THE SKEPTICAL INTELLIGENCER

The Quarterly Magazine of ASKE THE ASSOCIATION FOR SKEPTICAL ENQUIRY Vol 23, 2020, Number 4 (Winter)

Incorporating the Skeptical Adversaria: the ASKE Newsletter ______Edited by Michael Heap

To access a Word or pdf copy of this issue, please contact the Editor at [email protected]. If you are an ASKE member in the UK and would like a paper copy, again email the Editor.

CONTENTS Regular features and announcements From the ASKE Chair 2 Language on the Fringe 5 Logic and Intuition 3 Of Interest 16 The European Scene 4 Upcoming Events 18 Medicine on the Fringe 4 About ASKE 19

Contributed articles Skepticism, Racism, Science, Semantics and More: Recent Controversies Mark Newbrook 7

Book reviews and commentaries Shaping Psychology: Perspectives on Legacy, Controversy and the Future of the Field reviewed by Michael Heap 13 Seriously Curious: The Economist Explains: the Facts and Figures that Turn your World Upside Down reviewed by Ray Ward 15 Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

FROM THE ASKE CHAIR Michael Heap

The ASKE website have been established in countries evidence-based perspective. (Can I Constrained by my (slowly improving) across the world (notes 2 & 3). have my cheque now Mr Murdoch?) IT skills, I have now refurbished the The need is to ensure that the public On 28.11.20, the Times colour ASKE website at http://www.aske- in general are mindful that there is a lot magazine included an article on Lyric skeptics.org.uk/. This is still a work in of blatantly false and ultimately quite Jain, ‘the 25-year-old from progress and there is material to be dangerous information ‘out there’, Staffordshire taking on the world of added and replaced (and will be much of it only serving the interests and fake news and conspiracy theories’. regularly). ASKE members are perverted needs and prejudices of those Three years ago, Mr Jain set up a fact- welcome to be involved in this. promulgating this nonsense. People also checking company called Logically need to be able to distinguish the (note 8): Conspiracy theories. fake news dubious from the genuine. It is a for-profit social enterprise with and misinformation ______around 30 investigators and fact It is interesting to witness how, over the checkers working in its office in last 20 years or so, conspiracy theories, I would especially commend Brighouse, West Yorkshire, and 40 in fake news and misinformation generally Matthew Syed of the Sunday India. As well as the scrutiny it have risen to the top of the skeptic Times who this year began undertakes for governments and agenda. These are not new phenomena, writing a regular column for companies, it runs a website and but their escalation has no doubt been that newspaper. offers a browser extension that rates fuelled by the growth of the internet, in ______other sites’ credibility. It also has an particular social media, digital app, which presents fact-checked technology that has hugely facilitated It is gratifying that television and the news stories and flags up others important areas of activity of everyday national press (which in the past, and “FALSE”. life, both desirable and undesirable. even now, has not covered itself in glory The following day, the Observer ran Political leaders, notably the current US when it comes to disseminating ‘the a feature in the ‘Science Tech’ section President, have also played an active truth’) are now much more cognisant of of their ‘New Review’ entitled ‘How to role; the Covid-19 pandemic and, in the these issues. I restrict my reading of the deal with a conspiracy theorist’ which is UK, the Brexit referendum and its national press to the Times and, on accessible online (note 9). It is written repercussions have also had their Sunday, the Sunday Times and the by David Robson, who has just had a catalytic effects. To compound this Observer so I can only really speak for book published on the subject (note 10). unhappy state of affairs, we may throw these ‘posh’ newspapers, but of all the The author of the article lists ‘five ways onto the heap the growing realisation newspapers I know of, in my opinion to spot the holes in the logic’. Definitely that too much research reported in our the first two of these make the best worth reading. academic journals is unreliable to the reading for skeptics. I would especially Also, have a listen to the Full Fact point of being useless or worse, as well commend Matthew Syed of the Sunday Podcast of 19.10.20 entitled ‘The as ‘the replication crisis’, the failure to Times who this year began writing a History of Misinformation’ (note 11): reproduce existing research findings— regular column for that newspaper. He We often think of misinformation as a some influential, others of little is definitely ‘one of us’ and extremely modern problem. But its roots go back consequence. well-informed. You can find his column thousands of years. In this episode we But do not despair! The fightback online (note 4) but to read it in full you explore the history of false has been gathering momentum for some have to subscribe (you can have a free information and track how it has time and maybe 2021 will be the year trial first). David Aaronovitch, who, developed into the ‘fake news’ climate the tide really started to turn; the amongst other topics, writes on we see today. departure, willing or assisted, of Mr conspiracy theories (note 5) and has Finally, if you like games have a Trump from the White House in spoken at several Skeptics in the Pub look at Go Viral! (note 12) This is an January will be more than symbolic in venues, is a frequent contributor, as is online game developed by Dr Sander this respect (note 1). The social media Max Hastings who is extremely van der Linden and colleagues at the corporations have accepted some knowledgeable on military and political University of Cambridge aimed at responsibility for content. Also, there is history, and well-balanced. Likewise, ‘vaccinating’ people against fake news much on the internet about the growing the business and economic and conspiracy theories about Covid- dangers of misinformation and an correspondents, notably David Smith 19. The game puts the player in the abundance of fact-checking websites (notes 6 &7), who writes from an shoes of someone spreading 2

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 misinformation online and illustrates is going on. Maybe younger or more 5. Voodoo Histories: How Conspiracy some of the common ploys. Dr van der tech-savvy players will be better placed Theory has Shaped Modern History by Linden is quoted in the December 2020 to get more out of it. David Aaronovitch, Penguin, 2010. issue of the Psychologist (the monthly The game was discussed on BBC 6. https://tinyurl.com/yb8ep45l periodical of the British Psychological Radio’s ‘Digital Planet’ on 20.10.20 7. I recommend as an introduction to Society) saying: (note 13). Incidentally, their broadcast economics, his book Free Lunch: Easily The WHO has included the game in its on 3.11.11 is entitled ‘Who is most Digestible Economics (2nd edition) mailing list and on their website and susceptible to fake news?’ (note 14). Profile Books, 2012. we recorded a video with the United Notes 8. https://www.logically.ai/ Nations which they posted on their 1. Also, a good uptake of the Covid-19 9. https://tinyurl.com/y32fnovm feed as well. At the end of the day, we vaccination should take the wind out of 10 The Intelligence Trap: How to are trying to help governments and the sails of anti-vaccination Revolutionise your Thinking and Make international institutions combat fake campaigners. Wiser Decisions, Hodder & Stoughton. news more effectively so it’s been 2. https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/fake- 11. https://tinyurl.com/yx9xaddr great to see a real appetite for more news 12.https://www.goviralgame.com/en/pl evidence-based communications. 3. https://tinyurl.com/qn3fxxr ay I gave it a try but found I am not 4. https://tinyurl.com/ybrvtey7 13. https://tinyurl.com/y8fs2j3d nerdy enough to fully understand what 14. https://tinyurl.com/yym78hje

______LOGIC AND INTUITION

Another coin-tossing game so long as they remain naïve about the acknowledgement but can’t now find it! Back in January, I described the rule. Here goes. following gambling game. Someone Now suppose you have to choose a It’s Christmas and a posh lady is starts tossing a coin repeatedly after you sequence of two, not three, tosses? I am having her hair coiffured in a high street and your (only) opponent have each grateful to Jon Scaife for sending me salon. She says to the hairdresser, ‘Do chosen a sequence of three consecutive this version of the puzzle: you see that bedraggled little girl out outcomes—e.g. heads, tails, tails Someone tosses a coin after you there? She is just plain stupid. Every (HTT). The winner is the one whose have chosen the sequence HH and time I see her I say to her, “I’ll give you sequence comes up first. Then you have your opponent, TH. After just one a 2 pound coin or two 50 pence coins— another go, and so on. The only toss who is more likely to win? which do you want?” And she always condition is that, under the pretence of Whenever a game is won the game says, “Ooh! I’ll have the two 50 pence generosity, you insist on giving your starts again. If you keep to the same coins please!”. She’s the stupidest child opponent ‘an advantage’: they choose sequences, over a large number of I know.’ their sequence first. games who will win the most? And Later that day, the hairdresser spots There is an easy-to-remember rule is there any chance that neither of the girl and asks her why she always which, if you follow each time, will you will win? choses two 50 pence coins. What do you almost certainly guarantee you a profit The stupid girl think was this ‘stupid girl’s’ reply? over a series of trials. You are still likely I found this nice puzzle in a book Answers on page 18. to make a profit if your opponent insists recently and would like to give an on alternating who has the first choice,

3

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

The EUROPEAN SCENE

The ESP - European Skeptics From Studiekring voor de

Podcast Kritische Evaluatie van European Council for Skeptics Pseudowetenschap en het Organisations Paranormale (the Belgian Address: Arheilger Weg 11, 64380 skeptical society) Roßdorf, Germany Building a bridge for skeptics ‘May I bring this call for help from your Website: http://www.ecso.org/ (which http://theesp.eu/ Belgian colleagues of SKEPP to your has an email contact facility) As of December 18: ‘This week we talk attention? Two of our authors are being Facebook: about the alt-med and antivaxxers who sued by a multimillionaire business https://www.facebook.com/skeptics.eu/ have been visible on TV and how a “coach” with deep pockets. Some of ECSO also has a Twitter handle, town in Austria had to change its rather you received a mail from me about this @SkepticsEurope. unfortunate name. We celebrate the two weeks ago. In the meantime we The ECSO website now has a anniversary of the Hungarian Skeptics have updated our website to make the comprehensive calendar of skeptical and then we get into the news.’ information and fundraiser page easier events taking place across Europe, to access in English and French. Please replicated at the ESP website (below). find the call for help and fundraiser page

here:’ https://tinyurl.com/ydey7sl4 See also ‘Patrick Vermeren’ on page 16 of this issue.

______

Medicine on the fringe

Informed choice keen to hear from individuals and with their obligations under consumer From ‘MD’ (aka Phil Hammond) in relevant groups throughout Europe law. This event will discuss the CMA’s Private Eye, 18 December 2020, headed (note 3). draft guidance, and will explore what ‘Brains needs BRAUNS’: Fertility treatments consumer law means for the way fertility clinics price, offer and advertise Informed choice for any medical ‘An All-Consuming Problem? How to their treatments.’ intervention requires BRAUNS. You Protect Patients in the Fertility Market’ need to know and understand the is ‘A free-to-attend online event about Biomedical & Health Research Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, consumer protection for fertility A new website (note 5) has been Unknowns, what if I did Nothing?, patients, taking place from 5.30pm-7pm constructed by researchers in health and and Safety net if something goes (GMT) on Thursday 14 January 2021 medicine in this country and abroad wrong. (note 4). All are welcome. To with the title ‘Improve Biomedical & Thermography attend/participate via the web, please Health Research’. According to the Michael Marshall (‘Marsh’) of the register here. The UK Government’s website: Good Thinking Society (note 1) and Competition and Markets Authority Every year, around US$200 billion Catherine de Jong of the Dutch Society (CMA) has recently raised concerns (£150 billion) is spent globally on against Quackery are pursuing an about aspects of the fertility sector, health research. Meanwhile, millions initiative concerning misleading claims including “add-on” treatments and the of people volunteer their time to be for, and misuse of, thermography. As a (mis)representation of success rates (see participants in health studies. Despite starter, Marsh has arranged an article Medicine on the Fringe in the ‘Skeptical all the resources that go into creating written by an expert on the subject Intelligencer’, Winter 2018 issue). The medical research, though, there is a which will be on the European Council CMA is now consulting on draft glaring issue—almost all of that time for Skeptical Organisations (ECSO; guidance for the fertility sector, in order and money achieves nothing. In fact, note 2) website in due course. They are to help clinics understand and comply 4

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

about 85% of all research is simply World Health Organization research ationists in China are optimistic that wasted. repository. increased attention on wildlife This is a pretty shocking claim, They suggest that achieving such consumption since the outbreak of the against which some of the traditional measures requires ‘a broad-based COVID-19 pandemic will boost targets of skeptical campaigning (e.g. campaign which mobilises public national efforts to prioritize the prescribing of homeopathy in the opinion’ and on their website you are biodiversity conservation. The National Health Service) might appear invited to sign a Declaration to improve coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, of minor consequence (note 6). In fact, biomedical research. thought to arise from wild bats sold in for the past few years serious concerns Pseudoscience in Medicine a meat and produce marketplace, about the quality and validity of much spotlighted the public health risks of Among scientists and health personnel, of mainstream scientific research have China’s rampant and often illegal 2,750 individuals from 44 countries been raised by prominent individuals wildlife trade (from Mongabay–see have joined the first international and organisations, as has been reported notes 9 & 10). manifesto against pseudo-sciences in in this and previous issues of the health. The manifesto has been Notes Intelligencer. organized by 11 associations in an 1. https://goodthinkingsociety.org The authors of the website (S.H. international collaboration and is 2. https://www.ecso.org Bradley et al) have published a paper in written in 11 languages. This is the 3. [email protected] the Journal of the Royal Society of initiative of the Spanish group 4. https://tinyurl.com/y7pqnar2 Medicine entitled ‘Reducing bias and ‘Association to Protect the Sick from 5.https://www.improvehealthresearch.c improving transparency in medical Pseudoscientific Therapies’ (note 8). om/ research: a critical overview of the problems, progress and suggested next Traditional Chinese Medicine 6. https://tinyurl.com/ycnw45ok steps’ (note 7). They make three The iniquities of Traditional Chinese 7. https://tinyurl.com/y2m9ftbx recommendations to improve Medicine were aired in ‘Medicine on 8. https://tinyurl.com/y52rqe5p transparency and mitigate bias: the Fringe’ in the Winter 2019 issue of 9. https://tinyurl.com/yaf3y47g (1) mandatory registration of interests the Intelligencer. It is gratifying to read 10. ‘Mongabay is a nonprofit environ- by those involved in research; that mental science and conservation news (2) that journals support the Public attitudes in China have shifted platform that produces original ‘registered reports’ publication substantially to favor stricter reporting in English, Indonesian, format; and regulations on the wildlife trade and a Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese by (3) that comprehensive study willingness to stop consuming leveraging over 500 correspondents in documentation for all publicly funded wildlife, researchers reported some 70 countries. We are dedicated to research be made available on a recently in the Chinese Journal evidence-driven objective journalism.’ Biodiversity Science. Conserv-

______language on the fringe

Mark Newbrook

Pseudo-authority in historical into disciplines with which they are less sharing his own insightful comments on linguistics: Stevens on Indo- familiar. the work. European Christopher Stevens is no Fry but he Stevens’ book is titled Written in It is not unheard-of for writers qualified has expertise in some domains, notably Stone: A Journey through the Stone Age in other disciplines to pronounce on popular movies and autism (he is and the Origins of Modern Language linguistic matters, often without any involved in autism advocacy). As far as (Pegasus Books, 2015) (note 1) In his acknowledgment (in extreme cases, linguistics is concerned, however, nine-page Introduction, he demon- apparently without even any realisation) Stevens is clearly an amateur; but, strates that he has read up on the history that their ideas would be disputed by the equally clearly, he regards himself as of historical linguistics, but the works professionals. A while ago I pointed out entitled to educate others about the he summarises are all from C18-19, in this forum that even polymaths such origins of the Indo-European languages except for those of Eric Partridge (a as Stephen Fry (in his 2011 book/series and their words. I thank Christopher highly qualified and heavily published Planet Word) can make contentious or Guest (Victorian Skeptics) for bringing literature scholar and lexicographer but simply mistaken claims as they move Stevens’ work to my attention and for an amateur in respect of linguistic 5

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 theory) and Joseph T. Shipley, a near- (which he does not make explicit even because of the shortage of written texts fringe lexicographer. Shipley’s ideas when he has the opportunity, on p 14; in Punic, Mailhammer often uses are in fact associated with those of Isaac maybe he is not consciously aware of it) Hebrew forms. But the equations Mozeson and other (mostly extreme) that unaspirated /b/ appears to have posited between culturally important non-mainstream Hebraicists as been rare in early IE. Semitic words and semantically close discussed by me in this forum and in my Stevens’ work, especially in its early Germanic words (chosen here 2013 book Strange Linguistics. audiobook version, has been reviewed because they seem to have no Indo- Elsewhere in his Introduction Stevens quite extensively online, with various European etymologies) are not provides a basic account of Indo- further criticisms. Reviewers note that especially numerous and appear European and links between the he suggests that IE languages became unsystematic. Mailhammer also argues histories of IE languages and the dominant because they were simpler for the transfer of grammatical features associated cultures. But here he displays and more flexible (there is no reason to from Punic to Germanic (the best case little knowledge of mainstream C20-21 accept this notion, and it has actually here involves morphophonological linguistics. And outside this informed racist interpretations of patterns involving the vowel-systems) Introduction he has little to say about ancient and indeed of more recent and for Punic sources for some of the the generalities of the discipline; the history); that many of the monosyllabic Germanic runic letter-forms (I do not rest of the book (255 pages) is organised forms which he identifies are clearly find these equations as persuasive as do lexically, predominantly in a series of simply syllables (mostly in English) some reviewers, but there is a case to be chapters each devoted to sets of specific with a wide range of meanings or with made) (note 3). proposed ‘Stone Age Words’ with none at all (they are parts of This case illustrates well the fact imitated spellings beginning with the morphemes, not themselves that competent linguists can advance letters of the Roman Alphabet in their morphemes); that he makes various proposals which convince some but not standard ordering, which Stevens specific outright errors, such as the all of their colleagues. But if presents as known rather than etymology he proposes for the word Mailhammer is even arguably right conjectured. (The structure of the book Aryan (I have my own list!); and that he there is obviously scope for reminds one of Legesse Allyn’s talks as if nothing can be said about considerable revision to mainstream displays equating hieroglyphically- language prior to Proto-IE (which long views about ancient history, without written forms and words in a range of post-dated any general ‘Proto-World’). going as far as the massive revisions modern languages, with even less ______proposed on the fringe. argumentation.) And Stevens has little Interestingly, Mailhammer’s to say about grammar, which is central There is more than a hint here colleague in this enterprise was Theo to historical linguistic studies. of the long-outmoded notion Vennemann, another professional Stevens’ proposed ancestral IE that Proto-IE (and other linguist who has previously actually forms are all monosyllables, which is languages of that era) were argued for Semitic ‘substrata’ in Celtic not a standard viewpoint. (See Chapter ‘primitive’. (and in English, by way of further 2 of my book on other non-standard ______transfer) (note 4) – and has indeed also theories involving monosyllabic As one reviewer rightly says, the proposed Semitic-Germanic-Celtic ancestor-forms.) He also holds that book gives linguistics a bad name. It is links on his own account, notably in a many of them involve sound- correct about some specific matters, but volume entitled Europa Vasconica- symbolism or indeed onomatopoeia, it should not be regarded as in any way Europa Semitica (Berlin, 2003) and in fact he starts with pu, which he authoritative. comprising 27 of his essays. Given the states was an ancestral word meaning Phoenician-Carthaginian propensities ‘excrete’ or ‘excrement’ and was in Carthaginian runes? for seafaring and colonisation, such origin a vocalised gesture of disgust. It The linguist Robert Mailhammer theories are by no means historically is not clear how he can be so confident argued in 2019-20 (note 2) that implausible. But one might have about such things, even in cases where Germanic (including Scandinavian) expected more substantial his etymologies themselves are at least words for many culturally important archaeological (maybe even textual) arguable. And there is more than a hint items and concepts are the result of evidence of such voyaging. And most here of the long-outmoded notion that close contact in M1 BCE between the other historical linguists have not been Proto-IE (and other languages of that early Germanic peoples and the convinced by the specifically linguistic era) were ‘primitive’. Carthaginian Empire, originally evidence presented by Vennemann in Occasionally Stevens appears more founded by the Phoenicians and centred respect of Celtic; see note 5 for a critical sophisticated; for instance, he in what is now Tunisia. The language of review of his 2003 book. This evidence proposes/reports reconstructed Carthage, Punic, was descended from appears marginal at best; much of it is ancestral forms with initial bh- but none Phoenician and was thus a Semitic ‘typological’ and does not involve with b-, reflecting the striking fact language rather similar to Hebrew; specific forms. 6

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

At a more ‘popular’ level Ahmed & (excessively) heavy focus upon English Linguistics 1999: Selected Papers from Ibrahim Ali have also argued for in respect of modern IE usage. the 14th International Conference on Semitic substrata in Celtic (note 6); but 2. The Carthaginian North: Semitic Historical Linguistics, Vancouver, 9-13 their case is considerably weaker than influence on early Germanic: A August 1999 (Current Issues in Vennemann’s. linguistic and cultural study (John Linguistic Theory, 215), ed. Laurel Notes Benjamins, Amsterdam, 2019); see also Brinton (John Benjamins, Amsterdam, https://tinyurl.com/y4yw2cmv. 2001), pp. 351-369. 1. There is a 2014 edition with a 3. For one review (by Bev Thurber), see 5. https://tinyurl.com/yy5j8ej6. different by-line: An entertaining time- https://tinyurl.com/y2p9zzam. 6. Ahmed Ali and Ibrahim Ali, Pre- travelling jaunt through the Stone Age 4. Theo Vennemann, ‘Atlantis Celtic Languages: The African origins of our modern-day language; Semitica: Structural contact features in Substratum Theory (Punite Books, this version makes explicit Stevens’ Celtic and English’, in Historical Cardiff, 1995).

______

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES

SKEPTICISM, RACISM, SCIENCE, SEMANTICS AND MORE – RECENT CONTROVERSIES ______Mark Newbrook Mark Newbrook took an MA and a PhD in linguistics at Reading University and spent many years as a lecturer and researcher in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia; he has authored many articles/reviews and several books, including the first-ever general skeptical survey work on fringe linguistics (2013).

Kavin Senapathy on Skeptics in retaining her posts on its site). has changed but which needs to change the Pub Senapathy then issued further more – possibly leading to appreciably For a number of years, the American comments, altogether rejecting CFI’s greater diversity of attitudes and beliefs scholar Kavin Senapathy has been a analysis of the situation and again (although if Senapathy prevailed there member of the CSI community in the accusing CFI/CSI of displaying might rather be a shift in respect of USA, publishing in Skeptical Inquirer prejudice (note 1). which attitudes and beliefs were and involving herself in various issues. ______deemed acceptable, with current ideas But she has found much to criticise in now marginalised or worse). And of contemporary skepticism, which she Diversity of viewpoint, while course there can be no objection to regards as insufficiently open to the confusing to some outsiders thinkers from non-white/’cis-male’ influence of females and of members of and maybe uncongenial for backgrounds such as Senapathy (or traditionally disadvantaged minorities, some individual skeptics, is indeed anyone else) disagreeing with and in fact as covertly white-/’cis- obviously a key aspect of the some specific attitudes and beliefs male’-supremacist. She seeks to skeptical enterprise. which have been popular in C20-21 discourage (or indeed ‘cancel’; see ______skepticism. For example, her very below) the foregrounding of positions negative assessment of Richard On 2/7/20, Senapathy was the which she sees as specific to skeptics Dawkins (see also below) must be speaker on the online UK-based from these latter backgrounds. considered alongside the strong (but Skeptics in the Pub series; her topic was In 2020 the Center for Inquiry (the not, of course, uncritical) support with ‘What CSI Can Teach Skeptics About transnational umbrella organisation which Dawkins’ thinking has been White Supremacy’, and she rehearsed which includes CSI) decided that it had received in the skeptical world. The her views on the topic in a forthright had enough of Senapathy’s attacks on more such differences exist, the less of manner. the movement, which it regards as a united front can be presented by It cannot be denied that until flying in the face of the evidence. CFI organised skepticism; but diversity of relatively recently white males were accordingly terminated its association viewpoint, while confusing to some numerically and structurally dominant with Senapathy (while eventually outsiders and maybe uncongenial for in the skeptical world, a situation which 7

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 some individual skeptics, is obviously a Richard Dawkins for stating (clearly advocates (and dissected in a new book key aspect of the skeptical enterprise. correctly) that criticising Islamic ideas by Gad Saad which I will be reviewing The real issues here are rather: (a) is not itself indicative of racism. in this forum), for example the claim Senapathy’s dismissal of the Re (b) above: Senapathy spoke as if that physiological features and modernism which lies at the heart of it is a plain fact that CSI is only at an capabilities traditionally regarded as skepticism, and (b) her dogmatic early stage of a path to what she thinks gender-specific (genitalia-types, even didacticism. As far as (a) is concerned, is a better state, and talked repeatedly of the propensity to menstruate, etc.) her approach is reminiscent of the the need for CSI and other skeptical should in fact be regarded as simply postmodernist side of the ‘Science organisations to ‘learn lessons’ from shared between the sexes. This view is Wars’ of the 1990s. On this occasion her, presenting herself as possessed of based on the familiar fact that some she made the familiar points in support superior (‘woke’?) understanding of people who have suffered from gender of postmodernist revisionism; but these issues. Despite her references to dysphoria have (not unreasonably) (again as usual) she overstated their opening up discourse, there was no chosen to undergo the relevant surgery force. For example, she attacked a evidence that she would engage those now that it is available – although at the ‘straw man’ version of modernist dissenting from her ideas in genuine present state of development this effects science incorporating a higher degree of debate. Again, this is not how only a partial reassignment of physical philosophically unsophisticated scien- skepticism works or (in my view) gender – and on the more recently tism than normally obtains, and also should work. foregrounded fact that some people appeared to suggest that science claims ______choose to identify as the opposite to be ‘infallible’ (it does not; its gender without undergoing any physical provisional ‘conclusions’ frequently It is to the credit of Skeptics in changes at all. Rowling (with Saad) change in response to new evidence or the Pub that they invited a certainly has a point here, though it argumentation) and only purports to be partly hostile figure such as must be said that she does appear quite objective and apolitical (it actually Senapathy to speak. strident at times in this context and succeeds in these enterprises to a ______might have used more measured considerable degree, especially at the It is to the credit of Skeptics in the wording. stage of data testing); etc. Pub that they invited a partly hostile In the same vein as Rowling et al., In addition, Senapathy perhaps figure such as Senapathy to speak. But I former US president Barack Obama needs to be reminded that good hope that less experienced listeners (quoted here) challenged ‘woke’ culture scientists will rigorously test all were not cowed by her exaggerated self- in 2019, arguing that calling people out hypotheses, including both their own confidence and dogmatism. on social media is not a good way of and those proposed by ‘tribally’-minded bringing about change. He said: ‘I get a or indeed any representatives of Rowling, Atwood, Rushdie, sense among certain young people on hitherto oppressed populations; fair Chomsky, Obama, Todd and social media that the way of making treatment must not become ‘politically- many more stand up for change is to be as judgemental as correct’ protection from scrutiny. viewpoint diversity – but others possible about other people’. And even And Senapathy denied the existence think otherwise! if change does arise from behaviour of of non-racist thinking; she holds that all In marked contrast with thinkers such as this kind such change is not necessarily positions are either racist or anti-racist. Senapathy, the authors J.K. Rowling, such as should be welcomed. (It should Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie Apart from marginal matters involving be noted, however, that Obama himself diversity of choice in respect of the and other prominent identities such as once urged in quite strong words that questions to be asked, I cannot see how Noam Chomsky were among 152 criticism of Islam be muted!) this applies to the ‘hard’ sciences, or public figures who in the same month These announcements have been criticised ‘Cancel Culture’, the practice even to my own discipline of (general or challenged by some ‘younger thinkers’ skeptical) historical linguistics. This of seeking to suppress non-’trendy’ claiming that their apparently restrictive discipline relates to linguistic forms viewpoints and regarding them as based practices merely represent attempts at used by human beings and to their on white supremacism, ‘transphobia’ the rectification of past wrongs rather meanings, and its authoritative findings and the like (note 2). than intellectual bullying – but not can be used to debunk racist (or other Rowling was at the time being persuasively arguing that they do not irrational) positions (and indeed it can lambasted for her forthright expression also amount to bullying and the be misused by racists); but per se it has of her own highly non-’trendy’ attitudes suppression of opposing opinions even nothing to do with matters of race. to the question of trans identity. She when these are expressed without slurs One of the most striking of presents herself as non-transphobic but or discriminatory language Senapathy’s several more specific as an advocate of the rights of ‘cis- Others, including some of the well- points which appear at least dubious or women’. This is in part a reaction to known actors in the movies based on overstated involved her attack on claims made by some extreme trans Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter’ series, joined 8

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 in the criticism of Rowling, focusing gender which has generally been provocatively bad choice but it was his especially on her alleged transphobia. understood as referring to an adult male choice and had nothing to do with the But later in 2020 a group of 58 homosexual: arsenokoitēs. The word is game itself; Folau was right, at least on prominent media personalities not found as such in pre-NT Greek; its this particular point (this last, including Ian McEwan, Griff Rhys hostile use by Paul in 1 Corinthians is obviously, from committed Christians Jones, Frances Barber, Tom Stoppard, the earliest known. Etymologically this of certain hues). The Catalans’ British Alexander Armstrong, Ben Miller and word would mean ‘male’ (of any age) + coach stated that Folau was entitled to James Dreyfus signed an open letter in ‘in bed’ (for sex). A word’s etymology his personal choice. It was noted that he Rowling’s support. Her actions have is not the same thing as its current was no by no means the first sportsman evidently divided the thoughtful world. meaning, but if a compound word is to decline to kneel in this context (note Meanwhile, the Oxford academic newly-invented its meaning is 6). Selina Todd had been ‘no-platformed’ obviously likely to be transparent. On Genocide, slavery and by the Oxford International Women’s the other hand, it must be remembered semantics Festival, at which she had been due to that in the Greek world the most In July 2020 the well-known speak, after pressure from trans activists common form of male-male sexual conservative but openly gay and pro- who objected to her ‘offensive’ version activity was ‘paederasty’, a form of LGBT historian David Starkey was of feminist thought and regarded her what would now be deemed widely excoriated as a racist, dismissed and a group to which she belongs as’ paedophilia, practised with or without from his jobs at two universities, transphobic’ (which they deny). In the consent of the ‘passive’ partner deprived of previously-awarded response, Todd decried the increasing (sometimes a willing teenaged lover, honorary degrees, pressured into tendency on the ‘new left’ to refuse to sometimes a slave or a prostitute). resigning from various intellectual engage in civilised debate (note 3). Perhaps this is what is being bodies and disowned by his publishers, For more on this set of issues, see condemned, by Paul himself at any rate after stating that slavery cannot be my review of Michael Shermer’s book (note 4). The ‘Gay Christian’ website, considered genocide because Giving the Devil his Due in the last which clearly has an ‘axe to grind’, ‘otherwise there wouldn’t be so many issue. simply states ‘In ancient usage this damn blacks in Africa or in Britain’ word DID NOT refer to homosexuals’ Israel Folau: the case rumbles (note 7). One of his critics, the historian (their capitalisation) (note 5). on! David Olusoga, remarked: ‘This is truly I refer readers to my piece in The ______disgusting. And by the same ridiculous, Skeptical Intelligencer 23:2 (2020), pp In the Greek world the most twisted logic the Holocaust would not 7-9, about the controversial rugby common form of male-male be counted as a genocide’. Starkey league player and thinker Israel Folau. sexual activity was ‘paederasty’, hurriedly apologised for his choice of Even before the enforced break in a form of what would now be words, but this was seen as ‘too little, the 2020 Super League season, groups too late’. deemed paedophilia, practised of British fans had demonstrated their What is striking about this case is hostility to Folau at matches. When the with or without the consent of the fact that (as a linguist will Catalans played at Hull FC (not the the ‘passive’ partner. immediately notice) Starkey was same club as Hull KR, mentioned in my ______actually correct about the meanings of earlier piece), some LGBT Hull Over the summer, Folau’s contract these words. Firstly, slavery is not by supporters displayed banners with the Catalans was renewed for definition (or even normally) a racist proclaiming that they were not the 2021. The 2020 Super League season institution. Over the millennia many imaginary people who Folau believed resumed on 2/8/20 (no crowds, so no people have ‘owned’ slaves from the were Hell-bound but real people whose spectator activity) at Headingley, same ethnicities as themselves. existence and feelings he must accept. Leeds. As the first part of a double- Secondly, even when ‘owners’ and While their rejection and dislike of header, 2019 champions St Helens beat slaves are of different ethnicities, Folau’s views were wholly the Catalans 34-6. As a star, Folau was slavery is not normally a means to effect understandable, this comment was (successfully) targeted by the Saints. genocide. Indeed, if a population is a incoherent: they are among the people More relevantly, he alone did not kneel good source of slaves it is in the interest who according to Folau are doomed to in honour of ‘Black Lives Matter’, of the ‘owners’ to maintain it. New Hell, and in my view they did their apparently because he holds that one slaves have often been bred from cause no service here. should kneel only to God. There were existing slaves (this obviously became And in the context of Folau’s ideas many comments on Twitter, going all especially important in the American an online debate developed regarding three ways: Folau’s conduct was again South after the C19 abolition of the the meaning of a key New Testament disgraceful and he was unwelcome in slave trade), and even after unsuccessful Greek compound word of masculine the game; Folau perhaps was making a slave-revolts the surviving slaves have 9

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 not always been slaughtered en masse. genocide, at least as far as European also Darren Grimes, a right-leaning If slavery had constituted (largely Jews were concerned. Irving has tried journalist who had interviewed him on effective) genocide, there would indeed to argue that there were so many YouTube. It had been suggested that the be far fewer members of the targeted surviving European Jewish people after two might have committed a ‘public populations today. the defeat of the Nazis that the order offence’. The email notifying Sometimes different slave- Holocaust must have been at most a them of the investigation was sent c/o a populations are deliberately assimilated smaller-scale phenomenon; but a small- think-tank to which they belong; the to each other, for instance where slaves scale or partly unsuccessful attempt at immediate recipients, perhaps from different language backgrounds genocide is still different in kind and understandably, thought at first that it are mixed together and used for differently motivated from an was a hoax. However, after a few days breeding, so as to discourage institution involving slavery. the investigation was put on hold after a conspiracies to revolt. But this practice ______‘backlash’ on social media in support of constitutes genocide only in a derived free speech. The future of the case sense of the word (see below). And, When I played cricket with remains uncertain. when it was applied in the Americas, the Tharoor in Singapore in 1982- During 2020 the comedian, novelist slaves’ general African identity was of 84, he was sometimes heard to and television presenter David Baddiel course retained, albeit in dire suggest that the game was the became embroiled in issues involving circumstances. only genuinely good thing that (a) the expression of certain non- The only way for Starkey’s critics to the British had given to India! ’trendy’ views and (more specifically) justify their strictures about his word- ______(b) the inclusion in the OED of word- use would be to re-define one or both meanings now perceived as offensive, Starkey aroused further opprobrium of the key terms slavery and genocide, such as the use of yid (‘Jew’; the word from Andrew Adonis and others by for instance by urging that suppression itself is widely regarded as offensive) proclaiming the virtues of the British of a culture does count as genocide with the sense ‘supporter of Tottenham Empire (note 8). Adonis focuses upon (even if no-one is actually killed). But Hotspur Football Club’ (regarded as the racist and oppressive policies of the they would struggle to have such ‘the Jews’ team’ but obviously also East India Company, the force behind tendentious linguistic manipulations supported by many non-Jews). See my the initial establishment of British accepted at large (although many recent piece in this forum on the role of India; but the C19-20 British Raj was a supporters of ‘Cancel Culture’ have in dictionaries; more in due course on different institution and clearly did do fact persuaded some people to accept Baddiel. some good (it put down corrupt such changes, broadening the scope of tyrannies, improved transport and D’Cruz on Skeptics on the Fringe terms such as harm and violence and medicine, etc.). On the other hand, On 11/8/20 Carmen D’Cruz, the host of thereby blurring important distinctions). Starkey’s statements do appear one- London Skeptics in the Pub, gave an And their comments would not then sided, to say the least. Shashi Tharoor, online presentation as part of the relate to Starkey’s own intended who was at one time Under-Secretary ‘Skeptics on the Fringe’ series which meaning. General of the United Nations, sets out was in some respects reminiscent of the Starkey clearly can be taken to task a powerful case against the Raj in his online Skeptics in the Pub talk by Kavin for his use of the expletive word damn, 2017 book Inglorious Empire (C. Hurst Senapathy on 2/7/20 and in one specific which suggests derision or even & Co, London). (When I played cricket respect (see below on rationality) went hostility. And the term blacks is now with Tharoor in Singapore in 1982-84, beyond Senapathy’s comments. D’Cruz considered offensive in this context; he was sometimes heard to suggest that did not direct her comments as overtly Starkey had no need to use it and the game was the only genuinely good at contemporary skeptical thought and thereby invite further opprobrium. But thing that the British had given to India! practice as did Senapathy, but her these valid points of criticism do not Of course, one might regard the English choice of audience suggests that she impugn his historical and conceptual language as another valuable gift.) thinks that active skeptics as well as point. The exaggerated attack on Naturally we now deplore all cases others need to attend to such comments. Starkey, including the destruction of his of slavery and of genocide (even if it is In Giving the Devil his Due Michael career, involves loose and inaccurate naïve to expect people to have ‘risen Shermer is concerned to defend semantics; it looks to me like a knee- above’ the attitudes of their times); but modernist thought, including jerk reaction. this does not excuse the fudging of skepticism in ‘our’ sense, against Olusoga’s comment about the meanings, weak argumentation or criticisms of this kind. Shermer sees Holocaust appears especially off-target. unfairness. these criticisms as coming from outside Unless one accepts the worse-than- In October 2020 Starkey’s situation the movement, as of course has usually dubious arguments of Holocaust- appeared to have become even worse: been the case. But (unless we as a deniers such as David Irving, the the police began investigating him and community actually come to be Holocaust clearly was an attempt at 10

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 persuaded by thinkers such as palpable racial discrimination and such If there really are philosophical Senapathy and now D’Cruz) we might can be justified. All skeptics will surely issues with the notion of rationality – regard the apparently growing presence agree with D’Cruz in condemning such including disputes about the status of of these ideas within the movement as actions and any cultures which logical arguments – they should be particularly alarming. encourage them. discussed in the context of skepticism. Like Senapathy, D’Cruz spoke in a ______Of course, such discussion might be didactic tone, apparently with the difficult where some participants regard assumption that her view of the matters The most unsettling specific the very notion of rationality as spurious in question is undeniably correct and feature of D’Cruz’s position as and tendentious or at least as valid only that she is in a position to ‘correct’ and expressed … is her concern to on a personal or group level. I have been ‘help’ others on these issues. avoid any focus on rationality in such discussions, all of which ended Mainstream skeptics have traditionally as a core feature of the in grudging ‘agreements to differ’. The adopted such a tone, if ever, only when skeptical enterprise. philosophical divergence ran too deep. dealing with fringe amateurs displaying ______And I myself do not understand how minimal grasp of the relevant such differences could ever be resolved The most unsettling specific feature disciplines. if appeals to rationality per se are ruled of D’Cruz’s position as expressed on Here, D’Cruz focused upon the out. 11/8/20 is her concern to avoid any offence and distress which can be The baleful effects of the rejection focus on rationality as a core feature of generated by the expression of views of rationality are well illustrated by the the skeptical enterprise. In fact, she which many now consider to be racist. case of ‘Kennewick Man’, ancient urges that the term itself be eschewed. There are obviously parallels involving human remains found in Washington This is reminiscent of the (not sexism and other prejudices. Of course, State in 1996. Over the next twenty altogether unfair but clearly overblown) some people would argue that some years various groups vied to claim postmodernist idea that modernists such ideas do not in fact embody possession of KM, but on the basis of identify thought as rational if it matches prejudice and that those who are traditional Native American tribal their own, not on the basis of genuine dismayed by them are over-reacting. beliefs (often involving spiritual strength of argumentation. D’Cruz But D’Cruz is apparently aligned with notions), fringe partisan claims to urges the foregrounding in skeptical the new tendency to identify racist ancestral Pan-Pacific status discussions of ‘humanistic’ goals, in speech (etc.) in terms of perception (no (Polynesian, etc.), and modern Norse particular those involving emotion and matter how unreasonable) on the part of pagan notions, rather than on rational especially the emotions of those who ‘victims’. If one takes this view, non- grounds. Even when scientific analysis currently may be confronted with prejudiced intent, even when ideas have finally demonstrated that KM was skeptical objections to their ideas (and been carefully considered and are Native American (in 2017), it was not perhaps, in their own minds, with carefully expressed, is no ‘excuse’, these rational findings which were disparagement of key aspects of their especially once one’s attention has been invoked by the Umatilla people who identities). This, in combination with drawn to the feelings of one’s took possession of the body and buried D’Cruz’s general emphasis upon the interlocutors (etc.) – when one should it in accordance with their traditional perceptions of those who consider that supposedly follow D’Cruz’s advice as customs (thus preventing any further they have specifically been the victims to means of apologising and atoning for study). In fact, they stood by the wholly of racism and such, is in danger of such misdeeds and engendering unscientific view that their people sliding into the extreme postmodernist confidence that they will not be (supposedly including KM) had not notion that the beliefs of hitherto repeated. It goes without saying that migrated from the Old World via oppressed groups should be shielded many skeptics, following writers such Beringia and/or along the Alaskan and from rational criticism – and (according as Frank Furedi, Salman Rushdie and Canadian coasts (as is more or less to some) should be regarded as Richard Dawkins, will find D’Cruz’s certainly the case) but had been in the automatically preferable to stance at the very least exaggerated area ‘since the dawn of time’. Their mainstream analyses. This is a here, holding that no-one, of whatever fringe-/maverick-scholar allies, notably viewpoint which upholders of background, has the right to be Vine Deloria, had accused mainstream rationality such as Alan Sokal (note 9) protected from feeling offended by the scholars of hidebound bias, lack of have rightly identified as irrational – expression of sincerely-held opinions. respect for traditional ideas and indeed and also as contradicting the otherwise This is not to say, of course, either racism, allegedly implicated in (near-)relativist thrust of post- that gratuitously or thoughtlessly ‘orthodox’ positions on such matters modernism, rendering incoherent the offending people or making prejudiced (note 10). relevant brands of postmodernist assumptions about them (all of which is D’Cruz listed topics in respect of thought. patently rude or worse) should be which she found weaknesses in regarded as socially acceptable, or that ‘skeptical’ discussion. However, most 11

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 of these topics involved ‘fringe’ denial minorities), we do need to bear all this rationality, clarity of expression, of well-established mainstream in mind. support for free speech and fairness. positions (seriously harmful anthropo- ______Notes genic climate change, etc.), where the 1. For the exchange of views, see term skepticism has been ‘hi-jacked’ by In the coming years ‘modernist’ skeptics may need to stand up https://centerforinquiry.org/reposting/ often less-than-expert non-mainstream (CFI) and Senapathy herself at more prominently in support of thinkers whom skeptics proper would https://tinyurl.com/y63t4lkl and instead label deniers. D’Cruz had little the core features of the https://tinyurl.com/y3pt5ytc. to say about genuine skepticism movement: rationality, clarity On Senapathy as a skeptic and a directed at influential but ill-founded of expression, support for free contributor to the Skeptical Inquirer, non-mainstream ideas. Her treatment of speech and fairness. see for instance: this issue was arguably tendentious and ______https://tinyurl.com/yyvlyuso. perhaps disingenuous. On the other hand, if we really were 2. https://tinyurl.com/yaqv6896. As well as race, D’Cruz referred to to decide that there is no need to classify 3. https://tinyurl.com/u27yjbo. attitudes regarding transgender. As has ourselves by gender/sex, especially in 4. https://tinyurl.com/y2m9c48f and become common, she describes gender binary terms, the physiology of https://tinyurl.com/y3q4zn9l. (Note that as ascribed at birth as ‘assigned’. I have neonates would become largely some correspondents on this thread to say that I find this term misleading in irrelevant. But we need to consider the propose inaccurate etymologies.) context; it suggests that the ascription is huge social consequences of such a 5. https://tinyurl.com/yxoyhf5a. (to a degree at least) arbitrary. But for decision. These would go beyond 6. https://tinyurl.com/y5u22ejw; ‘Israel the vast majority of neonates this is details such as ‘unisex’ public toilets Folau: Catalans Dragons player not simply false; it is clearly determined by (which themselves would not be taking knee was “personal choice” - their physiology. Of course, there must unproblematic, given that most people Steve McNamara’: be rational, ethical and sympathetic are heterosexual and that some are https://tinyurl.com/y3a8nv23. means of dealing with the small sexually undisciplined). They would 7. https://tinyurl.com/y9gm5jpw. percentage of neonates who fall outside presumably include the abolition of Olusoga is cited in this piece. the standard binary classification. And female-only sport, which would imply 8. https://tinyurl.com/yxgt74gw. as we now know there are considerably that very few women indeed could 9. See for example: larger (though still not very large) aspire to be champions (as is familiar, https://tinyurl.com/y2qdoddd. minorities of children who will this issue arises in a ‘trans’ context, but 10. Deloria’s work in this area predates experience feelings of gender dysphoria it would be much more salient if people KM; his best-known book is Red Earth, (some from very young and in most were no longer classified by gender). White Lies: Native Americans and the cases permanently) and will mostly These are very major issues. Myth of Scientific Fact (Fulcrum welcome encouragement and help in There is a very interesting article Publishing, Golden, CO, 1995), which moving to a trans or non-binary gender about the issue of transgender in sport in received strongly-worded skeptical identity. But these children cannot be the 2020 edition of Wisden’s criticism from writers such as John identified at birth. If we consider it Cricketers’ Almanack. Whittaker and Michael Gordin. But he reasonable to classify ourselves by continued to agitate and publish until gender/sex in the first place, and to rear Coda All in all: I suggest that in the coming his death in 2005. children in these terms (not necessarily years ‘modernist’ skeptics may need to in such a way as to impose stereotypes, stand up more prominently in support of certainly not so as to marginalise the core features of the movement:

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

REVIEWS AND COMMENTARIES Shaping Psychology: Perspectives on Legacy, Controversy and the Future of the Field by Tomasz Witkowski. Palgrave Macmillan (Springer Nature: Cham, Switzerland), 2020, pp332 + references. ______

Reviewed by Michael Heap

The author of this book, Tomasz author, maybe a somewhat different conclude that there appears to be Witkowski, is a psychologist and a sample would have emerged, with nothing there to investigate. In her founding member of the Polish Skeptics different interests, opinions and ideas interview she focuses on her later work Club. He is the author of a previous about future trends and requirements. on consciousness and memes. Next we book (note 1) criticising the status of The author acknowledges this in his have Daniel Kahneman, one of the most academic and applied psychology, Introduction, but I think it fair to say influential psychologists of our time, which I reviewed in the Spring 2017 that, overall, the picture that emerges celebrated by skeptics for his work on issue of the Skeptical Intelligencer. from the book is quite representative of cognitive biases. Brian Nozec also Prior to that he co-authored, with his the discipline as a whole. Nevertheless, agreed to participate; in 2013, he co- colleague Maciej Zatonoski, another only four of the contributors are founded the Centre for Open Science account of the numerous failings and women. There is also the predictable and directs its Open Science scandals that have plagued psychology American bias (inevitable if the content Framework, an online service where over the years (note 2). This was is to be representative). scientists can preregister their research reviewed in the Autumn 2015 issue. In ______and other of activities, with a view to the present volume, Witkowski promoting higher standards. Finally, continues the theme in the form of Tomasz Witkowski proves to be there is an interview with the very interviews with experienced and an able interviewer, very prolific science writer and author Carol eminent contributors to the field of knowledgeable and well Tavris. Despite not being a researcher at psychology. Amongst the issues about informed about psychological a university, she ‘figures on a list of the which he is most concerned are the and philosophical matters. 50 greatest living psychologists’. Dr quality, utility and validity of much of Tavris writes about skepticism ______the research being published nowadays; generally and sex-differences and the ‘replication crisis’; the efficacy of Several contributors will be familiar feminism in particular, and she pens the many psychotherapeutic practices that to skeptics. Elizabeth Loftus is amongst Gadfly column for the US Skeptic. psychologists seem willing to embrace; them. Many readers will be familiar It is fair to say that if you are a and the failure of psychologists to with her influential work on the seasoned skeptic you will probably be mount a sufficiently strong challenge to fallibility of memory, notably in familiar with much of the factual their psychiatric colleagues’ fetish for relation to eyewitness testimony and content of the above chapters (though diagnostic labelling. However, the main ‘recovered memories’ of sexual abuse not necessarily the others) but you will content of most of the chapters is a in childhood. Readers will be dismayed be keen to hear the views of these discussion of the interviewee’s personal by the level of personal and professional people concerning the current status of history and contribution to psychology abuse that Professor Loftus has had to academic and applied psychology and over the course of their working lives. endure (believe me, psychotherapists future developments (likely and A total of 15 individuals were are not necessarily the most agreeable, desirable). This is true of all the interviewed. The author first rational, and well-adjusted of people). interviewees and we also hear some approached a larger group (he tells us Another such contributor is the recently interesting accounts of their personal that he ‘placed significant stock on the deceased (and much missed) Scott lives and what drew them to their field 2002 ranking titled “The 100 most Lilienfeld, who was very thorough and of study. A common pattern across eminent psychologists of the 20th prolific in his criticism of the chapters is the confidence and even century”)’ and those interviewed are the psychotherapy industry (but gives due pride shown by each contributor in his ones who agreed to participate. acknowledgement to those therapies or her chosen area of research, often Consequently, the contributors are both that are evidence-based). Then there is coupled with criticism of those who author-selected (with the above our very own Susan Blackmore, known have taken an alternative perspective. assistance) and self-selected, meaning for her early zeal for investigating the This is to be expected, as are the that on another occasion, with another paranormal, only eventually to differing responses to questions about 13

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 what have been the most important background, it gives him or her a very We do indeed live in an age when, contributions of psychology so far and good, up-to-date insight into what is because technology enables us to gather what we should expect or wish for in the happening in academic psychology and and store so much information, this future. Cognitive neuroscience is a applied psychology at the present time. becomes an end in itself without regard common theme when the latter question It is very readable (there is one to how much we need the information is asked. The interviewer also has a list exception, which I shall not name or and how it is to be used to benefit us and of concerns about the present status of comment on here—I’ll leave this to the world in which we live. So I cannot psychology, but the participants vary in readers of the book) and any of the help relating this quotation to the issues the extent to which they share these chapters is worth re-reading and that are addressed in Sharing concerns, some being more sanguine studying in depth. Tomasz Witkowski Psychology (and to research generally, than the interviewer. I should mention proves to be an able interviewer, very education, the media—popular and that amongst the contributors not listed knowledgeable and well informed about academic—the internet, and many other above, but one who will be familiar to psychological and philosophical facets of our lives). many skeptics, is Noam Chomsky, not a matters (I confess to doing the I am very happy to recommend psychologist of course but someone occasional Google search to understand Shaping Psychology to readers of the which has been of great influence in the a point that was being discussed, when Skeptical Intelligencer. field of psycholinguistics (he was a key I really ought to have known about it). Notes figure when I undertook my BSc in ______1. Psychology Led Astray: Cargo Cult Psychology 50 plus years ago). in Science and Therapy. Tomasz Chomsky’s interview is interesting to Where is the wisdom we have Witkowski, Boca Raton, FL: me for his reticence as much as anything lost in knowledge? BrownWalker Press, 2016. else. He was reluctant to be drawn on Where is the knowledge we 2. Psychology Gone Wrong: The Dark some of the controversies raised (with have lost in information? Sides of Science and Therapy. Tomasz the exception of world politics and T.S.Eliot Witkowski & Maciej Zatonoski, Boca capitalism), sometimes remarking that Raton FL: BrownWalker Press, 2015. he was not sufficiently informed to ______3. Coincidentally, I have just acquired a comment. Fair enough, I suppose. More than one of the contributors book that came out 27 years ago entitled Whilst nowadays there is no (e.g. Robert J. Sternberg, who has some States of Mind: Conversations with shortage of interviews of eminent useful things to say about intelligence) Psychological Investigators, edited by people that are easily accessible on the refer to ‘wisdom’ and the need for the late Jonathan Miller and published internet, I think there is still much to be psychology to be informed and directed by the BBC (it is based on a TV series). said for the medium of the written word by this rarely-mentioned human faculty. There are 15 conversations with people for these purposes (note 3). The amount Just recently I was reading a book, one who at that time had achieved some and diversity of the discussion that a chapter of which opened with a eminence in psychology. There is only book provokes is a measure of its quotation from T.S. Eliot’s, poem one woman (Hanna Segal). It will be success and I could certainly write ‘Chorus from the Rocks’: interesting to compare the contents with many pages discussing matters raised Where is the wisdom we have lost in those of Shaping Psychology. by each of the interviewees and my own knowledge? reactions. One thing Shaping Where is the knowledge we have lost Michael Heap is a retired clinical and Psychology does achieve, in my in information? forensic psychologist. opinion, is that whatever the reader’s

Editor’s Announcement ASKE’s Skeptical Intelligencer is widely circulated electronically to skeptical groups and individuals across the globe. Formal and informal articles of interest to skeptics are welcome from people of all disciplines and backgrounds. Details about house style are available from the Editor. We also welcome writers who would like to contribute a regular column - e.g. an ‘On the Fringe’ feature.

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

Seriously Curious: The Economist Explains: the Facts and Figures that Turn your World Upside Down edited by Tom Standage. Profile for The Economist, 2018, pp [9], 262. ISBN: pbk. 9781788161637, e-book 9781782834847. ______Reviewed by Ray Ward

This was intended to be a double review Caribbean, apparently, thieves are inflate the figures, and the Christian- of this book and Uncommon Knowledge stripping beaches bare. dominated south and Muslim- by the same editor, but lockdown meant Only 3% of water is fresh, and, as dominated north split also has an effect. I was unable to finish it, so my review President Kennedy said in 1961, if we The news that the sperm-bank of that book alone was published in the could get fresh water from salt water business is booming inspires some Summer 2020 issue of the Skeptical cheaply it would dwarf any other heavy humour: it has penetrated the Intelligencer. Like that book it is a scientific achievement. ranks of big business, the flow hasn’t miscellany of brief pieces on many The product most smuggled across kept up with demand.... More seriously, subjects, having sections on unexpected the Sahara (by weight) is - pasta! - very there are concerns about the morality of explanations to stretch the mind, cheap in north Africa, but fetching trading sex cells (or any bodily tissue) peculiar proclivities from around the higher prices further south. like any other product, and the need for world, love, sex and marriage, oddities New Zealand’s image as a quiet testing for disease. But morally-driven of food and drink, ‘economical, with the country is somewhat undermined by its policies on such matters are truth’, science, health and the having one of the highest gang discriminatory and, in the age of e- environment, getting technical, sport membership rates in the world. shopping, ineffective. Shortages and and leisure, words and wisdom and ______higher prices may be driving customers festivals and holidays demystified, from to other sources, including a very dodgy The Economist’s output of explainers The 20 most fragile states are international grey market. and daily charts. Like the other book it all somewhat or very When, on 13 January 2018, has about 120 very varied items and it polygamous. Why? Hawaiians were told a ballistic missile would be impossible to comment on all, ______was on its way visits to Pornhub so I will again confine myself to those I Of particular interest to ASKE is the plummeted - then rose to 48% above found remarkable. depressing news that exorcism is normal when it was revealed to be a Polygamy, we are told, makes civil booming in France. As with false alarm! wars more likely. Wherever it is widely homeopathy, astrology, etc., any Harvey Weinstein, #Me Too and all practised, turmoil tends to follow; the supposed benefit follows from that was the tip of a very big iceberg, but 20 most fragile states are all somewhat customers’ prior belief. opinions on acceptable male behaviour or very polygamous. Why? Rich men There is irony in the fact that east vary greatly by age, sex and nationality. take multiple wives, and if the top 10% Africa’s strongest democracy is the Britain and Sweden are rated the least marry four women each, the bottom internationally unrecognised Somali- homophobic countries (45 of the 650 30% cannot marry at all, often leaving land. MPs elected in June 2017 were openly them sexually frustrated and socially Young Britons are committing less gay or bisexual, which, certainly to marginalised: in some societies a man is crime - but it’s rather sad that one of the someone of my age, shows how much not considered adult until he has main reasons is greater security, burglar things have changed) - and the second married and sired children. Unrest often alarms, central locking etc. making most publicly gay region after London follows. stealing cars trickier, and better and is rustic Devon! But, while Ireland has If you were asked what is the most smarter policing, rather than a reduction gone from having few openly gay mined mineral, I doubt you would say in actual criminal tendencies! figures to legalising same-sex marriage sand, but it is: modern cities are built I was once asked in a quiz which and an openly gay prime minister, with, and often on, it, its use being African country has the largest attitudes to same-sex relationships vary mostly in concrete and asphalt. But, population, and of course knew it was greatly around the world. improbably, there is a shortage: desert Nigeria. That is undoubtedly true, but Whatever else may be said about sand is too smooth, and Dubai’s Burj this book tells us that nobody knows fracking, it appears to boost fertility, at Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world how many Nigerians there are. any rate in America, where the boom and surrounded by sand, was built with Parliamentary seats and government boosted job opportunities for less- sand from - Australia! Beach sand is money are handed out to states based on educated men, and better economic better, and in Morocco and the population, giving an incentive to 15

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 prospects, it seems, mean higher occupations and industries paying lower The book assesses the possibility of fertility. remuneration overall. In the same roles building a space elevator, as envisaged The other book discussed child at the same employers women earn 98% by Arthur C. Clarke (whom I met marriage in Africa, but perhaps the most of the wages of men. several times) in his novel The astonishing - and disturbing - item in Wealth inequality is not new: it has Fountains of Paradise (1979). Since this one is the revelation that it is still been increasing since the Stone Age. geostationary satellites appear to hover quite common in America: 27 states A point of particular relevance at the over a fixed spot on the Earth’s surface, have no minimum age, and 207,000 time of writing: some diseases are hard a permanent link is indeed feasible, but minors were married in 2000-2015, of to eradicate! there are many problems: weather, whom 985 were 14 and ten were just 12. ______oscillations, collisions with orbiting Some forms of food packaging can objects and, above all, finding a be good for the environment. A third of (Child marriage) is still quite material capable of supporting its own food is wasted, causing greenhouse gas common in America: 27 states weight over the vast distances required. emissions, but extending the life of food have no minimum age, and The space elevator may come, but not with vacuum packaging reduces the 207,000 minors were married in for a quite a while. harm. Making packaging does indeed 2000-2015, of whom 985 were And the estimate by a firm that 60% produce emissions, but they are less 14 and ten were just 12. of e-mail is spam is belied by my inbox! than those associated with food waste. ______Like the other book, there is far Ready for another astounding more to this one than I could possibly I recall reading, some time ago, that revelation? “[T]he simplest way to comment on, and it too makes Tokyo had more telephones than Africa. become extremely rich is by being born interesting reading, helped by a good So far as landlines are concerned that to rich parents”! index. may still be true, but, this book tells us, Women earn less than men, not mobiles have become commonplace, Ray Ward is a Chartered Librarian, has because they are paid less than men for being more common than electricity in a degree in Politics, is retired after a the same work, but because women some places. Africa, it seems, has career in library work, and is a Fellow outnumber men in lower-paid jobs such jumped over the landline era straight to of the British Interplanetary Society and as secretarial and administrative roles, the mobile age. a member of Mensa and many other while men predominate in senior bodies. positions, and women also cluster in

______ANNOUNCEMENTS OF INTEREST

SKEPTICISM, SCIENCE epidemiologist and director of the Patrick Vermeren Centre for the AIDS Programme of AND RATIONALITY Patrick Vermeren is author of A Research in South Africa, in recognition Skeptic’s HR Dictionary: The Ultimate (GENERAL) of their exceptional communication of Self-Defense Guide for CEOs, HR Sense About Science the complex and rapidly evolving Professionals, I/O Students and Keep visiting the Sense About Science science behind the COVID-19 Employees. He was recently website for new developments: pandemic. The judges awarded a further interviewed by the Skeptical Inquirer— http://www.senseaboutscience.org/ prize for communicating sound science see the write-up ‘Patrick Vermeren and Good Thinking at an early career stage to Anne Abbott, his Fight against Woo’ ‘Patrick Make sure that you are on Good an Australian neurologist who Vermeren is a Belgian skeptic, science Thinking’s Newsletter email list: persistently challenged the established writer, and expert in human resources. http://goodthinkingsociety.org/ treatment for carotid artery disease, Along with his coauthor Bart Van de with new evidence that showed the Ven, he was sued by a multimillionaire John Maddox Prize potential to avoid unnecessary surgical for a skeptical article about the ‘The 2020 John Maddox Prize was procedures. You can see the winners’ multimillionaire’s claims about human awarded to Anthony Fauci, Director of reactions and comments here:’ resources (HR) and an analysis of his the National Institute of Allergy and https://tinyurl.com/y6uuhys8 modus operandi.’ Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and Salim https://tinyurl.com/y7mjtw83 S. Abdool Karim, an infectious diseases 16

Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

Science communication 94% of whom received payments from chloroquine, with or without ‘Five rules for evidence device manufacturers. Patients were azithromycin, for COVID-19. communication: Avoid unwarranted substantially more likely to receive ‘The meta-analysis included 11 932 certainty, neat narratives and partisan devices made by the manufacturer that participants treated with hydroxy- presentation; strive to inform, not provided the highest total payment to chloroquine, 8081 with hydroxy- persuade. From Nature. the physician who performed an ICD chloroquine and azithromycin, and https://tinyurl.com/y39bplwj implant than each other individual 12 930 patients in a control group. manufacturer (absolute differences in Hydroxychloroquine was not Anomalistic psychology proportional use from the expected significantly associated with mortality: For those of you who were unable to prevalence range, 14.5%-30.6%).’ pooled relative risk (RR) was 0·83 register for Chris French’s talk to the https://tinyurl.com/y6lt2j8j (95% CI 0·65–1·06) across all 17 Society for Psychical Research, here’s a studies and 1·09 (0·97–1·24) across message from the man himself: Charity Commission three randomised controlled trials. ‘If you wanted to see it but could not The Charity Commission was Hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin get a ticket, here is the link to the video established to ‘register and regulate was associated with increased mortality recording: charities in England and Wales, to (RR 1·27, 95% CI 1·04–1·54; seven https://vimeo.com/483096281. ensure that the public can support studies).’ Read more on this at: ‘I’m afraid that this is available for charities with confidence’. How well is https://tinyurl.com/y4nozzje SPR Members (to view only) without it doing its job? Read the blog ‘Selective charge and to non-members, on request, Regulation’ by Les Rose at: ‘Eat, Pray, Conspiracy: How the for a charge of £5. If you think it’s https://tinyurl.com/yxm7q4hc Wellness World Embraced QAnon: The first sign for Hala Khouri that worth forking out, you need to contact Stem cell therapy something dangerous, if not exactly Peter Johnson at the SPR to arrange ‘Despite a lack of evidence, Duke new, was spreading in her world of payment and get the password: University is all-in on stem cells for health practitioners was Plandemic, a [email protected].’ autism, thanks to a billionaire viral video filled with misinformation Details of the talk are as follows: benefactor and a highly dodgy for-profit and conspiracy theories about the ‘Following my retirement in October Panama stem cell clinic. How did this spread of covid-19. Friends and this year, I will be reflecting on the work come to be and what will be the acquaintances, all people that Khouri, a of the Anomalistic Psychology outcome? Whatever the answers to yoga instructor and founder of the Research Unit, founded in the year these questions, it is clear that activist collective Off the Mat Into the 2000. My talk will describe the reasons arrangements like the one between World, described as fellow spiritual for founding the Unit and give some Duke University and The Stem Cell travelers, shared the viral 26-minute examples of its work, as well as Institute are the dark(er) side of video with her and urged her to watch. considering the future prospects for quackademic medicine.’ They believed that Plandemic was full anomalistic psychology and para- https://tinyurl.com/y5ewj3zd psychology.’ of revealing truths….’ Covid-19 https://tinyurl.com/yxmy35nz ‘The more certain someone is about MEDICINE Chiropractic covid-19, the less you should trust them. (See also ‘Medicine on the Fringe’) ‘It’s all about the cracking noise: the … we are thinking of the many rational The Nightingale Collaboration unlikely cult of the online chiropractor’. people with scientific credentials Keep visiting the Nightingale ‘In an age of back pain, chiropractors making assertive public pronounce- Collaboration website. If you have not are the new social media influencers. ments on covid-19 who seem to suggest already done so, why not sign up for But why do so many people want to there can be no legitimate grounds for free delivery of their electronic watch them? And is the rise about more disagreeing with them.’ BMJ article at: newsletter? than an interest in good spine health?’ https://tinyurl.com/yxt98h54 http://www.nightingale- https://tinyurl.com/y4eeglns And: ‘We read with interest the article collaboration.org/ by Estella Ektorp, which describes the ‘Brain Tonic’ Medical devices death threats received by Marcus ‘A woman who sold a “brain tonic” ‘In this cross-sectional study using data Lacerda following a trial on online, claiming it could “reverse from 2016 through 2018, 145 900 chloroquine for COVID-19 in Brazil.1 Alzheimer’s” has been found guilty of patients received an ICD (implantable We give Lacerda our full support and falsely claiming it could cure illness. cardioverter defibrillator) or CRT-D herein report our experience in France Genevieve Flight, 43, claimed it could (cardiac resynchronization therapy and Switzerland following publication also treat other diseases including defibrillator) by 4435 physicians using of a meta-analysis2 on hydroxy- cancer, Gloucester Crown Court heard. devices from 4 device manufacturers, Flight, formerly of Gloucester, was

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020 found guilty by jury of a total of 12 hear this complaint at a full disciplinary conspiracy theories and how easy it is to charges related to misleading practice.’ hearing. We urge the BPS to investigate manipulate images through editing, in https://tinyurl.com/yayuaybp this complaint afresh. We also support order to prove anything.’ In French with calls for the establishment of an English subtitles (8+ minutes). PSYCHOLOGY AND independent National Research https://vimeo.com/482278265 PSYCHIATRY Integrity Ombudsperson to deal more Misinformation effectively with allegations of research Hans J. Eysenck ‘We often think of misinformation as a misconduct.’ ‘Research misconduct complaints and modern problem. But its roots go back https://tinyurl.com/y3os2yjr institutional logics: The case of Hans thousands of years. In this episode we Also see the 2019 paper by David Eysenck and the British Psychological explore the history of false information Marks ‘The Hans Eysenck affair: Time Society’: Russell Craig, Anthony and track how it has developed into the to correct the scientific record’ at: Pelosi, Dennis Tourish, October 28, ‘fake news’ climate we see today.’ https://tinyurl.com/y3trs4a3 2020. Podcast at: ‘A formal complaint was lodged Conspiracy theories https://tinyurl.com/yx9xaddr with the British Psychological Society And misinformation in 1995 that alleged serious scientific RELIGION AND CULTS misconduct by Hans J Eysenck. The (See also Covid-19 under MEDICINE Intelligent design complaint referred to research into the and ‘From the ASKE Chair’.) ‘Brazil’s government throw their links between personality traits and the General weight behind Creationism and causes, prevention and treatment of ‘Catspiracy: Recette pour une théorie Intelligent Design.’ cancer and heart disease. Using a du complot: This is a fake conspiracy https://tinyurl.com/y5u2sreu framework of institutional logics, we video I’ve made with high school criticise the Society’s decision not to students during a workshop about ______UPCOMING EVENTS

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic should made of Skeptics in the Pub Conway Hall is likewise hosting a there are no upcoming live meetings to Online, which currently has an excellent programme of online presentations that be announced here. However, currently programme of online talks on Thursday often have a skeptical flavour: the internet is awash with streamed evenings. See: https://tinyurl.com/y7dmgktl events and podcasts of interest and https://www.facebook.com/Skepticsint importance to skeptics. Special mention hepubonline/

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LOGIC AND INTUITION: ANSWERS

Another coin-tossing game in 4 chance. Therefore, your opponent The stupid girl First note that once T has been tossed has a 3 in 4 chance of winning unless, The ‘stupid girl’ replies that as soon as your opponent (TH) must win—you regardless of the outcome of the first the day comes when she chooses the 2 (HH) cannot then win, since you need toss, from the second toss onwards T is pound coin, the woman will stop the first of your two Hs. Hence you only always tossed. In that case neither of offering her any more money. win when the first two tosses are H, a 1 you wins, but this is highly unlikely.

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Winter 2020

About ASKE Founded in 1997, ASKE is an association of people from all walks of life who wish to promote rational thinking and enquiry, particularly concerning unusual phenomena, and who are opposed to the proliferation and misuse of irrational and unscientific ideas and practices. This is our quarterly magazine and newsletter. To find out more, visit our website (address below). If you share our ideas and concerns why not join ASKE for just £10 a year? You can subscribe on our website or email: [email protected]

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