THE MAGAZINE FOR SCIENCE AND REASON

Jan./Feb. 1995 U.S. $4.95 Can. $5.95 SPECIAL ISSUE CARL SAGAN Wonder and Skepticism

RICHARD DAWKINS Growing Up in the Universe

FRANCIS CRICK The Astonishing Hypothesis

GLENN T. SEABORG Nuclear Medicine

MARTIN GARDNER Literary Science Blunders

AIR FORCE REPORT STEPHEN BARRETT 1994 CSICOP CONFERENCE On the Roswell Incident On Linus Pauling The Psychology of Belief

PUBLISHED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE PARANORMAL THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE PARANORMAL

Paul Kurtz, Chairman; professor emeritus of philosophy. State University of New York at Buffalo Barry Karr, Executive Director and Public Relations Director Lee Nisbet, Special Projects Director

FELLOWS

James F.. Alcock," psychologist. York Univ., Murray Gell-Mann, professor of physics. Joe Nickell," author, technical writing Toronto Santa Fe Institute instructor, Univ. of Kentucky Robert A. Baker, psychologist, Univ. of Thomas Gilovich, psychologist, Cornell Univ. Lee Nisbet,* philosopher. Medaille College Kentucky Henry Gordon, magician, columnist. Toronto James E. Oberg, science writer Stephen Barrett, M.D.. psychiatrist, author, Stephen Jay Gould. Museum of Comparative Loren Pankratz, psychologist, Oregon Health consumer advocate. Allentown. Pa. Zoology. Harvard Univ. Sciences Univ. Barry Beyerstein." biopsychologist, Simon C. E. M. Hansel, psychologist, Univ. of Wales John Paulos, mathematician. Temple Univ. Eraser Univ., Vancouver, B.C., Canada Al Hibbs, scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mark Plummer, lawyer. Australia Irving Biderman. psychologist. Univ. of Douglas Hofstadter, professor of human W. V. Quine. philosopher. Harvard Univ. Southern California understanding and cognitive science. Milton Rosenberg, psychologist. Univ. of Susan Blackmore," psychologist, Univ. of the Indiana Univ. Chicago West of England. Bristol Gerald Holton. Mallinckrode Professor of Carl Sagan, astronomer, Cornell Univ. Henri Broch. physicist. Univ. of Nice. France Physics and Professor of History of Science, Wallace Sampson. M.D., clinical professor of Jan Harold Brunvand. folklorist, professor of Harvard Univ. medicine, Stanford Univ. English. Univ. of Utah Ray Hyman,* psychologist, Univ. of Oregon Evry Schatzman. President. French Physics Vern Bullough, Distinguished Professor. State Leon Jaroff, sciences editor. Time Association Univ. of New York Sergei Kapitza, editor. Russian edition. Eugenie Scott, physical anthropologist, execu­ Mario Bunge, philosopher. McGill University Scientific American tive director. National Center for Science John R. Cole, anthropologist, Inst, tor the Philip J. Klass,' science writer, engineer Education Study of Human Issues: Marvin Kohl, professor of philosophy. SUNY Glenn T. Seaborg. University Professor of F. H. C. Crick, biophysicist Salk Inst, for at Fredonia Chemistry. Univ. of California. Berkeley Biological Studies. La Jolla, Calif. Edwin C Krupp, astronomer, director. Thomas A. Sebeok, anthropologist. linguist. Richard Dawkins, zoologist. Oxford Univ. Griffith Observatory Indiana Univ. L. Sprague dc Camp, author, engineer Paul Kurtz," chairman. CSICOP Robert Sheaffer, science writer Cornells de Jager, professor of astrophysics. Lawrence Kusche, science writer Dick Smith, film producer, publisher. Terry Univ. of Utrecht, the Netherlands Elizabeth 1 olios, professor of psychology. Hills. N.S.W.. Australia Bernard Dixon, science writer London. U.K. Univ. of Washington Robert Steiner, magician, author, El Cerrito Paul Edwards, philosopher. Editor, Paul MacCready, scientist/engineer. Calif. Encyclopedia of Philosophy AcroVironment. Inc.. Monrovia. Calif. Jill Cornell Tarter, SETI Institute Antony Flew, philosopher, Reading Univ., Das-id Marks, psychologist, Middlesex Carol Tavris, psychologist and author, Los U.K. Polytech. England Angeles. Calif. Andrew Fraknoi, astronomer Foothill David Morrison, space scientist, NASA Ames Stephen Toulmin. professor of philosophy. College. Los Altos Hills. Calif. Research Center University of Southern California Kendrick Frazier,* science writer. Editor. Richard A. Muller. professor of physics, Univ. Marvin Zelen. statistician, Harvard Univ. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER of Calif. Berkeley Lin Zixin, former editor. Science and Yves Galifret, Exec. Secretary. I'Union H. Narasimhaiah, physicist, president. Technology Daily (China) Rationaliste Bangalore Science Forum, India "Member. CSICOP Executive Council Martin Gardner." author, critic Dorothy Nelkin, sociologist New York Univ. (Affiliations given for identification only.)

The SKEPTICAL INQUIRER (ISSN 0194-6730) is published bimonth­ publication does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by CSI­ ly by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the COP or its members unless so stated. Paranormal, 3965 Rensch Rd.. Amherst. NY 14228-2713. Printed Copyright ©1995 by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation in U.S.A. Second-class postage paid at Amherst. New York, and of Claims of the Paranormal. All rights reserved. The SKEPTICAL additional mailing offices. INQUIRER is available on 16mm microfilm, 35mm microfilm, and Inquiries from the media and the public about the work of the 105mm microfiche from University Microfilms International and is Committee should be made to Paul Kurtz, Chairman, CSICOP. Box indexed in the Reader's Guide in Periodical Literature. 703, Amherst, NY 14226-0703. Tel.: (716) 636-1425. FAX: 716- Subscriptions, change of address, and advertising should be 636-1733- addressed to: SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. Box 703. Amherst, NY 14226- Manuscripts, letters, books for review, and editorial inquiries 0703. Old address as well as new are necessary for change of sub­ should be addressed to Kendrick Frazier. Editor, SKEPTICAL INQUIR­ scriber's address, with six weeks advance notice. SKEPTICAL INQUIR­ ER. 944 Deer Drive NE, Albuquerque NM 87122-1306. FAX 505- ER subscribers may not speak on behalf of CSICOP or the SKEPTI­ 828-2080. CAL INQUIRER. Articles, reports, reviews, and letters published in the SKEPTICAL Postmaster: Send changes of address to SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, INQUIRER represent the views and work of individual authors. Their Box 703. Amherst. NY 14226-0703. FOR THE RECORD 41 The Air Force Report on the Roswell Incident Skeptical Inquirer The official Air Force findings from the reopened investigation of the Roswell Incident. January/February 1995 Vol. 19 No. 1 /^ ARTICLES

24 Wonder and Skepticism CARL SAGAN Science requires an almost complete openness to all ideas. On the other hand, it requires the most rigorous and uncompromising skepticism.

31 Putting Away Childish Things RICHARD DAWKINS Gullibility, a childhood survival skill, is harmful for adults.

37 Science, Soul, and the Astonishing Hypothesis FRANCIS CRICK Is there some soul, or spirit, that science cannot explain that survives physical death? Or is it all in the brain?

39 The Positive Power of Radioisotopes GLENN SEABORG Radioisotopes have alleviated suffering and prolonged the lives of millions of human beings and con­ tributed productively in many other ways.

BOOK REVIEWS House of Cards by Robyn M. Dawes SCOTT O. LILIENFELD 50 Selling Satan by Mike Hertenstein and Jon Trott PETER HUSTON 52 Celesine Prophecy by Paul Redfield JOE SZIMHART 54 NEW BOOKS/ARTICLES OF NOTE 56

EDITOR'S NOTE KENDRICK FRAZIER 2 FROM THE CHAIRMAN PAUL KURTZ 3 NEWS AND COMMENT 5 Scientific Literacy / Ig Nobel Awards / AMA on Recovered Memories APA on Facilitated Communication / Everyone Has a Theory 1994 CSICOP CONFERENCE Exploring Mind. Memory, and Belief TOM GENONI. JR. 10 Pauling's Legacy NOTES OF A FRINGE-WATCHER Literary Science Blunders MARTIN GARDNER 14 HEALTH WATCH The Dark Side of Linus Pauling's Legacy STEPHEN BARRETT 18 PYSCHIC VIBRATIONS The Non-amazing Kreskin Flubs Again ROBERT SHEAFFER 21 MEDIA WATCH Literary Science Blunders Showtime's Roswell C. EUGENE EMERY, JR. 22 FORUM ON THE COVER; Letter to a Friend ROBERT ESTLING 59 Space Race by Leonard Parkin LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 65 Skeptical InquirerEditor's No i tare* Kendrick Frazier

James E. Alcock Berry Beyerstein Susan J. Blackmore Martin Gardner Ray Hyman A Welcome Philip]. Klass Paul Kurtz Joe Nickell To our subscribers, yes, this is the magazine you know. It's just in a new, Lee Nisbet Bela Scheibcr larger package. As I previously (Fall 1994) noted would happen, with this first CONSULTING MM issue of 1995 we have increased the frequency of the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Robert A Baker (now subtitled The Magazine for Science and Reason) to bimonthly and William Sims Bainbridgc John R. Cole expanded our size to a standard magazine format. From now on we'll be able to Kenneth L. Feder provide you more editorial material and in a timelier fashion than ever before. C.E.M. Hansel E.C. Krupp To readers new to us—and this issue will reach a vastly larger audience David P. Marks —welcome. We are a new kind of magazine. I think you are in for a treat, an Andrew Neher James E. Oberg intellectual feast. And not just in in this particular issue, with its articles by Robert Sheaffer such scientific luminaries as Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins, Francis Crick, Steven N. Shore MANAGING Editor Glenn Seaborg, and Martin Gardner, but in all those to follow. We are published Doris Hawley Doyle by a noted nonprofit scientific and educational organization, the Committee ASSISTANT Editor for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), and for Thomas C. Genoni, Jr. this special issue, the authors are all Fellows of CSICOP. (Fellows and CONIIIIUIINO Editor Lys Ann Shore Scientific Consultants are listed on the inside covers.) production For 18 years, CSICOP and the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER have brought a Paul Loynes

CARTOONIST responsible, scientific viewpoint to evaluating a diverse array of popular (and Rob Pudim often controversial) claims and perceptions. We try to help distinguish science from nonscience, real science from pseudoscience, and good science from bad science. PUBLISHER'S REPRESENTATIVE Barry Karr We aggressively seek good information to replace misinformation, and we BUSINESS MANAOH explore in depth the scientific, social, and educational issues surrounding these Mary Rose Hays matters. At the same time we share with all scientists a delight and awe at the ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGE! Sandra Lesniak true wonders and mysteries of nature (including the human mind and behavior)

CHIEF DATA OFFICII and the challenges of exploring them. Although fiercely independent, we have Richard Seymour widespread support from distinguished scientists, scholars, and citizens worldwide. FULFILLMENT MANAGER • Michael Gone We value science, curiosity love of learning about the natural world and STAFF critical thinking. We especially value the complex and innovative strategies science Elizabeth BEgley Kevin Iuzzini has developed for advancing our understanding and sifting through competing Diana Picciano claims to knowledge. Always we seek to find what best stands the test of evidence. Alfreda Pidgeon And in the spirit of science, all judgments are tentative and open to revision Etienne C. Rios Ranjit Sandhu whenever new or better evidence arrives. Sharon Sikora Vance Vigrais We welcome you to this quest, and promise it will be exciting and invigorating. MSIONU You are a part of it too, and your suggestions will help shape future directions. Peters & Company

The SKEPTICAL INQUIRER is the official journal of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, an international organization.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 From the Chairman

PAUL KURTZ

New Departure for the Skeptical Inquirer

his issue of the SKEPTICAL The paradox is that at the same entific inquiry. Similarly, college and INQUIRER marks a new depar­ time that science and technology con­ university faculties, too many of which Tture for the Committee for the tinue to make progress, offering unpar­ pander to every wave of intellectual Scientific Investigation of Claims of the alleled promises for the improvement fashion, often forget the need to edu­ Paranormal, and it portends new oppor­ of the human condition—in medical cate students about science and critical tunities for the growth of the skeptical and biogenetic research, computer thinking. movement worldwide. By expanding its technology, space exploration, and In any case, I would like to say frequency and providing a larger for­ astronomy, to mention only a few of how pleased CSICOP is to present this mat, we hope to increase the readership the many frontiers of expanding new, expanded SKEPTICAL INQUIRER of the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. These knowledge—the current of pseudosci­ and to thank our indefatigable editor, changes have already translated into entific beliefs becomes stronger. Of Kendrick Frazier, for all he has done to increased circulation—67,500 copies of particular concern is that the media of make this possible. this issue—primarily in bookstores and communications pander to public And clunk you, our readers, for on newsstands. But we need to intensi­ gullibility and that the media con­ helping to make the SKEPTICAL fy our efforts if we are to increase our glomerates are often more interested in INQUIRER and CSICOP so relevant and subscriber base. We hope that you—our entertainment than in conveying infor­ vital. We have no governmental or loyal readers—will help us in this mation and knowledge to the public. foundation grants and no advertising regard, by getting your friends, col­ revenue, and must depend on your leagues, relatives, and local libraries to We need to convince General continued encouragement and support, subscribe. You can also help us by per­ Electric (which owns NBC), Rupert for which we are sincerely grateful. suading your bookstore or newsstand to Murdoch (Fox), Time-Warner, Viacom- carry the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. Paramount, Bertelsmann, and the other multimedia corporations that European Council of The SKEPTICAL INQUIRER is control publishing, television, and unique. It has in its brief history motion pictures that their future, like Skeptical Organizations become the major scientific opposition ours, depends on the growth of science Established to the vast tide of paranormal and and technology and that they have a pseudoscientific claims that floods the responsibility to transmit to the gener­ I recently attended, with Barry Karr, al public an understanding of the sci­ larger culture. We still feel like a lone executive director of CSICOP, and entific outlook and the methods of sci­ voice in the wilderness as we continue Executive Council member Ray Hyman, to demand that these unexamined claims be tested. When CSICOP was founded 18 years ago, little did we imagine that it would receive such a positive reception from thoughtful persons in the scien­ tific community and elsewhere who were skeptical of psychic phenomena, astrology, ufology, homeopathy, and the newer, bizarre beliefs of the New Age. Nor did we imagine that paranor­ mal claims would continue to prolifer­ ate throughout the world—from North America to Europe, from (left to right) Barry Karr, Tim Trachet, Ray Hyman, Paul Kurtz, and Cornells Australia to Asia and Africa. de Jager at the Sixth European Skeptics Conference.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 3 the Sixth European Skeptics conference, Perhaps no inquiry has evoked percent. Champions, he alleged, were which was held in the beautiful Belgian more controversy between skeptics and born at approximately 22 percent in coastal city of Ostende. The main theme astrologers than the efforts by the scien­ the first and fourth sectors. The Zelen of this conference was "Pseudoscience tific community to test the claims of test caused considerable controversy and the Environment." It was attended French authors Michel and Francoise about the interpretation of the results. by skeptics from all over Europe. Gauquelin. Although critics of tradition­ Kurtz, Abell, and Zelen conceded pos­ Virtually all of the major European al astrology, the Gauquelins claimed to sible errors in their interpretation, but countries now have skeptical organiza­ have found a correlation between plane­ they remained skeptical of the way the tions that publish newsletters and maga­ tary positions, birth data, and personali­ Gauquelins had conducted the test, since they had deviated from the pro­ "The Gauquelins claimed to have found tocol. Inasmuch as the Gauquelins not only were the proposers of the hypoth­ correlation between planetary positions, birth esis, but were responsible for assem­ data, and personalites and achievements," bling the data, some question of bias in selecting the data could be raised, zines and attempt to provide evaluations ties and achievements. They claimed to Kurtz, Abell, and Zelen said. The of paranormal and pseudoscientific find correlations between Saturn and sci­ major findings of the Mars effect were claims. Recognizing the similar problems entists, Jupiter and military men, Mars based on a European—primarily faced throughout Europe, and given the and sports champions, and so on. It is French—sample, most of the data hav­ emergence of the European Parliament the Mars and sports champions hypoth­ ing been compiled by the Gauquelins. and the European Commission, the deci­ esis, for which the Gauquelins claimed Kurtz, Abell, and Zelen then pro­ sion was made to form a "European to have found the highest correlation to posed an independent test of American Council of Skeptical Organizations" support their astrobiology, that has been champions. They conducted a test with a (ECSO). The group was officially inau­ put to the test by various scientific sample of 408 champions and their find­ gurated in the resplendent town hall with groups throughout the world. ings were reported in the SKEPTICAL the mayor of Ostende presiding. The Gauquelin had assembled data for INQUIRER (Winter 1979-80). The results president of ECSO is Cornelis de Jager, 2,088 sports champions in Europe, were negative, with only 13.5 percent the distinguished astronomer from the most of them in France. He divided being born in the first and fourth sectors. Netherlands. The key contact person in the sky into 12 sectors through which The Gauquelins immediately dis­ Brussels will be Tim Trachet. CSICOP is Mars appears to pass as it orbits the puted these results, insisting that the glad to welcome ECSO as a vital mem­ ber of the world skeptical community. sun. He claimed that sports champions Mars effect only applied to "the most were born in the first sector (when famous internationally recognized Mars is rising) and the fourth (its cul­ champions" and that these were not French Committee mination) beyond chance expectations. sufficiently represented in the In 1967 the Para Committee in American test sample. Analyzing the Announces Results of Belgium carried out a test of 535 sports data post hoc, they claimed to find a Test of the So-Called champions. Gauquelin maintained smaller sample with significant results. Mars Effect that the results were positive for the Kurtz, Abell, and Zelen contested their "Mars effect," but the Para Committee claims, maintaining that their own At the European Skeptics Conference, the claimed that the results were ambigu­ sample of sports champions was select­ French Committee for the Study of Para­ ous, for three reasons: (1) although the ed from the major Who's Whos of sports normal Phenomena (CFEPP) announced key sectors came out as Gauquelin had champions in the United States. the tentative results of its effort to rep­ predicted, the remaining ten sectors In 1979 Michel Gauquelin at­ licate the "Mars effect." A paper was read by were not what chance or Gauquelin tempted still another replication, with Jean-Paul Krivine outlining these results.* had predicted, and therefore (2) a bias 438 European sports champions, claim­ may have crept into the data selection. ing again to find significant results, "Members of the French Committee who Finally (3), the key sector results may although Kurtz, Abell, and Zelen point­ worked on this report were Claude Benski, Dominique Caudron, Yves Galifret, Jean-Paul have been due to a random fluctuation ed out that he did not use the same cri­ Krivine. Jean-Claude Pecker. Michel Rouze. and in the theoretical curve. teria in the French study as he had Evry Schatzman. Marvin Zelen, now a professor of insisted upon in the American study. statistics at Harvard, proposed a test of Gauquelin said that he had deleted 423 Paul Kurtz, professor emeritus of philoso­ nonchampions in 1976 to test for "lesser" champions from his study. The phy at the State University of New York the third of the three objections. key issue turned on who was "famous" at Buffalo, is founding chairman of the Gauquelin performed the experiment or "lesser." Moreover, the arbitrary crite- Committee for the Scientific Investi­ and reported that nonchampions were gation of Claims of the Parnormal. born at about the chance rate of 17.17 Chairman continued on page 62

4 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 News Comment

Science Literacy: 62 percent in 1977. also noted some positive aspects in the The Good News and The study found that, in overall results, stating that the public has "an the Bad student achievement, boys generally acute recognition of the importance of scored higher than girls in math and science and a healthy respect for the ccording to the findings of a science, while girls performed better in potential negative consequences and Arecent study by the National reading and writing. The report also abuse of scientific research." However, Assessment of Educational Progress, found that there still is a large achieve­ Futter found it "paradoxical" that dur­ students are doing better in math and ment gap between white and minority ing the literacy portion of the study, the science a decade after the 1983 students, despite a slight narrowing. public would demonstrate misconcep­ "Nation at Risk" report described a In contrast to the encouraging tions about some things and express a "rising tide of mediocrity" in American results of the National Assessment of relatively clear understanding of others. education. Educational Progress study, a recent Literacy experts believe that even The new report said that, in gener­ survey conducted by the American though interest in science is high, peo­ al, 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds showed a Museum of Natural History (AMNH), ple still feel distanced from science. better understanding of math and sci­ in New York City, revealed that The AMNH study found that while 68 ence fundamentals in 1992 man stu­ Americans' understanding of the nat­ percent agreed with the statement dents in the same age group did in the ural and physical world remains low. "Science will solve many of the world's 1970s. However, students were found The survey—titled "Science and problems," 51 percent also agreed with to be only at or slightly above where Nature Survey"—consisted of tele­ the statement "I understand less and they were 20 years ago, and reading phone interviews with 1,255 adults less of what scientists are doing today." and writing skills have essentially been from across the country. The respon­ Similarly, the most recent "Science stagnant. dents were asked a series of true-false Indicators" report said that only one of According to the findings, 78 per­ and multiple-choice questions to deter­ every ten adults considered himself or cent of 9-year-olds understood simple mine their general attitude toward sci­ herself well-informed about new scien­ scientific principles and knew some ence and to measure their understand­ tific discoveries or use of new inven­ facts about plants and animals, up ing of various scientific topics. tions and technologies. from 68 percent in 1977. Among 13- Although many respondents ex­ "The point of all this is that science year-olds, 61 percent in 1992 under­ pressed an interest in science, the study is perceived as remote from and inac­ stood and were able to apply general resulted in some rather disturbing sta­ cessible to nonscientists. Science is not information about the life and physical tistics. For instance, 46 percent of for experts only," said Futter. sciences, up from 49 percent in 1977. respondents do not believe that Math skills also increased. In 1992, humans evolved from earlier species of 28 percent of 9-year-olds were able to animals, 65 percent do not know how add, subtract, multiply, and divide many planets are in the solar system, Despite the revealing information using whole numbers, up from 20 per­ and 87 percent cannot identify the these science-literacy studies have pro­ cent in 1978. The abilities of 17-year- cause of the ozone layer. Other recent duced, some researchers believe that olds also rose in that area, from 92 per­ surveys have documented similar find­ too little effort has been spent on ascer­ cent to 97 percent in the same time ings. taining what people know about the period. While most researchers found the scientific method. Bruce Fuchs, an In addition, the study found mat results distressing, Mary Woolley, pres­ assistant professor of pharmacology at students have been taking more rigor­ ident of Research! America, says that the Medical College of Virginia, ous courses in both math and science. capitalizing on the public's high opin­ Richmond, said: "One thing that does Increases in student enrollment in biol­ ion of science should be a priority. concern me—and I don't see this sur­ ogy, chemistry, and physics classes were "The attitudes are positive, the interest vey getting at this—is that I think peo­ noticed. And interestingly, in 1992, 76 is there." ple really need to understand the percent of 17-year-olds said science Ellen V. Futter, president of the process of science rather than some of should be a required subject, up from American Museum of Natural History, these facts." Fuchs added that this kind

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 5 of knowledge is important so that peo­ The AMA states: "It is well established Facilitated ple can evaluate what they read about that a trusted person such as a therapist Communication scientific controversies. can influence an individual's reports, Don Herbert—also known as "Mr. which would include memories of Scientifically Invalid, Wizard"—has been combatting the abuse." It also states that "other APA Says in Statement problem of scientific illiteracy for more research has shown that repeated ques­ than 40 years with his hands-on sci­ tioning may lead individuals to report The American Psychological Asso­ ence television shows and believes that events that in fact never occurred." ciation (APA) has adopted the position it is the teaching techniques, not die However, the AMA also cites a study that facilitated communication is a students, that are to blame for by L. M. Williams as an example of controversial and unproved communi­ America's lagging scientific awareness. positive evidence for the existence of cation procedure with no scientifically "I don't think it's a reflection of the recovered memories and adds: "There demonstrated support for its efficacy. kids at all. I think it's been the method are other instances in which recovered Facilitated communication is a process of presenting science," Herbert said. memories proved to be correct." by which a facilitator supports die How should we tackle the problem? In the AMA's Conclusions and hand or arm of a communicatively Thomas J. Hoban, an associate profes­ Recommendations, it affirms that "it is impaired individual while he or she sor of sociology and andiropology at not yet known how to distinguish true spells out a message using a keyboard North Carolina State University in memories from imagined events in or typing device. Raleigh, concludes that it is up to sci­ these cases. The AMA considers die Two evaluative articles on this sub­ entists to popularize science: "Because technique of memory enhancement' in ject in die Spring 1993 SKEPTICAL scientists can influence people's the area of childhood sexual abuse to be INQUIRER found that facilitated com­ impressions, they really need to take fraught with problems of potential mis­ munication was based on emotional responsibility for getting out there and application." The statement also appeals and questionable science, and trying to help demystify science." encourages physicians dealing with pos­ that its scientific claims had not been sible adult victims of childhood abuse validated—in fact, they had been con­ — Tom Genoni, Jr. to subscribe to the Principles of tradicted. Numerous other investiga­ Medical Ethics with particular atten­ tions have confirmed that judgment. tion paid to the annotations applicable Nevertheless die technique has been The AMA Issues Policy on to psychiatry. adopted throughout North America in Recovered Memories The False Memory Syndrome special/vocational education services for Foundation, a watchdog organization, nonverbal persons with developmental he Summer 1994 issue of SI has repeatedly called for critical exami­ disabilities. A basic premise of facilitated Treported on the American nations of "recovered" memories and, communication is that people with Psychological Association's statement in its most recent newsletter, com­ autism and moderate or profound men­ on the "recovered memory" debate. mented on the AMA statement with tal retardation have "undisclosed litera­ Recently, the American Medical special emphasis on the purported pos­ cy" consistent with normal intellectual Association issued a statement that itive results of Williams's research. The functioning. Proponents claim that this outlines its position on this controver­ newsletter quotes a section of a paper process enables persons with autism or sial subject. by Loftus, Polonsky, and Fullilove that mental retardation to communicate. The AMA policy touches on a takes issue with the findings of the However, noted the APA in a state­ number of areas in which the issue of Williams study. "[Williams's] 38 per­ ment issued August 24, 1994, scientif­ repressed memories has become a con­ cent figure has been taken as evidence ically based studies have repeatedly cern. The AMA notes that numerous for the prevalence of repression, but demonstrated that this is not a valid lawsuits have been filed based solely on this conclusion is unwarranted. For technique for individuals with pro­ recovered memories and that the cur­ some percentage of victims, the abuse found developmental disabilities. rent legal standards in these cases vary would have happened so early in life ... "From a scientific standpoint," said from state to state. For instance, that as adults they would not be Brian A. Gladue, senior scientist for although California has adopted new expected to remember die experience the APA, "die overwhelming evidence laws that prevent plaintiffs from pre­ no matter whether it was abuse or arguing against the wide and vast vailing in the absence of evidence some other experience." claims of facilitated communication is beyond the recovered memories, Both the AMA and die False more than compelling. And this reso­ Illinois, in contrast, has recently Memory Syndrome Foundation will lution by APA is yet another example extended the statute of limitations for continue to monitor developments in of how scientists and practitioners in filing such suits. this area. psychology work together on issues The concerns of the AMA deal pri­ that serve die best public interest." marily with the role of the therapist. —Tom Genoni, Jr. Furthermore, die APA stated that

6 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 taking action based on nonverbal accu­ Literature October 6 in a traditionally • Lee Kuan Yew, former prime min­ sations, through facilitated communi­ chaotic ceremony at the Massachusetts ister of Singapore, who got the Ig cation, of abuse or mistreatment by Institute of Technology. Nobel in Psychology "for his 30-year family members or other caregivers Hubbard, cited "for his crackling study of the effects of punishing three could contribute to threats to the civil Good Book, Dianetics, which is highly million citizens of Singapore whenever and human rights of the person with profitable to mankind or to a portion they spat, chewed gum, or fed autism or severe mental retardation as thereof," did not appear in person to pigeons." well as of those accused. It said that accept the award. • John Hagelin of Maharishi instances have been widely noted of One reason: Hubbard is dead. University and The Institute of facilitated communication eliciting The other reason: This is, after all, Science, Technology and Public Policy, otherwise unsubstantiated allegations the Ig Nobels. "promulgator of peaceful thoughts," of abuse, leading to psychological dis­ The ignominious Ig Nobels, pur­ who earned the Ig Nobel Peace Prize tress, alienation, or financial hardship portedly named after the legendary "for his experimental conclusion that of family members and caregivers. Ignatius Nobel, are the least-coveted 4,000 trained meditators caused an 18 James Mulick, professor of pedi­ prizes in all of science and die comic percent decrease in violent crime in atrics and psychology, Children's counterpart to the Nobel Prizes. They Washington, D.C." Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, said in the are presented each year "to individuals • The Japanese Meteorological APA statement: "The most serious whose achievements cannot or should Agency, which earned the Ig Nobel in problem with facilitated communica­ not be reproduced." Physics "for its seven-year study of tion is that people using it are suscepti­ Past laureates of interest to SKEPTI­ whether earthquakes are caused by cat­ ble to a strong illusion of communica­ CAL INQUIRER readers have included fish wiggling their tails." tion where, in fact, there is none. Erich Von Daniken, whose Chariots of • Bob Glasgow of the Texas State Psychologists are now in a much better the Gods explained how human civi­ Senate, who tried to outlaw the pur­ position to help and protect people lization was shaped by ancient astro­ chase of beakers, flasks, test tubes, with autism and severe mental disabil­ nauts, and Harvard University psychia­ and other laboratory glassware with­ ity from being misused and inappro­ trist John Mack, who has gained fame out a license. He won the Chemistry priately influenced by this false train­ by concluding that people who believe prize. ing technique." Mulick has been active they were kidnapped by space aliens • Jan Pablo Davila of Chile, "tireless in investigating the claims of facilitated communication and was lead author of probably were. trader of financial futures and former the main SKEPTICAL INQUIRER article. Among the other winners of the employee of the state-owned Codelco 1994 Fourth Annual Ig Nobel Prizes, Company," who garnered the Ig Nobel The APA said the experimental and based on votes compiled by the in Economics "for instructing his com­ unproved status of die technique does accounting firm of Howard, Fine and puter to 'buy' when he meant 'sell,'" not preclude continued research on the Howard, were: and whose subsequent economic utility of facilitated communication • The Southern Baptist Church of bungling eventually lost 0.5 percent of and related scientific issues. "Judicious Alabama, "mathematical measurers of Chile's gross national product. clinical practice involving use of facili­ morality," whose members won the Ig This year's Ig Nobel Prize in tated communication should be pre­ Nobel in Mathematics "for their coun­ Medicine came in two parts. ceded by die use of fully informed con­ ty-by-county estimate of how many The first went to Patient X, a for­ sent procedures, including communi­ Alabama citizens will go to Hell if they mer U.S. Marine, who was bitten by a cation of both its potential risks and don't repent." pet rattlesnake and decided to treat benefits," said the APA. • W Brian Sweeney, Brian Krafte- himself with electroshock therapy. "At The American Speech-Language- Jacobs, Jeffrey W. Britton, and Wayne his own insistence," the citation says, Hearing Association (ASHA) has draft­ Hansen, who shared the Ig Nobel in "automobile sparkplug wires were ed a position statement likewise declar­ Biology for their breakthrough study, attached to his lip and the car engine ing that facilitated communication "The Constipated Serviceman: Preva­ revved to 3,000 rpm for five minutes." "has no scientific validity or reliability." lence Among Deployed U.S. Troops," The other half of the prize went to published in the August 1993 issue of Richard C. Dart of the Rocky Military Medicine. Mountain Poison Center and Richard Ig Nobel Awards Go to • Veterinarian Robert A Lopez of A. Gustafson of the University of the Most Deserving Westport, N.Y., who garnered the Ig Arizona Health Sciences Center "for Nobel in Entomology "for his series of their well-grounded medical report: Ron Hubbard, science-fiction experiments in which he obtained ear 'Failure of Electric Shock Treatment L • author and founder of a religious mites from cats, inserting them into his for Rattlesnake Envenomation.'" empire known as Scientology, was own ear and carefully observing and The Ig Nobel Laureate Address was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in analyzing the results." given by James Knowlton, winner of

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 7 the 1992 Ig Nobel Prize in Art for his responded recently to one such letter standing in line to get their work pub­ classic anatomy poster, "Penises of the writer. (Davidson is a former recipient of lished. Otherwise the biology journals Animal Kingdom." His topic: CSICOP's Responsibility in Journalism would be packed with articles by cre­ "Onward and Upward." Award.) ationists, the geophysics journals with Included in the 1994 ceremony articles by Flat Earthers, etc. You can't were the usual designated hecklers, a Dear : expect science journals to take you performance of the new musical com­ seriously when your credentials are position "Cymbalic Duet in B# Major, Thanks for your letter. I'm not an nonexistent. Opus 3," and the traditional whistle- astrophysicist, so anything I say about Also: If you want science writers to blowing referee who kept the annual your theory is of little value. . . . take you seriously, I strongly urge you Heisenberg Certainty Lectures to less [Davidson does make a few brief com­ (1) not to plead for their help, and (2) than 30 seconds. ments, showing that the man's idea was not to compare yourself to poor The awards were co-sponsored by long ago considered.] Galileo. Science writers rarely arc the MIT Museum and the Annals of . . . Regarding your question, impressed by written appeals from Improbable Research (AIR), a journal of "Why can't I get published?": You tell laypeople who claim they've been offbeat pseudoscientific studies (the me you're not a scientist; 1 presume, "oppressed" by the "scientific establish­ kind skeptics would appreciate) pub­ then, that you have no significant ment"; we're only impressed by articles lished by the former staff of the training (e.g., leading to an advanced in legitimate science journals. Most of Journal of Irreproducible Results (JIR). degree) in math, physics, astronomy, us (including me) are not scientists, so The staff quit JIR and created AIR last etc. You also tell me that you're miffed we rely on the science journals (and year because, according to sources, the by science journals that ignore your interviews with scientists) to give us a publisher of JIR was found to have no work. good idea of what's legitimate and sense of humor. Well, what on earth did you expect? what isn't. In my view, no one without substantial As for (2): Every letter-writing —Eugene Emery, Jr. training in, or knowledge of, astro­ crank who has "invented" a perpetu­ physics should publish in astrophysics al-motion machine compares him­ Gene Emery is the science writer for the journals. If that sounds fantastic, so be self to Galileo. Need I remind you Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., it! You wouldn't want someone that Galileo was a professional scien­ Providence, RI 02902. untrained in heart surgery to perform tist, highly skilled in math and heart surgery on you, would you? Or experimentation. Besides, he was an unlicensed plumber to fix your oppressed by theologians, not by sci­ Everyone Has A Theory! plumbing? entists. How Do You Respond? Science is extremely hard work, and To make a long rant short: If you scientists have learned something few don't have training in astrophysics (or laypeople appreciate—that the Truth any other technical subject) and want t's a familiar scenario for an editor. is a terribly elusive beast to chase to publish articles about it in peer- I Your newspaper/magazine/journal down; it's a business for competent review journals, then get the training. publishes an article about the latest sci­ professionals, not for armchair science Go back to school, learn how to con­ entific finding in cosmology. Soon you buffs. duct experiments, get a doctorate, etc. begin receiving letters from readers out­ This doesn't mean you aren't free to Otherwise, no one will take your spec­ lining their own cosmological theories of speculate! This is America, and there is ulations seriously—except your family, the universe. Often these messages go on no Lysenkoism here (although it has friends and, perhaps, the grocery-store for pages in painstaking detail And reared its hideous head from time to tabloids. although they're by nonscientists, their time); no one requires you to accept Sorry to speak so bluntly, but I get language can be just as opaque as the the prevailing cosmology. The First letters like yours all die time. I hope most technical published papers. Most of Amendment rightly protects your free­ this letter has given you food for these letters are by sincere people motivat­ dom to hold any views you wish, and thought. And I sincerely wish you the ed by the same curiosity and interest that to express them in any place that offers best of luck. drives good scientists. But some are by you a forum. Let me know if you get that doctor­ people who seem to have giant chips on But the glorious First does not ate. their shoulders, hostile to science and all require science journals to open their scientists for refusing to recognize their pages to every untrained newcomer Sincerely, cosmic insights. How should you respond? who propounds a grand, vague Every editor has to make a choice. hypothesis, especially when publish­ Keay Davidson Here's how Keay Davidson, science ing costs are so high and when so Science Writer reporter for the San Francisco Examiner, many competent professionals are San Francisco Examiner

8 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • January/February 1995 Headquarters Campus for CSICOP and the Skeptical Inquirer A Progress Report

Taking advantage of low-interest rates and a soft construction market, we have begun construction of the Center for Inquiry, Phase II. The Center for Inquiry is the headquarters of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal and the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH), with which for economic reasons CSICOP has shared facilities since 1980. This is the long-awaited consolida­ tion of SKEPTICAL INQUIRER'S Buffalo- area administrative, editorial, production, and warehousing activities in one effi­ cient facility. Ground-breaking was in late May 1994, and the plan is for occupancy in early 1995. Located adjacent to the Amherst Campus of the State University of New York at Buffalo—the largest campus of the nations largest state university sys­ tem—the Center for Inquiry will provide the permanent, multi-purpose home base that the skeptical movement has long required. Numerous opportunities exist for naming rooms and structures after friends or loved ones. The Phase II building of the Center for Inquiry itself remains to be named for a gift of $1,000,000; the Computer Center, for a gift Construction Now of $250,000. Under Way!

• New building on two floors, Construction Cash Is Still Short expandable for the future • Eye-catching new contemporary We will realize important savings by having started con­ design struction this summer, although our "Price of Reason" • Will house the world's largest Capital Fund Drive is still in progress. Under Co-Chair skeptical library—computerized Martin Gardner this campaign has reached more than catalogue accessible via modem 85 percent of the CSICOP/CODESH construction and from anywhere in the world endowment goals. To maintain our momentum, addi­ • Conference and seminar facilities, with full audio-visual support tional cash gifts for construction are urgently needed. • Dedicated audio-video-TV production and duplication facility. Please support the "Price of Reason" For larger productions, multimedia Capital Fund Drive today. For more conference room converts to 3- camera television studio. information, use the postpaid response card in this issue or contact CSICOP • Additional, efficient office space to provide for CSICOP's past and Martin Gardner today at 716-636-1425. future growth 1994 CSICOP Conference

Exploring Mind, Memory, and the Psychology of Belief

TOM GENONI, JR.

he 1994 CSICOP conference, conference was the keynote address by encounters so many have reported. Not held in Seattle, Washington, Carl Sagan, who emphasized the need only can these "waking dreams" result TJune 23 to 26, set out to explore to popularize science and the potential­ in startling apparitions, but they may the various ways in which our minds ly dangerous consequences of a society also produce a range of physiological operate, how our views are formed, and in which scientific understanding is in symptoms, including heightened audio how our memories can be influenced, the hands of the few. (See his article in perception, sensations of floating or altered, and even manufactured. Tided this issue.) But it was the first session, falling, and even the feeling that some "The Psychology of Belief," this lively with Harvard professor of psychiatry device has been implanted somewhere four-day event, attended by more than John Mack discussing alien abductions, in the body. Although the predictabili­ 700 people from around the United that created the most controversy. ty is low and the exact causes of such States and abroad, featured sessions on sleep disorders are not known—stress UFOs and alien abductions, die highly is believed to be a primary contribu­ controversial recovered-memory debate, Alien Abductions: tor—Baker reported that 4 to 5 per­ expert testimony and pseudoscience in cent of the American population have the courtroom, and conspiracy theories. Confrontation, Controversy had such experiences on one or more There was also an unannounced visit Robert Baker, professor emeritus of from James Randi, who showed a video­ occasions in their lives. Baker said that, tape of his latest adventure in Australia psychology at the University of except for variations in the hallucinato­ accompanied by his always nimble-wit- Kentucky, began the session by stating ry content, the descriptions given by ted commentary. The highlight of the his position that almost all so-called known sleep-paralysis patients are UFO abductions are primarily a psycho­ almost identical to the accounts of logical phenomenon resulting alleged alien abductees. from hypnotherapy. Regressive Although somewhat in agreement hypnosis. Baker contends, is an with Baker and other skeptics that unreliable procedure because it UFO-abduction stories are difficult to unlocks the patient's imagina­ accept, Thomas Bullard, folklorist at tion: "Once you turn on the Indiana University, said that the abduc­ imagination, all things are pos­ tion phenomenon is "an anomaly sible." Baker also said that sleep worth investigating." He said that there paralysis—a condition that can is an unusually high degree of consis­ occur in the period between tency in the abductees' descriptions not sleeping and waking—accom­ only of the aliens (short, humanoid fig­ panied by hypnagogic and ures with large heads) but also of the hypnopompic hallucinations, sequence of events that occur during Harvard professor John Mack defending his belief can produce bizarre effects that the alleged abductions. In a brief slide that aliens have abducted many of his patients. may account for the vivid alien presentation, Bullard demonstrated

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 CSICOP -- Conference

that early representations of aliens var­ tcmology?" Mack said that this phenom­ remembrance of an event does not ied considerably, while more recent enon may be inviting us to stretch our make the event so"—a point that would images have had a high system of understand­ be reiterated throughout the conference. degree of consistency. ing realities. "Other On the recommendation of John He also disputed the cultures have always Mack, Sharon Phillip, a hypnothera­ claim, alluded to by known that there pist, spoke next. Since experiencing a Baker, that the 1977 were other realities, UFO sighting as a teenager, Phillip movie Close Encounters other beings, other said, she has had many UFO and alien of the Third Kind pro­ dimensions. There is a encounters, once witnessing an alien vided the model for world of other dimen­ materialize in a doorway. She maintains that what she encountered were not the alien figure. He sions, of other realities sleep-paralysis hallucinations, but con­ said that, of the 103 that can cross over into scious experiences, and urged the audi­ cases in his study, more our own world." ence to keep an open mind in these than half of the 43 that Which realities, beings, Robert Baker discusses his earth- matters. had been published and dimensions, he did bound explanations for the alien prior to me release of abduction phenomenon. not say. To balance die proceedings, Donna that movie contained In closing, Mack Bassett, a researcher who had partici­ descriptions of short, humanoid figures. asked why skeptics are so vehement in pated in John Mack's recent study, was Bullard maintained that there are too their attacks and wondered how they then called up to speak. At first Bassett many experiences that cannot be easily can have so much certainty. "Are we seemed to indicate she was one of explained through standard methods seeking to be the arbiters of reality?" he Mack's "abductees." But she quickly and urged skeptics to examine and asked. CSICOP Chairman Paul Kurtz, announced that since September 1992 investigate these UFO claims. (During moderator of the session, briefly she had been only posing as one in order to infiltrate Mack's study and the question-and-answer period, how­ responded that skeptics are simply learn about his research methods. "1 ever, Baker pointed out that die burden practicing scientific methodology faked it," Bassett said, of proof is not on die skeptics, but on when they question "women have been those who are making these extraordi­ UFO-abduction cases doing it for centuries." nary claims.) and other paranormal She reported that dur­ claims. John Mack, professor of psychiatry ing her investigation at Harvard University, drew the most William Cone, a clini­ she discovered that, attention and curiosity from the audi­ cal psychologist from New­ despite Mack's good ence. His recent book. Abduction: port Beach, California, said intentions, his proce­ Human Encounters With Aliens, in he found a great deal of dures were flawed —he which he proclaims die belief that the research being con­ used little or no scien­ many of his patients actually have been ducted to be "atrociously tific methodology. She abducted by aliens, has received exten­ bad" and echoed the said that during thera­ sive media coverage. Indeed, Mack is charge made earlier by py sessions with Mack, now the most visible spokesman for Robert Baker that poorly many patients would the abduction phenomenon. He main­ trained researchers often often practice "over­ tains he was once intensely skeptical of impose their beliefs on lay," a term she said such claims but now categorizes the patients. The patients they invented to refer Researcher Donna Bassett UFO-abduction cases as "authentic themselves, in Cone's to their embellishing shares her experience as a experience, go public their stories. "They mysteries." He said he has considered pseudopatient in Mack's study. other possible causes (i.e., sleep paraly­ either to be paid by die [die abductees] told John what he want­ sis, nightmares), but the UFO-abduc­ media or to garner notoriety and atten­ ed to hear," Bassett added. She said she tion cases have "a quality of their own." tion from public appearances, or are felt that many of the patients were seek­ But Mack did not simply defend his simply looking for a sense of identity, ing attention. Although she believed Mack's approach was wrong, she said position that, based on his anecdotal evi­ wanting to belong somewhere. He said that the subject nevertheless deserves dence, aliens have visited the planet. He he has also diagnosed many of these study. also posed some questions regarding die people as mentally ill, paranoid, or delu­ polarization of skeptics and believers. sional. Cone admitted he had found a Asking die audience to consider die subgroup of patients who do not fit his In response. Mack expressed his question "What is die appropriate epis- explanations, but he emphasized that "a disappointment over what had just

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 11 CSICOP Conference

occurred. "I am saddened by this. ... I The Belief Engine: How accomplishment he said was due to the am a little bit clearer about it when 1 World Views Are Formed "Geller effect." As a professor teaching am told that she (Bassett) was found to classes in critical thinking, Hyman said play this role by Philip Klass—since The session on perception and belief for­ he performs this trick for students to that's his purpose, to destroy and mation was introduced by moderator illustrate the undependable nature of undercut the credibility of this work." James Alcock, professor of psychology at eyewitness testimony. After producing a Although one audience member com­ Glendon College, York University. bent key, his students attempt to recall, mented that not informing Mack prior Alcock described sources of human per- in writing, what occurred during the demonstration, as well as to provide a ##!We must always, to some degree, be possible theory to explain how the effect was achieved. What Hyman has consis­ suspicious of our own experience. We tently found over the years is that stu­ must never take It as the arbiter of truth' dents will not report on the most crucial aspects of the trick simply because they to the conference that Bassett would be ception and emphasized the ease with do not know what to look for. In speaking was ethically questionable which our minds can make causal con­ proposing theories, most offer natural (even though her story had already nections and patterns that may not exist. explanations, such as switched keys, spe­ been covered in Time's April 25 inves­ Our minds "take in information from cial key knowledge, or even enhanced tigative report about Mack), another the environment, combine it with finger strength. However, about one- said that the fact that Mack had not aspects of memory, shape it to satisfy cer­ quarter of his students contend that an discovered Donna Bassett as a fake tain needs, and produce a belief that may authentic paranormal event has called into question his whole method­ or may not have anything to do with occurred. And only one student has ever ology. Mack replied: "I'm not yet con­ reality," Alcock said. Contributing to this correctly described Hyman's method. vinced one way or the other—whether framework of belief creation is what he Andrew Neher, professor of psy­ called "magical thinking." As children, she did in fact hoax or whether she has chology at Cabrillo College, in Aptos, causal patterns arc often incorrectly in tact had these experiences herself. 1 California, surveyed the audience to learned merely because one event is fol­ don't know." After answering a few measure the degree of belief and disbe­ lowed by another. Despite our expanding more questions (and restating the need lief in the paranormal. In his three- ability to operate with a critical perspec­ for an "expanded epistemology"), question poll, Neher found that most tive as we grow, fallacious beliefs that are Mack again implicated Klass in having functional and that, for example, aid our in the audience did not believe in para­ a hand in Donna Bassett's work. emotional survivability, can be normal events, are confident of their At this time, Klass had heard sustained with this magical position, and are comfortable believing enough and angrily approached the thinking, which Alcock that paranormal events do not exist. stage. Taking the microphone, he chas­ said never completely Neher, who questioned how so many tised Mack for making what he labeled leaves us. "We must could have such a high degree of com­ "false innuendoes." "Before you made always, to some degree, fort in their stat­ accusations . . . why didn't you check be suspicious of our own ed positions, with me? 1 could have told you that the experience," he conclud­ was answered by first time 1 talked to Donna and her ed. "We must never take it as one audience member: husband about you and your work was the arbiter of truth." "I am no more uncomfortable with a when they called me on January 9." disbelief or the assumption that God After a few more exchanges, Paul Kurtz Hay Hyman, professor of psycholo­ does not exist, than I am with Bigfoot, intervened and brought the session to a gy at the University of Oregon, rein­ the Loch Ness Monster, or the tooth conclusion. forced Alcock's comments with a fairy. I don't find anything more inter­ Ending the session on a humorous demonstration that left many suspicious esting or more valid from one to the note, Robert Baker jokingly proposed of their own experience. Hyman sum­ other." that CSICOP's research should go in a moned two volunteers from the audi­ In discussing various motives for new direction: "Sixty-nine percent of ence. He asked each to select a key and belief formation, Neher asserted that Americans believe in angels, and 32 to bend it using only a stroking move­ believers and skeptics often construct percent claim they have had contact ment and a strong will. After a few min­ their views in similar ways. Each learns utes with no results from his volunteers, with them. Now that's a lot better than from families, friends, different organi­ Hyman was seemingly able to bend a for alien abductions. 1 think we ought zations, and the society at large, and key with only the power of his mind, an to investigate angels." each tends to stereotype the other—

12 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 CSICOP Conference sometimes members of their own publishing negative findings in sublimi­ Ballard, a speaker on the previous group. Neher cautioned skeptics not to nal-rape studies—to dispense with trou­ evening, McGaha asserted that the evo­ allow their biases and dispositions to blesome opponents to your cause, innu­ lution of alien images into a creature prevent die scientific study of certain endo and character assassination are frequencywit usedh a . smalPratkanil bods ycalle and afo larger carefu, bulboul s beliefs. "Science can direct its energies understanding of these persuasion tactics. head is indeed a result of Steven to determining what is helpful to Spielbergs Close Encounters of the Third believe, without necessarily only Kind. McGaha also referred to numer­ researching whether the belief is veridi­ ous alien encounters and supposed gov­ cal." Neher said that many who tend to An Illustrated History ernment cover-ups, including the 1947 reject science as elitist, irrelevant, or of UFOs Kenneth Arnold sighting, that he closed-minded have not been intro­ believes were simply mountaintop duced to it as a process we all perform mirages, and die Roswell incident, in James McGaha, a retired Air Force pilot daily. "Science is not just something which a clerical error set in motion the and an amateur astronomer, treated the that scientists do somewhere else. All of amazing tales of an alien spacecraft and audience to an interesting and often us are scientists." government secrets. The accusations that humorous history of UFOs. In an hour- government agencies are concealing Anthony Pratkanis, professor of psy­ long illustrated talk, McGaha chroni­ aliens and their vehicles as well as die chology at die University of California at cled the alleged UFO encounters, media belief that Air Force pilots are trained as Santa Cruz, spoke on "How to Sell a influences, and government-conspiracy UFO observers, he also dispelled as Pseudoscience." He delineated methods beliefs daring from the 1896 air­ unfounded. of persuasion many use to promote and ship incidents up to the sinister sell deceptive "products." Subdy increas­ abduction claims of the 1990s. McGaha said we should not ing steps of commitment, clearing "cred­ He showed a wide range of abandon our reasoning ability and ible" sources and leaders to end doubt, bizarre UFO shapes and alien scientific undemanding of nature, and establishing "granfalloons" ("in the forms, explaining that "UFOs despite the ever-increasing range know" groups of shared social identities) parallel popular culture, particular­ of UFO beliefs in American culture. are but a few of the persuasive tactics used ly science-fiction movies, books, mag­ "Where is the evidence? There is no to gain a targets trust. These methods azines, and television shows." McGaha empirical evidence that UFOs have ever often incorporate widely accepted, com­ demonstrated that just before each of the visited the planet, none—UFOlogy is monplace "truths" that can be used to waves of UFO-sightings over the years, clearly a belief system." embellish concepts or issues to create the popular UFO stories were often preva­ desired submissive effect, Pralkanis said. lent in the entertainment media. In con­ Coverage of the 1994 CSICOP Conference And—as he himself experienced after trast to the view held by Thomas will continue in the next issue.

Session I ALIEN ABDUCTIONS. Paul Kurtz. Robert Baker. Audio tapes of the Thomas Bullard, John Mack. $13.90 Session II. THE BELIEF ENGINE: HOW WORLDVIEWS ARE FORMED. James Alcock. Ray Hyman. Andrew Neher. Anthony Pratkanis. $13.90 CSICOP Conference Session III. Luncheon. AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF UFOS. James McGaha. $6.95 in Seattle, June 23-26,1994 Session IV. HOW WE FOOL OURSELVES: ANOMALIES Order die complete conference OF PERCEPTION AND INTERPRETATION. Barry Beyerstein now for $118.14 Susan Blackmore, Elizabeth Loftus. Jerry Andrus. $13.90 Session V. KEYNOTE ADDRESS. Carl Sagan. $13.90 Session VI. MEMORY: HOW RELIABLE IS IT? Carol Tarvis. Charge my DVisa DMaster Card DCheck enclosed Stephen Ceci. Richard Orihe, Loren Pankratz. $13.90 (please pay in U.S fundi drawn on a U.S. bank) Session VII. CSICOP Luncheon. CSICOP AND THE LAW. Brendon VerPloeg. Remarks by Kendrick Frasier and Joe Nickel!. for the CSICOP Executive Council. $6.95 Session VIII INFLUENCING BELIEFS IN THE COURTROOM. Signature. Gerald M. Rosen, Barry Beyerstein. Peter Huber, Timothy Moore. $13.90 Name Session DC AWARDS BANQUET. Paul Kurtz. Carl Sagan. Address . John Maddox. Elizabeth Loftus. and others. $1390 Session X CONSPIRACY THEORIES. Lee Nisbet. Don Kates, City State Zip Philip J. Klass. Valerie Klein. $13 90 Complete set of conference tapes $118.14 (no charge tor p&h) SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • Box 703 • Amherst, NY 14226-0703 Total Order toll free: 1-800-634-1610

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 13 Notes of a Fringe-Watcher

iterary Science lunders

MARTIN GARDNER

P. Snow, in his famous little called the moon's "pale fire" was flowed a rushing stream which came book The Two Cultures, "snatched" from the sun. from the high mountains. Its origi­ C• maintained that scientists Over the decades I have gathered a nal source was so high, indeed, that usually know mote about the arts than list of amusing howlers involving sci­ by merely laying an open wooden leaders of the humanities know about ence that occur in literary works. trough up the opposite side of the science. One could fill this page with Because it is far from exhaustive I arroyo, the Mexicans conveyed the the names of great scientists and math­ would welcome hearing of any blun­ water to the plateau at the top. This ematicians—Einstein is a notable ders I have missed. It goes without say­ sluice was laid in sections that example—who loved classical music, ing that a science mistake in a work of zigzagged up the face of the cliff. many of whom were even skilled in fiction is only a minor blemish that in playing it. Other scientists, eminent no way mars the literary value of the Water can flow upward only when work. and not so eminent, have been unusu­ confined within siphons and other ally knowledgeable about poetry, liter­ Let's start with a little-noticed mis­ structures, but not in open troughs. ature, painting, and philosophy. take by E Scott Fitzgerald in his mas­ The error was corrected in later edi­ Contrariwise, it is not easy to find terpiece. The Great Gatsby. In Chapter tions. In the same edition Cather musicians, painters, novelists, poets, 2, Fitzgerald describes a huge sign in speaks of mesas in the region of and especially actors, who have a front of an oculist's shop in Queens, Acoma, New Mexico, as "great tables knowledge of science beyond what New York: "The eyes of Doctor T J. of granite." Actually they are made of they learned in grade school. There are, Eckleburg are blue and gigantic—their sandstone. Another passage refers to a of course, exceptions. Snow himself retinas are one yard high. They look man's right eye as "overgrown by a was a novelist who bridged the two cul­ out of no face but, instead, from a pair cataract." Cataracts are not growths on of enormous yellow spectacles which tures. H. G. Wells was an earlier exam­ the outside of an eye lens, as many pass over a nonexistent nose." ple. Milton and Dante were well believe. They are a clouding of the lens Throughout the novel the giant eyes acquainted with the science of their itself. symbolize the eyes of God. Did you get time. So was Shelley. The same can be William Golding's novel Lord of the the mistake? One cannot see retinas. said of such modern writers as Flies contains two outstanding howlers. Fitzgerald meant pupils or irises. Nabokov, Borges, Auden, Pynchon, Here is how Ralph, in the second chap­ Vonnegut, and Updike. By and large, The first edition of Willa Cather's ter, starts a fire by using the spectacles however, persons trained in the arts best-known novel, Death Comes for the of the myopic Piggy: tend to be appallingly ignorant of the Archbishop, had the following incredi­ most elementary science. I recall a con­ ble passage: There was pushing and pulling fusing conversation I once had with a and officious cries. Ralph moved the graduate student in English literature ... A chasm in the earth over lenses back and forth, this way and before I realized he did not know, as two hundred feet deep . . . through that, till a glossy white image of die Shakespeare did, that what the bard the sunken fields and pastures, declining sun lay on a piece of rotten

14 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 wood. Almost at once a thin trickle the east. Not only of smoke rose up and made him is this moon a cough. Jack knelt too and blew gently, crescent, but it so that the smoke drifted away, has "one bright thickening, and a tiny flame star within its appeared. The flame, nearly invisible nether tip." The at first in that bright sunlight, line originally enveloped a small twig, grew, was read "almost enriched with color and reached up acween die dps," to a branch which exploded with a so Coleridge may sharp crack. The flame flapped high­ have known that a er and the boys broke into a cheer. star inside the moon's crescent is Nearsighted (myopic) persons wear impossible, and lenses that are concave. Only convex intended this to lenses can focus sunlight on a small be a supernatural spot. omen. James Hugh, in "You Can Be In George Eliot's Myopic and Still Survive on a Desert Mill on the Floss, Island," in the Physics Teacher Maggie Tulliver and (December 1991), pointed out that a her brother arc lens for correcting nearsightedness is drowned on die actually convex on die outward side, river Floss when but strongly concave on die side facing their frail boat is the eye. If such a lens is held horizon­ overturned by a tally, the concavity can be filled with mass of debris float­ water to make it a convex lens capable ing toward diem at An illustration from the first edition of Jules Verne's From of starting a fire. a faster rate than the Earth to the Moon. Although in free fall, neither die the boat is drift­ man, dog, nor anchor are floating in weightlessness. Golding makes an even worse mis­ ing. Actually, both boat and debris, take in Chapter 5. The sun has just set, between the earth and the sun and thus unless there were strong eddies or stars have appeared, and a "sliver of invisible, and totality lasts only a few countercurrents, would move through moon" is rising above die horizon. minutes. Not until the edition of 1886 the flowing river at the same rate. Golding, who majored in science at did Haggard change die event to a Oxford before he switched to litera­ In spite of lurid books and articles lunar eclipse. ture, should have known that a moon to the contrary, by poorly informed It is easy to forget that the moon, rising after sunset has to be full, not journalists of pseudoscience, chemists like stars, can be overhead in the day­ crescent shaped. agree that no human being ever caught time but nearly invisible. If the moon Mistakes about die moon are com­ fire by spontaneous combustion. Such is full or gibbous, it often shines in the mon in both fiction and poetry. events occur only in fiction, the most dim light of sunrise or sunset. Evidently most people are not aware notorious instance being the sudden Apparently T. S. Eliot forgot this when that the moon, like the sun and die combustion of a drunken Mr. Krock in he complained about the seeming stars, rises in the east and sets in die Dickens's Bleak House. Other instances obscurity of the fifth stanza of Shelley's of such deaths can be found in Charles west. They seem to think the moon "To a Skylark": floats about die sky randomly until it is Brockton Brown's Wieland, Nicolai Gogol's Dead Souls, Frederick dark enough to become visible. Keen as are the arrows Marryat's Jacob Faithful, Herman Coleridge makes the same mistake Of that silver sphere, Melville's Redburn, and Emile Zola's Le in The Ancient Mariner. In Part 3 "The Whose intense lamp narrows Docteur Pascal Sun's rim dips, the stars rush out: At In the white dawn clear one stride comes the dark." This is fol­ The first edition (1885) of H. Rider Until we hardly see—we feel thai it lowed by a "horned moon" climbing in Haggard's best-selling novel King is there. Solomon's Mines, in Chapter 11, "We Among Martin Gardners most recent Give a Sign," has a total eclipse of the Is not the meaning obvious? Shelley books are Fractal Music, HyperCards sun taking place during a full moon, is describing a silvery full moon at day­ and More (W. H. Freeman) and The and producing total darkness for an break. As the sky gets brighter, the Healing Revelations of Mary Baker hour and a half. A total eclipse of the image slowly fades until it teaches a sun can occur only when the moon is Eddy (Prometheus Books). point when you hardly see it but "feel"

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 15 father when he was a child. The whole range of psi phe­ nomena (ESP, PK, precognition, and so on) pervades much of science fiction, as do aliens in UFOs visit­ ing earth, the trans­ mission of human bodies by dissolving and reconstituting their molecules ("Beam me up, Scotty"), and a thousand other improbable things. Of course we can forgive science-fic­ tion writers for introducing Martian canals before it was clear they did not exist, or describing An alien male creature lusts after a human female in an illustration for a story in 1976 by Carolos the "twilight zone" Maria Federica, a Uruguayan science-fiction author. (From Science Fiction: An Illustrated History, on Mercury. H. G. by Sam Lundwall, Grosset and Dunlap, 1978.) Wells correctly antic­ it is still there. The vanishing is espe­ objection when die essay was reprinted ipated die dropping of "atom bombs" cially rapid in die foggy, air-polluted in a later book. in World War II, in his most prophetic skies of London. In a similar way, the A common but mistaken belief is novel The World Set Free, but his air­ song of a retreating skylark trails off that the plane on which a Foucault planes were so primitive that the into silence. pendulum swings does not rotate rela­ bombs were released by hand through It is hard to believe, but here is tive to die stars. Umberto Eco, on die a hole in the bottom of the plane. what Eliot had to say about this stanza second page of his novel Foucault's Although electrical computers appear in "A Note on Richard Crashaw" in his Pendulum, states that the pendulums in early science fiction, almost no book For Lancelot Andrews. plane never changes direction. This is author anticipated the computet revo­ true only if the pendulum swings at die lution. There are stories taking place For the first time perhaps in a north or south pole. far in the future with scientists still verse of such eminence, sound exists Thomas Cook, in his crime novel making calculations on slide rules! without sense. ... I should be grate­ Flesh and Blood (1989), has on page 44 Arthur Clarke, in his novel Master of ful for any explanation of this stan­ an autopsy report saying, "At the Space, was the only writer to anticipate za; until now I am still ignorant to moment of her death, her heart had the televising on earth of the first what sphere Shelley refers, or why it weighed four grams, her brain seven." moon landing. should have silver arrows, or what He must have meant kilograms. Now and then, however, even the the devil he means by an intense Edgar Rice Burroughs, who never best science-fiction writers nod and lamp narrowing in the white dawn; set foot in Africa, made so many boo- make unintended blunders. Jules though I can understand that we boos about Africa's flora and fauna in Verne's From the Earth to the Moon is a could hardly see the lamp of a silver his Tarzan series that I understand res­ classic instance. Inertial forces pro­ sphere narrowing in white dawn idents of the dark continent read die duced by the cannon used to shoot a (why dawn? as he has just referred to Tarzan books partly for laughs. spaceship to the moon would have the pale purple even). There may be Science-fiction writers are, of killed die astronauts. Verne assumes some clue for persons more learned course, free to indulge in wild fantasy that on the trip earth's gravity would than I; but Shelley should have pro­ about traveling faster than light, taking slowly diminish while die moon's grav­ vided notes. shortcuts through space warps, or ity would slowly increase until die ship going back in time in spite of die logi­ reached a balance point where the two Someone must have explained the cal paradoxes that arise, such as how gravity pulls would be equal. Only stanza to Eliot because he removed his you could exist if you murdered your then would die astronauts float freely

16 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 about inside their ship. Verne should of motion (conservation of momen­ flattening an ear to the wall. As a child, have known that his ship would be in tum) yet they are featured in many sci­ I recall being puzzled by one of Harold free-fall all die way to the moon, with ence-fiction yarns. Even Arthur Lloyd's comedies in which someone weightlessness experienced inside at all Clarke, who knows better, uses an iner­ chalked "KICK" on a wall. When times. Another blunder occurs when tial drive in Rendezvous with Rama. For Harold leaned against the wall the the travelers fling out a dead dog and several years John Campbell, the editor words, unreversed, were imprinted on the carcass floats alongside die ship of Analog Science Fiction, who tumbled the back of his jacket. instead of speeding off horizontally. for a variety of pseudosciences (includ­ I myself once wrote a story called ing Scientology), trumpeted a worth­ H. G. Wells trounced Verne for "The Island of Five Colors," based on less space drive in his magazine. such blunders, but in his First Men in my confusing the famous four-color- the Moon he makes a mistake equally Charles Eric Maine, in High map theorem (unproved at the time) absurd. We cannot fault him for his Vacuum, speaks of astronauts in space with a completely different theorem, Cavorite, a substance that insulates the suits on an airless planet as being easily verified by graph theory, that five ship from gravity, because Einstein had unable to hear their own footsteps. He regions cannot be drawn on the plane not yet shown that any sort of gravity should have realized that footstep so each borders the other four. The two theorems are often thought to be the shield would be impossible. sounds would be transmitted by shoes, same, as I learned to my embarrass­ Wells describes all the unattached feet, legs, and air inside the suits. In The Tomorrow People, Judith Meril has ment after the story appeared in an objects in his spaceship as clustering a helicopter whirling about the moon, anthology. toward the sphere's center by the where the absence of atmosphere, as attraction of their masses. Of course 1 find in my files the following even Kant observed, would prevent their gravitational pulls would be far charming poem by Mary Winter, birds from flying. In Hothouse, Brian too minute to have such an effect. clipped from the New York Times Aldiss has giant spiders spinning webs It is well known that inside a spher­ (December 4, 1957): that join the earth and the moon, for­ ical shell, no matter how large, gravita­ getting that the earth's rotation relative THE STRANGER TRUTH tional attraction due to the sphere itself to the moon would rip such webs is zero at all points. Ross Rocklynne, in apart. his story "At die Center of Gravity," Forming a bivalve, as before, has men trapped by gravity at the cen­ It is conceivable that humanoids The shell close-cupped upon my ear ter of a hollow sphere the size of the from other planets might find humans Gives back the waves' diminished earth. sexually attractive, but early science fic­ roar. Just as many mistakes about space tion often had bug-eyed monster males travel turn up in science-fiction films. making passes at female earthlings, A child's faith once implicitly One of the most common errors is something akin to an earthling being Accepted this fine fantasy. showing a ship moving relative to the sexually aroused by an octopus. As clear, oh clear, the surge and stars. Stars are much too far away and Lord Byron's Prisoner of Chillon whirr too far apart to display such motion. says: Of surf and wind came back to Electronic conversations back and her. forth over vast distances, with no My hair is grey, but not with years, recognition of time delays, frequently Nor grew it white in a single night And magic still returns, though take place in science-fiction stories and As men's have grown from sudden sense movies. Laser beams often glow as they fears. Instructs my muted turbulence; move through space when in fact they Rhythm of blood's salt tide in mc would be invisible in die absence of Hair cannot suddenly turn white, Murmurs the cadence of the sea. molecules. although it does so in many nine­ Wonder revives, though knowing Another frequent blunder of early teenth-century novels. well. science fiction was assuming that mete­ How often have you encountered in My ear, it is, informs the shell. or or meteoroid collisions with space­ fiction and films persons who dis­ ships would be a constant hazard. guised their voices on the telephone by The poem's theme is that the roaring Actually, encounters with meteors, stretching a handkerchief over the you hear in shells is not an echo of even with asteroids while moving mouthpiece, or who listen to conversa­ ocean waves but something even through the asteroid belt, would be tion in another room by putting an ear stranger—the echo of blood coursing rare because of the vast distances to the bottom of a drinking glass, its through the veins of your head. The between them. Hollow earths play a rim pressing against the wall? Cloth truth is less strange. It is merely the role in fiction by Verne, Burroughs, has no effect on the quality of a voice. echo of sounds in the air around you as Poe, and others. Inertial drives for When eavesdropping on sounds in their waves resonate inside the shell's spaceships violate Newton's third law another room, you do even better by chamber.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 17 Health Watch

he Dark Side of Pauling's Legacy

STEPHEN BARRETT

inus Pauling was die only person Vitamin C and the Common Cold that groups that get a placebo (a dummy ever to win two unshared Nobel taking 1,000 milligrams (mg) of vita­ pill that looks like die real thing). Since Lprizes. He received these awards min C daily will reduce die incidence the common cold is a very variable ill­ for Chemistry in 1954 and for Peace in of colds by 45 percent for most people ness, proper tests must involve hun­ 1962. His recent death has stimulated but that some people need much larg­ dreds of people for significantly long many tributes to his scientific accom­ er amounts. (The RDA for vitamin C periods of time. At least 16 well- plishments. He has been called by many is 60 mg.) The 1976 revision of the designed, double-blind studies have colleagues die greatest chemist of the book, redded Vitamin C, the Common shown that supplementation with vita­ twentieth century. That was for his fun­ Cold and the Flu, suggested even high­ min C does not prevent colds and at damental contributions to chemistry. er dosages. A third book, Vitamin C best may slightly reduce the symptoms His impact on the health marketplace, and Cancer (1979), claims that high of a cold. Slight symptom reduction however, was anything but laudable. doses of vitamin C may be effective may occur as the result of an antihista- Pauling is largely responsible for the against cancer. Yet another book, How mine-like effect, but whether this has widespread misbelief that high doses of to Feel Better and Live Longer (1986), practical value is a matter of dispute. vitamin C are effective against colds stated that megadoses of vitamins "can Pauling's views are based on the same and other illnesses. In 1968, he postu­ improve your health ... to increase studies considered by other scientists, lated that people's needs for vitamins your enjoyment of life and can help in but his analyses are flawed. and other nutrients vary markedly and controlling heart disease, cancer, and The largest clinical trials, involving that to maintain good health many other diseases and in slowing down die thousands of volunteers, were directed people need amounts of nutrients process of aging." Pauling himself by Terence Anderson, professor of epi­ much greater than die Recommended reportedly took at least 12,000 mg demiology at the University of Dietary Allowances (RDAs). And he daily and raised the amount to 40,000 Toronto. Taken together, his studies speculated that megadoses of certain mg if symptoms of a cold appeared. In suggest that extra vitamin C may vitamins and minerals might well be 1993, after undergoing radiation ther­ slightly reduce the severity of colds, but the treatment of choice for some forms apy for prostate cancer, Pauling said it is not necessary to take the high of mental illness. He termed his ap­ that vitamin C had delayed the cancer's doses suggested by Pauling to achieve proach "orthomoiccular," meaning onset for 20 years. This is not a testable this result. Not is there anything to be "right molecule." After that, he steadi­ claim. He died of die disease in August gained by taking vitamin C supple­ ly expanded the list of illnesses he 1994 at die age of 93. ments year-round in die hope of pre­ believed could be influenced by Scientific fact is established when venting colds. "orthomoiccular" therapy and the die same experiment is carried out over Another important study was number of nutrients suitable for such and over again with die same results. reported in 1975 by scientists at die use. No responsible medical or nutri­ To test the effect of vitamin C on National Institutes of Health who tion scientists share these views. colds, it is necessary to compare groups compared vitamin C pills with a place­ In 1970 Pauling announced in that get the vitamin with similar bo before and during colds. Although

18 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 the experiment was sup­ posed to be double-blind, half die subjects were able to guess which pill they were getting. When the results were tabulated with all subjects lumped togeth­ er, die vitamin group reported fewer colds per person over a nine-month period. But among the half who hadn't guessed which pill they had been taking, no difference in the inci­ dence or severity was found. This illustrates how people who think they are doing something effective (such as taking a vitamin) can report a favorable result even when none exists. In 1976, Pauling and Ewan Cameron, a Scottish physician, reported that a Two-time Nobel laureate Linus Pauling fields questions asked at a 1991 press conference in majority of one hundred San Francisco. "terminal" cancer patients treated with 10,000 mg of vitamin C should be equivalent in both groups. with all conventional modalities. The daily survived three to four times longer However, he found that Cameron's participants in the 1983 study had not than similar patients who did not patients were labeled untreatable much undergone conventional treatment, but receive vitamin C supplements. earlier in the course of their disease— Pauling dismissed its results anyway. However, William DeWys, chief of which means that they entered the hos­ Science aside, it is clear that Pauling clinical investigations at die National pital before they were as sick as the was politically aligned with the promot­ Cancer Institute, found that the study other doctors' patients and would natu­ ers of unscientific nutrition practices. was poorly designed, because the rally be expected to live longer. He said his initial interest in vitamin C patient groups were not comparable. Nevertheless, to test whether was aroused by a letter from bio­ The vitamin C patients were Pauling might be correct, the Mayo chemist Irwin Stone, with whom he Cameron's while the other patients Clinic conducted three double-blind subsequently maintained a close work­ were under the care of other physicians. studies involving a total of 367 patients ing relationship. Although Stone was Cameron's patients were started on vit­ with advanced cancer. The studies, often referred to as "Dr. Stone," his amin C when he labeled them "untreat- reported in 1979, 1983, and 1985, only credentials were a certificate able" by other methods, and their sub­ found that patients given 10,000 mg of showing completion of a two-year sequent survival was compared with the vitamin C daily did no better than chemistry program, an honorary chiro­ survival of the "control" patients after those given a placebo. Pauling criticized practic degree from the Los Angeles they were labeled untreatable by their the first study, claiming that College of Chiropractic, and a "Ph.D." doctors. DeWys reasoned that if the chemotherapeutic agents might have from Donsbach University, a nonac- two groups were comparable, the suppressed the patients' immune sys­ credited correspondence school. lengths of time from entry into the hos­ tems so that vitamin C couldn't work. In a little-publicized chapter in pital to being labeled untreatable But his 1976 report on Cameron's work Vitamin C and the Common Cold, states clearly that: "All patients are Pauling attacked the health-food Stephen Barrett, M.D., a retired psychi­ treated initially in a perfectly conven­ industry for misleading its customers. atrist and nationally known consumer tional way, by operation, use of radio­ Pointing out that "synthetic" vitamin advocate, is coauthor/editor of 36 books therapy, and the administration of hor­ C is identical with "natural" vitamin C, on health topics. His most recent work is mones and cytotoxic substances." And he warned that higher-priced "natural" The Vitamin Pushers: How the during a subsequent talk at the products are a "waste of money." And "Health Food" Industry Is Selling University of Arizona, he stated that he added that "the words 'organically America a Bill of Goods. vitamin C therapy could be used along grown' are essentially meaningless—

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 19 just part of the jargon used by health- almost twice as frequently as die con­ presumably could be used for publicity food promoters in making their excess trol group and that only doses of vita­ when the chiropractors returned profits, often from elderly people with min C that were nearly lethal had any home). low incomes." But Vitamin C, the protective effect. Shortly after report­ In 1983, Pauling and Irwin Stone Common Cold and the Flu, issued six ing this to Pauling, Robinson was testified at a hearing on behalf of Oscar years later, contained none of these asked to resign from die Institute, his Falconi, a vitamin promoter charged by criticisms. This omission was not acci­ experimental animals were killed, his die Postal Service with making false dental. In response to a letter, Pauling scientific data were impounded, and claims for several products. Pauling informed me that, after his first book some of the previous research results supported Falconi's contentions that vitamin C was useful not only in pre­ "Pauling is largely responsible for the wide­ venting cancer, but also in curing drug addicts and destroying both viruses and spread misbelief that high doses of vitamin C bacteria. Pauling also testified in 1984 are effective against colds and other illnesses/ before die California Board of Medical Quality Assurance in defense of came out, he was "strongly attacked by were destroyed. Pauling also declared Michael Gerber, M.D., who was people who were also attacking the publicly that Robinson's research was accused of improperly administering to health-food people." He said that his "amateurish" and inadequate. Robin­ patients. One was a 56-year-old woman critics were so "biased" that he would son responded by suing the Institute with treatable cancer who—the Board no longer help them attack the health- and its trustees. In 1983, die suit was concluded—had died as a result of food industry while another part of settled out of court for $575,000. In an Gerber's neglect while he treated her their attack was directed at him. interview quoted in Nature, Pauling with herbs, enzymes, coffee enemas, The Linus Pauling Institute of said that die settlement "represented and chelation therapy. The other Medicine, founded in 1973, is dedicat­ no more than compensation for loss of patients were rhree-year-old twin boys ed to "orthomolecular medicine." office and die cost of Robinson's legal with ear infections for which Gerber Many of the institute's fund-raising fees." However, the court-approved had prescribed 70,000 or more units of brochures have contained questionable agreement states that $425,000 of die vitamin A daily and coffee enemas settlement was for slander and libel. information. They have falsely twice daily for several weeks. Gerber claimed, for example, that no signifi­ During the mid-1970s, Pauling lost his license to practice medicine as a cant progress has been made in cancer helped lead die health-food industry's result of the hearings. In 1992, Pauling treatment in die past 20 years. This campaign for a federal law that weak­ testified in behalf of "clinical ecologist" viewpoint, which is frequently ened FDA protection of consumers Warren M. Levin, during hearings that expressed by promoters of unproved against misleading nutritional claims. culminated in a recommendation by cancer therapies, is simply untrue. The In 1977 and 1979, Pauling received New York State authorities that Levin's institute's largest corporate donor has awards and presented his views on vit­ license should be revoked for "gross been Hoffmann-La Roche, the phar­ amin C at die annual conventions of negligence," "fraudulent practice," and maceutical giant that produces most of the National Nutritional Foods "moral unfitness." the world's vitamin C. Association (the major trade associa­ A flyer distributed in 1991 by the tion of health-food retailers, distribu­ A dispute between Pauling and Linus Pauling Institute recommended tors, and producers). In 1981, he Arthur Robinson gives additional evi­ daily doses of 6,000 to 18,000 mg of accepted an award from the National dence that Pauling's defense of vitamin vitamin C, 400 to 1,600 IU of vitamin Health Federation (NHF) for "services C megadosage was less than honest. E, and 25,000 IU of vitamin A, plus Robinson, a former student and long­ rendered in behalf of health freedom" and gave his daughter a life member­ various other vitamins and minerals. time associate of Pauling, helped found These dosages have no proved benefit die institute and became its first presi­ ship in this organization. NHF pro­ motes die gamut of quackery. Many of and can cause troublesome side effects. dent. According to an investigative Although Pauling's megavitamin report by James Lowell, in Nutrition its leaders have been in legal difficulty claims lacked die evidence needed for Forum newsletter, Robinson's own and some have even received prison acceptance by the scientific community, research led him to conclude in 1978 sentences for various "health" activities. they have been accepted by large num­ that die high doses (5-10 grams a day) Pauling also spoke at a Parker School bers of people who lack the scientific of vitamin C being recommended by for Professional Success Seminar, a expertise to evaluate them. Thanks large­ Pauling might actually promote some meeting where chiropractors were types of cancer in mice. Robinson told taught highly questionable methods of ly to Pauling's prestige, annual vitamin C Lowell, for example, that animals fed building their practices. An ad for die sales in the United States have been in quantities equivalent to Pauling's rec­ meeting invited chiropractors to pose the hundreds of millions of dollars for ommendations contracted skin cancer with Pauling for a photograph (which many yean. The physical damage to peo­ ple he led astray cannot be measured. •

20 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Psychic Vibrations

TheNon-amazin g Kreskin Flubs Again

ROBERT SHEAFFER

he well-known mentalist "The as a supposed "parapsychology break­ dimensional force failed to inform him Amazing Kreskin" has for many through." Kreskin also claims to be of that. Tyean been doing performances able to "get into a person's mind and in which he appears to do astonishing awaken their SLEEPING PHENOMENO- feats of mind-reading, such as "predict­ LOGICAL POWER." This, he explains, ing" future headlines and "mentally" involves "a power that's being called a The recent collision between the vari­ locating hidden objects. This by itself is fourth dimensional force." ous fragments of Comet Shoemaker- not terribly remarkable, since mental- The bottom line is that Kreskin Levy 9 and Jupiter (Jupiter won) has, ism, the an of simulating extraordinary wants people to send in $20 (or $25 as you might expect, not been without mental powers, is a well-established Canadian) for a "Client Power interest to seers and the like. For exam­ branch of magic, die an of impersonat­ Certificate," which will unleash all these ple, a Polish-born seer calling herself ing the impossible. But when Kreskin powers to work on your behalf for a spoke at the 1991 CSICOP Con­ "minimum 720-hour-maximum 744- Kreskin continued on page 61 ference in Berkeley, California, some hour Kreskin/client peri­ people angrily accused him of pretend­ od for life enrichment." ing to actually possess extraordinary Astonishingly, at the powers. He disavowed making any such bottom of the letter claims, and a big fracas ensued (SKEP­ Kreskin asks Mrs. Lea to TICAL INQUIRER, Fall 1991). fill in her date and year A recent mailing from the Amazing of birth. Why a man who % Kreskin reveals the type of mental can read minds and tell power he now claims. A Mrs. Dorothy tomorrow's headlines Lea of British Columbia received a would be unable to do mailing in which Kreskin said: "I come something as simple as to you, Dorothy Lea. ... I find myself "know" a client's birth­ drawn into your life today, June 29, day is truly perplexing. 1994. I am going to use my power to However, this mailing put you in a world I believe you have enables us to run a sim­ never known. A world of big money. ple test of Kreskin's Exciting people. Happiness. Well- claimed powers. Mrs. being. Is it possible for me to do all Lea had been dead for this? Yes, Dorothy Lea, I'm not called two years at the time 'The Amazing Kreskin' for nothing." Kreskin says he felt him­ He claims his work has been written self "drawn into" her life. up in international scientific journals Somehow the fourth-

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 21 Media Watch

[Top-Secret Balloon Project boms Over TV Movie on Roswell Incident

C. EUGENE EMERY, JR.

t the conclusion of Roswell, the information about an historic UFO the skeptics. made-for-cable- television incident." Do the critics carp that only a small A movie about the alleged crash There was nothing new here. amount of debris was recovered? The of an extraterrestrial spacecraft in New Roswell (the incident) has been solution for the filmmakers is to show Mexico in 1947, an enigmatic UFO short on facts and long on both specu­ a huge area littered width truckloads of investigator named Townsend con­ lation and secondhand memories since shiny, silvery alien stuff. fronts Major Jesse Marcel, who helped its origins in 1947. Do the critics insist that the recov­ recover die debris and is trying to Roswell (the movie) seems contrived ered material came from die weather expose the U.S. gov­ to gloss over facts that balloon? Then show a weather balloon ernment's efforts to contradict a UFO being launched from the center of hide die truth. explanation and con­ town and have die characters insisting "You have nothing, vince doubters that an that it couldn't have been a weather just a lot of old memo­ alien spacecraft did balloon because everyone knows what ries and secondhand rec­ indeed crash in a a weather balloon looks like. ollections," Townsend remote field. The film Some of the holes in Roswell seem scolds Marcel, who is shows alien hiero­ large enough to fly a Mother Ship battered by years of glyphics, metal that through. ridicule for identifying can't be broken, and The local undertaker says he was die debris as extrater­ foil that de-wrinkles called by someone at the military base restrial when the gov­ after it is folded. looking for child-sized caskets and ernment insisted that But Roswell doesn't information on how to preserve bod­ die material was from stop there. By die end ies. Hadn't anyone on die base ever a weather balloon. of the film, viewers arc heard of refrigeration? Wasn't anyone "Nobody is going to told that four extrater­ on the base smart enough to bag die take you seriously, not Rancher Mac Brazel (played by restrials were recovered bodies and put them on ice? Dwight Yoakam) found strange without proof, not near the crash site and Drop a dead alien on my doorstep debris on his farm. without hard evidence." that one of diem lived and I'll want die autopsy done at a cop- Somebody should have made that long enough to send a telepathic mes­ notch medical facility. But in Roswell, speech to Showtime, the cable outfit sage to U.S. Secretary of War James die autopsy is performed at die base, in that bankrolled die movie, and its exec­ Forrestal. a room crammed with (by my count) utive producer, Paul Davids, who says Look closely and you can see that 28 people, 16 of whom weren't even he saw a UFO in 1987. Perhaps they Roswell—like die alleged disinforma­ wearing masks to guard against infec­ would have thought twice about creat­ tion campaign that supposedly kept tion by an extraterrestrial virus or bac­ ing this strange film, which premiered the UFO crash secret—is carefully cal­ terium. July 31 and promised "startling new culated to neutralize the criticisms of During the autopsy, one of the doc-

22 . SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 tors announces that the creature has no specific, never-found Project Mogul the bodies; he simply claims to know digestive system. Perhaps the ETs arc balloon flight package launched in someone who did. Nobody saw the solar powered. June 1947. (See "For the Record," p. 41 bodies of the aliens as they were being And in the scene where the surviv­ in this issue.) moved around, although they know ing alien telepathically communicates Project Mogul scientist Charles B. somebody who might have. The radio with Forrestal, the creature is shown Moore, now at the New Mexico Institute newsman Frank Joyce is shown describ­ lying on black sheets (how many hos­ of Mining and Technology, but then of ing a government interrogation of pitals have those?) and his attendants New York University, Brazel that Brazel never are, once again, wearing no masks to did not realize the con­ acknowledges and that protect either themselves or the alien nection until Todd gave Joyce never witnessed. from illnesses to which they might him a copy of Brazel's • "Officially, the have no immunity. original description of military denies that the debris, published in UFOs are extraterrestri­ the July 9, 1947 Roswell al," which suggests that Daily Record. The paper because the govern­ said "the tinfoil, paper, Coincidentally, the movie came out ment officially denies tape and sticks made a just as new evidence was surfacing that it, it must be true. But bundle about three feet provided a convincing explanation for just because the U.S. long and seven or eight why the U.S. government has been government might offi­ inches thick" and rubber cagey about the Roswell case. cially deny the existence strips "made a bundle of the tooth fairy does- The debris found at the ranch of about 18 or 20 inches n't automatically mean Mac Brazel has been identified as a six- long and about 8 inches an ill-mannered dwarf sided balloon-borne radar reflector thick. In all, [Brazel) Maj. Jesse A. Marcel (played by is stalking our children launched as part of a secret military estimated, the entire lot Kyle MacLachlan) investigates and stealing their newly effort code named Project Mogul. The would have weighed wreckage on the Brazel ranch. lost teeth. "hieroglyphics" reportedly found on maybe five pounds." the debris were apparently printed on • "The U.S. government has can­ patterned seamstress tape used in mak­ Todd said Moore "immediately saw celed its project to search for signs of ing the World War II-era radar reflec­ the significance of it because nobody extraterrestrial intelligence." I guess tors. had shown him the text (of the original this is supposed to imply they canceled Credit for finding the connection to description) before. It was obvious the search because they found some­ Project Mogul goes to Robert G. Todd what it was." thing. That's news to Carl Sagan and of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, whose The description in the Roswell Daily others who are actively involved in the Freedom of Information Act request Record noted that "considerable scotch search. The fact is, a budget-conscious produced the now-declassified docu­ tape and some tape with flowers print­ Congress cut off money for the search, which continues privately. ments about the project. Project ed on it had been used in the construc­ Mogul consisted of a scries of experi­ tion." Moore suggested that the reflec­ • "One in ten Americans claims to ments to use high-altitude balloons to tors may have contained patterned tape have seen a UFO." Guess that means carry instruments aloft in an attempt because such reflectors were sometimes Showtime's next documentary will to detect acoustic signatures perhaps made in garment lofts in Manhattan. show us the secret life of Santa Claus. propagated along the boundary Another epilogue would have been between the troposphere and stratos­ more accurate: "Although 350 claim to phere from Soviet nuclear tests. The be witnesses to the events described radar reflectors let the military keep Powerful documentaries often con­ here, despite truckloads of debris with track of the balloons. Another UFO clude with an epilogue designed to extraordinary physical characteristics, researcher, Karl Pflock has also docu­ clinch the argument a filmmaker is try­ despite the windfall of four (count 'em, mented the link. ing to make. Roswell ends with several four) alien bodies available for examina­ In September, the Air Force issued a assertions that sound compelling only tion, no teputable scientist has come forward to share some of the wealth of report of its own investigation into the until you think about them: scientific knowledge such remains Roswell case, confirming, and provid­ • Since Marcel died in 1986, "over 350 would undoubtedly produce. Nor is ing more details about, Project Mogul. witnesses to the event have agreed to there any evidence that such knowledge It even identified the debris as that of a talk." But even if you believe the movie has done anything to fuel the break­ version of the facts, too many of those throughs in physics, chemistry, engi­ witnesses were never in a position to Gene Emery is the science writer for the neering, or biology that have occurred Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St.. have firsthand knowledge of the alleged in the intervening 47 years." Providence, RI 02902. events. The town undertaker never saw

SKEPTICAL INQUIRE* • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 23 Wonder an Skepticism

CARL SAGAN was a child in a time of hope. I grew up when the

expectations for science were very high: in the Ithirties and forties. I went to college in the early fifties, got my Ph.D. in 1960. There was a sense of opti­

mism about science and the future. I dreamt of being

able to do science. 1 grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and

I was a street kid. I came from a nice nuclear family, but

Science requires an almost I spent a lot of time in die streets, as kids did then. I complete openness to all ideas. knew every bush and hedge, streetlight and stoop and

On the other hand, it requires theater wall for playing Chinese handball. But there was the most rigorous and uncompromising skepticism. one aspect of that environment that, for some reason, struck me as different, and that was the stars.

Even with an early bedtime in winter you could see

the stars. What were they? They weren't like hedges or

even streetlights; they were different. So I asked my

friends what they were. They said, "They're lights in the

sky, kid." I could tell they were lights in the sky, but that

24 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 wasn't an explanation. 1 mean, what were they? Little electric bulbs on long black wires, so you couldn't see what they were held up by? What were they? Not only could nobody tell me, but nobody even had the sense that it was an interesting question. They looked at me funny. I asked my parents; I asked my parents' friends; I asked other adults. None of them knew. My mother said to me, "Look, we've just got you a library card. Take it, get on the streetcar, go to the New Utrecht branch of the New York Public Library, get out a book and find the answer." That seemed to me a fantastically clever idea. I made the journey. I asked the librarian for a book on stars. (I was very small; I can still remember look­ ing up at her, and she was sitting down.) She was gone a few minutes, brought one back, and gave it to me. Eagerly I sat down and opened the pages. But it was about Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, I think, a terrible dis­ appointment. And so I went back to her, explained (it wasn't easy for me to do) that that wasn't what I had in mind at all, that what I wanted was a book about real stars. She thought this was funny, which embarrassed me further. But anyway, she went and got another book, die right kind of book. I took it and opened it and slowly turned the pages, until I came to the answer.

It was in there. It was stunning. The answer was that the Sun was a star, except very far away. The stars were suns; if you were close to them, they would look just like our sun. I tried to Moon Catcher by Leonard Parkin imagine how far away from die Sun probably, than New Jersey. The daz­ It seemed die most exciting thing to you'd have to be for it to be as dim as a zling idea of a universe vast beyond study. I didn't realize that you could be star. Of course I didn't know the imagining swept over me. It has stayed a professional scientist; I had the idea inverse square law of light propagation; with me ever since. that I'd have to be, I don't know, a I hadn't a ghost of a chance of figuring I sensed awe. And later on (it took salesman (my father said that was bet­ it out. But it was clear to me that you'd me several years to find this), I realized ter than the manufacturing end of have to be very far away. Farther away, that we were on a planet—a little, non- things), and do science on weekends self-luminous world going around our and evenings. It wasn't until my sopho­ Carl Sagan is David Duncan Professor of star. And so all those other stars might more year in high school that my biol­ Astronomy and Space Science at Cornell have planets going around them. If ogy teacher revealed to me that mere University. His latest book is Pale Blue planets, then life, intelligence, other was such a thing as a professional sci­ Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Brooklyns—who knew? The diversity entist, who got paid to do it; so you Space (Random House, 1994). This arti­ of those possible worlds struck me. could spend all your time learning cle is based on his Keynote Address to the They didn't have to be exactly like about the universe. It was a glorious 1994 CSICOP Conference. ours, I was sure of it. day.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 25 It's been my enormous good luck— there is no practice in questioning ence. It's just a consequence of being I was born at just the right time—to those in authority; when, clutching our human. have had, to some extent, those child­ crystals and religiously consulting our So, imagine—there are so many hood ambitions satisfied. I've been horoscopes, our critical faculties in areas we could think of—imagine you involved in die exploration of the solar steep decline, unable to distinguish want to know die sex of your unborn system, in the most amazing parallel to between what's true and what feels child. There are several approaches. die science fiction of my childhood. good, we slide, almost without notic­ You could, for example, do what die We actually send spacecraft to other ing, into superstition and darkness. late film star who Annie and I admire gready—Cary Grant—did before he "To make sure that the powers of science was an acton In a carnival or fair or and technology are used properly and consulting room, you suspend a watch or a plumb bob above the abdomen of prudently, we ourselves must understand the expectant mother; if it swings left- science and technology," right it's a boy, and if it swings forward- back it's a girl. The method works one worlds. We fly by diem; we orbit diem; CSICOP plays a sometimes lonely but time in two. Of course he was out of we land on diem. We design and con­ still—and in this case the word may be there before the baby was born, so he trol die robots: Tell it to dig, and it right—heroic role in trying to counter never heard from customers who com­ digs. Tell it to determine die chemistry some of those trends. plained he got it wrong. Being right of a soil sample, and it determines the We have a civilization based on sci­ one chance in two—that's not so bad. chemistry. For me the continuum from ence and technology, and we've clever­ It's better than, say, Kremlinologists childhood wonder and early science ly arranged things so that almost used to do. But if you really want to fiction to professional reality has been nobody understands science and tech­ know, then you go to amniocentesis, or almost seamless. It's never been, "Oh, nology. That is as clear a prescription to sonograms; and there your chance of gee, this is nothing like what I had for disaster as you can imagine. While being right is 99 out of 100. It's not imagined." Just the opposite: It's exact­ we might get away with this com­ perfect, but it's a whole lot better than ly like what 1 imagined. And so I feel bustible mixture of ignorance and one out of two. If you really want to enormously fortunate. power for a while, sooner or later it's know, you go to science. Science is still one of my chief joys. going to blow up in our faces. The Or suppose you wanted to know The popularization of science that powers of modern technology are so when the next eclipse of the sun is. Isaac Asimov did so well—die commu­ formidable that it's insufficient just to Science does something really astonish­ nication not just of die findings but of say, "Well, those in charge, I'm sure, ing: It can tell you a century in advance the methods of science—seems to me are doing a good job." This is a democ­ where the eclipse is going to be on as natural as breathing. After all, when racy, and for us to make sure that die Earth and when, say, totality will be, to you're in love, you want to tell the powers of science and technology are the second. Think of the predictive world. The idea that scientists should­ used properly and prudently, we our­ power this implies. Think of how n't talk about their science to the pub­ selves must understand science and much you must understand to be able lic seems to me bizarre. technology. We must be involved in to say when and where there's going to There's another reason I think pop­ the decision-making process. be an eclipse so far in the future. ularizing science is important, why I The predictive powers of some Or (the same physics exactly) imag­ try to do it. It's a foreboding I have— areas, at least, of science are phenome­ ine launching a spacecraft from Earth, maybe ill-placed—of an America in nal. They are the clearest counterargu­ like the Voyager spacecraft in 1977; 12 my children's generation, or my grand­ ment I can imagine to those who say, years later Voyager 1 arrives at Neptune children's generation, when all the "Oh, science is situational; science is within 100 kilometers or something of manufacturing industries have slipped just the current fashion; science is the where it was supposed to be—not hav­ away to other countries; when we're a promotion of the self-interests of those ing to use some of die mid-course cor­ service and information-processing in power." Surely there is some of that. rections that were available; 12 yean, 5 economy; when awesome technologi­ Surely if there's any powerful tool, billion kilometers, on target! cal powers are in the hands of a very those in power will try to use it, or even So if you want to really be able to few, and no one representing the pub­ monopolize it. Surely scientists, being predict the future—not in everything, lic interest even grasps the issues; when people, grow up in a society and reflect but in some areas—there's only one die people (by "the people" I mean die the prejudices of that society. How regime of human scholarship, of broad population in a democracy) have could it be otherwise? Some scientists lost the ability to set their own agen­ human claims to knowledge, that real­ das, or even to knowledgeably question have been nationalists; some have been ly delivers the goods, and that's science. those who do set the agendas; when racists; some have been sexists. But that Religions would give their eyeteeth to doesn't undermine the validity of sci­ be able to predict anything like that

26 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 well. Think of how much mileage they which you submit a scientific paper to a Now think of what other areas of would make if they ever could do pre­ journal, and it goes out to anonymous human society have such a reward dictions comparably unambiguous and referees whose job it is to think, Did structure, in which we revere those precise. you do anything stupid? If you didn't who prove that the fundamental doc­ Now how does it work? Why is it so do anything stupid, is there anything in trines that we have adopted are wrong. successful? here that is sufficiently interesting to be Think of it in politics, or in economics, Science has built-in error-correcting published? What are die deficiencies of or in religion; think of it in how we mechanisms—because science recog­ this paper? Has it been done by any­ organize our society. Often, it's exactly nizes that scientists, like everybody body else? Is the argument adequate, or the opposite: There we reward those else, are fallible, that we make mis­ should you resubmit die paper after who reassure us that what we've been you've actually demonstrated what told is right, that we need not concern takes, that we're driven by the same you're speculating on? And so on. And ourselves about it. This difference, I prejudices as everybody else. There are it's anonymous: You don't know who believe, is at least a basic reason why no forbidden questions. Arguments your critics are. You have to rely on the we've made so much progress in sci­ from authority are worthless. Claims editor to send it out to real experts who ence, and so little in some other areas. must be demonstrated. Ad hominem are not overtly malicious. This is the We are fallible. We cannot expect to arguments—arguments about the per­ everyday expectation in the scientific foist our wishes on the universe. So sonality of somebody who disagrees community. And those who don't another key aspect of science is experi­ with you—are irrelevant; they can be expect it—even good scientists who ment. Scientists do not trust what is sleazeballs and be right, and you can be just can't hold up under criticism— intuitively obvious, because intuitively a pillar of the community and be have difficult careers. wrong. obvious gets you nowhere. That the If you take a look at science in its Why do we put up with it? Do we Earth is flat was once obvious. I mean, everyday function, of course you find like to be criticized? No, no scientist really obvious; obvious! Go out in a flat that scientists run the gamut of human likes to be criticized. Every scientist field and take a look: Is it round or flat? Don't listen to me; go prove it to your­ emotions and personalities and charac­ feels an affection for his or her ideas self. That heavier bodies fall faster than ter and so on. But there's one thing and scientific results. You feel protec­ light ones was once obvious. That that is really striking to the outsider, tive of diem. But you don't reply to blood-sucking leeches cure disease was and that is the gauntlet of criticism critics: "Wait a minute, wait a minute; once obvious. That some people are that is considered acceptable or even this is a really good idea. I'm very fond naturally and by divine right slaves was desirable. The poor graduate student at of it. It's done you no harm. Please don't attack it." That's not the way it once obvious. That die Earth is at die his or her Ph.D. oral exam is subjected goes. The hard but just rule is that if center of the universe was once obvi­ to a withering crossfire of questions the ideas don't work, you must throw ous. You're skeptical? Go out, take a that sometimes seem hostile or con­ diem away. Don't waste any neurons look: Stars rise in die east, set in die temptuous; this from the professors on what doesn't work. Devote those west; here we are, stationary (do you who have the candidate's future in their neurons to new ideas that better feel the Earth whirling?); we see diem grasp. The students naturally are ner­ vous; who wouldn't be? True, they've prepared for it for years. But they "The least effective way for skeptics to get understand that at that critical moment they really have to be able to the attention of these bright, curious. Inter­ answer questions. So in preparing to ested people Is to belittle, or condescend, defend their theses, they must antici­ pate questions; they have to think, or show arrogance toward their beliefs." "Where in my thesis is there a weak­ explain the data. Valid criticism is going around us. We are at the center; ness that someone else might find— doing you a favor. they go around us. because I sure better find it before they There is a reward structure in sci­ The truth may be puzzling. It may do, because if they find it and I'm not ence that is very interesting: Our high­ take some work to grapple with. It may prepared, I'm in deep trouble." est honors go to those who disprove be counterintuitive. It may contradict You take a look at contentious scien­ the findings of die most revered among deeply held prejudices. It may not be tific meetings. You find university col- us. So Einstein is revered not just consonant with what we desperately loquia in which the speaker has hardly because he made so many fundamental want to be true. But our preferences do gotten 30 seconds into presenting what contributions to science, but because not determine what's true. We have a she or he is saying, and suddenly there he found an imperfection in die funda­ method, and that method helps us to are interruptions, maybe withering mental contribution of Isaac Newton. reach not absolute truth, only asymp­ questions, from die audience. You take (Isaac Newton was surely the greatest totic approaches to the truth—never a look at the publication conventions in physicist before Albert Einstein.) there, just closer and closer, always

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 27 finding vast new oceans of undiscov­ me is that Americans may not be children, our grandchildren, our great­ ered possibilities. Cleverly designed equally dear on the subject. grandchildren must suffer through the experiments are the key. Let me touch on the dangers of mistakes that we've made. That's a sec­ In the 1920s, there was a dinner at technology. Almost every astronaut ond reason for science education: the which the physicist Robert W. Wood who has visited Earth orbit has made dangers of technology. We must under­ was asked to respond to a toast. This this point: I was up there, they say, and stand them better. was a time when people stood up, made I looked toward the horizon, and there A third reason: origins. Every a toast, and then selected someone to was this thin, blue band that's the human culture has devoted some of its respond. Nobody knew what toast Earth's atmosphere. I had been told we intellectual, moral, and material they'd be asked to reply to, so it was a live in an ocean of air. But there it was, resources to trying to understand challenge for the quick-witted. In this so fragile, such a delicate blue: I was where everything comes from—our case the toast was: "To physics and worried for it. nation, our species, our planet, our metaphysics." Now by metaphysics was In fact, the thickness of the Earth's star, our galaxy, our universe. Stop meant something like philosophy— atmosphere, compared with the size of someone on the street and ask about it. truths that you could get to just by the Earth, is in about the same ratio as You will not find many people who thinking about them. Wood took a sec­ the thickness of a coat of shellac on a never thought about it, who are incuri­ ond, glanced about him, and answered schoolroom globe is to the diameter of ous about their ultimate origins. along these lines: The physicist has an the globe. That's the air that nurtures I hold there's a kind of Gresham's idea, he said. The more he thinks it us and almost all other life on Earth, Law that applies in the confrontation through, the more sense it makes to that protects us from deadly ultraviolet of science and pseudoscience: In the him. He goes to the scientific literature, light from the sun, that through the popular imagination, at least, the bad and the more he reads, the more greenhouse effect brings the surface science drives out the good. What I promising the idea seems. Thus pre­ temperature above the freezing point. mean is this: If you are awash in lost pared, he devises an experiment to test (Without the greenhouse effect, the continents and channeling and UFOs the idea. The experiment is painstak­ entire Earth would plunge below the and all the long litany of claims so well ing. Many possibilities are eliminated freezing point of water and we'd all be exposed in the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, or taken into account; the accuracy of dead.) Now that atmosphere, so thin you may not have intellectual room for the measurement is refined. At the end and fragile, is under assault by our the findings of science. You're sated of all this work, the experiment is com' technology. We are pumping all kinds with wonder. Our culture in one way pleted and ... the idea is shown to be of stuff into it. You know about the produces the fantastic findings of sci­ worthless. The physicist then discards concern that chlorofluorocarbons are ence, and then in another way cuts the idea, frees his mind (as I was saying depleting the ozone layer; and that car­ them off before they reach the average a moment ago) from the clutter of bon dioxide and methane and other person. So people who are curious, error, and moves on to something else. greenhouse gases arc producing global intelligent, dedicated to understanding The difference between physics and warming, a steady trend amidst fluctu­ the world, may nevertheless be (in our metaphysics, Wood concluded, is that ations produced by volcanic eruptions view) enmired in superstition and the metaphysicist has no laboratory. and other sources. Who knows what pseudoscience. You could say, Well, other challenges we are posing to this they ought to know better, they ought vulnerable layer of air that we haven't to be more critical, and so on; but been wise enough to foresee? that's too harsh. It's not very much hy is it so important to The inadvertent side effects of tech­ their fault, I say. It's the fault of a soci­ have widely distributed nology can challenge the environment ety that preferentially propagates the Wunderstanding of science on which our very lives depend. That baloney and holds back the ambrosia. and technology? For one thing, it's the means that we must understand sci­ The least effective way for skeptics golden road out of poverty for devel­ ence and technology; we must antici­ to get the attention of these bright, oping nations. And developing nations pate longterm consequences in a very curious, interested people is to belittle, understand that, because you have only clever way—not just the bottom line or condescend, or show arrogance to look at modern American graduate on the profit-and-loss column for the toward their beliefs. They may be cred­ schools—in mathematics, in engineer­ corporation for this year, but the con­ ulous, but they're not stupid. If we bear ing, in physics—to find, in case after sequences for the nation and the in mind human frailty and fallibility, case, that more than half the students species 10, 20, 50, 100 years in the we will understand their plight. are from other countries. This is some­ future. If we absolutely stop all chloro- For example: I've lately been think­ thing America is doing for the world. fluorocarbon and allied chemical pro­ ing about alien abductions, and false But it conveys a clear sense that the duction right now (as we're in fact claims of childhood sexual abuse, and developing nations understand what is doing), the ozonosphere will heal itself stories of satanic ritual abuse in the essential for their future. What worries in about a hundred years. Therefore our context of recovered memories. There

28 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 are interesting similarities among those classes of cases. I think if we are to understand any of them, we must On Sober Reflection understand all of them. But there's a maddening tendency of the skeptics, I'm pleased to have been associated the depths of inventiveness that the when addressing invented stories of for a long rime with the Committee new stories [hat arc debunked in childhood sexual abuse, to forget that for the Scientific Investigation of -veal. But real and appalling abuse happens. It is Claims of the Paranormal (CSI- then, on more sober reflection, it not true that all these claims of child­ COP). When the SKEPTICAL always strikes me how unimagina­ hood sexual abuse are silly and pumped INQUIRER arrives, I always take it tive most of these stories are; bow up by unethical therapists. Yesterday's home from the office and pore compared with the unexpected paper reported that a survey of 13 states through its pages, wondering what findings of science, they have a found that one-sixth of all the rape vic­ new misunderstandings will be kind of dreariness about them, stile tims reported to police are under the revealed. I'm always amazed thai chauvinisms, hopes and fears age of 12. And this is a category of rape there's still another subject that i cd up as facts, a reflection of that is preferentially under-reported to thought of. Crop circles! people who imagine thai what pops police, for obvious reasons. Of these tie and made mathe­ into then beads can be more stun­ girls, one-fifth were raped by their matical messages—in wheat! ning than what Nature provides us fathers. That's a lot of people, and a lot would have thought it? So unlikely with every day. In almost every of betrayal. We must bear that in mind .111 artistic medium. Or they've I have this second thought: when we consider patients who, say, come and eviscerated cows—on a That's all they can imagine the because they have an eating disorder, large scale, systematically. Farmers I rials doing—making cir­ have suppressed childhood sexual abuse are furious. I'm often impressed by cles in hay? —C.S. diagnosed by their psychiatrists.

People are not stupid. They believe things for reasons. Let us not dismiss on the ontological status of who it is even he believes in life after death. This pseudoscience or even superstition they're talking to, that's all right. That's badly misses my point. If this is one of with contempt. not what this is about. This is humans the arguments from Chapter 1 of the In the nineteenth century it was being human. latest book of a principal exponent of mediums: You'd go to the stance, and In the alien-abduction context, I've life after death, I suspect that despite you'd be put in touch with dead rela­ been trying to understand the fact that our most fervent wishes, the case is tives. These days it's a little different; it's humans hallucinate—that it's a human weak. called channeling. What both are basi­ commonplace—yes, under conditions But still, suppose I wasn't steeped in cally about is the human fear of dying. of sensory deprivation or drugs or the virtues of scientific skepticism and I don't know about you; I find the idea deprival of REM sleep, but also just in felt as I do about my parents, and of dying unpleasant. If I had a choice, the ordinary course of existence. I along comes someone who says, T can at least for a while, I would just as soon have, maybe a dozen times since my put you in touch with them." Suppose not die. Twice in my life I came very parents died, heard one of them say my he's clever, and found out something close to doing so. (I did not have a near- name: just the single word, "Carl." I about my parents in the past, and is death experience, I'm sorry to say.) I miss them; they called me by my first good at faking voices, and so on—a can understand anxiety about dying. name so much during the time they darkened room and incense and all of About 14 years ago both my parents were alive; I was in the practice of that. I could see being swept away died. We had a very good relationship. responding instantly when I was called; emotionally. I was very close to them. I still miss it has deep psychic roots. So my brain Would you think less of me if I fell them terribly. I wouldn't ask much: I plays it back every now and then. This for it? Imagine I was never educated would like five minutes a year with doesn't surprise me at all; I sort of like about skepticism, had no idea that it's them; to tell them how their kids and it. But it's a hallucination. If I were a a virtue, but instead believed that it their grandchildren are doing, and how little less skeptical, though, I could see was grumpy and negative and rejecting Annie and I are doing. I know it how easy it would be to say, "They're of everything that's humane. Couldn't sounds stupid, but I'd like to ask them, around somewhere. I can hear them." you understand my openness to being "Is everything all right with you?" Just Raymond Moody, who is an M.D., conned by a medium or a channeler? a little contact. So I don't guffaw at 1 think, an author who writes innu­ The chief deficiency I see in the women who go to their husbands' merable books on life after death, actu­ skeptical movement is its polarization: tombstones and chat them up every ally quoted me in the first chapter of Us vs. Them—the sense that we have a now and then. That's not hard to his latest book, saying that I heard my monopoly on the truth; that those understand. And if we have difficulties parents calling me Carl, and so. look, other people who believe in all these

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 29 stupid doctrines are morons; that if manufacture. This is key to making sci­ same time, science requires the most you're sensible, you'll listen to us; and if ence and the scientific method more vigorous and uncompromising skepti­ not, to hell with you. This is noncon- attractive, especially to the young, cism, because the vast majority of ideas structive. It does not get our message because it's a battle for the future. are simply wrong, and the only way you across. It condemns us to permanent Science involves a seemingly self- can distinguish the right from the minority status. Whereas, an approach contradictory mix of attitudes: On the wrong, die wheat from the chaff, is by that from die beginning acknowledges one hand, it requires an almost com­ critical experiment and analysis. die human roots of pseudoscience and plete openness to all ideas, no matter Too much openness and you accept superstition, that recognizes that die how bizarre and weird they sound, a every notion, idea, and hypothesis— society has arranged things so that propensity to wonder. As I walk along, which is tantamount to knowing noth­ skepticism is not well taught, might be my time slows down; I shrink in the ing. Too much skepticism—especially much more widely accepted.* direction of motion, and I get more rejection of new ideas before they are If we understand this, then of massive. That's crazy! On the scale of adequately tested—and you're not only course we have compassion for the the very small, the molecule can be in unpleasantly grumpy, but also closed abductees and those who come upon this position, in that position, but it is to the advance of science. A judicious crop circles and believe they're super­ prohibited from being in any interme­ mix is what we need. natural, or at least of extraterrestrial diate position. That's wild! But the first It's no fun, as 1 said at the beginning, is a statement of special relativity, and to be on the receiving end of skeptical *If skeptical habits of thought are widely the second is a consequence of quan­ questioning. But it's the affordable distributed and prized, then who is the tum mechanics. Like it or not, that's the price we pay for having the benefits of skepticism going to be mainly applied to? To those in power. Those in power, there­ way the world is. If you insist that it's so powerful a tool as science. fore, do not have a vested interest in every­ ridiculous, you will be forever closed to body being able to ask searching questions. the major findings of science. But at the Copyright ©1994 by Cad Sagan

7th European The central theme at the 7th European Skeptics Conference will be the influence of fringe-science on society, politics, Skeptics and culture. A number of other controversial themes will be Conference: addressed, including fringe medicine (homeopathy), faith healing problems of perception and memory, pseudoscience in Rossdorf, Germany and the philosophy of science, and current paranormal claims.

Dote: May 4-7, 1995 Conference Schedule (in English language unless noted otherwise) Location: Rossdorf (near Darmstadt, Germany) about an hour by bus Thursday, May 4 from Frankfurt Airport. Languages: English and German ECSO meeting, reception, welcome address, and keynote speech. Speakers include John Maddox (Chief Editor, Nature), Professor Gerhard Friday, May 5 Vollmer (philosopher), Dr. Barbara Burkhardt (medical insurance issues), The two morning sessions will discuss pseudoscience (in German) Paul Kurtz (CSICOP Chairman), and James Randi. and for non-German-speaking participants, an excursion is Registration planned to the Messel pit, a trip 50 million years into the past. Registrations before February 28: Following lunch will be two sessions on fringe science in DM 95, Students DM 45 Europe. The evening entertainment will consist of magic, Late registration surcharge: DM 20 music, and sketches. Proceedings: DM 20 special rate for participants only (current rates: 1US$ = DM 1.55) Saturday, May 6 The morning session will focus on the problems of perception Proceedings and memory and will be followed by a discussion of fraud and Conference papers will be published as proceedings self-deception in science. Workshops will follow lunch and a Mease contact: GWUP panel session discussing the formation of a lobby against fringe Postfach 1222 science. A banquet will be held in the evening. D-64374 Rossdorf Germany Sunday, May 7 Tel.+49 6154 695021 The morning session will discuss the promotion of science as a Fax+49 6154 695022 protection against pseudoscience. A GWUP members meeting Or call Barry Karr, CSICOP Executive Director at 716-636-1425 will be held following the close of the conference.

30 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Putting Away Childish Thin

RICHARD DAWKINS

n April Fools' Day one year when my sis­

ter and I were children, our parents and Ouncle and aunt played a simple trick on us. They announced that they had procured a little air­

plane for us and were going to take us up for a ride. The

only stipulation was that we had to be blindfolded. They

led us by die hand, stumbling across the lawn, and Gullibility, a childhood strapped us into our seat. We heard the noise of the survival skill, is harmful for adults. engine starting up. There was a lurch, and up we went for a bumpy, swaying, reeling ride. From time to time we

evidently passed through the high treetops, for we felt

the branches gently brushing us, and there was a pleas­

ant rushing wind in our faces. Finally we "landed," die

lurching ride came to an end on terra firma, the blind­

fold was removed and, amid laughter, all was revealed.

There was no airplane. We had not traveled from die

spot on the lawn where we started. We had simply been

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 31 Warp Speed by Leonard Parkin

sitting on a garden seat that our father Wouldn't it have been natural to ask the identical trick on her and her little and uncle had lifted and slewed and what die point was of going for a sister. His patter was even more unbe­ bumped around to simulate aerial joyride if you couldn't see anything? lievable because the plane "took off" movement. No engine, only die vacu­ But no, our parents simply told us that, indoors and the children had to duck um cleaner to make a noise and blow for some unspecified reason, they had as they "flew out through the window." wind in our races. That and the tree to blindfold us, and we accepted it. We She and her sister still fell for it. branches brushing against us had been never wondered why our elders had Children are naturally credulous. wielded by my mother and aunt stand­ kept from us that at least one of them Of course they are, what else would be ing by the seat. It had been fun while it was a trained pilot—I don't think we sensible? They arrive in the world lasted. even asked which one. We didn't won­ knowing nothing, surrounded by Credulous, faith-filled children that der where, in the house or garden, adults who know, by comparison, we were, we had looked forward to this every nook of which we played in daily, everything. So much of what a child is flight for days before it happened. It an airplane big enough to carry us had told turns out to be true and wise. It is never occurred to us to wonder why we been concealed. We just didn't have the certainly true that fire scorches, that must be blindfolded for our flight. skeptics turn of mind. Moreover we snakes bite, that if you are white and had no fear of crashing, such was our walk unprotected in the noonday sun Richard Daw kins is Reader in Zoology at faith in our parents. And when the you will go red and raw. Moreover, the University of Oxford U.K. and blindfolds were removed and the joke learning by trial and error—the other, author of The Selfish Gene, The was on us, we still didn't stop believing and apparently more scientific, way to Extended Phenotype, and The Blind in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, angels, gain useful knowledge—is often a bad Watchmaker This article is based upon a and the other stories that our elders idea because die errors are too costly. If chapter originally written for the author's had told us. Incidentally, my mother your mother tells you never to paddle forthcoming book to be published by W. W. has no memory of this incident, in the lake because of the crocodiles, it Norton, New York, under the provisional though she does vividly remember the is no good coming over all skeptical title Climbing Mount Improbable. occasion when her own father played and scientific and "adult" and saying:

32 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 "Thank you, Mother, but I prefer to elders, above all their parents. For the you to come with him and says that he put it to the experimental test." Too same kind of reason that caterpillars is a friend of your parents, don't believe often, an experiment like that would have chumbling, hoovering jaws for him however nice he seems and even if be the last thing a child ever did. It is sucking up cabbage flesh, human chil­ he offers you sweets. Only go with easy to see why natural selection—die dren have wide open ears and eyes and adults that you and your parents "survival of die fittest"—might penal­ gaping, trusting, minds for sucking up already know." A child may be called ize an experimental and skeptical turn language and other knowledge. Tidal upon to exercise the exact opposite of of mind and favor simple credulity in waves of information, gigabytes of credulity in some circumstances: a children. data, flood through the portals of the tenacious persistence in believing an But this has an unfortunate by­ infant skull, and most of it originates earlier adult statement, in the face of product that can't be helped. If your in die culture built up by parents and what may be a tempting and plausi­ parents tell you something that is not generations of ancestors. ble—but contradictory—later state­ true, you will believe that too. How Naive credulity, as a childhood sur­ ment. The quality of childhood that I could you not? A child isn't equipped vival device, raises a further problem. am trying to pin down is not pure to know the difference between a true What if two adults, say your mother gullibility but a complex combination warning about crocodiles if you paddle in the lake and a false warning about "Credulity as a survival tool comes as a going blind if you "sin." Credulity, as a survival device, comes as a complete complete package. You believe everything, package. You believe everything, the the false with the true." false with the true. Parents and elders know so much, it is natural to assume and your father, give you contradictory of initial gullibility followed by stub­ that they know everything, natural to advice? What if your mother tells you born persistence in a belief, once believe diem. So when they tell you that all snakes are deadly and you must acquired. about Santa Claus coming down the never go near them, but next day your The years of childish innocence pass chimney, and about God answering father tells you that all snakes are dead­ too soon. I love my parents for taking good children's prayers, and about faith ly except green ones and you can keep me for a ride, high as a kite, through "moving mountains," you believe that a green snake as a pet and play with it? the treetops; and for telling me about too. Both pieces of advice may be good. the tooth fairy and Santa Claus and Children are gullible because they The mother's more general advice has Baby Jesus too. All these stories need to be to fulfill their role in life. the desired effect of protecting you enriched my childhood and, together Butterflies have wings to fulfill their against snakes, even though it is not with so many other things, helped to role of locating members of the oppo­ true when it comes to green snakes. make it, in memory, a time of lost, site sex and spreading their offspring to The father's more discriminating Arcadian enchantment. There is joy new food plants. They have modest advice has the same protective effect and charm in the near infinite gullibil­ appetites that are satisfied by occasion­ and is in some ways better, but it could ity of children. The genius of the al sips of nectar. They eat little protein lead to misunderstanding: to the human child, mental caterpillar extra­ because to grow is not part of their role young child the two might sound con­ ordinary, is for soaking up information in life. The growing role is fulfilled by tradictory. Parents often make strenu­ and ideas, not for criticizing them. The the caterpillar stage in their life history. ous efforts not to contradict each other blotting paper of the child's brain is the Juvenile animals have a special role in in this way, and they are probably wise unpromising seedbed, the base upon life. It is to prepare to become success­ to do so. But natural selection, in which later, if it comes at all, the skep­ fully reproducing adults. Caterpillars "designing" credulity, would need to tical attitude, like a struggling mustard are there to feed as rapidly as possible build in a way of coping with contra­ plant, may grow. A major part of grow­ in order to metamorphose into flying, dictory advice. Perhaps a simple over­ ing up ought to consist in the cultiva­ reproducing, dispersing adults. To this ride rule, such as "Believe whichever tion of the delicate seedling of skepti­ end they have no wings but instead story you heard first." Or "Believe your cism. And unfortunately all too many have stout, munching jaws and vora­ mother rather than your father, and people never really, in this sense, grow cious, single-minded appetites. your father rather than other adults in up at all. Children need to be credulous for a the population." Adult human gullibility can extend similar reason. Their role in life is to Sometimes the advice from parents to near incredible lengths. I am looking grow up to become adults in a sophis­ is specifically aimed against credulity at a "news" story—"Mum Gives Birth ticated, knowledge-based society. toward other adults in the population. to 8-lb. Kitten"—from a paper called Think of them as information-caterpil­ The following is a piece of advice that Sunday Sport, which like its American lars. And by far the most important parents nowadays would do well to equivalents, such as the National source of their information diet is their give their children: "If any adult asks Enquirer, is almost entirely devoted to

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 33 printing tall stories as if they were fact. they do know their readership. predictions: "Radio has no future," On the following page die Sunday Presumably at least a good proportion "Heavier-than-air flying machines are Sport carries an article about a magi­ of the readers of these papers must have impossible." "X-rays will prove to be a cian who couldn't stand his wife's nag­ the almost superhuman gullibility nec­ hoax." Here was a man who took skep­ ging so he turned her into a rabbit. In essary to believe them, otherwise what ticism to the point where he courted— addition to this pandering to the prej- is the point of printing them and trying and earned—the ridicule of future gen­ udiced cliche of die nagging wife, this to sell them? The circulation of the erations. Arthur Clarke himself, in his issue of Sunday Sport seems to add a National Enquirer is more than four visionary book, Profiles of the Future, xenophobic flavor to its fantasies: million. Even relatively tespectable tells similar cautionary tales—awful "Mad Greek Turns Boy into Kebab" newspapers pay salaries to astrologers. warnings of the dangers of dogmatic (this is literally what a tavern propri­ Don't misunderstand me. It would skepticism. When Edison announced etor is alleged to have done, and he be all too easy to read me as compla­ that he was working on a project to then served the boy up to his cus­ cently claiming that our present scien­ develop electric light, a British tomers); "Super Rats Plague Frogs" tific knowledge is all there is to know, Parliamentary Commission was set up (mutant rats three-feet long are coming and that you can be sure that astrology, to investigate whether there was any­ up from their breeding grounds in the spirits, and the rest are rubbish without thing in the idea. The committee of sewers of Paris and tormenting the further discussion, simply because experts reported that the idea (what we "filthy Frogs"); and "Priest Finds existing science cannot explain diem. now call the electric light bulb) was World's Smelliest Tribesmen" (the Is it, after all, so obvious that there are "good enough for our transatlantic "Underarhmwali" tribe of New no fairies, that levitation and astrology friends . . . but unworthy of the atten­ Guinea). are a load of bunk? How do I know, so tion of practical or scientific men." Steven Pinker, in his brilliant book, positively, that a human mother didn't Lest this sound like an anti-British The Language Instinct, quotes two sto­ give birth to an 8-pound kitten? How series of stories, Clarke also quotes two ries from a particular issue of an can I be sure that Elvis Presley has not distinguished American scientists on American journal called The Sun: ascended from the dead in glorious res­ the subject of airplanes. The "Family Haunted by Ghost of Turkey urrection? Stranger things than ghosts astronomer Simon Newcomb was They Ate for Christmas" and "Baby exist. Or, to be more precise, things unwise enough to remark, only shortly Born Talking Describes Heaven— that we accept as commonplace, such before the Wright brothers' famous Incredible Proof of Reincarnation." as radio communication, would have exploit: "The demonstration that no The second article goes on: "Life in seemed, to our ancestors, every bit as possible combination of known sub­ heaven is grand, a baby told an strange and surprising as spirits. As stances, known forms of machinery astounded obstetrical team seconds Arthur C. Clarke, the distinguished and known forms of force, can be unit­ after birth. Tiny Naomi Montefusco science-fiction writer and evangelist for ed in a practical machine by which literally came into the world singing the limitless power of science and tech­ men shall fly long distances through the praises of God's firmament. The nology, has said, "Any sufficiently the air, seems to the writer as complete miracle so shocked the delivery room advanced technology is indistinguish­ as it is possible for the demonstration team, one nurse ran screaming down able from magic." This has been called of any physical fact to be." the hall." Naomi's mother was much Clarke's Third Law, and I shall use this Another noted American astron­ omer, William Henry Pickering, cate­ "The quality of childhood that I am trying gorically stated that, although heavier- than-air flying machines were possible to pin down Is ... a complex combination (he had to say that because the Wright of Initial gullibility followed by stubborn brothers had by then already flown), they could never be a serious practical persistence In a belief," proposition: "The popular mind often moved: "I tried to get off the delivery name in what follows. pictures gigantic flying machines table to kneel down and pray, but the William Thomson, the first Lord speeding across the Atlantic and carry­ nurses wouldn't let me." Other well- Kelvin, was one of the most distin­ ing innumerable passengers in a way loved stories from these papers include guished and influential of nineteenth- analogous to our modern steamships. "Marilyn Monroe Comes Back as a century British physicists. He was a ... It seems safe to say that such ideas Lettuce" (complete with green-tinted thorn in Darwin's side because he must be wholly visionary, and even if a photograph of the late screen goddess's "proved," with massive authority but, machine could get across with one or face nestling in the heart of a lettuce) as we now know, equally massive error, two passengers the expense would be and "Statue of Elvis Found on Mars." that the earth was too young for evolu­ prohibitive. . . . Another popular falla­ The writers of these papers do not, I tion to have occurred. He is also cred­ cy is to expect enormous speed to be imagine, believe thieir own stories, but ited with the following three confident obtained." Pickering goes on to

34 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 "prove," by means of authoritative cal­ Turning to look at his companion he machine would violate the second law culations on the effects of air resis­ observed that the priest, still in a kneel­ of thermodynamics, which physicists tance, that airplanes could never travel ing position, had levitated himself and regard as having a special status, faster than the express trains of his day. was hovering nine inches above the beyond the reach of any future tech­ These stories are, indeed, awful church floor. My natural skepticism of nology, no matter how bizarre. Arthur warnings of the dangers of an overzeal- my dinner companion increased when Eddington, the great astronomer and ous skepticism. Dogmatic skepticism 1 gathered further evidence on his cre­ popularizer of science, wrote, in his of anything that seems strange or dif­ dentials as a witness. He went on to tell characteristically beautiful style: "If ferent from what we are used to is me of two other eyewitness experi­ someone points out to you that your clearly not a virtue. What, then, is die difference between this and my avowed 'Existing science must not be overthrown skepticism of fairies, astrology, and die by casual anecdotes but by the most resurrection of a Martian Elvis Presley and a vegetable Marilyn Monroe? How rigorous research, repeated, dissected, are we to know when skepticism is jus­ and repeated again." tified and when it is dogmatic, intoler­ ant short-sightedness? ences. He said that, among his many pet theory of the universe is in dis­ There are various ways to answer careers, he had once been warden of a agreement with Maxwell's equations— this challenge. My favorite is to point home for delinquent boys, and he dis­ then so much the worse for Maxwell's out that Clarke's Third Law doesn't covered that all the boys had "I love my equations. If it is found to be contra­ work in reverse. Given that "any suffi- Mummy" tattooed on their penises. An dicted by observation—well, these ciently advanced technology is indis­ improbable story in itself, but not experimentalists do bungle things tinguishable from magic," it does not impossible. No great scientific princi­ sometimes. But if your theory is found follow that "any magical claim that ples would be violated if it were true. to be against the second law of ther­ anybody may make at any time is Nevertheless, it seemed to provide a modynamics I can give you no hope; indistinguishable from a technological useful perspective on the credentials of there is nothing for it but to collapse in advance that will come some time in this man as an observer of priests hov­ deepest humiliation." the future." As we have seen, there ering in the nave. Moreover, said my Eddington is cleverly bending over have admittedly been occasions when dinner companion, he had once backward to make concessions in the authoritative, pontificating skeptics observed a crow pick up a match it first part of the passage, so that his con­ have come away with egg on their found on the ground, strike it, and fidence in the second part has the more faces, even within their own lifetimes. raise its wing to shield die lighted impact. But if you still find it too cock­ But there have been a far greater num­ match from the wind. 1 forget whether sure, if you think it is asking for trou­ ber of occasions when magical claims the crow actually took a drag on the ble at the hands of some as yet unimag­ have never been vindicated. An appar- cigarette, but in any case the three sto­ inable future technology, so be it. I ently magical claim might eventually ries, taken together, seemed to me to won't press the point, but will take my turn out to be true. In any age there are establish my companion as an unreli­ weaker stand on relative probabilities. so many magical claims that are, or able, though diverting, witness. To put Fraud, illusion, trickery, hallucination, could be, made. They can't all be true; it mildly, the hypothesis that he was a honest mistake, or outright lies—the many are mutually contradictory; and liar (or a lunatic, or a hallucinating fan­ combination of these adds up to such a we have no reason to suppose that, tasist, or doing psychological research probable alternative that I shall always simply by the act of sitting down and on credulity) seemed more probable doubt casual observations or stories dreaming up a magical claim, we shall than the alternative hypothesis that all that seem to suggest the catastrophic make it come true in some future tech­ three of his far-fetched stories were overthrow of existing science. Existing nology. Some things that would sur­ true. Three improbable occurrences are science must be overthrown not by prise us today will come true in the much more improbable than one. If a casual anecdotes but by the most rigor­ future. But lots and lots of things that man tells one lie, on the other hand, ous research, repeated, dissected, and would surprise us today will not come this does not diminish the probability repeated again. true ever. that he will tell two more! To return to my main thesis, it is You might ask yourself whether a Is there anything that we can safely that gullibility of the kind exploited by storyteller has a motive to lie. Or we rule out, and for all time? Physicists all astrologers, evangelists, and other char­ can look at his credentials in other agree that if an inventor applies for a latans may be normal and healthy in a ways. I was once placed at dinner next patent for a perpetual-motion machine child, but it is unhealthy and reprehen­ to an entertaining philosopher who you can safely turn down his patent sible in an adult. Growing up, in the told me the following story. He was without even looking at his design. fullest sense of the word, should kneeling in a church next to a priest. This is because any perpetual-morion include the cultivation of a healthy

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 35 skepticism. The active willingness to be arms of Teddy Bear, was so warm and haunted houses, no demonic posses­ deceived can be called childish not only serene. Why, the reluctant adult might sion, no bogeymen or ogres. Yes, Teddy because it is common—and defensi­ complain, did you drag me here? and Golly turn out not to be really ble—among children. 1 suspect, too, alive. But there are warm, live, speak­ that the explanation for its existence in That is the land of lost content, ing, thinking adult bedfellows to love, adults lies in a hankering after, indeed a I see it shining plain, and many people find it a more pining for, the lost securities and com­ The happy highways where I went rewarding kind of love than the child­ forts of childhood. As Isaac Asimov put And cannot come again. ish love of stuffed toys, however soft it, "Inspect every piece of pseudo- and cuddly they may be. science and you will find a security (A. E. Housman: If we don't grow up properly, we blanket, a thumb to suck, a skirt to A Shropshire Lad) retain our "obstinate caterpillar" quality hold." Childhood is, for many people, from childhood, when it is a virtue, into a time of enchantment, a kind of heav­ Yes, childhood is a time of enchant­ adulthood, when it becomes a vice. In en. As little Naomi, the talking ment. But maturity has its charms too, childhood our credulity serves us well. It neonate, said to her obstetrician when and a proper understanding of the uni­ helps us to pack, with extraordinary he held her up and rudely cut her verse and our place in it has a special rapidity, our skulls full of the wisdom of umbilical cord: "Heaven is a beautiful grown-up kind of appeal. The universe our parents and our ancestors. But if we place, so warm and serene. Why did may be a cold and empty place, with don't grow out of it in the fullness of you bring me here?" Childhood, we no fairies and no Santa Claus, no time, our caterpillar nature makes us a might say, with its certainties and its Toyland or Narnia, no Happy Hunting sitting target for astrologers, mediums, securities, its fantasies of flying to Ground where mourned pets go, and gurus, evangelists, and quacks. We need Never-Never Land, its bedtime stories no angels, guardian or garden variety. to replace the automatic credulity of of Fairyland and Toyland before we But there are also no devils, no hell- childhood with the constructive skepti­ drifted off to the Land of Nod in the fire, no wicked witches, no ghosts, no cism of adult science.

CSICOP LEGAL DEFENSE FOUNDATION

n the Winter 1992 issue of the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER we outlined the difficulties that the Help Us ICommittee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal is experiencing because of harassing lawsuits filed against skeptics. We feel confident that these suits will eventually be dismissed. Still, we suspect that the lawsuits were brought for reasons other than the redress of alleged grievances. Defend For what do these suits mean? They mean that the pro-paranormalists think they have finally found a way to strike below the belt of scientists and skeptics. For years they have been unable to prove their claims of miraculous abilities. They've grown tired of hearing our challenges. Now they have turned to intimidation by lawsuit in an effort Skepticism to silence their only persistent critics. It doesn't matter if the plaintiff wins or loses the suit. Their purpose is to waste their opponents' resources and to intimidate and silence them—in effect, depriving individuals or organizations of their First Amendment rights. Against We are by no means a wealthy organization, but we are not prepared to surrender our rights. We have vowed to fight back. To do so, we need your support. CSICOP has established the CSICOP Legal Defense Foundation. Its funds will be used to help pay the costs of existing lawsuits and any that may arise in the future, and to countersue when appropriate. Harassing Don't allow the claim-mongers to destroy CSICOP (and the values of science and reason it steadfastly represents) through unjust and frivolous legal proceedings. Support the CSICOP Legal Defense Foundation today. It's the best way to blunt this frightening new weapon of the apostles of nonsense. Suits

Yes, I warn to defend the rights of skeptics. Enclosed is my tax-deductible Credit Card holders may call toll free: 1-800-634-1610 contribution of % Name Please make checks payable to the CSICOP Legal Defense Foundation Address _ Charge my DVisa DMasterCard DCheck enclosed City_ State Zip. * Exp. Mail to: CSICOP Legal Defense Foundation Sig. Box 703, Amherst, NY 14226

36 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Science, Soul, and Astonishing Hypo

FRANCIS CRICK

ill we ever understand how our brains work? We know that the ... Whuman brain is incredibly complex and that its activity is always changing. Parts of its struc­

ture are continually being modified, or you could not

remember what you did yesterday. We know that differ­

Is there some soul, or ent regions of it specialize—in seeing, hearing, initiating

spirit, that science cannot movements, and so on—and that these parts interact explain that survives our together to produce our behavior. Or is there something physical death? Or is it all in the brain? more? Is there some soul, or spirit, that science cannot

explain, without which we would not be conscious and

which survives our physical death?

Many people believe that there must be, because they

cannot see how the activity of nerve cells can possibly

explain what philosophers call "qualia"; for example, the

painfullness of pain or the redness of red. What I have

called the Astonishing Hypothesis says, on the contrary,

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 37 that it's all due to die activities of nerve In short, your brain constructs what you similar areas in the human brain. cells (and associated cells and mole­ see from the incoming information and What happens if, due to a stroke, cules). This idea—that it's all in die from your past experience (and from these areas are destroyed? Such a patient brain—is not new; it goes back at least the experience of your ancestors can see shapes and colors but can hard­ as far as Hippocrates, who lived around embodied in your genes). Sometimes, ly see movement. A moving car appears 400 B.C. How can we find out if it is as in visual illusions, it can be fooled stationary (just as a moving hour hand true? into making the wrong guess, but usu­ on a clock appears to us to be station­ I believe that we now know enough ally it does a pretty good job. You are ary), yet when she looks again die car about psychology, and about the brain, not conscious of all this complicated will be in a different position. Many to begin to tackle this problem scientif­ activity in your brain—only of the people find this extraordinary. If die car ically in a serious manner. Two results, and they are constantly chang­ is moving, and she can see the car, why approaches are possible. One is to con­ ing as your attention moves around. can't she see that it's moving? But from sider all aspects of consciousness, such How should one think about see­ our ideas of how die brain works, this is as pain, seeing, thinking, self-con­ ing? Obviously there is not a little TV just what we expect. sciousness, and "other forms of con­ screen inside your head emitting light. So die first thing to do is to find the sciousness," such as the hypnotic state, But why should there not be a screen "neural correlate" of what we see. This mystical experiences, and transcenden­ made of nerve cells? The activity of is not any old activity of the brain. tal meditation. My colleague Christof each nerve cell would represent the Most of the early experiments on the Koch and I prefer a more focused light at that point—very active for a visual system of animals were done on approach. We believe that if we could bright spot, inactive for a dark spot (or anesthetized animals that were not see­ explain just one aspect of conscious­ something along those lines). But how ing anything at all, yet there were plen­ ness, we would have gone a long way could you see a face? Recall, the ty of active neurons in the visual parts toward understanding them all. As a of their brains. To see, there must be personal choice we selected the visual some special sort of neural activity. system, for various technical reasons. How can we find out what this is? The problem can then be stated very One promising way is to do experi­ simply: Exactly what is happening in ments in which the visual input is con­ my head when I see something? stant but the percept—what you see — Seeing is not as straightforward a changes. Look again at the Necker process as you might think. It all seems cube. Keep staring at it, and you will so easy, but in fact we know that the almost certainly see a different view of visual information from your eyes has it. After a while, you will see again the to undergo a large amount of intricate view you saw first—and so on. There processing in your brain before you can are two possible 3D interpretations of see an object or an event. Look at the the drawing, both almost equally like­ illustration (called a Necker cube). This ly, and so the brain hops from one to obviously consists of a number of black Necker's cube has two possible 3D the other. So we can ask: What changes lines on the white page. Yet you will interpretations. But what is happening in your brain when the percept in die brain as you stare at it? almost certainly see it also as a drawing changes? Experiments of this type of a three-dimensional (3D) cube. You Astonishing Hypothesis says there is no (though with a different stimulus) are can see this with only one eye, but if one (no "homunculus") looking at die already being done on monkeys; and you were to look at a real cube, with screen. All your brain would "see" on the results, although very preliminary, both eyes, it would appear even more such a screen would be the little spots. certainly look promising. vividly in 3D, although each eye gets To see a face, there have to be nerve So let us assume that, in the fullness only a 2D view of it. Your brain uses cells that respond to faces, not just to of time, we do discover the neural cor­ the small difference between these two spots. And indeed, when we look relate of consciousness (now referred to views to help form a 3D "image" of it. inside a monkey's head, we find such as NCC), and not only of seeing, but cells. In the same way, if, in a simple of all the other forms of consciousness. Francis Crick is at the Salk Institute for and direct way, you see movement, And that we also understand the mech­ Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037. there must be nerve cells that respond anisms of attention, and of very short- A physicist in origin, he was awarded the to such movement. And, again, inside term memory (since we could hardly Nobel Prize in 1962 (with James D. the monkey's head we find two small be conscious without it), and of how Watson and Maurice H. F Wilkins) for areas (one on each side of the head) our perceptions are linked to the vari­ his work in elucidating the double-helix that respond especially to moving ous levels of the motor system that plan structure of DNA. His most recent book objects in our field of view. Recent is The Astonishing Hypothesis. imaging experiments have located two Science continued on page 61

38 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 The Positive Power of Radioisotop

GLENN T. SEABORG

he nation's news media have featured dur­

ing the past year horrifying detailed Taccounts of "experiments" involving injec­ tions or ingestions of radioactive isotopes into human

beings up to a half-century ago by medical scientists.

Radioisotopes have Some of these involved University of California scientists

alleviated suffering and who were pioneers—in fact, the originators—of nuclear prolonged the lives of medicine. millions of human beings and contributed The UC scientists included John H. Lawrence (die productively in many brother of Ernest O. Lawrence, inventor of the

other ways. cyclotron), who can perhaps be characterized as the

"father" of nuclear medicine; Robert S. Stone, who had

served impressively as the director of health for die

wartime Plutonium Project; and Joseph G. Hamilton,

the developer of much of nuclear medicine, including

the use of radioactive iodine-131. Their trailblazing

work in establishing the foundation for nuclear medicine

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 39 was carried on very much in accor­ Cobalt-60 was used annually for more Cobalt-60 irradiation focuses dance with die ethical standards of that than 4 million therapeutic irradiations, directly on a cancer to destroy it, with time. Perhaps die accepted standards of iodine-131 for diagnosis and treatment little damage to surrounding tissue. our nuclear medical research today will more than 2 million times a year, and Hundreds of thousands of Americans horrify our descendants another half- technetium-99m in nearly 1 million who suffer from cancer have been century into the future. annual diagnostic procedures. The sta­ treated in this way. Today the use of Rather than elaborating on the tistics today are somewhat different. cobalt-60 is shifting to another area. morality of this pioneering research by For example, technetium-99m is now Every year millions of cubic meters of UC scientists (of which I had no the workhorse of nuclear medicine, medical products and equipment are knowledge at die time), I am going to accounting for more than 7 million sterilized by irradiation worldwide. Going beyond applications to nuclear medicine, I should like to say a "The use of dozens of radioisotopes In word about the practical applications of some radioactive transuranium isotopes nuclear medicine was only made possible by — plutonium-239, plutonium-238, testing their efficacy on human beings." americium-24l, and californium-252. In nuclear power reactors, some 40 describe some of the marvelous conse­ diagnostic procedures a year in the percent of the energy produced in the quences of its laying die foundation for United States, in bone, liver, and lung course of a nuclear fuel cycle comes nuclear medicine. (I shall also men­ scanning and thyroid, cardiovascular, from plutonium-239. Since about 20 tion some of the other beneficial uses and brain imaging. percent of the electricity generated in of radioactive isotopes.) Of the 30 All of this and the use of dozens of the United States comes from nuclear million people who are hospitalized other radioisotopes in nuclear medicine power plants, about twice as much each year in the United States, one in were only made possible by testing their electricity is generated from the syn­ three is treated with nuclear medicine. efficacy on human beings. (I dare not thetic element plutonium as is generat­ More than 10 million nuclear-medi­ refer to this as "human experimenta­ ed from oil-fired electrical generating cine procedures are performed on tion" in today's critical climate.) I shall plants. patients and more than 100 million discuss some of these individually. One of the uses of plutonium-238 nuclear-medicine tests are performed Iodine-131 is used to diagnose and is in the Space Nuclear Auxiliary Power each year in the United States alone. A treat thyroid disorders. My mother was (SNAP) units that have been used to comparable number of such proce­ one of the first to benefit from the use power satellites or, more important, to dures are performed in the rest of the of this radioisotope. Fatally ill from power remote sensing instruments. world. hyperthyroidism (a related condition SNAP sources (fueled by plutonium- The most used such radioisotopes to that from which her sister died), 238) served as power sources for were discovered at UC Berkeley using diagnosis and treatment with iodine- instrument packages on the five Apollo the cyclotrons of E. O. Lawrence. 131 led to her complete recovery and a missions, the Viking unmanned Mars Confining my remarks to some of long life-span (she died at the age of lander, and the Pioneer and Voyager those of which I have been a codiscov- 81). Former President George Bush probes to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, erer, with my Berkeley coworkers, I and First Lady Barbara Bush were Neptune, and beyond. shall mention first iodine-131 (discov­ both successfully treated for Graves' Americium-241 is used in many ered in 1938), cobalt-60 (1937), and disease, a thyroid disease, with iodine- smoke detectors for homes and busi­ technetium-99m (1938). By 1970, 90 131. Radioactive iodine treatment is so nesses, in thickness gauges designed to percent of the 8 million administra­ successful that it has virtually replaced measure and control sheet metal, foil, tions a year of radioisotopes in the thyroid surgery. and plate-glass thickness during manu­ United States utilized either iodine- Technetium-99m is the most wide­ facturing processes, to measure levels 131, cobalt-60, or technetium-99m. ly used radioactive pharmaceutical for of toxic lead in dried paint samples, use in nuclear medicine. Different and to help determine where oil wells Glenn T. Seaborg is University Professor chemical forms are used for brain, should be drilled. of Chemistry at the University of bone, liver, spleen, and kidney imag­ Californium-252 (a neutron emit­ California at Berkeley and Associate ing, and also for blood-flow studies. ter) is used for neutron activation Director-at-Large of the Lawrence My wife, Helen, my daughter Dianne, analysis, to inspect airline luggage for Berkeley Laboratory. Cowinner of the and I myself have all benefited from hidden explosives, to gauge the mois­ 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (with diagnosis with technetium-99m. (We ture content of soil and other materi­ Edwin M. McMillan), Seaborg and his were accorded the peace of mind that als, in borehole logging in geology, and coworkers have discovered ten transura­ comes with the determination of a nium elements. clean bill of health.) Radioisotopes continued on page 62

40 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 For the Record

Air Force Report on the Roswell Incident

The adjacent "Memorandum for Memorandum for Correspondents Correspondents" was issued by the No. 255-M, Sept. 8, 1994 Secretary of the Air Force September 8, Secretary of die Air Force Sheila E. Widnall today announced die completion 1994, accompanying a 23-page report of a of an Air Force study to locate records that would explain an alleged 1947 UFO incident. Pro-UFO researchers claim an extraterrestrial spacecraft and 1994 U.S. Air Force investigation into the its alien occupants were recovered near Roswell, N.M., in July 1947 and die so-called Roswell incident, a claim of a fact was kept from die public. crashed flying saucer in New Mexico in At the request of Congressman Steven H. Schiff (R-NM), die General Accounting Office in February 1994 initiated an audit to locate all records 1947. Following the memorandum we related to die Roswell incident and to determine if such records were prop­ print a substantial portion of the Report erly handled. The GAO audit entitled "Records Management Procedures Dealing With Weather Balloon, Unknown Aircraft, and Similar Crash of Air Force Research Regarding die Incidents" is not yet complete. "Roswell Incident," including its The GAO audit involved a number of government agencies but focused Executive Summary, the key section, on die Air Force. In support of die GAO effort, die Air Force initiated a sys­ tematic search of current Air Force offices as well as numerous archives and "What the Roswell Incident' Was," and the records centers that might help explain die incident. Air Force officials also Conclusion. The report provides abundant interviewed a number of persons who might have had knowledge of die evidence identifying the debris recovered events. Prior to die interviews Secretary Widnall released those persons from any previous security obligations that might have restricted their statements. on a New Mexico ranch as that from a The Air Force research did not locate or develop any information that die balloon, a radar-tracking reflector, and an "Roswell Incident" was a UFO event nor was there any indication of a "cover- up" by the Air Force. Information obtained through exhaustive records search­ instrument package from "Project Mogul " es and interviews indicated die material recovered near Roswell was consistent Project Mogul was then a Top Secret field with a balloon device of die type used in a then-classified project. No records experiment being carried out at indicated or even hinted at the recovery of "alien" bodies or extraterrestrial materials. Alamogordo, New Mexico, by New York All documentation related to this case is now declassified and die infor­ University scientists to study the possibility mation is in die public domain. All documentation has been turned over to of detecting low-frequency pressure waves the Air Force Historian. The Air Force report without attachments may be obtained by contacting Major Thurston, Air Force Public Affairs, (703) 695- in the atmosphere from Soviet nuclear 0640. The report with all 33 attachments is available for review in the weapons tests. Pentagon Library in Room 1A518.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 41 Report of Air Force Research Regarding the "Roswell Incident"

Executive Summary reviewed did not reveal any increase in first appropriate to discuss those operations, security, or any other activ­ things, as indicated by information The "Roswell Incident" refers to an ity in July, 1947, that indicated any available to the Air Force, that the event that supposedly happened in such unusual event may have occurred. Roswell Incident" was not: July, 1947, wherein the Army Air Records were located and thoroughly Forces (AAF) allegedly recovered explored concerning a then-TOP An Airplane Crash . . . remains of a crashed "flying disc" near SECRET balloon project, designed to Roswell, New Mexico. In February, attempt to monitor Soviet nuclear A Missile Crash . . . 1994, die General Accounting Office tests, known as Project Mogul. Addi­ (GAO), acting on die request of a New tionally, several surviving project per­ A Nuclear Accident. . . Mexico Congressman, initiated an sonnel were located and interviewed, as audit to attempt to locate records of was the only surviving person who An Extraterrestrial Craft such an incident and to determine if recovered debris from the original records regarding it were properly han­ Roswell sire in 1947, and die former The Air Force research found absolute­ dled. Although the GAO effort was to officer who initially identified the ly no indication that what happened look at a number of government agen­ wreckage as a balloon. Comparison of near Roswell in 1947 involved any type cies, the apparent focus was on the Air all information developed or obtained of extraterrestrial spacecraft. This, of Force. SAF/AAZ [Secretary of the Air indicated mat the material recovered course, is the crux of this entire matter. Force/Security and Special Program near Roswell was consistent with a bal­ "Pro-UFO" persons who obtain a copy Oversight], as the Central Point of loon device and most likely from one of this response, at this point, most Contact for die GAO in this matter, of the Mogul balloons that had not probably begin the "cover-up is still initiated a systematic search of current been previously recovered. Air Force on" claims. Nevertheless, the research Air Force offices as well as numerous research efforts did not disclose any indicated absolutely no evidence of any kind that a spaceship crashed near archives and records centers that might records of the recovery of any "alien" Roswell or that any alien occupants help explain this matter. Research bodies or extraterrestrial materials. were recovered therefrom, in some revealed that the "Roswell Incident" secret military operation or otherwise. was not even considered a UFO event Introduction This does not mean, however, that the until the 1978-1980 time frame. Prior early Air Force was not concerned . . . Even though Air Force research to that, die incident was dismissed about UFOs. However, in the early because die AAF originally identified originally started in January, 1994, the days, "UFO" meant Unidentified die debris recovered as being that of a first official Air Force-wide tasking was Flying Object, which literally translat­ weather balloon. Subsequently, various directed by the March 1, 1994, memo­ ed as some object in the air that was authors wrote a number of books randum from SAF/AA, (Atch 5), and not readily identifiable. It did not claiming that, not only was debris from was addressed to those current Air Staff mean, as the term has evolved in an alien spacecraft recovered, but also elements that would be the likely today's language, to equate to alien the bodies of die craft's alien occu­ repository for any records, particularly spaceships. Records from die period pants. These claims continue to evolve if there was anything of an extraordi­ reviewed by Air Force researchers as today and the Air Force is now rou­ nary nature involved. This meant that well as those cited by the authors men­ tinely accused of engaging in a "cover- the search was not limited to unclassi­ tioned before, do indicate that the up" of this supposed event. fied materials, but also would include USAF was seriously concerned about The research located no records at records of the highest classification and the inability to adequately identify existing Air Force offices that indicated compartmentation. . . . unknown flying objects reported in any "cover-up" by the USAF or any American airspace. All the records, indication of such a recovery. Conse­ What the Roswell however, indicated that the focus of quently, efforts were intensified by Air Incident Was Not concern was not on aliens, hostile or Force researchers at numerous loca­ otherwise, but on the Soviet Union. tions where records for the period in Before discussing specific positive Many documents from that period question were stored. The records results that these efforts revealed, it is

42 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 speak to the possibility of developmen­ although the majority of the wreckage like Bakelite; and there were fragments tal secret Soviet aircraft overflying US that was ultimately displayed by of what appeared to be I-beams. On airspace. This, of course, was of major General Ramey and Major Marcel in the inner surface of the I-beam, there concern to the fledgling USAF, whose the famous photos (Atch 16) in Ft. appeared to be a type of writing. This job it was to protect these same skies. Worth, was that of a radar target nor­ writing was a purple-violet hue, and it The research revealed only one offi­ mally suspended from balloons. This had an embossed appearance. The fig­ cial AAF document that indicated that radar target, discussed in more detail ures were composed of curved, geo­ there was any activity of any type that later, was certainly consistent with the metric shapes. It had no resemblance pertained to UFOs and Roswell in July, description of a July 9 newspaper arti­ to Russian, Japanese, or any other for­ 1947. This was a small section of the cle which discussed "tinfoil, paper, eign language. It resembled hiero­ July Historical Report for the 509th tape, and sticks." Additionally, the glyphics, but it had no animal-like Bomb Group and Roswell AAF that description of the "flying disc" was characters." . . . stated: " The Office of Public Infor­ consistent with a document routinely Bessie Brazel Schreiber (daughter of mation was quite busy during the used by most pro-UFO writers to indi­ WW Brazel; 14 years old at the time month answering inquiries on the 'fly­ cate a conspiracy in progress—the of the incident). Affidavit dated ing disc,' which was reported to be in telegram from the Dallas FBI office of September 22, 1993. ". . . The debris possession of the 509th Bomb Group. July 8, 1947. This document quoted in looked like pieces of a large balloon The object turned out to be a radar part states: ". . . The disc is hexagonal which had burst. The pieces were tracking balloon" (included with Arch in shape and was suspended from a 11). Additionally, this history showed small, the largest I remember measur­ that the 509th Commander, Colonel balloon by a cable, which balloon was ing about the same as the diameter of a Blanchard, went on leave on July 8, approximately twenty feet in diameter. basketball. Most of it was a kind of 1947, which would be a somewhat . . . The object found resembles a high double-sided material, foil-like on one unusual maneuver for a person altitude weather balloon with a radar side and rubber-like on the other. Both involved in the supposed first ever reflector. . . . Disc and balloon being sides were grayish silver in color, the recovery of extraterrestrial materials. transported. ..." foil more silvery than the rubber. (Detractors claim Blanchard did this as Similarly, while conducting the Sticks, like kite sticks, were attached to a ploy to elude the press and go to the popular literature review, one of the some of the pieces with a whitish tape. scene to direct the recovery opera­ documents reviewed was a paper enti- The tape was about two or three inch­ tions.) The history and the morning tled "The Roswell Events," edited by es wide and had flowerlike designs on reports also showed that the subse­ Fred Whiting and sponsored by the it. The 'flowers' were faint, a variety of quent activities at Roswell during the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR). pastel colors, and reminded me of month were mostly mundane and not Although it was not the original inten­ Japanese paintings in which the flowers indicative of any unusual high level tion to comment on what commercial are not all connected. I do not recall activity, expenditure of manpower, authors interpreted or claimed that any other types of material or mark­ resources, or security. other persons supposedly said, this par­ ings, nor do I remember seeing gouges ticular document was different because in the ground or any other signs that Likewise, the researchers found no it contained actual copies of apparent­ anything may have hit the ground indication of heightened activity any­ ly authentic sworn affidavits received hard. The foil-rubber material could where else in the military hierarchy in from a number of persons who claimed not be torn like ordinary aluminum the July, 1947, message traffic or orders to have some knowledge of the Roswell foil can be torn." .. . (to include classified traffic). There event. Although many of the persons In addition to those persons above were no indications and warnings, who provided these affidavits to the still living who claim to have seen or notice of alerts, or a higher tempo of FUFOR researchers also expressed examined the original material found operational activity reported that opinions that they thought there was on the Brazel Ranch, there is one addi­ would be logically generated if an alien something extraterrestrial about this tional person who was universally craft, whose intentions were unknown, incident, a number of them actually acknowledged to have been involved in entered US territory. . .. described materials mat sounded suspi­ its recovery, Sheridan Cavitt, Lt. Col., ciously like wreckage from balloons. USAF (Ret). Cavitt is credited in all These included the following: claims of having accompanied Major What the "Roswell Jesse A. Marcel, M.D. (son of the Marcel to the ranch to recover the Incident" Was late Major Jesse Marcel; 11 years old at debris, sometimes along with his the time of the incident). Affidavit Counter Intelligence Corps (C1C) sub­ As previously discussed, what was orig­ dated May 6, 1991. ". . . There were ordinate, William Rickett, who, like inally reported to have been recovered three categories of debris: a thick, foil­ Marcel, is deceased. Although there was a balloon of some sort, usually like metallic gray substance; a brittle, does not appear to be much dispute described as a "weather balloon," brownish-black plastic-like material, that Cavitt was involved in the materi-

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 43 al recovery, other claims about him radiosonde. Lt. Col. Cavitt also quoted. The (acts remain as indicated prevail in the popular literature. He is reviewed the famous Ramey/Marcel above. I was not influenced during the sometimes portrayed as a closed- photographs (Atch 16) of the wreckage original interview, nor today, to pro­ mouth (or sometimes even sinister) taken to Ft. Worth (often claimed by vide anything but what I know to be conspirator who was one of the early UFO researchers to have been switched true, that is, the material I saw in individuals who kept the "secret of and the remnants of a balloon substi­ General Ramey's office was the remains Roswell" from getting out. Other tuted for it) and he identified the mate­ of a balloon and a RAWIN target." things about him have been alleged, rials depicted in those photos as consis­ including the claim that he wrote a tent with the materials that he recov­ Balloon Research report of the incident at the time that ered from the ranch. Lt. Col. Cavitt has never surfaced. also stated that he had never taken any The original tasking from GAO noted that the search for information includ­ Comparison of all Information developed ed "weather balloons." Comments m about balloons and safety reports have or obtained Indicated that the material already been made; however, the recovered near Roswell was consistent with SAF/AAZ research efforts also focused on reviewing historical records involv­ a balloon device." ing balloons, since, among other rea­ sons, that was what was officially Since Lt. Col. Cavitt, who had first­ oath or signed any agreement not to claimed by the AAF to have been hand knowledge, was still alive, a deci­ talk about this incident and had never found and recovered in 1947. sion was made to interview him and been threatened by anyone in the gov­ As early as February 28, 1994, the get a signed sworn statement from him ernment because of it. He did not even AAZD research team found references about his version of the events. Prior to know the "incident" was claimed to be to balloon tests taking place at the interview, the Secretary of the Air anything unusual until he was inter­ Alamogordo AAF (now Holloman Force provided him with a written viewed in the early 1980's. AFB) and White Sands during June authorization and waiver to discuss Similarly, Irving Newton, Major, and July 1947, testing "constant level classified information with the inter­ USAF (Ret) was located and inter­ balloons" and a New York University viewer and release him from any secu­ viewed. Newton was a weather officer (NYU)/Watson Labs effort that used rity oath he may have taken. Sub­ assigned to Fort Worth, who was on ". . . meteorological devices . . . sus­ sequently, Cavitt was interviewed on duty when the Roswell debris was sent pected for detecting shock waves gen­ May 24, 1994, at his home. Cavitt there in July, 1947. He was told that he erated by Soviet nuclear explosions"— provided a signed, sworn statement was to report to General Ramey's office a possible indication of a cover story (Atch 17 ) of his recollections in this to view the material. In a signed, sworn associated with the NYU balloon pro­ matter. He also consented to having statement (Atch 30) Newton related ject. Subsequently, a 1946 HQ AMC the interview tape-recorded. A tran­ that "... I walked into the General's memorandum was surfaced, describing script of that recording is at Atch 18. office where this supposed flying the constant altitude balloon project, In this interview, Cavitt related that he saucer was lying all over the floor. As and specified that the scientific data be had been contacted on numerous occa­ soon as I saw it, I giggled and asked if classified TOP SECRET Priority 1A. Its sions by UFO researchers and had will­ that was the flying saucer. ... I told name was Project Mogul (Atch 19). ingly talked with many of them; how­ them that this was a balloon and a Project Mogul was a then-sensitive, ever, he felt that he had oftentimes RAWIN target. . . ." Newton also stat­ classified project, whose purpose was been misrepresented or had his com­ ed that ". . . while I was examining the to determine the state of Soviet nuclear ments taken out of context so that debris, Major Marcel was picking up weapons research. This was the early their true meaning was changed. He pieces of the target sticks and trying to Cold War period and there was serious stated unequivocally, however, that the convince me that some notations on concern within the U.S. government material he recovered consisted of a the sticks were alien writings. There about the Soviets developing a reflective sort of material like alu­ were figures on the sticks, lavender or weaponized atomic device. Because the minum foil and some thin, bamboo­ pink in color, appeared to be weather Soviet Union's borders were closed, the like sticks. He thought at the time, and faded markings, with no rhyme or rea­ U.S. government sought to develop a continued to do so today, that what he son (sic). He did not convince me that long range nuclear explosion detection found was a weather balloon and has these were alien writings." Newton capability. Long range, balloon-borne, told other private researchers that. He concluded his statement by relating low frequency acoustic detection was also remembered finding a small "black that ". . . during the ensuing years I posed to General Spaatz in 1945 by box" type of instrument, which he have been interviewed by many Dr. Maurice Ewing of Columbia thought at the time was probably a authors, I have been quoted and mis­ University as a potential solution

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 (atmospheric ducting of low frequency (see illustration, Atch 25); automatic gets were also assembled with purplish- pressure waves had been studied as ballast systems; and use of Naval pink tape with symbols on it (see draw­ early as 1900). sonobuoys (as die Watson Lab acousti­ ing by Moore with Atch 21). As part of the research into this cal sensors had not yet arrived). They According to the log summary matter, AAZD personnel located and also launched what they called "service (Atch 27) of the NYU group, Flight A obtained the original study papers and flights." These "service flights" were through Flight 7 (November 20, 1946 reports of the New York University not logged or fully accounted for in the to July 2, 1947) were made with neo­ project. Their efforts also revealed that published Technical Reports generated prene meteorological balloons (as some of the individuals involved in as a result of die contract between opposed to die later flights made with Project Mogul were still living. These NYU and Watson Labs. According to polyethylene balloons). Professor persons included die NYU constant Professor Moore, die "service flights" Moore stated that the neoprene bal­ altitude balloon Director of Research, were composed of balloons, radar loons were susceptible to degradation Dr. Athelstan F. Spilhaus; the Project reflectors, and payloads specifically in the sunlight, turning from a milky Engineer, Professor Charles B. Moore; designed to test acoustic sensors (both white to a dark brown. He described and the military Project Officer, early sonobuoys and die later Watson finding remains of balloon trains with Colonel Albert C. Trakowski. Labs devices). The "payload equip­ reflectors and payloads that had landed ment" was expendable and some car­ in die desert: the ruptured and shred­ All of these persons were subse- ried no "REWARD" or "RETURN TO ..." ded neoprene would "almost look like quently interviewed and signed sworn tags because there was to be no associ­ dark gray or black flakes or ashes after statements about their activities. A ation between these flights and the exposure to the sun for only a few days. copy of these statements are appended logged constant altitude flights which The plasticizers and antioxidants in the at Atch 20-22. Additionally, transcripts were fully acknowledged. The NYU neoprene would emit a peculiar acrid of die interview with Moore and balloon flights were listed sequentially odor and the balloon material and Trakowski are also included (equip­ in their reports (i.e., A, B, 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, radar target material would be scat­ ment malfunctioned during die inter­ 10 .. .) yet gaps existed for Flights 2-4 tered after returning to earth depend­ view of Spilhaus) (Atch 23-24). These and Flight 9. The interview with ing on the surface winds." Upon interviews confirmed that Project Professor Moore indicated that these review of the local newspaper pho­ Mogul was a compartmented, sensitive gaps were the untagged "service tographs from General Ramey's press effort. The NYU group was responsible flights." conference in 1947 and descriptions in for developing constant level balloons popular books by individuals who sup­ and telemetering equipment that Professor Moore, the on-scene posedly handled the debris recovered would remain at specified altitudes Project Engineer, gave detailed infor­ (within the acoustic duct) while a group from Columbia was to develop acoustic sensors. Doctor Spilhaus, 'Air Force research efforts did not disclose Professor Moore, and certain others of die group were aware of the actual pur­ any records of the recovery of any 'alien' pose of the project, but they did not bodies or extraterrestrial materials." know of the project nickname at the time. They handled casual inquiries and/or scientific inquiries/papers in mation concerning his team's efforts. on die ranch, Professor Moore opined terms of "unclassified meteorological He recalled that radar targets were used that the material was most likely the or balloon research." Newly hired for tracking balloons because they did shredded remains of a multi-neoprene employees were not made aware that not have all die necessary equipment balloon train with multiple radar there was anything special or classified when they first arrived in New Mexico. reflectors. The material and a "black about their work; they were told only Some of die early developmental radar box," described by Cavitt, was, in that their work dealt with meteorologi­ targets were manufactured by a toy or Moore's scientific opinion, most prob­ cal equipment. novelty company. These targets were ably from Flight 4, a "service flight" made up of aluminum "foil" or foil- that included a cylindrical metal sono- An advance ground team, led by backed paper, balsa wood beams that buoy and portions of a weather instru­ Albert P. Crary, preceded die NYU were coated in an "Elmers-type" glue ment housed in a box, which was group to Alamogordo AAF, New to enhance their durability, acetate unlike typical weather radiosondes Mexico, setting up ground sensors and and/or cloth reinforcing tape, single which were made of cardboard. obtaining facilities for the NYU group. strand and braided nylon twine, brass Additionally, a copy of a professional Upon their arrival, Professor Moore eyelets and swivels to form a multi- journal, maintained at the time by A.P. and his team experimented with vari­ faced reflector somewhat similar in Crary, provided to the Air Force by his ous configurations of neoprene bal­ construction to a box kite (see pho­ widow, showed that Flight 4 was loons; development of balloon "trains" tographs, Atch 26). Some of these tar­ launched on June 4, 1947, but was not

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 45 IAW COWOWCi AT CAhUZOZO OB Alkr *. 1MT tt« *«,»• Buimu «* InvwUBUkm u iwUiimt art* of Hi trrtm of fc-iltrnw-r-*. *i OutlBH to uw DUirkt CMm Room laT*w •n/oraoMtu otttcrra of ' u» ftoutfivwi in umi«4 to -:. ) Alamo tend A profit**** im.ru, |w. Mr outlined AMOKHKD OTERO OOI/NTT AllVBTlTURll JAN 1 1*11 AIW»HHH> «UUM,.,II!.M-|>II I-IHH'IM, v-i 17 1*71 VOLUME M. KINIiH il ALAhfO4)0IU>O. NEW MUX 1(11. miK«HA¥. JI'LV I*. IM1 tUtm RirilllN: ftM r»« i"*-i FANTASY OF "FLYING DISC" IS EXPLAINED HERE

•«••..IIM.I 11 n %v l*|H I II li*..,*. ... >*...... 1 !•••.) ....(. • ..,«, •• ritMBf -• ii- -'-il-.. ••>•' M.M r.ii1i,.u ,i„ M, .i„. i„,n,.i H^H.I»<% -( Ihr IU»|»4. Nr». .1.11 Id <*>• IU. U**>kk|| a* a <"*

•»• irlU,.-. n.diHMtat .1 l , • .tut.. IK I • .. ,.I,„I.(,

<)uimhy I^MIK-. Ov-rr Wurknhop SystvniN To«.i-l Start litre ll Hi* i.tl in* li" i.t i .*ll-*la*a I. I..UI |a > .-|.|.ull."| I..I p-m.i a I. .-mi lliti •<>> I" i.i... li., II,' ..!».- .1 lit. I aril ii,,.,j .I.-, mil.- Mil. Mv 11....1 i-nii.l... ifl llf,ll ...... NV. Mrlli,, M,H»4 lw i. .I..I..I - .»l' "I l>|ar« •*!*• ••*•" -.1. Tr-airilj af \imt ih* Wala*. UWiUik* AM«\ •hk* I* in i. II..IIJI .(-.il. itiukt ..IliH. l.n Hi,,*,*, I..i Mftll M.i.M.I l ...... '...• Waif* l .1.. ..i \..... \U i .-i.i u (••(«. tthiU Kaa-ta I"-.. In* l.f«un4 L.M'J Ml-Urt fi-K.i Irartof • "••"€ l-.nl. Hn, ll>b wrr« ,. .^.i.'i^ |M" m ••>••' r**lr*laa .. Ik* .n|i> knavn |LM H* Hiflii i.i radar. S.» Mr It.. (l.-^..-.V.. H..IN. II. MtM*l'*tt|aMMIHl I""" •*-'» •jMftfTlnH— •* l** 'llaM. rk*nM( **•* ••.)r<.l«4 .a-., a af***, if • I ..miln- .,-,,.'1..,^. .J • •l-kdMI,l IU. I.IIH. •HJW Arrow at Ifc* 1I4M afcaw. Ik* •»*> ,.wn m-AHn* ..< lb* lli. ••HluM r>4.wr irlai nailin i...... |„ Ualunuvr. Md II* will .i.l i. » ami ||H> l*»n. -u.. >U.t l^tlliHiniritU n.L^..n«i. fllfM aa aVirtt—1 a» radar aaajraln. •••a' *r>»« aw W-fi l> |**. talrl ii,. a*. I air -( Ih* flltkl fc. -•• miiiiiiiiia u.i n..i.n i.,i,i.II- I:, I.I News Men Watch Army II .II.I ii>. AI.II.I. I"i- iiiiMiimia ...... ft . -I^I-.|» i,,,, tKrmj Alf PMMi f*-**.i • lull • nil' mllti it.- lii.t-i Hi". I* (Jul,....I ,. ,„.,„,, ,,;. .„,. x,tr II ... nine !•• i>> i !'•• • « •• "• "' •'"• *•-» ul drUaiiiiw . Radar Crew Launch "Due" |itnr r«rf1 M.nai-i nudii ...... 1,.,. ,,. tlU-t I,, b* '-..I. .„ Cloudcroft HoHt ' „..•• II,. llblllu IL- V||, Young Democratic •...•LI. . l-r|iD|r). |M(II Will .-• itMtl U, i.M.ii,, ,n*.Ni- Inill.i . •I'l'tii*'' llf B*la-ial Move Started In To (.olf Tourney l«-.. -flym*. «h-V. ami i»—•' ti. Md al Hi* AlrMM«MkiH t'—H- '1.... 1.1 ..I, I.I..,,. I,, ,i. .,„,!,,, U» 1 ' nl il- I.I.1.1 «|iui-awlii al llf l«.l lahiil "I CIu»l-i<>ti liM*" HirwiMliMil Hf iialtmi * i.i.ii.iny, a,HI In HH.UM, i'.' <.«.<< a- »-. I.....H. ,.i n-»--l- lir*tl Otero County -II Kr'ni-l -Mill I'.m-i I mrrrd AUW!! I" UIIU—l-l*(o("l ail .H.lB-li' Hit"! HH I." i„ Wlill*i naps at A»IMHU«| H*Wr arrvBtMi r*"taf largiHa k*t*-.l l« it*,,, l.ai .la, ...,,v.., \wir Hiitmi of Uw futuuti com. Uta AUJIVO«>."I-J Altn» An Ii II>1' ll.ima i.rim'-1- autua «w-J CM MuinJ OIMIUIU' .*..•* *i II* 1—U- HHMI rmal i.» -I -iMtitHuiiUt "f 'aw„.« -M il.r H M H..a»l and r.l.Hr.1 MM*. lhrnMll-K.1 IMH y| lb* i>..:l—. ..I Hir in- of UM Owo COUJIII p*mac»u pUfJfajaj |,., iin. a,-a •ill t." hiual liavr ,,.,,.(,.,,., tf)Ul . • Ii K II '.i*i. - l.ii» IT natkai I-II i.. H-- Al jrvri M I'M eounAouM uu.i» •)- Tlaa-' .HH+rvrti i«rri fUriu .•• •a- 11- r.lllrl I.IMIII HM JldV 13 ,i at. r.»H.a, K.a,,,,..,, U* |,„ MfTtoon *o or»aAM» A Vauug Dcni H* I lint •••• HI* [ni'-i- n ii ii" b-nanl I'tan llv- IHI Hu­ i.iiiHi.t NfeiM ..in M..i.ni lin h. . .1, III., k f. ,a, H«,ia.,|,,„Ui genu* OrganJaaUon trtt out- n in* a.nlil aull rouif. IM • lUlllUI "llrf^l .1-1 I.H. •••IM.II. it,M.I l,i|,i i\,r mil *W .. a Ulr lot Ua ».-,..,. ytim alll iWMliirtP |il-» »«i 1 •ira id llM> lotal all U«* ui.». This story in the July 10, 1947, Alamogordo News reported essentially what was being launched from Alamogordo Army Air Base—balloon-borne corner radar reflector experimental devices, one of which is very likely what rancher Brazel found. But the purpose of the launches and the name of the top-secret series of experiments, Project Mogul, were not disclosed until 1994.

recovered by the NYU group. It is very research failed to locate any document­ on the identification from his weather probable that this TOP SECRET project ed evidence as to why that statement officer, Irving Newton. In either case, balloon train (Flight 4), made up of was made. However, on July 10, 1947, the materials recovered by the AAF in unclassified components, came to rest following the Ramey press conference, July, 1947, were not readily recogniz­ some miles northwest of Roswell, the Alamogordo News published an arti­ able as anything special (only the pur­ N.M., became shredded in the surface cle with photographs demonstrating pose was special) and the recovered winds and was ultimately found by the multiple balloons and targets at die debris itself was unclassified. Addi­ rancher, Brazel, ten days later. This same location as the NYU group oper­ tionally, the press dropped its interest possibility was supported by the obser­ ated from at Alamogordo AAF. in the matter as quickly as they had vations of Lt. Col. Cavitt (Atch 17- Professor Moore expressed surprise at jumped on it. Hence, there would be 18), the only living eyewitness to die seeing this since his was the only bal­ no particular reason to further docu­ actual debris field and die material loon test group in die area. He stated, ment what quickly became a "non- found. Lt. Col. Cavitt described a "It appears mat there was some type of event." small area of debris which appeared "to umbrella cover story to protect our The interview with Colonel resemble bamboo type square sticks work with Mogul." Although die Air Trakowski (Atch 23-24) also proved one-quarter to one-half inch square, Force did not find documented evi­ valuable information. Trakowski pro­ diat were very light, as well as some dence that Gen. Ramey was directed to vided specific details on Project Mogul sort of metallic reflecting material that espouse a weather balloon in his press and described how die security for the was also very light... I remember rec­ conference, he may have done so either program was set up, as he was former­ ognizing this material as being consis­ because he was aware of Project Mogul ly the TOP SECRET Control Officer for tent wid. a weather balloon." and was trying to deflect interest from the program. He further related that Concerning the initial announce­ it or because he readily perceived die many of die original radar targets diat ment, "RAAF Captures Flying Disc," material to be a weather balloon based were produced around the end of

46 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 World War II were fabricated by toy or tions as to where documentation might in connection with Project Mogul and novelty companies using a purplish- be located in various archives, histories, to correlate them with die various pink tape with flower and heart sym­ and libraries. A review of Freedom of descriptions of wreckage and materials bols on it. Trakowski also recounted a Information Act (FOIA) requests recovered. The blueprints for the "Pilot conversation that he had had with his revealed diat Robert Todd, particularly, Balloon Target ML307C/AP Assem­ friend, and superior military officer in had become aware of Project Mogul bly" (generically, the radar target his chain of command, Colonel several years ago and had doggedly assembly) were located at die Army Marcus Duffy, in July, 1947. Duffy obtained from die Air Force, through Signal Corps Museum at Fort Mon­ formerly had Trakowski's position on die FOIA, a large amount of material mouth and obtained. A copy is Mogul, but had subsequently been pertaining to it; long before die AAZD appended as Atch 29. This blueprint researchers independently seized on die provides the specification for the foil transferred to Wright Field. He stated: same possibility. material, tape, wood, eyelets, and "Colonel Duffy called me on die tele­ string used and die assembly instruc­ phone from Wright Field and gave me Most interesting, as this report was tions thereto. An actual device was also a story about a fellow that had come in being written, Pflock published his obtained for study with die assistance from New Mexico, woke him up in die own report of this matter under die of Professor Moore. (The example auspices of FUFOR, entitled "Roswell middle of the night or some such thing actually procured was a 1953-manu- in Perspective" (1994). Pflock conclud­ with a handful of debris, and wanted factured model "C" as compared to the ed from his research that the Brazel him, Colonel Duffy, to identify it. Model B which was in use in 1947. Ranch debris originally reported as a . . . He just said, 'It sure looks like Professor Moore related that the differ­ "flying disc" was probably debris from some of die stuff you've been launch­ ences were minor.) An examination of a Mogul balloon, [but that] there was a ing at Alamogordo' and he described it, this device revealed it to be simply simultaneous incident diat occurred and I said, 'Yes, I think it is.' Certainly made of aluminum-colored foil-like not far away that caused an alien craft Colonel Duffy knew enough about material over a stronger paper-like to crash and diat die AAF subsequent­ radar targets, radiosondes, balloon- material, attached to balsa wood ly recovered three alien bodies there- borne weather devices. He was inti­ sticks, affixed with tape, glue, and from. Air Force research did not locate mately familiar with all that appara­ twine. When opened, the device any information to corroborate that appears as depicted in Atch 31 (con­ tus." this incredible coincidence occurred, temporary photo) and Atch 25 (1947 Attempts were made to locate however. Colonel Duffy, but it was ascertained photo, in a "balloon train"). When that he had died. His widow explained In order to provide a more detailed folded, the device is in a series of tri­ that, although he had amassed a large discussion of the specifics of Project amount of personal papers relating to his Air Force activities, she had recent­ "It Is very possible that this Top Secret ly disposed of these items. Likewise, it was learned that A. P. Crary was also prefect balloon train ... came to rest some deceased; however his surviving spouse miles northwest of Roswell, N.M., • • • and had a number of his papers from his balloon-testing days, including his pro­ was ultimately found by the rancher, • • •" fessional journal from the period in question. She provided the Air Force Mogul and how it appeared to be angles, the largest being four feet by researchers with this material. It is dis­ directly responsible for die "Roswell two feet ten inches. The smallest tri­ cussed in more detail within Atch 32. Incident," a SAF/AAZD researcher angle section measures two feet by two Overall, it helps fill in gaps of die prepared a more detailed discussion on feet ten inches. (Compare with Mogul story. the balloon project which is appended descriptions provided by Lt. Col. During die period die Air Force to this report as Atch 32. Cavitt and others, as well as photos of conducted this research, it was discov­ wreckage.) ered that several others had also discov­ Other Research Additionally, die researchers ob­ ered die possibility diat die "Roswell tained from the Archives of the Incident" may have been generated by In the attempt to develop additional University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) die recovery of a Project Mogul bal­ information that could help explain a set of original (i.e. first generation) loon device. These persons included this matter, a number of other steps prints of the photographs taken at the Professor Charles B. Moore, Robert were taken. First, assistance was time by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Todd, and coincidentally, Karl Pflock, requested from various museums and that depicted Ramey and Marcel with a researcher who is married to a staffer other archives (Atch 28) to obtain die wreckage. A dose review of these who works for Congressman Schiff. information and/or examples of die photos (and a set of first generation Some of these persons provided sugges­ actual balloons and radar targets used negatives also subsequently obtained

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 47 from UTA) revealed several interesting All available official materials, al­ tionally, some of these claims have observations. First, although in some though they do not directly address been shown to be hoaxes, even by other of the literature cited above. Marcel Roswell per se, indicate that the most UFO researchers. Thirdly, when such allegedly stated that he had his photo likely source of the wreckage recovered claims are made, they are often attrib­ taken with the "real" UFO wreckage from the Brazel Ranch was from one of uted to people using pseudonyms or and then it was subsequently removed the Project Mogul balloon trains. Al­ who otherwise do not want to be pub­ and the weather balloon wreckage sub­ though that project was TOP SECRET at licly identified, presumably so that stituted for it, a comparison shows that the time, there was also no specific some sort of retribution cannot be the same wreckage appeared in die indication found to indicate that an taken against them (notwithstanding photos of Marcel and Ramey. The pho­ official pre-planned cover story was in that nobody has been shown to have tos also depicted that this material was place to explain an event such as that died, disappeared or otherwise suffered lying on what appeared to be some sort which ultimately happened. It appears at the hands of the government during of wrapping paper (consistent with that the identification of the wreckage the last 47 years). Fourth, many of the affidavit excerpt of crew chief Porter, as being part of a weather balloon persons making the biggest claims of above). It was also noted that in the device, as reported in the newspapers at "alien bodies" make their living from two photos of Ramey he had a piece of the time, was based on the fact that the "Roswell Incident." While having a paper in his hand. In one, it was fold­ there was no physical difference in the commercial interest in something does ed over so nothing could be seen. In radar targets and the neoprene balloons not automatically make it suspect, it the second, however, there appears to (other than the numbers and con­ does raise interesting questions related be text printed on the paper. In an figuration) between Mogul balloons to authenticity. Such persons should be attempt to read this text to determine and normal weather balloons. encouraged to present their evidence if it could shed any further light on Additionally, it seems that there was (not speculation) directly to the gov­ locating documents relating to this over-reaction by Colonel BLANCHARD ernment and provide all pertinent matter, the photo was sent to a nation­ and Major Marcel, in originally report­ details and evidence to support their al level organization for digitizing and ing that a "flying disc" had been recov­ claims if honest fact-finding is what is subsequent photo interpretation and ered when, at that time, nobody for wanted. Lastly, persons who have come analysis. This organization was also sure knew what that term even meant forward and provided their names and asked to scrutinize the digitized photos since it had only been in use for a cou­ made claims, may have, in good faith for any indication of the flowered tape ple of weeks. but in the "fog of time," misinterpret­ (or "hieroglyphics, depending on the Likewise, there was no indication in ed past events. The review of Air Force point of view) that were reputed to be official records from the period that records did not locate even one piece of visible to some of the persons who there was heightened military opera­ evidence to indicate that the Air Force observed the wreckage prior to its get­ tional or security activity which should has had any part in an "alien" body ting to Fort Worth. This organization have been generated if this was, in fact, recovery operation or continuing reported on July 20, 1994, that even the first recovery of materials and/or cover-up. after digitizing, the photos were of persons from another world. The post­ During the course of this effort, insufficient quality to visualize either war U.S. military (or today's for that the Air Force has kept in close touch of the details sought for analysis. This matter) did not have the capability to with the GAO and responded to their organization was able to obtain mea­ rapidly identify, recover, coordinate, various queries and requests for assis­ surements from the "sticks" visible in cover-up, and quickly minimize public tance. This report was generated as an the debris after it was ascertained by an scrutiny of such an event. The claim official response to the GAO, and to interview of the original photographer that they did so without leaving even a document the considerable effort what kind of camera he used. The little bit of a suspicious paper trail for expended by the Air Force on their results of this process are provided in 47 years is incredible. behalf. It is anticipated that that they Atch 33, along with a reference dia­ It should also be noted here that will request a copy of this report to gram and the photo from which the there was little mentioned in this help formulate the formal report of measurements were made. All these response about the recovery of the so- their efforts. It is recommended that measurements are compatible with the called "alien bodies." This is for several this document serve as the final Air wooden materials used in the radar tar­ reasons: First, the recovered wreckage Force report related to the Roswell get previously described. was from a Project Mogul balloon. matter, for the GAO, or any other There were no "alien" passengers there­ inquiries. Conclusion in. Secondly, the pro-UFO groups who espouse the alien bodies theories can­ RICHARD L. WEAVER The Air Force research did not locate not even agree among themselves as to Col., USAF or develop any information that the what, how many, and where, such bod­ Director, Security and Special "Roswell Incident" was a UFO event. ies were supposedly recovered. Addi­ Program Oversight

48 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 There's a world of difference between wishful thinking and critical thinking.

Angels and auras... UFOs and unicorns ... miracles and magic...

These things may entertain us. They may even speak to some of our deepest wishes. But they don't really help us understand how the world works.

For that type of understanding, we need the You can help others learn more tools of science and reason and critical thinking. about how the world really That's where the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER comes in. works, instead of how some folks wish it worked: Six times a year, S.I. brings you the best articles • Ask your public library about critical investigations of paranormal and and/or your college or university fringe-science claims. It also presents the latest library to subscribe to the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. reports on the state of science in our culture. • Or introduce your library to Most of all, the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER demonstrates the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER with a gift subscription. the need to question everything—and in so • Ask your bookstore to order doing, proves again and again that the real the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. • And tell your friends what world is far more exciting than anything the they're missing! wishful thinkers can come up with.

SKEPTICALTHE COMMITTE INQUIRERE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIM S OF THE PARANORMAL PO Box 703, Amherst NY, 14226-0703 • Phone (716) 636-1425 THE MAGAZINE FOR SCIENCE AND REASON Book Reviews

rguing fro m a acuum

SCOTT O. LILIENFELD House of Cards: Psychology and Psychotherapy Built on Myth. By Robyn M. Dawes. Free Press, New York, 1994. 338 pp. Hardcover, $22.95.

s psychologist Paul Meehl has between science and pseudoscience. aggregate findings across a large num­ Apointed out, psychological re­ Pseudoscience results, according to ber of studies, investigators have con­ searchers tend to be at a distinct disad­ Lakatos, when the advocates of an vincingly demonstrated that a wide vantage compared with researchers in erroneous assertion blind themselves to variety of psychological interventions the "hard" sciences, such as physics and the overwhelming tide of evidence have positive, albeit often modest, chemistry. Psychological claims are against it. effects on emotional adjustment. The usually more difficult to falsity than It is these pseudoscientific elements bad news is that studies consistently those in the hard sciences, largely of contemporary clinical psychology indicate that the efficacy of treatment because they are associated with a larg­ Robyn Dawes takes issue with in House is essentially uncorrelated with thera­ er number of problematic auxiliary of Cards. Dawes, himself a distin­ pist experience, whether measured in hypotheses (i.e., conjectures concern­ guished research psychologist, is no terms of the number of years of train­ ing such issues as the validity of the enemy to clinical psychology. To the ing or the possession of a license. Thus, measures or the adequacy of the exper­ contrary, in the early 1980s, Dawes there is no compelling evidence that imental procedures). Thus, unlike fal­ was an instrumental player in a now- clients need to pay high-priced profes­ lacious ideas in the hard sciences, classic series of articles demonstrating sionals to enact psychological change; which are generally "slain" by discon- the effectiveness of psychotherapy. But relatively straightforward behavioral firming data, erroneous psychological he maintains that many of the asser­ interventions implemented by para- assertions often live on for decades. tions taken for granted by most clinical professionals will often suffice. When negative findings arise, advo­ psychologists are little more than Dawes elegantly summarizes the cates of such claims can always point to pseudoscientific beliefs built upon an outcome of the clinical vs. statistical flaws in the auxiliary hypotheses ("You edifice of myth and misconception. prediction debate, which, although used the wrong measure of intelli­ Although Dawes takes aim at an enor­ gence"; "Your deception wasn't con­ mous variety of issues, his prime targets familiar to most researchers in clinical vincing enough"), thereby immunizing are psychotherapy and clinical predic­ psychology, has had little discernible their pet ideas from falsification. tion. impact on clinical practice. Although most clinicians continue to rely upon Blaming negative findings on auxil­ With respect to psychotherapy, "intuition" when combining multiple iary hypotheses cannot continue indef­ Dawes is the bearer of both good and sources of data to make predictions initely, however; the proponents of bad news for practicing psychologists (e.g.. Will a recently released patient questionable scientific claims must and psychiatrists. The good news, attempt suicide? Will a depressed client eventually either "put up or shut up." according to Dawes, is that psy­ benefit from psychotherapy?), the psy­ Otherwise, as the philosopher of sci­ chotherapy works. With die aid of a chological literature indicates that pre­ ence Imre Lakatos noted, these claims statistical technique known as meta­ dictions based on simple statistical for­ cross the murky but perilous line analysis, which permits researchers to mulas almost always outperform (or at

50 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 worst perform as well as) those based ceptions concerning these events, cues ings point in die same direction. on clinical judgment. And, as is the from therapists, and information from After these laudatory remarks, a few case with psychotherapy, there is pre­ die media. This reconstructive process, criticisms are in order. Large sections of cious little evidence that clinicians' says Dawes, also helps explain die mas­ the book are poorly copy edited and ability increases with experience. sive recent upsurge in the prevalence of riddled with an inordinate number of As Dawes notes, the clinical vs. sta­ "recovered memories" of child abuse. typographical and factual errors, some tistical prediction debate conveys an Although Dawes's tone at times of them embarrassing (the medications important, although humbling, lesson. Clinical psychologists play a crucial and irreplaceable role in prediction, "In many respects [ibis] book is both but this role consists of such activities a plea and a manifesto for clear as the construction of sophisticated measures and die thoughtful collection thinking in psychology." of data. Once die data are collected, prediction is best served if die clinician verges on the polemical, his arguments used to treat schizophrenia are referred steps aside and leaves die rest of die are well reasoned and buttressed by an to as "narcoleptics" rather than "neu­ work to the formula. Clinical psychol­ impressive body of research. In many roleptics"; Hermann Rorschach, the ogists are no different from the test of respects, his book is both a plea and a developer of the famous inkblots, is us in having profound limitations as manifesto for clear thinking in psy­ said to have died in 1992 rather than information processors, and they are chology. At the same time, he reaffirms 1922). At times, Dawes slips into far less efficient and accurate than for­ mulas in combining and weighting die contribution of psychological black-and-white language, referring to information. In the book's most specu­ research to identifying die limits of die measures like the Rorschach Test as lative but most intriguing chapter clinician's curative powers and judg­ "not valid," rather than pointing out (Chapter 4), Dawes delineates a num­ mental acumen. Dawes repeatedly that because validity is die extent to ber of potential reasons why experience decries what he terms "the argument which inferences can be drawn from in psychotherapy and prediction often from a vacuum," the ubiquitous claim test scores, virtually all tests are valid fosters die illusion of increased exper­ that, had only die studies been conduct­ for some purposes. The problem, of tise. Among oilier things, clinicians ed differently, course, is that tend to remember their "hits" (i.e., suc­ more convinc­ they may not be cessful therapy cases and correct pre­ ing evidence valid for the pur­ dictions) better than their "misses"; for the power poses intended hits, after all, tend to be more interest­ of the clinician by the test devel­ ing and more likely to be recounted to as healer, pre­ oper. Black-and- colleagues. dictor, and so white language on, would and thinking is Dawes bemoans the failure of many surely have already too com­ psychotherapists to take heed of well- been found. mon in popular documented findings in basic psychol­ Of course, psychology, and ogy, such as those concerning memory arguing from a Dawes would processes. Most of the highly publi­ vacuum usual­ have done better cized claims concerning UFO abduc­ ly amounts to to steer clear of tions, for instance, ignore a substantial nothing more it. body of research demonstrating that than blaming By and memory is typically an active process of auxiliary large, however, reconstruction, rather than a passive hypotheses for these flaws pale process of retrieval. Individuals can repeated nega­ in comparison "remember" events that never tive findings. to the book's occurred, because they piece together Ultimately, accomplish - memories from such sources as precon- Dawes's critics ments. Dawes will have to has crafted an Scott 0. Lilienfeld is a clinical psycholo­ provide affirmative evidence, rather important work that should be manda­ gist and assistant professor in the than criticize in armchair fashion die tory reading for all serious students of Department of Psychology at Emory multitude of studies yielding results psychology. If nothing else. House of University in Atlanta, Georgia. He con­ not to their liking. No study is perfect Cards should serve as an impetus for ducts research on psychological assessment but, as Dawes notes, this axiom fails to those who doubt his conclusions to try and has performed psychotherapy explain why essentially all of the find­ to fill in the vacuum with facts.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • January/February 1995 51 Washed Up, Sold Out and Spreading Hysteria

PETER HUSTON Selling Satan: The Tragic History of Mike Warnke. By Mike Hertenstein and Jon Trott. Cornerstone Press, Chicago, III. 1993. 476 pp. Paper, $12.95.

f you would like to spread some make up a subculture, by virtually any a satanic cult that practiced human sacri­ Ihysteria, one method is to firmly definition of the term. They have their fice and ritualistic rape and child abuse. convince members of a small subcul­ own mass-market entertainment in­ Warnke proudly stated that, through ture that something they strongly fear dustry. They have "Christian" rock, Jesus, he now had a blissful family lift. is actually happening. "Christian" aerobics albums, "Chris­ Warnke's alleged conversion from If you choose a subculture that inter­ tian" books on dinosaurs and evolution, high satanic priest to dedicated acts with mainstream society, then the and "Christian" comedians. They have Christian entertainer made a fascinating hysteria will often ultimately spread schools and colleges with their own story and attracted considerable atten­ outside the bounds of its members. "Christian" curriculum that leaves out tion. Unlike Smith and Pazder's Michelle Members of the subculture will believe such facts as the widespread prevalence Remembers, an earlier, influential, die story, and they in turn will tell oth­ of other religions, the multicultural allegedly autobiographical, staunchly ers of their fear. People from outside mis nature of the incredibly adaptive and pro-Catholic, satanic-cult-hysteria book, subculture who would not normally flexible human race, evolution (human The Satan Seller appealed to the evangel­ believe the story will note the sincerity and otherwise), and the age of the uni­ ical Protestant community. and firm belief in the voices and man­ verse. In short, many of them seek to In time, Warnke became known in nerisms of their friends from within it live their lives so that they can minimize some circles as an authority on satanic and begin to reconsider their position. contact with all information sources cults, and he appeared in that role on After all, those telling the tales have that contradict their beliefs. If they do "20-20," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," nothing to gain and are firm believers, this successfully, then they can believe "Larry King Live," "Focus on the so it must be true. Or so goes the logic. whatever they like and safely forget and Family," and "The 700 Club." He was In time, you will find many people, ignore the troubling presence of not just cited as an authority on Satanism and some with impressive credentials, secular humanists but also the main­ living proof of the existence of cults believing the stories. They will be quot­ stream churches of America and the engaging in satanic ritual abuse in such ed and their credentials cited. Others world. On the other hand, most funda­ works as Friesen's Uncovering the Mystery will remain skeptical, but may begin to mentalist Christians do have regular of MPD [multiple personality disorder], question whether their skepticism is jobs, shop at regular supermarkets, and Stratford's Satan's Underground, and appropriate. Ultimately, many of them live in normal neighborhoods, so they Ryder's Breaking the Circle of Satanic will say, "With all of these stories, com­ do interact with mainstream society on Ritual Abuse. These in turn were cited in ing from all of these people, some of a fairly steady basis. other works. Although it would be an them must be true, even if many (or Within this evangelical subculture, exaggeration to say that Mike Warnke even most) are obviously absurd." After Mike Warnke was a media superstar. was solely responsible for the current all (goes the logic), with all this smoke, Undoubtedly, pan of his appeal was the spate of satanic-cult paranoia, he there must be fire. Or, in the case of way in which he proved to people that if undoubtedly had a great influence. Few satanic-cult hysteria, "With all mis they dedicated themselves to Jesus then who have examined die arguments of horse manure piled so high and so they could have a good life, no matter believers in such cults can deny diat deep, there must be a devilish little how terrible they might have once been. many of them tend to have a worldview pony under there somewhere." As proof of this, Mike Warnke offered strongly grounded in Christian belief- Born-again, evangelical, and fun­ himself He confessed to having been not systems and frequently a conservative damentalist Christians undoubtedly only a drug addict but also a high priest of fundamentalist orientation.

52 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Warnke's book consists of his telling pened during his drug-addicted drug- Trott and Hertenstein uncovered that, stories about the key events in his life dealcr/Satanic-cultist-turned-high-priest in a completely unexpected episode of and how they convinced him of the period. These included being shot three bizarreness, Warnke had secretly been importance of adopting a Christian times, riding a motorcycle to Mexico to ordained as an independent bishop in lifestyle. There were only two prob­ make drug deals for a gangster, impris­ an obscure Eastern Orthodox sect, lems: He was a pretty lame and oning sex slaves in his apartment, partic­ which he practiced on the side. It mediocre comedian, and he was cor­ ipating in CIA-funded LSD experiments should be mentioned that this version rupt and untruthful. In such a case, what is one to do? The answer is sim­ ple—call in Jon Trott and Mike "Iron and Hertenstein have made a Hertenstein, a pair of born-again valuable contribution to understanding the Christian investigative journalists. 0 Hertenstein and Trott, working for phenomenon of satanic-cult fears. ' Cornerstone magazine, an evangelical publication, conducted a thorough at the college, and kidnapping a variety of Christianity would be quite distaste­ investigation into Warnke's claims. In of victims for his cult's evil rituals and ful to most of the people who purchased Selling Satan: The Tragic History of Mike orchestrating the abduction of others. or enjoyed his materials. Warnke, they recount die investigation He described walking around campus Warnke's lies remained undiscovered and the findings. Trott and Hertenstein dressed in black with pasty white skin, for many years for several reasons. First, tracked down and interviewed more innumerable scabs on his face, waist- he told people what they wanted to hear. than one hundred of Warnke's acquain­ length hair, and six-inch-long finger­ Second, those who did uncover signs of tances from throughout his life. Among nails, painted black and sharpened for corruption, either did not know where to the discoveries was that Warnke's lies fighting. As ludicrous as this thrill-a- go to inform his public or else did not were not even very good ones. For minute college semester sounds, it wish to go public because of their person­ example, by his own admission, he had became even more absurd as Trott and al financial interest or their approval of been involved in drugs in college. He Hertenstein began pinning down die the way Warnke would successfully gain told how drug use led him on a self- dates even further, based on Warnke's destructive path culminating in involve­ converts (to a religion he didn't practice). ment in die occult. This in turn led him descriptions of various diabolic cere­ I found Selling Satan fascinating. It is to Satanism, and ultimately to becom­ monies held under the light of a full more than the story of one individual; it ing high priest of die group. Following moon. The dates fell apart completely. also deals with his effect on others. the period of occult involvement, Fellow students and college faculty Warnke, evil as he is, is an intriguing Warnke joined the Navy and served in found further problems with the story. character. Hertenstein and Trott also pro­ Vietnam with die Marine Corp as a It was, after all, set in the early sixties, vide a very interesting picture of die medical corpsman. While in the service not the late sixties. There were no drugs "Christian" music industry. Their book he was converted and "saved" by two at the junior college at the time, no should be read by all those concerned Christians who were sure that even CIA-funded LSD experiments, and no with satanic-cult hysteria. It is targeted Mike Warnke, former drug addict and people with waist-length hair, much less for an audience that needs to hear this satanic high priest, was not too far gone the rest of the bizarre description message and finds the writings of most for Jesus' love to turn him around. Warnke provided. This pattern of gross skeptics distasteful, or even blasphemous. falsehood continued. His period in As for the rest of us. Cornerstone's The writers uncovered that Warnke Vietnam, described as a "year in Hell," investigative pieces into such claims had entered college, a secular junior col­ was six months long, and most of his have been cited favorably by such lege, September 13, 1965. He entered war stories had happened to other peo­ authors as Robert Hicks and Jeffrey die Navy on June 2, 1966. During his ple or never occurred at all. Other sto­ Victor, both of whom have contributed one semester prior to dropping out, ries could not be corroborated. For articles on this subject to the SKEPTI­ there was hardly enough rime for die example, the two dedicated Christians CAL INQUIRER. Many skeptics often many adventures Warnke claimed hap- who had "saved" Warnke had, he find such evangelical Christianity claimed, "died in Vietnam." His blissful objectionable. Personally, 1 did not find Peter Huston is a writer based in family life following the war consisted this to be true as I read Selling Satan. In Schenectady, New York. His first book, of a series of four marriages, each ending fact, it increased my respect for those Shattered Harmony, a detailed study of in divorce, with much womanizing on who profess such beliefs. Trott and Chinese gangs, secret societies, and the side. The donation plate passed Hertenstein have made a valuable con­ underground religious cults, will be pub­ around after each show supposedly went tribution to understanding the phe­ lished by Paladin this year. He is also to a center for aiding satanic-cult-abuse nomenon of satanic-cult fears. I look working on a book-length critique of the victims. Neither the center nor the vic­ forward to seeing the results of their traditional arts and sciences of China. tims existed. And as for his Christianity, next project.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 53 Mystical Quest Is Likey A Pyramid Scheme

The Celestine Prophecy. By James Redfield. Warner Books, New JOE SZIMHART York, 1993.246 pp. $17.95.

ook covers can be interesting. On Bulwer-Lytton (Zanoni; The Coming vergence" in 1987 after loosely inter­ Bthe front of this one is an endorse­ Race), Marie Corelli (A Romance of preting an ancient calendar. ment by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: "A fab­ Two Worlds), and a host of less popular Redfield takes up the theme of a ulous book about experiencing life—I writers. Bulwer-Lytton was a mysterious "manuscript" as well as the couldn't put it down." On the back we Rosicrucian sympathizer who ex­ mystical self quest. His book relates the read: "You have never read a book like pressed the "mysteries" of his sect in secrets of life (ten "Insights") written in this before. ... A book that comes Zanoni. In that book the author pur­ Aramaic around 600 B.C. but somehow along once in a lifetime to change lives ports to merely rewrite a manuscript found in Peru. This theme, more prop­ forever." When James Redfield first that is mysteriously left in his office. erly called a literary device, is used by published The Celestine Prophecy, Mysterious manuscripts have influ­ writers with a deep need to get what before the bestselling Warner paper­ enced popular imaginations to the they believe is a serious personal vision back edition, it had been a "word of extent that several new religions, cults, across to the public through the vehicle mouth" sensation among New Age cir­ and belief systems have formed around of a magical autobiographical experi­ cles—the cover says it was read by such documents: the "golden plates" ence. In his story, Redfield takes us on more than 100,000 before Warner allegedly translated by Mormon a journey of incredible coincidences as placed 670,000 in print in less than founder Joseph Smith, the shadowy if he is guided by some unseen hand or three months. Warner offered Redfield Book of Dzyan seen only by Theos- telepathic force to meet the right peo­ a deal that he did not refuse (an ophy's Madame H. P. Blavatsky and on ple in his vague yearning to find the $800,000 advance, as reported in New which she based her Secret Doctrine, manuscript. He avoids getting shot, yet Age Journal, August 1994, p. 127). In the bogus manuscript about the lost submits to arrest (only later to be the early edition it was classified as a years of Jesus allegedly seen by released) while encountering sinister New Age book, according to the book­ Nicholas Notovitch in Ladakh, and so forces headed by a Cardinal Sabastian, seller I bought my copy from. When on, from the nineteenth century. who somehow controls the military the Warner edition came in, she said, it and the manuscript. The evil cardinal was reclassified as fiction. Having read The cult of the mysterious manu­ is trying to wipe out all copies of the the book, I think "New Age fiction" script and/or mystical autobiography manuscript as well as all people with describes it well enough. carries over to the twentieth century in knowledge of the Insights. I was esoteric adventures by Baird T. reminded of the movie Close Recently when I was in New York I Spaulding (Life and Teaching of the Encounters of the Third Kind and Og was directed to the New Age section of Masters of the Far East) and Guy Mandino's The Greatest Salesman in the a large bookstore in Greenwich Village "Godfre Ray King" Ballard (Unveiled World, underscored by J. R. R Tolkien, by the owner, who commented that Mysteries); in the missing Mexican with a bit of the latter's Golem charac­ this is the section where "the books tablets about the alleged lost civiliza­ ter in Cardinal Sebastian. take themselves seriously." I shared the tion of Mu, by James Churchward; in humor. The Celestine Prophecy is a book Eugene E. Whitworth's Nine Faces of Redfield unabashedly panders to that takes itself seriously. Christ: Quest of the True Initiate; and the New Age beliefs of some of his more recently in books by Carlos Subtitled "An Adventure," it is a admirers: Castaneda and Lynn Andrews. The story in the genre of "true story" occult 1. The ancient wisdom or truth has Mayan Factor, by Jose Arguelles, fiction made popular in the mid- to been occulted (hidden) because the prophesied a planetary "harmonic con­ late-nineteenth century by Edward established orthodoxy, jealous of its

54 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 power, docs not want the masses to "teaching" (the "Celestine Prophecy" "I've been thinking," Fr. Carl con­ know the truth, in this case) is merely expressing his or tinued, "that they're going to release 2. We are on the verge of a para­ her fear and doubt. Therefore they will you. You may be the only one who digm shift in human evolution. Does not gain the magical powers or can look for it [Tenth Insight]." (p. anyone remember the dawning of the "Insights," nor will they be saved. "All 246) Age of Aquarius in the late 1960s or that any of us have to do is suspend our the already-mentioned Harmonic doubts and the distractions just long Guess who gets most of the money? Convergence in 1987? How about die "hundredth monkey" idea popularized by John Keyes, Jr. (and debunked in "Redfield takes us on a journey of Incredible the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER, Summer coincidences as If he Is guided by some 1985)? 3. When enough people get it, i.e., unseen hand or telepathic force. the Insights, the human race will hit the "critical mass" level, and we will all enough . . . and miraculously, this real­ Guess who gets most of the adulation? be enlightened. We will have peace on ity can be our own" (Redfield's note If you think I am merely being cynical, earth, the lion will lie down with die before page 1). read the promotion at the back of this lamb, and we will walk in bodies of Redfield's book cover lied to me in book: $29.95 for the newsletter and light. The Maharishi of Transcendental several ways. I have read a book like $49.95 for an audiotape reading of Meditation has been selling a path like this one. It is not a prophecy. It is a your sun and moon sign by Redfield. this for decades. didactic regurgitation of simplistic So now we know that he is an 4. The Christian church has been occult notions astrologer. That responsible for repressing the truth that that have been ex­ explains a lot, to in reality we are all "the Christ," that we pressed by more me at least, about are truly God if we could only tran­ or less talented his worldview and scend our ignorance, i.e., die "brain­ writers and by his milieu. Also, washing" imposed upon us by the fringe groups for Redfield promises Church, the popular consensus, or even more than a cen­ us a second book modern scientists, about our "reality." tury. Redfield's explaining the 5. When we awaken (raise our ener­ style is cynical. CELESTINE "Tenth Insight." gy levels) to this inner reality, or gno­ He must take his Do we have a new sis, we will have magical powers like audience for PROPHECY guru with a new clairvoyance, healing, invisibility, and fools. His book, if religious move­ immortality. On page 174, Redfield as nothing else, is ment here? the narrator is experiencing the like a transparent The popularity Seventh Insight, which amounts to pyramid scheme, James Redfield of Redfield's book being able to see colored auras of ener­ with him at the is not, therefore, gy around creatures and objects. By the top of his "spiri­ surprising. Now Ninth Insight, on page 242, we learn tual" franchise, and then books that invisibility can be attained: "'They that expects peo­ come out that can't see us!' Sanchez said. 'We are ple to support appeal to a New vibrating too highly!' " whoever reveals Age or esoterically 6. We arc co-creators of the uni­ the Ten Insights to them. inclined audience that easily numbers verse. We create our own reality. in the tens of millions. Among them 7. If we get rid of "fear and doubt" "But what about the money?" I are the folks who read and believe we will maintain die "energy level" of asked. "I can't believe people will books by Carlos Castaneda, Shirley our "higher self." The suggestion here voluntarily reduce their incomes." MacLaine, and Lynn Andrews. Some is that anyone who might criticize the "Oh, we won't have to," Dobson have been influenced by reactionary said. "The Manuscript says our revisions of the Jesus story and Joe Szimhart is a specialist in controver­ incomes will remain stable because Christian orthodoxy in dictatorial sial new religions, therapies, and cults of the people who are giving us tomes like A Course in Miracles and that use thought-reform techniques. He money for the insights we provide." The Urantia Book. A Celestine Prophecy has worked internationally through con­ (p. 225) will go on my shelf among those just sultation and intervention for more than mentioned—but, alas, unlike The a decade with many hundreds of victims Since Redfield is the only source of Urantia Book, it is not large enough to of destructive cult activity revelation: serve as a doorstop.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 55 New Books

Creationism's Upside-Down Pyramid. Magic Minds, Miraculous Moments. pists to task and show how the mental- Lee Tiffin. Prometheus Books, Harry Edwards. Harry Edwards health establishment has actually con­ Amherst, NY 14228-2197, 1994. 229 Publications, 3 Nullaburra Road, tributed to the problem. pp. $29.95, hardcover. The author, a Newport NSW 2106, Australia, 1994. plant biologist who has also been a pas­ 240 pp. $15.95, plus $2.45 postage, Roswell in Perspective. Karl T Pflock. tor in numerous Christian churches, paper. A biographical compendium of Fund for UFO Research Inc., P.O. Box looks at what creationists believe and men and women who have had appar­ 277, Mount Rainier, MD 20712, how they operate and introduces ent psychic gifts and of the events of 1994. 189 pp. $25.00. plus $3.00 objective scientific information to an alleged supernatural nature involv­ postage, paper. In many ways this show how their arguments fail. ing them. Following each entry the monograph is an excellent and author makes a short comment and informed examination of the Roswell Exploring the Physics of the several suggestions for further reading case. It came out two months before the Unknown Universe. Milo Wolff. that provide up-to-date critical per­ September 1994 Air Force report that Technotran Press, 1600 Nelson spectives. essentially explained the incident (see Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, this issue, pp. 41-48), and it already 1994. 251 pp. $39.00, hardcover. A Making Monsters. Richard Ofshe and included the basic information about different kind of science book. Ethan Waiters. Scribner's, New York, Project Mogul that the Air Force report Explores the foundations of science but NY 10022, 1994. 340 pp. $22.00, describes in greater detail. Never­ also divulges what scientists do not paper. A major new work critically theless, Pflock's beliefs in the reality of understand, the fascinating puzzles and examining false memories, psychother­ crashed saucers sway him from accept­ challenges of physics. The style is an apy, and sexual hysteria. Pulitzer Prize- ing the natural conclusion of his own interaction between author and reader winning social psychologist Ofshe evidence. designed to stimulate interest in both (University of California, Berkeley) science and the philosophy of science. and freelance writer Waiters demon­ Round in Circles. Jim Schnabel. strate that recov­ Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY ered memories 14228-2197, 1994. 294 pp. $24.95, can be false, fabri­ hardcover. Newly subtitled "Poltergeists, cated in the high­ Pranksters, and the Secret of the ly charged atmos­ Cropwatchers," this is the first U.S. phere of therapy, edition of the book, published in usually through London in 1993. Our reviewer (vol. questionable tech­ 18, no. 2. Winter 1994) said the book niques like hyp­ "drives the final nail into the coffin of nosis. The book is the crop-circle mystery." filled with case studies showing Skeptoons. Harry Edwards. Harry how pseudomem- Edwards Publications, 3 Nullaburra ories have been Road, Newport NSW 2106, Australia, created. Multiple- 1994. 76 pp. $8.95, plus $1.20 personality disor­ postage, paper. An illustrated look at der is examined as some New Age beliefs. Consists of a related fad and short, very useful summaries of beliefs found to be a dis­ and claims and the critical evidence Sktpioow by Harry Edwards order created by diat exposes them. Each is accompa­ therapists. The nied by a witty cartoon. "You make the fake crop circle, and I'll make die real one.' authors take poor­ ly trained thera- —Kendrick Frazier

56 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Articles of Note

Aguilar, Louis. "Dig (More) for Feder, Kenneth L. Review of "For­ Ukrainian journalist who claims to be Answers, Darnestown Builders Told." bidden Archaeology: The Hidden God. Washington Post, June I, 1994, p. A9. History of the Human Race," by How an archaeological dig in Michael A Cremo and Richard L. "Life in the Universe." Scientific Montgomery County, Maryland, Thompson. Geoarchaeology: An Inter­ American, October 1994. Special issue countered the findings of a psychic national Journal, 9(4): 337-340, 1994. with ten articles on evolution of the with a divining rod. Anthropologist's critique of a 900-page universe, evolution of the Earth, the work that mixes a literal interpretation origin and evolution of life, the emer­ Becker, Howard S. "'Foi Por Acaso': of the Hindu myth of creation with gence of intelligence, the search for Conceptualizing Coincidence.'' Socio­ human paleontology. The result is extraterrestrial intelligence, and sus­ logical Quarterly, 35 (2): 183-194, May "antievolutionary Krishna creationism." taining life on Earth. 1994. Sociologists seek causal relation­ ships in other people's actions, but Hawass, Zahi, and Mark Lehncr. Marshall, Eliot. "The Politics of often attribute their own situations to "Remnant of a Lost Civilization?" Alternative Medicine." Science, 265: chance. Becker doesn't deal directly Archaeology, September/October, 2000-2002, September 30,1994. How with superstition, but does consider 1994, pp. 14-17. Critique describes the NIH Office of Alternative people's willingness or reluctance to extensive flaws in a claim by West and Medicine, established under pressure accept hidden causes. Schoch that the Sphinx was built by a from Congress, has been thrown into lost civilization between 5000 and chaos. Joseph Jacobs, its director, quit Capps, Lisa. "Change and Continuity 7000 B.C. rather than during the Old effective September 30, and in an in die Medical Culture of the Hmong Kingdom (2575-2134 B.C.) interview with Marshall for this story in Kansas City." Medical Anthropology blasts politicians and some advocates of Quarterly 8 (2): 161-177, June 1994. Kelly, I. W, and R. Martens. alternative medicine for pressuring his A study of the medical beliefs and "Geophysical Variables and Behavior office, promoting certain therapies, practices used by Hmong refugees in LXXVIII. Lunar Phase and Birthdate: and attempting an end run around Kansas City. These include a mixture An Update." Psychological Reports, objective science. of modern treatments with Chinese 75:507-511, 1994. Examination of six traditional medicine and shamanism. new studies on birthrate and lunar Martin, Steven C. "'The Only Truly periodicities from five different coun­ Scientific Method of Healing' Charfi, Farida Faouzia. "When Galileo tries. None produced evidence of lunar Chiropractic and American Science, Meets Allah." New Perspective Quarterly periodicities consistent with folklore. 1895-1990." Isis, 85 (2): 207-227, 11 (2): 30-32, Spring 1994. Islamic fun­ June 1994. The battle between chiro­ damentalists are proud of Arabic contri­ King, J. R. "Scientific Status of practic and mainstream medicine was butions to science, but cling to a Aromatherapy." Perspectives in Science in pan an argument over what consti­ Ptolemaic view of the universe. They and Medicine, 37 (3): 409-415, Spring tutes science in medicine. The observa­ reject the rationalist views of Ibn Rochd 1994. King recognizes the unscientific tional (museum) view lost to the exper­ (Averroes), a twelfth-century Islamic nature and "new age" underpinnings of imental (laboratory) view. scholar who argued diat the divine order aromatherapy, but argues that the abil­ can be studied scientifically. ity of smell to affect well-being is Maxwell, Joe. "End-time Prediction underestimated by mainstream science. Draws Reaction." Christianity Today Emery, C. Eugene, Jr. "Hoaxes 38 (7): 46-47, June 20, 1994. Harold Abound on the Shelves of Our Kipp, Jacob W "The Ukraine's Socio- Camping, owner of a Christian radio Libraries." Providence Journal, Sunday Economic Crisis." Military Review, 74 network, predicts the world will end in Metropolitan Section, July 17, 1994. (3): 32-37, March 1994. More than September 1994. The problem of books that have been half of this article deals with the White disclosed to be hoaxes still being listed Brotherhood, an apocalyptic group Millman, Joyce. "It's Not Prophetic, in the nonfiction sections of libraries. founded by Maria Devi Khristos, a It's Pathetic" San Francisco Examiner,

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 57 April 10, 1994, pp. B10-B11. A blis­ O'Connor, John J. "TV's Infatuation Simpson, John. "The Sleep of Reason." tering critique of doomsday forecasts with the Mystical." New York Times, The Spectator, 273 (8661): 11-14, Jury 9, for the end of the century in the two- June 30, 1994. "Take the supernatural 1994. Simpson fears that the Jupiter- hour NBC special "Ancient Proph­ and paranormal, sprinkle liberally with comet collision will spark more unscientif­ ecies." "The TV equivalent of the paranoia, and you have a substantial ic dunking and end-of-the-worid fantasies. Weekly World News, 'Ancient Proph­ chunk of what increasingly seems to be ecies' gathers mystical hokum, unchal­ television's entertainment agenda for Taylor, Alan B. H. "An Episode with lenged 'facts' and outright lies into one the 1990s," says TV critic. May-Dew." History of Science, 32(2): cheesy pseudo-documentary package." 163-184, June 1994. In 1664-1665 the Reid, Calvin. "Publishers Protest Royal Society of London published their Moon, Melissa M., and Edward J. After Park Service Shuts Down Book first experimental results. They "con­ Latessa. "Drug Treatment in Adult Display." Publishers Weekly, 241 (32): firmed" the spontaneous generation of Probation: An Evaluation of an 9, August 15, 1994. The Ellis Island insects from the dew in May gardens. Outpatient and Acupuncture Pro­ Immigration Museum had a display on gram." Evaluation and Program Plan­ alternative medical traditions. After Vonnegut, Bernard. "The Atmos­ ning, 17(2):217-226, 1994. Study protests, the museum closed a room pheric Electricity Paradigm." Bulletin found no significant differences in full of current books on alternative of the American Meteorological Society, arrests, convictions, and current status medicine, leading to more protests, 75(1): 53-61, January 1994. A noted of a group of drug offenders who this time from publishers. atmospheric scientist contends that the received acupuncture treatment, a paradigm about atmospheric electrifi­ placebo, or no treatment at all. Schnabel, Jim. "Band-Wagon Syn­ cation dominant for a hundred years— drome." Washington Post, June 29, that it is a charge-separation process in­ Nathan, Debbie. "Revisiting Country 1994. Column about a "subversion of volving precipitation—may be wrong. Walk." Issues in Child Abuse Accusations, medical science by politics"—the He says it is time to take stock of the 5(1): 1-11, Winter 1993. The Country attempt to create a "gulf war syn­ anomalies that have accumulated over Walk day-care case in Miami is often drome" and compensate victims of it. the years (he lists 21) that may eventu­ cited to support the reality of ritual Points out that an official validation of ally lead to a change of the paradigm. abuse. Here an investigative journalist a syndrome can lead to an epidemic of who has written frequently on this sub­ claims and relates the entire subject to —Kendrick Frazier ject finds serious problems with the case. incidents of mass hysteria. and Robert Lopresti

1. $29.50 for first one-year gift subscription

The Perfect Gift Name (please print) SKEPTICAL INQUIRER THE MAGAZINE FOR SCIENCE AND REASON State Zip

Save up to 34% .00 for second one-year gift subscription (MI* 25%)

Include r (pica, i tint) D New D Renewal Address • 1 year ($29.50) State Zip • 2 years ($49.0O)

3. $19.50 m third one-year gift subscription (save 34%) Charge my: D VISA • MasterCard • Check enclosed D Bill me Name (pic print) P Exp.

Total $ B State Zip (Outside the U.S. please pay A gift card Mil be sent in your name Order toil free: 1-800-634-1610 Or mail to SketpicaLINQUIRE R Your name (please print) Box 703 • Amherst, New York 14226 -0703 Address City State Zip

58 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Forum

A Letter to a Friend o Thinks I'm bo Skeptical

RALPH ESTLING

est wishes with the new comput­ tion, all imperfect tilings, are die best purpose or just argued that they were er and printer. No, I still do all things we have, imperfect though they their own purpose. Bmy typing on an Olivetti undoubtedly are. I don't think that per­ We have to be very careful when we portable that I bought secondhand in fection is anything we should even use the word purpose. The purpose of San Francisco in 1970. A few odd bits bother about. You write that survival is the human eye is to allow the human have fallen off over the years but it has­ the acid test, for ideas, for species, for possessing it to see. But what is the pur­ n't actually stopped working, so I'll go everything. I'm not sure there is any acid pose of that human? What is the pur­ on using it a while longer. test for anything. Even survival might pose of the universe? What is it here for? I agree: a skeptical attitude can only be just a lucky accident proving nothing What good docs it do? What is it meant be a negative thing. But I think it's vital, in itself except the laws of probability. A to achieve? The trouble with the word for all its negativity. Yes, we need new lot of very bad ideas still survive, to purpose is that it comes prepacked with ideas, positive action, of course. But haunt and harry the human race. And a- all kinds of connotations, baggage, unless we view these skeptically, espe­ priori reasoning, pure reason, as useful things hanging on it. Humans have pur­ cially when they happen to be our own, as it can be, is no substitute for careful poses, but does human life? And if so, and try to prove them wrong, in the fine observation. Maybe someday someone whose? The individual's? Society's? old Popperian way, then whatever it is will write a critique of it. God's? The questions come easily, the we're doing, it isn't scientific, the I'm not sure what would happen if answers not nearly so easily. I mean method is wrong, and so the results can't we followed your suggestion and inter­ good answers. Bad answers come easily be trusted. Of course skepticism can be viewed a human spermatozoon about enough. Too many people are too sure taken to silly or even insane extremes; the purpose of its existence; but I'm of about what life is for, what humans are but if we keep our wits about us, a skep­ the opinion that if, as you say, we could for, what the universe is for. I'm not sure tical attitude will be our best safeguard somehow get an Australopithecus at all what all these are for. I'm not even against bad ideas, our own and anybody afarensis or Homo habilis to give us his sure that the question really has a mean­ else's. Yes, logical systems run into prob­ (or her) outlook on things, he or she ing, except in the very narrow sense, like lems when forced to show their own would take umbrage at any notion that what is the purpose of an eye, a wing, a logic to prove themselves in a self-refer­ the purpose of protohumans was, as brain, where the answers are physiolog­ ential way. This should have been obvi­ you claim, to evolve into modern ic, not ideologic. ous to logicians long before Godel came humans. I think all upstanding, self- People confuse these two "purposes" up with his theorem. Nothing can prove respecting Australopithecus or Homo and assume that because things have a itself; it always needs something else, habilis would have objected to the idea physical purpose—a use, in other something outside itself. Descartes that they were around for a few million words—they must also have a spiritual knew this. He decided he needed to be years only so that they could eventual­ "Purpose," a purpose not endowed by aware of his thinking in order to prove ly become us, that they served no pur­ nature but by something else, or rather, that he existed. But logic—although it's pose in being themselves. They might Something Else, something beyond, imperfect—rationality, scientific deduc­ have objected to the whole concept of above, beneath what we see, what we

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 59 experience. Something noumenal, pos­ own conclusions, our own arguments verse has been here for 15 billion years, sessed of Essence and Ultimate Reality, that are meant to lead us and others to maybe much longer. Earth has been here etc., etc. And of course this may be die those conclusions. Which, it naturally for 4.6 billion. Life for almost 4 billion. case. But pure reasoning won't get us follows, means that, as skeptical as you We—a couple hundred thousand. very far by itself. It's a good place to may be of all diat I've just written here, Nothing, not even an eyeblink, by com­ start off from, but if we want to get I must be even more skeptical, more on parison. We think we think and there- anywhere we eventually have to go my guard, because, after all, even more fore we think this proves that we exist. beyond speculation and musing. There important than not fooling you is not I think we have a lot to learn. And is always plus ultra when it comes to fooling myself. The task is hard, and so I've no idea how much time we'll have reality and it lies in the field of direct I must give it all I have. in which to learn it. Looking at things experience, empirical observation, get­ So in my skeptical way I'm not sure I as objectively as I can (which is not all ting die data, or as much of it as we can. can agree when you write: "Whatever that objectively, I admit), I really won­ der if we'll manage to do as well as the "I must be even more skeptical, more on my dinosaurs, which were around for about 140 million years, for all their guard, because, after all, even more Important shortcomings in the creative-and- than not tooling you Is not fooling myself," imaginative-faculties department. Will we stick around for as long? For a tenth Even die origin of die universe must be drives human evolution holds dear die as long? For a hundredth? The situa­ subject to experience and observation creative and imaginative faculties of die tion, I can't help feeling, is in doubt. 15 billion (or whatever it is) years on. mind." I would like to agree, but I sus­ You call the laws of evolution cruel. You don't like reductionism, you say. pect diat whatever it is diat drives I don't think they're cruel, they are Well, reductionism has a bad press human evolution drives all evolution; merely indifferent. But they arc fixed among philosophers of science. It's and I suspect diat this drive is die natur­ and adamant and will not give us any become a kind of pejorative, the R al selection of individuals possessing ran­ breaks. That doesn't make them cruel, word, a thing diat expresses narrow, dom mutations that prove beneficial in only fair. But then ideas like "cruelty" mechanical terms, and narrow, die struggle for existence. This may cer­ and "fairness" are human interlopings mechanical minds, lacking all those tainly include die creative and imagina­ into the rules of die game, not part of sublime Essences diat Plato and his suc­ tive faculties of die mind, but I wouldn't the rules at all. You speak of "the way cessors down die ages have so admired count on it. I mink it might depend on intended for us to go." I'll have to pass and admire to this day. I think reduc­ what those creative and imaginative fac­ on that; there are just too many things tionism, like skepticism, has its role to ulties actually come up with. If what is to ask about that, too many steps need­ play, and it's a vital role. It may not be imagined and created by our minds ed to reduce that phrase into nitty-grit­ sufficient, but it is necessary. It keeps us turns out to be crap, men I'm very much ty meaningfulness. from getting too grandiose. And any- of die opinion diat human evolution You quote Bernard Shaw: "The rea­ riling that can do diat is to be valued will not be die better for it. You argue sonable man adapts himself to the more than rubies. Reductionism com­ diat our imagination and creativity world; the unreasonable one persists in pels us to look at and wonder about die must, on balance, be pretty good, this trying to adapt die world to himself. little bits and pieces and not just die proved by die fact that we are still here. Therefore all progress depends on the Big Picture. And if God is not in die But die human race has only been unreasonable man." And you add: details, still, an awful lot of important around—what?—a few hundred thou­ "Practically all unreasonable men per­ tilings are. Big Pictures are good tilings sand years, if we exclude those protohu- ish in their attempts, but the few who to think about and to travel toward, by mans you mentioned and stick strictly to succeed move die world; they make way of all those little bits and pieces we those paragons, the End Purpose, Us. It's history." That is the end of your letter. call reductionism, so long as we have a bit soon in die day to start congratu­ I think that Shaw, being an unrea­ our faithful Indian companion, our lating ourselves on all our creative and sonable man, was prejudiced in the kimo sabe, Skepticism, riding along at imaginative faculties. The game has matter of the worth of unreasonable our side to make sure we don't stray hardly begun. And, I can't help wonder­ men; but he may have had a point, from die path and into die dark wood. ing, we may not have begun to realize its although perhaps not the one he So, while we must always inquire, rules yet. If, as you say, die potential for intended. Yes, it is often the case that it we must always inquire skeptically, and spiritual experience was acquired is die unreasonable among us who our skepticism must, like charity, begin through some mutation, it's still too make history. Now, do something that at home, with our own thoughts, our early in the day to state with any degree Shaw never got around to doing: give of certainty diat our possession of this history a good, hard look. Ralph Estling writes from Ilminster, potential is a good thing, survival-of-rhe- And then ask yourself would you Somerset, England. fittest-wise. We've just got here. The uni­ like to make some. D

60 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Kreskin from page 21 landing field for interplanetary travel­ made it to the moon, with another 5 ers. But the resolution carried, with the percent not sure. The percentage of Sister Marie Gabriel took out ads in suggestion that NASA broadcast it to doubters is 20 percent among African- various British newspapers warning of Jupiter. One resident suggests that Americans. One of the factors encour­ dire consequences "like a cosmic day of Senator Alan Simpson (R-Wyoming) aging doubters is the 1978 movie judgment" from the collision of Jupiter be contacted to expedite the sanctuary, Capricorn One, frequently seen on TV, and a comet she seems convinced is in in light of his recent admission to the which depicts a space mission cleverly fact Halley's. The list of celebrities who Weekly World News that he was indeed faked by NASA, along with a sinister are supposed to be converted by her a space alien. and deadly cover-up. Charles Johnson, message begins with the Pope and the And while few doubt the reality of head of the Flat Earth Research British Royal Family and moves down­ the Jupiter-comet collision, in this Society, claims that one of the stars of ward from there. twenty-fifth anniversary year of the that movie, O. J. Simpson, is now being framed for the murders of his ex- Plus, the City Council of Green landing of Apollo 11, there are still wife and her companion "because he River, Wyoming, voted by a 5-2 mar­ some 20 million Americans who are helped unmask the space hoax." gin that residents from the planet unconvinced that astronauts ever According to Johnson, "the entire gov­ Jupiter fleeing that cosmic catastrophe walked on the moon. A recent ernment space program is a hoax." Not would be welcome to come to Green Washington Post poll surveyed 1,001 just the astronauts' exploits are bogus, River. Councilwoman Judy Aren voted randomly selected Americans on this but satellite launches as well, since there against it, in part because the city does subject (July 20, 1994, p. Bl). Nine hasn't yet been any explanation of how not have the permits necessary to allow percent of those surveyed agreed that it satellites might circle a flat earth. CD the use of a local emergency aircraft is "possible" that astronauts never

Science from page 38 to us as different or exactly the same. more detailed experimental evidence. But if there are aspects of what we see Bui, leaving these possible difficul­ and guide our movements. This should that are private (such as the redness of ties aside, there is no reason why we allow us to understand "thinking" and red)—so that we cannot communicate should not start the study of con­ other aspects of the "soul" in the them unambiguously—then we may sciousness experimentally and press on metaphorical sense of the word. Will have difficulty in explaining them in relentlessly until we have uncovered all we then have solved the mystery of detail. (Of course we shall also have to the intricate mechanisms involved. qualia—the redness of red? explain why they are so private.) We This will certainly take some time— The sensible answer is: Wait and may have to accept such limitations, probably well into the next century— see, till we fully understand the mech­ just as we have to accept the limitations but the sooner we start, the sooner we anisms involved. But we must concede to our knowledge of the world shall get there. imposed on us by quantum mechanics. that there may be aspects of seeing that, Such discoveries will almost certain­ We can already give arguments, based for scientific reasons, we cannot easily ly modify our view of ourselves, our on our present knowledge of neuro- explain scientifically. In brief, we ought beliefs, our customs, our legal system, science, that suggest such limitations, to be able to explain anything that we to say nothing of our religious convic­ but it would be rash to try to reach can communicate clearly, such as tions; but in what way these will have positive conclusions in the absence of whether two very similar colors appear to be modified, only time will tell. CD

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

Dale oi Sling September 29. 1994 True: The Skeptical Inquxer Frequency ol issue earner or other means) 47 F Total tree dstnbubon (sum of 0 and E) 2.551 G Total do- Cuarterty. Complete maiing address of known office of publication: 3965 Renscn Road. tribuoon (sum of C and F) 38.799. H Copies not distributed (1) Office use. lefl over, PO Box 703. Buffalo. NY 14226 Publisher CSICOP. Inc (Committee for the Scientific spoiled 1.740; (2) return from news agents 0 I Total (sum of G. H [i ] and (2)) 40.539 Investigation of Clams of the Paranormal). 396S Renscn Road. PO Box 703. Buffalo. NY Percent parti and/or requested circulation 94% Actual no. copies of single issue pub­ 14226 Editor Kendnck Fraznr. 944 Dear Dnve NE. Albuquerque. NM 87122 Managng lished nearest filing date A Total no. copies printed (net press run) 40.000 B Pax) EoUor Dons Doyle. PO Box 703. Buffalo. NY 14226 Owner: CSICOP. Inc (Committee anoVor requested circulation (1) Sates through dealers and earners, street vendors and for the Scientific Investigation of Clams of the Paranormal). 3965 Renscn Road. PO Box counter sales 5.439 (2) Mal subscriptions 3II74 C Total paid and/or requested circu­ 703, Buffalo. NY 14226. Known Bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders lation 36.813 D Free cistnbubon by mal carrier, or other means, samples, complimen­ None. Aver no copies during peosdng 12 mantis A. Total no copes printed (net press tary, and other tree copes 2.265 E Free distribution outside mal (by carrier or olner run) 40.539 B Paid and/or requested circulation (1) Sales through dealers and earners. means) 45 F Total free distribution (sum of D and E) 2.310 G Total distribution (sum of street vendors and counter sales 4,862 (2) Mai subscriptions 31.386 C Total pax) C and F) 38.323 H Copes not Ostnouted (1) Otfree use. left over, spoiled 1.077. (2) and/or requested crculaoon 36.248 D Free dstnbuDon by max earner, or other means, return from news agents 0 I Total (sum of G. H [1] and [2]) 40.000 Percent pad and/or samples, compkmentary. and other tree copies 2504. E Free astnoubon outside mafl (by requested circulation 94%.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 61 Radioisotopes from page 40 ation is used to develop new plant chemical makeup. Thus the works of types to speed up the process of devel­ famous painters can be "fingerprinted" in human cervix-cancer therapy. oping superior agricultural products. so as to detect the work of forgers. The applications of radioisotopes in Insect control is another important Many old photographs thought to be industry are numerous. Among these application; pest populations are dras­ beyond saving have been restored to a are: in manufacturing, for highly sen­ tically reduced and, in some cases, remarkable degree through the applica­ sitive gauges to measure the thickness eliminated by exposing male insects to tion of the neutron activation process. and density of numerous materials and sterilizing doses of radiation. Fertilizer It is important to emphasize that to inspect finished goods for weakness consumption is reduced through there is in this country a growing ten­ and flaws; in the automobile industry, research with radioactive tracers. dency toward a hysterical reaction to to test steel quality in the manufacture Radiation pellets are used in grain ele­ anything labeled "radioactive." The of cars and to obtain the proper thick­ vators to kill insects and rodents. Department of Energy hotline, estab­ ness of tin and aluminum; in the air­ Irradiation prolongs the shelf-life of lished to gather information on possi­ craft industry, to check for flaws in jet foods by destroying bacteria, viruses, ble victims of "radiation experiments," engines; with construction crews, to and molds. received a deluge of calls, many from gauge the density of road surfaces and The useful application of radioiso­ citizens convinced they had been "poi­ subsurfaces; for pipeline companies, to topes extends to the arts and humani­ soned" by beneficial, standard diagnos­ test the strength of welds; for oil, gas, ties. Neutron activation analysis is tic and therapeutic nuclear medicine. and mining companies, to map the extremely useful in identifying the Radioisotopes have alleviated suffer­ contours of test wells and mine bores; chemical elements present in coins, ing and prolonged the lives of millions and for cosmetic companies, to sterilize pottery, and other artifacts from the of human beings and contributed pro­ their products. past. A tiny unnoticeable fleck of paint ductively in many other ways. These In addition, there are manifold uses from an art treasure or a microscopic beneficial contributions will continue in agriculture. In plant research, radi- grain of pottery suffices to reveal its and expand in the years ahead.

Chairman from page 4 When Gauquelin was asked to committed suicide on May 20, 1991, comment, at the end of the data-gath­ with instructions, according to Suitbert ria were sometimes so narrow as to limit ering phase, he wrote several letters in Ertel, that all of his data be destroyed. It the sample to a very small number of 1990 and 1991 to the Committee has been difficult to corroborate Ertel's sports champions. again disputing the sample. He pro­ claim. Ertel also asked die CFEPP to use Since an impasse had been reached, posed corrections of the data of 39 his own "eminence" criteria to analyze it was proposed that an independent champions (increasing the number of the data; that is, to determine the fame French Committee of skeptics (CFEPP) athletes born in key sectors from 1 to of the athletes by reference to the num­ cooperate with Gauquelin to retest the 20 in this group); he offered the ber of citations they had in sports direc­ French sample using the most rigorous Committee 79 names of athletes whose tories. But since this was not within the criteria and assembling the data on their data the Committee had unsuccessful­ original published protocol, the French own. The protocol was published in ly tried to find (32 of these were born Committee decided not to do so. Science el Vie in October 1982. There with Mars in key sectors); he main­ However, Jan Willem Nienhuys, a were numerous problems in developing tained that another 39 athletes satisfied Dutch investigator who reviewed the the test, and it has taken 12 years to com­ the selection criteria but were nonethe­ entire French study, maintained at the plete it. The Committee used a key source­ less overlooked by the Committee. Of Euroskeptics conference that Ertel's book suggested by sports writers for these 39, 23 were mentioned already in "eminence" criteria, which he analyzed, determining the "famous" sports champi­ a 1955 publication by Gauquelin or did not validate the Mars effect. ons: 77*- Dictionary of Sports. They added were in the Para study, and 9 of these These and additional data are now L'athlege upon the recommendation of were in a key sector. He also requested being reviewed and are open to modifica­ Gauquelin. The announced results were that 16 names (none with Mars in key tion. The report of the French Committee negative, with 18.76 percent (200) of the sectors) be deleted. The committee comprises 110 pages. Prometheus Books 1,066 champions showing Mars in the first observed that by attempting to add or will publish it as a monograph. (To order and fourth sectors, whereas a hypothetical delete from the sample, Gauquelin a copy of The "Mars Effect": French Test population derived from a random redis­ was, in effect, biasing the results. of More Than 1,000 Sports Champions, tribution of these champions shows 18.2 Indeed, the committee concluded that write to Prometheus Books, 59 John percent. The French Committee conclud­ the "Mars effect" may be attributed pri­ Glenn Drive, Amherst NY 14228-2917. ed that their efforts at independent replica­ marily to Gauquelin's selective bias. The charge is $2395, including postage tion show no evidence for the Mars effect. Unfortunately, Michel Gauquelin and handling.)

62 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Sweat and Chirm. Psychic detectives: A critical exami­ rhythms, Wheeler. 1990 CSICOP Conference. Fill in the gaps in your nation, Waiter Rowe. Therapeutic Touch, Bullough and SUMMER 1990 (vol. 14, no. 4): Ghosts make Bullough. Improving science teaching in the U.S., news: How four newspapers report psychic phe­ Marek and Rowe. The Big Sur 'UFO.' George. The nomena, Klare. Thinking critically and creatively, strange case of the New Haven oysters, Quincey Wade and Tavris. Police pursuit of satanic crime, SKEPTICAL FALL 1992 (vol 17. no 1): A celebration of Isaac Pan 2, Hicks. Order out of chaos in survival Asimov: A man for the universe, Kendnck Frazier. research, Berger. Piltdown. paradigms, and the para­ Arthur C. Clarke Frederik Pohl. Harlan Ellison. L normal, Feder. Auras: Searching for the light. Loftin. INQUIRER Sprague dc Camp. Carl Sagan, Stephen Jay Gould SPRING 1990 (vol.14, no.3): Why we need to Martin Gardner. Paul Kurtz, Donald Goldsmith, understand science, Sagan. The crisis in pre-collegc collection Jama Randi. and E. C Krupp. Gaia without mysti­ science and math education. Seaborg. Police pursuit cism. Shannon. Gaia's scientific coming of age, of satanic crime, Pan /. Hicks. The spread of satan- Frazier. The curse of the runestone: Deathless ic-cult rumors. Victor. Lying about polygraph tests, hoaxes, Whittaker. Night terrors, sleep paralysis, Shneour. Worldwide disasters and moon phase, and devil-stricken telephone cords from hell, Kelly Saklofske, and Culver. 1 5% discount on orders Huston. Scientific crcationism: The social agenda of a pseudoscience. Shore. Observing stars in the day­ WINTER 1990 (vol. 14, no. 2) The newcatastrophism. of $100 or more time: The chimney myth, Sanderson. Does an Morrison and Chapman. A field guide to critical ancient Jewish amulet commemorate the conjunc­ thinking. Lett. Cold fusion: A case history in 'wish­ tion of 2 B.C.? Rubincam. ful science'? Rothman. The airship hysteria of ($6.25 for each copy. To order, 1896-97. Bartholomew. Newspaper editors and the SUMMER 1992 (vol. 16. no. 4): Freedom of sci­ creation-evolution controversy, Zimmerman. use reply card insert.) entific inquiry under siege, Kurtz. Psychic experi­ Special report: New evidence of MJ-12 hoax, Klass. ences: Psychic illusions, Blackmore. The scientist's FALL 1989 (vol. 14, no. 1); Myths about science. FALL 1994 (vol. 18, no. 5): Empirical evidence for skepticism. Bunge. The persistent popularity of the Rothman. The relativity of wrong. Asimov. Richard reincarnation? Angel Reader's guide to the ozone paranormal. Lett. Self-help books: Pseudoscience in Feynman on fringe science, Luis Alvarez and the controversy. Dennett. Why we are unmoved as the guise of science? Gambrill. explorer's quest. Muller. The two cultures, Jones. oceans ebb and flow, Quince} Anomalous SPRING 1992 (vol. 16, no. 3): Special The 'top-secret UFO papers' NASA won't release, Klass. The metaphysics of Murphy's Law, Price. phenomena in Kazakhstan, Efimov False SKEPTICAL Report: The Maharishi caper: JAMA SUMMER 1989 (vol. 13. no. 4): The New Age— memories, Gardner. INQUIRERhoodwinked , Skolnick. Myths of sub­ liminal persuasion: The cargo-cult sci­ An examination: The New Age in perspective. SUMMER 1994 (vol 18. no 4.): Kurtz. A New Age reflection in the magic mirror of 'Extraordinary science' and the strange ence of subliminal persuasion. Pratkanis; Subliminal perception: Facts science, O'Hara. The New Age: The need for myth legacy of Nikola Tesla. Johnson. Nikola in an age of science. Schultz. Channeling, Alcock. Tesla: Genius, visionary, and eccentric, and fallacies, Moore; Subliminal tapes. Phelps and Exum. The Avro VZ-9 'fly­ The psychology of channeling. Reed. 'Entities' in Johnson. Pollens on the 'Shroud': A study the linguistic minefield, Thomason. Crystals, in deception. Nickel/. Do televised depic­ ing saucer,' Blake. Two 19th-century skeptics: Augustus de Morgan and Lawrence. Consumer culture and the New Age, tions of paranormal events influence view­ Rosen. The Shirley MacLaine phenomenon, ers' beliefs? Sparks, Hansen, and Shah. John Fiske, Rothman. WINTER 1992 (vol.16, no.2): On Gordon. Special report: California court jails psy­ Synchronicity and the archetypes, Gallo. chic surgeon, Brenneman. The synthetic mind clashes with the being sued: The chilliing of freedom of reductionist text, Renter. Psi in pyschob- expression, Kurtz. The crop-circle phenomenon, Nickell and Fischer. SPRING 1989 (vol. 13. no. 3): High school biolo­ gy, Blackmore. gy teachers and pseudoscientific belief. Eve and SPRING 1994 (vol. 18. no. 3): The Antiscience he 'Mars effect,' Ertel A dissenting notUpdate oen oEnd'n s 'Update,' Kurtz, Magic Melanin: Dunn. Evidence for Bigfoot* Dennett. Alleged pore Threat: The growth of antiscience, Kurtz; The anti- structure in Sasquatch footprints, Freeland and science problem. Holton. Measuring the prevalence Spreading scientific illiteracy among minorities, Pan 2. de Montellano. Adventures in science and Rowe. The lore of levitation, Stein. Levitation 'mir­ of false memories, Goertzel Bleuler's views on acles' in India. Premanand. Science, pseudoscience, inheritance of acquired characteristics and on psi cyclosophy. de Jager. Searching for security in the mystical. Grimmer. and the cloth of Turin, Nickell. Rather than just phenomena, Windhole Examining the satanic debunking, encourage people to think. Seckel. panic: ... A personal perspective. Huston; ... A FALL 1991 (vol. 16, no. I): Near-death experi­ MJ-12 papers 'authenticated'? Klass. A patently sociological and historical perspective, Hines. false patent myth, Sass. Philosophy and the paranormal. Part 2: Skepticism, ences, Blackmore. Multicultural pseudoscience: miracles, and knowledge, Grey Spreading scientific illiteracy, Pan 1, de Montellano. WINTER 1989 (vol. 13. no. 2): Special report: WINTER 1994 (vol. 18. no. 2) The new skepti­ Science and commonsense skepticism. Aach. Spook The 'remembering water' controversy, Gardner and cism, Kurtz. Philosophy and the paranormal. Pan Hill, Wilder. Lucian and Alexander. Rowe. 1991 Randi; Bibliographic guide to the 'dilution contro­ 1: The problem of psi,' Grey. Electromagnetic field CSICOP conference. Shore and Frazier. versy.' Pathologies of science, precogni­ cancer scares, Deutsch. Attacks on role-playing SUMMER 1991 (vol. 15. no. 4): Lucid tion, and modern psychophysics./mseTi. games. Cardwell Global fortune-telling and Bible dreams, Blackmore. Nature faking in the A reaction-time test of ESP and precog­ prophecy. Tremaine. Chernikov pattern puzzle. humanities. Gallo. Carrying the war nition, Hines and Dennison. Chinese Pickover. into the never-never land of psi: Pan 2. psychic's pillbonle demonstration. Wu Gill Coincidences. Paulos. Locating Xiaoping. The Kirlian technique. invisible buildings, Plummer. True FALL 1993 (vol. 18, no. 1): 'Perspectives on edu­ Watkins and Bickel. Certainty and proof believers. Bower. cation in America: Sandia study challenges mis­ in creationist thought, Leferriere. conceptions, Frazier. Do 'honesty' tests really mea­ SPRING 1991 (vol. 15. no. 3): Special FALL 1988 (vol. 13. no. 1): Special sure honesty? Lilienfeld Astrology strikes back— rcport: Hi-fi pseudoscience, Davis. report: Astrology and the presidency. but to what effect? Dean Diagnoses of alien kid­ Searching for extraterrestrial intelli­ Kurtz and Bob. Improving Human nappings that result from conjunction effects in gence: An interview with Thomas R Performance: What about parapsychol­ memory, Dawes and Mulford Mathematical magic McDonough. Getting smart about get­ ogy? Frazier The China syndrome: for skeptics, Benjamin and Shermer. The blind girl ting smarts. Faulkes. Carrying the war Further reflections on the paranormal in who saw the flash of the first nuclear weapon test. into the never-never land of psi: Pan 1. China. Kurtz. Backward masking, Sinclair Science: The feminists' scapegoat? Walker. Gill. Satanic cult 'survivor' stories. Victor. Mclver. The validity of graphological analysis. SUMMER 1993 (vol 17. no. 4): The right hemi­ 'Old-solved mysteries": The Kecksburg incident. Furnham. The intellectual revolt against science. sphere: An esoteric closet? Saravi. Improving science Young. Magic, medicine, and metaphysics in Grove. teaching: The textbook problem. Padian. The eye­ Nigeria. Roder. What's wrong with science educa­ SUMMER 1988 (vol. 12. no. 4): Testing psi claims witness: Imperfect interface between stimuli and tion? Look at the family. Eve in China. Kurtz. Alcock. Frazier. Karr. Klass. and story, Reich. Pathological science: An update. Cromer. WINTER 1991 (vol. 15. no. 2): Special report/ Randi. The appeal of the occult: Some thoughts on lack Horkheimer. 'Star Hustler." interview by Gabriel Gallup poll: Belief in paranormal phenomena. history, religion, and science, Stei

Nikola Tesla and Street and walk the mile or so to Bryant 'extraordinary science' Park, just behind the library. There C> SKEPTICAL attired impeccably in pearl-gray suit and Jeff Johnson's articles about Nikola Tesla hat, he would feed his beloved pigeons INQUIRER (SI, Summer 1994) bring welcome good for hours. Sadly, Tesla's resources later sense and keen analysis to a field in dwindled to the point where he could no which much nonsense has been pub­ longer afford a business-class hotel and lished. As Johnson notes, Tesla was so moved to seedier places, sometimes sub­ good at obfuscating his tracks thai a sidized by his old friends. And his health complete biography of him may never be eventually declined until he could feed written. However, let me make a few the pigeons only at his window sill. He small comments. did live long enough, however, to see a dramatic integration of his two fruitful First, there is one notable exception to ideas. Tesla's original induction motor die statement (p. 374) diat "The Tesla was not self-starting, but others devel­ coil . . . [has] no important scientific or oped high-starting-torque versions diat industrial applications." In fact, small, could drive electric trains using AC hand-held Tesla coils have been used for sources. The IND subway system in New decades for leak hunting in glass vacuum York, developed in die mid-thirties, was systems. The coil is run over die outside one of die first to use this now-dominant of die system. When die coil is near any crack or pinhole, die gas leaking through system. it conducts die discharge and glows brightly. Lawrence S. Lerner With reference to Jeff Johnson's article on Johnson attributes the nonlethality of Department of Physics "Tesla tripe," I have been preparing a die Tesla discharge to the smallness of the and Astronomy book on Tesla (and other cranks) for sev­ current. But while most Tesla coils do in California State University eral years and I must bring up a few fact produce quite small currents, this is Long Beach, Calif. quibbles. Johnson too quickly assumes not the point. What really counts is the that such concepts as zero-point energy very high frequency, which gives rise to a and scalar electromagnetism are entirely phenomenon called the skin effect. In Jeff Johnson's article on Tesla, he wrote bogus. The former is a bona fide (and High-frequency current passing through that when in 1891 Tesla and George fairly obvious) mathematical prediction a conductor (in this case die human Westinghouse installed AC equipment in of quantum mechanics. It cannot be dis­ body) is confined to a very thin layer Telluride, Colorado, it "gave him, and missed out of hand, any more than can near the surface. Under die conditions the state, credit for the world's first prac­ die predicted existence of tachyons. The obtaining here, die layer is so thin that it tical commercial use of AC motors, gen­ treatment of electromagnetic problems comprises almost entirely the dead cells erators, and transmission lines." by scalar fields is a standard mathemati­ that make up die outer epidermis. Actually die first successful attempt cal "trick" diat can be traced back as far It is worth reiterating Johnson's cau- ever to transmit high-voltage alternating as Euler (in a hydrodynamic context). tion: Tesla coils are safe as long as nothing current by the principles employed today However, these fields have only die same goes wrong. Persons with only a passing occurred in 1886, five years earlier. "reality" as do die individual terms of a knowledge of high-frequency technique Interestingly enough, die inventor who Fourier series. By the way, one of die should not play with diem. accomplished that had been associated most amusing tilings about Tesla cranks Finally, a personal note. My father with George Westinghouse and had been is diat, while they are inventing their was a physics student at CCNY and later hired by him in 1884 as chief engineer. own "death rays," they have completely at Columbia during the 1920s, and he That was William Stanley (1858-1916). missed the development of something often used die New York Public Library very much like a "death ray" (electro­ at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. On any magnetic projectiles—"3D solitons"), day when die weather was good, he told Samuel Sass which is a fairly hot potato in die con­ me, Tesla would leave his quarters at die Librarian (retired) ventional physics literature. Hotel Pennsylvania (now die Startler General Electric Company My more serious quibble with Hilton) on Eighth Avenue and 33rd Pittsfield, Mass. Johnson is that he dismisses the cranks as

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 65 harmlessly massaging their own egos. provoking magazine, a quote in the arti­ found the article both informative and, Not so, they are seeking (and getting) cle about Tesla requires a comment. Jeff in some ways, amusing. What I found political recognition on the back of the Johnson quoted Martin Gardner as most amusing were some of the state­ "Green" movement (PM machines do observing that "pseudoscientists tend to ments the participants were asked if not pollute). Many of their conference fall into two groups: those motivated to they agreed with, disagreed with, or proceedings contain a supportive mes­ defend some religious dogma and those were uncertain about. My favorite was sage from a U.S. senator or state gover­ motivated by the belief in their own "It is possible to cast spells on individ­ nor or similar figure. Think about it—if greatness. . . ." uals," to which I would have to you are a scientific ignoramus (politi­ There is at least one other source of respond with an emphatic "demonstra­ cian), there must appear to be little dif­ pseudoscience, and this source is far bly true." And this should surprise no ference in the success rates of "hot more influential than either of the two one, for even in Shakespeare's time we fusion" and "cold fusion," so why not mentioned. I refer to pseudoscience used see: cancel the expensive one. One group of to support ideological goals. We cannot cranks claims the credit for stopping (by forget the abuses Marxism-Leninism GLENDOWER: I can call spirits lobby) the construction of the supercon­ and Fascism perpetrated under the guise ducting supercollider—a very important from the vasty deep. of science, and typically under die guid­ HOTSPUR: Why, so can I, or so (but expensive) physics experiment. ance of scientists themselves. However, can any man, we need not look to Lysenkoism or One of the most sinister recent But will they come when you eugenics for an example of ideologically trends, to my mind, has been the "crank do call for them? driven pseudoscience. Our contempo­ invasion" of the IECEC (Intersociety rary period is rife with similar balder­ Energy Conversion Engineering Con­ —King Henry IV, dash, and some of these concepts, alas, ferences). These have been organized for are apparently supported by eminent First Part (III, i, 53) some 30 years by the seven major engi­ Fellows of CSICOP. neering societies of the United Sates. Clearly, there is a substantial differ­ The past five conferences have contained Credible scientists can become ence between invoking something and a section devoted to the presentation of enthralled by theories fitting their ideo­ its coming to pass. I can cast many the son of nonsense Johnson describes. logical biases, becoming incapable of a spells on individuals and no one can One is thus presented with the strange balanced analysis. Evidence supporting, say it is impossible. But will the spell sight of prestigious conference proceed­ for instance, the theories of nuclear win­ have its intended effect on the targeted ings that contain articles on perpetual- ter, aerosols and the allegedly expanding individual? I expect not. motion machines, psychically deter­ Antarctic ozone hole, and global warming I would also have to agree that mined periodic tables of imaginary ele­ are in my opinion insufficient, insubstan­ "Witches and warlocks do exist," if 1 ments, etc. I complained about this to tial, and certainly subject to alternative am to believe the few people who have die executive director of the American interpretation. Weak data, however, have confided to me that they practice Nuclear Society (which had hosted that not stopped several eminent scientists witchcraft—the rituals of Wicca or particular conference). His reply was that from writing gloomy popular screeds other pagan religions. There are, of the papers (whose standard was very demanding political actions to address course, many vocal adherents to these much of the level implied by Johnson) these "threats." It is no wonder that the practices and beliefs who seem more had been subjected to peer review (by public-at-large holds scientists in such interested in their own fame than any­ whom, die ghost of Nikola Tesla?) and low esteem. After all, if scientific conclu­ thing else, but I strongly suspect that that was diat. I also received a five-page sions are determined by personal political most real practitioners of witchcraft tirade from Patrick Bailey (who had prejudice why should a scientist's pontifi- and other pagan religions are silent. I chaired the loony session), who also cations be considered any more rational also suspect that these practices are strongly defended the cranks. Bailey also than those of any kooky ideologue? very rare overall, which contributes to advised me to seek enlightenment from the difficulty of their study. Harold Aspden (a notorious U.K. We continue to sec pseudoscience defender of perpetual-motion and anti- used to support social agendas. The pur­ Another statement I believe can gravity machines) and from Colin veyors of such nonsense, however, are not only be agreed with is: "A person's Andrews (vis-a-vis crop circles). That religious fanatics, but scientists unable to thoughts can influence the movement would be like asking Uri Geller for advice separate their political ideas from their of a physical object." It is clear, at least on metallurgy. scientific conclusions. to me, that my own thoughts con­ trolled my fingers as they typed this So, things are not as innocent as Jeff Chris Centner letter. These thoughts directly control Johnson implied. Wake up America, you Reston, Va. the physical objects of my fingers, are on the brink of your own brand of hands, and arms. Indirectly, these Lysenkoism! objects influence the movement of TV and the paranormal other objects, such as the keys of the keyboard and the computer's mouse. It David J. Fisher should be obvious that thoughts can Cardiff, U.K. I enjoyed reading the Summer 1994 influence the movement of physical issue, especially the article "Do objects. Why, I can even control other While I thoroughly enjoyed die last issue Televised Depictions of Paranormal physical objects without touching of your always excellent and thought- Events Influence Viewers' Beliefs?" I

66 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 them directly—I use the infrared I share Frank Reuters frustration with words "automatically" by hearing or read­ remote-controls for my TV and VCR simplistic prose in school textbooks. As ing them in contexts. The richer the read­ almost every day. an educational researcher I believe much ing experience is. the larger will the child's I also believe that some of the other of this is due to the professional necessi­ vocabulary be. statements are somewhat flawed, since ty to write to the "reading level." Publishers need to rethink the estab­ they are compound statements that Materials I design to be used in the lished formulas. Frankly, those who do will assert tilings that are not necessarily classroom must be age-appropriate. To eventually benefit economically; inferior identical. In particular, any statement defend my materials as such, I must use products cannot pass the test of time. about "spirit" or "spirits" could be con­ an established readability formula, most strued as being about a person's soul. of which involves shortening sentences, Many people believe in the existence of eliminating multisyllable words, and in Examining Jung's archetype a soul or "person's spirit" as part of the case of the Dale-Chall reading list, their religious faith, yet these same eliminating words that most students of Ernest Gallo's extremely well set forth people do not believe in ghosts. Thus, that age do not recognize. This results in and reasoned article "Synchronicity and a compound statement grouping spir­ choppy, simplistic text with short sen­ the Archetypes" (SI. Summer 1994) suc­ its with ghosts may be a source of con­ tences and monosyllabic words. Several ceeded in thoroughly debunking Jung's fusion. . . . students have commented on this type of tenuous but (alas) widely accepted views writing as "irritating" when responding on universal archetypes. to surveys about my materials. Gregory Guerin But Gallo stepped into tenuous ter­ Tempe, Ariz. In fact, we are advised to design our rain himself when he threw out the fol­ materials to be appropriate for one grade lowing query and subsequent oversim­ level below the age we actually want to plified reply: "If the Jungian approach Reductionist school texts work with, to be sure all the students cannot be made rigorous, can modern understand all the materials. If I work science perhaps be made to seem poetic, In regard to Frank Reuters article "The with sixth-grade students, I must write evocative—i.e., something less than rig­ Synthetic Mind Clashes with the for the fifth-grade reading level. orous? If so, then Jung can claim to be, Reductionist Text" (SI, Summer I believe that by dumbing down these at least in some very loose sense, scien­ 1994), I have to agree that he is materials, we hold students to an appro­ tific. absolutely right about the quality of priately low standard. Students should Gallo is confused here. Most science the kind of textbook he quotes from. strive to reach a higher goal, not be is indeed poetic and evocative, and yet Dreadful stuff. But isn't this the result of forced to a lower standard in the name of rigorous nonetheless. Gallo seems to sub­ icies sacred to the education establish­ equality in the classroom. scribe to the Newtonian belief in scien­ ment? Ten-word sentences; colorlessness; One student complained about a tific absolutes, a belief that is no less limited vocabulary? Textbook publishers piece of mine on tracking bears that wear baseless than Jung's. are not their own masters. They have to radio collars. I spent several choppy sen­ To buttress my point better than I can publish what the establishment wants. tences explaining how the radio worked, myself, I need only refer to the quote Furthermore, I have to disagree with and he asked, "Why didn't you just say it from Stephen Jay Gould that you includ­ Reuter about what makes this kind of was a transmitter?" I answered, "Because ed in the same issue. Gould alludes to the writing so unreadable. Not simplistic according to the Dale-Chall Readability "messy and personal side of science." (I sentences alone. The real villain is bad Formula, you don't know what that would substitute "poetic" and "evocative" paragraphing. means." for "messy" and "personal.") And he avers A paragraph should establish a sub­ that ". . . scientists should proudly show ject, discuss it, and come to some con­ Marjorie Woodruff this human face, to display their kinship with all other modes of creative human clusion, then move on to the next sub­ Newton, Mass. ject. The paragraph Reuter quotes thought." The renowned poet and scien­ tist Goethe could hardly have said it bet­ changes the subject with every sentence. Frank Reuter replies: ter. Writing must have continuity and flow. One idea must be completed first The substance of Ann Finlayson's and Anyone who does not recognize that and then lead naturally to the next. If Marjorie Woodruff's Utters is that the cause even the hardest of the hard sciences, in not, the reader will be brought up short, of bad prose in school texts is "the education their essence, have an underlying poetry baffled by a sudden surrealistic about- establishment" or "an established readabil­ and evocativeness, is just as loosely scien­ face. ity formula. " Of this there can be no doubt; tific, if not more so, as Jung. One of No doubt the changes suggested above so much bad prose in the same reduction­ Jung's primary shortcomings was not his violate some rigid ed-biz dogma, and if ist style cannot exist by accident. Consider will to interpret everything; rather, it was so, then the rigid ed-biz dogma is wrong. the common textbook publishers' guidelines his facile inclination to settle for one pat But it's no use railing at textbook pub­ (such as the Dale-Chall reading list) never interpretation in the face of many other competing, and no less plausible, inter­ lishers about it. They have to please the to use a word a student doesn't already pretations. ed-biz moguls, or they sell no textbooks. know. Researchers have demonstrated that ten-year-olds have vocabularies far exceed­ Ann Finlavson ing the number of days they have lived Christopher Phillips Warwick, N.Y. How can this be? Obviously children learn Takoma Park. Md.

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 67 Ernest Gallo takes issue with the concept the story of Jung's troubled patient who we meet Jung's argument on Jung's own of archetype in the general structure and dreamed of a scarab and underwent pos­ ground premises of Jungian psychology. Not itive change before Jung's eyes when a Of course I agree with Christopher only does he trivialize Jung's work and scarablike beetle flew into the room. Phillips that science is poetic, evocative. the ongoing scholarship and practice of Gallo then tries to show that Jung is But Jung claimed parallels between modern Jungian psychotherapy, but he seems to wrong in attributing mysticism to the physics and his doctrines: e.g., relativity set up straw men to knock down. Even event because, although a beetle can be a proves that the psyche is independent of during Jung's lifetime the concepts symbol of rebirth, it can have many other space and time, etc. The views of others employed in the practice of depth psy­ meanings as well. This misses the point (cited in the article) are even more embar­ of Jung's story. chotherapy were undergoing change and rassing, e.g., the amazing notion that evolution. No one that I know actually The mysticism in the event has some­ Rorschach tests depend on wormholes in saw the archetypes to be as formless as thing to do with the fact that the beetle spacetime. Science isn't as evocative as all Gallo suggests. I and others understand can have a symbolic meaning, but the that! the archetypes to be part and parcel of reason the event had impact was the syn­ I must disagree with John Hood. The the collective unconscious. It is difficult chronicity of events. What are the odds to imagine that human society and cul­ forms of human society and culture are not that a beetle would fly into Jung's room? ture, relationships within groups and inborn, for the simple reason that acquired Multiply that by the odds that die beetle between individuals of a family, based as characteristics are not inherited. The doc­ would do so when a woman who had they are on one or two million years of trine that behavior produces heritable dreamed of a beetle was there. Then mul­ evolution, could be anything other than memory-traces (mnemes) was proposed by tiply the result by the odds that the inborn to a large degree. I heartily dis­ Ewald Hering in 1870 and held by Eugen woman would be talking about her agree that human societies and cultures Bleuler, formerly Jung's chief at the dream the moment die beetle entered. It are as different as Gallo states. Jung him­ Burgholzli asylum, in 1932. As late as is because of the high probability against self took the example of the yucca moth, 1954—a year after Watson and Crick put this that Jung sought a pattern, finding it which with only a few ganglia for brains, forward their hypothesis about the structure in the rebirth archetype. Thus, I think a so to speak, knows the yucca flower from better way to debunk Jung is to attack his of DNA—Jung stoutly defended the birth. Although I have not been able to implicit assumption diat the event with Lamarckian implications of his doctrine of establish an intellectual connection the beetle was worthy of explanation, the archetypes. But by the mid-1950s between Jung and Julian Jaynes, Jaynes rather than to attack the way he chose to Lamarckism was dead. It still is. certainly confirms most of Jung's con­ explain it. cepts with his own observations and con­ jectures. This always seems to be trou­ Coincidences like the beetle incident The big doodley bled ground to walk. I heard Jaynes in a are improbable, but life is long. Over the science show public lecture at San Diego State course of life, unlikely events arc bound University many years after the publica­ to happen. My guess is diat die greatest Ralph Estling (SI, Forum, Summer tion of his seminal The Origin of unlikelihood of diem all is that anyone 1994) lambastes what he labels "infa­ Consciousness in the Breakdown of the could reach Jung's age without having mous" nonscientists who dare to con­ Bicameral Mind. At that lecture even he witnessed several startling and memo­ sider wild ideas outside the bounds of seemed to be backing away from some of rable coincidences. If it hadn't been the logical deduction and rational analysis. his original, but in my view very bril­ beetle, it would have been something else. He seems to ignore that an essential liant, thoughts. As for Von Franz and her aspect of the scientific method is the book on number, 1 could not agree more Coincidence seems to demand expla­ formulation of creative hypotheses to with Gallo. However, much of the rest of nation; but over time, lack of coinci­ be used as the basis for the application Von Franz's work on fairy tales is bril­ dence would be far stranger. Thus Jung's of such logical analysis to predict con­ liant, and her insights into the function­ fundamental error was not how he inter­ sequences to be tested versus actual ing of the unconscious have been of preted the beetle event but that he inter­ observation. This intuitive, creative enormous use in psychological healing. preted it at all. Gallo gives Jung more aspect of science is as important as the . . . Jung and countless other writers have credit than Jung deserves. rational aspect. Bohr once told a wild brought forth innumerable examples of (non?)scientist that his idea was crazy, the truth of the destructiveness of the Daniel H. Bigelow but not crazy enough! Einstein's funda­ unrecognized unconscious darkness, Cathlamet, Wash. mental insights of equivalence and both on the collective and the individual space/matter relations came out of level. All of this has been glossed over by Ernest Gallo responds: philosophical musings about the Gallo in his attempt to pejoratively nature of the universe, not from ratio­ knock down this "house of cards." Daniel Bigelow's point is a good one. The nal analysis of observational data—the difficulty is that Jung would agree that logical analysis, prediction, and testing such coincidences do happen, but would coming only after the formation of cre­ insist that they are meaningful ones. I ative hypotheses. One of the greatest John M. Hood, Jr. argue that it is actually very easy to find needs today in fundamental par­ San Diego, Calif. some sort of match between a personal ticle/force physics is some similar event and the vast body of myth, especially insight and principle to provide a Ernest Gallo attempts to refute the exis­ if one's key words (e.g., regeneration, "philosophical" grounding for the cur- tence of Jungian synchronicity. He cites rebirth) are kept nicely vague. In this way

68 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 rent "theories of everything." Why 10 I agree that there are many instances of hard enough on those "quasi-scientists." or 26 or 4 dimensions? Why the persons holding degrees in science who SI makes much ado about the danger to observed masses and force constants arc guilty of those kinds of things, but society and science from the pseudo- among die panicles? And so on. Yes, not very often by those actually doing sciences and paranormal propaganda, wild-ideaed cosmologists and theoreti­ science. But when Estling finally pro­ etc., but those self-proclaimed meta- cal physicists like Wheeler, Bohm, vides us with an example of what is bug­ physicists, the theoretical physicists, the Davies, Thome, Gell-Mann, Penrose, ging him it is he who is way off base: mathematicians, are at the top of the Weinberg, Witten, Borrow, Hoyle, et ivory towers of science; they are the al., may break die bounds of known gurus. Can there be any doubt that a rational analysis in search of some . . . And so cosmologists have given us large number of budding young scien­ "final hypothesis" to ground today's Creation ex nihilo. Everything out of tists have hopes of discovering a gateway theories of everything. But if such is to Nothing, our own, our very own sci­ to another dimension, of building a time be found it will most likely be by such entifically authenticated Genesis- machine or some electronic apparatus to hypothesists, unfettered by logical come-lately. And at die same instant of enhance mind-reading ability. As a youth rationality and guided by creative intu­ this Creation, they inform us, almost I had such dreams, and I only read about itive comprehension and insight. parenthetically, the universe possessed such things in science-fiction magazines. the interesting attributes of Infinite Had one of my professors been engaged Temperature, Infinite Density, and in the pursuits Estling decries, I would R. H. Davis Infinitesimal Volume, a rather grip­ most likely not be a skeptic today. I Palo Alto, Calif. ping state of affairs, as well as some­ would still be searching for that elusive thing of a sudden and dramatic change equation, that variable that allows heat to I do not know what the curious Forum from Nothing whatever. They then flow uphill, that allows electrons to flow column by Ralph Estling is doing in the intone equations and other ritual backwards in time. An even more insidi­ SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. After a long, mathematical formulae and look upon ous effect those ivory tower gurus have is rambling build-up, it finally makes its it and pronounce it good. on the media. Not just die public media point that the author does not 'think" but the scientific journals as well. . .. I do not think that what these cos­ that the current cosmological view of the mologists, these quantum theorists, beginning of the universe is based on sci­ these universe-makers, are doing is sci­ Donald Weitzel ence. No scientific argument or justifica­ ence. I can't help feeling [emphasis Winnetka, Calif. tion for this "thought" is given. added] that universes are notoriously The fact is that the cosmological view disinclined to spring into being, ready- is obtained by applying the empirically made out of nothing. . . . Ralph Estling replies: derived laws of physics as they are cur- rently understood and, instead of pro­ All things begin with speculation, science jecting forward to predict die future, I am not a cosmologist but my under­ not excluded. But if no empirical evidence tracing backward from the currently standing is that the science of die Big is eventually forthcoming, or can be forth­ observed universe to infer the past. The Bang is science at its very best. coming, all speculation is barren. To get result is that the current universe is found Cosmologists have found that the Big down to particulars: We have strong indi­ to be the natural evolution from an Bang theory of development of the uni­ cations that the observable universe was extremely hot, dense, compact universe verse is the only theory that is consistent once far denser and hotter. This condition of many billions of years ago. What more with the general laws of physics and with can, at least theoretically, be traced back to docs Estling expect before he will call it die many and varied physical observa­ 10" second after Time 0, the exact instant science? tions that have been made to date. It is of creation. There is no evidence, so far, not die scientists who "leave the realm of that the entire universe, observable and science and enter that of philosophy and John G. Fletcher unobservable, emerged from a state of metaphysics, too often grandiose names Pleasanton, Calif. absolute Nothingness. Quantum cosmolo­ for mere personal opinion," it is Estling gists insist both on this absolute who is guilty of this because of his In the opening paragraph of his Forum Nothingness and on endowing it with var­ philosophical, or religious, or whatever article, Ralph Estling clearly states his views. ious qualities and characteristics: this par­ intent: "Let us lambaste infamous men, ticular Nothingness possesses virtual quan­ those who call themselves scientists and ta seething in a false vacuum. Quanta, vir­ perhaps honestly believe themselves to be Donald C Leigh tual or actual and vacuum, false or true, scientists and indeed have the post-nom- Lexington, Ky. are not Nothing, they are definitely inals to show it, but who are not scien­ Something, although we may argue over tists." Then there is a lot of babble and Imagine my surprise when I read Ralph what exactly For one thing quanta are "The problem emerges in science when Estling's column, received the same day entities having energy, a vacuum has ener­ scientists leave the realm of science and die postman picked up my submittal to gy and, moreover, extension, i.e., it is some­ enter that of philosophy and meta­ you of an article on the same subject. His thing into which other things, such as uni­ physics, too often grandiose names for article is certainly far more interesting verses, can be put, i.e., we cannot have our mere personal opinion, untrammeled by reading than the one I submitted; his absolute Nothingness and eat it too. If we empirical evidence or logical analysis, choice of adjectives and his style of writ­ have quanta and a vacuum as given, we in and wearing the masks of deep wisdom." ing are superb. Still, I don't think he was fact have a pre-existent state of existence

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 69 that either pre-existed timelessly or brought pretive techniques that I combine with review emphasizes what he terms (to quote itself into existence from absolute methods from other fields. Clearly, I the title of his first chapter) "The Three Nothingness (no quanta, no vacuum, no operate within the empirical tradition of Cultures: New Age, Parapsychology, pre-existing initial condition) at some pre­ die social sciences and humanities. I do Skepticism." The book from the first to the cise moment in time; it creates this time, not accept the wild philosophical claims last page is replete with references to these along with the space, matter, and energy, diat the reviewer attributes to decon­ three "cultures," and this constitutes the which we colt the universe. R. H. Davis struction, which he understands so poor­ major theme. However, the review does mentions Paul Davies. I've had some corre­ ly that he has to rely on dictionary and state that Hess claims these three cultures spondence with Paul Davies on cosmologi- encyclopedia entries. are, at bottom, "aspects of a single paracul- ture, "and notes that parapsychologists and cal theory, in the course of which I asked Fourth, the reviewer seems to think skeptics might find a middle ground from him what he meant by "Nothing." He that only quantitative methods consti­ which to "study paranormal beliefs and wrote back that he had asked Alexander tute acceptable "scientific" research. practices" by abandoning the search or Vilenkin what he meant by it and that That position is in conflict with the demand for scientific data or proof. Vilenkin had replied, "By Nothing I mean well-developed field of qualitative social- Nothing," which seemed pretty straightfor­ science-research methods, which I teach The review does not claim, as Hess ward at the time, but then these quantum in a graduate seminar, as well as the alleges, that he advocates deconstruction. It cosmologists go on from there to tell us what qualitative methods used by many skep­ states quite explicitly that the book "is a their particular breed of Nothing consists tics. good example of deconstruction in action. " of. I pointed this out to Davies, who replied Fifth, the reviewer's own rhetoric The difference should be apparent to any­ that these things are very complicated. I'm confirms my analysis. For example, he one who claims to be a scholar or a student willing to admit the truth of that state­ attempts to associate me with the of social science. In any event, Hess himself, ment, but I think it does not solve the prob­ "drug culture that is pervading and in the appendix on methodology terms his lem. corrupting our cities," a rhetorical own approach "cultural reconstructivism" move similar to those analyzed in my and in his letter admits that he borrows chapter that discusses the rhetoric of some useful techniques from deconstruc­ 'Science in the New Age' the jeremiad. tion. In Science in the New Age I have out­ The truly significant misrepresentation The review of my book Science in the lined a more sophisticated, rational form is in the title of the book. The most basic New Age: The Paranormal Its Defenders of reflexively skeptical cultural analysis definition of "science" (which Hess seems to and Debunkers, and American Culture that is informed by current research in accept at page ISO) is that it is the name (Si, Summer 1994) contains several fac­ the social studies of knowledge, cultural for what scientists do. I have read the work tual errors and misrepresentations. First, studies, feminist science studies, and cul­ and writings of scientists from Galileo, my position is explicitly sociocultural tural anthropology. The reviewer's lack of through Einstein, and to Feynman, and anthropological. I devote an entire familiarity with research advances in Hawking Penrose, and Steven Weinberg. chapter to die argument that social scien­ these fields is a tedious example of a dog­ There is nothing in the work of any bona tists and cultural-studies researchers can matic, irrational form of skepticism that fide scientist that would come close to giv­ and do provide a fourth perspective on will ultimately discredit the skeptical ing sanction to the use of the term science die paranormal that is independent of movement's attempts to gain credibility as part of the title for this book. A candid those of skeptics, parapsychologists, and among competent researchers in the and descriptive title would be "Superstition New Agers. The reviewer apparently did social sciences and humanities. in the New Age. " not reach or understand that chapter, as well as much of die rest of my book. David J. Hess Second, the reviewer argues that die Science and Technology Correction bulk of my citations indicate a New Age Studies Dept. bias. The facts are diat more than half of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the citations (223) are from skeptical or Troy, N.Y. John Brunner has pointed out neutral social scientists, humanities diat I made an error in my review of Gary Taubes's Bad Science: The researchers, and journalists, with another Lee Loevinger responds: 70 from CSICOP-affiliated writers. New Short Life and Weird Times of Cold Fusion, (SI, Spring 1994, pp. 296- Agers constitute only 36 of the citations. David J. Hess objects to the review of his 298). I ended die review by com­ Although the reviewer's decision to oper- book Science in the New Age, alleging menting on Rene Blondlot's ationalize bias by counting citations is "several factual errors and misrepresenta­ spending his final years pining methodologically flawed, even his own tions. " However, the bulk of the review away in Nice. Of course I should methods contradict this argument. consists of actual quotations or close para­ have remembered he pined away phrases of the text of the book, and Hess has Third, the reviewer falsely claims that in Nancy, not Nice. My apologies failed to specify a single error in quotation I advocate a form of deconstruction that for the error and thanks to or paraphrase. rejects belief in reality or reason. The Brunner for pointing it out. reviewer apparently did not read my His letter, like his book, is couched in appendix on methodology or my other pretentious abstractions from which it is discussions of methodology. I borrow difficult to extract any specific meaning. —Terence Hines from deconstruction some useful inter­ But he seems to object to the fact that the

70 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 Lee Loevinger seems perplexed by David neither hers nor Rodin's meets common­ which has a profound effect upon any of us Hess's Science in the New Age. which is ly applied research criteria for an NDE. who have experienced it, might be expected postmodern a la Derrida. We skeptics Lansberry described only time distortion to bring forth some interesting comments. claim that parapsychology should not and a sensation of starting down a tunnel make any scientific claims, and Hess in and seeing a light at its end; Rodin Michael S. Smith, M.D. essence agrees. But Hess uses literary cri­ described only tremendous bliss and a Tucson, Ariz. teria for truth, not scientific. And politi­ conviction that he had died. By com­ cal correctness: Since science is not femi­ monly used research criteria, such as Re "A Skeptic's Near-Death Experi­ nist, third world, ecological, irrational, Kenneth Ring's (1980) Weighted Core ence"—our grandmothers would have then parapsychology is superior to it— Experience Index, or my own NDE called that fainting. If you are not because it is unscientific. The skeptical Scale, neither of these descriptions is suf­ knocked out by a sudden and brutal Lee, used only to scientific criteria, must ficient to be categorized as an NDE. In blow, if your blood pressure becomes too stand there bemused. that context, it is perhaps not so surpris­ low for whatever reason, loss of blood, or ing that neither Lansberry nor Rodin However, I had some ideas for a case fibrillating of the heart, or any reason to attributed any nonphysiological signifi­ against Hess's postmodernism. Hess's cri­ lower the oxygen content of the blood in cance to their experiencers. teria are convincing only as long as no your brain, as asphixia or anoxia, high one challenges them; once challenged, altitude or high "g," you will faint. Slowly, but surely. As all aviators know, they seem a little silly. Literary criticism, Bruce Greyson your first lesson in aerobatics is gun-bar­ like Hess's, is abstract and "objective." Department of Psychiatry rel vision and passing out, painlessly and This is ironic, because postmodernists University of Connecticut quite pleasantly. A little bit later, you will claim to prize direct experience above all School of Medicine recognize the phenomenon, brace against else. Of course they are much farther Farmington, Conn. from diat than science is. Has literary it, and learn to delay it, then to get out of die mess by lowering your g-force, wear­ criticism really done anything for As a neurologist, I would like to offer at women, the third world, the ecology, ing a pressure suit, and still later wearing least two possible explanations for Laura etc., except sing their praises? Science at a fighter-pilot suit whose purpose is to Lansberry's "tunnel" in her near-death least has done something for its con­ maintain a few seconds longer the blood experience. stituents: because of it, we travel faster, pressure in your head by compressing the Given that her heart stopped, she suf­ do more work, eat better, and live longer. lower members, big masses of muscles fered a loss of blood pressure. Conscious­ that are great consumers of blood flow. ness is not lost immediately, but those Richard A. Dengrove areas of the eye and brain that are more The first thing to go is lateral vision, Alexandria, Va. sensitive to loss of blood pressure, those probably the arteries are smaller in the areas furthest removed from the source, periphery of my retina, and they cut out will be affected first. Since the vitreous of all vision except in the central part: gun- the eye exerts a significant pressure on barrel vision. A skeptic's near-death the retina, die eye, and therefore vision, Then that goes too, and you are experience is first affected during hypertension. The blind. By the way, you are also deaf, the area of the retina first affected is die engine and aerodynamic noises fade into periphery, which corresponds to our Laura Darlene Lansberry's report of her nothingness. If somebody would prick peripheral vision being lost, hence tunnel near-death experience (NDE) (SI, you, or burn you, you probably would vision. Lie down or squat for a while and Summer 1994) was remarkable, as much not feel a thing. then get up, and you will demonstrate for her integrity and humility as for die Then you pass out. If you are not this fact for yourself. experience itself. Many authors in the field taken out of this situation, after a few of near-death studies—both experiences The second explanation is that central minutes your brain gets permanent dam­ and skeptics alike—claim to have all the vision has dual representation in the occip­ age; and if still not relieved, you die. answers but fail to present any supporting ital lobe, whereas peripheral vision does So it is indeed a near-death experi­ data. It was refreshing to read Lansberry's not. In addition, many areas of the occipi­ ence. . . . straightforward account and her forth­ tal lobe subserving peripheral vision lie at a right refusal to leap from her individual watershed between two different blood Michael Spinner NDE to global pronouncements. supplies and arc vulnerable to hyperten­ Saint Witz, France She was not, however, the first skeptic sion. Therefore, central vision will be to have written about his or her NDE. spared longer than peripheral vision. Neurologist Ernst Rodin described his I can't speak to the nontunnel experi­ The letters column is a forum for views on experience in the Journal of Nervous and ences that people going through near- matters raised in previous issues. Letters Mental Disease in 1980, regarding it as a death have claimed to have had. Cer­ should be no more than 250 words. Due to toxic psychosis, much as Lansberry inter­ tainly, the behavior of the reversibly the volume of letters, not all can be pub­ preted her experience as "merely a physi­ injured brain is worth study. But, in the lished. They should be typed double- ological phenomenon." same issue of SI. 70 percent of people in spaced. Address: Letters to the Editor, While I applaud Lansberry's integrity one study believe in ghosts and spirits and SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. 944 Deer Dr. NE. and would never deny that she had a pro­ 30 percent believe in astral projection. Albuquerque, NM 87122 Given those- data, a dose call with death. found experience, it is worth noting that

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 MISSOURI. Kansas City Committee for Skeptical Na Slovance 2, 1 80 40 Prague 8. Local, Regional, Inquiry, Verle Muhrer, Chairman, 2658 East ESTONIA. Contact Indrek Rohtmets, Hori- 7th. Kansas City, MO 64124. Gateway sont, EE 0102 Tallinn. Narva mnt. 5. and National Skeptics, Chairperson, Steve Best, 6943 FINLAND. Skepsis, Lauri Grohn, Secretary, Amherst Ave., University City, MO 63130. Ojahaanpolku 8 B17, SF-01600 Vantaa, Skeptic NEW JERSEY. (See New York Area Skeptics, FRANCE. Comite Francais pour l'Etude des New York.) Phenomena Paranormaux, Claude Benski, NEW MEXICO. New Mexicans for Science & Secretary-General, Merlin Gerin, RGEIA2 Organizations Reason, John Geohegan, Chairman, 450 38050 Grenoble Cedex. Montclaire SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108: GERMANY. Society for the Scientific The organizations listed below have aims similar John Smallwood, 320 Artist Road. Santa Fe. Investigation of Para-Science (GWUP), to those of CSICOP but are independent and NM 87501 (505-988-2800). Amardeo Sarma, Convenor, Postfach 1222, autonomous. They are not affiliated with CSICOP NEW YORK. New York Area Skeptics D-64374 Rossdorf (FAX: t49 6154 81912). and representatives of these organizations cannot (NYASk), Wayne Tytell, contact person. 159 HONG KONG. Hong Kong Skeptics. Contact speak on behalf of CSICOP Melrose Ave., E. Massa-pequa. NY 11758, Rebecca Bradley, P.O. Box 1010, Shatin (516) 798-6902. Western New York Central Post Office, Shatin, NT. UNITED STATES Skeptics, Tim Madigan, Chairman, 3965 HUNGARY. Hungarian Skeptics, Janos ALABAMA. Alabama Skeptics, Emory Kim- Rensch Rd., Buffalo, NY 14228. Szentagothai, Termeszet Vilaga, PO. Box 25, brough. 3550 Watermelon Road, Apt. 28A, OHIO. South Shore Skeptics, Page Stephens, Budapest 8,1444. Fax 011-36-1-118-7506. Northport, AL 35476 (205-7592624). 6006 Fir Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 INDIA. Indian Skeptics, B. Premanand, ARIZONA. Tucson Skeptics Inc. James (216-631-5987). Association for Rational Chairman, 10, Chettipalayam Rd., Podanur McGaha, Chairman. 7049 E. Tangue Verde Thinking (Cincinnati area), Joseph F. 641-023 Coimbatore Tamil nadu. Indian Rd.. Suite 370, Tucson. AZ 85715. Phoenix Gastright, Contact, 111 Wallace Ave., Rationalist Association, Contact Sanal Skeptics, Michael Stackpole, Chairman, Covington, KY 41014 (606-581-7315). Edamaruku, 779. Pocket 5, Mayur Vihar 1. P.O. Box 60333, Phoenix. AZ 85082. PENNSYLVANIA. Paranormal Investigating New Delhi 110 091. CALIFORNIA. Bay Area Skeptics, Wilma Committee of Pittsburgh (PICP). Richard ISRAEL Israel Skeptics Society, Philip Marmaros, Russell, Secretary, 17723 Buti Park Court, Busch. Chairman, 8209 Thompson Run Chairman, P.O. Box 8481. Jerusalem. Castro Valley, CA 94546. East Bay Skeptics Rd.. Pittsburgh. PA 15237 (412-3664663). IRELAND. Irish Skeptics, Peter O'Hara, Society, Daniel Sabsay, President, P.O. Box TEXAS. Houston Association for Scientific Contact, St. Joseph's Hospital, Limerick. 20989. Oakland, CA 54620 (510-420-0702). Thinking (HAST), Darrell Kachilla, P.O. ITALY. Comitato Italiano per il Controllo delle Sacramento Skeptics Society, Terry Box 541314. Houston. TX 77254. North Affermazioni sul Paranormal, Massimo Sandbek. 3838 Watt Ave., Suite C303, Texas Skeptics, Joe Voelkering, President, Polidoro, Editor, Stienza & Paranormal*. Sacramento, CA 95821-2664 (916-488-3772). P.O. Box 111794, Carrollton, TX 75011- P.O. Box 60, 27058 Voghera (PV). COLORADO, WYOMING, UTAH, and 1794. West Texas Society to Advance JAPAN. Japan Skeptics, Jun Jugaku, Chairperson, MONTANA. Rocky Mountain Skeptics, Rational Thought, Co-Chairmen: George 1-31-8-527 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku, Bela Scheiber. President, P.O. Box 7277, Robertson, 4700 Polo Pky., Apt. 183, Tokyo 169. Boulder, CO 80306 (303-444-5368). Midland, TX 79705-1542. MEXICO. Mexican Association for Skeptical CONNECTICUT. (Sec New York Area Skep­ WASHINGTON. The Society for Sensible Research (SOMIE), Mario Mendez-Acosta, tics, New York.) Explanations, P.O. Box 7121. Seattle, WA Chairman, Apartado Postal 19546, Mexico DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, 98133. 03900, D.F. MARYLAND, and VIRGINIA. National WISCONSIN. Conner person: Roxine McQuitty. NETHERLANDS. Stichting Skepsis, Rob Capital Area Skeptics, do D. W. "Chip" MATC-West, 1200 S. 71st St., West Allis. Nanninga, Secretary, Westerkade 20, 9718 Denman, 8006 Valley Street, Silver Spring, Wl 53214 (414-456-5402, 414873-4446, AS Groningen. MD 20910. [email protected]). NEW ZEALAND. New Zealand Skeptics. FLORIDA. Tampa Bay Skeptics, Gary Posner, Vicki Hyde, Chairperson, South Pacific 1113 Normandy Trace Rd., Tampa, FL Publications, Box 19-760, Christchurch 5, 33602(813-221-3533). ARGENTINA. CAIRP, Director. Ladislao N.Z., Fax:64 3 384-5138. GEORGIA. Georgia Skeptics, Becky Long, Enrique Marquez, Jose Marti, 35 dep C, NORWAY. NIVFO, K. Stenodegard, Boks 9. President. 2277 Winding Woods Dr., 1406 Buenos Aires. N-7082, Kattem. Skepsis, Terje Emberland, Tucker. GA 30084. AUSTRALIA National: Australian Skeptics, PO. Contact. P. B. 2943 Toyen 0608. Oslo 6. ILLINOIS. Midwest Committee for Rational Box E324 St. James, NSW 2000. Regional: RUSSIA. Contact Edward Gevorkian, Ulya- Inquiry, Danielle Kafka, President, P.O. Box Australian Capital Territory, PO. Box 555, novskaya 43, Kor 4. 109004, Moscow. 2792. Des Plaines. IL 60017-2792. Rational Civic Square, 2608. Newcastle Skeptics, SOUTH AFRICA. Assn. for the Rational Examination Assoc of Lincoln Land Chairperson, Colin Keay, Physics Dept., Investigation of the Paranormal (ARIP), (REALL). David Bloomberg. Chairman, Newcastle University, NSW 2308. Queensland, Marian Laserson, Secretary, 4 Wales St., P.O. Box 20302. Springfield IL 62708 PO. Box 2180, Brisbane 4001. South Australia, Sandringham 2192. SOCRATES. Leon (217-787-9098). P.O. Box 91. Magill 5072. Victoria, P.O. Box Relief, contact. 3 Hoheizen Crescent. INDIANA. Indiana Skeptics, Robert Craig. 1555P, Melbourne, 3001. Western Australia, 25 Hoheizen. Bellville 7530. Chairperson, 5401 Hedgerow Drive. Headingly Road. Kalamunda 6076. SPAIN. Alternativa Racional a las Pscudo¬ Indianapolis, IN 46226. BELGIUM. Committee Para, J. Dommanget, sciencias (ARP). Javier Armentia, President, KENTUCKY. Kentucky Assn. of Science Chairman, Observatoire Royal de Belgiquc, Apdto. 1516. 50080 Zaragoza. El Educators and Skeptics (KASES), Chair­ Avenue Circulaire 3, B-1180 Brussels. Investigador Esceptico. Contact Felix Ares man, Prof. Robert A Baker. 3495 Castleton SKEPP, W. Betz, Secretary, Laarbeeklaan De Bias, Gamezl Ares I Martinez. P. O . Box Way North. Lexington, KY 40502. 103, B1090 Brussels (FAX: 32-2-4774301). 904, 20080 Donostia-San Sebastian. LOUISIANA. Baton Rouge Proponents of BRAZIL Opc30 Rational. Luis Gutman, Rua SWEDEN. Vetenskap dc Folkbildning (Science Rational Inquiry and Scientific Methods Santa Clara .431, Bloco 5. Apt 803, Copacabana and People's Education), Sven Ove Hansson, (BR-PRISM). Dick Schroth. Director. 425 - Rio de Janeiro 22041-010 (021227-8694). Secretary, Box 185. 10123 Stockholm. Carriage Way. Baton Rouge, LA 70808 4828 CANADA. Alberta Skeptics, Heidi Lloyd-Price. TAIWAN. Tim Holmes, San Chuan Road. 98 (504-766-4747). Secretary. P.O. Box 5571, Station A. Calgary, Alley, #47, Fengyuan. MASSACHUSETTS. Skeptical Inquirers of Alberta T2H 1X9. British Columbia UKRAINE Perspective, Oleg G. Bakhtiarov, New England. Conner Laurence Moss, Ho Skeptics, Lee Moller, contact, 1188 Beaufort Director, 3-B Khmdnirskogo St., 252001 Kiev. & Moss. 72 Kneeland St.. Boston 02111. Road, Vancouver V7G 1R7. Manitoba UNITED KINGDOM. SKEPTICAL MICHIGAN. Great Lakes Skeptics, Carol Skeptics. Contac John Tocws, President, INQUIRER Representative. Michael J. Lynn, contact, 1264 Bedford Rd., Grosse Box 92, St. Vital, Winnipeg, Man. R2M Hutchinson, 10 Crescent View, Loughton, Pointc Park, Ml 84230-1116. 4A5- Ontario Skeptics, Henry Gordon, Essex IG10 4PZ. The Skeptic magazine. Chairman, 343 Clark Ave West. Suite 1009, MINNESOTA. Minnesota Skeptics, Robert W. Editors. Toby Howard and Steve Donnelly. Thornhill Ontario L4J 7K5. Sceptiques du McCoy, 549 Turnpike Rd., Golden Valley, P.O. Box 475. Manchester M60 2TH. Quebec Jean Ouellette, CP 202. Succ MN 55416. St. Kloud ESP Teaching London Student Skeptics, Contact: Bill Beaubien. Montreal H2G 3C9. Investigation Committee (SKEPTIC), Jerry Harman. 21 Manville Rd.. London SW17 Menens, Coordinator, Psychology Dept., St. CZECH REPUBLIC Contact Milos Chvojka, 8JW. Manchester Skeptics, David Love, P.O. Cloud State Univ., St. Cloud, MN 56301. Inst, of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Box 475. Manchester M60 2TH. Wessex THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE PARANORMAL

Paul Kurtz, Chairman Barry Karr, Executive Director

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS

George Agogino, Dept. of Anthropology. Philip A. lanna. assoc professoro l astronomy. Erwin M. Segal, professor of psychology, Eastern New Mexico University Univ. of Virginia SUNY. Buffalo William Sims Bainbridge, professor of soci­ William Jarvis. professor of health promo- Elie A. Shneour, biochemist; director. ology, Illinois Slate University lion and public health, Ioma Linda Uni­ Biosystems Research Institute, La Jolla. Gary Bauslaugh. dean of technical and versity. School ol Public Health California academic education and professor of I. W. Kelly, professor of psychology, Steven N. Shore, associate professor and chemistry, Malaspina College. Nanaimo. University of Saskatchewan chair. Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, British Columbia, Canada Richard H. Lange. M.D. Mohawk Valley Indiana Univ. South Bend Richard E. Berendzen. astronomer, Physician Health Plan. Schenectady. N.Y. Barry Singer, psychologist. Eugene. Oregon Washington, D. C Gerald A. lame, professor of biblical history Mark Slovak, astronomer, University of Martin Bridgstock, lecturer, School of and archaeology. University ol So. Wisconsin-Madison Science, Griffith Observatory, Brisbane. California. Gordon Stein, physiologist, author; editor of Australia Bernard J. Leikind. staff scientist, GA the American Rationalist Richard Busch, magician, Pittsburgh, I'a. Technologies Inc.. San Diego Waclaw Szybalski, professor. McArdle Shawn Carlson, physicist. Berkeley. Calif. William M. London, associate professor Laboratory. University of Wisconsin- Charles J. Cazeau. geologist. Deary. Idaho of health education. Kent Stale Madison Ronald J. Crowley, professor of physics, University Ernest H. Taves, psychoanalyst. Cambridge. California State University. Fullerton Thomas R. McDonough. lecturer in engi­ Massachusetts Roger B. Culver, professor of astronomy, neering, Caltech. and SI II Coordinator Sarah G. Thomason, professor of linguistics. Colorado State Univ. of the Planetary Society University of Pittsburgh. editor of J. Dath. professor ol engineering, Ecole James E. McGaha, Major, USAF pilot Language. Royal Militaire. Brussels, Belgium Joel A. Moskowitz. director of medical psy­ Felix Ares De Bias, professor of computet chiatry, Calabasas Menial Health science, University of Basque, San Services, Los Angeles. Sebastian, Spain Robert B. Painter, professor of microbiology. CSICOP Michael R. Dennett, writer, investigator. School of Medicine. University ol California SUBCOMMITTEES Federal Way. Washington John W. Patterson, professor "f materials sci­ Sid Deutsch, Visiting Professor of electrical Astrology Subcommittee: Chairman, ence and engineering, Iowa State engineering. University of South Florida. I. W. Kelly, Dept. of Educational Tampa University Psychology. University of J. Dommanget, astronomer. Royale Steven Pinker, assistant professor ol psychol- Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Observatory. Brussels, Belgium ogy, MIT Saskatchewan 57N 0W0, Canada. Natham J. Duker, assistant professor of James Pomerantz. professor ol psychology. pathology. Temple University Rice University Electronic Communication Barbara Eisensradt educator, Clifton Park, Gary Posner, M.D.. Tampa. Fla. Subcommittee: Chairman, Page N.Y. Daisie Radner. professor ol philosophy. Stephens. 6006 Fir Ave.. Cleveland. John F. Fischer, forensic analyst. Orlando SUNY. Buffalo OH 44102. E-Mail: Jim Kutz Ha. Michael Radner, professor of philosophy, aa387 @ Cleveland.I-'reenct.cdu Frederic A. Friedel, philosopher. Hamburg. McMaster University. Hamilton, West Germany Ontario Canada Health Claims Subcommittee: Co- Robert E. Funk, anthropologist. New York Robert H. Romer. professor of physics, chairmen. William Jarvis, Professor Slate Museum & Science Service Amherst College of Health Promotion and Education. Eileen Gambrill, professor of social welfare. Milton A. Rothman. physicist, Philadelphia, School of Public Health, Loma University of California at Berkeley Pa. Linda University. I.oma Linda. CA Sylvio Garattini. director. Mario Negri Karl Sabbagh. journalist. Richmond. Surrey, 93350. and Stephen Barrett. M.D., Pharmacology Institute. Milan. Italy England P.O. Box 1747, Allentown. PA Laurie Godfrey, anthropologist. University of Robert J. Samp, assistant professor ol educa­ 18105. Massachusetts tion and medicine. University of Gerald Goldin, mathematician. Rutgers Wisconsin-Madison Parapsychology Subcommittee: University. New Jersey Steven D. Schafersman. geologist, Houston Chairman. Ray Hyman. Psychology Donald Goldsmith, astronomer; president. Bela Scheiber.' system analyst. Boulder. Dept.. Univ. of Oregon. Eugene. Interstellar Media Colo. OR 97402. Clyde F. Herreid. professor of biology. Chris Scott, statistician, London. England SI NY. Buffalo Stuart D. Scott. Jr.. associate professor of UFO Subcommittee: Chairman. Philip Terence M. Hines. professor of psychology. anthropology. SUNY. Buffalo J. Klass, 404 "N" Street S.W.. Pace University. Pleasantville, N.Y. "Member of CSICOP Executive Council Washington. D. C 20024. The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal

The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims form a responsible, scientific Skepticalpoin t Inquirerof view and disseminates factua l information about the results of such inquiries to the scientific community and the public. It also promotes science and scientific inquiry, critical thinking, science education, and the use of reason in examining important issues. To carry out these objectives the Committee:

• Maintains a network of people interested in critically examining paranormal, fringe-science, and other claims, and in contributing to consumer education • Prepares bibliographies of published materials that carefully examine such claims • Encourages research by objective and impartial inquiry in areas where it is needed • Convenes conferences and meetings • Publishes articles that examine claims of the paranormal • Does not reject claims on a priori grounds, antecedent to inquiry, but examines them objectively and carefully

The Committee is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization. The SKEPTICAL INQUIRER is its official journal.