NZ Skeptics

The New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (Inc.) seeks nominations for its annual journalism/media awards for 1987-1988. Awards will be presented at the annual meeting of the Committee, held this year at the University of Auckland, August 20-21.

For most individuals the result of a consultation with a psychic is a good laugh. But some get hurt.

President Reagan has made executive decisions, including the scheduling of a missile treaty signing, based on advice his wife received from an astrologer, according to sources close to the Reagans.

We recently received through the kindness of skeptic Malcolm McCleary information on the thought of Barry Long. It comes from the "Barry Long Centre (NZ)" in Auckland. Mr. Long is an Australian who left his career in journalism and PR "when he started to question the purpose of his life. He was made aware that the truth or spirit was entering him and directing his life."

The Treasurer reminds readers that members' subscriptions to NZCSICOP for 1988 are now due. If you receive a renewal notice, please don't put it where it might be forgotten, but deal with it promptly. Your subscriptions are NZCSICOP's blood.

SEELISBERG, Switzerland (Reuter). — Followers of Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi have staged what they called Europe's first European yogic flying" competition, describing it as a demonstration of their leader's programme to end violence on earth.

The Evening Post, 28 December 1987

An 80-minute cassette of excerpts from Hugh Young's "World of Science" radio series—ESP?, Astrology*, Creationism, Phrenology, and how to recognise pseudoscience.

Do you have any small quotations or one-liners (even two-liners) that you think other members might appreciate—send them to the editor.

The Evening Post, 31 August 1987

Our NZCSICOP archivist, Phil Bradley, continues to build our Archive. Phil needs from members cuttings appropriate for the collection.. Please keep your scissors handy and send Phil reports of paranormal claims which appear in your newspaper. We depend on our members for this. His address is:

Rhodes, which gave the classical Greek world one of its seven wonders, also gave it Cleobulus, one of the seven wise men. The recent search for the lost 100-foot bronze Colossus, prompted by the visions of an Australian clairvoyante, revealed nothing except, perhaps, that there is little wisdom left on the island.

The New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (inc.)

A front page report of a self-proclaimed psychic's prediction that Louisa Damodran's body would be found "on a beach" has earned the "New Zealand Truth" an award for gullibility from the country's Skeptics.

On Sunday, 24 May, there was broadcast on the Commercial programmes a debate on Evolution-Creationism. The host was George Balani and our member, Gordon Hewitt, spoke for evolution and Dr Arthur Wilder-Smith defended creationism. This debate provided the perfect example of creationist technique in action. How do creationists do it?

You know those little white areas you don't see at the bottom of newspaper columns, it would be nice if we could avoid them here too. Were it not for this message you would be looking at a blank (possibly shaded) space. In order that this catastrophe be avoided in future issues we make the following appeals:

The New Zealand Skeptics are offering $10,000 for a paranormal person.

A fire that recently burned a marquee at a Christian camp "inexplicably" died because of the plastic roof — not a miracle of God.

A flying competition with a difference will be held in Auckland at the weekend.

The New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (Inc.) seeks nominations for its annual journalism/media awards for 1986-1987. Awards will be presented at the annual meeting of the Committee, held this year at Victoria University in Wellington, August 29-30.

Ruben Romany is an artist and to support his artwork he also practises astrology and palmistry. Presently visiting Dunedin from Christchurch to practise his craft, Ruben is quick to admit that he is one of the ''biggest sceptics out"'.

It's thumbs up for Sunday News in a long running battle with self proclaimed psychic Colin Amery.

SIR, M L Lester (Post, Sept 26) says "The New Zealand Skeptics Society has repeatedly claimed that there is a widespread (nationwide) problem here in New Zealand with fake psychics, mediums, charlatans, magicians and so on".

The Evening Post, Thursday, October 2, 1986

Since 1981, recipients of MacArthur Foundation grants, the "genius awards" that permit five years of financial freedom. have included poets and composers, scientists and even a mime. Bula prestidigitator? Last week James Randi, a.k.a. "the Amazing Randi." whose sleight of hand has exposed psychic gimmicks. hoaxes and claims of the paranormal. was among this year's 25 winners, picking up $272,000 for his crusade to protect sick people from unscrupulous faith healers. The award came as a total surprise. "You can bang your head against the wall, call Sophia Loren or take it soberly." he notes. "It takes about 48 hours to settle in. All the time I was saying, 'I really won?' Now that the question has been answered, Randi, 57. is wasting no time in putting the money to work, expanding his office, hiring a full-time researcher, and planning for a college scholarship so that more debunkers can be set to work. The Great Doubter has become a true believer in his benefactors: "They reached very far out, perhaps dangerously so, in giving it to a magician instead of some academic. I feel a great responsibility to the foundation."

The first Wellington psychic Mary Fry knew of her terminated contract with Radio New Zealand was when a friend rang up and said her husband had seen it in the newspaper.

An Auckland astrologer who predicted the space shuttle accident says the American space shuttle accident says the American space programme will face further disasters this year.

Any medium who demonstrates communication with spirits under controlled conditions will be able to collect $232,000, Dr David Marks, the chairman of New Zealand Skeptics said yesterday.

A group called New Zealand Skeptics has called on newspapers and magazines in New Zealand to carry a disclaimer with their astrology columns.

Former Star news editor Josh Easby has collected . an award for journalistic excellence for his "psychic duel" with an Auckland clairvoyant.

We are interested in monitoring the activities of Mr Emond Harold, who is currently touring New Zealand. He energises crystals with thoughts of love, and helps alleviate the effects of repetitive strain injury and leukaemia, while turning a bob or two for himself. Though he knows lots about people heating their homes (with volcanoes) in Atlantis, we doubt if he has read the medicines act of 1981. Please send any news or cuttings regarding Mr Harold to Bernard Howard, P.O. Box 13, Lincoln College, Canterbury.

12 - 2 p.m., Press Conference, - Committee Members and guests

Police are dumbfounded at an extraordinary claim by internationally famed medium Doris Stokes that she pointed them to the grave of a New Zealand murder victim.

Claims by an Auckland Physician, Dr Matthew Tizard, of having diagnosed cases of herbicide Poisoning have been rejected by a task force set up by the Director-General of Health.

A Christchurch doctor, Dr Robert Blackmore, who uses the same diagnostic method for alleged chemical poisoning as Dr Tizard, would like the method to be scientifically validated.

The Health Department was planning a study of pesticides and other Chemicals which New Zealanders might be consuming In food and water, said the acting departmental press officer, Mr John Boyd, yesterday.

A great gift for relatives and friends (Gifts to your local library are tax deductible.)

12 - 2 p.m., - Press Conference, - Committee Members and guests

Is there any manner in which you would be able to assist the Committee in furthering the aims of NZCSICOP? (e.g. providing expert opinion, public presentation, fund-raising, media contacts, newsletter contributions, etc.)?

To investigate scientifically and with an open mind, claims and events of an apparently paranormal nature. 2. To report the results of these investigations and where possible, to provide rational, scientific explanations. 3. To provide reliable information about paranormal claims. 4. To encourage a more critical attitude to pseudoscience and to bogus paranormal claims, and to alert people to the dangers of uncritical acceptance. 5. To increase public awareness of the difference between legitimate science and pseudoscience. 6. To investigate the psychological, social, and ideological factors behind belief in the paranormal.

Readers are invited to submit nominations for the following awards.

Carison, S. A double-blind test of the astrology hypothesis. Nature, December 5, 1985, 318, 419-425. Two double-blind tests were made of the thesis that astrological 'natal charts' can be used to describe accurately personality traits of test subjects. Despite using highly regarded astrologers, despite incorporating their suggestions into the design, and despite the fact that they approved the design, astrology failed to perform at a level better than chance. The astrological hypothesis was clearly refuted.