THE SKEPTICAL INTELLIGENCER

The Quarterly Magazine of ASKE THE ASSOCIATION FOR SKEPTICAL ENQUIRY Vol 24, 2021, Number 2 (Summer)

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 6 Logic and Intuition 4 Of Interest 12 The European Scene 5 Upcoming Events 17 Medicine on the Fringe 5 About ASKE 18

Contributed articles Past Lives and Xenoglossia Michael Heap & Mark Newbrook 7 Reviews Why Rebel? A Politics of Kindness Mark Newbrook 10

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.

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021

FROM THE ASKE CHAIR Michael Heap

The mainstream and the devoted many years of meticulous limit to the number of people— maverick research to this phenomenon, during scientists and non-scientists alike— Back in the early 1980s I attended a talk which time he and his co-workers elbowing their way to the front of the by a gentleman who believed in the interviewed numerous claimants, stage to contest the findings and reality of telepathic communication. He including children in different parts of opinions of those who, unlike first announced that there was the world. The unit that he established themselves, spend their lives studying indisputable evidence that telepathy is a at the University of Virginia is still the relevant evidence and testing their fact of life and presented an uncritical functioning. Yet he is still often theories and predictions. But review of this evidence, almost entirely described as ‘a maverick’ and his distinguishing the expert from the non- anecdotal. He then outlined his theory findings are not taken seriously by most expert is not always clear-cut. of why telepathy is possible: we each mainstream scientists, in particular As with the case of Fred Hoyle and have an unconscious mind (which for psychologists and psychiatrists. his steady state theory, you are unlikely men he called George and for women, ______to lose any money betting that the maverick expert or non-expert will go to Georgina) and, by some medium as yet The maverick expert or non- unknown to science, information can be their grave still insisting they were right communicated between each George expert will go to their grave still when all the evidence has shown and/or Georgina. He believed that this insisting they were right when otherwise. was the basis of spiritualism, rather than all the evidence has shown Expert opinion on sightings of UFOs communication with the deceased. As otherwise. and big cats far as I recall, the audience (which ______Related to the above are news reports clearly included members of the public Actually, ‘the maverick expert’ (or concerning common sightings of two already sympathetic to his message) ‘scientist’) is a fuzzy concept. There are anomalous phenomena, namely UFOs showed the speaker polite respect plenty of examples of experts who are, and the appearance of big cats, such as throughout both his talk and question or were, considered to be mavericks in pumas and lynxes, in places where they time. I include myself here, being a late their day because they promoted ideas are not meant to be. At the time of developer so far as my critical faculties and theories in their own speciality that writing, the world is eagerly awaiting were concerned. were considered highly implausible by the publication of a US congressional The venue of the lecture was the their mainstream colleagues. Some such report on UFOs, or ‘unexplained aerial University of Kent and the speaker was ‘mavericks’ are occasionally vindi- phenomena’ (UAPs), featuring the a Professor of Electronics (or Electrical cated, but most are not (‘They all opinions of top intelligence and military Engineering or similar). Aha! I hear you laughed at Newton/ Darwin/ Einstein/ officials (see ‘Of Interest’ on UFOs in say knowingly: the phenomenon of ‘the …. didn’t they?’ is a common defence this issue). In 2020, the US Department maverick expert’, the highly qualified for any whacky idea). There are also of Defence declassified three videos of individual who challenges the scientists who create ructions both UAPs. In May, the influential CBS consensus of the specialists, often on within and outside their discipline. One television programme ‘60 Minutes’ matters outside his or her (note 1) area such character (note 2) was the presented an alarming account of of expertise. Readers of Mark astronomer Fred Hoyle, a stereotypical, regular sightings of UAPs by the Newbrook’s contributions to the thumbs-in-braces Yorkshireman (check military (note 4). Most people in Intelligencer will be familiar with this if you’re still allowed to say this—Ed.) positions of authority have never taken phenomenon (also, ‘the maverick who was notorious not only for his seriously the idea that these are extra- scholar’). hostility to the Big Bang Theory (a term terrestrial spacecraft, but just at the Mark has drawn on his expert he himself coined), favouring the moment, informed and influential knowledge of linguistics to contribute discredited steady state theory, but also voices have been challenging the to an article in this issue of the for his alternative theories of the consensus (note 5). Intelligencer on claims of evolution of the earliest forms of life, Big cat sightings in the UK (mainly reincarnation—i.e. reports by people the causes of viral epidemics, and the lynxes, pumas and leopards) have been who sincerely recall having had a origin of petroleum. reported in the media on a regular basis previous existence. Reference is a made Often, the maverick expert turns out for decades. Google this topic at any in the article to a prominent scientist in to have no expertise in any scientific time and you can guarantee you’ll find this field, the late psychiatrist Professor discipline at all. Climate change and the recent reports in the newspapers from Ian Stevenson. Professor Stevenson COVID-19 pandemic have seen no all over the country. Animal experts are 2

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 skeptical that these are sightings of the diversion, the implicit message being Professor Stevenson certainly took real thing, but there are dissenters, they are not meant to be taken seriously. his beliefs in past lives seriously, and including Rhoda Watkins (note 6) who For, in reality, they aren’t. even considered that some of a person’s has long experience tracking wildlife in One test of how seriously they are physical and psychological charact- different parts of the world and taken is what action is adopted by the eristics could be ‘inherited’ from their considers that there is definite evidence powers that be. If, for example, animal previous incarnation, thus providing, in of large breeding populations of experts genuinely considered that that addition to environment and genetics, a leopards and pumas across the UK (note there may be dangerous animals third factor contributing to interpersonal 7). marauding the landscape wouldn’t the differences. Needless to say, I have never ______appropriate authorities be expressing come across any mention of this in concern about public safety and taking academic and clinical psychology and One test of how seriously they measures to warn and protect people? psychiatry. As for the forensic domain— are taken is what action is There appears to be very little of this I leave the possible applications of taken by the powers that be. (though most recently the MP for Professor Stevenson’s claim to your ______Delyn, Rob Roberts, following a spate imagination. I recently learned that Australia has of reports in North Wales, has written to Notes its own history of big cat sightings. the Welsh Environment Minister Lesley 1. Nearly all the ones that come to my Recently ‘a panther’ was reported to be Griffiths expressing concern and it has mind are men. roaming in Mitta Valley in Victoria been announced that the Welsh 2. These people are often called (Note 8). As in the UK, there have been Government is to carry out an ‘contrarians’. Google ‘the psychology hundreds of such sightings reported in investigation [note 9]). Or how about of the contrarian’ for further study. this location over the years but a 2012 public reactions to proposals to rewild 3. https://tinyurl.com/sw2h7vjc study by the Victorian government parts of the countryside by, amongst 4. https://tinyurl.com/m9crdcdd found that it was almost certainly feral other things, introducing big cats such 5. In this connection, a noted maverick domestic cats that were being spotted. as lynx, a move that has delighted some in the past was the psychiatrist John Not taking it seriously but alarmed others such as farmers Mack, famous for taking seriously the The reality is that the discourse anxious about the threat to their idea of abduction by extra-terrestrials. concerning these claims and others like livestock. Surely if the authorities, not 6. https://www.rhodawatkins.com/ them, which if they were true would have to mention farmers, took seriously the 7. https://tinyurl.com/jwrnphmw far-reaching consequences for our lives hundreds of sightings of these creatures, 8. https://tinyurl.com/e285u2fz and our understanding of the world, their message would be ‘Don’t bother, 9. https://tinyurl.com/287x7r5z shows no inclination to move forward, they’re already here!’ And, likewise, 10. In fairness, the congessional report but rather around. Year after year, decade surely if experts in high places at least on UFOs, which came out since writing after decade, the same stories are told, accepted as a real possibility the this article, does not dismiss outright the rarely, if ever, fading way, yet showing presence of spacecraft from alien idea that some UFOs (UAPs) are no evidence of significant progress, worlds, wouldn’t sightings of them extraterrestrial in origin—see: breakthroughs or resolution. Contrast make headline news, a statement from https://tinyurl.com/uxrtabh4. science. Perhaps we need these stories in our leaders, and the placing of our the same way we need entertainment and defence systems on some kind of alert? (note 10).

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021

LOGIC AND INTUITION

Which medicine? Uninteresting numbers and a uninteresting then we could The puzzle in the Spring issue of the completely useless piece of immediately remove the lowest one Intelligencer provoked some interesting information from the set, since this is interesting correspondence from a reader and his When I first saw this next puzzle I was because it is the lowest uninteresting statistician colleague, challenging the reminded of something a mathematician number. From the remaining set we solution that was given and the wrote in a book that I read many years again choose the lowest number for the reasoning behind it. Recall the puzzle: ago. The book was all about same reason, and so on and on. ‘Two medicines have been mathematically ‘interesting’ numbers I’m not a logician, but it seems to me developed, A and B, but they have not (integers) starting from 1 and working that once you’ve identified and so far been tested. A was administered upwards to an extremely high number. removed the lowest uninteresting to 3 patients, and all survived. B was Of course, the author didn’t include all number from the set of all uninteresting administered to 8 patients of whom 7 the numbers in between but he said that numbers, you can’t then identify survived. Should you unfortunately you could find something interesting another number as the lowest contract the disease, which medicine about every number: there are no uninteresting number. There can’t be would you choose?’ numbers that are of no mathematical more than one of them! The answer (which I have now interest whatsoever. He presented a The answer to the ‘useless discovered in the puzzle’s online logical argument for making this information’ puzzle is of course that any source) compared the performance of assertion, but to be honest I wasn’t information that wins the prize must, by each medicine with that expected by convinced. What was his argument? that fact alone, be useful. chance and concluded that medicine B Before you think about this, there may A mathematical trick was, on the basis of the very limited be a clue to the answer in the next Impress your friends with this evidence, much more effective than A. puzzle. mathematical trick. Tell them to type However, from the correspondence it A man once offered a prize of three digits into their calculator and appears that the solution requires a £10,000 to anyone who could provide multiple this number by 91. Now ask Bayesian comparison of the two him with a piece of information that was them for the last three digits displayed medicines. By this method the entirely useless. Soon afterwards he on their calculator. You then tell them conclusion is the same but not so withdrew the offer. Why? their original three-digit number. dramatically in favour of medicine B. This answer is not too difficult to Here’s what you do. Multiply by 11 It does require a high level of fathom but the author’s answer to the the three-digit number they give you statistical expertise to understand this, puzzle about uninteresting numbers is and announce the last three digits of the so many thanks to our reader and his less easy to discern and, as I say, I think the result. If you can do this in your colleague for their attention to this. it is flawed. The mathematician head all the better. (One quick way is to reasoned as follows: If there is a set of put 0 on the end of this three-digit numbers that are completely number and add the number this.)

ASKE MEMBERS ANNOUNCEMENTS All members of ASKE are welcome to make anouncements, post requests, and advertise their services in the Skeptical Intelligencer and on the ASKE website free of any charge. ----0---- Steve Dulson is a longstanding member of ASKE and contributor to the Skeptical Intelligencer. He says, ‘I can currently be best described as a Freelance Proofreader. I usually work on a price per 1000 words, because of the types of articles I usually receive, but would love to negotiate for larger manuscripts (such as a book). Being able to focus on a more substantial work, with a much smaller translation element to it, would be an absolute joy.’

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021

The EUROPEAN SCENE

European Council for Skeptics Utrecht and from 1960 to 1986 was a The pharmaceutical industry in Organisations professor at Utrecht University. In Europe Address: Arheilger Weg 11, 64380 1981, he became a founding member of The online journal Health Policy has Roßdorf, Germany the World Cultural Council. He was a recently published a paper entitled Website: http://www.ecso.org/ (which fellow of the Committee for Skeptical ‘Pharmaceutical industry self- has an email contact facility) Inquiry and the first chairman of the regulation and non-transparency: Facebook: Dutch skeptical society, Stichting country and company level analysis of https://www.facebook.com/skeptics.eu/ Skepsis, from 1987 to 1998. He was payments to healthcare professionals in ECSO also has a Twitter handle, also the first chairman of the European seven European countries’. This paper @SkepticsEurope. Council of Skeptical Organisations analyses a new European database of from 1994 to 2001. The ECSO website now has a drug industry payments to healthcare professionals and describes itself as the comprehensive calendar of skeptical The ESP - European Skeptics ‘first international comparison of self- events taking place across Europe, Podcast replicated at the ESP website (below). regulation and payment transparency with company-level data’. It reports that there are significant differences Death of Eminent Astronomer and Skeptic Building a bridge for skeptics between countries and between The death has been announced of http://theesp.eu/ companies in payment transparency and Professor Cornelis (‘Kees’) de Jager Find out what is happening on the a general lack of payment transparency shortly following his 100th birthday. skeptical scene throughout Europe by associated with self-regulation. It Professor de Jager was a Dutch visiting this site. The latest podcast recommends that Europe should move astronomer who specialized in (July 2nd), as usual, covers a multitude towards obligatory disclosure of predicting solar variation to assess the of diverse topics. Also check the Events payments in a public database. Sun’s impact on future climate. He was Calendar for Europe at: https://tinyurl.com/2ntr6zmr a former director of the observatory at https://theesp.eu/events_in_europe

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Medicine on the fringe

As a rule, we are inclined to feel appear to be based on a rational and The father believed that chemotherapy uncomfortable in a world where, in unprejudiced consideration of the was not the only way to treat his significant numbers, other people do not available evidence. On the other hand, it daughter and there were many share our ways of thinking, our values, is evident that stable and healthy alternative treatments he wanted to try and our beliefs about life. Accordingly, societies tend to be those that accept and in order to avoid her suffering we try to change the world (or wish the tolerate a wide range of beliefs and chemotherapy side-effects. The Court world would change) in ways that activities amongst the populace, even ruled that there was no evidence that would ease our discomfort. When we do those that fall into the above category. any of these alternative therapies would so, we need to be careful that we are Hence there is often much debate about benefit the child, who would very likely motivated by our sincere belief that the when and where lines must be drawn die within weeks if she did not receive world itself will thereby be a better and and freedoms curtailed. the prescribed evidence-based treat- safer place in general and not merely a It was reported recently (note 1) that ment. more comfortable place for ourselves. the father of an 11-year-old girl with Where is the line to be drawn? Some Those of us who self-identify as leukaemia lost his appeal in the High people believe that parents should be skeptics are part of a larger population Court to allow his daughter to receive free to decide what treatment, if any, who feel uncomfortable in a world ‘natural therapies’ such as homeopathy their children should be given when where the beliefs, opinions, decisions and ozone gas, rather than conventional they are ill (e.g. rejection of blood and actions of many people do not chemotherapy and antibody treatment. transfusion by certain religious groups)

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 or to prevent them becoming ill (e.g. My own view is that strictly confining orthodox medical practitioners and rejection of vaccination). These our National Health Service to the allied professionals, they are not shy of decisions are often based on lack of administration of conventional, scient- questioning and criticising mainstream information, misinformation and ifically-based medicine and ‘alternative ideas and procedures. misguided thinking (e.g. the father who remedies’ to the private sector might A glance at their recent Spring 2021 refused MMR vaccination for his two potentiate any hypothetical beneficial Newsletter (note 2) bears this out. The children as he didn’t want to ‘put them role of the latter. For one thing, the ‘News in Brief’ section contains a wide at risk’; likewise some people’s attitude person who opts for alternative range of critical commentaries on topics to COVID vaccination). It’s annoying medicine is taking some responsibility almost exclusive to mainstream and frustrating to us when people think for their treatment, which in itself is not practice. There is also a review of and act in clearly irrational and a bad thing (‘These pills the doctor has evidence for the health benefits of irresponsible ways, especially under the given me are useless—I’m going to try consuming fermented food, with a influence of others similarly inclined. homeopathy/ acupuncture/ herbal skeptical conclusion concerning recent But there’s more to it in the above case: medicine/ etc.’). I’m not happy about interest in their value for COVID-19 a child’s life hangs in the balance. No this, but shouldn’t I ask myself how patients. A feature on the over- child should be deprived of potentially much my wishing things were different prescribing of antidepressants follows, life-saving treatment for the wrong is to do with my need to alleviate my which informs us that ‘They are reasons; for comparison, we would not discomfort rather than my concern for prescribed for about 12% of the allow a parent to send their 6-year-old the suffering of others? population in both the UK and the US’ child alone to the shops across a busy ______and ‘In England the number of main road. antidepressant prescriptions doubled So how do we decide where to draw Perhaps the proliferation of between 2008 and 2018 despite the fact the line? I feel that we skeptics can ‘alternative remedies’ in our that the pills are now off patent’. Then sometimes become too aggressive and society is telling us that it they we have an article, the contents of over-involved in our campaigns and do play some kind of beneficial which surely justify its title ‘Error and protestations against irrational and role. Fraud: The Dark Side of Biomedical unscientific or pseudoscientific claims ______Research’. The final contribution is a and practices. This is my reaction when, Something that can help me address rejoinder to an existing scientific paper for instance, I read accounts of surveys this question is to consider whether my questioning the efficacy of the bemoaning the fact that many people concern with alternative medicine is in orthodontic practice of fitting children still believe in astrology and proportion to how I feel about with braces. (The author defends this spiritualism, or the existence of ghosts shortcomings and dubious, not to say with evidence from his own practice). and extraterrestrial visitors, or the scandalous, practices in mainstream Compare all of this, and much more, biblical story of creation. I would be medicine. Shouldn’t the skeptical with how the Alice-in-Wonderland happier if this were not so, but I should community—let alone little me—be alternative medical industry conducts try not think any the less of people who spending more time and energy on the itself, whereby everyone wins and all hold such beliefs and perhaps even latter, rather than the low-hanging, but must have prizes—’the Dodo verdict’. celebrate the fact that we live in a less consequential fruit offered by So let’s keep insisting that the public society in which such diversity of ideas alternative therapists? What about the remain aware that alternative medicines and is able to flourish. over-prescription of antibiotics, anti- having no scientific basis and are no Dare I say the same about depressants and painkillers (including better than placebos, and that it is not alternative medicine? For sure, it’s the ‘opioid crisis’); the egregious appropriate that they are funded by our largely based on magical thinking and practices of pharmaceutical companies; NHS. But let us also be mindful of the has little effect beyond placebo. But the and the questionable reliability and much more serious problems with placebo value of any treatment is not to utility of much medical research? mainstream medicine, such as be ignored. Perhaps the proliferation of In fact, it is gratifying that there are overprescribing, unnecessary testing ‘alternative remedies’ in our society is individuals and organisations, well- and treatment, research fraud and telling us that it they do play some kind respected by skeptics, who have risen to malpractice, and expensive and of beneficial role and we should ease up this challenge without neglecting the questionable ancillary procedures—the a little on our efforts to have them iniquities of quack medicine. The so-called ‘add-ons’. outlawed altogether (if this were campaigning charity HealthWatch-UK Notes possible anyway) which may have is worthy of mention in this respect. 1. https://tinyurl.com/9jv78sfc unpredictable negative consequences. Despite being an organisation of 2. https://tinyurl.com/3x6r25yw

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Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021

language on the fringe

Mark Newbrook

Invisible linguists written). As I have remarked before, the eccentric philosopher Emanuel Last time I discussed various cases definition of the notion of ‘language’ Swedenborg (1688-1772) by the where literature scholars and others, used by linguists involves the presence modern scholar Gary Lachman [note 1]. seemingly untutored in linguistics, have of the key features of double- (Lachman is well known for his work on presumed to comment as if articulation, syntax, etc – none of which Russian occultism and even better authoritatively on potentially empirical are found in any known variety of non- known as a founding member of the aspects of language which lie within the human animal communication or hugely successful rock band Blondie.) domain of linguistics. I have recently indeed in ‘paralinguistic’ human Swedenborg proclaimed a doctrine of come upon a number of other behaviour such as ‘body language’. ‘correspondences’ between entities on pronouncements of this kind. For Most non-linguists are not consciously different planes of existence, for instance, on 24/1/21 there was an online aware of double-articulation, know example on the spiritual and the natural session associated with Conway Hall in little about syntax, etc.; when they planes of the mind; this facilitates, as London called ‘The Words That Move discuss language they typically work required, allusion or indirect reference Us’, involving various speakers with an with broader definitions. Much of the on the one hand and esoteric exegesis on interest in language – but no linguists. apparent disagreement on this specific the other. He himself used an The material was interesting and front arises from this difference of expression which translates as ‘the included some unusual topics such as usage. language of correspondences’ and made biases in vocabulary involving the ______often quasi-metaphorical use of the various human senses, but the same or of associated words to refer to discussion overtly favoured lay (as Non-specialists often focus allegedly corresponding entities on the opposed to technical) ideas, personal or upon analyses which they like various planes. Indeed, he held that such subjective responses to language, and and which are not impossible, extended usage is of very long-standing, notions specifically associated with without much concern as to maintaining for instance that the Bible minority cultures and their languages – how likely it is that they are was never intended to be taken purely or as opposed to the (apparently correct. even primarily in a literal sense but unfamiliar) universalising concepts ______rather as referring to entities and arising out of the 235-year-old tradition situations on esoteric planes. Lachman ‘Language’ and its allegedly of scientific linguistics. When I politely re-uses Swedenborg’s expression and wider significance introduced mainstream linguistic ideas thus invites his audiences to interpret Another example of the term language in the chat, I met with a naïve but Swedenborgian thought as in large part and associated terms such as grammar pseudo-authoritative challenge: a a matter of linguistic items said to be being used (arguably misleadingly) in dogmatic statement of a claim about the properly interpreted in multiple ways. broader senses involves the ascription alleged musical origins of language This arguably excessive focus on of such terms to types of human mental which might be true but is by no means linguistic aspects of ontology is activity which – while important, and regarded as demonstrated. Non- reminiscent of Benjamin Lee Whorf’s structured to a degree – do not manifest specialists often focus upon analyses more clearly dubious practice of the finely detailed structure of language which they like and which are not attributing more to the linguistic itself or do not communicate meanings impossible, without much concern as to domain than might be judged at the relevant level of specificity. how likely it is that they are correct. reasonable; for instance, in interpreting Beginning students sometimes refer to And then a question which I asked any public behaviour as semantic ‘the language of music’ and are (politely) and repeated about an obscure (rather than involuntary, semiotic-but- surprised to hear that linguists would but provocative-sounding comment not-linguistic, etc), and thus, by not talk in these terms. As I have about animal communication was implication, as (quasi)-linguistic, or in previously remarked, even the determinedly ignored. By the end I felt treating the verbalising of a thought as philologist J.R.R. Tolkien talked (rather invisible! more important than the thought itself. vaguely) of ‘grammars of myth’ and Vis-à-vis this last point: non- If a baby develops a habit of vomiting such. linguists often suggest with an air of when she feels ill (as if she needs to!), Another kind of extension involves authority that it is ‘speciesist’ of this is seen as semantic (attention- the notion of a ‘language of linguists to restrict the term language to seeking) behaviour. A light-bulb was correspondences’, invoked in human language (spoken, signed or thoughtlessly covered over with a thick commentary on the work of the 6

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 garment and later switched on at the interpretation might suggest a the esteemed philologist John wall; still later, the need to switch off behaviouristic stance – but where such Chadwick was a follower of the unseen light was not noted (it had verbalisations are silent there are still Swedenborg, who thought he knew been surmised that it was defective), the no observable data to be so interpreted!) about such things through mystical garment continued to heat up and a fire In fact, as I have noted before, many means. eventuated; but for BLW the cause was scholars, especially mavericks, ascribe Note not the caretaker’s mistaken thought greater significance to their own 1. Lachman’s latest book on the subject but rather his (doubtless silent) disciplines than reasoning and evidence is Introducing Swedenborg: Corres- verbalisation ‘There is no second light will actually support. pondences (Swedenborg Society, here needing to be switched off [and Given the obvious barriers to London; 2021). therefore I can safely switch off the knowing what very early languages main light, lock up and leave]’. (This were actually like, it is interesting that

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CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES

PAST LIVES AND XENOGLOSSIA Michael Heap and Mark Newbrook ______In March this year, the website Vice.com Professor Stevenson established what skeptical assessment of what he had featured an article by Rebecca Nathanson eventually became the Division of witnessed when visiting Lebanon, and entitled ‘The Hard Science of Perceptual Studies, ‘a highly productive those attending his lectures (which Reincarnation’ (note 1) which university-based research group devoted include sufficient video footage to enable summarises research that has been to the investigation of phenomena that the audience to arrive at their own conducted on children who appear aware challenge mainstream scientific conclusions) would probably be in of having had a previous existence, along paradigms regarding the nature of the agreement with his opinions. with two previously documented mind/brain relationship’. Reports of Past-life regression individual cases. children (and adults) claiming previous I am mainly familiar with the The most prominent amongst those incarnations continue to be collected and phenomenon of memories of previous who have seriously studied this investigated, as described by Ms existences from reports and publications phenomenon is the late Canadian-born Nathanson. concerning past-life regression, usually American psychiatrist Professor Ian ______using hypnosis. I have done little work on Stevenson, who is remembered for his Amongst other things, this myself. I wrote about this topic in prolific accounts of children from various 2012 in Vol 15 (1) of the Skeptical parts of the world who demonstrated (Professor Stevenson) reported Intelligencer and what follows is a possible evidence of a past life. Amongst that some of the physical and slightly amended version of what I said other things, he reported that some of the psychological charact-eristics then. physical and psychological charact- of these children were The earliest example of this use of eristics of these children were ‘inherited’ ‘inherited’ from their previous hypnosis of which skeptics may be aware from their previous incarnation, thus incarnation. is the case of ‘Bridey Murphy’ in the providing, in addition to environment and ______1950s in Colorado (The Search for genetics, a third factor contributing to Chris French himself is well-known Bridey Murphy by Morey Bernstein, individual differences. His critics in the skeptical world and some readers 1956). Housewife Virginia Tighe was considered that his findings were flawed may have seen him in a television hypnotically regressed to before her birth on several counts. The Wikipedia entry and gave a vivid account of life as a 19th documentary about reincarnation claims for Professor Stevenson summarises century Irishwoman born ‘Bridey by children of Druse families in Lebanon these and Professor Christopher French in 1998. He has since given lectures on Murphy’ who, at the age of 17, married a provides his own comments in Ms barrister called Sean Brian McCarthy and this topic at venues including Skeptics in Nathanson’s article. moved from Cork to Belfast. No evidence the Pub—well worth attending. On the For the purposes of furthering his was found that this woman actually programme itself he gave a fair but work at the University of Virginia, existed, but Ms Tighe herself had Irish 7

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 roots and an Irish immigrant named some random distribution amongst the examined this claim and his comments Bridie Murphy Corkell had lived across attributes that contribute to ‘a convincing follow. the street from her in her childhood. The case’, then chance alone may play a Claims of xenoglossia most likely conclusion is that the ‘past significant role in the remarkableness of Mark Newbrook life’ was a fantasy constructed by Ms the small fraction of cases deliberately One important empirically-testable Tighe, which incorporated material selected (‘cherry-picked’) for having alleged phenomenon relevant to known to her in her existing life. those attributes. reincarnation is xenoglossia: cases of My earliest memory of encountering The late Nicholas Spanos, Professor humans supposedly speaking and/or the subject of past-life regression is my of Psychology at Carlton University in understanding languages which they reading about it in one of the Sunday Ottawa, reported that around 40% of have never learned – not in a trance, as newspapers (I think it was the People), hypnotically suggestible subjects could if channelling or experiencing around my early teens in the 1960s. The be induced to experience a ‘previous life’ glossolalia, but as a second personality only thing I remember is that it was (see Multiple Identities & False which emerges in everyday situations claimed that a woman was hypnotically Memories: A Sociocognitive Perspective, (and usually does not appear to regressed to a previous incarnation and Washington: American Psychological command the language used by the started speaking perfect French, despite Association, 1996). Though often very speaker’s main personality). The having never spoken the language in her vivid and elaborate, they are best material apparently emanates from existing life. described as constructed fantasies ‘another part’ of the speaker’s own This stuck in my mind (for many generated by the person’s expectations mind. In some reports of xenoglossia years I was inclined to believe everything and beliefs and those conveyed by the the command of the relevant ‘other’ I read in the papers) until my next experimenter, sometimes augmented by language is reported as only passive encounter with the phenomenon, which material to which the subject has had (understanding speech or writing was an account of ‘the Bloxham tapes’ in prior exposure (e.g. from historical books produced by others), or largely so, but the 1970s. Hypnotherapist Arnall or films). It is likely, in my opinion, that in others active command (speaking or Bloxham, who practised in Wales, made extra credence is given to the authenticity writing) is reported. over 400 recordings of past-life hypnotic of these fantasies by the commonly-held The psychiatrist Ian Stevenson regressions. The Sunday Times did a belief that past-lives arise because the claimed several cases of this kind as series about this and a programme person has been ‘put into a trance state’ evidence of reincarnation. He regards appeared on BBC television produced by that has some very unusual properties. It the second language as having been Jeffrey Iverson, who also wrote a best- is in fact unnecessary to posit this special acquired by normal means in a previous selling paperback called More Lives than state of mind to explain or even elicit lifetime and as somehow having been One? The Evidence of the Remarkable these supposed ‘past lives’. Equipped transmitted into the mind of the new Bloxham Tapes (1976). I recall watching with the requisite imaginative skills, incarnation (note 2). Of course, this is a the BBC programme and reading both the beliefs and expectations, and with possible explanation only if Sunday Times articles and Mr Iverson’s sufficient preparation to feel committed reincarnation itself is a genuine book with great interest. And it is indeed to the task in hand and become absorbed phenomenon. If reincarnation is indeed an interesting phenomenon, one certainly in their inner world, a person is likely to the explanation for observed cases of worthy of research, if only because of the have the experience of ‘reliving a past xenoglossia, this has major profound experiences that some subjects life’ without any of the trappings usually consequences for world-views. do report. However, by that stage, while accompanying hypnosis. Many alleged cases of xenoglossia still wanting to believe in the authenticity ______involve children. This would not be of past-life regression, I was becoming surprising if reincarnation really were in more wary of paranormal explanations, The late Nicholas Spanos, Professor of Psychology at question; the ‘other’ language might be and more interested in accounts grounded expected to manifest itself early in life. in mainstream cognitive and social Carlton University in Ottawa, Several writers on such matters, psychology. One consideration, whose reported that around 40% of including Steven Rosen (note 3), have significance I did not fully grasp at the hypnotically suggestible endorsed Stevenson’s interpretation of time, was the fact that Mr Iverson subjects could be induced to such cases, at least to a degree; and Ian reported in detail only a handful of cases experience a ‘previous life’. Lawton examined the matter with some from over 400 of Mr Bloxham’s subjects ______care, drawing no firm conclusions but whose regressions he recorded. These But what about those reported not categorically rejecting Stevenson’s regressions were vivid, detailed, and full incidents of subjects regressed to a analysis, and critiquing some skeptical of historical information. In contrast, he previous life and being able to speak comments (note 4). observes that the lives described by many fluently in the language of that person? However, the professional linguist of the remaining subjects were mundane Linguistics expert Mark Newbrook has Sarah Thomason found that and unremarkable. If we merely assume 8

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021

Stevenson’s reports of fluency and was supposed to be proficient (largely uninterested in demonstrating the truth understanding were much exaggerated passively) in an Indic language - but the of their claims. (note 5). The subject’s command (active first language of her main persona was In addition to Thomason’s work, and passive) of the ‘other’ language is another Indic language, and the various there are various other skeptical typically minimal and unimpressive, members of this language sub-family treatments of xenoglossia (note 9). and could have been obtained from very share many features and vocabulary Notes limited studies which the subject might items. 1. https://tinyurl.com/5fr76u2h have forgotten (‘cryptomnesia’, a term In addition, Stevenson’s own grasp 2. Ian Stevenson, Twenty Cases coined by Théodore Flournoy - note 6). of linguistics appears limited; he makes Suggestive of Reincarnation, 2nd edn One subject whose second persona some conceptual errors, suggesting for (University Press of Virginia, supposedly spoke German failed to instance that the usage of uneducated Charlottesville, VA, 1974); Unlearned understand commonly-used idioms speakers of languages cannot be Language: New Studies in Xenoglossy such as Was gibt es nach dem Schlafen? expected to manifest grammar (a folk- ((University Press of Virginia, This literally means ‘What happens linguistic idea). Charlottesville, VA, 1984). after sleep?’ but is used to mean ‘What In some other such cases there is a 3. Steven Rosen, The Reincarnation do you have for breakfast?’. The subject mixture of contemporary usage and an Controversy: Uncovering the Truth in seemed to recognise only the word attempt at archaic forms, usually in the the World Religions (Torchlight Schlafen, meaning ‘sleep’, and same language; see for instance the case Publishing, Badger, CA, 1997). interpreted the question as an enquiry of the Bloxham Tapes, made under 4. Ian Lawton, The Big Book of the Soul, about where she slept. She gave a hypnosis and allegedly relating to past- 2nd edn (Rational Spirituality Press, response of two unconstrued words, the life experiences (note 7). Some speakers 2010), especially Chapter 3; available at second word being Bettzimmer, which recorded by Bloxham displayed a http://www.ianlawton.com/plr1.html is not in fact the normal German word mixture of contemporary English and (accessed 18 February 2011). for ‘bedroom’ as someone knowing amateur attempts at early modern 5. Sarah Thomason ‘Past tongues only very elementary German might English usage (probably influenced by remembered?’, Skeptical Inquirer, XI imagine. And although Stevenson popular representations in fiction and/or (1987), pp. 367-75. Summer, 1987 (re- suggests that this subject gave many in movies). printed in The Hundredth Monkey and responses in ‘correct’ German, a high ______other Paradigms of the Paranormal, ed. percentage of these responses were ‘Ja’ Some speakers recorded by Kendrick Frazier (Prometheus Books, (‘yes’) or ‘Nein’ (‘no’) – and, given that Buffalo, NY, 1991), pp. 85-94), and the purported previous life was that of a Bloxham displayed a mixture of sources cited by Thomason; see also person unknown to history, it was not contemporary English and Thomason’s ‘Response to “Response to even possible to check whether or not amateur attempts at early Past tongues remembered?”’, Skeptical each such response was factually modern English usage. Inquirer, XII (1988), pp. 323-4; accurate. ______‘Almeder and xenoglossy’, in Gordon Most of the other responses given by In one more recent, rather extreme Stein, ed., The Encyclopedia of the this subject were nonsensical or were case cited by Benjamin Radford, it is Paranormal (Prometheus Books, ‘cop-out’ standard answers meaning ‘I reported (without convincing evidence) Amherst, NY, 1996), pp. 835-44; ‘On don’t understand’ or ‘I don’t know’. that a 13-year-old Croatian awoke from reconstructing past contact situations’, None of the subject’s responses a one-day coma no longer able to speak in The Life of Language: Papers in suggested any more than a very basic her native language but instead Linguistics in Honor of William Bright, knowledge of German. communicating in German (note 8). eds.Jane H. Hill, P.J. Mistry and Lyle In other cases, it emerges that the Radford comments that such cases have Campbell, (De Gruyter Mouton, Berlin, subject had in fact had sufficient at times been attributed to demonic 1997), pp. 153-8; ‘Do you remember exposure to the language in question possession – although reincarnation your previous life’s language in your (not always consciously) to account for might still be adduced. present incarnation?’, American the data. One such subject was Some groups of religious believers Speech, 59 (1984), pp. 340-50. ‘unaccountably’ able to rehearse also claim that they are able to Thomason’s ‘response to a response’ expressions in Russian (without understand languages which they have was to a very confused rejoinder to her understanding). This subject had grown never learned, perhaps through original critique, Robert F. Almeder, up in a flat separated by a thin wall from reincarnation. This was reported in ‘Response to “Past Tongues another flat occupied by a person who conversation with me by some Remembered?”’, Skeptical Inquirer, taught Russian from home. followers of Subud in New Zealand. XII (1988), pp. 321-3. For an online In still other cases, the subject was Unfortunately, these people were summary report on some of familiar with a very closely related Thomason’s conclusions, see: language. One subject’s second persona 9

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 https://tinyurl.com/2tm83da5 (accessed Evidence of the Remarkable Bloxham 9. See for example Carroll, Skeptic’s 15 April 2021). Tapes (Macmillan, New York, 1977). Dictionary, p. 411: 6. Robert Todd Carroll, The Skeptic’s 8. Benjamin Radford, ‘Demonic http://www.skepdic.com/bloxham.html Dictionary (John Wiley & Sons, Possession, Reincarnation and http://www.skepdic.com/bridey Hoboken, NJ): Xenoglossia’, 23 April 2010), available http://www.skepdic.com/stevenson.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptomn at: http://www.skepdic.com/xenoglossy.html esia https://tinyurl.com/3kn63jt3 (all accessed 18 February 2011); also (accessed 18 February 2011). (accessed 21 May 2021). Compare the Nicholas P. Spanos and John F. Chaves, 7. See for example D. Arnall Bloxham, alleged sudden knowledge of Japanese eds, Multiple Identities and False Who was Ann Ockenden? (Neville displayed by some Filipina girls, Memories: A Sociocognitive Pers- Spearman, London, 1958); Jeffrey reported by Darcy Fredericksen, letter pective (American Psychological Iverson, More Lives Than One? The in Fortean Times, 163 (2002), p. 55. Association, Washington, DC, 1996), etc. ______

REVIEWS AND COMMENTARIES Why Rebel? A Politics Of Kindness: Presentation by Jay Griffiths, Conway Hall, London, April 25th, 2021. ______Reviewed by Mark Newbrook

On 25/4/21, Jay Griffiths gave an online and logical modes of thinking which are scholarly contexts, because it hinders presentation titled ‘Why Rebel? A essential to the modernist enterprise of shared awareness of exactly what is Politics Of Kindness’, as part of the making genuine advances in the being claimed and therefore communal ‘Thinking On Sunday’ series associated understanding of the universe. In fact, assessment of the claims being made. with Conway Hall in London (the well- Griffiths’ pronouncements reminded And, more generally, scholarly known abode of humanists and such). me in places of the recent attacks on discourse, especially in the sciences and Griffiths is a Manchester-born writer rationality by speakers such as Carmen in analytical philosophy, cannot be with a literature degree and a keen D’Cruz (whom I discussed in this forum heavily grounded in feelings, as interest in matters of language, although in 2020). Griffiths seems to urge in this context. language per se did not form the main ______Neither should our ideas involving focus of this particular talk. metaphorical extensions of key notions Griffith’s talk concerned the dire Metaphor is actually more become parts of untenable quasi- need which she perceives to shift public significant in language than mystical reinterpretations of the life and policy strongly in the direction many appreciate, chiefly (but physical world. While there is every of ‘kindness’ towards people and the not solely) in the context of justification (and more) for nurturing natural environment (by way of acts of linguistic change. and protecting the environment, there is ‘rebellion’ against the status quo, as ______no need to perceive the land or the entire referenced in her title). This notion is, of Metaphor is actually more planet as actually sentient, with all that course, very ‘trendy’ at present, and at significant in language than many this would imply. And when Griffiths this level of generality it would indeed appreciate, chiefly (but not solely) in the perceptively identifies some metaphors be difficult to disagree with her thrust. context of linguistic change. Much such as low = ‘inferior’ or soiled = But when Griffiths became more usage which is at a given time perceived ‘damaged’ as unfortunate in this specific her discourse generated some as literal was once overtly metaphorical context, she should not go on to talk as major issues. (‘dead metaphors’); an obvious if contemporary scientists and other Firstly, Griffith’s heavy focus upon example is hard meaning ‘difficult’. modernists are hostile or indifferent to the advantages of metaphorical Very probably, there is, or was at some the land or the planet, still less as if they imagining – which she regards as much stage, a metaphorical element in the worship ‘sky gods’ above the Earth. more illuminating and helpful than meaning of most nouns, verbs, Griffith’s main political target is more literal formulations of ideas – adjectives and idioms. But the ‘liberalism’, by which term she refers would, if applied across the board, deliberate, overt use of metaphor is quite specifically to the view that result in the obstruction of the scientific reasonably regarded as unwelcome in individual liberty must be given 10

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 completely free rein, allowing amorally than tribal groups, corporations or scientific findings (whatever some greedy capitalism and (because many institutions, in free markets, in tribal groups may believe, the Sun is not such effects are long-term) wanton intellectual freedom and in minimal a hyena). As intimated, Griffiths does pollution. This is what others might government, with all constraints on not seem to care much about this kind describe as an extreme form of liberty justified to the hilt; they would of consideration, to say the least. libertarianism, which in a more perhaps be anarchists if they were more Indeed, Griffiths appears not to moderate form is the viewpoint of the optimistic about human nature. Claims allow much ground for legitimate American political party of that name to the effect that even classical- disagreement with her own views, which is supported by skeptics such as liberalism would necessarily have talking as if all people of goodwill and Penn & Teller. often-missed negative upshots must be common sense will agree with her But surely no thinking person supported with argumentation. views once these are brought to their (whatever their view of capitalism per Griffith, of course, endorses fairly attention. She seems to think that those se) would support extreme heavy constraints on individual liberty. who really support opposing views are interpretations of liberalism/ Promoting individual liberty is not itself either stupidly blind to the negative libertarianism. Although there may be a high priority for her, and she is much upshots of their positions or simply evil, legitimate risk-benefit considerations more focused upon curtailing the duplicitously labelling their ideas with (as my brother, in his time deemed the allegedly baleful effects of ‘excessive’ terms such as liberal which (in the UK) most astute pest-controller in the UK, amounts of freedom on the ecology of have positive associations. Alternative would emphasise), skeptics and such the planet, on the well-being and views such as hers are apparently would certainly not endorse lifestyles of indigenous populations obstructed not by veridical awareness of uncontrolled, environmentally damag- (regarded as much more closely in any weaknesses they may have but ing use of chemicals, etc. – or for that touch with same) and on other already entirely by the evil capitalist system. matter the suppression of indigenous marginalised or oppressed groups. She Obviously, we skeptics would fully cultures (see below). Our usual moral does not appear to be interested in the endorse her right to express such views code is the ‘pagan’ principle: ‘Do as you positive aspects of individual freedom, and have them discussed – but we will – as long as none are harmed including most notably viewpoint would also claim the right to critique thereby’; and ‘none’ here includes the diversity; she appears to take the view, them (rationally) and to express our whole human and natural environment. common in the ‘cancel-culture’ own views. ______movement, that systematic inequalities Interestingly, Griffiths endorses create harmful biases in current what ‘cancellers’ call appropriation, at One typical consequence of manifestations of such diversity. One least in cases where she herself contemporary opposition to typical consequence of contemporary embraces the notions involved. Of viewpoint diversity is the opposition to viewpoint diversity is the course, opposition to ‘appropriation’ is downplaying (or worse) of the downplaying (or worse) of the status of not actually implied by Griffith’s more status of mainstream science mainstream science and of other general stance. In this respect she and of other manifestations of manifestations of modernism. But any deserves commendation for thinking modernism. serious lessening of the status of science ‘outside the (cancel-culture) box’. or reasoning would obviously threaten ______Mark Newbrook took an MA and a PhD technological progress and more In fact, many skeptics and other in linguistics at Reading University and generally the extension of human intellectuals in the UK would identify as spent many years as a lecturer and knowledge. The very varied pre- ‘classical-liberals’, the stance which researcher in Singapore, Hong Kong scientific world-views of hitherto was endorsed by C19 thinkers such as and Australia; he has authored many marginalised populations deserve J.S. Mill but which is no longer articles/reviews and several books, respect as cultural manifestations but represented in the UK political including the first-ever general cannot all be factually correct and mainstream. Classical-liberals are skeptical survey work on fringe indeed are typically demonstrably people who believe in individuals rather linguistics (2013). incorrect when offered as alternatives to

11

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021

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SKEPTICISM, SCIENCE Author’s Introductory Discount of 20% Also: ‘In the absence of any real on his website: evidence, US intelligence reports — AND RATIONALITY https://www.sentiencephysics.com/ typically shrouded in secrecy — are (GENERAL) Skeptoid Media fueling a flurry of speculation over today’s biggest scientific mysteries. Yet Sense About Science From Brian Dunning of Skeptoid history has shown that intelligence http://www.senseaboutscience.org/ Media: ‘It’s hard to put a value on agencies are not equipped to quickly knowledge, but we wanted to let you Good Thinking solve scientific problems, and their know that Skeptoid Media does have an Make sure that you are on Good findings look more likely to spark fear impact by teaching people how to use Thinking’s Newsletter email list: and confusion rather than crack any critical thinking to make more informed http://goodthinkingsociety.org/ cases.’ At: decisions. Please read our 2020 Annual https://tinyurl.com/3673xmr8 Magic and skepticism Report and Impact Statement to learn The Conjuror’s Conundrum is a ‘lively, more about how our supporters make a Retraction personal book’ by Jamy Ian Swiss, ‘an difference.’ ‘A longtime whistleblower explains activist for scientific skepticism for https://tinyurl.com/xdy2574r why he’s spent more than a decade more than 35 years’, who takes readers Anti-science trying to get a paper retracted.’ on a magical mystery tour of the https://tinyurl.com/yhaew6s8 longstanding connection between From Scientific American: ‘Antiscience magic and skepticism. At: has emerged as a dominant and highly Richard Dawkins https://tinyurl.com/te8rfkmh lethal force, and one that threatens ‘The (American Humanist Association) global security, as much as do terrorism Board has concluded that Richard And,’Magic, Charlatanry, Skepticism’: and nuclear proliferation. We must Dawkins is no longer deserving of being video recording made on 30.5.21 of a mount a counteroffensive and build new honored by the AHA, and has voted to Science of Magic Association event infrastructure to combat antiscience, withdraw, effective immediately, the with Chris French, Caroline Watt and just as we have for these other more 1996 Humanist of the Year award.’ Jamy Ian Swiss.’ At: widely recognized and established https://tinyurl.com/kefhcfd8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7 threats.’ gWQzC9Fqs Research integrity https://tinyurl.com/yuec5tkc A new form of physics ‘Follow-up Bamlanivimab study Fake science and pseudoscience (treating COVID-19) unmasks ASKE has received a communication ‘6 tips to help you detect fake science statistical chicanery’: ‘Whether or not from Brian K Fitzgibbon from Australia news.’ At: you have any interest in bamlanivimab, concerning his recently published book https://tinyurl.com/hxk9f7k you should read this post as an amusing Sentience Physics – and the 22 Proven example of shoddy statistics being Enigmas of Life that Science Denies And: Review of a recent book published in top journals.’ At: Exist. ‘The book postulates the suggesting that, rather than scientific https://tinyurl.com/225ptz3m existence of a third form of physics illiteracy, the adversarial nature of the concerned with life generally and scientific method might be partly to And: ‘This week, I was thrilled to read human life in particular. The 22 blame for pseudoscience’s continued about the first well-documented case of enigmas that operate under Sentience existence. (On the Fringe by Michael D explicit academic fraud in the artificial Physics conditions range from the Gordin: ‘A fascinating exploration of intelligence community. I hope that this relatively innocuous such as hypnosis the line between science and is the beginning of a trend, and that and acupuncture through more pseudoscience takes in anti-vaxxers, other researchers will be inspired by controversial such as faith healing and ufology and spoon-bending physicists their example and follow up by spontaneous remissions through to the at the CIA.)’ At: engaging in even more blatant forms of out-and-out paranormal such as https://tinyurl.com/crhzm5c6 fraud in the future. At: psychokinesis and poltergeists.’ The Also: ‘How to Spot Pseudoscience https://tinyurl.com/ytjtwyj6 announcement here is not an Online and IRL: ‘From Bigfoot to the Also: ‘Last March, I shared my endorsement of the book, neither from a anti-vaccine movement, fringe theories concerns about from the IHU- skeptical nor a scientific standpoint, but are everywhere. Where do they come Méditerranée Infection (IHUMI)/ Aix- Mr Fitzgibbons has asked for skeptics to from?’ At: Marseille University (AMU) claiming ‘give it a fair go’ and is offering an https://tinyurl.com/4cwcs3w5 that Hydroxychloroquine in comb- 12

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 ination with Azithromycin could reduce ‘The idea that medicine should be Email the Editor (or ASKE) if you coronavirus viral loads faster than no based on research and evidence is a would like a copy of Mr Hall’s treatment. Other papers by this group of surprisingly recent development. Many information sheet. researchers led by Professor Didier doctors practising today weren’t taught Also, from Sense About Science: ‘We Raoult and/or his right-hand man too much about clinical trials in medical have developed a short guide, Talking Professor Eric Chabrière, also appear to school. It was standard to offer advice about COVID conspiracy theories, to contain problems, ranging from largely on the basis of opinion and help people have better conversations. potentially duplicated images to ethical experience, which, in practice, often This was part of a project led by Peter concerns. ‘In this blog post I have meant following the advice of the most Knight at the University of Manchester, gathered the papers by the Raoult and senior physician in the room. (Today, under the UKRI’s COVID-19 funding, Chabrière group that have image this is sometimes called eminence- which included workshops with people concerns. This post is not an accusation based medicine.) who were either inclined to believe of misconduct, but a compilation of the ‘In 1969, a young physician called conspiracy theories or had been potential problems found in 22 different Iain Chalmers realized the lethal flaw in involved in difficult discussions about papers by this group. I welcome the this approach when he worked in a them. Our guide is a bit different as it authors removing any concerns by Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza delves into how people prefer to be providing the original figures.’ At: Strip. Chalmers had been taught in engaged during these conversations and https://tinyurl.com/fv9zwm42 medical school that young children with offers suggestions at how to have better, The New Age Bullshit Generator measles should not be treated with more constructive conversations on the antibiotics unless it was certain that they ‘Do you want to sell a New Age product topic. At: had a secondary bacterial infection. He and/or service? Tired of coming up with https://tinyurl.com/2y3j9va4 obediently withheld the drugs. But he meaningless copy for your starry-eyed Also: ‘The rise of pseudoscientific found out later that what he’d been customers? Want to join the ranks of Islamic cures in Iran: As Iran struggles taught was wrong: six controlled bestselling self-help authors? We can to secure vaccines against COVID-19, clinical trials had shown that antibiotics help. Click the Reionize electrons clerics are pushing unproven remedies. given early to children with measles button at the top of the page to generate At: were effective at preventing serious a full page of New Age poppycock. The https://tinyurl.com/xwk9h5j6 bacterial infections. He knows that inspiration for this idea came from some children in his care died as a Sadly: People in India are smearing cow watching philosophy debates involving result, a tragedy that helped set him on dung over their bodies to ward off Deepak Chopra.’ a mission to put things right.’ COVID-19 as second wave crisis https://sebpearce.com/bullshit/ https://tinyurl.com/xmnt25r7 worsens. At: https://tinyurl.com/vm2ebzj MEDICINE COVID-19 And: The Department of Tele- ASKE has received this offer from Dan (See also ‘Medicine on the Fringe’.) communications in India has warned Hall: ‘It has been a rough year for us all, Conflicts of interest in NHS people not to believe fake messages but after caring for my aging parents claiming 5G network and spread of commissioning during the pandemic, I’m convinced ‘Local NHS Clinical Commissioning COVID-19 are linked. The department senior citizens may have had the most points out that 5G network testing has Groups (CCGs), the bodies responsible difficult experience of anyone. From for 60% of the NHS budget in England, not begun anywhere in India. At: being in a high-risk age group for the https://tinyurl.com/27dsrhde are hardwired with conflicts of interest virus, to being isolated from loved ones Not to be outdone: A band of anti-5G that would not be tolerated in any other for an extended period of time, to being activists left an area of Glastonbury part of the public sector, according to unsure of what will happen to their without broadband after targeting what new research by Transparency retirement expenses, the past several they mistakenly thought was a 5G International UK. Declare interests. months have been emotionally, transmitter but was actually a 5GHz Manage conflicts. Protect the NHS financially, and even physically broadband box. At: finds that some £1.5 billion of public draining for our elder population. I https://tinyurl.com/34fz7jyc funds was paid to companies in which thought I could show my support to this CCG board members had an interest in population in a small (but hopefully Meanwhile: ‘An Ofcom investigation 2018/19 alone’. meaningful) way by sending has found that coronavirus coverage on https://tinyurl.com/v77r8zpy authoritative senior wellness sites like the religious satellite television channel Evidence-based medicine yours some information that will be Loveworld breached broadcasting rules for a third time. During two episodes of ‘The pandemic stress-tested the way the helpful as we continue to ride out world produces evidence — and covid.’ a current affairs programme, Full Disclosure, presenters made a number revealed all the flaws… 13

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 of materially misleading and potentially Netherlands documented pediatric Manual therapy harmful statements about the adverse events associated with ‘MT (manual therapy) does not seem to coronavirus pandemic and vaccines, complementary and alternative have clinically relevant effect compared which were made without scientific or medicine over three years. Thankfully with ST (sham treatment). Similar other credible basis, and which went there weren’t a lot of kids harmed, but effects were found with no treatment.’ without sufficient context or challenge.’ when there is no potential benefit from https://tinyurl.com/2mz4emse At: an intervention, even one is way too Homeopathy https://tinyurl.com/vs2xs39z many.’ ‘Undisputable evidence of scientific https://tinyurl.com/ed553emx And, from McGill University: ‘Early in misconduct” by homeopaths.’ See the pandemic some research suggested Cancer quackery account of this by the Nightingale a link between vitamin D deficiency and ‘Evidence lacking for use of vitamins Collaboration at: severe COVID-19 disease. Some for CVD, cancer prevention: The U.S. https://tinyurl.com/22psc62b contend that if we simply gave people Preventive Services Task Force And: ‘Fortunately NHS England isn’t vitamin D supplements, there would be (USPSTF) concludes that evidence is wasting that much money on no need for lockdowns, masks or currently insufficient for determining homeopathy prescriptions now - though vaccines because we would effectively the benefits and harms of most single or still not zero (it’s over £20k)’. Latest eliminate coronavirus and its impact on paired and multivitamin supplements figures at: our lives. If that were true, vitamin D but recommends against use of beta- https://tinyurl.com/u5r6rbrj would have saved us all a lot of pain and carotene and vitamin E for prevention And: ‘A website for Liverpool heartache. Unfortunately it is not.’ At: of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Homeopathy, https://tinyurl.com/faf5fktp cancer.’ At: www.liverpoolhomeopathy.org Still in Canada: ‘A conspiracy theorist https://tinyurl.com/5cfpbd26 seen on 15 September 2020, stated has had his lawsuit against the ‘Energy medicine’ “Homeopathy is used throughout the government of British Columbia (BC), ‘An integrative health journal has world to keep healthy … People in the Canada, dropped by the courts. Makhan retracted a 2019 paper two months after UK have been using it to successfully “Mak” Parhar was arrested in issuing an expression of concern about help with migraine, anxiety, chronic November 2020 and spent four days in the article distancing itself from the pain, woman’s [sic] health issues, jail for allegedly breaching the terms of work. The paper, which appeared in depression, eczema, chronic fatigue, a government COVID Quarantine Act. Global Advances in Health and asthma, IBS, rheumatoid arthritis, and Police said he had “refused to comply” Medicine, was a review of “energy many other conditions”.’ Read the with the rules and had left his home medicine” by Christina Ross, of Wake outcome of a complaint by the Good despite being told to self-isolate. Forest University in Winston-Salem, Thinking Society. At: According to videos and statements N.C.’ https://tinyurl.com/bxkbwp6f made on his Facebook page, Parhar is a https://tinyurl.com/2zh8vfnh supporter of the flat Earth movement See also Oliver Kamm: Clampdown on and critic of COVID regulations. … Weight-loss supplements Bogus Science of Homeopathy in the Following his arrest, Parhar argued that ‘Researchers have recently presented Times, 19.05.2021. At: he had been “kidnapped” and harmed the results of the first global analysis in https://tinyurl.com/3pdutfb4 and was looking for justice via 19 years of clinical trials for weight loss And: ‘The Higher Administrative Court “common law”. According to a BC supplements. Drawing on two literature of Bremen has rejected as inadmissible court document (we don’t want to hear reviews, they found insufficient the application for a judicial review by any more of this story—Ed.)’. At: evidence to warrant the a Bremen physician against the deletion https://tinyurl.com/4skvbm8f recommendation of supplements for of the ‘HOMEOPATHY’-title from the weight loss. The study’s authors drew further training regulations of the Placebo and nocebo their conclusions from 121 clinical Bremen Medical Association (decision ‘We hear very often about the benefits trials involving nearly 10,000 of June 2, 2021). Thus, the new of auto-suggestion (a.k.a. placebos) in participants.’ At: regulation for postgraduate training of medicine, but much less about their https://tinyurl.com/5sx25wkr the Bremen Medical Association risks and harms’ by Tomasz Witkowski without the additional designation of on May 7, 2021.’ And: ‘Most studies on dietary homeopathy has been upheld.’ https://tinyurl.com/wznsx5yb supplements or treatments for weight https://tinyurl.com/dk4csmcf loss are flawed, scientists write in a new ‘Alternative medicine’ review.’ At: Spinal manipulation ‘Adverse Events Linked to Pediatric https://tinyurl.com/2mn3s72j ‘The purpose of this article is to discuss “Alternative Medicine” in the a literature review—a recent systematic Netherlands: A study out of the review of nonmusculoskeletal dis- 14

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 orders—that demonstrates the potential when Ms Paltrow lived there with her Burping babies for faulty conclusions and misguided ex-husband, Coldplay’s Chris Martin. ‘Though a seemingly worldwide policy implications, and to offer an But when they “consciously uncoupled” practice, there is little plausibility and alternate interpretation of the data using in 2014, she moved the headquarters of no evidence to support burping infants present models and criteria. the brand to the US.’ before, during, or after feeds. And it ‘We participated in a chiropractic https://tinyurl.com/4a963vtc doesn’t have anything to do with SIDS.’ meeting (Global Summit) that aimed to Abortion reversal https://tinyurl.com/yewd6vu5 perform a systematic review of the ‘UK women are being “used as guinea Flouridation literature on the efficacy and pigs” by “abortion reversal” doctors.’ ‘Tap water fluoridation has been called effectiveness of mobilization or spinal … openDemocracy investigation one of the most successful public health manipulative therapy (SMT) for the reveals spread of controversial interventions of all time by the CDC. It primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment that claims to ‘reverse’ has all of the hallmarks of a good public prevention and treatment of abortions, supported by US Christian health intervention; it’s cheap way to nonmusculoskeletal disorders. After Right. prevent tooth decay, it can benefit considering an early draft of the https://tinyurl.com/v9m8kea3 everyone regardless of access to resulting manuscript, we identified healthcare, and best of all it doesn’t points of concern and therefore declined Vaccination require any effort for people to take authorship. The present article was Anti-vax nurse struck off for claiming advantage of it. Unfortunately like all developed to describe those concerns the pandemic is a hoax: From the public health interventions, it sounds about the review and its conclusions.’ Nursing Times 3.6.21: ‘The Nursing like you’re doing something bad when At: and Midwifery Council (NMC) has you take it out of context. Tap water https://tinyurl.com/ed553emx made the decision to permanently fluoridation attracts no small amount of And: ‘Given the limitations of the remove a conspiracy theorist and anti- vaxxer Kate Shemirani from their conspiracy theorists claiming public evidence, claims that spinal health advocates want to dump “toxic manipulative therapy is associated with register. A registered nurse, non- medical prescriber and aesthetic chemicals” in the water supply.’ changes in the immune system are https://tinyurl.com/xjzuuxe2 premature and further clinical studies practitioner at the time, Ms Shemirani should be completed.’ developed a cult-like following over the Yoga https://tinyurl.com/8r7cup5c past year due to her controversial views ‘Back in December, 2020, Chief on vaccinations and lockdown. She Scientist for the WHO Dr. Soumya Mysterious ailments dubbed the current world health crisis a Swaminathan tweeted about a study that ‘Mysterious ailments are said to be “scamdemic plandemic” in numerous suggested yoga helped improve various more widespread among U.S. YouTube videos before she was banned blood markers in people with diabetes. personnel: The Biden administration from the platform.’ At: However, a major flaw prevents the has begun more aggressively https://tinyurl.com/fjhjys26 study from being rigorous enough to investigating episodes that left spies, Meanwhile: ‘People are claiming their believe its conclusions.’ diplomats, soldiers and others with COVID-19 vaccines are making them https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the- brain injuries. magnetic, and they’re out there in the yoga-rct/ https://tinyurl.com/5e3wjppv digital world sticking stuff to The Lancet Supplements themselves to prove it.’ At: ‘How the Lancet lost our trust.’ ‘The ‘FDA’s “abundance of caution” should https://tinyurl.com/b5438tz4 Lancet is still going strong, but it exists extend to supplements: It’s a weird Crowdsourcing for treatment in a very different system of academic system when an effective vaccine was effectiveness journals than that of the 19th century.’ suspended during a deadly pandemic ‘Some of the world’s most complex https://tinyurl.com/3673xmr8 for a maybe-one-in-a-million chance of problems can only be solved by blood clots, but you can get free two- crowdsourcing. Understanding treat- day shipping on an elixir of elk antler Conspiracy theories ment effectiveness is one of them.’ velvet.’ And misinformation ‘StuffThatWorks helps people learn https://tinyurl.com/yxvkxj4z which treatments work best for their (see also COVID-19 under’Medicine’) Gwyneth Paltrow condition using smart, AI-based Fake news ‘Gwyneth Paltrow’s controversial crowdsourcing.’ ‘The Great Moon Hoax of 1835: The health and wellness company Goop has https://www.stuffthatworks.health/abo Birth of Fake News? The Great Moon been warned it could be shut down in ut Hoax of 1835 was the most spectacular the UK after failing to file its accounts. global news event of the year, despite it

Goop was originally set up in Britain being a complete fabrication. Was it 15

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 satire gone wrong, or a cynical ploy to personal stories, and both break and The Rorschach Ink Blot Test sell newspapers?’ At: warm hearts.’ ‘Critical review of the use of the https://tinyurl.com/52pnpdz5 https://tinyurl.com/mrsea9wb Rorschach in European courts’: ‘In And: Educative Interventions to Mindfulness relation to the admissibility of evidence Combat Misinformation ‘This study ‘Mindfulness’ for cancer patients: Has a obtained using projective personality uses a field experiment in India to test popular trend gone too far? tests arose in F v. Bevándorlási és the efficacy of a pedagogical https://tinyurl.com/mnxp8nxf Állampolgársági Hivatam (2018). The intervention on respondents’ ability to Court of Justice of the European Union identify misinformation during the 2019 Dunbar’s number has held that an expert’s report can only elections (N = 1,224).’ At: ‘In a 1993 study, Robin Dunbar, a be accepted if it is based on the https://tinyurl.com/wfzjz2ac British anthropologist, theorized that international scientific community’s humans could have no more than about standards, but has refrained from 150 meaningful relationships, a PSYCHOLOGY AnD stipulating what these standards are. It measure that became known as appears timely for European

PSYCHIATRY Dunbar’s number. But researchers at psychologists to decide what standards Open-mindedness Stockholm University published a paper should be applied to determine whether last week calling that number into ‘Where do you stand on pheasant or not a test is appropriate for question, finding that people could have shooting? Or single-religion schools? psycholegal use. We propose standards far more friends if they put in the effort.’ Or abortion? However you feel, your and then apply them to the Rorschach https://tinyurl.com/389cv8hx attitudes probably have a strong moral because it was used in this case and is basis. This makes them especially False memory an exemplar of projective tests. We resistant to change. And since anyone Lecture 17 (video) on Recent False conclude that the Rorschach does not who holds an opposing view, based on memory research, for the course meet the proposed standards and that their own moral stance, is unlikely to be Trauma, Memory, and Law by psychologists should abstain from using easily swayed by your arguments, these Lawrence Petihis. ‘In this lecture I look it in legal proceedings even in the kinds of disputes tend to lead to blow- at recent research, from 2020 and 2021, absence of a clear judicial prohibition.’ outs within families and workplaces, as on false memories.’ See also previous https://tinyurl.com/52hzfunz well, of course, as online. So, anything lectures on this theme. At: Dunning-Kruger effect that can encourage people to be more https://tinyurl.com/3dzjpfuj ‘The Dunning-Kruger effect is one of open to at least thinking about an And from Chris French: ‘Prof Henry the most famous—and predictable— alternative point of view could be Otgaar gave an excellent overview of biases in human behavior. It posits that helpful, reasoned Mengran Xu and the “Revival of the Memory Wars” people who don’t understand a topic Richard E. Petty at The Ohio State recently and it is now available on also lack sufficient knowledge to University, US. And in a new paper in YouTube for you to watch’: recognize that they don’t understand it. Personality and Social Psychology https://tinyurl.com/yhct64nc Instead, these people know just enough Bulletin, they reveal a potentially Personality to convince themselves that they promising method for doing just this.’ ‘Are our personalities set in stone, or completely grasp the topic, with results https://tinyurl.com/59exnvbt can we choose to change them? In this ranging from hilarious to painful. Human vision bonus episode, Matthew Warren talks to Inspired by the widespread sharing of ‘Seven Strange Quirks of Human former Research Digest editor Christian blatantly false news articles, a team of Vision: It might be the best-studied of Jarrett about his new book Be Who You US-based researchers looked into all our senses, but surprises about the Want: Unlocking the Science of whether Dunning-Kruger might be way our vision works just keep on Personality Change. Christian discusses operating in the field of media literacy. coming. Recent research has startling the evidence-based methods you can Not surprisingly, people overestimate and also salutary lessons about how we use to alter your personality, whether their ability to identify misleading see.’ you’re an introvert who wants to news. But the details are complicated, https://tinyurl.com/2tcjtcxp become the life of the party, or you and there’s no obvious route to overcoming this bias.’ Autism simply wish you were a little more open https://tinyurl.com/kbdzsvc2 From Australia: ‘False hope: desperate to new experiences. He also explains families prey to ‘nonsense’ snake-oil how our personalities evolve over the ‘Race-norming’ treatments for autism: A parliamentary course of our lifespans, even when From the US: ‘The NFL (National inquiry into autism has heard we’re not consciously trying to change Football League) on Wednesday submissions about how debunked them, and ponders how they might be pledged to halt the use of “race- treatments are peddled as hope, but also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.’ norming”, which assumed Black https://tinyurl.com/nf4e3v67 players started out with lower cognitive 16

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021 function — in the $1 billion settlement EDUCATION Also: ‘Those amazing Navy UFO of brain injury claims and review past videos may have down-to-earth scores for any potential race bias. The Critical thinking explanations, skeptics contend. … practice made it harder for Black ‘There’s No Such Thing As The Tooth Crews on Navy warships have reported retirees to show a deficit and qualify for Fairy! is a picture book based on the seeing unidentified aircraft similar to an award. The standards were created in work of Harriet Hall. Please support our those captured on video.’ At: the 1990s in hopes of offering more campaign to teach young children the https://tinyurl.com/38puxyf4 appropriate treatment to dementia importance of critical thinking and get ‘People in the UK do more internet patients, but critics faulted the way they this book out to as many UK primary searches about (extra-terrestrial) aliens were used to determine payouts in the schools as we can.’ than any other European country... and NFL concussion case.’ https://tinyurl.com/24t45ctr they’re dying to know what they look https://tinyurl.com/3pftn6sa like!’ At: POLITICS AND SOCIAL https://tinyurl.com/p9yxpnrw

RELIGION POLICY Also: ‘Decades after flying saucers first captured Americans’ imaginations, Satanic panic ‘The Biden administration announced Navy videos that defy explanation have ‘The truth about the Satanic Panic… Monday the formal launch of its sparked legitimate inquiries — some of and how it could happen again’: Scientific Integrity Task Force which them from senators.’ At: Skeptics in the Pub Online presentation will review the federal government’s by Chris French on 27.5.21. At: https://tinyurl.com/3k6xpyea scientific policies to ensure they are free And: ‘Contacting aliens could end all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ from inappropriate political influence. 5gly_woPI life on earth. Let’s stop trying.’ The 46 members come from across the ‘Whatever the UFO report says, it’s As above (but slightly longer) at federal government and will meet for time to set some rules for talking to Conway Hall, 10.5.21 the first time on Friday. The review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU extraterrestrials.’ At: comes after several former Trump https://tinyurl.com/ajum7cf6 _1DZ8UC5E administration officials have said they Scientology felt political pressures while doing their Psychics ‘Scientology’s Tale of Disgrace: I’ve jobs during the pandemic.’ ‘Psychics in conversation’: recording watched every episode of the three https://tinyurl.com/nuwuk5nc made on 7.6.21 and featuring Chris seasons of Leah Remini: Scientology French, Michael Marsh and two ‘psychics’. and the Aftermath (see Wikipedia MISCELLANEOUS entry—Ed.). This deep dive into https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl Scientology’s history, precepts, abuses, UFOs and aliens yaAnnKrnY and the personal travails of its adherents (See also ‘From the ASKE Chair’) Ghosts is worth your time. It’s an object lesson ‘The late Duke of Edinburgh subscribed ‘World’s 5 Most Haunted Places where in gullibility, groupthink, and “you’ve to a magazine called “Flying Saucer you cannot Travel Alone: Interested in got to be kidding me” supplication.’ At: Review” and had a library of books meeting ghosts? Then travel to these https://tinyurl.com/ydzfr28u about extraterrestrial encounters.’ At: spooky places but don’t forget to take Meanwhile: ‘Australia’s charity https://tinyurl.com/6bn3rhfk someone along.’ Includes the Isle of regulator has been called on to Out now: USA Office of the Director of Wight. (Some mistake surely—Ed.) investigate Scientology amid concerns National Intelligence, Preliminary https://tinyurl.com/46fremw3 it is abusing its not-for-profit status.’ Assessment: Unidentified Aerial At: Phenomena’. At: https://tinyurl.com/4b3wejsz https://tinyurl.com/uxrtabh4

______UPCOMING EVENTS

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic Pub Online, which currently has an Conway Hall is hosting online there are no upcoming live meetings to excellent programme of online talks on presentations that often have a skeptical be announced here. However, currently Thursday evenings. See: flavour. Of interest are the following: the internet is awash with streamed https://www.facebook.com/Skepticsint https://tinyurl.com/y7dmgktl events and podcasts of interest. Special hepubonline/ mention should made of Skeptics in the 17

Skeptical Intelligencer, Summer 2021

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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