- Mass Media Bunk - Discover
Article on Acupuncture
- This Mass Media Bunk article of the Skeptic's Dictionary
comments on the article "Needles
and Nerves," by Catherine Dold, appearing in the September 1998 issue of Discover
Magazine.
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- Science
and Miracles
- The Secular Web has posted an article by Theodore
M. Drange. "Using the simplified definition of a 'miracle' as an event which violates
a law of nature, Drange investigates the relation between science and miracles. He argues
that scientists, as scientists, can't believe that such events ever occur, but leaves open
whether they could consistently believe in miracles apart from their scientific work. If
they do, it would only be in virtue of having compartmentalized minds."
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- FMS Foundation
Newsletter, October Issue
- The October issue of the newsletter of the False
Memory Syndrome Foundation is now available. Items in this issue include "But
It's in the DSM-IV," "Tyroler," "Legal Corner," "Make a
Difference," "From Our Readers," and "Bulletin Board."
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- Reality Check,
September Issue
- The September issue of the newsletter of the Rationalists
of East Tennessee is now on their web site. Topics include their proposed bylaws, an
upcoming presentation by Michael Shermer, their book club, and an upcoming canoe trip.
Wait ... canoe trip?! Are skeptics allowed to have fun?
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- Letters to the Editor
- The Rationalists of East Tennessee have
added a "Letters to the Editor" section to their site. The first entry is a
letter from Massimo Pigliucci which begins, "It has been with trepidation that I
picked up this week's 'Metro Pulse' and opened it at Mike Gibson's article 'Out
there'." I think we've all felt that trepidation before, haven't we?
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- Hawaii Rational
Inquirer, September 24 Issue
- There's a new issue of Victor Stenger's Hawaii Rational Inquirer.
Articles include "US Government Anti-Science?," "Senate Bill Boosts NIH to
$15.6B - Creates Dilemma," "Criticism of Discover Article on
Quackupuncture," and "Kissing Hank's Ass."
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- Salon
Magazine Says, "Take Us to Your Professor"
- There's an article in Salon Magazine about
academic interest in UFOs. An excerpt: "Since the time of Galileo, astronomers have
pointed their telescopes at the heavens and asked, 'Are we alone in the universe?' Now,
that same question is being posed by historians, political scientists, psychologists and
sociologists who don't use telescopes but the more elusive instruments of the soft social
sciences: research, oral history, theory and, finally, conjecture."
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- Roahn Wynar Listens
to Abductees in Austin
- In this new article on Roahn H. Wynar's
Clearinghouse of Pseudoscience and Quackery in Central Texas (quick, say that five
times fast!), Roahn says, "In the first lecture, author, radio personality,
metaphysics educator and alien abductee Robert Perala filled us in on the contents of
his new book, The Divine Blueprint, available now at Barnes and Noble. If you roll
up greed, self-delusion and shamelessness in a single piece of pita bread, then you have
just constructed Perala's brain." But tell us how you really feel, Roahn!
Later in the same article, Roahn reports, "we spent a half hour at a lecture called
'The Metaphysics of Being Gay,' delivered by a sincere but wacky guy named Kurt Wagner.
Metaphysics is the systematic investigation of 'first principles' and the philosophical
examination of ultimate reality. It is a fascinating subject that is legitimately studied
by philosophers all over the world. We did not know, however, that it shed light on being
gay." Hey, any theory involving "chakras" has to be fun!
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- Proof that People Actually Read The Skeptic's Dictionary
- As if there was ever any doubt that such a useful site as the Skeptic's Dictionary is read. Two readers recently wrote
about a couple of entries. The first is Reader Comments About "E-rays",
the second is Reader Comments About
"James Van Praagh".
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- Qakatak Links
Index
- The Australian Skeptics have added
an index of topics for the Qakatak Links page. If
you have an interest in alternative medicine, this is a very good place to check.
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- Selective Thinking
- This entry on the Skeptic's Dictionary has been
revised. "Selective thinking is the term used to describe the process
whereby one selects out favorable evidence for remembrance and focus, while ignoring
unfavorable evidence for a hypothesis."
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- Day 7 in the Houston FMS Trial:
USA v Peterson et al
- The False Memory Syndrome Foundation has posted
another of their ongoing updates on the Houston trial. "Testimony by former Spring
Shadows Glen patient Mary Shanley continued on day seven of the criminal trial against
Judith Peterson, Ph.D. and four others associated with the dissociative disorders unit at
that hospital. ... While in therapy in Chicago, Shanley had come to believe that she had
been programmed by a widespread dangerous satanic cult that was involved in torture and
murder. ... Shanley expected the deprogramming to last the summer but she was in the
hospital more than two years."
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- Macrobiotics
- There's another new entry on the Skeptic's Dictionary.
"Macrobiotics is a way of life characterized by a special diet
said to optimize the balance of yin and yang." Well okay then. Also, don't
forget that the Skeptic's Dictionary and the Skeptic's Refuge recently moved. The new
addresses are http://skepdic.com/ and http://skepdic.com/refuge/sr.html
respectively.
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- Several New Skeptic's Dictionary Entries
- There are several new entries on the Skeptic's Dictionary.
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- The Why Files,
September Issue
- The latest issue of the newsletter of the Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York
is now online. Features include "Science Education," "summer picnic
highlights," "Rumors of cat eating," and "Imagination Deficient
Personality."
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- Results of $1,000
Challenge of Virginia Levy
- The Tampa Bay Skeptics tested
Titusville "psychic/prophet" Virginia Levy for their "$1,000
Challenge" on Saturday. Anyone care to guess what the results were? Well, why guess
-- just follow the link and read about it.
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- AMA
Attacks Sale of Non-Health-Related Products in Medical Offices
- Dr. Stephen Barrett has posted a major update to this QuackWatch article. "During the past few years,
many physicians have begun selling health-related multilevel products to patients in their
offices. The companies most involved appear to be Amway, Body Wise, Nu Skin (Interior
Design), and Rexall. Doctors are typically recruited with promises that the extra income
will replace income lost to managed care."
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- Magnetize
Your Beverages?
- Dr. Stephen Barrett has posted a new QuackWatch
article. "Explorations, of Broomfield, Colorado, markets a large collection of books,
videotapes, devices, and other items related to self-help and spirituality. Its products
include a magnetic mug, a 'Q-Ray Bracelet' alleged to 'balance the body's electromagnetic
circuits,' and magnets claimed to provide pain relief in many parts of the body. The
magnetic mug, which costs $45, is said to 'magnetize beverages for better
hydration.'" It never stops, does it? Included is a photo of the mug and the
company's description of how it is supposed to work - followed by Dr. Barrett's detailing
of the numerous flaws in the claim.
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- Recent Issues of Hawaii Rational Inquirer
- Victor Stenger's Hawaii
Rational Inquirer is an e-mail newsletter that gets distributed every couple of
weeks. Topics in the September 3
issue include Update on Emily's Experiment, Medical Schools Adding Courses in
Quack Medicine, Physicists Fall for it Too, and The (Political) Science of Salt.
Topics in the September 18 issue
include Hawaii New Center of Energy Medicine?, Medical Community Taking Action Against
Quackery, and Martin Gardner Speaks Out Against Fuzzy Math.
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- If
you're out there, ET, log on
- The Australian Skeptics have posted
a new Media Watch
article by Paul Davies that appeared in the Sept. 14 edition of The Adelaide
Advertiser. "Now a Canadian scientist, Allen Tough, has come up with a novel
idea. Rather than mess about with large bits of expensive equipment, why not simply invite
ET to log on to the Internet?" Uh... okay.
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- More on Myss
- The False Memory Syndrome Foundation has
additional information about Caroline Myss. "This summer we received a brochure
advertising a seminar taught by one Caroline Myss, Ph.D., self-described as 'a pioneer in
the field of energy medicine and human consciousness.' We learn that 'she holds a
doctorate in intuition and energy medicine from Greenwich University in Hilo, Hawaii --
the country's first such degree.'"
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- Caroline Myss on Oprah
- The Council for Media Integrity at CSICOP reports, "Yesterday, Oprah Winfrey did it
again. She devoted an entire program to a guest touting paranormal abilities without
providing scientific, critical balance. Medical intuitive Caroline Myss appeared claiming
to diagnose audience members using only her 'visionary powers.' Like James Van Praagh and
other guests in the past, Winfrey promoted Myss' books and seminars."
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- Call for Papers at The
Puck Project
- The Montana Rationalists and Skeptics
Network "is looking for experts in various paranormal disciplines to prepare
papers for inclusion in The Puck Project Web Site. The purpose of The Puck Project is to
make freely and publicly available the true methods paranormal practitioners use to dupe
their clients or the public."
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- SI Electronic Digest,
September 17 Edition
- CSICOP has released a new edition of the SI
Electronic Digest, their biweekly e-mail news update. Features in this issue include
"Skeptics Eagerly Await ABC News John Stossel Special The Power of Belief,"
"Highlights of CSICOP Print Coverage From Summer 1998," "New England
Journal of Medicine Focuses on Alternative Medicine," "Latest Gulf War Syndrome
Findings Describe Symptoms in Non-Veterans."
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- Updates in the Houston FMS Trial: USA v
Peterson et al
- If you have an interest in False Memory Syndrome, but haven't been checking FMSF Online, you should. It contains very frequent
updates, at least one following each day of the trial. This is "the first criminal
trial involving charges against therapists in connection with 'false' or 'recovered'
memories.... Among other things, the prosecution intends to establish that the defendants
applied techniques associated with mind control or 'brainwashing' to induce patients to
believe that they had been ritually abused, sexually and otherwise, in satanic
cults." One recent development of interest to many is the naming of Dr. Bennett Braun
as an unindicted co-conspirator. Dr. Braun "served as Medical Director of the
Dissociative Disorders Program at Rush North Shore Medical Center, Rush-Presbyterian-St.
Luke's Medical Center, Skokie, Illinois. Dr. Braun and Rush-Presbyterian settled a lawsuit
brought by Patricia Burgus for $10.6 million last year. Most recently, the Illinois
License Board has brought action to remove Braun's license."
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- "Miracle Thaw" -
The Bogus Miracle
- Larry Canonica reports, "After quite a few weeks off Kil has completed a new report
at the Skeptic Friends Network. We are also
happy to report that our e mail finally works!"
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- Skeptikùv
slovnk ve slovenštin
- For those of you who prefer getting your skepticism in Slovak, Vladimir Luknar has
created Slovak translations of selected entries from the Skeptic's
Dictionary.
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- The
Anthropic Principle
- Here's something different from Roahn H.
Wynar's Clearinghouse of Central Texas Pseudoscience and Quackery. "On Sept. 10
in the Texas Union, Robert C. Koons of the UT Department of Philosophy gave a talk to the
Faith and Reason Society. His subject was a scientific proof of the existence of God via
an argument called the 'anthropic principle.' Because of Koons, we find ourselves in the
strange position of recommending that a group of dangerous crackpots, the so-called 'young
earth' creationists, assimilate themselves with an equally outrageous but far less
dangerous group of crackpots, henceforth to be called the 'Anthropics.'"
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- The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of: How
Science Fiction Conquered the World
- There's a new entry over on the Skeptic
Bibliography. This book is "a critical history of science fiction and how science
fiction ideas have infultrated the culture."
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- The New
New Math
- Lastly, here's another item that is only tangentially related to skepticism. Martin
Gardner has an article in the September 24 edition of The New York Review of Books.
"Recently, the NCTM, having learned little from its New Math fiasco, has once more
been backing another reform movement that goes by such names as the new new math, whole
math, fuzzy math, standards math, and rain forest math. Like the old New Math, it is
creating a ferment among teachers and parents, especially in California, where it first
caught on. It is estimated that about half of all pre-college mathematics in the United
States is now being taught by teachers trained in fuzzy math." It is a lengthy and
very alarming article. If you have an interest in the quality of education (who doesn't?),
you should certainly read this.
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- SETI@home
- This is very cool! It's only tangentially related to skepticism, but it's close enough!
"SETI@home is a grand experiment that will harness the spare power of hundreds of
thousands of Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence
(SETI). With SETI@home, computer users from around the world will participate in a major
scientific experiment. Each participant will have the slight but captivating possibility
that his or her computer will detect the faint murmur of a civilization beyond Earth. ...
The SETI@home program is a special kind of screensaver. Like other screensavers it starts
up when you leave your computer unattended, and it shuts down as soon as you return to
work. What it does in the interim is unique. While you are getting coffee, or having lunch
or sleeping, your computer will be helping the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence
by analyzing data specially captured by the world's largest radio telescope." In
short, when the software becomes available next spring, they hope to have 100,000 people
running the software on their PCs to analyze the radio signals they receive in an attempt
to detects signs of intelligent life. Slick idea! Tired of fuzzy photos of UFOs that turn
out to be Venus? This sounds much better!
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- The Skeptical Believer
- John Shirley updated his column not long ago on The Devil's Advocate. "First," he
says, "let me tell you about My Three UFOs." Very good stuff! He also talks
about examining some video for Phil Klass. Some people live such interesting lives!
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- Has Science Found God?
- Here's an interesting project underway over on Victor J. Stenger's home page.
"This is a new project just underway in which I will be writing about the latest
'dialogues' between science and religion." Included are "works in progress"
of some articles that he is writing, including one for Free Inquiry and two
reviews for the Secular Web. He also has started an e-mail list, avoid-l, for discussion
of the topic.
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- Response to TNT's KGB UFO
Files
- Another item from CSICOP. "James Oberg, CSICOP
fellow, science writer, space consultant for ABC News and former NASA engineer
provides his commentary on last night's TNT special Secret KGB UFO Files."
Also include is an article by Oberg on Soviet UFO investigations from the April 1994 issue
of OMNI magazine.
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- SI Electronic Digest,
September 10 Edition
- CSICOP has released a new edition of the SI
Electronic Digest, their biweekly e-mail news update. Features in this issue include
"CSICOP Announces Research Scholarship," "Council for Media Integrity
Webpage Launched," "TNT to Air New UFO Special," "CSICOP Goes to Yale
in Effort to Heat Up Campuses with Skepticism," "NY Times Science Examines False
Memory Debate in Child Abuse Cases," False Memory Syndrome Foundation Press
Release," "OPINION: Faith or Deception in the Audrey Santos Miracle Case,"
and "Tampa Bay Skeptics to Test Psychic."
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- My
Visit to a "Straight" Chiropractor
- There's been a major update to this article on the Quackwatch
site. Be sure to follow the link at the end of the article to the chiropractic response.
Rejection of the germ theory of disease, anyone?
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- Abduction Watch,
August 1998 Issue
- Another new item from Magonia. Features in
this issue include "Gulls & Gullibility - The Problem with Remote Viewing,"
"Alison's Balloon Update - the GMC Responds," and "The Secrets that You
Keep (and the Ones You Don't!) - UFOs & Government."
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- ETH Bulletin,
August 1998 Issue
- There are a couple of new items from Magonia.
The first is the new ETH Bulletin. Features in this issue include "Multiple
Witnesses and Unexplained Sightings," and "Spy Balloons." (For those who
are unfamiliar with the term, "ETH" stands for the "Extra-Terrestrial
Hypothesis" - in short, that UFOs are flying saucers.)
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- The House on
Gintilly
- Keith Lankford sent me this item. "Doubting Thomas, the Sagan Society's
newsletter of weird stuff, has a 'Weird Mystery Story' called 'The House on Gintilly.'
Read the story (which really happened!) and offer your response to it (to be published in
next issue). Also, the main page has an updated list of upcoming Sagan Society meetings,
as well as new Skeptical and Not-So-Skeptical Books of the Month." Thanks very much
for the report, Keith! For those interested in responding, the deadline is September 30. I
think I already have a response to Keith's story; in fact, I ran an item summarizing my
response about 6 weeks ago right here in the Skeptic News! How's that for a
coinkidink?
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- TNT to air The Secret
KGB UFO Files
- CSICOP reports, "Brace yourselves
skeptics....TNT, infamous for its UFO specials, is about to air another: The Secret
KGB UFO Files."
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- 'Giant
Bubbles' Caused Disasters
- The Australian Skeptics found this article in
the September 9 edition of The Adelaide Advertiser. "Geologist Dr Ben
Clennell told a conference that the phenomenon where planes, ships and people have
vanished [in the Bermuda Triangle] was caused by giant gas bubbles."
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- Famous
Bigfoot Film 'May Be Fake'
- The Australian Skeptics found this article in
the September 7 edition of The Adelaide Advertiser. "This is one of the most
famous pieces of amateur film in the world purporting to show Bigfoot - a mysterious
ape-like creature - in the Californian wilderness. But the film could be a hoax."
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- 1998
Australian Convention Update
- More information about the 1998 Australian
Skeptics Convention, to be held on October 31 - November 1 in Canberra, is now
available.
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- In the Bunker
of Truth with the Debunkers
- This is a newspaper article about the Australian
Skeptics that appeared in the June 4, 1998 edition of Melbourne's The Age.
"You can believe whatever you want. We believe proof, say the Australian
Skeptics." Good line! I think I'll steal it!
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- That the Skeptics
Should Not Tackle Religion
- This is the first of five items from the Australian
Skeptics. It originally appeared in the Spring 1990 issue of their newsletter and is
being posted now in response to a series of e-mail questions relating to religion and
scepticism. "At the Australian Skeptics National Convention in June 1990, a debate
was conducted on the proposition 'That Australian Skeptics Should Tackle Religion'. The
proposition was put by Robert Macklin, and this is the text of Barry Williams'
reply."
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- Starr Report Released, Skeptic News Cursed
- When I was trying to update the Skeptic News this morning, the Internet was running as
slow as molasses and the web hosting site absolutely would not accept the updates. Was it
somehow caused by the huge numbers of people attempting to read about the Starr report? (I
read that CNN was getting over 320,000 hits per minute this afternoon.) Or does it have
anything to do with me chasing my black cat under a ladder, knocking a horseshoe off of
the wall, and breaking a mirror? No matter. Here are today's updates!
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- Particularly
Stupid Web Sites
- And one more new item on the Skeptical Skoundrels
site. "A new addition to our site. This is where The Skeptical Skoundrels bring to
you particular pages of paranormal and tell you what is wrong with them. Doubting Dave is
first out of the blocks and following the link will take you to his offering."
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- Page
O' Praise
- Here's another new item on the Skeptical Skoundrels
site. "The praise for our website has been rolling in. Well, sort of. We do get the
odd e-mail. Usually when someone trying to send skeptical gossip to the Skeptical Inquirer
stuffs up. But occasionally,the odd soul does decided to write and tell us what they think
about us, our page and whatever else they fancy. In the interests of fairness, you can
find critical comments concerning The Skeptical Skoundrels on our Page O' Praise. We also
get our say in as well."
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- Is
Art Bell Afraid of the Skeptical Skoundrels?
- This is the first of three new items on the Skeptical Skoundrels
site. Their answer: "Yes. Big Radio Guy Art Bell is afraid of the Skeptical
Skoundrels. Well..sort of. Actually, we are not even sure he has heard us. But if he has,
you betcha he would be scared. Well, not scared, maybe worried a bit. If not worried, then
mildly concerned. Whatever, point and click and read all about this scandulous tale."
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