Dubious Help, Dubious Education, Dubious Cures, Is No Silly Idea Sacred?, New Website, The Angel/Horse Communicators, Super Silly, COS Designated as Criminal, Mysteries of the Soul, and In Closing…
Reader Nate Caraor writes:
I thought you might be interested in learning about the Penn State Paranormal Research Society (PRS), a student organization to be found at www.pennstateprs.com. I was unaware of this group until I learned that a TV show called “PARANORMAL STATE” will soon be airing on A&E, centered around them and their highly promoted leader Ryan Buell. The PRS lists among its services:
Table of Contents |
DUBIOUS HELPReader Nate Caraor writes: I thought you might be interested in learning about the Penn State Paranormal Research Society (PRS), a student organization to be found at www.pennstateprs.com. I was unaware of this group until I learned that a TV show called “PARANORMAL STATE” will soon be airing on A&E, centered around them and their highly promoted leader Ryan Buell. The PRS lists among its services:
The club clearly believes in the existence of these things and unfortunately portrays a public service image, which is an effective method to give legitimacy to their actions. Our campus newspaper has covered them extensively, and all of it in a positive light. Nate, it’s no surprise that a TV network is launching yet another series supporting woo-woo. It’s just rather disappointing that A&E – a widely-watched venue – has once more suspended any attempt at discriminating between fiction and fact. It’s clear that they will accept any amateur nonsense for broadcast, and that the good name and reputation of Penn State is being brought in to lend unintended authority to the project… |
DUBIOUS EDUCATIONAn anonymous SWIFT reader, describing himself as an “employee of a Fortune 100 corporation, dealing in a high technology field, as well as a member of a professional union,” writes: The union and the company have established a “partnership” to provide educational and career opportunities to the union members. This normally consists of professional seminars, opportunities to attend trade organization gatherings, and the like.
and
The first one may be innocuous enough, although getting work advice from someone who has never held anything resembling a normal job, seems a bit odd. The second really set off my woo-woo meter – unfortunately just about anything mentioning ”quantum physics“ these days is guaranteed to be nonsense. I’ve not researched Dr. Lipton in any depth, but a quick Google indicates he’s into all sorts of flummery. I may actually log into the course just to see how ridiculous this really is. Obviously, an unfortunate and naïve choice by a union employee who knows more about what books are best-sellers than what their content conveys in the way of truth and/or useful information… |
DUBIOUS CURESReader Dr. Terry Polevoy, MD, of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, writes: The State of New Hampshire’s motto is “Live Free or Die.” My guess is that if you have a terminal illness in some hospitals in that State, you would be happier dying than in other neighboring States because of the wonderful selection of alternative methods in use there. Dr. Polevoy sends us to tinyurl.com/3b6mv5, where we see the 2,400-word article by Kane to which he refers. It begins: The power of mind over biology is a mystery that science has just begun to understand, but healers from the Eastern world did not wait for science to break the mind-body code. Elaborate systems of curing and preventing disease have been developed by trial and error, and applied by faith in an invisible energy called “qi.” The text that followed in the article freely invoked “quantum principles,” and “string theory,” to inject a scientific flavor, then droned on about the benefits of acupuncture, aromatherapy, chi, chiropractic, energy fields, guided imagery, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, moxibustion, odic force, orgone, polarity, prana, prayer shawls, reiki, and Therapeutic Touch, while carefully warning against the use of tarot cards, stones, magnets, and crystals, which were designated as undependable. Duh… Ms. Kane’s article explained, in one of the more naïve assertions found there:
True, Amy, but more fundamental to the discussion is the fact that acupuncture has not been shown to work at all, as a therapy, or within any framework, but only as a palliative measure that does not rid the body of bacteria, viruses, threatening growths, or tissue damage – where by far most of the illnesses reside that afflict us… (The cruise ship Celebrity Infinity, aboard which I and 90+ JREF are enjoying the sights of Alaska as I prepare this SWIFT entry, constantly promotes via newsletters and on their closed-circuit TV channel, an acupuncture clinic service, advertised as An opportunity to recover balance/harmony between the physical, emotional and spiritual you. You’ll leave behind anxiety and stress while surrendering to a healing and rejuvenating state of relaxation. Umm, I certainly would experience a very heightened state of anxiety and stress if the resident quack-in-charge were to stick magic needles into my body. What an insult to my common sense. Otherwise, the crew and personnel of this fine ship appear to be reasonably sober and smart…) |
IS NO SILLY IDEA SACRED?Apparently not. As we know, the new international anti-terrorist flying restrictions now dictate that no bottles containing more than 100 ml. of liquid are allowed on board flights unless checked in baggage. While the passengers on board the Vatican’s new air service, on its first flight to the shrine at Lourdes, may have been devout pilgrims in search of spiritual healing and consolation, they found that they still had to obey the rules, after several of them had their holy water confiscated by airport security when they returned. The Boeing 737 – appropriately painted in yellow-and-white papal colors – took off last week carrying 148 pilgrims reclining on headrests decorated with the message, “I search for your face, oh Lord,” and had an event-free trip to Lourdes, but when it commenced its return trip to Rome’s Fiumicino airport, the anti-terror rules were strictly applied by the French police, who forced passengers to give up the holy water they had just collected at the shrine. Many had hoped to carry the water back to sick relatives. Dozens of plastic containers – in the shape of a Madonna figure – were left at the security station, but one man decided to quickly drink all of his. Some shocked passengers asked the police how they could be callous enough to throw away the miraculous water, which is so valued that one French website – lourdes-water.org – gets £64 [US$128] for one liter. The interesting history behind all this pious fuss, is that the water from the spring was never “officially” designated as having any healing powers. Local business opportunists came up with that gimmick, despite the fact that the H2O contains some interesting and terrible waste products from the bodies of the faithful who bathe in it. Any miracle that might be attributed to the water, would lie in the fact that major epidemics have not resulted from the distribution of the product around the world… |
NEW WEBSITEDedicated to undoing decades of misinformation and stupidity about archaeology, the website to be found at BadArchaeology.net was built by two ordinary archaeologists – Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews and James Doeser – using a potent combination of humor, wit, and scientific rigor. The regularly-updated website joins ranks with the likes of badscience.net, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the war on error, casting light on a past which others seek to shroud in mystery. Subjects as diverse as evolution, Atlantis and “ley lines” are given the critical eye treatment, in an attempt to educate and amuse. According to their press release: Superstition, ignorance and blatant falsehood have gone unchallenged in the popular media. People continue to make small fortunes by peddling unsupported claims about a non-existent human past. Badarchaeology.net says, “Enough!” For further information, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. |
THE ANGEL/HORSE COMMUNICATORSReferring to the recent fuss about talking to angels and horses in Norway, a reader comments I just have some thoughts on the case with the angel-sighting Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. OK, she is not among the brightest people in this country, and she has probably had a bad influence by her mother-in-law, who is a fully fledged woo-woo “rosen-therapist.” No less. You probably know of the so-called Rosen method. Just another kind of alternative nonsense, based on DIY dilettante philosophy bullshit, I guess. |
SUPER SILLYSome things are just simply silly. No other adjective can appropriately describe the procedure carried out last Sunday by state-run Nepal Airlines in front of one of their aircraft, a Boeing 757, when it developed mechanical problems. An airlines spokesman has confirmed that they sacrificed two goats to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu god of sky protection, the animals being slaughtered in front of the plane at Kathmandu airport. As proof of the validity of the action, senior airline official Raju KC said that after Sunday’s ceremony, the plane successfully completed a flight to Hong Kong. Surely the evidence speaks… Remind me not to fly Nepal Airlines… |
COS DESIGNATED AS CRIMINALReader Amy Differ, of Elk Grove, California, reports that, concluding a 10-year investigation, a Belgian prosecutor has recommended that the U.S.-based Church of Scientology (COS) should stand trial for fraud and extortion, and that the group should be labeled a “criminal organization.” Says Amy: What gets me is that according to this article:
Criticized – when they should be praised for protecting vulnerable people from being manipulated, extorted and intimidated. If only our government would draw the same line and recognize the difference between religious freedom and freedom to commit scams under the cover of religious trappings. Oh, but at least they do protect our tax dollars, since the US has prosecuted the Church of Scientology for tax evasion. |
MYSTERIES OF THE SOULReader “Jordan” writes: I’m a freelance sound man and this past week I filled in for a few days on a PBS documentary about “Mysteries of the Soul.” In the past few months I have enjoyed reading your website and commentaries, and finding videos of you on YouTube. I’ve spread the absurdities of Sylvia Browne and the like to my friends, who now share the hilarious and tragic videos of her failing on Montel Williams with others. Jordan, I applaud your analysis of this experience. When the show is broadcast, I hope you’ll provide us with an account of just what was edited out of the raw material. That would be a very significant way to demonstrate how creative manipulation of data can slope the meaning and impact of the end product. |
IN CLOSINGIn the past week we’ve enjoyed the company of some 90+ cruise companions who heard talks by Richard Saunders – who came all the way from Australia – Phil Plait, Rebecca Watson, and myself. Our Amazing Adventure Alaska Cruise has been a great success, and we thank all those who promoted and organized it. Getting this SWIFT to you wasn’t easy, but somehow we managed, in spite of being out of touch with computer and/or phone facilities while at sea. Now we’re looking forward to our upcoming Galapagos tour…! |