[ NEWS AND COMMENT

Library of Congress Celebrates in Gala Event DAVID MORRISON

Carl Sagan died eighteen years ago, and Academy of Sciences, to three former he is still greatly missed. We scientists, PhD students of Carl’s (Chris Chyba, educators, and skeptics sometimes ask Steven Soter, and me). Although their ourselves how Carl would respond to brief talks were not coordinated, sev- today’s world, especially the apparent eral speakers commented on Carl’s de- increase in irrationality in public dis- votion to encouraging young scientists. course. Some of these questions were Both Neil deGrasse Tyson (Director raised by the speakers at a special event of the Hayden Planetarium) and Jon- honoring Sagan held at the Library athan Lunine (Carl’s successor as the of Congress in Washington, D.C., David Duncan Professor of Astronomy November 12, 2013, attended by 800 at ) brought with invitees. them their original letters they received Carl Sagan was the best-known sci- from Carl when they were in high entist of his time and a master teacher David Morrison school. These letters provided friendly, A young Carl Sagan (c.1969) and popularizer of science. Through straightforward encouragement for his elegant writing and speaking and these two young students, whom Carl Americans still deny the reality of bio- his mastery of the then-new medium had never met, to pursue careers in sci- logical and cosmological evolution and of television, he became the world’s ence. Carl even hosted a visit to Cornell of global warming. There has always guide to the first great era of plane- by Tyson, who decided, however, to been public misunderstanding of sci- tary exploration. As he noted, only one attend college at Harvard. Both Tyson ence, of course, and Carl devoted much generation witnessed the transforma- and Lunine credited this personal in- of his energy to trying to educate and tion of the in our solar system terest from Carl as critical for their inspire the public. But what is new is from faint points of light in the night decisions to pursue careers in space sci- the politicization of science and the sky to worlds, each different, with its ence. One can only wonder how many widespread attacks on the honesty of own style of geology, atmosphere, and thousands of other young students were scientists, especially from those who perhaps even life. In 2015, the NASA similarly inspired by Carl’s interest in deny human causes of climate change. New Horizons mission to Pluto will their future. I wonder how Carl would have reacted complete that epic initial exploration. The second theme that emerged to accusations by political leaders that The Library of Congress meeting from these talks was concern about scientists routinely falsify their data, or dedicated a new archive of Sagan papers the rise in antiscience attitudes among the billboards erected by the Heartland (The Seth MacFarlane Collection of the the public since Sagan’s death. It is Institute comparing climate scientists Carl Sagan and Archive). shocking to realize that nearly half of to killers like the Unabomber. The large collection of letters, manu- scripts, clippings, and Dictaphone tapes suggests that Carl never discarded any- thing from his public and scientific life. It makes the point of how limited the papers of contemporary scientists will be, since we write our manuscripts with word processors and communicate pri- marily by email, leaving few records for future historians. Seth MacFarlane and Ann Druyan are also the major force be- hind the new Cosmos TV series, being continued with Neil deGrasse Tyson as the star. The speakers at this event (see box) ranged from John Holdren, the

President’s science advisor, and Ralph JPL/NASA JPL Voyager scientists: James Pollack, Steven Soter, David Morrison, Eugene Shoemaker, and Carl Sagan in 1981 Cicerone, president of the National

Skeptical Inquirer | March/April 2014 5 The Library of Speakers at the Library of Congress event Congress Archive James Billingham (Librarian of Congress) Seth MacFarlane Collection of the Seth MacFarlane (Film and TV Producer, Sponsor of the Sagan Archive) Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan Archive, Christopher Chyba (Professor of and International Affairs, Princeton) 1860–2004: Ralph Cicerone (President, National Academy of Sciences) John Holdren (Director, White House Office of Science & Technology Policy) [http://findingaids.loc.gov/db/search/ Jonathan Lunine (Director, Center for Radiophysics & Space Research, Cornell) xq/searchMfer02.xq?_id=loc.mss. eadmss.ms013113&_fa David Morrison (Director, Carl Sagan Center for Study of Life in the Universe, SETI Institute) Section=overview&_faSubsection= Bill Nye (“The Science Guy,” CEO of the Planetary Society) did&_dmdid=] Carolyn Porco (Imaging Team Leader, Cassini Mission) ID MS85590 Steven Soter (Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History) 595,000 items Kip Thorn (Professor of Astrophysics Emeritus, Caltech) 1,705 containers Neil deGrasse Tyson (Director, Hayden Planetarium) 700 linear feet Ann Druyan (Author and TV Producer, and longtime partner of Carl Sagan)

I wish Carl were still alive to help From Our Archives defend science and impress on the public the importance of seeking sci- These and other articles by or about Carl Sagan are in the Carl Sagan Col- entifically valid solutions to our current lection on our website at www.csicop.org/specialcollections/show/carl_sagan_collection. problems. His voice would be especially Carl Sagan, “Night Walkers and Mystery Mongers: Sense and Nonsense at the Edge of valuable in the area of climate science, Science,” Spring 1986. since he was himself the author of sev- Carl Sagan, “The Burden of ,” Fall 1987. eral important papers that analyzed the Carl Sagan, “Wonder and Skepticism,” January/February 1995. greenhouse effect on Venus. Carl Sagan, “Does Truth Matter? Science, , and Civilization,” March/April Carl did stand up for science in the 1996. face of political pressures, of course, “The Darkened Cosmos: A Tribute to Carl Sagan,” March/April 1997. through his leadership in arms control. Ann Druyan, “Ann Druyan Talks About Science, Religion, Wonder, Awe . . . and Carl Sagan,” November/December 2003. His fight against the deeply flawed David Morrison, “Carl Sagan’s Life and Legacy as Scientist, Teacher, and Skeptic,” January/ “Star Wars” missile defense system and February 2007. his advocacy for nuclear disarmament were a major focus of the last two de- cades of his life. I well remember one we face today. When Carl was the best- sidered it his most important book. of the annual meetings of the imaging known scientist in the United States, Carl was a scientific skeptic (he was one science team for the Galileo mission to there were only five television networks, of the founding Fellows of CSICOP, Jupiter. Carl participated enthusiasti- so many millions of people were likely to now the Committee for Skeptical In- cally in the two-day meeting. But at the see and hear him on The Johnny Carson quiry, and was keynote speaker at two end, when we went around the room to show or Cosmos. All five networks were CSICOP conferences), but he was also see what work supporting Galileo each at least nominally politically neutral. very aware of the limitations of science. of us planned for the next year, Carl Today there are hundreds of cable chan- Rather than just telling people the sci- said that, although he had greatly en- nels, many of them highly polarized, entific answers, he tried to teach them joyed these science discussions, the fact plus uncountable Internet blogs and to reason things out for themselves and was that he expected to devote most of YouTube videos. Most of the so-called apply logical thinking to their everyday his time for the next year to saving the science shows today are dismal. It would lives. His is an example all scientific world from nuclear war. The Galileo be difficult even for Sagan, with his bril- skeptics should try to follow. meeting provided him a short respite liant communication skills, to compete from the very real problems confront- for public attention. David Morrison is Director of the Carl ing society. Many of us who spoke at the Library Sagan Center for Study of Life in the I suspect that if Carl were still alive, of Congress mentioned Carl’s last book, Universe, and a NASA senior scientist. he would have a difficult time making The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a He is a Committee for Skeptical Inquiry headway against the irrationalities that Candle in the Dark. I have always con- Fellow and an SI contributing editor.

6 Volume 38 Issue 2 | Skeptical Inquirer [ NEWS AND COMMENT

Death of a ‘’: BRYAN FARHA

One of the world’s most popular (and represented almost daily efforts to keep avoided the test because she claimed notorious) alleged and spiri- the public apprised regarding the truth Randi didn’t have the one million dol- tual mediums in history, Sylvia Browne, about Sylvia Browne. She endured jus- lar prize, as advertised. Thereafter, I died November 20, 2013, at age seven- tified criticism after repeatedly agreeing went on CNN’s Larry King Live and ty-seven (she had predicted on CNN to be tested by the Edu- showed indisputable visual evidence of that she would live to age eighty-eight). cational Foundation for her alleged the $1,000,000 (an account statement She suffered a heart attack in 2011 and ability, yet never doing so. After previ- from the independent investment firm, reportedly had multiple strokes as well. ously dismissing the importance of the Goldman Sachs)—an embarrassing These afflictions could explain why money, on television Browne said she moment for Sylvia on live, international some very recently scheduled appear- ances were cancelled for “health rea- sons.” She also claimed to communi- cate with the dead and she engaged in health readings, which I consider dangerous and, essentially, practicing medicine without a license. She was fortunate the California medical board didn’t elect to pursue this. Primarily due to a simple concept called subjective validation, she was able to convince much of the unsuspecting public of her self-proclaimed powers. She authored or coauthored forty-five books and built a multi-million-dollar psychic empire. It is unclear how much Syvia Browne on the Show. of the books were her own words—es- pecially after convincingly television. To my knowledge this was illustrated how some of her writings ee- her last guest appearance on the show, rily resembled his previously published where she had previously averaged about work. three appearances per year. Larry King and Montel Williams Because she dodged Randi’s test (in promoted her more than any other Primarily due to a which she even agreed on CNN to the media sources. simple concept called specific protocol), I decided to test her Although she made a fortune and without her knowing it. A few days was likely laughing all the way to the subjective validation, after Browne made several predictions bank (for example, one of her nonprofit Browne was able to on the Montel Williams Show for the 990 forms indicates a single operation convince much of entire upcoming year of 2005, I asked brought in $417,051), her reputation my niece’s fourth grade class, individu- was controversial, primarily due to her the unsuspecting ally, to predict the same measures. Data career-long record of inaccurate predic- public of her analyses indicated that the fourth-grad- tions and readings. These inaccuracies ers were, collectively, 25 percent more were mostly revealed by James Randi, self-proclaimed powers. accurate than Browne was—and these Robert Lancaster, , children were literally guessing on Ryan Shaffer, and me (along with a many items they knew nothing about few others). (like world affairs, natural disasters, Lancaster’s superb website, Stop and politics). This was the real Sylvia SylviaBrowne.com—as well as Randi’s— Browne.

Skeptical Inquirer | March/April 2014 7 In 1992, Browne and her ex-hus- were confirmed dead. This was the real ing “Convicted Felon Sylvia Browne,” band Kenzil Dalzell Brown were in- Sylvia Browne. which were used in grassroots protests dicted on several charges of investment In 2005, she incorrectly told me to greet her performances in several fraud and grand larceny. Following on CNN that Osama bin Laden was cities, including Las Vegas, Nevada. her felony conviction and divorce, she dead. She also predicted aliens would These and other failures and embarrass- added the letter “e” to the end of her visit Earth in 2010 and “teach us how ments resulted in the ultimate decline last name to understandably present a to use anti-gravity devices . . .” Further, of her empire. Eventually, Browne put new persona to the public in light of via articles in the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, her San Jose office up for sale. This— her record of disgrace. This was the real Ryan Shaffer pointed out in “Psychic including three office moves in as many Sylvia Browne. Defective” (March/April 2010) as well years—is an indicator of how her star Even though her staunch believers as “Psychic Defective Revisited” (Sep- had been fading. Robert Lancaster re- remained supportive, criticism of Syl- tember/October 2013) that Browne ceived an email in November from an apparent Browne family friend indicat- ing that Sylvia’s son was even selling some of her assets in light of her health problems. Further, station KMOV (St. Louis) reported in 2010 that Linda Rossi, longtime business manager for Sylvia, revealed the Browne corpora- tions’ annual $3 million revenue had dwindled below 50 percent of that. The first of her four husbands was Gary Dufresne, who shed light on how Browne’s career began. He tells a story in which the two of them were hosting a party where she began experimenting with Tarot card readings with some of the invitees. In the kitchen, Dufresne asked Sylvia how she could tell people Syvia Browne and her son, Chris Dufresne. such unsubstantiated things. He re- portedly told her, “You know it’s not true, and some of these people actually via continued when many of her high- are probably going to believe that.” To est profile predictions were not only Regarding the West avoid using vulgarity, he paraphrased proven wrong but some were perceived Virginia coal miner Sylvia’s response: “Screw ’em. Any- as downright heartless. On the Montel tragedy in 2006, on live body who believes this stuff oughtta be Williams Show in 2003, she told griev- taken.” This was the real Sylvia Browne. ing parents that their missing eleven- radio she predicted the All this is justification for a fee of year-old son, Shawn Hornbeck, was miners survived—yet $860 per twenty-minute telephone dead; instead he was found alive and reading from Sylvia, right? I’d like to be well in 2007. In 2004—also on Mon- only minutes later they able to say that the job of psychic critics tel—she wrongly told the mother of were confirmed dead. will now become easier, but this game Cleveland kidnapping victim Amanda is a bit like baseball: when one batter is Berry, “She’s not alive, honey.” Aman- out, another one steps up to the plate. da’s mother died two years later, so Perhaps her son, alleged psychic Chris she never was able to find out that wasn’t accurate on a single prediction Dufresne? Granddaughter Angelia? her daughter was really alive, and it’s regarding criminal cases. She demon- Stay tuned. possible that Browne’s emotionally strated little or no remorse for exploit- Rest in peace, Sylvia. powerful prediction may have accel- ing the bereaved. This was the real Syl- erated her death. Regarding the West via Browne. Bryan Farha is editor of Pseudoscience Virginia coal miner tragedy in 2006, In 2011, Benjamin Radford created, and Deception: The Smoke and Mirrors of on live radio she predicted the miners using both personal and crowdsourced Paranormal Claims (University Press of survived—yet only minutes later they funds, two large vinyl banners read- America, January 2014).

8 Volume 38 Issue 2 | Skeptical Inquirer [ NEWS AND COMMENT

[ NEWS AND COMMENT

Pseudoscience Creep: Science Museums, Universities Host Pseudoscience JESSIE HAYNES

In September 2005, the Smithsonian stitutions “needed to have.” They also own museum hosted a Science of Para- Institution, a gold-standard name in both emphatically repeated that their normal Investigating event. science, was going to host a screen- institutions did not endorse Mitchell’s “They are simply renting the venue,” ing of an antievolution film by the statements. education coordinator Kelly Isenhour Discovery Institute, primate-change The NeuroLogica blog succinctly told the single member who complained, deniers who prefer to be called propo- states the problem of educational insti- offering that, “SciWorks is receiving nents of “intelligent design.” Museum tutions and science museums hosting money for the event, if that makes you spokesperson Randall Kremer defended pseudoscience: “Any time such an event feel any better.” the $16,000 contribution from the can be exploited to use the reputation No, it really doesn’t make anyone Discovery Institute by saying it “would of an academic institution to promote feel better that the science museum will be used to further scientific research.” pseudoscience, the institution has the allow pseudoscience the credibility of shared the bare right and responsibility to prevent such the museum for a price. Because that facts and stated the following about the use. A direct endorsement is not neces- member complained, the museum has antievolution debate: “Although Charles sary and should not be the threshold.” Darwin’s theory is widely viewed as All but two news stories and a single now renamed the event Paranormal In- having been proved by fossil records interview in the sparse media coverage vestigation and added a disclaimer that and modern biological phenomena, it of Mitchell’s visit were nearly verbatim SciWorks doesn’t endorse the event as is challenged by those who say that it is from the museum’s press release. Just science, and it is provided solely as en- flawed and that alternatives need to be one arts blogger asked Mitchell about tertainment. taught.” In September 2013, the Science his “more controversial views” and Skeptics around the United States Museum of Western Virginia, located in moved right on after that to just push- have reported finding pseudoscience Roanoke, hosted a friend of the museum ing the upcoming “fundraiser” at the souvenirs in their science museums. The director and former astronaut, Edgar museum. Greensboro Science Center in North Mitchell, without care or regard (but The Science Museum of Western Carolina has hematite bracelets for sale with definite prior knowledge) of his Virginia hosted a putative institutional to “heal your mind, body, and spirit.” parapsychology institute and ground- fundraiser that was actually a fundraiser Tim Crookham found energy necklaces less UFO claims. Nearby Virginia Tech to subsidize the cost of Mitchell’s visit. in his Dallas Perot Museum. The other- also hosted Mitchell, allowing him to Only two donors, and the $90 tickets for wise stellar Florida Natural History Mu- begin with discussing the moon and the event, went toward the “fundraiser to seum also had “energy healing” bracelets. lead into describing his parapsycholog- talk about a fundraiser” as Executive Di- Similarly allowing pseudoscience ical Institute of Noetic Sciences and to rector Jim Rollings (and personal friend creep, schools, such as Bayport-Blue- assure visitors that “a government cabal of Mitchell) described it. point High School in New York, have is . . . covering up UFOs.” Although the museum is undergoing fundraised for STEM education by The museum spokesperson, Michael renovation, and one might believe that hosting psychics. Hemphill, was oblivious to pseudosci- was what the alleged fundraiser was for, The American Alliance of Museums ence conflicting with actual science in a this was just one of five presentations was contacted but did not comment on science museum. The program director where Mitchell shared his moon trip, the situations mentioned, individual or at Virginia Tech, who organizes an arts his UFO conspiracy theories, and his and sciences event with assorted speak- discredited parapsychology “research.” general. ers for students, seemed shocked during Conflict of interest and misleading Pseudoscience is rampant in mu- the presentation when Mitchell assured events aside, this is no isolated incident. seums and schools across the United audiences that UFOs were being cov- The Roanoke museum and Virginia States, and unfortunately the media and ered up by the government but when Tech University aren’t the only institu- likewise the public don’t seem to care. asked to comment, he said with obvi- tions sponsoring pseudoscience creep. Jessie Haynes is a freelance science ous discomfort he saw no problem with Dr. Paul Kortenaar of SciWorks Mu- such content being presented in an ed- seum in Winston-Salem, North Caro- writer who focuses on instigating scien- ucational institution. Both Knapp and lina, told me that “pseudoscience in sci- tific literacy and investigating pseudo- Hemphill said Mitchell’s views were ence museums and even in universities is science creep. Her portfolio and projects “an important conversation” their in- a constantly growing epidemic,” yet his can be found at scijourno.com.

Skeptical Inquirer | March/April 2014 9 [ NEWS AND COMMENT Doubtful News Skeptical Roundup

It was a busy year at Doubtful News (http://doubtfulnews.com), where we chronicled 364 days (we take April Fools’ Day off) of questionable claims about the paranormal, pseudoscience, anomalies, and alternative medicine to name just a few categories. Several stories reached high on the public’s attention meters and rang the skeptical bell. Here is a sample of the top stories of 2013.

The end of Sylvia Browne: One of the world’s was later found to have died of a heart attack, Conjuring up more popularity for demons: The most popular self-styled psychics celebrated her was a known smoker and alcoholic. The baby, horror thriller The Conjuring did well at the movie fiftieth anniversary tour in 2012, and it was all who survived, was subjected to tests in an Indian box office this year, continuing a trend for popu- downhill from there. She received a tremendous hospital. Finally, an inquiry into potential child larizing demonic possession as an actual condi- amount of bad press after Amanda Berry was abuse was opened as there is zero evidence or tion. The movie was a boost to the reputations of found alive after being held captive in Ohio. In mechanism for humans to combust internally or , who were portrayed in 2004, Browne had told Berry’s mother on the catch on fire without an external source. the “based on a true event” story. Lorraine was Montel Williams TV show that her daughter was Not a happy time at Loch Ness: Various inter- guest of honor at screening events where she dead. The mother died thinking her daughter ests went at each other’s throats this year on continued her allegations that demons are the was not alive. Sylvia, seventy-six and not in good the shores of the famous Scottish lake over the cause of many hauntings and that only God can health, never recovered from this career blow, explanation for the mythical monster. A hoaxed save you. The media failed to be critical of the dying on November 20. (See p. 7 in this issue). photo by tour boat captain George Edwards basis of the movie and of the Warrens’ history Alternative cancer doctor Stanislaw Burzynski was identified as a television show prop by as less than credible authors and investigators under fire: Thanks to several skeptical activ- another researcher. Edwards was unrepentant, of the paranormal. Even the newly installed Pope ists who kept up the pressure in the media, taking the position that too many researchers Francis created a stir when he did an impromptu Burzynski, who offers an unproven, potentially were announcing there wasn’t really a monster exorcism in public. The church is reportedly harmful, and expensive chemical therapy called around. “No one will come to see a big fish.” The deluged with cases of people claiming they need antineoplastons, was repeatedly exposed for local business commission was in disarray as exorcisms. shoddy practices and federal violations. The they struggled with how to maintain tourism to People who lived in the house where the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing the site while considering the genuine, non-mon- its oversight of his work. We can hope this will strous explanations for Nessie. events depicted in The Conjuring supposedly took place were deluged with tourists and tres- be the end of his empty promises for a DNA: Two researchers anchored both passers much like the famous Amityville Horror cure that doesn’t exist but sure costs a lot. (See ends of the respectability spectrum in their work house was after the movie made it an iconic lo- special articles, p. 36, in this issue.) regarding supposed Bigfoot DNA. Veterinarian cation. Several cases came up this year of trouble Melba Ketchum self-published a paper claiming Fake bomb detector trials: Skeptical activism trying to sell “stigmatized” real estate. For exam- also played a role in the media exposure of fake her DNA sequences revealed that the North American Sasquatch was a hybrid human-un- ple, actress/singer Olivia Newton-John found her- bomb-detection devices sold internationally. In self in a bind when the deal to sell her vacation 2013, two men who sold these devices were known primate. Her findings were roundly dis- home fell through because a building contractor put on trial and found guilty. James McCormick missed. Meanwhile, Bryan Sykes, geneticist at committed suicide in the house. Real estate laws was sentenced by a U.K. judge to ten years in Oxford University, made an unexpected finding vary, but in some places the agents must disclose prison for selling this worthless -like from his supposed Yeti DNA samples in Asia: an event that occurred at that location that may device known by various names such as the ADE a hybrid Himalayan-polar bear. He came up result in “negative vibes” or a potential that it may 651 and Quadro Tracker. He lost his appeal of with common animals for the American sample the sentence. Former associate of McCormick, results, contrary to Ketchum’s work. His work be perceived as cursed or haunted. Gary Bolton, who sold similar devices, received was disappointing to Sasquatch researchers but What Kevin Trudeau doesn’t want you to know was ultimately accepted as valid. They vow to a seven-year sentence in a separate proceeding. about: Serial consumer scammer Kevin Trudeau continue trying to find Bigfoot. (See my Special (See the News and Comment story, SI, July/ was sent to prison after failing to pay fines Report, SI, May/June 2013.) August 2013.) based on his previous court settlements and for Assassination of Dabholkar: Anti- TED talks not worth spreading: The pop- violating rules set by the Federal Communication advocate Narendra Dabholkar was shot and ular conference series TED (Technology, Commission regarding false claims. The U.S. killed in India in August. Dabholkar had been Entertainment, Design) faced heated online government is still trying to confiscate his assets debate when multiple outlets of their indepen- a physician and founded the Maharashtra to no avail, as he has apparently hidden them dent series, TEDx, were accused of hosting Rationalist Association in 1989. He dedicated the well. He is a prime example of what we call an less than credible speakers at their events. TED rest of his life to his work to combat irrationality. “unsinkable rubber duck.” He just keeps popping headquarters warned affiliates back in 2012 The legislation he advocated to protect against back up everywhere. to make sure their speakers were vetted and superstitious fraudsters was rushed through in of high quality. Talks given at TEDx events by his state of Maharashtra, and other states are What will 2014 bring? Who can say? Although Rupert Sheldrake (about science dogma) and considering similar legislation. His killers have by alternative historian Graham Hancock, both I’m not psychic, I can assure you there will be no not been found. (See Special Reports by Ryan of which were cited by complainants as con- shortage of questionable claims and pseudosci- Shaffer and Bhaskar Sripada in the January/ taining factual errors as well as bad science, entific nonsense to examine. February 2014 issue of SI.) were removed from the main TED page. They Two spontaneous combustion cases: A man in remained available in other locations. Both Sharon Hill runs the website Oklahoma and an infant in India were the focus men along with paranormal advocates pro- DoubtfulNews.com and is a Scientific and Tech- of media attention as potential victims of spon- tested the decision while scientific proponents nical Consultant for the Committee for Skeptical taneous human combustion. The former, who defended it. Inquiry.

Skeptical Inquirer | March/April 2014 11 Body Parts Stolen from African Hospital for Magic Use BENJAMIN RADFORD

The second-largest hospital in the southern African country of Swaziland was accused in October 2013 of operat- ing a black market in human body parts used in magic spells. The organ trade at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in the city of Man- zini has been described as an “open se- cret” by critics such as Reverend Grace Masilela. The hospital is a place where people from neighboring South Africa are said to come to buy bones, hearts, brains, and other organs. These body parts are often ground up and combined with roots, herbs, seawater, animal parts,

and other ingredients by traditional NEWSCOM healers or witch doctors preparing po- Over the last three years people with albinism have been threatened by an alarming increase in tions and spells for their clients. Some- the criminal trade of albino body parts. At least fifty-three albinos have been killed since 2007, times the mixture is eaten or rubbed on some as young as six months old. Benedicte Desrus/Sipa USA/Newscom the skin or into open wounds. The prac- tice of using body parts for magical ritual has investigated dozens of muti murders. different goals. For example, eyes may or benefit is called muti—a Zulu word Writing in the January 2004 Journal of be stolen and used in a magic ritual to meaning “medicine.” Investigative Psychology and Offender help restore a client’s failing eyesight, Profiling, La buschagne explains the un- while severed hands will assure business derlying belief system of muti: success, and genitals are believed to at- Muti murders are different In traditional African beliefs it is tract luck. In some cases criminals have from ritual or sacrificial assumed that there is only a certain been arrested during robberies with amount of luck in society. Each muti in their pockets, having been told killings in that the goal is individual receives a portion of that by a healer that the body-parts medi- not necessarily the death luck. It is therefore believed that if cine would make them invisible to po- another person is successful, then of the victim (though that lice—or even bulletproof. they have obtained an extra portion often happens from shock of luck via devious means, usually Body parts from live victims are said and blood loss), but instead with the intervention of the super- to be the most powerful, though organs obtaining body parts. natural. . . . Setbacks or calamities, taken from the dead are sometimes Just as different ingredients such as drought or illness, are signs used, as is claimed to have happened that the natural and social order in Swaziland. Labuschagne notes that have been disturbed. One means in a recipe are used for “there seems to be an increase in grave different purposes, different of obtaining this extra portion of luck or restoring the natural order robbing where the body parts removed body parts are used for is through the use of strong muti. are similar to those used in muti. Also, different goals. It is with this strong muti that muti theft or sale of body parts from hospitals murders are often associated. Muti and mortuaries has occurred. It is uncer- made from human body parts is con- tain whether or not the traditional healer sidered to be exceptionally powerful. would be able to tell if a body part is re- Muti murders are different from rit- moved pre- or post-mortem.” A 2010 Gallup poll found belief in ual or sacrificial killings in that the goal Stealing organs from the dead for use magic widespread throughout sub- is not necessarily the death of the victim in magic spells is a ghastly crime, but at Saharan Africa, with over half of the re- (though that often happens from shock least the unwilling donors are deceased. spondents saying they personally believe and blood loss), but instead obtaining Just as often, murderers working on be- in witchcraft and magic. Gérard La- body parts. Just as different ingredients half of witch doctors attack and kill in- buschagne, of the South African Police in a recipe are used for different pur- nocent people for their body parts. Muti Service’s Investigative Psychology Unit, poses, different body parts are used for murders are particularly brutal, with

12 Volume 38 Issue 2 | Skeptical Inquirer knives, machetes, or even glass shards Muti murders have occurred lord who believed that the limbs would being used to cut and hack off limbs, throughout South Africa, and espe- give him magical powers. Most Afri- breasts, and other body parts from their cially in rural areas. Reliable figures on cans, and most traditional healers there, victims—including children. In East the number of muti murders there are reject muti murder and don’t engage in Africa, at least fifty albinos (people with elusive because police do not track those the practice. Still, the belief that body a rare genetic disorder that leaves the murders separately from other homi- parts can be used in magic rituals has skin, hair, and eyes without pigment) cides, but estimates range from a few were murdered for their body parts in dozen to a few hundred per year. Sci- been a part of African belief for centu- 2009, according to the Red Cross. An ence fiction fans may recall that muti ries, and it will likely remain so. albino’s arms, fingers, genitals, ears, and was featured in the hit South African blood are highly prized for their espe- film District 9, in which the hero’s body Benjamin Radford is the deputy editor of cially powerful magic. parts were sought after by a local war- the Skeptical Inquirer.

C.E.M. Hansel (1917–2011), Early Scientific Critic of Parapsychology

JAMES ALCOCK

We have recently learned of the death of C.E.M. (Mark) Hansel reasonably explained in terms of coincidence, methodological error, (1917–2011), a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and and trickery. one of the first major critics of parapsychological research. Charles Although several prominent psychologists had responded as arm- Edward Mark Hansel was born in Bedford, England, and attended chair critics to the burgeoning parapsychological literature, Hansel school there. Then, as the clouds of war gathered over Britain, he set an important example by going to Duke University and examining joined the Royal Air Force in 1938, where he became first a pilot the actual settings in which a number of important experiments had and then a squadron leader. After demobilization in 1946, he stud- been conducted. He reported that each of the experimental settings ied psychology at Cambridge University and earned a Masters of he examined had presented opportunities for trickery, leading him Arts degree. In 1949, he was made lecturer in psychology at the to conclude that cheating could not be ruled out, thereby gainsaying University of Manchester, where he taught until 1965 when he was the claim that ESP and psychokinesis had been scientifically estab- ap pointed as the first Chair of Psychology at the University College lished. Indeed, he went further, pulling no punches: He concluded of Swansea, Wales. He remained in that position until his retirement. that parapsychology had not only failed to produce scientific evidence His primary research interests were focused on visual perception, for supernatural phenomena but that its history was largely one of and he was an authority on the physiological and psychological as- fraud, imposture, and crass stupidity. pects of color vision. He published a number of papers dealing with Yet he garnered criticism for his selective focus. On the basis of the , a temporal perceptual illusion in which the percep- kappa effect having found ways in which trickery or error might have occurred in tion of elapsed time between two successive stimuli is affected by the the small number of experiments that he did examine—experiments physical distance between the stimuli. He also carried out research that were not always the best examples that parapsychology could into decision-making and subjective probability, and he coauthored offer—he dismissed the claims of parapsychologists in general, all an important book on the subject, Risk and Gambling (1956). In addi- the while ignoring the larger body of research that they had produced. tion to his academic achievements, he was an accomplished violinist and for a number of years played first violin in the Alderley Edge However, it must be remembered that prior to the founding of the Orchestra. Committee for the Scientific Investi gation of Claims of the Paranormal The book for which he is best known, ESP: A Scientific Evaluation, in 1976, very little informed criticism of parapsychology had been was published in 1966, at a time when there was a severe paucity published, and it is in this context that the importance of Hansel’s of critical literature on the subject of parapsychology. (An updated contribution, as one of the first major critics of parapsychology, must version, ESP and Parapsychology: A Critical Evaluation, was published be judged. Both because of his early efforts to interact with parapsy- in 1980.) By the early 1960s, Joseph Banks Rhine and his colleagues chologists and examine their research settings, and because of the at Duke University had published extensively on their research into very significant impact that his book has had in motivating the many extrasensory perception (ESP) and psychokinesis, arguing that they skeptical researchers who have followed, the is had scientifically established the reality of paranormal phenomena. in his debt. For that, he deserves a special place in its history. Although Hansel accepted that one cannot rule paranormal phenom- ena to be a priori impossible, he argued that such phenomena are so James Alcock is professor of psychology at Glendon College, York contrary to what we know about brain function, human perception, University, Toronto, and a Fellow and member of the Executive Coun- and the way that things work in the physical world that they are more cil of the Committee for Skep tical Inquiry.

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