5(June 1992):21-22. A fairly description of the lights.be saw). objective (considering .. the source) examination of Pamela Lister, "A Skeptic's Guide to· Psychics," some. creationist arguments and. evidence against Redbook (July 1992):102.. A semi-skeptical look at them, though it doesn't present any of the evidence psychic readings in a.surprising place. Most for evolution, despite the fact. tbat much was given magazines. in this genre are regular purveyors of to the writer in a taped. two-hour.. interview. The astrology, numerology, and holistic medicine; it is July 1992 issue of the newspaper prints a letter from gratifying to see some spaGe given to skepticism. Jim Lippard in response to this article. Charles C. Mann, "Extinction: Are Ecologists Crying Edward Sorel, "Religion in the News," The Nation WoIn" Science 253(August 16,1991):736-738. An 254(June22,1992):847. This one-page collection article which discusses some difficulties which arise of newsclippings (no sources given) and Sorel in estimating the number of species and their rate of cartoons ..•.• includes one claiming .that Moscow extinction, which generally supports the case made University has named abuilding after L. Ron by Julian Simon (AS, MarchlApril1992, pp. 4-5). Hubbard, given him an honorary (and posthumous) Margaret Niel, "The Timeless Debate: Evolution vs. Doctor ofLiterature degree, and will be publishing a Creation," Good News (Tucson evangelical Russian-language edition ofDianetics.

The Arizona Skeptic is the official publication of the Phoenix Skeptics and the.Tucson Skeptical Society (ruSKS). The Phoenix Skeptics is a non-profit scientific and educational organization with the following goals: 1. to subject claims of the paranormal, occult, and fringe sciences to the test of science, logic, and common sense; 2. to act as clearinghouse for factual and scientific infonnation about the paranormal; and.3. to promote critical thinking and the scientific method. The contents of The· Arizona ~ are copyright © 1992 by the Phoenix Skeptics unless otherwise noted. Material in this publication with Phoenix Skeptics copyright may be reprinted provided that The Arizona Skeptic and the author are provided copies of the publication in which their work is reprinted. Address all correspondence to the Phoenix Skeptics, P.O. Box 62792, Phoenix, A'Z 85082-2792. Submissions for publication inne Arizona Skeptic may be sent to Jim Lippard, P.O. Box 42172, Tucson, AZ 85733 or . electronically to [email protected]. All manuscripts become the property ofthe Phoenix Skeptics, which retains the right to edit them. Subscription rate is $12.50 per year.

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