. . SOCIETY

Vol. 34, No 2. June 2014

Pseudoscience ... & the skeptical response

+Animals Gallipoli Mencken Knickers

Australian Skeptics . www.skeptics.com.au

Skeptic_Cover_Jun14.indd 1 2/06/14 10:27 AM The Skeptic June 14

Skeptical Groups in

Australian Skeptics Inc – Richard Saunders Gold Coast Skeptics – Lilian Derrick www.skeptics.com.au PO Box 8348, GCMC Bundall, QLD 9726 PO Box 20, Beecroft, NSW 2119 Tel: (07) 5593 1882; Fax: (07) 5593 2776 Tel: 02 8094 1894; Mob: 0432 713 195; Fax: (02) 8088 4735 [email protected] [email protected] Contact Lilian to find out news of more events. – 6pm first Thursday of each month at the Crown Hotel, cnr Goulburn and Elizabeth Streets in the city (meeting upstairs) Canberra Skeptics – Lauren Cochrane PO Box 555, Civic Square ACT 2608 Dinner meetings are held on a regular basis. http://www.canberraskeptics.org.au Tel: 0408 430 442 2014 convention - November 28-30. convention.skeptics.com.au [email protected] (general inquiries), [email protected] (Canberra Skeptics in the Pub). A free monthly talk, open to the public, usually takes place Hunter Skeptics – John Turner on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Lecture Theatre, Tel: (02) 4959 6286 [email protected] CSIRO Discovery Centre, Clunies Ross Rd (check website for details of the current month’s talk). Skeptics in the Pub gather Meetings are held upstairs at The Cricketers Arms Hotel, Cooks at 1pm on the third Sunday of each month at King O’Malleys Hill (Newcastle) on the first Monday of each month, excepting Pub in Civic. For up-to-date details : www.meetup.com/ January, commencing 7.00pm, with a guest speaker or open SocialSkepticsCanberra/ discussion on a given topic. Visitors welcome. Further information from the secretary at: [email protected] Skeptics SA – Laurie Eddie 52B Miller St Unley, SA 5061 Australian Skeptics (Vic) Inc – Chris Guest Tel: (08) 8272 5881 [email protected] GPO Box 5166, VIC 3001 Tel: 1 800 666 996 [email protected] Thinking and Drinking - Skeptics in the Pub, on the third Friday of every month. Contact [email protected] Skeptics’ Café – Third Monday of every month, with guest www.meetup.com/Thinking-and-Drinking-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/ speaker. La Notte, 140 Lygon St. Meal from 6pm, speaker at calendar/10205558 or http://tinyurl.com/loqdrt 8pm sharp. More details on our web site www.skeptics.com.au/vic WA Skeptics – Dr John Happs PO Box 466, Subiaco, WA 6904 Borderline Skeptics Inc – Laurie Smith Tel: (08) 9448 8458 [email protected] RSB 11 Callaghhan’s Creek Boxes, via Tallangatta VIC 3701 All meetings start at 7:30 pm at Grace Vaughan House, Tel: (02) 6072 3415 227 Stubbs Terrace, Shenton Park Meetings are held quarterly on second Tuesday at Albury/ Further details of all our meetings and speakers are on our Wodonga on pre-announced dates and venues. website at www.undeceivingourselves.org

Queensland Skeptics Association Inc – Bob Bruce Australian Skeptics in Tasmania – Leyon Parker PO Box 3480, Norman Park QLD 4170; www.qskeptics.org.au PO Box 84, Battery Point TAS 7004 Tel: (07) 3255 0499 Mob: 0419 778 308 [email protected] Tel: 03 6225 3988 BH, 0418 128713 [email protected] Meetings with a guest speaker on the last Monday of the Skeptics in the Pub - 2nd Monday each month, month from February to November at the Redbrick Hotel, 81 6.30pm, Ball & Chain restaurant, Salamanca Place Annerley Road, South Brisbane. Dinner from 6pm, speaker at 7.30pm. Qskeptics eGroup - www.egroups.com/list/qskeptics Darwin Skeptics – Brian de Kretser Skepticamp Brisbane July 2014 - brisskepticamp.org Tel: (08) 8927 4533 [email protected] Volume 34 • No 2 June 14 Contents REPORTS 10 Skepticism in Latvia 7 Signe Cane Pro-vax in Northern NSW 8 Heidi Robertson 7 meet in gaol 10 Richard Saunders 14 FEATURES

Pseudoscience battle 14 Martin Bridgstock Pseudoscience reasons 18 18 Nik Bogduk Pseudoscience definition 22 25 Barry Williams

Pseudoscience websites 25 Sharon Hill

ARTICLES 36 Birth of a Notion 26 Steve Novella, Evan Bernstein Gallipoli water wizard 28 32 Graham Wilson Protective underwear 32 Jo Alabaster 28 Animal welfare myths 36 Tim Harding

Mencken the skeptic 40 Colin Keay

Skeptical movies 48 Tim Mendham 48 40

REGULARS Editorial 4 54 Around the Traps 5 Them! 12 The logical place 17 Puzzles page 35 49 Book reviews 49 What goes around 54 Forum 56 Letters 61 EDITORIAL From the Editor

What to do he skeptical world has become stand against ignorance and superstition. T a great deal more activist in He took no prisoners. His criticism was recent years. Some might call that merciless, hitting hard and fast, though aggressive, but it is in fact in response I would hesitate to say below the belt. to a more aggressive anti-science His tactic was to use truth and a keen ISSN 0726-9897 pro-pseudoscience movement that has wit and intelligence to cut through the Quarterly Journal of emotion on its side, if not fact (and it obfuscation and deceit often found in Australian Skeptics Inc usually is “not fact”). politics, religion, education, junk science (ABN 90 613 095 379) The days when there was room for and pseudo-medicine. Editor a gentlemanly or womanly discussion For instance: “The way to deal with Tim Mendham on the claim and counter claim of superstition is not to be polite to it, but the proponents of UFOs, Bigfeet and to tackle it with all arms, and so rout it, Editorial Board powers are fast disappearing cripple it, and make it forever infamous Steve Roberts into the ether. The psychic area may and ridiculous. Is it, perchance, Eran Segev have had its more turbulent times, but cherished by persons who should know Martin Hadley I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve better? Then their folly should be Barry Williams had a friendly if opposed chat with a brought out into the light of day, and Design Services UFO follower. exhibited there in all its hideousness Nova Consulting P/L Nowadays that playground of ideas until they flee from it, hiding their has become a battlefield. Blood is heads in shame. All correspondence to: spilt, reputations tarnished, emotions “True enough, even a superstitious Australian Skeptics Inc assaulted. was the man has certain inalienable rights. He PO Box 20 battleground of the 80s, alt med is the has a right to harbour and indulge Beecroft NSW 2119 big one for the 2000s. his imbecilities as long as he pleases, Australia In this issue, Martin Bridgstock provided only he does not try to inflict gives warning of a worrying trend in them upon other men by force.” (The Contact details pseudoscience: increasing influence Baltimore Evening Sun, Sept 14, 1925). Tel: +61 (0)2 8094 1894 and teeth, and a willingness to use He goes on to mention Charles Mob: +61 (0)432 713 195 both: “Dissidents who cannot accept Darrow, the lawyer who defended John Fax: +61 (0)2 8088 4735 scientific findings are no longer Scopes in the famous evolution-based [email protected] confined to tinkering in sheds or ‘monkey trial’ of the 1920s, a trial that www.skeptics.com.au writing self-published books. Instead, Mencken reported on. Darrow himself if they have sufficient backing, they appears in various places in this issue of The Skeptic is published four times can pose as proper scientists and The Skeptic, but his technique is based per year by Australian Skeptics Inc. perhaps acquire real power. It might more on sophistry to turn someone’s Views and opinions expressed in articles even be possible for such movements, argument on its head. and letters in The Skeptic are those of eventually, to overthrow science itself.” But don’t be mistaken. Darrow was the authors, and are not necessarily So how do we deal with this? just as determined as Mencken. those of Australian Skeptics Inc. There’s debate about whether In the month following the Scopes Articles may be reprinted with to “ignore it and it will go away” trial, he wrote to Mencken: “I made permission and with due acknowledge- (the don’t-give-them-oxygen-by- up my mind to show the country ment to The Skeptic. mentioning-them approach) or to go what an ignoramus [Bryan] was, and I All effort is made to ensure correct on the front foot and don’t let them succeeded.” Fightin’ words. acknowledgement of all contributions. take an inch or, if possible, move them And today? You decide the best We are happy to update credit when so backwards. approach. But be warned, as Bridgstock informed. Scattered through this issue are would say – the other side is not shy references to a skeptic of yore who was of hitting first, and hitting hard ... and Editorial submission deadline definitely a ‘front foot’ person. sometimes below the belt. . for the next issue: A Baltimore-based journalist, HL August 1, 2014 Mencken took a strong and aggressive - Tim Mendham, editor 4 NEWS The Skeptic June 14

Around the traps ... SYDNEY 2014 AVsN “engenders fear & alarm”... again 30th SKEPTICS AUSTRALIA: The New South against the Australian Vaccination- NATIONAL Wales Health Care Complaints skeptics Network, Inc. This office and Commission has issued a second the way in which they have carried CONVENTION warning on the recently renamed out their ‘investigation’ are an absolute Australian Vaccination-skeptics disgrace. They have made themselves November 28-30 Network, saying it disseminates into a laughing stock. Far worse, they “misleading, misrepresented and have clearly demonstrated that nobody Skeptics Guide to incorrect information about vaccination can have faith in any statements the Universe [that] engenders fear and alarm and is made by this government body when likely to detrimentally affect the clinical they continue to rely upon verifiably Kendrick Frazier management or care of its readers”. incorrect and biased information.” The most recent warning follows The response continued that the Dick Smith an investigation by the HCCC that HCCC’s previous investigation into Dr Karl focussed on information provided “our citizen-run healthcare consumer Peter FitzSimons on the then AVN’s website and some watchdog group” was at the behest Bettina Arndt information disseminated on its of “the Australian Skeptics and Robyn Williams Facebook page. their splinter group, Stop the AVN Sonya Pemberton – organisations with close ties to pharmaceutical and mainstream medical interests”. Actually, neither group has ... and more any such “close ties”. The latest warning follows a string TICKETS of set-backs for the AVsN, including ON SALE NOW its loss of charity status, and its being forced to change its name to one skeptics.com.au/ that more properly reflects its anti- convention vaccination attitude and profile. “The investigation found that AVN provides information on vaccination that is misleading to the average Official - no autism/vaccine link reader because it is either incorrect, inaccurately represented or because it AUSTRALIA: The first systematic or ASDs and childhood vaccination has been taken out of context.” international review of childhood for the commonly-used vaccines for The statement by the HCCC then vaccinations, led by researchers from measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, goes on to list nine substantive instances the University of Sydney, has found no tetanus and whooping cough, including in which the AVsN provided incorrect evidence of a link to the development past components of the vaccines such as information (http://tinyurl.com/ of autism or autism spectrum disorders thimerosal or mercury. lwvwq7d). (ASDs). This was regardless of whether the The Commission urged that “general The review, published in medical intervention was through combination caution is exercised when using AVsN’s journal Vaccine, examined five cohort vaccines (MMR) or not. website or Facebook page to research studies involving more than 1.25 million Senior author of the paper, Associate vaccination and to consult other reliable children, an additional five case-control Professor Guy Eslick from the Sydney sources, including speaking to a medical studies involving more than 9920 Medical School, said that, to date, practitioner, to make an informed children obtained via systematic searches there had been no quantitative data decision”. of international medical databases analysis of any relationship between The AVsN responded with typical MEDLINE, PubMed, EBASE and autism, autism spectrum disorders and restraint: “In a move that displays the Google Scholar up to April 2014. childhood vaccinations. worst of medical politics, the NSW Both the cohort and case-control “Our review is the first to do so, Health Care Complaints Commission studies revealed no statistical data to and we found no statistical evidence to has once again issued a public warning support a relationship between autism support this idea,” he said. 5 NEWS

Brisbane Skepticamp in July Horror Movies

AUSTRALIA: Brisbane Skeptics in USA: As a possible indication of an the Pub will be running a Skepticamp increasing trend in successful movies event on July 18 at the Hamilton about the paranormal, out of the top Town Hall, cnr Rossiter Parade and 10 films at the US box office in mid- Racecourse Road. April, half of them had fundamentally Subtitled “Light the Spark”, the paranormal themes. event will follow the traditional The films were: Skepticamp format, with the addition • Heaven is for Real (#3), a child’s near- of invited guest speakers. death-experiences Everyone from casual skeptics • A Haunted House 2 (#5), self- to experienced commentators will explanatory participate, filling 20-minute slots on a • Oculus (#8), supernatural murder topic of their choice. At time of writing, • Noah (#9), a man and his boat all speaking slots had been taken. • God’s Not Dead (#10), based on Special guests at the Camp include the apocryphal story of the conflict Loretta Marron OAM, multiple Skeptic change myths. between an atheist professor and the of the Year winner for her work as a There will also be the traditional wise and reasonable Christian student. health campaigner and as part of the Cupcake Competition, with a prize for The first, second, third and fifth on Friends of Science in Medicine, who the best and tastiest science or skeptical- this list have made almost all of their will open the event. And to close it themed cupcake. Presumably there will box office takings in the US, with will be John Cook, researcher at UQ be no homeopathic flavourings used. highly negligible takings (in some cases, and operator of the excellent Skeptical Further information is available from zero) outside of the strongly Christian Science website that debunks climate brisskepticamp.org. audience in the States.

DNA yes; Big Bang ... yes, but, no, but...

USA: A poll by Associated Press-GfK as a result of man-made heat-trapping rises, according to the poll. Likewise, of Americans’ acceptance of scientific gases (40 per cent); the 4.5 billion year those who regularly attend religious concepts found that while few question age of the Earth (36 per cent); evolution services or are evangelical Christians that smoking causes cancer or that through natural selection (42 per cent); express much greater doubts about those mental illness is a medical condition that and the Big Bang theory pulling up the scientific concepts that they may see as affects the brain and even that there’s a rear with more Americans being unsure contradictory to their faith. genetic code inside our cells, things start or disbelieving than agree with the “When you are putting up facts to get shakier with concepts that “get science – 51 per cent being against. against faith, facts can’t argue against further from our own experiences and “Science ignorance is pervasive in our faith,” said 2012 Nobel Prize winning the present time”. society, and these attitudes are reinforced biochemistry professor Robert Lefkowitz when some of our leaders are openly of Duke University. “It makes sense antagonistic to established facts,” said now that science would have made no the 2013 winner of the Nobel Prize headway because faith is untestable.” in medicine, Randy Schekman of the Others suggested that “views on University of California, Berkeley. science may be tied to what we see with Alan Leshner, chief executive of our own eyes. The closer an issue is to the American Association for the our bodies and the less complicated, the Advancement of Science said that, to the easier it is for people to believe.” public, “most often values and beliefs The AP-GfK Poll was conducted trump science” when they conflict. on March 20-24, 2014, using Democrats were more likely than KnowledgePanel, GfK’s probability- Republicans to express confidence in based online panel designed to be Trending towards the “less confident/ evolution, the Big Bang, the age of representative of the U.S. population. outright disbelief” end of the scale were the Earth and climate change. And Respondents were first selected randomly the efficacy of childhood vaccines (15 in those areas, confidence declines using phone or mail survey methods and per cent have doubts); global warming sharply as faith in a supreme being were later interviewed online. . 6 REPORT International The Skeptic June 14 Battling Baltics Skepticism is still emerging in Latvia, but the start has been strong and plans for the future are hopeful, writes Signe Cane.

ike any phenomenon that largely Ltranscends culture and nationality, skepticism is spreading across the globe. “It came about from a group However, by virtue of language barriers, of young people who are passionate Signe and Edgar (photo: Kristaps Bukovskis) the English-speaking skeptics don’t often about science and rationality, brought hear about skepticism as it is practised in together by the growing popularity Currently there are only a handful of other countries. of homeopathy on a national level,” Latvians involved in skeptical activism. One of the latest North-European says Edgar Lapins, chair of the Latvian The Latvian has a website skepticism movements emerged two Skeptic Society [pictured right with and some social network following. years ago in my home country, Latvia. Cane]. “Once we had the chance to SkeptiCafe is the society’s only project It’s a small country, located on the collectively vent about it in 2010 – first at this stage. The biggest issue we have is Eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, with a online, and in a meeting soon thereafter finding the time to get things going and population of roughly 2.1 million, so – organising and harnessing the desire to to recruit new people for the cause. you’d hope there would be at least a few oppose the spread of pseudoscience and Currently Latvian skeptical activism skeptical folk among them. lack of critical thinking was simply the is largely geared towards debunking Overall, Latvian society is no more next logical step.” pseudoscience, highlighting issues or less steeped in magical thinking In 2012 a handful of skeptical in science communication and than others. Of course, we have a friends, including myself, founded a disseminating critical thinking. few prominent quacks, including an society and went on to host the first “Latvian skeptics are aiming to be the esteemed mathematics professor who SkeptiCafe. The venue, a small bar in central hub of support for all science brandishes his own whacky theory on Riga, gathered close to 70 enthusiasts, popularisation and education efforts in holographic universes, and an anti- with people quickly finding seats Latvia,” says Edgar. One of the most vaccination activist who sends spurious on the floor or leaning against any successful SkeptiCafe events to date has articles to online news outlets. vertical surface. The first talk by Edgar been a discussion panel on science and As a culture with pagan roots, from and myself was aimed at introducing the media in Latvia, featuring several a land with little more than its pristine skepticism to a Latvian audience, prominent journalists and scientists. The nature in terms of resources, Latvians regardless of whether they had heard publicity of this panel led to a prolonged care about what’s ‘natural’. Therefore about it before. Among highlighting the media discussion on the general state of trust in certain types of alternative and most popular in Latvia, Latvian science and scientists, including herbal medicines is almost mainstream. at one stage we poked fun at divining, education and funding issues. Homeopathy is a particularly good inviting rage from a non-skeptical Still, there is room for other types example – a recent survey of public audience member. of skepticism, too. “I believe that our opinion found that 75 per cent of Since then, SkeptiCafe has been mission is to spread skepticism so wide Latvians have “a positive attitude an almost-monthly event, and has that it becomes socially acceptable for towards homeopathy”. However, most addressed topics from cold reading to people to challenge each other’s beliefs of them don’t know the principles of astrology to conspiracy theories, as well in astrology, homeopathy and all other homeopathy and believe it to be simply as hosting a rational debate on abortion versions of woo,” says Yuris. “It’s taking a type of herbal treatment. laws when this issue flared up in Latvian the offence out of asking ‘But why do Four years ago I wrote a blog article politics. “The audience mostly consists you believe that?’” . debunking homeopathy, and was of science-oriented people in their pleasantly surprised to see like-minded twenties,” says Yuris Baltacs, one of Signe Cane is a science writer and co- skeptics piping up in the comments. the key organisers of SkeptiCafe. “Our founder of Latvian Skeptic Society. She This was one of the seeds that grew into speakers are often surprised by the lives in Sydney and recently became a a Latvian skeptic movement. advanced questions they receive.” member of the ASI committee. 7 REPORT Activism Love,Peace & NO vaccinations his is the story of how and why Heidi Robertson reports on the establishment Tour group, The Northern Rivers Vaccination Supporters, came about. of a pro-vaccination group in the deepest Our region, located in Northern anti-vax territory NSW, Australia, is often regarded as one of the most beautiful in the country, epidemics of vaccine-preventable diseases no great surprise, when you take into and is also widely recognised as the So if you don’t trust doctors, the account the demographic described national capital of alternative culture, government, or Big Pharma, who do you above, that the Northern Rivers is the which includes a vibrant and amazing turn to for sickness and health-related headquarters of one of the recently re- diversification of musicians, writers and advice? Naturopaths, homeopaths, chiro- named Australian Vaccination-Skeptics artists. practors (and there are many in these Network. Organic farming, ‘natural’ remedies professions who are anti-vaccination)? Fear and lies, as well as a staggering and sustainable living are ways of life. The local herbalist? The neighbour who ignorance/denial of scientific fact and The ideology of many in the region has tried a home remedy that they heard consensus, is what drives these groups. also includes an anti-establishment of, or read about, and swear by it? So it (It still befuddles me that they are happy worldview, and this in turn leads follows that many people in the region to accept the science of climate change to a distrust of doctors, police, the are not going to trust an organisation to but deny vaccination science.) government and, in particular, ‘Big educate them about vaccination that is It took me a while to gain the Pharma’. government-funded. That’s where our confidence to speak out. I was concerned Vaccination is a dirty word around group comes in. We’re grass roots. We I would lose friends, concerned it would here. Not with everyone. But the ones don’t accept funding. We’re community affect me and my husband’s businesses, who are anti-vaccination are loud, and members. We hope to develop a strategy afraid of the backlash I saw happening to there are lots of them. whereby we can use the ‘peer-to-peer’ others who had spoken out. Many of us moved to the region to approach - mums talking to mums, dads But the need was clearly there. I just bask in the beauty of the area, enjoy talking to other dads, and so on. had to grow a pair, as they say. Why country living, grow our own veggies, Here’s the irony. This area, that prides should I stay silent while this massacre and let our kids run amok with cows and itself so much on community values and of common sense, science and logic chooks. In moving here from Brisbane support, doesn’t factor in community continued? and Sydney respectively in 2005, my immunity as a priority. Protecting each The catalyst for my ‘coming out’ was husband and I were completely unaware other, and especially the vulnerable in when I contracted whooping cough of the appallingly low vaccination rates. our communities, by vaccinating seems when I was in my third trimester of This took us completely by surprise, and to be where the line is drawn. pregnancy with my second son. I was confused us as to why people thought not aware that the whooping cough that not vaccinating was OK. FEAR AND LIES vaccine I had as a child had long since I also couldn’t comprehend that being Vaccination is an area that is rife with worn off and that I needed a booster. My pro-vaccination was something that misinformation, which generally comes babies were just plain lucky that I did wasn’t mentioned in polite company, from pseudoscientific beliefs and not pass the infection on to them. much like religion and politics. propaganda. It’s easy to see how someone The other administrators of our In one of the towns here, Mullum- starting out on looking at vaccination, group have also had run-ins with bimby, just 46.8 per cent of 5-year-olds for example when they have their first vaccine-preventable diseases and have are fully vaccinated, the worst rate in the baby, can be easily scared by some of the the same levels of passion in promoting nation. (http://tinyurl.com/mtvyjws) It tripe circulating on the internet, over the vaccination as a vital aspect of public is also a worse rate than many developing backyard fence, and even by their own health. One of our admins has two countries - South Sudan is doing much alternative health care practitioners. daughters who contracted whooping better with a vaccination rate of 60 per Anti-vaccination groups take full cough, despite being fully vaccinated, a cent for the same age group. advantage of the vulnerability of new sign that the ‘herd immunity’ needed to This puts us at an unacceptable risk of or expectant parents, in particular. It is keep vaccines effective and the diseases 8 The Skeptic June 14

concerning vaccination; our group is not one of those places. • a website, www.northernrivers vaccinationsupporters.org. Raising awareness of whooping cough vaccine boosters is one area we will target; people need to be aware of the need to form a ‘chain of protection’ around the newest members of our species, as well as other vulnerable members such as the immune-suppressed, the elderly, and those unable to be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons. This goes with every vaccine. Another area we have targeted is the at bay is waning here. Another is an knowing that they may be in the area of false balance in the media. Putting ICU specialist who has treated a range process of making up their minds about an anti-vaccine spokesperson up against of such diseases, sometimes successfully, the vaccine issue. On the one hand, an expert in infectious diseases only sometimes not. The pain of telling a they will see an hysterical, irrational serves to legitimise the science deniers. family that their loved-one is not going approach (often accompanied by many It’s been a steep learning curve for to make it, despite this disease being ALL CAPS AND EXCLAMATION many of us in this group. We’ve learned preventable, must be agonising and MARKS AND BAD GRAMMAR that we will never sway the staunchly frustrating. Another is a mum who, AND SPELLING!!!!). On the other anti-vaccination crowd. We need to focus despite one of her children having an side they will see a rational person, on the ‘fence-sitters’, including the new adverse reaction to a vaccine, was still with links to the scientific literature, or expectant parents who don’t know able to weigh up the benefits and risks of systematically debunking their shifting- where to go for credible information, vaccines and is a strong advocate. goalpost positions, without the need to those who have heard the misinformation Our group members include parents, resort to name-calling and accusations. and don’t know what decision to grandparents, expectant mothers and We want to give pro-vaccine members make, adults, including grandparents, fathers, doctors, science researchers, of the community their voices back. who remain unaware that some of the people who have lost loved-ones to To arm them with facts, so that when vaccinations they had as children need vaccine preventable diseases including they are confronted with someone who boosting, and high school students (when polio, measles, chickenpox, whooping is frightened by the misinformation they become parents, wouldn’t it be great cough, and meningococcal disease, and they have heard, they are able to start a if they had already had a heads-up as to other concerned community members. conversation with confidence. Most of us how to critically evaluate the plethora are not health professionals. We do not, of online information and sort the good LOCAL RESPONSE and will not, give medical advice. We from the bad). In speaking out, slurs and abuse were give trusted information from credible We’ve just celebrated our first birthday bound to happen. The reason that some sources. (These sources are listed on our as a group. We have many plans and resort to vilification is simple - they have website). aspirations, all of which will take time, no science to back up their claims. They especially considering we are un-funded. have anecdotes, lies, and conspiracy ORGANISED SUPPORTERS So far our only expenses have been theories. The birth of our group was made printing business cards and flyers. In One of our admins has had crank possible by social media. Here’s what we order to meet the costs of printing we calls. Others, including myself, have have now: passed the virtual hat around our group copped mainly online abuse. How to • a closed group on Facebook (in and got enough money to get us started. deal with it? We need to drown out order to protect our members from So keep an eye out for us. And if you’d their nonsense with a calm, rational the inevitable vitriol of certain anti like to support us, please like and share approach. When I do decide to engage vaccination groups); our page on FB, and our posts, and tell with them online to correct some new • an open Facebook page, with no any wavering friends or relatives about misinformation that has come out (eg ability for the public to comment us. They can check out credible links and “the government is using chemtrails (after all, the science surrounding information on our FB page as well as to trial a new cholera vaccine on the vaccination and the benefits far our website. . unsuspecting indigenous population!!” or outweighing the risk, meaning there “polio has not gone away - it’s just been is no ‘debate’ to be had). There are Heidi Robertson is an administrator re-named!”) I now picture the potentially plenty of places people can go to talk of the Northern Rivers Vaccination hundreds of people reading the thread, about various conspiracy theories Supporters 9 REPORT Paranormal Convention Woo -Woo in theHooskow Richard Saunders spends some productive time in Maitland Gaol

ho said being a skeptic was talk. Nonetheless it Wdull? Well, it depends on was an interesting who you ask, I guess. There is still a start to the day and large percentage of the population the small audience who I’m sure think we skeptics like seemed to enjoy it. nothing better than to stay at home, The short presumably tucked away in some sort break after this of Victorian-styled library complete presentation gave with a leather armchair and pipe, and us the chance to sort through our dusty volumes about poke about the the paranormal. But as they say in the gaol itself. We classics, “Not this little black duck!” were struck by the For me getting out and investigating depressing small is what it’s all about. Besides, I don’t size of the cells, the have a leather armchair. high outer walls, So it was with delight and maybe guard towers, razor a tinge of hesitation that I accepted wire and so on. an offer to attend Paracon 2014, This imposing area Australia’s Paranormal Convention, was visited only a week before by TV Boston. By all accounts, this was a no- held at Maitland Gaol in the Hunter ‘psychic’ Mitchell Coombes, a former nonsense examination on a classic bit Valley on May 9-10. I lay the blame contestant on The One paranormal of paranormal paraphernalia. for this with Maynard (a man well ‘reality’ TV show. He and a small The lunch break gave me a chance known to listeners of the Skeptic Zone group of believers wandered about to see more of the goal and, a little podcast) who suggested I should join the gaol at night, each with an EMF to my surprise, to have a number of him as he would be filing reports for meter for a story shown on Channel attendees approach me, not to whinge ABC radio in Newcastle on the event. 7’s Morning Show”. Needless to say, at me for being there, but to ask for We arrived at the gaol (they still the ghosties were lining up to spook a photograph with me! Maybe they spell it this way) in the middle of the the hapless band right on cue. (You thought I was a ghost. morning, collected our passes and can see the video of the show at Maynard, however, was busy headed straight into a talk already tinyurl.com/npkxfkr.) interviewing Rex Gilroy, known in in progress by Mark Wallbank about The next talk I attended was given some circles as Australia’s leading New Zealand cryptids (mysterious by Katrina Cavanough, who had also expert on the Yowie and other strange animals unknown to science). I appeared as a contestant on The One. creatures. Rex has a collection that should say that it was more about To be honest, I’m still not sure if I is second to none of plaster casts cryptids that might once have lived really got the gist of her presentation. of large - very large - footprints. in New Zealand, as the reports being It was mainly a recounting of various “The Australian bush is so vast and shown were of an historical nature ‘mystical’ episodes in her life and inaccessible in many cases that from accounts dating back over the lessons she says she learnt from anything could live there. And I’ve centuries to more recent reports and the dead. Meantime, Maynard was spent my whole life tramping into newspaper clippings. Sadly there was enjoying a talk on the history of that sort of country and that’s why I no physical evidence on show, but I the ouija board by Rob Murch, an find so many footprints, for example, don’t think that was the point of the expert on the subject flown in from of one creature or another because I 10 The Skeptic June 14

get into place that no one else would I would like to thank Alex Cayas dare.” says Gilroy. the organiser of Paracon 2014 and We had time to attend one more also Maynard who suggested he and I talk and this one was on the topic of should attend. An audio report with Where poltergeists by Paul Cropper. I cannot interviews, including an extended speak for the rest of the audience, but interview with Rex Gilroy, can be I for one was far from impressed with heard on episodes 290 and 291 of are you the level of evidence shown during the Skeptic Zone podcast (www. this talk which consisted mainly of skepticzone.tv). . photos of burnt and scorched walls going? and appliances with the assertion that Post Script: I could not help but the fires that caused them were started notice that during some of the talks, by ghosts. It seems likely to me at odd noises could be heard coming from Dear subscriber ... least that it was far more likely to be the roof as the old building creaked If you change your a naughty child than a naughty ghost. and groaned. It might have been the Alas, even when surveillance cameras audience, or me. postal or email were installed in various rooms no footage of ghosts was forthcoming. address, please Why? We were told that ghosts avoid rooms with cameras. I was also drop us a line. concerned that parents in various parts of the world are being told by ‘experts’ We know how that the damage being caused to their homes was not due to a child, very traumatic it would possibly with behavioural issues, but to a ghost. be to miss even All in all I think it was a good move a single copy to attend the convention. While it’s true I discovered nothing to rattle my of The Skeptic. skeptical outlook, I did enjoy the day. I really should go back at night!

Top left: Richard Saunders gets chummy with Beth Luscombe of Access Paranormal Above: Maynard gets chummy with cryptozoologist Rex Gilroy THEM Readers’ indigestible Tim Mendham looks at those ‘other’ publications and websites where skepticism is a dirty word.

his issue, we look at a magazine and a website which are not as ‘out-there’ Tor as preposterously breathless as most of those we review. That’s not to say they don’t have their share of silliness, but there is at least some content that is worth looking at, and some that might even be seen to support skepticism. Read on.

Fortean Times Fortean Times is a monthly Like It Hot), who in a review of The magazine of “news, reviews and Book of the Damned declared “I am research on strange phenomena and the first disciple of Charles Fort … experiences, curiosities, prodigies henceforth, I am a Fortean”. Among and portents”. And of all the Fort’s other notable fans were writers magazines devoted to paranormality John Cowper Powys, Sherwood that we have seen, we have to say Anderson, Booth Tarkington Fortean Times carries on that that the Fortean Times has to be and lawyer Clarence Darrow. As tradition. Published “every four the most skeptical and the best Wikipedia says, “Precisely what is weeks” – presumably that means 13 presented. It could even have been encompassed by ‘Fortean’ is a matter issues a year – the issue under review put out by a skeptical group with a of great debate; the term is widely is April 2014, #312, which is pretty good sense of humour. Maybe it is. applied from every position from good going in this day and age for The magazine was founded by Fortean purists dedicated to Fort’s any publication, paranormal or not. former designer Bob Rickard, a methods and interests, to those with Perhaps the first strange thing fan of the work of Charles Fort open and active acceptance of the you find out about the magazine is and a co-founder of the UK-based actuality of paranormal phenomena, that it’s not published in America. Association for the Scientific Study a position with which Fort may Despite Fort having hailed from of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP). not have agreed. Most generally, Albany, New York, and the magazine Fort (1874-1932) was an Forteans have a wide interest in featuring a prominent US price, it obsessive collector of the weird unexplained phenomena in wide- actually comes out of the UK. and wonderful stuff that underpins ranging fields, mostly concerned The second strange thing you’re much of the paranormal canon with the natural world, and have likely to find is on the inside cover, – falling fishes, ghosts, monsters, a developed ‘agnostic scepticism’ where there is an ad for a course in spontaneous human combustion, regarding the anomalies they note proofreading. This seems a strange etc. He used to spend hours and discuss. For Mr Hecht as an bedfellow for a magazine full of in libraries collecting massive example, being a Fortean meant ghosts and ghouls. Maybe the amounts of interesting and dubious hallowing a pronounced distrust of advertiser knows something about information, which he published authority in all its forms, whether the magazine’s readership that we in The Book of the Damned (1919), religious, scientific, political, do not. New Lands (1923), Lo! (1931), and philosophical or otherwise. It did But from then on it’s full Wild Talents (1932). not, of course, include an actual bore into the wonders of “weird- Fort’s work has inspired very belief in the anomalous data watching”, as the publishers many to consider themselves as enumerated in Fort’s works.” describe it. Everything from Nessie Forteans. According to Wikipedia, According that description, to mysterious carvings, strange the first of these was the screenwriter many skeptics could happily call animals to strange deaths, UFOs to Ben Hecht (The Front Page, Some themselves Forteans. apocalypses.

12 The Skeptic June 14

Access Paranormal

Last issue, we looked at the ghosts and such are real and that International Directory, investigations will reveal their a publication that was neither existence. international nor a directory. But the site itself is not so Unlike a normal directory where over-the-top as you might you could find what you want and expect. Rather it is a listing of where, contact details, etc, the paranormal investigation groups IPD was a mixed-bag of articles across Australia, coming events, But what is really interesting and self-promotion; extremely workshops and publications (one is the number of straight articles unhelpful for anyone seeking out of the latter being a book by that eschew the breathlessness of the details of a ‘genuine’ supplier. skeptic Ben Radford). typical woo-pushing magazines. Accessparanormal.com is One of the more interesting These include a look at the origins the real thing, a directory of sections is devoted to job of the Moon; the story of the Santa paranormal investors, products, opportunities. Most of these are Compana (the Holy company), books, and events. people looking for a group to supposed spirit harbingers of It was set up by Beth Luscombe, join, but there is one from a team death; weird claims about the life who had spent a couple of years in “looking for a witty sketch artist to and death of Venezuelan president the UK visiting various haunted join a fun and friendly professional Victor Chavez (wonderfully titled sites, but who found that, on her paranormal team”. No-one seems “Going Caracas”); and a history of return to Australia in 2009, “I was to mention salaries though. quacks and dodgy doctors. originally quite disappointed that I Then there is the section on These are not short superficial wasn’t able to investigate locations equipment – suppliers of EMF ‘articles’ that you find in other as I had in the UK, nor could I gear, vibration detectors, IR paranormal publications, and nor find just one website or place of lights, “energy field generators” are they advertorials for a product, information that had paranormal and all the required hardware that supplier or a coming book. They teams I could contact or where I any self-respecting paranormal are interesting for the content could find workshops or courses to investigator would need to impress rather than amusing for their learn more.” the locals, if not the scientists. presumption, and often take a Thus Access Paranormal. Overall, this is fairly reasonable skeptical and debunking approach. In the skeptical community, we site for anyone looking for real Do we agree with everything promote and applaud those who directory information of a field published in its pages? Not by do actual investigation of claims of that still needs a lot of sober a long shot, and many of the the paranormal. Anyone who takes skepticism before it can be taken ads are more out-there than the the time, effort and sometimes seriously. Which might be why a editorial. But the Fortean Times is a expense to carry out investigations lot of the participants either seem magazine that a skeptic could buy is at least making the right first to be jolly folk out for a fun time, and enjoy. Admittedly the price is step. Of course, it would help if or posers looking deadly serious pretty stiff in Australia – the price you set off on your task without a and threatening, no doubt to bust printed on the cover is A$12.95, given result already in your pack. a few ghosts. but the price charged at our local The site under review deals And, oh yes, there is a Facebook newsagent was $16.95; something with ghost hunting and various page, and we hesitate to point definitely more-than-weird going paranormal activities that are out that it includes a photo of a on there. But, frankly, it’s probably normally the subject of less- certain president of Australian better value than a lot of other than-sober TV shows and Skeptics Inc with his arm around things you could buy and definitely movies. Luscombe’s site has no Ms Luscombe, and both looking more interesting. . doubt that such phenomena as very jolly. .

13 FEATURE Skepticism & Pseudoscience Bad Science –theNew Battlefield hat exactly is a pseudoscience? Martin Bridgstock worries WThe Oxford English Dictionary defines it like this: “A pretended about a new trend which or spurious science, a collection of related beliefs about the world might, in the long run, mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method or as having the threaten both science status that scientific truths now have.” and skepticism Probably most of us would be comfortable with this definition. Pseudoscience is fake science. It Einstein or generate perpetual motion may resemble science superficially, is pretty amusing. Probably most of us but the nature of the ideas, and the would favour a tolerant policy towards relationships between the ideas and them: we live in free countries, and reality, are nothing like those of true there is a small chance that, one science. day, one of them might be right. On the face of it, pseudoscientists However, there is one circumstance seem pretty harmless. The idea of in which pseudoscience becomes self-appointed Great Minds working quite terrifying, and that is when away in their sheds to disprove its practitioners acquire power and influence. DICTATORSHIP AND PSEUDOSCIENCE Before the middle of the twentieth century, two forms of pseudoscience gained real power. In Stalin’s Soviet Lysenko’s ideas damaged Soviet Union an eccentric plant scientist agriculture, the failure to feed the named Trofim Lysenko got the support country’s population blighted the of Stalin for his weird ideas. These standard of living of millions of people included the denial of genes and for decades (Medvedev 1969). evolution, and a refusal to accept that At about the same time, members of the same species competed in Germany, another type of with each other. pseudoscience was gaining sway. Because Lysenko had the backing of The basis of the Nazi ideology was Stalin, scientists opposing him could the supremacy of the Aryan race to Above: Trofim Lysenko checks the crop - no be hounded from office, arrested and others. Non-Aryans were regarded as genes here! in some cases killed. And because incapable of higher civilisation and the 14 The Skeptic June 14

Jews, in particular, As in the dictator- now know that the were hated and “ tobacco industry’s own distrusted. Above ships of Stalin and research supported all, ‘Aryan science’ Hitler, pseudosciences these findings was thought to be (Oreskes and Conway superior to ‘Jewish are seeking to under- 2010: 21). science’. As a result, mine real science. The top scientists of Jewish ” management of background – hundreds of them – tobacco firms was thrown into a were forced from their positions. panic. The leaders met, and decided And the theories of brilliant scientists on a campaign strategy to enable with Jewish backgrounds, such as their industry to survive. Part of Einstein, were forbidden. The effect the strategy was a straightforward on some parts of German science was lobbying campaign. devastating. When David Hilbert, “The industry’s position was that the doyen of German mathematics, there was ‘no proof’ that tobacco was asked about the impact of Nazi was bad, and they fostered that politics upon German mathematics position by manufacturing a he replied, “It doesn’t exist any more!” ‘debate’, convincing the mass (Cornwell 2004: 198) media that responsible journalists These two types of pseudoscience had an obligation to present ‘both did great damage to the nations in sides’ of it ... the so-called which they flourished. We tend to balance campaign involved overlook them amid the hideous aggressive dissemination and atrocities perpetrated by the two promotion to editors and dictators. Alan Bullock, for instance, publishers of ‘information’ estimates that Hitler and Stalin were that supported the industry’s responsible for about 17 million position.” (Oreskes and Conway murders each (Bullock 1993). 2010: 16) However, it is becoming clear that in To support this position, modern, tolerant, democratic societies, the industry needed more than pseudosciences are also finding ways to power. As in the dictatorships, they are seeking to undermine real science. Above : Measuring the races in Nazi Germany - non-Aryans were regarded PSEUDOSCIENCE IN THE DEMOCRACIES as incapable of higher civilisation, par- Let us look at one of these. Way ticularly the Jews. back in 1953, research evidence was Right: The good old days, when emerging that smoking was addictive smoking was not only a non-existent and dangerous. Medical statistics problem for your health (apart from the and experiments on mice showed occasional cough and ‘irritation’), but it clearly that exposure to the tars was actually good for you - scientifically found in cigarettes greatly increased proven. Perry Como said so. the risk of cancer. What is more, we 0315 FEATURE Skepticism & Pseudoscience

Bad Science - the dangerous, and that millions of people Oreskes and Conway’s main focus is have died as a result of it. upon climate change deniers. They New Battlefield The industry also had an army of demonstrate that business firms with lawyers. Compensation claims against an interest in opposing restrictions Continued... the tobacco industry were resisted funded scientists to argue that there ruthlessly through the courts, if was doubt about human effects on necessary making round after round of the world’s climate, and that nothing PR. It needed scientific evidence – or appeals against unfavourable findings. should be done until more research at least what seemed to be scientific Few people had the stamina or the gave the answers. In some cases, the evidence. resources to fight a case against the scientists hired to create doubt in But where could the industry get tobacco industry to a conclusion. this area were the same ones who had such evidence? As argued that the evidence Oreskes and Conway was not sufficient for (2010: 31) point the harmful effects of out, it’s not all that tobacco! (Oreskes and difficult. Science is Conway 2010: 186) intrinsically full of In another direction uncertainties. Even entirely, mass religious when scientists are fanaticism can also pretty sure they know create this new and how some aspect of the dangerous kind of universe works, there pseudoscience. The are lots of problems most florid example and questions left. If of this is the massive you are determined, it ‘’ is not difficult to list movement which, for these problems, then a time, looked as if it suggest that everything would dominate science is uncertain, and that teaching in American ‘more research’ is schools. needed before anything To a large extent, can be done. the creation science But where would movement was shaped you find scientists to by the American work on such topics? constitution. This Again, that is not hard. Some scientists There is nothing guar- forbids government authorities from – like some of the rest of us – are “ promoting religion. Therefore, if immoral, and will do anything if you anteed about the onward religious fundamentalists wished pay them enough. Others simply march of science, pseudo- to counterbalance the teaching of will not see the ethical implications evolution in state schools, they could if their research is funded. Yet others science may reverse it.” not simply demand that their religious believe strongly that there should beliefs be taught as well. be no government intervention in Looked at in retrospect, the They had to pretend that their beliefs commercial matters, and will be behaviour of the industry appears were ‘scientific’, and that a two-models sympathetic for that reason. truly monstrous. They knew perfectly approach to science – embracing Oreskes and Conway describe how well, from their own research, that both creation and evolution – must the tobacco industry, using lavish they were killing huge numbers of be taught in schools. It is chilling to funds, was able to create what looked people, yet they chose to defend realise that at one stage, 23 American like a massive scientific case for saying their actions and deny those seeking state legislatures were considering that it was not clear that tobacco compensation any kind of help. At legislation to enforce equal time for was harmful to human health. They the same time they sought to blur the creation and evolution in their state supported ‘scientific’ journals and science and create uncertainty over schools. (Bridgstock and Smith 1986: conferences devoted to this argument. issue which they knew were close to 6) And they succeeded. It was not until being certain. Of course, in order to make the twenty-first century, more than Are there other cases in which their case carry weight, the creation fifty years later, that it finally became pseudoscience has acquired this kind scientists had to present an intellectual clear that tobacco is appallingly of power base? There certainly are. structure which looked convincing. 16 The Skeptic June 14

So they ransacked the scientific power, and can subject it to withering literature, looking for findings and critique. Indeed, we are specialists the Logical Place comments which could be taken as at exactly this, and many of us can evidence against evolution and for publicly spell out exactly how bogus creation. People with PhDs (some science differs from the real thing. I The Slippery Slope genuine, some purchased) wrote and suggest that focusing on pseudoscience slippery slope argument may or spoke in favour of creation science, with powerful financial backing, A may not be a fallacy, depending and organisations with scientific- or with mass religious or political on whether the argument is logical. sounding names sprouted, such as the backing, should be one of all skeptics’ The argument typically states that a Institute for Creation Research and main priorities. This is the lethal strain relatively small first step will inevitably the Creation Science Research Society. of the virus. lead to a chain of related events (Bridgstock 1986: 12) Seen in this light, skepticism culminating in some significant Eventually, creation science was becomes more than an amusing consequence, like an object given a identified for what it truly was, a pastime. It is an important way in small push down a slope will slide all pseudoscience, and conclusively which we can preserve one of the very the way to the bottom. defeated in courtroom battles. So bases of civilisation. That, I think, is A slippery slope argument has the was its successor, the intelligent eminently worth doing. . following form: design movement (Lebo 2008). Premise: Event X has occurred (or However, the fact remains that tens REFERENCES will or might occur). of millions of people still believe Bridgstock, Martin (1986) ‘But lots of Conclusion: Therefore consequence that the key scientific concept of creationists are scientists, and with Y will inevitably happen. so many brilliant people on both evolution is wrong, and that a viable The strength of such an argument sides shouldn’t both be taught?’ in alternative exists, namely some form depends on whether or not one can Martin Bridgstock and Ken Smith (eds) of creationism. It is perfectly possible demonstrate a chain of cause and effect that, one day, their support and Creationism: an Australian Perspective. leading to the significant consequence. resources will be mobilised again. Melbourne, Australian Skeptics: 12-13. If there is no such chain, the argument Bridgstock, Martin and Smith, Ken (1986) becomes a fallacy. This is especially so THE IMPLICATIONS ‘Introduction.’ in Martin Bridgstock in cases in which there is a significant OF THE NEW PSEUDOSCIENCE and Ken Smith (eds) Creationism: an number of steps or gradations between I suggest that these developments Australian Perspective. Melbourne, one event and another, which increases should be of deep concern. Dissidents Australian Skeptics: 5-8. the probability of the chain of cause who cannot accept scientific findings Bullock, Alan (1993) Hitler and Stalin. and effect being broken. On the other are no longer confined to tinkering London, Fontana. hand, if the chain of cause and effect in sheds or writing self-published Cornwell, John (2003) Hitler’s Scientists. can be adequately demonstrated to be books. Instead, if they have sufficient London, Penguin. unbroken, the argument is logical. backing, they can pose as proper Lebo, Laurie. (2008) The Devil In Dover. New The fallacious form of this argument scientists and perhaps acquire real York, New Press. has traditionally been called The power. It might even be possible Oxford English Dictionary.(2004) Second Camel’s Nose, because of the image for such movements, eventually, to Edition. On CD-ROM Version 3.1.1 of a sheik whose camel sticks its nose overthrow science itself. It happened Oxford, Oxford University Press. into his tent on a cold night. The idea for a while in Nazi Germany and Oreskes, Naomi and Conway, Erik M. (2010) is that the sheik fears letting the camel Stalin’s Russia, and it almost happened Merchants of Doubt. How a handful of put its nose inside because once the with creation science. In my view, scientists obscured the truth on issues beast does so, it will inevitably put there is nothing guaranteed about the from tobacco smoke to global warning. in its head, and then its neck, and onward march of science, and some London, Bloomsbury. eventually its whole body. However, pseudoscientific movement, one day, Medvedev, Zhores (1969) The Rise and Fall this sort of thinking does not allow for might be capable of reversing it. of T. D. Lysenko. New York, Columbia any possibility of stopping the process. What can be done? The skeptics University Press. It falsely assumes that, once the nose have an important role here. Surveys is in, the rest must follow – that the show that the general population sheik can’t stop the progression once it has begun – and thus the process is has little understanding of how About the author: inevitable. science works, or of the key findings Martin Bridgstock of science. This makes the public is a senior lecturer in the by Tim Harding vulnerable to the slick, convincing School of Biomolecular and - claims of special pleaders. Skeptics Physical at Griffith are another matter. We can identify University and the author of when a pseudoscience is acquiring Beyond Belief. 17 FEATURE Skepticism & Pseudoscience Too much Trouble s I have listened to the Nik Bogduk thinks he’s found the secret Adebates and conflicts between skeptics and their opponents I have of pseudoscience: it’s tough out there. To repeatedly been struck by a singular, recurrent theme that seems to counter it, you need to have GUTS. underlie these conflicts. Cheekily, and to be consistent with the current flavour of developments in physics, I shall refer to it as the Grand explore the environment, but in doing they can build shelters from the Unifying Theory of Skepticism so they must encounter and negotiate elements, gather food, develop (GUTS). I offer it to our readers for the hazards of the environment. agriculture, hunt, and domesticate rebuttal, endorsement or elaboration. The environment is not friendly. cattle. In tribes they can resist if not The first principle of GUTS is life An amoeba is at risk of being eaten withstand the hazards imposed by is a bitch. The second principle is by another organism; it is vulnerable competing tribes. In modern times knowledge is too hard. A corollary to desiccation if its pond dries out; it we see the equivalent of the latter to the second principle is that it is vulnerable to toxins in its pond or when individuals join protective reinforces the first principle: because to a lack of nutrients. So too is the organisations such as the Mafia, the knowledge is too hard it makes life human. Triad or secret societies, that give more of a bitch. All the trouble that Humans can get drowned in a them the edge over other individuals. skeptics encounter stems from these flood, dried out in a However, two principles. drought, plagued by Life is a bitch; but although tribes insects, starve in a “ cater for material LIFE IS A BITCH famine, crushed in an rather than simply needs – food and This principle is overtly cheerless but earthquake, or struck accepting that, physical protection unashamedly so. Biologically, human by lightning. These, – they do not allay existence is no different from that and others, constitute individuals invent fears. An individual of other organisms as simple as an the threats of the models for solace. fundamentally amoeba. (You may feel differently, environment. ” remains in peril but check that in appraising this To appreciate the first principle, from elements and events over assertion you have not complicated simply conduct a mind experiment. which they have no control or from the issue by adding spiritual How do you feel if spontaneously I which the tribe cannot protect them. dimensions; that comes later, and is a drop you naked with no resources in Not even the Mafia can prevent an compensatory mechanism but is not Carpentaria, the middle of Tasmania, earthquake or prevent cancer. Specific part of the fundamental appraisal.) or on a rainy weekend in Canberra fears may differ from individual to All living organisms have the when no-one else is home? individual, but nonetheless fears obligation to feed, respire, excrete, Anthropologically, humans have obtain. assimilate and grow; they may get to turned to one another to address The material threats are brought reproduce. To obtain food they must material needs. In families or tribes into relief when society disintegrates. 18 The Skeptic June 14

To be convinced, picture the grief, the A classical example is fear of horror and despair, of suddenly being thunder and lightning. The innate caught in Bosnia, Ethiopia or Sudan, fear of these phenomena is evident with no escape. in the fear that children express, However, material threats and until their fears are assuaged. Early fears are not the bane of skeptics. explanations were theistic. Humans Creation Science and UFOs pale invented gods of thunder and gods into insignificance during famine, wielding lightning bolts. Later, pestilence and civil unrest. The boring meteorologists devised fears that skepticism addresses other models that eliminated this Too much are metaphysical, and emerge as romanticism. an indulgence or disease or stable Romanticism is the key. It societies. is only natural for humans to Having catered to their material anthropomorphise: to conjure needs, an individual is left with models in their own image or based or an intellectual capacity that extraneous fears and curiosity. To on their immediate experience. enables one to understand quantum cope with these the individual (or the Gods are simply super humans; or in mechanics. tribe) seeks explanations. If material other cultures they could have been Romanticism also reflects the Trouble explanations are not forthcoming super animals (as in Dreamtime). fundamental human fear of personal they develop models or theories that Romanticism is natural because the insignificance or impotence. Human offer explanations, in order to allay ingredients are immediately available. power is dwarfed by the power of the anxiety of not knowing and, The ensuing model does not require the elements; and physically weak therefore, fearing. tedious observation and experiment, individuals are in fear of stronger bullies. If you are leading a pathetic life, it is hard to rationalise. A pathetic life, plagued by poverty, hunger and disease, causes anxiety. Life is a bitch; but rather than simply accepting that, individuals invent models for solace. Life can’t be this bad; there must be something better. Witches and sorcerers are one invention. Oh, for the power over life, death and the forces of Nature. As a fantasy, witchcraft deals with the sense of impotence - “at least they have the power; it was just my misfortune not to have been born a witch.” The advantage of crediting witchcraft and sorcery is that I can entertain myself with stories of witches and sorcerers, celebrating how they can overcome so wonderfully the hazards of life. In a story I can identify with the hero, and for a moment, I can escape from the perils of my wretched existence, into my imagination. However, the fantasy becomes dangerous when literalised; when peasants turn to self-proclaimed witches for potions for sickness or frustration with their lot; or when angry, ignorant crowds burn witches out of jealousy for their perceived 0319 FEATURE Skepticism & Pseudoscience

Too much too much Trouble trouble too hard Continued...

superiority. Extraterrestrials are another escape: “I may be impotent but those guys in space-ships have really got the goods. Life is better, but it’s out there.”

Less trivial but nonetheless romantic are the religions. “Life is a bitch but not for long; the rewards I can’t come later, but for now be tolerant.” do that, In psychiatric terms the process can !? is called displacement. The anxiety too we suffer now can be displaced by lazy putting the blame on the model; “it’s the nature of things, it’s god’s will; it will all be better later”. !? Whether there’s an afterlife or you come back as a cockroach, life too is a bitch only temporarily; so, stop scared complaining and wait your turn. Now, in a psychiatric sense there is nothing wrong with romantic models; they serve a just and necessary purpose: to allay anxiety about the by observation or experiment. All this lifetime of arduous work? basic futility and oppression of life. takes time and intellect. It is evident even among skeptics If it helps to believe in an after-life, The greatest sin of science, that no one individual nowadays can fine. If it helps to believe that you however, is that it kills romanticism. know everything to counter all the are only a small step in the cosmic For this it can be berated and romanticism. The knowledge base is progress to nirvana, fine. implicitly decried. just too great. We need geologists to The evil arises when romanticism Science is cold and inhuman; it identify synclines instead of arks; we is literalised; when individuals deny reduces events to trivial, material need palaeontologists to age a fossil the fantasy status of models and insist explanations. It takes the magic out before the flood; we need medical that they are materially real. Here of life and replaces it with facts and scientists to explain acupuncture and is where we encounter the conflict formulae that take a lifetime to learn. herbalism. No one individual can do between belief and science. Science also threatens the anxiety all of this, but interested parties can Religious zealots, romantics and and investment of those who develop be entertained by invited experts and scientists alike, each are able and are romantic models. “I struggled to take solace that at least someone has entitled to invent, by imagination, develop this model and now you dedicated their life to being an expert any sort of model to explain anything tell me it’s untrue. I am left with in these respective fields. they choose. But the distinction my anxiety exposed; yet, to cover Yet it takes a particular frame of of a scientist is that they look for it I must learn physics, chemistry, mind to take heart from the existence connections between their model and mathematics and geology? No way; of experts in the event that you need observable, reproducible reality. I shall insist rather than learn and them. reform.” KNOWLEDGE IS TOO HARD The conflict lies between the easy TOO FRIGHTENED, DUMB AND LAZY It is easy to formulate a model; route – simply to accept an attractive The third, and hitherto it is harder to validate it. The model to be literally true, or the unannounced, principle of GUTS hallmarks of science are the studious hard route – to learn, and to explore is that by and large the human acquisition of existing knowledge, the this and other models, testing if population are too frightened, dumb formulation of hypotheses to explain each might not be true. Now which and lazy to benefit from scientific the remaining unknown, and the is more attractive to the average expertise. disciplined testing of these hypotheses individual - an overnight fix or a People have anxieties now; they 20 The Skeptic June 14

want solutions now. They don’t want frustrated that they expended all that But what I resist is the literalisation to invest time to read, study and learn discipline conforming to the rules of of these models. By all means test in order to get an answer; they want it a fantasy, and now without even the the models for connections to reality, now. satisfaction of getting back at others but do not invent connections when They also prefer a model with for being heathens. they are not there. Moreover, I am which they can identify: models with not concerned for myself because I gods, witches and aliens (who are, SIGNIFICANCE am prepared to learn. When I am sort of, just like us). They don’t want An obvious way of coping with concerned is when the romantics equations, formulae and all that maths insignificance is to become significant. inflict their beliefs onto others and which they hated at school. There are three routes to significance in the process demand some sort of “Look, god created the universe; - power, money and recognition. payment either literally, or figuratively it’s as simple as that. What’s all this Power is pursued by generals and in the form of intellectual enslavement bullshit about 10-32 seconds anyway?” politicians. Enough money eventually to the belief. “Look, you’ve got a disease; brings significance in one form or I ask fellow skeptics if the situation acupuncture can cure it. Western another. But, these two routes are is any simpler than that; our enemy medicine doesn’t know and doesn’t very demanding and capricious. is ignorance and the reluctance of give a damn. Acupuncture is oriental Alternatively, individuals can people to do anything about it. and you know that Orientals harbour become recognised for a discovery or Fearful and impatient they are prey great secrets of life.” for an intellectual revelation; that’s to any fulfilling belief regardless of Simple assertions are fine, but the the game scientists play. It seems its reality. Those who defend their evil lies in obliging people to abide by easier than becoming a politician, and beliefs without evidence are no more the corollaries. more noble; it’s easier than becoming than protecting their own anxieties “Now that you believe God rich. Hence, we find emulators - and the strange way up in which they created the universe, you will believe people who seek to be recognised like have covered them. No wonder they everything in the Bible, and you will scientists or doctors, for discoveries are violent. When you challenge their believe that this is the lost ark.” or ideas, irrespective of how patently belief you threaten to expose their “Now that you false these discoveries deepest anxieties and the artificial way believe in herbalism may be. that they have been suppressed. you will continue “ Intellectual enslave- Some want to At the heart of all skeptical to pay for and take ment ... Our enemy is be seen as great conflicts are the fears, anxieties and this potion” (even scientists, others as insignificance of every human though there is no ignorance and the great healers. Have being. . proven benefit). reluctance of people to you ever noticed Note: do anything about it. how the ‘alternative’ This classic catch article was first FULL CYCLE ” people have taken published in The Skeptic, Autumn 1995 The greatest evil to putting strings (Vol 15:1). is retribution. of letters after their Individuals take to a religion to allay names so that they too can have their personal anxieties but to adopt a emblems like the real professors, religion involves discipline, particular scientists and doctors? About the author: if the corollaries of that religion Regardless of the discipline, the At time of writing this involve taboos and restrictions - no desire is to become important. But article, Nikolai Bogduk was sex, no drinking. When others around why? It can’t be altruism, because Professor of Anatomy at the do not abide by this religion or its true altruists don’t seek recognition. University of Newcastle. He is restrictions, jealousy arises; jealousy My perception is that importance currently Conjoint Professor, that “I had to restrict myself but you is a device to cover personal School of Biomedical didn’t.” insignificance. Hence, when skeptics Sciences and Pharmacy, at “Therefore, I will impose my will demolish a factitious claim they also the same university upon you. If I can’t have sex, neither strip the perpetrator of their hope will you.” for significance, leaving them ... Now, if Skeptics threaten the insignificant. belief system, they also threaten the satisfaction of retribution. If you EPILOGUE deny the belief system you take away To me the system appears simple. Life the basis for retribution. Where does is a bitch and people are scared. They that leave the believer? Back with need models with which to cope with their original, fundamental anxieties, these fears. That I do not deny them. 21 FEATURE Skepticism & Pseudoscience Terms Barry Williams opens of your his pseudodictionary on pseudoscience pseudophrases. NaturalReal Meaning: Life t has been suggested that it would be a useful (if Idemoralising) occupation to compile an anthology of The fact is that various paranormal phenomena do not appear pseudoscientific and paranormal cliches, their accepted to work when tested by rigorously controlled experiments (by those who believe in such things) meanings together and where the opportunities for cheating or self delusion are with definitions of what they really mean. restricted. I will start the ball rolling with some of my favourites A curious aspect of the shyness effect is that it only and invite readers to contribute their own. You can, of becomes apparent when the perpetrator of the paranormal course, give your views on the ones included here. Let’s phenomenon knows there is a skeptic present. As James start with an old favourite. Randi and others have shown, negative vibrations from covert or disguised skeptics do not seem to inhibit the ENERGIES UNKNOWN TO SCIENCE (EUTS) performance. Accepted meaning: THEY ALL LAUGHED AT GALILEO Subtle forces which permeate the ether/astral plane/ Accepted meaning: spiritual dimension and which are connected to the life-force/ universal spirit, and which, because they are located in the ‘They’ (the establishment) are close minded to new ideas spiritual/metaphysical/psychic universe, are undetectable by and will not consider anything that may interfere with their the gross means employed by science. cosy self-image and power. Just look at how Galileo/Einstein/ Wegener etc were treated by ‘them’ when they proposed their revolutionary concepts. My new theory/demonstration/ Real meaning: invention is just as revolutionary, ‘they’ are persecuting me, That which is proposed by believers to account for therefore I must be right. occurrences which conflict with, or are forbidden by, what is really known to science. That there is no good evidence that Real meaning: these occurrences really occur is not considered to be relevant Broadly, there are four categories of how new ideas are by believers. As these EUTS are only known about because of treated: their effects on human beings, who are controlled by energies 1. They are right and are accepted with little fuss after they known to science, then there must logically be some interface have been confirmed. Most scientific discoveries fall into between the mystical and mundane planes which should this category. therefore allow these energies to be detected by scientific 2. They are wrong, but are accepted. Usually this occurs when methods. accepted theories, often reasonable ones in the light of So far, there is no sign of this. current knowledge, are later overthrown by better evidence There may well be energies unknown to science, but it or more complete knowledge. The Biblical story of creation is unlikely that they will have anything to do with spoon falls into this category, as does astrology. In some cases, bending. factors other than evidence or knowledge are involved in this category, an obvious example being Trofim Lysenko, THE SHYNESS EFFECT whose theories on plant genetics were politically correct in Accepted meaning: the Stalinist USSR, but scientifically untenable. This is not at all unusual with ideas that are mainly adopted for their The seriously inhibiting effect exerted on psi phenomena by political correctness. negative vibrations or thoughts emanating from skeptics. 3. They are right but are ignored. Alfred Wegener’s theory of ‘continental drift’ is a good example of this. At first 22 The Skeptic June 14

rejected, accumulating evidence over many years forced which are ‘not fully explained’. This use of statistics can it to be accepted by other geologists. There are other often be misleading, as many of the alleged 3 per cent are examples, but it is not as commonplace as pseudoscientists covered by answers 2 and 3 above, or cannot be explained would have us believe. because there is insufficient evidence on which to base any 4. They are wrong and are ignored. This is by far the largest explanation, while many of the ‘best cases’ presented by category. Australian Skeptics have files full of such ideas, UFO believers actually fall within the 97 per cent covered Terms as no doubt do many scientists. Sometimes, though rarely by answer 1. In some of these cases, especially where the of your I would judge, the proposers are persecuted; more often overwhelming circumstantial evidence points to fraud, they are ignored, which actually hurts the proponent more they cannot be ‘fully’ explained short of a confession by the than persecution would. Usually these ideas are postulated perpetrator. by people who have no particular skills in the fields Skeptical UFO investigator Bob Sheaffer put this in into which they delve, though they may have expertise perspective with the statement, “A lot of robberies in the in others. Occasionally they attract bands of dedicated USA remain unsolved but that doesn’t mean that aliens Natural Life followers who frequently make even more dubious claims committed them.” about the work than do the proposers. A prominent case of this type is Wilhelm Reich, who was indeed PSI MISSING persecuted, and whose proposal of ‘orgone’ energy was Accepted meaning: a classic example of the EUTS mentioned above. Most people who say “They all laughed at Galileo” fall into this A staple of the parapsychologists. Psychic or category, though they would wish us to believe they fall paranormal forces are subtle and difficult to pin down. When into category 3. testing for an individual’s ability to predict at a level better To paraphrase the late Isaac Asimov, “to be a persecuted than chance, we also find some who consistently predict at a genius, you not only have to be persecuted, you also have level worse than chance. This is significant. to be right”. In other words, the fact (or the perception) of persecution is no indication of the correctness of the idea. In the case of Galileo, he was not persecuted by other Real meaning: scientists (of whom there were few in his day), rather by Psychic and paranormal forces, for which there is very little the political and religious (in his case much the same thing) compelling evidence outside of the wishful thinking of establishments. Galileo was right because he was right, not parapsychologists, are tested for by large batteries of tests. because he was persecuted. This is a counter example to that Occasionally these seem to give marginally statistically of Lysenko, where political correctness required Darwin to significant results which are difficult to sort out from the be wrong, regardless of the evidence. Other scientists soon noise around the chance level. If, however, we also add the took Galileo’s ideas aboard and have continued to do so to cases where people are more consistently right to the cases this day and even the Catholic Church has seen fit, after where they are more consistently wrong, the significance about 400 years, to forgive him. Incidentally, there is no looks to be greater. We can further refine this by rechecking historical evidence that anybody ever actually laughed at the data after the event and add in all the cases where the Galileo. subject missed by a small amount (for example, one either side of the correct answer), cases where the subject gave the NOT FULLY EXPLAINED correct answer to this test in another test, and any other Accepted meaning: post facto pattern that we can find in the results, the level of significance can be made to appear much greater. This is a serious mystery which science is unable or Even if we were to accept that someone has unwilling to explain, possibly through ignorance but more demonstrated, in tightly controlled laboratory experiments, probably through malice or a conspiracy. an ability to predict consistently at a level greater than chance, it would not support the claims of the various psychics who offer their services for a fee. Real meaning: The levels of significance claimed by many 1. This has been fully explained but the believers will not parapsychologists do not differ from chance by all that accept the explanation. much in the real world and one could hardly imagine a 2. What on earth is there to explain? psychic advertising his skills as being slightly above chance 3. There may be something here to explain but it is of such levels. For example, if chance dictated a 20 per cent correct trivial moment as to not require much effort. response and if a psychic demonstrated a consistent 22 This phrase is frequently used by UFO nuts who like to per cent success rate, he might be demonstrating a very cite the fact that, while some 97 per cent of UFO sightings interesting ability, but you would still go broke very quickly are accounted for by planets, aircraft, natural phenomena, by following his racing tips. And that is in the order of the hoaxes and misperceptions, there remain some 3 per cent success often claimed by parapsychologists. 0323 FEATURE Skepticism & Pseudoscience

Terms of your refer to themselves as evolutionists any more than they refer to themselves as relativitists or quantumites. Natural Life A true skeptic is always open to the possibility that any given paranormal or pseudoscientific speculation might be Continued... shown, by good evidence, to be an accurate picture of the world. Should this occur and should, say, the evidence for THERE IS A GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY astrology become compelling, the skeptic will accept that, Accepted meaning: while remaining skeptical about other unbelievable things until such time as the evidence dictates otherwise. The government (any government) is controlled The believer, on the other hand, is disposed to believe by powerful [satanic; extraterrestrial; occult; secret; Jewish; in any case. Prevailing circumstances are what cause one socialist; fascist; capitalist - add your favourite here] individual to become a creationist and another a UFOlogist. individuals who conspire to keep the truth about [UFOs, It is only the dogma associated with some beliefs which water fluoridation; the New World Order; the Protocols of the precludes the believer in one irrational hypothesis from Elders of Zion; the Holocaust; free energy - add your favourite believing in many others. The reason why the average here] from the people. They will do anything to prevent this creationist does not normally believe in new age claims is secret conspiracy from leaking out. because he has been told they are evil, not because he has rationally determined that they are rubbish. And vice, of course, versa. Real meaning: Now you have my thoughts on some of the more The government (any government) is controlled by ordinary, common statements or claims made by believers in fallible individuals like you and me. They particularly irrational hypotheses. There are lots more that you will conspire to keep this knowledge from us. strike in your daily intercourse with the credulous and you They also conspire to keep from us the fact that they have are invited to submit them for publication. no idea how the country/state/municipality got into the There is just one final point I would like to commend mess it is in and even less idea how to get out of it; how they to the attention of my fellow Skeptics. Be not afraid to have managed to squander the vast sums they are entrusted confront your own prejudices. . with on hare-brained projects with no lasting value; that governments (and most other large organisations) are hopelessly incompetent; and all manner of other things they would prefer the electorate not to know about. This is not really a conspiracy, it is really politics. I suspect that governments are actually quite happy to have people focus on the more fanciful conspiracy theories as it distracts attention from their real failings. When you think about it, About the author: if they really are as powerful and sinister as the conspiracy Barry Williams is a skeptic of note – probably theorists would have us believe, how come they allow so B sharp. many people to propagate so many fantastic claims in books and the mass media? “I USED TO BE A SCEPTIC” Accepted meaning:

“I too was an unenlightened, close minded and negative individual like you. Then I underwent an experience/ revelation that convinced me of the undoubted validity of [add your own paranormal category here]. My life has been transformed for the better by the experience.”

Real meaning: “I was an empty vessel, just waiting around for some crackpot idea to fill the vessel and to bring meaning to my boring existence.” This is the universal claim of the chronic believer. It rarely varies, except in the case of the creationists who use the version, “I used to be an evolutionist”. Real scientists do not 24 FEATURE Skepticism & Pseudoscience The Skeptic June 14 Don’t Go There Sharon Hill gives you fair warning – the worst of the worst • The Blaze of pseudoscience websites. • Drudge Report SATIRE SITES he purpose of the skeptical news anti-abortion advocates, Creationists, Most of us know The Onion is fake website Doubtful News is to expose climate change denialists or others with but there are many satire and joke Tquestionable claims in stories you find anti-science or pro-conspiracy agendas are news sites that people think are real. on the internet. Mostly we deal with obviously not reliable sources. There is a handy-dandy list (http:// major news outlets because those are I can count the number of UFO and tinyurl.com/odzbzs4) that includes the stories that people will search on Bigfoot blogs that are worth reading on other popular sites for joke news: The to find additional information. We one hand; I can’t list all the unreliable Daily Currant, The Lapine, National get those searchers who then can see ones. So play the odds, don’t trust any of Report and more. Check it out if you some science-based, rational takes on them. Look for the story in major news are unsure about a potential satire site paranormal, anomalies and alternative outlets unless it has good evidence to (I realise it’s sometimes hard to tell). subjects in the news. back it up. We’ll be sure to let you know You can also search the “about” page The internet is awash in bad if any solid paranormal stories show up. to see if it is a truthful or satire site. information. I’d say there is at least as The disclaimer of some sort is usually much poor information as there is solid DON’T TRUST, BUT VERIFY listed. We have enough real ridiculous info, probably more because the solid Some sources have lots of pictures news to cover, but, it is sad when information gets published in more and high hit counts but their journalism people fall for satire pieces as real. permanent places. Anyhow, over the 2+ is shaky. Tabloids, blogs and other We’re all gullible, a little bit. years we’ve been doing this site, we’ve aggregate sites may have a real story There is no way we could create a figured out how to judge a bad source but I will dig back to an from a good one (in most cases). So, original source and link we’ve compiled this list, with readers’ to that. That includes the help, to remind you of sources that are ever-popular Huffington Beyond Doubtful – just do not trust Post which is mostly blogs, them. And we’ve also listed further not good journalism. If miscellaneous sources for which you you see a piece on any should definitely get a second reference. of the following sources, always check for an THE BEYOND DOUBTFUL LIST alternative source by Googling keywords comprehensive list to help you navigate • Natural News (Mike Adams, or looking for the original source within the worldwide web of misinformation “Health Ranger”) the story. If there isn’t another source, but this is a start regarding the search • Pat Robertson (700 Club) it’s likely too ridiculous to consider and for more solid sources. Of course, we • Before It’s News not even deserving of comment (though are going to question even those solid • Info Wars / Prison Planet (Alex there are exceptions). sources if they are lacking in credibility. Jones) Check for another source if the story As you can tell by our non-lack of • Mercola.com (Joe Mercola) is from: content, they often are. • CryptozoologyNews.com • Daily Mail (UK) Also use Web of Trust and check • News-hound • The Sun (UK) out SkepTools for more on debunking • Topekasnews.com • Examiner.com the bunk stories before you pass on the • The Canadian (agoracosmopolitan. • Bubblews “bad” news. . com/new) • European Union Times • All News Web • RT.com • World News Daily Report • Siberian Times • World Net Daily (WND.com) • Pravda.ru There are thousands of other sources • Buzzfeed About the author: that say they have “news” but it’s not news • Gawker network of sites Sharon Hill or trustworthy due to spin and bias. Sites • Mother Nature News is editor of Doubtful News, that are backed by religious organisations, • Epoch Times http://doubtfulnews.com/ 25 ARTICLE Epiphany Birth of a Notion r Steven Novella and Evan DBernstein look back on the days before the Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe for their skeptical epiphanies ... and “never looked back”.

STEVEN NOVELLA, CO-HOST SGU My journey into being an active skeptic probably began at high school with the evolution versus creationism debate. ‘Creation science’ was the term that was used for the evolution-denying movement in the United States I was reading lots of books about evolution – I was very interested in evolutionary theory; I’d read everything Stephen Jay Gould had written on the topic. So, to me an organised movement that was denying EVAN BERNSTEIN, CO-HOST SGU Left to right: Evan Bernstein and Steve Novella that evolution even occurred was The first time I started to think with Bob Novella (and sock puppet?) fascinating, in a very morbid way. skeptically or think of myself as a I began to dissect their claims. skeptic I was 26 years old. At that Today I joke that the creationists’ point of my life I believed everything, just not been using my brain all these arguments are a textbook of logical or rather I should say I did not know years!” I had just been accepting fallacy – you can learn a lot about how to think critically about certain whatever had been popular on science versus pseudoscience, how issues. television or the media, just like a lot science operates, the difference Flying saucers from outer space? of people did. between skepticism and denial, how Sure, why not? Hauntings in old But now that I knew how to apply to think clearly – all of those things places? Yes, that’s fine. There was logic, how to think critically about by reading the fallacious arguments of nothing wrong with that way of certain things, I was better able to the creationists. thinking for me. I felt “sure, why not?” filter out what was bogus versus what That was really my entry into the I always appreciated science – I was real. skeptical world, and it blossomed didn’t have anything against science. That was a very enlightening time from there. I enjoyed astronomy very much; I for me, and ever since I’ve never Carl Sagan was a big influence enjoyed my science courses through looked back. . with Cosmos. By the time I was my education. But at the same time, leaving college and going into medical I didn’t know how to filter out the Note: Steven Novella and Evan school I was definitely a full-blown correct science or the proper science Bernstein were interviewed at TAM skeptic, reading and from what was actually pseudoscience. Australia 2010. These and other TAM absorbing all of that information. Not until I became friends with the 2010 interviews and presentations are It wasn’t long after that my friends Novellas [fellow SGU hosts]. featured on the TAM Australia DVD, and my brother Bob and I decided They introduced me to CSICOP available from www.skeptics.com.au/ there was no reason why we can’t start and the Skeptical Inquirer, and they shop. a local skeptical group too. We knew started asking me questions about Both of them, along with the rest of all of that material, we know a lot of what I thought about these things. the SGU crew, will be appearing at science, and we’re enthusiastic Only then I started to think about this year’s Australian Skeptics National That was the mid 90s, and we’ve these issues in a more critical manner. Convention in Sydney on November never looked back. I thought, “My goodness, I have 28-30. 26 Convention & dinner tickets available now Skeptics.com.au/convention 23 ARTICLE History The Water Wizard of Gallipoli Graham Wilson looks into the legend of Sapper Stephen Kelley, the Man Who (Supposedly) Saved an Army

n early 1915, in an attempt to seize Ia strategic advantage by capturing the Ottoman capital of Constantinople, the British War Council authorised an attack on the Gallipoli Peninsula. This peninsula forms the western arm of the strategically important Dardanelles Strait, which connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. On 25 April 1915 troops of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and New Zealand surge in the defence of the motherland Egypt, purified water from which was Expeditionary Force (NZEF), formed as the Ottoman Empire crumbled. transported to the peninsula via water into a corps sized formation entitled Gallipoli was a sore trial for ships and lighters, and local wells and the Australian and New Zealand Army the Australian and New Zealand springs. There were constant problems Corps, or ANZAC, landed on the troops; one of the privations suffered with the former, including loss of western side of the peninsula. British that looms large in most personal ships and lighters to enemy action and French troops made landings at recollections of the campaign is the or accident, inability to pump water the same time further to the south. shortage of water. During the First ashore due to weather conditions, After eight months of heavy fighting, World War the daily allowance of chronic shortage of piping and pumps, Anzac* troops were withdrawn from potable water was one gallon (4.54 and regular breakdowns of pump the peninsula by the end of December; litres) per man and five gallons (22.7 machinery. Nevertheless, this was the the last Allied troops withdrawn by the litres) for horses, donkeys and mules. main source of water for the entire first week of January 1916. With 40,000+ men ashore by early campaign. The campaign was one of the May, the daily water requirement just The local wells, while secondary in greatest Ottoman victories of the war for humans was in excess of 40,000 terms of volume of supply, were also and a major Allied defeat. In modern gallons. important and the search for wells was day Turkey it is regarded as a defining Water was supplied from two immediate and ongoing. The war diary moment in the nation’s history, a final sources, the Sweet Water Canal in of 1st Australian Division Engineers, for 28 The Skeptic June 14

Far left: Boxes of corned beef and tins of water and kerosene - hopefully not mixed up

Centre: Anzac Cove

Below: British soldiers drawing water from a The Water Wizard well - cool clear water! of Gallipoli

instance, notes that the commanding Troop. Kelley, who had been born in for services in connection with the officer Divisional Engineers, England and emigrated to Australia operations at Gallipoli. accompanied by his adjutant, embarked with his family while a young boy, From about May 1916, however, on a search for water sources as soon enlisted into the AIF in Melbourne on sensational newspaper articles began as he landed on 25 April. By 1 May 28 October 1914, listing his occupation to appear in England, Australia and a section of 1st Field Company (1 as ‘Master Engineer’. He served at New Zealand recounting the exploits FD COY), Australian Engineers was Gallipoli from May to September 1915, of Sapper Stephen Kelley (often detached on full time water supply when he was evacuated sick; transferred misspelt as ‘Kelly’), the Water-Wizard tasks, while a detachment of one officer to England for medical treatment, he of Gallipoli, the man who “Saved an and six sappers of 2 FD was medically Army”. COY was employed discharged How did Kelley do this? By on sinking wells in “ How did Kelley locate from the AIF apparently doing what no-one else Shrapnel Gully. these miraculous sources in England at Gallipoli could do, namely, locate The war diaries of on 2 June underground water sources, capable, the various engineer of water? By water 1917. Various so we are told, of providing 200,000 units, from corps level divining, of course. newspaper and gallons of “pure spring water, icy cold”. to company level, all ” other accounts A total life-saver, as we are told that on include numerous tell us that he 11 August every man at Gallipoli was mentions of the constant search for married in England, established a down to his ‘last pint’ of water and men new local sources of water, methods business there and became involved in were dying of thirst. employed, numerous successes, details politics. How did Kelley locate these of quality and quantity of output, and So far, so good—an unremarkable miraculous sources of water? problems encountered. but still praiseworthy AIF career, made By water divining of course, for Enter now 597 Sapper Stephen more praiseworthy in that Kelley was which he used the copper driving band Kelley, 3rd Light Horse Brigade Signal mentioned in despatches in 1916 of an exploded Ottoman shell. Kelley, 0329 ARTICLE History

The Water Wizard Continued...

with a covering party, carried out a daring night time reconnaissance of the enemy’s positions at the end of May 1915, penetrating “some 300 yards into the Turkish lines”. Laying up during the next day, he continued his hair raising operation the next night, making his way through the enemy’s trenches until he was able to regain friendly lines on Walker’s Ridge. He was able to triumphantly report “an abundance of water between Anzac Cove, Salt Lake and Anafarta village”. Later, Kelley was detached to the base on Mudros Island to locate sites for wells for the hospitals and was even loaned to the French far 1915; he was never wounded— to the south on the Asiatic side of the his reason for medical evacuation Dardanelles to assist them in locating was enteric fever; the reasons for water sources. his eventual medical discharge Wounded by shrapnel on 11 August were flat feet and epilepsy, at 1915, he was sought out in hospital least one of which should have by the commander of the 3rd Light been picked up at his enlistment Horse Brigade, Brigadier-General medical. Hughes, who advised Kelley that the The diary of the 3rd Light water lighters from Malta had failed Horse Signal Troop (3 LH to arrive, that the water supply for SIG TP) makes no mention the entire army was almost exhausted, of sending anyone on a and piteously implored him to find reconnaissance into the enemy water. The very next day, carried on a lines at any time in May 1915, stretcher and in command of a work nor does the diary of the 3rd detail of 1000 men, Kelley located Light Horse Brigade. The diary water “within 100 yards of Divisional of 3 LH SIG TP does record on HQ”. Within a week his psychic skills 17 July “Lent Sapper Kelley to had located over 30 wells, from which Engineers for one day to locate gushed 200,000 gallons of water per water”. Similarly, the diary of HQ New war diaries or in the official medical day. Despite his wound and then Zealand and Australian Divisional history of any man dying of thirst at the onset of disease, Kelley worked Engineers records that on 12 August Gallipoli. tirelessly at his water-divining until he “Water-diviner Kelly arrived from Was the water situation at Anzac finally collapsed from exhaustion and Signal Troop, 3rd LH”. These, though, Cove and Suvla so grim on 11 August was medically evacuated. As he was are the only war diary mentions of that Hughes would have gone begging being evacuated “thousands of troops, Kelley, and neither diary records any for the Water-Wizard to save the army? black and white, lined up to give (him) success on his part. Well no, it wasn’t. a cheer”. No mention can be found in any There were problems with So whose word do we have for all of war diary nor in the official history of a storage capacity ashore for the water these claims? work force of 1,000 men being placed shipped from Egypt (not Malta as Why, Sapper Kelley of course! under command of a sapper (private). Kelley claimed) and problems with Kelley, however, is a very No mention can be found anywhere distribution to front line units due to a questionable witness. His personal in diaries or in letters of “thousands of shortage of suitable carrying containers, record does not support any of the troops, black and white, lined up to however there was still enough water claims made above. Kelley never left give (Kelley) a cheer” as he was carried to go around. Local shortages were Anzac Cove for Mudros or anywhere away on 1 September. addressed by releasing water from the else until his evacuation on 1 October No mention can be found in medical central reservoir, which held water 30 The Skeptic June 14

Far left: A water parade at Dawkins Point, Brighton Beach

Centre: Soldiers in a captured Turkish trench, getting out of the sun.

Left: Australians in Shrapnel Valley

probably originally crafted to increase his self-esteem. By 1917, however, he was using the tale to air a personal grievance against ‘the system’. Despite the fact that Kelley had hidden two existing medical conditions at the time of his enlistment that would have barred him from service, and although he apparently prospered after discharge, he was incensed that he was only awarded a military pension of seven shillings and sixpence. He used his fantasy tale of his achievements as the Water-Wizard at pumped up from the lighters at the amazing claims to be the “Water Gallipoli as a vehicle (unsuccessful) for beach and which usually held about Wizard of Gallipoli” are pure nonsense. his campaign. . 40,000 gallons, supplemented by about There are two official references to his 8000-10,000 gallons pumped into being tasked with water location, one *The question of whether ‘ANZAC’ or water tanks at various locations. This specifically describing him as a water- ‘Anzac’ is the proper term is a vexatious was in addition to water drawn from diviner, but that’s as far as it goes. Did one, which haunts military historians, wells, some with an output of 10,000 he actually find any water sources? Who who are often assailed for ‘incorrectly’ gallons per day. knows? However, if he did I doubt very using the word ‘Anzac’ instead of the There is absolutely no mention in much if he did so by water divining. ‘correct “ANZAC”’. The correct answer any relevant record that water output It is hard to pin down facts on Kelley, is that when referring to the military from wells suddenly leapt up to however, those fragments located formation created in Egypt in December 200,000 gallons per indicate he was 1914 the military acronym ‘ANZAC’ is day. On 12 August, a partner in a used. In all other uses the word ‘Anzac’ is the day Kelley “ Almost all of Kelley’s firm of hydraulic correct, e.g. ‘Anzac Cove’, ‘a true Anzac’, supposedly began amazing claims to be the engineers based ‘Anzac biscuit’, etc. ‘Anzac’ is defined as a his magical work, in Victoria which word in both the Macquarie Dictionary the daily ration was, Water Wizard of Gallipoli had a great deal and the ‘Protection of Word ‘Anzac’ in fact, reduced to a are pure nonsense. of success pre-war Regulations 1990’, made under the War quarter of a gallon ” in locating and Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920 (two pints) per man, developing water although this was due to distribution sources in semi-arid agricultural areas in Editor’s note: Russell Crowe has problems, not shortages. Two days later, Victoria and South Australia. It is likely directed and starred in a film called The with some distribution issues addressed, that Kelley developed an eye for the Water Diviner, which is set in Gallipoli. the ration was increased to half a gallon lay of water bearing land and that any However, this is not the story of Sapper (four pints) per man. To believe Kelley, success he may have had locating water Kelley. The film is due for release later by this date not only would every man at Gallipoli was the result of hard won this year. at Gallipoli have been drawing his full experience, rather than some psychic one gallon ration, he would also be sense. enjoying the luxury of a wash or bath Finally, why did Kelley invent his in fresh water. Actually, the daily ration fantastical story? About the author: was still half a gallon per man on the Ego and money. Graham Wilson is a retired day Kelley left. Kelley was an obvious fantasist and soldier, retired public servant What does this all mean? his ridiculous tale, which first seems and a military historian based Simply, that almost all of Kelley’s to have surfaced in June 1916, was in Canberra. 31 ARTICLE Pseudotechnology Get knickered Jo Alabaster looks into a pair of men’s undies

n article by technology reporter caption beneath AJames Billington appeared on a photograph of news.com.au in May 2014, titled, the underwear “The smart underwear designed similarly avoids to shield against mobile phone making any direct radiation”. claims, “This “For any man who still feels a pair of hi-tech bit uneasy about the side effects of underwear has carrying around a mobile in their been designed pocket, a new pair of underwear to protect men has been developed to protect their from the potential packet from any potentially harmful harmful effects of mobile radiation.” phone radiation.” (emphasis Following was a piece which could mine). well be read as an unpaid advertorial That said, the founder of Wireless WHAT’S THE EVIDENCE? for Wireless Armour, a UK startup Armour, Joseph Perkins (who holds a Wireless Armour is an active user that has developed men’s underwear BSc in physics and is a former physics of Twitter (@WirelessArmour) and that incorporates silver into its fabric teacher), is quoted in the article as provided a link to peer reviewed to allegedly shield the wearer from saying: “Wireless Armour is designed studies when questioned on its electromagnetic radiation emitted by to protect the health of a wireless claim. The link, to a page on the mobile phones. generation glued to their mobile Environmental Working Group’s The news.com.au article states: devices. The fabric has been put website, cites several studies: a couple “With scientific studies on the link through rigorous testing from external that conducted lab-based in-vitro between exposure to wireless radiation electromagnetic consulting company, analysis of sperm samples exposed affecting sperm count, and with most Wave Scientific. Results indicate that to varying levels of electromagnetic men carrying their mobile phones in Wireless Armour fabric blocks 99.9% radiation (the results of which are pockets or using of harmful radiation, interesting, but not necessarily laptops on a daily Anything Syndrome, making the garments representative of real life situations); basis, these boxers “ an extremely effective and several that used self-selected costing £24 ($43) where self-reported form of protection.” samples of men who were self- when available ailments are attributed to Perkins seems to reporting on questionnaires, a form of could be the be making the claim data collection which is not necessarily solution to that a cause with no proven that radiation from reliable. I think that it is fair to state worry many males causal link. mobile devices, such that the studies cited are far from face.” ” as smartphones, conclusive. Interesting causes harm. He’s Looking at Wireless Armour’s language. The news.com.au article running an Indiegogo Campaign to website, there are links to other mentions that there are “scientific fund the first run of Wireless Armour sources that support the suggestion studies on the link between exposure and, by attaining a position as one that electromagnetic radiation emitted to wireless radiation affecting sperm of the “Top 10 Back of an Envelope from cell phones can be harmful, count”, but does not actually state that Start-Up Ideas“, has courted the including a website which sells any such link has been discovered, support of none other than Sir Richard “Laptop Radiation and Heat Shields“ nor the outcomes of any studies. A Branson in his endeavours. and a website, www.best-emf-health. 32 The Skeptic June 14

com, which recalls the sad account nonsense, Wireless Armour responded, properties, these underpants are not of an individual who has suffered “You are entitled to that opinion, it behaving as a Faraday cage. cancer, personally believes that his is the fantastic thing about living in a A Faraday cage is a fully-enclosed cancer was caused by electromagnetic free world.” container made from a mesh of highly radiation, and goes on to attribute Whether opinions count when conductive metal – often brass or many health conditions, from allergies it comes to making claims that copper – which blocks external static to miscarriages to multiple sclerosis information is factual and scientifically and non-static electrical fields by to electromagnetic radiation – a fine based, I am not sure. channelling electricity around the example of what Ketan Joshi refers to cage, preventing it from entering the as “Anything Syndrome”, in which A FARADAY CAGE? space within. The mesh itself must self-reported ailments are attributed So, for those people who feel be thick and contain holes which are to a cause, often a technology, with no that the potential for harm from significantly smaller than the length proven causal link. electromagnetic radiation, while never of the wave of the electromagnetic On its website, Wireless Armour proven, is still something they wish radiation it guards against, so that seems to bounce back and forth to protect themselves from (in a move the wave is reflected, rather than between claiming that electromagnetic perhaps akin to Pascal’s Wager), how is allowed to permeate the mesh. radiation is harmful and stating that Wireless Armour purported to work? Faraday cages are connected to an it is potentially harmful – in the latter From Wireless Armour’s Indiegogo earth ground, to dissipate any currents case, it strongly questions whether Campaign: “Wireless Armour’s induced from external or internal people wish to wait for conclusive products have a mesh of pure silver electromagnetic fields. evidence before taking risk-avoiding woven into the fabric of each item. A pair of mesh underpants, on measures: “At Wireless Armour, we This encases the user in a cage of the other hand, has three rather large do not want to wait around whilst the metal. This is a special type of cage holes – one for the wearer’s torso government and scientific community called a Faraday Cage, named after the and two for their legs – which render confirm 100% whether it is harmful man who invented it, Michael Faraday. it … not a cage. Additionally, unless to our health, we would rather protect The reason that this cage is special is the wearer has a copper wire attached ourselves now and find out later. Don’t because any electromagnetic radiation to their underpants at one end and to Be A Test Subject!” that hits it is distributed evenly around a copper rod driven a metre into the In response to tweets stating that the cage, therefore not allowing it to ground at the other, a pair of mesh radio signals have never been proven enter the cage and affect whatever is underpants are not grounded. A pair to lower sperm count or cause cancer stored within it” of mesh underpants are not a and that the studies cited by the Uh, no. While the silver weave Faraday cage. Environmental Working Group were fabric may have some shielding THE BACKUP CLAIM Wireless Armour does, however, have a backup claim. In response to questions on the plausibility of its claims regarding electromagnetic radiation’s effect on sperm and the necessity for protective underwear, Wireless Armour stated on its Reddit thread (http:// tinyurl.com/qdz3k2g): “If it comes out that EM radiation is not bad for us

Left: Wireless Armour raising seed capital for its undies via crowd- funding site IndieGoGo 0333 ARTICLE Pseudotechnology

contributed. At the time of writing, documentary which claims to expose Get knickered Wireless Armour had raised slightly conspiracies involving vaccination, Big less than half of what it required, with Pharma and GMO technology. Continued... only two weeks to go before the offer Disappointingly, it seems closed. When alerted to the nature that Indiegogo feels comfortable of Wireless Armour and questioned supporting the marketing of sham then people still have very comfortable on its support of such a product, its products via its service, under the underwear with all the other beneficial Trust and Safety Team responded: guise of “equal opportunity”. As such, properties of silver. “Indiegogo empowers campaign I would recommend due diligence “We have a lot more silver in our owners and contributors to raise before supporting any Indiegogo products (above 20%) than other money for, or support, the things that campaign. antimicrobial underwear (~5%) and matter to them. Since Indiegogo is so ours will be very good at odour an equal opportunity platform, we let CONCLUSION resistance and stopping the growth of our users decide whether they want to In summary, Wireless Armour is bacteria.” contribute and support the campaign marketing a product that is extremely Well, yes, but frankly I would be after performing their own due unlikely to be necessary and much more inclined to take my $43, diligence on the company, campaign embracing a concern which is not purchase several pairs of cheaper owner, and its cause. scientifically-supported in order to cotton underwear (and perhaps some “That being said, the campaign will market them – and even if radiation soap) and maintain clean and dry stay live on our platform and continue from wireless devices did affect sperm nether regions. I’d like to note that if to receiving funding. Thank you for quality, the mechanism by which it you have concerns about unpleasant your cooperation.” claims that its product operates is a smells or bacteria, a check in with your Unfortunately, Wireless Armour is physical impossibility. How somebody GP would perhaps be wise. not a lone example of an Indiegogo with a physics degree is unable to campaign which makes unscientific realise this, and why news.com.au SUPPORTING SHAM PRODUCTS claims and raises money for a product (and several other media outlets) and, Indiegogo is a ‘crowd-funding’ site with implausible mechanisms. A indeed, Richard Branson himself, are where members of the public can quick search through its site for the unwilling to properly investigate such contribute money to the development term ‘free energy’ delivers numerous before promoting this underwear, is of a new firm, organisation or results for impossible devices. More quite a mystery. product, in return for certain seriously, anti-vaccinationists have One claim I am willing to make incentives depending on the amount used Indiegogo to fund Bought, a with relative certainty is that Wireless Armour, are indeed, a bunch of pants.

I would like to thank @weezmgk from Twitter for his help with this article, in particular for performing fact checking from a broadcast engineer’s perspective and for contacting relevant parties for comment. .

About the author: Jo Alabaster is a Skeptic Zone reporter and aspiring science communicator. She writes at evidenceplease.net

34 PUZZLES The Skeptic June 14

ACROSS Brain testers 1. Blokes who are a hundred know the old essayist. (7) CRYPTIC CROSSWORD no 22 4. The addled Little Knight mixed spice with a thoughtful doubter. (7) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Despite a rejection of resisting. (15) 10. Gradual change turns love back with in and out turmoil. (9) 8 9 11. A French word for a conditional design. (5) O 13. Assess the Queen for a canopy. (6) 10 11 12 14. Definitely go ashore, though isolated. (6) 16. Lawyer in 1 down includes a right in a term reversal. 13 14 (6) 18. Teacher under attack can manage amidship. (6) 15 22. Restrict 511001 tango. (5) 16 17 1819 20 23. Anti-24 across stormed in, deranged. (9) 21 24. Creationists sponsor one or more mind-readers. 22 23 25. Sun clue explodes around the centre. (7) 26. Sir Poet has a witty return. (7) I 29 24

DOWN 25 26 1. 18 across’ hearing was a Simian test. (6,5) 2. Ideas aren’t particles. (7) Tim Mendham + Steve Roberts 3. A rhino is not bald. (2,4) DR BOB’S QUIZ 4. A belief in Bad Santa becomes a belief in Bad Angel. (8) 5. Heard you are familiar with Ms Farrow, the goddess 1. Were clients of the guillotine placed face down or face up? of good governance. (7) 2. Which was the first commercial movie to be partly filmed 6. Tan tied in knots and ruined. (7) inside Windsor Castle? 7. A tooth follows Company F. (3) 9. Find accustom back in greater unity. (5) 3. Betty and Barney Hill were abducted and probed by space aliens in 1961; what part of Barney’s body were the aliens most 12. Tests if neat arrangement is the most refined interested in? preference. (6,5) 15. Amorphous lack of correct documentation. (8) 4. Gypsies are said to be cheerful when it is raining, because they 16. No medic could be so monstrous. (7) know that eventually the rain will cease and the sun will shine. How do they feel when the sun does shine? 17. Retired from competition, but go back over it. (7) 19. Not singing in the reef. (5) 5. Genghis Khan wrote a cordial letter to greet the (then) Pope; 20. Clergy confuse ripe saints. (7) what nationality was that Pope? 21. The sort of journalist who turns the tide for gold. 6. Is it safe to drink beer that has been within the, er, scope of an (6) atomic bomb explosion? 24. Fishy French ending. (3)

Answers on page 62

0335 ARTICLE Animal Welfare Creature

Tim Harding Features outlines ten myths of our interaction with animals.

he term “animal welfare” is not Teasy to define, but it usually includes the mental and physical aspects of an animal’s well-being, as well as people’s subjective ethical preferences as to how animals should be treated. These preferences can give rise to a range of opinions about animal welfare, but as we skeptics are fond of saying: “People are entitled to their own opinions but not their own facts.” I realise that this article may be controversial, even among my fellow skeptics. Nevertheless, I would like to focus on some common factual misunderstandings about animal welfare, and try to dispel a few myths. There appear to be two extreme polarised positions in the community regarding animal welfare. An outdated view, as described by Descartes (1596 –1650 CE), is that animals are not consciously aware, and are therefore unable to experience pain and suffering. At the opposite pole are those who believe that Animal welfare science is a studies (such as testing whether animals have rights like humans do, relatively new field of study, but some animals prefer more food or better and that hunting, farming and other good research is now being done, surroundings). uses of animals for human purposes including in Australia. The two main are morally unacceptable. Between experimental approaches are firstly, MYTH #1 these two extremes are various other animal physiological and biochemical ANIMALS ARE BEST TREATED views, including evidence-based or testing (eg blood tests) to objectively LIKE HUMANS scientific approaches versus the so- measure stress in animals under The attribution of human called ‘organic’ or free-range farming different conditions; and secondly, characteristics to non-human animals industries. animal behavioural and preference is known as anthropomorphism. It is 36 The Skeptic June 14

objectivity. Secondly, treating animals like humans is often a projection of human preferences rather than a consideration of the real needs of the animal. Apart from the obvious differences in intelligence, anatomy reature Treating our pets like and physiology, animals have different “ C instincts to humans and they express a little humans may not much more limited range of emotions actually be in their than humans do. best interests. ” Most of us love our pets and regard eatures them as members of the family. But F treating them like little humans may not actually be in their best interests. For instance, most of us are aware that chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but we may not be as aware that onions, garlic, avocados and macadamia nuts are also toxic to canine animals. Dogs are also lactose intolerant, so dairy products are not good for them either. So we should be careful about giving human leftovers to dogs. Left: Farrowing crates allow piglets to feed MYTH #2 without the danger of the mother crushing them. DOGS ARE TAME WOLVES Once the piglets are weaned, the sow is moved to Our treatment of dogs has been a larger pen. shaped by an historical view that they are basically wolves with nicer table MYTH #3 manners. This is the concept behind SOME DOG BREEDS BITE HUMANS MORE much of traditional dog training – THAN OTHERS that dogs are pack animals competing Statistical research by the Victorian with humans for dominance over the Bureau of Animal Welfare (BAW) has family. This outdated view is now shown that the major contributing being challenged by modern canine factor to dog attacks in urban public science. places is the inadequate confinement All dogs are different varieties of of dogs to their property, rather than one species descended from wolves. the breed of dog. Most incidents occur Archaeological evidence now shows on the footpath or road bordering the that dogs were first domesticated dog owner’s property as a result of dogs about 20,000 years ago – long before displaying territorial aggression toward the first human settlements (around people passing by or attempting to 9000BCE) and while we were still access the front door. If owners ensured hunter-gatherers. Dogs used to follow their dogs were adequately confined human hunters and scavenge from our to the house or back yard, over 80 per leftovers. We may have even used dogs cent of dog attack incidents in public to assist in our hunting. places could be prevented. sometimes used to appeal to human Over this quite long period, dogs The BAW studies have not shown emotions in campaign slogans about have been selected by humans for their that ‘restricted breed dogs’ (ie dogs bred animal welfare, such as “Meat is mental temperaments as much as their for fighting) are excessively represented murder!” and “How would YOU like physical characteristics. As a result, in the incidence of dog attacks on to be kept in a cage?” modern pet dog breeds often bond humans. Any dog can bite if sufficiently There are two main problems with more closely with humans than with provoked. However, because of the an anthropomorphic approach to other dogs. It can therefore be bad relative strength of fighting dogs and animal welfare. Firstly, it is emotional welfare to deprive pet dogs (not farm their habit of tenaciously gripping their rather than evidence-based, and is dogs) of human contact for extended victims with their teeth and shaking therefore unscientific or lacking in periods. them, anecdotal evidence suggests that 0337 ARTICLE Animal Welfare

Creature features cats are also more likely to kill birds, of killing without prior stunning. possums and other native animals than However, such animals must then Continued... owned cats, at least some of which are be stunned without delay to ensure kept indoors overnight. The kindest that they are rendered unconscious thing to do for a stray cat would be while dying. Personally, I am opposed to ‘adopt’ it (but have it checked for a to such religious exemptions, on the the risks of injury and death may be microchip by a vet first). If this is not grounds of cruelty. greater from these types of dogs if and possible, contact an animal welfare when they do attack humans. organisation such as the RSPCA or the MYTH #6 Cat Protection Society. MEAT CHICKENS ARE KEPT IN CAGES MYTH #4 Many people are surprised to learn FEEDING STRAY CATS IS BEING KIND MYTH #5 that no meat chickens (also known A survey by Monash University in LIVESTOCK ARE SLAUGHTERED as broilers) are kept in cages, at least 2005 found that 22 per cent of people INHUMANELY IN AUSTRALIA in Australia. They are farmed in said they sometimes fed a cat that did Slaughter standards in Australian large ventilated barns or sheds where not belong to them. People may feel abattoirs are dictated by the Australian they are free to roam large distances, they are being kind because they know Standard for the Hygienic Production albeit under crowded conditions. that stray cats suffer from starvation, of Meat and Meat Products for Human Traditionally, this has not been done disease and injuries from fights with Consumption (AS 4696 — 2007), for welfare reasons but to allow faster other cats. But because they are which requires that: and easier collection for processing, ‘unowned’, stray cats are deprived of • Animals are slaughtered in a way which is usually done at night. the regular meals, shelter, grooming that prevents unnecessary injury, In Australia, feed lines and pans run and veterinary care that owned cats pain and suffering to them and the length of the shed and are supplied receive. Feeding stray cats provides causes them the least practicable automatically by silos from outside. people with a short-term ‘feel good disturbance; and Water lines run the length of the shed, factor’ that acts against the long-term • Before killing commences, animals with drinkers at regular intervals. welfare of the cats. Being a stray cat are stunned in a way that ensures Water and feed are placed so that is not a sustainable lifestyle, with an that the animals are unconscious chickens are never more than about 2 average life-expectancy of only 3 years. and insensible to pain beforehand, metres from food and water. So feeding them actually perpetuates and do not regain consciousness or the misery of these poor animals (and sensibility before dying. their kittens), which on a rational basis There is provision for a religious should either be adopted as pets or exemption under an approved Belowe Free-range chickens don’t often go euthanased. arrangement that allows ritual out into the open, often preferring to gather An adverse side-effect is that stray slaughter involving the commencement under shelter

38 The Skeptic June 14

MYTH #7 MYTH #9 conditioned response to stimuli FREE RANGE CHOOKS LIVE SHEEP MULESING IS CRUEL without the adverse emotional MAINLY OUTDOORS AND UNNECESSARY experience necessary for suffering. Chickens naturally prefer to live under Mulesing is the removal of wrinkled Because of these observational cover from predators and bad weather. skin from the breech or breech and tail difficulties, the conclusion that fish In the wild, they forage for insects and of a sheep using mulesing shears. Until experience pain is often inferred on the other food beneath shrubs and other accepted alternatives are developed basis of comparative neural anatomy undergrowth, only venturing out into and the current practice can be phased and physiology. Some scientists are the open for short periods of time. out, mulesing of lambs remains an currently of the view that all higher There are no government regulations important husbandry practice in vertebrates feel pain; and that certain about free-range farming practices – Australia for animal health, welfare and invertebrates, like the lobster and this is left to industry self-regulation. management reasons. The principal octopus, might too. Australian Industry standards specify reason is to reduce urine and faecal The current approach in Australian that free-range chickens only need soiling or dag formation in the breech animal welfare regulation is to give free access to the outdoors, they don’t and tail wool, and thus minimise the fish the benefit of the doubt, and actually need to spend any time outside a susceptibility to even more painful to presume until further research shed to qualify as free-range. As a result, breech and tail flystrike. that fish can feel pain. While painless free-range chickens don’t usually spend Currently, cost effective chemical, fishing may be almost impossible to the bulk of their time in the open. Some management and breeding solutions achieve, banning fishing would also be free-range farms have sheds on wheels or are not available for all types of politically impossible in a democracy. other movable housing structures. production systems in Australia and The current regulatory approach is mulesing is a valuable tool for the to minimise pain by requiring fish to MYTH #8 prevention of breech flystrike for be either killed or released as soon as PIGS ARE PERMANENTLY KEPT certain production environments and possible after capture. IN SOW STALLS sheep types. Although potentially This claim is often made by animal painful, mulesing can be a net welfare CONCLUSION rights activists but is untrue. The reason benefit. It may come as no surprise that I for confinement in sow stalls (gestation Available scientific research support the current scientific approach stalls) is to minimise early abortions as a suggests that it is possible to achieve to animal welfare rather than an result of stress from aggressive behaviour pain relief in conjunction with anthropomorphic or animal rights between adult female pigs (sows). mulesing. Pain relief is most effectively approach. My main reasons for this The endorsed Australian national achieved through a combination of view are: standards for pig farming specify a approaches such as the pre-mulesing • Evidence-based animal welfare maximum confinement period of administration of a systemic pain relief standards are being progressively 6 weeks during the initial stages of drug, followed by a post-mulesing adopted by Australian governments. pregnancy. Parts of the pork industry are application of topical anaesthetic to • Such standards are more likely to be voluntarily introducing shorter periods, deal with the ensuing period of pain enforced and complied with than but these will require more supervision associated with the inflammatory other approaches. (and thus higher labour costs) to separate phase. That is to say, a combination • As a result, animal welfare is steadily sows that fight. of short and long-acting pain relief improving in Australia. There is also some public confusion drugs may be needed to provide more • This approach maintains the between gestation stalls and farrowing complete pain relief. competitiveness of Australian crates, especially when photographs of agriculture. . the latter are described as the former. MYTH #10 Sows are moved in groups to FISH CAN’T FEEL PAIN farrowing sheds approximately one The International Association for the The references for this article may be week prior to giving birth. In Australia, Study of Pain’s widely used definition found on Tim Harding’s blog at http:// a farrowing crate is only used for piglet states: “Pain is an unpleasant sensory yandoo.wordpress.com feeding purposes. It allows the sow less and emotional experience associated movement than a gestation stall, but with actual or potential tissue damage, provides creep areas along either side for or described in terms of such damage.” About the author: the piglets. Adjustable rails alongside Unlike in humans, pain is difficult to Tim Harding BSc has worked the sow slow her movement when she observe and measure in fish, especially for the last 13 years as a is lying down, thus protecting piglets in the absence of tissue damage. consultant ,evaluating state from being crushed. As soon as the Even when pain avoidance is and national animal welfare piglets are weaned, the sow is moved to observed experimentally in fish, a regulations for both domestic either a much larger pen or outdoors. possible explanation is that it is a animals and livestock. 39 ARTICLE Classic Catches

The Bad Boy of Baltimore

In this Classic Catch, Colin Keay looks back at HL Mencken, a leading light of the early US who was not afraid to attack buzzfuzzianism.

he first time I encountered intellectual eunuch.” as one of the most influential American T Minority Report, the Notebooks of H • “Love is the delusion that one woman writers and prose stylists of the first half L Mencken, I felt like Cortez discovering differs from another.” of the twentieth century. Many of his the Pacific Ocean: whole new vistas of • “Adultery is the application of books remain in print. entertaining skepticism lay before my democracy to love.” Mencken commented widely on eyes. Like most readers I had often been • “A man is inseparable from his the social scene, and while he was a amused by Mencken’s pithy epigrams, congenital vanities and stupidities, as fervent proselytiser of science and a which usually delivered a penetrating a dog is inseparable from its fleas.” critic of anti-intellectualism, he did not observation with barbed wit. Some And here is one last Menckenism hesitate to comment on – and often examples: which is not at all humorous but every give a scathing and witty blast to – • “Archbishop: a Christian ecclesiastic bit as true these days as it was when he literature, music, prominent politicians, of a rank superior to that attained by wrote it, which was just prior to the pseudo-experts, the temperance Christ.” infamous Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925: movement, economic theories, bigotry, • “We must respect the other fellow’s “As skeptics endeavour to pursue the populism, fundamentalist Christianity, religion, but only in the sense that truth, most of the general public does creationism, organised religion, the we respect his theory that his wife not care.” existence of God, and osteopathic/ is beautiful and his children smart.” The above epigrams are tame, chiropractic medicine. [1 - The numbers in brackets after however, when compared to Mencken’s One of his more famous writings each Mencken extract are those used lengthier writings which appeared for covered his thoughts on the famous in Minority Report, 1956, Alfred A decades in Baltimore newspapers. Scopes Monkey Trial, in which a local Knopf]. Henry Louis “HL” Mencken (1880- school teacher in the south of the • “The chief contribution of 1956) was an American journalist, US was taken to court for teaching Protestantism to human thought is essayist, magazine editor, satirist, critic evolution. I have not managed to obtain its massive proof that God is a bore.” of American life and culture, and a verbatim copy of this piece, and [309]. scholar of American English. Known as found it on the Internet, complete with • “The average clergyman is a kind of the “Sage of Baltimore”, he is regarded spelling and other conceivable errors 40 The Skeptic June 14

which is why I am loathe to reproduce They are ignorant, they are dishonest, great majority of men. Every valuable it in full here. However I cannot resist they are cowardly, they are ignoble. thing that has been added to the store quoting a few paragraphs, hopefully They know little of anything that is of man’s possessions has been derided by as accurate as the original text in the worth knowing, and there is not the them when it was new, and destroyed Baltimore Evening Sun on June 29, slightest desire among them to increase by them when they had the power. They 1925, two weeks before the trial began. their knowledge. have fought every “Such immortal new truth ever IGNORANCE vermin, true enough, “The vast popularity heard of, and they “Such obscenities as the forthcoming get their share of of chiropractic and other have killed every trial of the Tennessee evolutionist, if the fruits of human truth-seeker who they serve no other purpose, at least progress, and so they such quackeries ... got into their call attention dramatically to the fact may be said, in a they are idiotic but they hands. that enlightenment, among mankind, is way, to have their “The so- very narrowly dispersed. It is common part in it. The most are simple.” called religious to assume that human progress affects ignorant man, when organisations everyone - that even the dullest man, in he is ill, may enjoy whatever boons which now lead the war against the these bright days, knows more than any and usufructs modern medicine may teaching of evolution are nothing more, man of, say, the eighteenth century, and offer - that is, provided he is not too at bottom, than conspiracies of the is far more civilised. This assumption poor to choose his own doctor. He is inferior man against his betters.” is quite erroneous. The men of the free, if he wants to, to take a bath. The After a couple more paragraphs educated minority, no doubt, know literature of the world is at his disposal lambasting ignorant religious mobs and more than their predecessors, and some in public libraries. He may look at their imbecilic leaders, Mencken goes of them, perhaps, it may be said that works of art. He may hear good music. on: they are more civilised - though I should He has at hand a thousand devices for “The inferior man’s reasons for not like to be put to giving names - but making life less wearisome and more hating knowledge are not hard to the great masses of men, even in this tolerable: the telephone, railroads, discern. He hates it because it is inspired republic, are precisely where bichloride tablets, newspapers, sewers, complex - because it puts an unbearable the mob was at the dawn of history. correspondence schools, delicatessens. burden upon his meagre capacity for But he had no more taking in ideas. Thus his search is for to do with bringing shortcuts. Their aim is to make the these things into unintelligible simple, and even obvious. the world than the ... No man who has not had a long horned cattle of the and arduous education can understand fields, and he does even the most elementary concepts of no more to increase modern pathology. But even a hand them today than the at the plough can grasp the theory of birds of the air. chiropractic in two lessons. Hence the “On the vast popularity of chiropractic among contrary, he is the submerged - and of osteopathy, generally against Christian Science and other such them, and quackeries with it. They are idiotic, but sometimes with they are simple - and every man prefers immense violence. what he can understand to what puzzles Every step in and dismays him. human progress, “The popularity of from the first feeble among the inferior orders of men is stirrings in the abyss explicable in exactly the same way of time, has been The cosmogonies that educated opposed by the men toy with are all inordinately complex. To comprehend their veriest outlines requires an immense stock of knowledge, and a habit of thought. It Right: A young Henry would be as vain to try to teach it to Louis “HL” Mencken peasants or to the city proletariat as it with two tools of his would be to try to teach them about trade - a typewriter and streptococci. But the cosmogony of a pipe. Genesis is so simple that even a yokel 0341 ARTICLE Classic Catches

The bad boy of priests, and likewise who was the century later. first to note the vanity of all so-called “All professional philosophers tend of Baltimore philosophical speculation. These fellows to assume that common sense means were enormous benefactors of mankind, the mental habit of the common man. Continued... and they are as completely forgotten Nothing could be further from the as the lost inventors of the plough, mark. The common man is chiefly to can grasp it. It is set forth in a few the boat and the wheel. They were the be distinguished by his lack of common phrases. It offers, to an ignorant man, real begetters of everything properly sense: he believes things on evidence the irresistible reasonableness of the describable as sound information and that is too scanty, or that distorts nonsensical. So he accepts it with loud rational thinking. Their ribald hoots the plain facts, or that is full of non- hosannas, and has one more excuse for were worth the soaring fancies of all the sequiturs. Common sense really involves hating his betters.” sages, and ten thousand times as much. making full use of all the demonstrable Have matters improved in the last Every time anyone says anything worth evidence – and of nothing but the seventy years? hearing today it goes back to them, and demonstrable evidence.” [44]. Fundamentalists of all stripes every time a new fallacy is launched it is are still with us. If Mencken wrote in contempt of them.” [183]. RELIGION and published the above sentiments Fatuous philosophy earned many In another commentary, Mencken today, he would be caught in the net slings and arrows from Mencken. expounds on the role of evidence. of antidiscrimination legislation and “The only department of so-called “The believing mind is equally goodness knows what other politically philosophy that shows any general impervious to evidence. The most correct enactments which lurk like bear- utility is epistemology - the study that can be accomplished with it is to traps amid the dark jungles of the law to of the nature of knowledge and the substitute one delusion for another. snare and disable him. Our present-day means of attaining it. All the rest is It rejects all overt evidence as wicked. legalities, right here in Australia, could mere logic chopping, and as lacking Thus Americans in general go on probably silence a new Mencken were in genuine significance as a series whooping up democracy, though every he to emerge, whereas the clergy in the of college yells. It would no doubt even half-intelligent American, put on first half of the century were powerless surprise the average man, even the the stand, will admit freely that it is full to gag the Mencken of yesteryear. To average intelligent man, to learn that of holes. In the same way Christianity the point, Mencken’s use of the phrase he harbours an epistemology, but survives, though very few Christians “inferior man” would not be acceptable such is the fact. In all men save those believe in it at all, and only a small these days. It is therefore worth quoting poisoned by metaphysical toxins company of admittedly psychopaths his definition: “By an inferior man I it is the epistemology of common believe in it altogether. Put into the mean one who knows nothing that is sense - a product not of professional form of an affidavit, what the latter not known to every adult, who can do philosophers, but of a line of profess to regard as true would make nothing that could not be learned by enlightened practical men stretching even the Pope laugh.” [125]. anyone in a few weeks, and who meanly back to the beginnings of the race. Now we might as well take a closer admires mean things.” [287]. Seven The chief aim of look at Mencken’s decades later, there are still a lot of them all professional assessment of around. philosophers, now as “Mencken was unsur- religion, although in the past, is to break passed in his ridicule of I’m not so sure his COMMON SENSE down this admirable assertion about Mencken was a great believer in the epistemology and the Christian concept magic is true, even efficacy of common sense. He saw it as substitute something of God and His declared at this distance in the antidote to presumption, effrontery more mystical. They omnipotence. time. and dogmatism and wrote “On some are failing as their ” “The time must bright tomorrow, so I hope and pray, predecessors failed - come inevitably someone will write a history of common even as another Plato would fail if he when mankind shall surmount sense. The gradual development of came into the world today. Science in the imbecility of religion, as it has the prevailing metaphysical, political, all its ramifications has no truck with surmounted the imbecility of religion’s theological and economic delusions them. They are intellectual acrobats, ally, magic. It is impossible to imagine has been recorded in a vast series of and of no more value to humanity than this world being really civilised so long books, but no one has ever thought those in the circus. Indeed, they are of as so much nonsense survives. In even to record the evolution of the sort of less value, for the circus brethren are at its highest forms religion runs counter wisdom that really keeps human society least amusing.” [285]. to all common sense. It can be defended a going concern. I’d certainly like to Mencken defined common sense only by making assumptions and know, if it can be found out, who harmoniously with the avowed aims of adopting rules of logic that are never was the first man to doubt the magic the formalised skeptic movement half a heard of in any other field of human 42 The Skeptic June 14

thinking.” [300]. played the part of a minesweeper of only really respectable Protestants are This, of course, encapsulates the unsurpassed efficiency. the Fundamentalists. Unfortunately, conflict between science and religion. “There is no possibility whatsoever they are also palpable idiots, and so Another of Mencken’s expositions of reconciling science and theology, at Christianity gains nothing by their expands on this: least in Christendom. Either Jesus rose adherence - in fact, it is gravely injured “Such a thing as a truly enlightened from the dead or He didn’t. If He did, by their adherence, just as spiritualism Christian is hard to imagine. Either then Christianity becomes plausible; if would be made preposterous, even if it he is enlightened or he is Christian, He did not, then it is sheer nonsense. I were not so intrinsically, by the frowsy and the louder he protests that he defy any genuine scientist to say that he old imbeciles who believe in it.” [118]. is the former the more apparent it believes in the Resurrection, or indeed Mencken was unsurpassed in his becomes that he is really the latter. A in any other cardinal dogma of the ridicule of the Christian concept of God Catholic priest who devotes himself Christian system. They are all grounded and His declared omnipotence: to seismology or some other such upon statements of fact that are “It seems to me to be perfectly safe science may become a competent intrinsically incredible. Those so-called imaginable that there may exist orders technician and hence a useful man, scientists who profess to accept them are of intelligence as far superior to that but it is ridiculous to call him a not scientists at all. of man as that of man is above the scientist so long as he still believes in “The current revolt against the intelligence of a dog; or that of a dog the virgin birth, the atonement or the so-called liberal theology is perfectly is above that of, say, an earthworm; transubstantiation. It is, to be sure, sound. That theology is nothing save or that of an earthworm is above that possible to imagine any of these dogmas an excuse and an evasion. It reduces of, say, a bacillus. Here there are plain as being true, but only at the cost of both science and theology to the differences, not only quantitatively, but heaving all science overboard as rubbish. ridiculous. If a man can’t believe that also qualitatively. The priest’s reasons for believing in Jesus rose from the dead he should say “But mankind almost always insists them is not only not scientific, it is so frankly and be done. It is not only on picturing God as only a greatly violently non-scientific. Here he is foolish but also dishonest for him to magnified man. He is thus endowed exactly on all fours with a believer in pretend to accept all the implications of with all the puerile weaknesses of man, fortune-telling, Christian Science or Christianity without admitting the basic and the notion of His omnipotence chiropractic.”[232]. postulate. becomes absurd. This absurdity lies at On the other hand, according to “In this field the Catholic Church, the heart of Christianity. It is completely Mencken, “The scientist who yields as usual, has been enormously more inconceivable that a really omnipotent anything to theology, however slight, intelligent than the Protestant. It God would have been forced into the is yielding to ignorance and false has rejected so-called Modernism childish device of sending his Son pretences, and as certainly as if he in toto and refuses any compromise to save His own creatures. He could granted that a horsehair put into a with it. The Protestant’s attempts have saved them by simply willing it, bottle of water will turn into a snake.” to compromise have simply made and the miracle would have been no [45]. Protestantism ludicrous. No man of greater in any sense than the miracle of This brings us to a minefield of any intellectual dignity can accept impregnating a virgin - which, in fact, Christian beliefs where Mencken it, or even discuss it seriously. The may be feasible soon in the laboratory. 43 ARTICLE Classic Catches

The bad boy of Baltimore Continued...

“Having this nonsense at its heart, Christianity is not hospitable to clear thinking, and its whole history has been a history of combats with rational ideas. If it had started off, like some of the other Eastern religions, with a God completely unimaginable and superhuman, it would have been more persuasive to civilised man. As it is, it has lost ground in proportion as man has come to reflect seriously and effectively about the universe. If God be imagined as a creature with an order of intelligence entirely different from and superior to that of man, the whole question as to who created God Empire, among people of no influence loses some of its force, for it is entirely or importance. Why not Rome itself? Above: State education in Mencken’s time: conceivable that God’s intelligence may Why was Jesus not sent there, instead “a bogus science of pedagogy ... it remains be sufficient for self-creation. of being confined to the back alleys of hollow to any intelligent eye.” “In brief, once we admit that there is Palestine? a kind of intelligence entirely different “His followers, after His execution, from that of human beings, we can must have asked themselves something to imagine a more inept and ineffective credit it with any powers that seem like this question, for they proceeded scheme for saving humanity. It was necessary and still escape absurdity. at once upon the missionary journeys badly planned, its execution was left But when that intelligence is depicted that He had never undertaken Himself. mainly to extremely stupid men, and or thought of as substantially identical Their success was only moderate, for it failed to reach all save a minute to human intelligence, all its miracles they were men of despised castes, and minority of the men and women it was become incredible. Even the moral the doctrine they preached was quickly designed for. I can think of no human system of a Christian God is dubious. corrupted by borrowings from the reformer, not clearly insane, who has Reduced to its essentials, it is simply the various other cults of the time and from managed his propaganda so badly.” moral system of any somewhat fussy their own ignorant speculations. Indeed, [198]. Presbyterian. It is absurd to ask civilised the whole machinery of propaganda was After a broadside like that, one man to revere such a donkey.” [409]. managed so clumsily that Christianity can readily imagine the clerics of When it comes to absurdity, prevailed at last by a series of political Baltimore forbidding their faithful Mencken analyses the doctrine of the accidents, none of them having to read the newspapers carrying Atonement in no uncertain terms: anything to do with its fundamental Mencken’s devastating material, which “Of all Christian dogmas, perhaps truth. he cheerfully repeated whenever he felt the most absurd is that of the “Even so, the overwhelming majority there was a need for it: Atonement, for it not only certifies of human beings remained unaffected “Man’s limitations are also visible to the impotence of God but also by it, and it was more than a thousand in his gods. Yahveh seems to have had His lack of common sense. If He is years before so many as half of them His hands full with the Devil from the actually all-wise and all-powerful then had heard of it. During all this time, start. His plans for Adam and Eve went He might have rescued man from sin by Christian theory, they remained to pot, and he failed again with Noah. by devices much simpler and more plunged in the sins Jesus was sent to His worst failure came when He sent rational than the sorry one of engaging obliterate, and countless multitudes His only begotten Son into the world to in fornication with a young peasant girl, of them must have gone to Hell. To rescue man from sin. It would be hard and then commissioning the ensuing this day there are many millions still in to imagine any scheme falling further love-child to save the world. And if He that outer darkness, including all the from success.” [389]. is intelligent, He would have chosen a Moslem nations, all the great peoples And he exposed other aspects of far more likely scene for the business of Asia, and nearly all the savages on religion which, with the passage of than an obscure corner of the Roman earth. Certainly, it would be impossible time, have proved correct, as witness 44 The Skeptic June 14

the number of priests and pastors found begun to view the curious fiats of Western thought has been theosophy - guilty of sex offences over the years. bishops and archbishops with a growing and theosophy is as idiotic as Christian “No other religious system has indifference; they have also begun to Science. It has absolutely nothing to such troubles with the sex question toy with the suspicion that even the offer a civilised white man.” [48]. as Christianity. It is, indeed, the most Pope, on occasion, may be all wet. His Ooops. One cannot say that these unhealthy of religions. Paul was plainly first anathemas against contraception days. In a somewhat broader thrust, a pathological case, and the same thing were plain and unqualified, but of late Mencken failed to foresee the future: may be said of many Christian heroes he has begun to hedge prudently, and “The so-called philosophy of India since.” [227]. it is now quite lawful for a Catholic has found its natural home in Los woman to avoid pregnancy by a Angeles, the capital of American idiots. MORALITY resort to mathematics, though she Nowhere else, so far as I know, is there In another essay, Mencken attacks on a is still forbidden to resort to physics any body of theosophists left, and different front: or chemistry. This concession is a nowhere else has there ever been any “Moral certainty is always a sign of significant admission that they were substantial following for Yogi. All the cultural inferiority. The more uncivilised wrong about a capital problem of their quacks who advertise to teach Yogi in the man, the surer he is that he knows trade - and that the persons they (the twenty lessons for $2, and all the high precisely what is right and what is clergy) sought to teach were right.” [62]. priests of the other varieties of Indian wrong. All human progress, even in Lest the reader should imagine that balderdash have their headquarters in morals, has been the work of men who Mencken confined himself to attacks Los Angeles, which is also the Rome of have doubted the current moral values, on Christianity, nothing could be the American Rosicrucians.” [334]. not of men who have whooped them further from the truth. Mencken was a up and tried to enforce them. The truly true iconoclast - he attacked any belief POLITICS civilised man is always skeptical and system based on error or superstition. One wonders what Mencken would tolerant, in this field as in all others. His “The one thing common to all write about the New Age. However culture is based on `I’m not too sure’.” prophets is their belief in their own let us now follow him from religion to [418]. infallibility. Their followers believe politics. Mencken gave the pious moralists a it too, and so protestantism is an “The most expensive thing on this further hammering when he wrote: inevitable phenomenon in all religions. earth is to believe in something that “In the field of practical morals But it never actually produced is palpably not true. The burden of popular judgements are often sounder reforms, or moves has never than those of self- appointed experts. the central body of been properly These experts seldom show any talent doctrine toward a “One can imagine the estimated. The for the art and mystery they undertake greater plausibility. clerics forbidding their early Christians to profess; on the contrary, nine-tenths The Mohammedan sold their property of them are obvious quacks. They are sectaries, in fact, are faithful to read news- and abandoned responsible for all the idiotic moral even more idiotic papers with Mencken’s their families in reforms and innovations that come than the body of devastating material . confidence that and go, affecting decent people. And orthodox Moslems, ” the end of the they are the main, and often the only and in Christianity world was at advocates of moral ideas that have Protestantism is five times as imbecile as hand. There was no evidence for this, begun to wear out and should be Catholicism.” [337]. save the assurance of the quacks who scrapped. Eastern philosophies and religions operated upon them. The quacks got “The effort to put down birth did not escape Mencken’s arrows: enormous power out of the process, control, led by Catholic theologians “One of the strangest delusions of and in all probability cabbaged most but with a certain amount of support the Western mind is to the effect that of their victim’s property. The victims from Protestant colleagues, offers a a philosophy of profound wisdom themselves acquired nothing save the shining case in point. The more the is on tap in the East... The so-called hope of reward post mortem, which heat is applied to them, the more philosophy of India is even more blowsy was, of course, hollow and vain. To this Catholic women seem to resort to the and senseless than the metaphysics of day the rewards that political quacks devices of the Devil, on sale in every thet West. I is at war with everything offer are quite as valueless.” [193]. drugstore. Many of these women are we know of the workings of the human Moving closer in analogy to our genuinely pious, but into their piety mind, and with every sound idea antipodean experience, particularly of there has been introduced an unhappy formulated by mankind. If it prevailed recent time, Mencken wrote: doubt, perhaps only half formulated. in the modern world we’d still be in the “Under democracy one party always It is a doubt about the professional thirteenth century; nay, we’d be back devotes its chief energies to trying to competence of their moral guides among the Egyptians of the pyramid prove that the other party is unfit to and commanders. They have not only age. Its only coherent contribution to rule - and both commonly succeed, 45 ARTICLE Classic Catches

Right: An older HL Mencken, The bad boy still with the tools of his trade of Baltimore (only this time with a cigar instead of a pipe). Continued...

and are right. The Coolidge Prosperity Communism runs and the Hoover Economy of Plenty aground on the fact that were quite as bad as the New Deal. there are frequent bitter The United States has never developed rows between different an aristocracy really disinterested or factions of its prophets. an intelligentsia really intelligent. Its Down to 1927 the history is simply a record of vacillations American Communists between two gangs of frauds.” [330]. believed in Trotsky’s ideas Mencken was every bit as as a cardinal article of uncharitable toward Marxism: faith, almost on a par “The Marxian dialectic is simply a with the Christian’s belief theology. That is to say it is a kind of in the Virgin Birth. But occult hocus-pocus, one of the chief when Trotsky was knocked off he which Mencken cuts to size as usual: characters of which is that the common became anathema, and soon his former “The worst government is the most people cannot understand it. Reduced customers were denying the validity moral. One composed of cynics is often to plain English, it always becomes of everything he said, or had said, very tolerant and humane. But when absurd. In order to make it impressive no matter how plausible. If he had fanatics are on top there is no limit to the Communist theologians have to begun arguing that 2 and 2 equalled oppression.” [327]. outfit it with a vocabulary of formidable 4 they’d have disputed it loudly, and Mencken had a view on the reason but meaningless words. They maintain denounced anyone who agreed as a why nations allow demagogues to gain it in an extremely clumsy and scoundrel. Such disagreements tend to power: buzzfuzzian manner. Reading a treatise wreck all religions, even the simplest “People crave certainties in this on it by one of the great thinkers of and most clearly outlined, for example, world, and are hostile to ifs and buts. the movement is a really dreadful Mohammedanism, which has split into The chief strength of organised religion experience. The argument becomes as various warring sects, and indeed had lies in the fact that it provides plain windy and fantastic as the argument for done so long ago as Omar Khayyam’s and positive assurance for poor souls Christian Science.” [230]. time.” [337]. who find the mysteries of this earthly “‘But you don’t understand!’ This “Communism, like any other existence an intolerable headache, and answer of the Christian Scientist caught revealed religion, is largely made up of are uneasy about their prospects post on a hook is always made by other prophecies. When they fail to come off mortem. In the political field the same merchants of blowsy metaphysical its clergy say that they will be realised appetite for surety is visible, which systems; for example, the Thomists. later on. Thus, if we have another explains, of course, the prosperity of The Communists employ it constantly. boom, they will argue that the collapse demagogues. They are simply persons Their first and often their only answer of capitalism is only postponed. The who promise in loud, ringing voices to a skeptic is to accuse him of not fact that the greatest booms ever to solve the insoluble and unscrew the having read the Marxian gospels. If heard of followed Marx’s formal inscrutable. At their worst they are it turns out that he has, then they prophecy of the downfall of capitalism palpable frauds, comparable to so many allege that he hasn’t understood them. is already forgotten, just as millions thimble-riggers at a county fair; at their This, of course, may be true enough, have forgotten the early Christian best they come close to the elegant for they are certainly hard to grasp; prophecy that the end of the world was imbecility of theologians.” [288]. in fact, they consist in large part of at hand. The first Christians accepted very palpable nonsense. Not only are postponements as docilely as the EDUCATION Marx’s premises dubious; his logical Communists of today - in fact, many Mencken hurled frequent brickbats at processes are frequently worse, and of them were still believing and hoping education and its practitioners: so his conclusions seldom ring true. two hundred years after the crucifixion. “The public schools of the United Metaphysics is almost always an attempt In all probability, Communism will States were damaged very seriously to prove the incredible by an appeal to last quite as long. It is still in its first when they were taken over by the the unintelligible.” [357]. century, so hope still hops high.” [282]. State. So long as they were privately Mencken sets Communism squarely What a ghastly thought! operated the persons in charge of alongside Christianity: Communism always trumpeted its them retained a certain amount of “Like all other forms of theology, imagined high standards of morality, professional autonomy, and with it went 46 The Skeptic June 14

considerable dignity. Mencken, but elements of his analysis be due to an awakening to these social “But now they are all petty are certainly applicable in this era in problems by thoughtful Americans, jobholders, and show the psychology Australia. Nevertheless the final excerpt and in turn it may conceivably be that goes with the trade. They have I have chosen surely has a recognisable related to the development of organised invented a bogus science of pedagogy to relevance here: skepticism. . salve their egos, but it remains hollow “The country high-schools of the to any intelligent eye. What they may United States no longer make any teach or not teach is not determined by pretence to rational teaching. Now This Classic Catch article was first themselves, or even by any exercise of that every yokel above the intellectual published in The Skeptic, Summer 1995, sound reason, but by the interaction of level of an earthworm is run through Vol 15 No 4. politics on one side and quack theorists them, their more intelligent teachers on the other. Even savages have reached give up in despair, for not more than a a better solution of the education small percentage of the pupils they face FURTHER READING problem. Their boys are taught, not by are really educable, at least beyond the A very readable biography is Mencken puerile eunuchs, but by their best men, fifth-grade level. The average curriculum by Carl Bode, published in 1969 by the and the process of education among shows a smaller and smaller admixture Southern Illinois University Press. them really educates. This is certainly of rational instruction, and is made up The Mencken epigrams quoted were not true of ours. more and more of simple timekillers. mainly from Bode’s biography and A “Many a boy of really fine mind “The high-school, in its earlier Treasury of Ribaldry by Louis Untermeyer, is ruined in school. Along with a few form of the academy, was a hard and who was one of Mencken’s oldest sound values, many false ones are thrust even harsh school, but it actually friends. into his thinking, and he inevitably taught a great deal. But in its modern Another collection of Menckeniana is The acquires something of the attitude of form it is hardly more than a banal Vintage Mencken gathered by Alistair mind of the petty bureaucrats told aggregation of social clubs. Every Cooke, published in 1955 by Vintage off to teach him. In college he may student of any pretensions belongs to Books. These are mainly essays carefully recover somewhat, a dozen - initiation chosen to omit the more robust and racy for the college fraternities, bands items quoted above. teacher is relatively “Mencken’s trenchant and orchestras, Lastly, mention must be made of more free than the analysis of American insti- athletic teams, and Mencken’s famous tract “In Defence pedagogue lower so on. The most of Women”, first published in 1923 down the scale. tutions half a century ago salient pupil, next and issued in The Traveller’s Library, by But even in college is uncomfortably close to to the champion Jonathan Cape in 1927. At first it appears education has athlete, is the to be shamefully misogynist, but closer become corrupted the trends of today.” female drum-major, reading reveals a depth of sympathy for by buncombe, proudly showing her the plight of women which is only now and so the boy on the border line of legs, making the most of her budding being realised in society. One of the intelligence is apt to be damaged rather breasts, and even offering the spectators epigrams at the beginning of this article than benefited. Under proper care he a very good idea of the lines and foliage comes from that tract. Guess which one. might be pushed upward. As it is, he is of her pudenda. shoved downward. “The state universities are commonly “Certainly everyday observation required by law to take in, sight unseen, Editor’s note: A more recent biography shows that the average college course the graduates of these burlesque of Mencken is “Mencken – The produces no visible augmentation in the institutions of learning. As a result, they American Iconoclast” by Marion intellectual equipment and capacity of go downhill rapidly, and many of them Elizabeth Rodgers (Oxford 2005). The the student. Not long ago, in fact, an are already burlesques themselves. As subtitle of Rodgers’ book heads up this actual demonstration in Pennsylvania the student body increases in quantity article. Highly recommended. demonstrated that that the average it declines correspondingly in quality.” senior is less intelligent, by all known [340]. tests, than the average freshman. Part Enough is enough. The match of this may be due to the fact that of Mencken’s trenchant analysis of many really intelligent boys, as soon American institutions half a century ago as they discover the vanity of the so- is uncomfortably close to the trends of About the author: called education on tap, quit college in today in our country. Colin Keay is a Conjoint disgust, but in large part, I suspect, it Perhaps we can rest thankful Assoc Professor at the is a product of the deadening effect of that the American scene has not in University of Newcastle. pedagogy.” [127]. the meantime deteriorated quite as He co-founded the Hunter I find it hard to wholly agree with drastically as it might have. This may Skeptics. 47 ARTICLE Media Alone aT THE Movies Tim Mendham looks at the reel world of skeptics

ere’s a challenge. Name ten 1925 Scopes ‘monkey trial’. Though the Cartoons, of course, are a staple of Hmovies – not documentaries, characters have different names to their the paranormal, with the long-standing but fictional movies – that espouse a real life counterpoints, they are clearly tradition of the Saturday morning kids skeptical viewpoint. based on Clarence Darrow, William fests of superheroes and supertech, but There is a multitude of ‘conspiracy Jennings Bryan and HL Mencken. At here too there are a few examples of theory’ films, countless ghost films, and the end of the film, ‘Darrow’ blasts skepticism, if only of the debunking hordes of aliens. But skeptics? ‘Mencken’ for his cynicism, which kind. Religionists with feet-of-clay pop undercuts the preceding criticism of Top of the ladder is a series that, at up a lot in movies, though these tend fundamentalist religion. first glance, might appear to be more of to be the over-zealous hellfire and Perhaps one of the more interesting the school of “inane teens getting out brimstone sort of preacher featured in and little-seen films looking at religion of their depth”. And it is. But Scooby Elmer Gantry (1960). Truly skeptical versus science is Agora (2009) about the Do, Where are You? is also an icon of approaches to religion are fewer in life of the fourth century CE female the skeptical movement because the number. One that comes close is Leap philosophy and mathematics professor teenaged protagonists (and one dog) of Faith (1992), in which Steve Martin Hypatia of Alexandria. The film is quite always end up debunking the ghost or is a fake faith healer. The ending is an intimate portrayal of the physical and ghoulie that has been threatening the ambiguous, however, which often seems spiritual clash of cultures – Christians local community, revealing it to be an to be the way with such films. versus Jews versus other religious groups evil property developer or, of course, Nightmare Alley (1947) is in a similar – and the role of a rational scientist the butler. vein, though rather than a fake healer it caught in the middle. As one reviewer And then there is The Mentalist concerns a sideshow mentalist who learns put it, “This is truly a horror film for (2008-present), in which “a famous the tricks of the trade. An interesting those who value science, rationality, free ‘psychic’ outs himself as a fake and aside is the featured wild man, The Geek, thinking and feminism.” starts working as a consultant for the who in reality is anything but. Contact is based on Carl Sagan’s California Bureau of Investigation. To a A change of heart affects many novel, and looks at an encounter with certain extent, this is a mix of Houdini ‘skeptical’ scientists and investigators extraterrestrials thanks to a successful and Scooby-do, with an experienced when they are confronted with a ‘truth’ SETI project. Note, these are not aliens practitioner recognising the shonks based that they can’t account for. One of landing on earth; they are definitely way on his own professional experience. the worst examples of this genre is the out in space. The film is as much an But is that it? unfortunately titled The Skeptic (2009) emotional discovery and a clash between Where do the dysfunctional nerds in which a supposedly skeptical lawyer religion and science as it is a scientific of The Big Bang Theory fit in? And the spends time in a house haunted by his view of life elsewhere in the universe. irreligious Pythons in Life of Brian? mother’s ghost. Pretty soon, though, we start to run Skepticism is probably as much a The eponymous film biography of out of films that even vaguely hold to a minority genre in movies and TV as it Houdini (1953) features Tony Curtis as skeptical approach. Most of the above is in real life, but for every Paranormal the magician, and includes a sequence involve debunking rather than any great Activity XII, here’s hoping that there on his exposure of fake mediums. deal of research or investigation. might be room for just a little Houdini, Inherit the Wind (1960) covers the We can probably find more on TV. Hypatia or even a Scooby-do. . 48 REVIEWS Hauntings The Skeptic June 14

points attention to a letter from Pliny featuring Ghost of a chance an Athenian ghost in chains and shackles like Marley. This ghost did not appear to make any observer less misanthropic, though, but came A Natural History of Ghosts: 500 Years of Hunting for Proof with the classic ghost duty to inform the living By Roger Clarke that his body was buried in the cellar, and needed a proper burial, after which the ghost Particular Books, A$29.9 came no more. The most famous of the ghost stories told here is that of the 18th century Cock Lane Ghost, hosts have haunted us, it seems, referenced plenty of times by Dickens and even G for as long as we have been by Melville in Moby Dick; Hogarth included a able to worry about the afterlife. The reference in his picture “Credulity, Superstition, ghost of Achilles wails to Ulysses, and Fanaticism: a Medley”. Part of the reason for “I would rather be a paid servant this female ghost’s fame is that Samuel Johnson in a poor man’s house and be above himself was on a committee to investigate her, ground, than king of kings among and though the committee spotted the hoax, the dead.” Clarke says that Johnson’s reputation suffered, Nowadays even our computers’ as he was criticised for taking the open-minded spellcheckers may be haunted, at position beforehand that the ghost might exist. least according to a footnote within The story is fascinating in many ways. It has a A Natural History of Ghosts: 500 Years strong religious connection, with the greatest of Hunting for Proof by columnist booster of the ghost-as-fact being the Reverend Roger Clarke, who grew up in a John Moore, a Methodist at a time when the haunted house and was the youngest church (based on the proclivities of its founder, person ever to be invited to join the John Wesley, who grew up in a haunted house) British Society for Psychical Research. accepted such supernatural occurrences as In 1998, the SPR investigated the fully factual. The ghost, manifested by knocks case of a report being typed about a particular and noises, and able to answer questions by ghost named Prudentia, and the spellchecker giving appropriate taps, was able to tap out an highlighted the name and suggested “dead”, accusation of murder against her husband. “buried” and “cellar” as alternatives. Ghosts, But the ghost was no such thing; like many you see, go through their fashions as much as such sensational disturbances even to our own do we living. This ought to tell us more about time, the noises and other manifestations were people than about ghosts, and Clarke’s book is a the stunts of an adolescent daughter. Her father wonderful entertainment, with plenty of spooky took part in the prank as a practical joke, but stories, frauds, pranks, impossibilities, and then Moore latched on, and thinking that seemingly inexplicable events. Clarke is obviously any minister who proved beyond doubt that fascinated with his subject, and is able to convey the dead were fooling around with the living the fascination. He has a good reporter’s distance would be one of the All-Stars of Methodism, on the stories he covers here, with an appropriate offered the father a stipend and other support. skepticism that makes the tales more, not less, Moore arranged press releases (in what Clarke fun. says was the first media circus ever) and people Before investigating what ghosts do, it might paid to come in and hear the ghost tapping be best to consider the big question: Do ghosts away. When the dismissive report of Johnson’s exist? You won’t get an answer here because committee came out, the father accused the Clarke is dismissive of the question, one that committee of getting its result by stealing the he says belongs in a London of the nineteenth body of the “murdered” wife, whereupon there century. “In a basic sense,” he writes, “ghosts was an exhumation. The hoax came crashing exist because people constantly report that they down, and the husband sued for damages, which see them. This is not a book about whether Moore and others had to pay. A hundred years ghosts exist or not. This is a book about what later, though, street vendors were still selling we see when we see a ghost, and the stories that pamphlets about the haunting, and locals we tell each other about them.” We use ghosts continued to believe it had been genuine; ghosts for sensation, or ancestor worship, or even to do not die of disproof. make moral tales. The most famous ghost story The other famous haunting covered here of all is Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, but Clarke is more recent, one that continued into the 49 REVIEWS Hauntings + Coincidences

Ghost of a chance themselves visible after there is nothing left of them, but that the same power inheres in textile Continued... fabrics. Supposing the products of the loom to have this ability, what object would they have in exercising it? And why does not the apparition of twentieth century: Borley Rectory, often called a suit of clothes sometimes walk abroad without “the most haunted house in England”. One a ghost in it?” of the reasons it was called that is that Harry One of the ways people used to celebrate Price, an investigator within Clarke’s Society ghosts was by what we would now call ‘flash for Psychical Research, made it so. Price was mobs’. In 1868, for instance, a body was fished sometimes a diligent and serious investigator, out of the Thames, and before an inquest could and sometimes a promoter of belief in the be held, rumours spread that the body was supernatural beyond what the evidence showed. walking all around the churchyard at night. “In He was not above faking evidence, and once consequence, an estimated two thousand people said, “People don’t want the debunk, they congregated nightly outside. Efforts by the want the bunk.” The rectory at Borley had cold vicar and parish officials to disperse the crowd spots, mysterious appearances of handwriting, were entirely in vain; as the police arrived, one thrown stones, footsteps, a ghost of a nun, and James Jones, aged nineteen, climbed up onto the much more. Price himself listed two thousand railings and shouted at the murmuring, agitated paranormal events. The hauntings, however, crowd, ‘Don’t go - there it is again - there’s the are made less believable by the huge number of ghost!’ He was promptly arrested.” unreliable witnesses, many of whom changed The police hated dealing with the mobs, which stories or recanted. Even though Price himself could indeed get dangerous. In 1803, groups of took a lease out on the crumbling rectory, young men gathered in a part of London to show it was an environment that could not how they had no fear of the ghosts reported to be made secure from passers-by, and his walk therein. Thomas Milward was a bricklayer, troop of observers proved unreliable. An who wore his trade’s traditional white trousers, SPR report on Price’s report found that apron, and waistcoat, and was accosted with a supposedly ghostly events were due to shout of “There goes the ghost!” one night. He fraud and natural causes. refused to take precautions to keep from being With ghosts taking on the fashions of mistaken for a spectre, and was eventually shot their times, it is appropriate to consider dead by someone who made the mistake. their clothes. Ghosts were sometimes Clarke examines the haunting of Hinton presumed to show up in the sorts of clothes they Ampner, which may have inspired Henry James’s might have worn before they became ghosts. At story The Turn of the Screw; the Victorian craze other times ghosts were beheld in that which for séances; the Angel of Mons that was (never) they wore to the grave, which for most people seen by soldiers in World War I; and the class- in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries consciousness of ghosts (with headless Anne was a mere winding sheet (most people at the Boleyn haunting stately homes and highwayman time didn’t get coffins). Ghosts’ garments were a Dick Turpin sticking to pubs). He has comments serious topic of consideration dating back even on the gadgetry now trained on catching ghosts, to Thomas Hobbes, who raised the question in and on the television shows that promote such The Leviathan in 1651. A rationalist attack on technology. Suffice it to say that the new ways supernatural beliefs in 1762 stated that ghosts of hunting for ghosts have failed to clear up surely would be naked, for they needed no conclusively prove even their existence, let alone clothes to keep warm. A commentator in 1862 their actions. mused that clothes themselves had ghosts, and They have infested us living people for that this was the explanation for “all the socks millennia, and my guess is that we have cleared that never came home in the wash”. Clarke up their mysteries just as much as we ever have or mentions but does not quote Ambrose Bierce, ever will. who insisted that one could not believe in a ghost who was not naked. I can’t help it; I will include Bierce’s delicious words here, from The Devil’s - Reviewed by Rob Hardy Dictionary: “A ghost never comes naked: he appears either in a winding-sheet or ‘in his habit as he lived.’ To believe in him, then, is to believe that not only have the dead the power to make 50 The Skeptic June 14 That’s not probable!

The Improbability Principle : Why Coincidences, Miracles, There was a time when we did not know that the Earth went around the Sun, and there was a and Rare Events Happen Every Day time when we did not know that, say, coin tosses By David Hand could be predicted in mass, even if we have Scientific American/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, A$35.00 no idea how an individual toss will come out. That we started to come to this understanding in the seventeenth century, Hand says in his brief history of probability, is yet another ears ago my wife was looking contradiction. Scientists like Newton and Boyle Y through the books at a were showing how the universe was intrinsically Goodwill store, and for a gag gift deterministic, a clockwork universe with little for my birthday she bought me a role for chance. volume of poems by Rod McKuen, The impetus of trying to understand physical whose work I do not like. She laws by the use of numbers, however, would brought it home and was going to have also favoured a quantitative understanding wrap it when she looked inside. of chance outcomes. The history lesson here There was a dedication in the book winds up in a chapter titled “Life, the Universe, signed by the author himself: “To and Everything,” explaining how chance affects Rob - May you always sleep warm. evolution and even our existence in a cosmos - Rod McKuen.” Now I have a that seems miraculously tuned just right for us. volume of McKuen’s poetry I cannot Hand reminds us repeatedly that miracles throw away, but more to the point, happen all the time. We do try to seek patterns how is it possible that completely and explanations, though, and if we cannot by chance that she should pick up understand the causes behind events, we have such a book bearing a dedication to tended to attribute them to supernatural forces. someone of the same name? It just Superstitions help us think we understand; if does not seem that such a thing could happen. you go to a casino, you will see many gamblers It’s the sort of story told many times in The who think, for instance, that blowing on the Improbability Principle by mathematician David dice will give the cubes an extra impetus to fall Hand. Hand knows that it is tough to write as the thrower wants them to. If you believe about mathematics for the layman, perhaps in superstitions, you are likely to believe that even more so for probability which he says “is leaves in a teacup or planets in the sky can be renowned for its counterintuitive nature, more used to predict the future. (Hand reminds us than any other area of mathematics. Even the that President Reagan’s chief of staff has written most eminent mathematicians have been tripped that every major decision during his time there up by it.” Yet there are few equations here, was cleared by an astrologer in San Francisco.) there are many astounding stories, and many Miracles used to be the rightful realm of the of Hand’s explanations are drawn from tossing gods who pulled the strings and made things a humble die. (He collects dice, and has some turn out just so. Hand writes, “A little thought that are weighted for cheating or have improper shows that it is in fact a useless explanation; pips on the sides, and some that have ten sides, it’s just too powerful, since it can explain which if you know that there is no ten-sided everything.” To say, “The gods did it” and stop regular polyhedron is a bit of a puzzle, but he there explains nothing, but of course you will will explain this to you.) hear lottery winners declare that their particular The book starts with its main contradiction, god forced the numbers to go their particular only a seeming contradiction and one of many way, while losers seldom claim that their god explained away within these pages: How is it arranged the loss. possible that extremely unlikely things happen, More satisfying is examining how probability and not only happen, but happen over and over? holds sway in what we used to call miracles, and Hand gives satisfying answers, but besides being there are different branches of the improbability a book about extraordinarily improbable events, principle that Hand wants us to understand. this is also a book that explains probability in Take the law of inevitability: Something has to general. happen. In a lottery, each possible ticket has so 51 REVIEWS Coincidences

That’s not probable! paranormal abilities. The lab tests often involve the evaluation of subjects’ abilities to know Continued... the outcome of a tossed coin beforehand or to influence the toss somehow, or some other tiny a chance of winning that you might think it manifestation of something better than chance. a miracle if yours is the one chosen. But what is Hand gets to show how such experimenters certain is that some ticket will be picked to win cherry-pick data or wilfully manipulate it. (or if not, the stakes will be raised for the next Replicable, careful studies have sometimes, and draw when there will be a winner). It is thus dead far from always, shown results that were slightly certain that an improbable event will occur. better than chance. If ESP works, it doesn’t work There’s the law of truly large numbers: if all that often, and certainly not in any way that there are enough possible opportunities, any would be reliable or useful. outrageously unlikely event can happen. If Readers of Hand’s book will have a happy tour you toss a coin enough times, and have a near- of many aspects of probability, delivered by a eternity to do so, you will get a run of a hundred guide who is knowledgeable and funny. Even if heads; it simply has to happen. These are some of the maths gets by you, the astonishing understood strictly with probability theory, but stories are sure to impress you, like the ones we have also to supplement our ‘understanding’ about people who have won the lottery more of rare events by human foibles. than once. Spare a little sympathy, however, for The law of selection, for instance, says that Maureen Wilcox, who in 1980 bought lottery you can make probabilities as high as you like, tickets in both the states of Massachusetts and in retrospect. It’s like shooting arrows into the Rhode Island. She picked all the right numbers, side of a barn and then painting too. Except the numbers she picked for bullseyes around each one. Rhode Island won in Massachusetts, All of us are also liable to and vice versa. confirmation bias; we notice events that reinforce what we wish to believe - Reviewed by Rob Hardy and we disregard data that does not fit. Prophets and astrologers harness this tendency all the time. And sometimes we use bad equipment for our research. US Federal law has specific and strict rules for every dice thrown in a casino, but dice you get in a Monopoly set are far from such strict engineering and they have bias; research into psychokinesis, the ability to control die tosses, has been criticised because it used ordinary dice. Indeed, many of Hand’s illustrations come from the colourful history of the attempts to prove extrasensory perception and other

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52

REGULARS

The cycle of life THE TEACHER Monkeys – evolution – law – the wind. The Monkey Trial, or more properly The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas And so it goes, the almost inevitable Scopes, or just the Scopes Trial, was a famous US realisation that all knowledge is legal case in 1925 in which a substitute high school teacher, John Scopes (1900-1970), was accused of connected and connectable. violating Tennessee’s Butler Act, which made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded school. The trial was deliberately staged in order to attract publicity. Scopes was unsure whether he had ever actually taught THE OUTCOME evolution, but he purposely incriminated himself so that Probably Darrow’s most the case could have a defendant. Under a different name, famous trial as defence lawyer was Scopes was portrayed in the film Inherit the Wind that of John Scopes in the Monkey (1960) by Dick York. Trial. A highlight of the trial – more to draw attention to the ludicrous nature of religious fundamentalism than as a relevant part of the actual case – was Darrow’s calling prosecuting lawyer Bryan to the stand, grilling him on his literal interpretations of the Bible. As expected, Scopes was found guilty and fined $100, but the verdict was later overturned on a technicality. Darrow retired from big cases not long after the trial. And Bryan died just five days after his ‘victory’, “of a broken heart” according to one commentator. goes around ... Under a different name, Darrow was What portrayed in Inherit the Wind by Spencer Tracy. THE DEFENDER Another person fighting big business, and who also failed to achieve the political heights he anticipated, was lawyer Clarence Darrow (1857-1938). He moved from a practice in a small farming community to corporate law and then national prominence as a defender of ‘underdogs’. He ran for Congress as a Democrat in 1896 but lost, and later toyed with running for mayor of Chicago. While he was involved in high profile cases such as defending murderers Leopold and Loeb, he was also known as a champion of poor workers, blacks, and social and political outcasts against big business and corrupt officials, Spencer Tracy - not Darrow, but earning the nickname, “Lawyer for the Damned”. just as hot under the collar. Source: Wikipedia, except where noted

54 The Skeptic June 14

THE WRITER Famous American essayist HL Mencken (1880-1956) wrote vituperative attacks on the Scopes trial and those uncivilised “yokels” who had brought the action. In his syndicated columns from Dayton for The Baltimore Sun, Darrow drew vivid caricatures of the “backward” local populace, referring to the people of Rhea County as “morons”, “peasants”, “hill-billies” and “yaps”. Mencken saved particular criticism for prosecuting attorney Williams Jennings Bryan, later calling him “a vulgar and common man, a cad undiluted. He was ignorant, bigoted, self-seeking, blatant Gene Kelly - not HL Mencken and dishonest.” Under a different name, Mencken was but portrayed as a cynical portrayed in Inherit the Wind by Gene Kelly. newspaper man.

THE PROSECUTOR William Jennings Bryan (1860– 1925) was a leading American politician from the 1890s until his death. He was a major force in the populist wing of the Democratic Party, and while he was a member of the House of Representatives and for a short time Secretary of State, he failed in his three attempts as the Party’s candidate for President of the United States (1896, 1900 and 1908). He was was a prohibitionist, and an opponent What goes around ... of ‘Darwinism’ on “religious and humanitarian” grounds. With his commanding voice and wide THE CAMPAIGNER travels, he was one of the best known orators and lecturers of the era. Under a different name, With over 500 speeches in 1896, Bryan Bryan was portrayed in Inherit the Wind was known for his national “stumping tour”, by Frederic March. travelling from site to site, giving much the same speech in different locales, sometimes several times in one day. In his three presidential bids, he promoted the Free Silver movement in 1896, anti-imperialism in 1900, and trust-busting in 1908. In the latter, he called on Democrats to fight the trusts (big corporations) and big banks, and embrace anti-elitist ideals of republicanism. Because of his faith in the wisdom of the common people, he was nicknamed “The Great Commoner”. Frederic March (and fan) - not William

Source: Wikipedia, except where noted Jennings Bryan.

55 FORUM Chiropractic + Alternative Medicine

Bending the truth from the side, front and behind. “The human skull is comprised of 13 bones that are joined together with sutures (puzzle In which are discussed babies, cranial adjustments like structures). Although the sutures cannot and natural rhythms be pulled apart, the bones in the skull can be knocked out of their proper alignment, causing indentations or elevations that can be felt on ne quiet morning after having the surface of the head. The onset of your O resuscitated a baby who was a bit flat health problems may be the result of an injury after a caesarean delivery I came across the to the head. In fact, recent microscopic research truly amazing idea of cranial adjustment. has demonstrated that nerves from the skull and Having studied anatomy, spine control the immune system right down to the and worked in hospital cellular level. emergency departments “In addition, the incidence of head injuries for many years I realised due to baseball bats, swings, balls, pucks, fists, that the skull bones sports injuries, car and industrial accidents are after a few years of age extremely common. Unfortunately, most of do not move in relation these patients do not receive adequate care for to one another unless these injuries and their conditions deteriorate and caused by a high velocity result in chronic debilitating health problems. blow which also causes “Post concussion syndrome is an excellent fracturing of the vault or example of what happens when a head injury is base of skull. Babies have not corrected. The injury to the head is sufficient highly deformable skulls enough to cause temporary unconsciousness in to permit passage through some cases. The patient survives, but has many the mother’s pelvic ring, acute symptoms such as headaches, blurred and this becomes non- vision, ringing in the ears, speech difficulties, deformable very quickly, memory lapses, brain fog, emotional irregularities, but bone growth continues decreased reflexes, altered coordination, and from the cartilagenous behaviour changes for years to come.” junction in the sutures. (http://evvdc.com/what-makes-us-unique/ The arrangement of the cranial-adjusting – my emphasis on those sutures is such that they statements that are, shall we say, somewhat less create a spheroid that than accurate.) cannot be separated, This particular US website goes on to list a they are not as mobile as host of unrelated conditions that can be ‘helped’ tectonic plates.. by ‘cranial adjustment’. However, it is claimed by chiropractors that In my browsing I checked for Australian they can adjust subluxations in the skull. purveyors of this nonsense and found to my I checked this out on the web and found: horror that there was someone selling videos “Subluxations are minor misalignments in on the techniques of ‘cranial adjustment’ and the spine or skull, putting endangering stress ‘cranio sacral realignment’. There are samples on the brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. of the video shown which postulates a link However, subluxations do not stop at the between the sacrum body (specifically the S2 spine, because trauma is not limited to the segment) and the skull (other than the rest of spine and extremities. Much attention is the spine and musculature) that causes a whole paid to the protection of the head with the host of problems because it disturbs a ‘natural insistence that helmets be used for various rhythm’ of oscillation of these bodies. (http:// sports. Some of them are very effective; such www.cpd.c4k.com.au/paediatric-consultation/ as the football helmet, others are less effective, cranial-adjusting) the hockey helmet for example, and others are The sample video does not provide any almost totally ineffective like the bicycle helmet. indication of what they actually do, but given The bicycle helmet is only effective if a brick the softness of baby ligaments and my past falls straight down, directly on the top of the exposure to strokes caused by chiropractic neck helmet; otherwise the helmet actually causes more manipulation, I am worried about what they problems and subluxations to the skull when hit actually do. Of course, the video purveyor is 56 The Skeptic June 14

selling pseudoscience to pseudoscientists, so are not able to be diagnosed without medical that somewhat ameliorated my concern. Except imaging can have their craniums adjusted until that anyone can buy this garbage and establish they too become donors. themselves as an expert in cranial adjustment. I am compelled to allow - but not endorse Is there any conceivable up-side to this? - that there are those who claim therapeutic With some horror, I know of at least one skills without underlying knowledge, but I am patient (victim) whose kidneys provided life concerned when blatant lies are used to mask for others. But babies are generally not suitable disease. as organ donors. Certainly one can come to expect that those with subdural haematomas or David Brookman other potentially lethal intracranial lesions that Salamander Bay NSW

End of the road for homeopathy? In which is discovered the journey of homeopathy of substances previously dissolved in them” was scientifically implausible. Their conclusions had through national studies ... not a happy ending. been made on the basis of reviews and analyses of randomised control trials of homeopathic interventions. ill homeopathy finally disappear Even so, the S&TC recommendations Winto history? The National Health were not accepted by the UK Government as and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) its Department of Health response cited the “concludes that the assessment of the evidence patient’s right to choose their own form of from research in humans does not show that health care. At that time one third of NHS homeopathy is effective for treating the range trusts were paying for homeopathy, spending of health conditions considered”. It’s now around £4 million a year on four dedicated official: according to Australia’s peak medical homeopathic hospitals and prescriptions. research body: homeopathy doesn’t work! Over the past decade the expenditure has The homeopathy saga goes back been declining, and one hospital has now to 2006, when some of Britain’s closed. In France and Germany, however, the leading doctors urged their homeopathy industry continues to be worth National Health Service (NHS) around €400 million per annum. trusts to stop wasting money on In 2011, the US-based Skeptical Inquirer complementary and alternative magazine initiated a citizen petition to the medicine (CAM) and to pay only US Food & Drug Administration, asking for for medicine that was “based on warning labels to be displayed on homeopathic solid evidence”. Homeopathy was remedies. The petition also requested that the singled out as an “implausible FDA initiate a rulemaking to require that “all treatment for which over a dozen over the counter homeopathic drugs meet the systematic reviews had failed to standards of effectiveness applicable to non- produce convincing evidence of homeopathic drugs, and that those not tested effectiveness”. for effectiveness carry a warning label”. It took In 2010, the UK House of six months for the FDA to respond that they Commons Science and Technology were currently unable to reach a decision on Select Committee (S&TC) the petition because it raised “complex issues evaluation of this 200-year-old requiring extensive review and analysis by intervention found that the basis Agency officials”. Homeopathic remedies are of homeopathy, the principle of exempt from FDA oversight. ‘like-cures-like’, was theoretically A report for the Swiss Government was cited weak and that the concept of “ultra- as proof that homeopathy was both “effective dilutions can maintain an imprint and cost-effective”. This literature review was 57 FORUM Alternative Medicine + Skepticism

actually based on four weak and flawed studies recommendations. After it was leaked to the over a decade old, producing an evaluation media, it was immediately slammed by our which was “scientifically, logically and ethically local homeopaths who declared that it was flawed”. Only one author was medically biased as it was written by people with vested qualified, the remainder being homeopaths and interests who had repeatedly misrepresented CAM practitioners, none of whom declared the facts “in an attempt to mislead the public any conflicts of interest. Even though the Swiss or divert them away from a system of medicine Government had stated that homeopathy did that offers real hope and help – Homeopathy.” not meet appropriate effectiveness criteria (http://homeopathyplus.com.au/homeopathy- and had decided to remove homeopathy from under-attack-in-australia/) the State health reimbursement scheme, they Our homeopaths insisted that a new backed down following a 2009 referendum, the committee be set up which had to include Government taking the unusual step of giving homeopaths, because they were the only homeopathy a temporary reprieve, which ends ones qualified to assess and comment “in an in 2017, unless homeopaths can come up with informed manner” on submitted material. A the necessary standard of evidence to fully meet call was sent out to practising homeopaths their reimbursement criteria by 2015. and their patients to support them. The The original 2011 NHMRC draft on NHMRC was forced to publicly backtrack homeopathy was based on the ST&C and a Homeopathy Working Committee was set up. This included members trained in homeopathic medicines. At an additional cost of $140,000, they have, for the past two years, evaluated the evidence from hundreds of submissions. They came up with the same conclusion: “There is no reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective.” There are now over 30 Cochrane reviews debunking homeopathy. Despite the new NHMRC recommendations, the arguments between proponents and opponents will undoubtedly continue; “true believer” vs scientist; anecdotal-based intervention vs evidence-based medicine; case studies vs RCTs. Will our Government also cry “patient choice” and keep paying rebates to private health insurance (PHI) for homeopathy? Will PHIs drop it from their ‘extras’? Will universities still teach it as a ‘fact’? Will the Balmain Hospital Homeopathy clinic shut down? Will homeopathic vaccinations disappear? And will pharmacies stop selling these placebos? Globally, health regulation agencies are heavily influenced by CAM lobbyists with vested financial interests in interventions that lack credible scientific evidence. No other country has had the courage to stand up against their homeopaths – will we be the first?

Loretta Marron CEO, Friends of Science in Medicine

Reprinted with permission from Croakey, http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2014/04/09/ end-of-the-road-for-homeopathy/ 58 The Skeptic June 14 Thinking about thinking

In which is discussed the way philosophers and “God does not exist” is not good enough. I’ve been skeptics think told, for example, that Thomas Aquinas was a fool because all of his five proofs for the existence of God can be refuted by the statement “There is no he word “skepticism” means different things god”. If Aquinas was a fool I’m surprised that I am Tto different people. To philosophers it means able to find my way home, because I have reason to a search for the possibility of knowledge, to people believe that he was smarter than I am. in the modern skeptical movement it means a I’m not going to say much more about search for the truth, to people who should rightly philosophical skepticism because I don’t want to be called “deniers” it is a disguise they use to get into areas where people wouldn’t need the pretend to be something they are not. overarching mind of God for readers to all get the In this piece, I intend to look at these three uses common perception that I’m out of my depth. of the word with examples of the way it is applied When I bought his book Skepticism And The to the activities of the various groups and users. I’m Possibility Of Knowledge after a talk by Anthony a skeptic but not a philosopher (although I studied Grayling, I spoke with him later and he made the it for some years at university), and I hope I’m not point that the book wasn’t about what I might a denier, so I will be concentrating on what I know think skepticism is. I responded that he was best, which is the practical application of skeptical correct, although I had studied philosophy back or critical thought to everyday life. in the late Middle Ages. I know that Grayling In philosophy, skepticism is a problem to be can express himself clearly (his collection of essays solved. The problem is whether it is possible to titled Against All Gods contains some of the best know anything at all, and some very bright minds philosophical arguments for that I’ve have addressed the problem over the centuries. We seen), but it is interesting to note that, for me, the know that we perceive the world indirectly, mediated clearest writing in the book seems to be when he through experience, but how can we know that our is quoting Bertrand Russell. In much of the rest he perceptions match reality? The existence of optical has turgidity cranked up to 11. illusions, for example, shows the role that experience I am going to talk about what I’ll call “practical plays in perception. For those senses where we skepticism”. This is based on empiricism, directly interact with reality (taste and smell) we materialism and realism, so it’s like philosophical seem to only be able to describe the experience by skepticism except that it has more restrictive rules analogy – just look at the language of wine tasting and makes certain assumptions. The existence of a where all descriptions are of the form “this is like constant reality that is the same for all people (with …”. Then there are other issues for philosophical exceptions for various disabilities, of course) is taken skepticism - the apparent agreement (or lack of it) as a given. It also agrees with Russell that logic between observers, as well as the concept of the and mathematics are a priori conditions and are continued existence of things between observations immutable: 1+1 always equals 2; statements ‘A’ and and when nobody is observing. ‘Not(A)’ cannot both be true at the same time. The The resolution of philosophical skepticism aim is to attempt to ensure that as far as possible allows for many forms of investigation – aesthetic, everyone’s perceptions and interpretations of this religious, logical, rationalism, empiricism, etc. An reality are both truthful and the same. It is based on example of a religious resolution is the one best evidence, and evidence that can be verified. known and usually cited by non-philosophers – Practical skepticism, which I’m going to call just Bishop George Berkeley’s solution to the problem skepticism from now on to save time, evolved from of things existing between observations by positing philosophy. It is still looking for fundamental truths that if minds are needed for perception then there but doing it in a different way. must be a universally-present mind, therefore There are three main threads of skepticism: God exists. I know that some of my atheist friends science; what could be called “consumer affairs”; would say that this is ridiculous, but it’s a perfectly and critical thinking. valid hypothesis. It’s logically consistent but a bit Science is the ultimate search for truth about hard to prove. the universe, and has its own stream of philosophy I’ll look at atheism more later, but I need to called, appropriately enough, philosophy of science. point out that one area I have of disagreement Every now and then someone announces the death with a lot of hard-line atheists is that the argument of philosophy and its replacement by science, 57 FORUM Skepticism

but I have to disagree with them, as this shows a circles is alien invasions. fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship There is a big overlap between skeptics and between philosophy and practical science – atheists, but being one doesn’t mean you have to be philosophy is about what science is, not how it is the other. done on a daily basis. It is the way to determine I’m a member of a freethinkers group that was the difference between science, pseudoscience and established partly because of some of the conflict nonsense, a way of deciding whether what we think between atheist and skeptic groups. We are both we know is related to reality, or just an illusion, or and neither, with a don’t ask, don’t tell policy when maybe a mistake. it comes to beliefs, although I imagine that the Philosophy is about language, how it is used and majority are skeptical atheists, or even atheistic what it is used for. Science uses what is called “first skeptics. order language” – it talks directly about what is So, what do we do as practising practical skeptics? observed. Philosophy uses “second order language” What we used to worry about decades ago – it talks about what it means to say something were things like ghosts, UFOs, perpetual motion and whether what is said relates to reality. Both are machines, the Turin Shroud, spirit guides, astrology, necessary – knowing things and knowing why and telekinesis, mind reading, … and these are still how we know them. It is the philosophy of science matters of interest (particularly in the US), but they that allows us to trust science, and it isn’t going to go occupy a lot less of our time these days. away. Most of what we do today is not so much Critical thinking is about the analysis of evidence debunking the traditional targets but teaching and the application of those a priori things I people about scams, fraud and beliefs that can cause mentioned earlier. If something is logically unsound harm. The big issues are ‘alternative’ medicine, then maybe it isn’t true. If the maths doesn’t make the anti-vaccination movement (more about that sense, then maybe the concept doesn’t make sense later), scams like the power bracelets that made you either. stronger, frauds like ‘medium’ John Edward who is I have to say something about atheism. There about to make another tour of Australia exploiting seems to be a perception in the community that people’s emotions, and so on. skepticism necessarily leads to atheism. This is not Finally I want to talk about fake skeptics – people so, and there are many paths to nonbelief in gods. who have co-opted the word to mean something Certainly, many people take this route because they else. This might be a battle that we can’t win, see no evidence for the existence of gods so they mainly because climate change deniers have been place them in the same category as visiting aliens so successful at appropriating the word that we are or monsters in Scottish lakes. Personally, I see no frequently asked if Australian Skeptics reject the evidence but I’m an atheist, and as far as I know idea of climate change. We always reply that we always have been, simply because I have never follow the science, and the science says the climate felt the need for a personal god looking over me is changing and there could be severe and maybe and what I do. As a true skeptic, of course, I will catastrophic consequences if we don’t listen. immediately become a believer as soon as I see some This issue raised itself recently when the rabidly evidence, but I’m with Bertrand Russell on this one anti-vaccination organisation, the Australian who said when asked what he would say to God Vaccination Network, changed its name after a if he suddenly found himself at the Pearly Gates long battle with agitators and the state bureaucracy being asked why he had not believed: “Not enough to the Australian Vaccination-Skeptics Network. evidence, God”. At the moment we are applying a silver-lined Martin Gardner, one of the founders of the cloud approach to this, hoping that the public modern skeptical movement, called himself a will associate the word “skeptics” in the name with philosophical theist because he said it made him feel denialism, not a search for the truth. more comfortable believing in an afterlife. He was I’ll go back to the original question – the heavily criticised for this by many people, but he difference between philosophical skepticism and said that it was a personal opinion which he did not skepticism as she is spoke. encourage anyone else to adopt. It might look like they are different things, and Going back the other way, being an atheist they are, but both have the same goal – to know that doesn’t imply also being a skeptic. I’ve mentioned what we know is real. As I say when I’m put on the the illogical arguments that some atheists have used spot about being a skeptic – a skeptic is someone against theologians and believers, and some of these who likes his facts to be correct. arguments would not look out of place coming from people who think that the only explanation for crop Peter Bowditch, ratbag.com 60 LETTERS To the Editor The Skeptic June 14

are blocking advertisements they might not want to voluntarily submit to it. What you think ... Web Of Trust is open to abuse because the ratings are usually based on quite small samples and can easily be Care Complaints Commission, the influenced by a clicking campaign. You need oxygen Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Again, the target market knows Administration, the Australian nothing about it and probably doesn’t overnments the world over Communications and Media want to know. Gdecided not to provide the Authority. In each case the findings Do Not Link is simply silly. As ‘oxygen of publicity’ to anti-vaccine have been sharply critical of Dorey far as I can tell Google doesn’t index cranks, as it was believed that it just and the AVN; Facebook comments and if they did added to their appeal in some minds. • The NSW Parliament began they would have got around Do Not This was a good theory, but in a Parliamentary Inquiry into Link in five minutes. They are very the real world it did not work. In misleading health advice from sensitive to any attempts to game the the absence of any challenge from unregistered practitioners; indexing process and they unpack regulatory authorities, the fame and • The AVN was forced to change its shortened links already. Also, they are fortune of the AVN/AVSN and name to reflect its activities; dropping page rank as a criterion for Meryl Dorey grew and grew, until • Australian College of Midwives position in returned search listings. they became a powerful force in some removed AVN material from its Lists of the most visited sites are communities. Left unchallenged, they Midwifery: Preparation for Practice regularly published by commercial developed such gall that they harassed textbook; intelligence organisations and these do grieving parents and demanded from • The Chiropractic Board issued a not rely on looking at inward links, health authorities the medical records of warning to chiropractors not to use just actual measured traffic at the sites, a child who died of Pertussis. anti-vaccine material and practices; so link shorteners, Do Not Link, and Eventually, some people came to • The HCCC issued a new Public anything like them, are irrelevant. realise that they must be challenged, Warning; and lo and behold, Stop the AVN was • The NSW govt is conducting Peter Bowditch born. Since then, SAVN’s strategy an investigation into the AVN’s ratbag.com has been to challenge anti-vaccine financial affairs; cranks head on, lobby for government • The AVN’s and Ms Dorey’s fame is investigations and legislative changes, now infamous and its fortunes spent. Horror scope persuade venue providers to ban them, Contrast these results with what and persuade the media to reveal them could have been if we had refused for the dishonest charlatans they are. to engage. The “don’t give them the ith all due respect to your most Since we began: oxygen of publicity” practice is now Wlearned astrologer, Prof Dr • The ATO refused them Deductible demonstrably shattered. Duarf Ekaf, “0 – 0 — sorry” is really not Gift Recipient Status; good enough [The Skeptic, Vol 34, No • The NSW government cancelled its Ken Mcleod 1, p41]. A few years ago we had up- Charitable Fundraising Authority; SAVN to-date astrological woo, based on the • Several venue owners cancelled its full, modern 13-sign Zodiac, including bookings, and where seminars did Ophiuchus, and the other signs properly proceed numbers were well down Doubt on adjusted to account for it. How about (and at one seminar that we know of giving us the modern version of our the number of attendees was zero); activist tools futures, instead of telling us what • The media now almost unanimously our futures were several incarnations refer to the AVN and Dorey, once previously, two thousand years ago billed as “Australia’s Leading Expert have a serious problem with all of Yours for Ophiuchus. on Vaccination”, as cranks and I the ‘skeptical activism’ programs and ratbags; web sites. Nigel Sinnott • NSW amended the Health Care The three biggies are Rbutr, Web Of Sunshine West VIC Complaints Act and the Associations Trust, and Do Not Link. Incorporation Regulation; Rbutr is a good idea, but far too • The AVN and Ms Dorey have been complicated for the target market (who Editor’s note: Dr Ekaf and his astrology investigated by the NSW Office of probably are unaware of it anyway). It’s column have – at least temporarily – Liquor Gaming and Racing, the a lot of work for skeptics to keep it up- been sent into the cosmos to learn about Office of Fair Trading, the Health to-date and is intrusive in use. If people astronomy. 61 LETTERS

medical student at Sydney University. One was pretty tough, including a I object One way to avoid conscription was to week in the bush in summer in tents, join the university regiment as a part time including an overnight 50km trek enjoyed Peter Bowditch’s article soldier, before your ballot. The drawback carrying a pack. But the other week was Ion vaccination and conscientious was that you had to sign up for six years spent at the Richmond airbase in decent objection [The Skeptic, Vol 34, No 1, of parades and camps, involving about accommodation, doing lots of fun things, p18], but would like to clarify two 400 hours a year. such as a mock court martial organised by matters. Peter seems to suggest that But the real get-out-of-jail-free card the legal students, familiarisation flights there are compliant doctors who rollover was if you could get into the university in aircraft, small arms training. What and agree to the parents’ conscientious squadron, the Airforce equivalent. 20-year-old male doesn’t get a thrill from objection on whatever grounds. In fact, Inexplicably that only required a two year firing a pistol at a target? all that the [religious exemption] form commitment. The intake was only 30 per And best of all, as cadet officers, we requires us to do is to state that we have year with a preference for medical, law were able to dine and drink in the officers’ discussed the benefits of vaccination with and engineering students - presumably mess. The price of spirits was extremely the parent. Having said that, neither I, the Airforce thought that this would low, so even cash-strapped students could nor any other doctor I have spoken with, provide a ready source of appropriately afford to over indulge. The mess had a has had any success in changing their trained officers should the conflict very indulgent view of inebriation: so long minds. I just wish the government had escalate. I got in, I think, because at the as you could stand at the end of the night, the fortitude to say to parents who have interview I told them that my father had albeit assisted, and slur a “goodnight sir” vaccinated their children: “We firmly served as a RAAF officer during World to the senior officer, all was forgiven. believe in the benefits of vaccination and War II [true], that I thought that a bit of But, here’s the irony. In 1972, at the would like to reward you for your efforts military discipline would benefit young end of my internship, when I would by giving you access to the family tax adult males, [fingers firmly crossed behind have been obliged to start my two years benefit A supplement, the childcare rebate my back] and that I was considering a of conscription had I not joined the etc.” I’m sure the carrot approach would career in aviation medicine [sort of]. squadron, Gough Whitlam abolished get more across the line. There were about 30 parades a year on a conscription! All of that liver damage Elsewhere in the article, Peter talked Tuesday night, consisting of 20 minutes could have been avoided ... but by gosh it about legal ways to get out of conscription of drill, followed by two hours of lectures, was fun. . during the Vietnam War, but he missed some interesting, some not so. John Golder a couple. In 1966, I was a 19-year-old There were also two one-week camps. Cleveland QLD

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD SOLUTION DR BOB’S QUIZ SOLUTIONS

E T S O P I R E S U L C U N E 1. All face down, except for Robespierre - perhaps the blade

T T O S C I I N got stuck and he could see how to fix it.

S T S I L A T N E M A N U F D 2. Carry On Henry VIII

A E A I L R O I 3. His false teeth!

T S I N R E D O M B T I M I

L 4. Sunshine makes them gloomy, because they know it will

T R O E R E E A eventually rain.

S E P O C S E W O R A D E I

R 5. Genghis’ letter confirmed that the Pope was Mongolian,

E T R M F N O R and thus subject to edicts, hordes etc like everybody else.

N S D N A L S I H R E T E T S 6. You would probably have other worries, but the beer will

I E I I R R N Y be perfectly safe to drink. The Americans actually verified

this by experiment! They got some beer, and an atom

F I T O M N N O I U L O V E

T bomb, let the bomb off and then the beer was analysed,

O N O A A N I K presumably by being consumed by volunteers who were

G N I D N T S H T I W T O N A dissected afterwards. They drank themselves legless? Well,

what better way to spend military funds? O A U A O O O O

C I T P K S P N E K C N E M E You can see more like this, every month and going back some years, at www.skeptics.com.au/features/dr-bobs-quiz/

62 The Skeptic June 14

Local Skeptical Groups

VICTORIA TASMANIA

Ballarat Skeptics Launceston Skeptics Meets the first Friday of the month at Seymours on Lydiard Street Contact: Jin-oh Choi, 0408 271 800 https://www.facebook.com/groups/39781220309544 [email protected] www.launcestonskeptics.com Citizens for Science – Mornington Peninsula (formerly Peninsula Skeptics, aka The Celestial Teapot) Launceston: Skeptics in the Pub Contacts: Graeme Hanigan 0438 359 600 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month http://www.meetup.com/Citizens-for-Science/ 5.30pm @ The Royal Oak Hotel www.facebook.com/groups/peninsula.skeptics/ Launceston: Skeptical Sunday Great Ocean Road Skeptics – (Geelong) 2nd Sunday of each month Meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 6pm, City 2.00pm @ Cube Cafe Quarter, Cunningham Pier East Geelong Contact: Carolyn Coulson [email protected] QUEENSLAND https://www.facebook.com/groups/147741491945391/ The Surfcoast Summer Skepticamp is run annually by Brisbane Skeptics in the Pub members Meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30pm at the Plough Inn, Southbank Melbourne Eastern Hills Skeptics in the Pub http://Brisbanesitp.wordpress.com - Meets second Monday of each month at The Knox Club, follow links for Facebook, Twitter and email list Wantirna South. Contact: Andrew Rawlings [email protected] http://mehsitp.codenix.org https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melbourne-Eastern-Hills- Skeptics-in-the-Pub/19241290737690?ref=ts

Melbourne Skeptics in the Pub Meets on the fourth Monday of every month from 6 pm at the Mt View Hotel in Richmond. http://www.melbourneskeptics.com.au/skeptics-in-the-pub/

Mordi Skeptics in The Pub Meets at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the Mordialloc Sporting Club. ($2 to cover website costs) http://www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/

NOTE: LISTINGS WELCOME We invite listings for any Skeptical groups based on local rather than regional areas. Email us at editor@ skeptics.com.au with details of your organisation’s name, contact details and any regular functions, eg Skeptics in the Pub, with time, day of the month, location etc. Because this is a quarterly journal and most local groups meet monthly, it is unlikely we will be able to include references to specific speakers or events. together it all bringing

Australian Skeptics National Convention NOVEMBER 28-30

For more details go to http://convention.skeptics.com.au

Skeptic_New BackCover_Mar14.indd 64 4/03/14 9:45 AM