Articles tagged with "library"

By Robert Bartholomew and Peter Hassall > > Reviewed > > Although this was published six years ago, I think it is a classic reference book that will endure. It is available in some local libraries, including the Auckland public library. > > The previous survey, “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds” was published a long time ago now. It is a great companion reference for Lynley Hood's analysis “A City Possessed” on the Moral Panic in Christchurch surrounding the Peter Ellis case. > > I learnt several things of great interest to skeptics. For example: > > The moon hoax used pseudo-scientific terms and quoted a defunct journal. It gave a big boost in circulation to newspapers that published it. > > There was a case of anxiety hysteria in Auckland in 1973 about a smell coming from leaking drums in the Parnell wharf. Many people became ill until it was shown the substance in the drums was not poisonous. > > Medics (as in a Canadan case in 2004) can suffer from anxiety hysteria. You'd think their training might make them immune! > > Exorcism and religion can make things worse in cases of hysteria, due to excessive fear of bad spirits - as it strengthens belief in the imaginary causes of these delusions. > > Sometimes harsh conditions can trigger hysteria, and so a 'spirit' can speak out or 'cause' absenteeism from horrible institutions or work-places due to hysterical symptoms.Sometimes conditions improve as a result; whereas the victims in these institutions may not have been successful had they just protested. > > Self-mutilation can be an extreme way to gain attention, and can involve false accusations. > > False confessions are common during public moral panics. > > Sometimes, as with the Peron family case, psychiatric conditions are falsely reinterpreted as paranormal phenomena. > > Finally, skeptics have in some cases managed to help defuse panics by effectively debunking false beliefs. > > Look out for my next review, which will hopefully be on the book NOISE by Daniel Kahneman.

It was refreshing to see Jeremy Wells discussing conspiracy theorists, Paul Holmes, Jonathan Eisen, the Skeptics and wolverines, on TV2's Eating Media Lunch in November. Best line: When it comes to pointing out f*ckwittery, the Skeptics are usually on the money. For those who missed it, the Skeptics Video Library has a copy on DVD.

The year got off to a good start with a series of successful meetings run by our Auckland colleagues in conjunction with the Rationalists, and I thank those involved for their efforts. I'd also like to thank Claire le Couteur and others who, in conjunction with Philip Catton of the Canterbury Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, organised a local Darwin Day celebration at short notice. That was on February 12, and was our first participation in an international effort which should see us mark the occasion each year, culminating in 2009 with the 150th celebration of the publication of Origin of Species.

CSICOP has been trying to have available, both to its staff and to anyone else who wishes to use it, the finest library of skeptical materials on the paranormal in the world. We have been gathering material for this collection as a part of the Center for Inquiry's library, under the direction of Dr. Gordon Stein. He has been combing the used bookstores of the country for appropriate material.

A quick perusal of the shelves of your local library can show you where the purchasing priorities lie — and they're not in the science section.