Monday, May 23, 2011

Debunking Woo: Text of 'Thinkers' Guide Fliers to offer to patrons of the next Psychic Fair

The thinker’s guide to Aura Photography

Aura photography is based on the idea that the body emits a supernatural glow that can be captured on film, and then used to provide insights into a person’s mental or physical health and/or personality.

In 1939, a Russian electrical technician called Semyon Kirlian noticed that if he touched a high voltage power source in a darkened room, a coloured glow could be seen around his body.

He and others interpreted this as‘life energy’ and the belief gave rise to a small industry using photographic paper to capture the images.

What Kirlian was actually seeing was a natural phenomenon of ionised air which circulates around moist objects that are subjected to a high voltage/low current. Colours vary according to the amount of moisture present. Testing has shown that aura images disappear when objects are in vacuums where there is no water vapour.

The notion of auras gained popularity among some New Age devotees and some ‘psychics’ claimed to be able to read auras without any electrical equipment. Now, in the 21st century, photography allows simple computer image manipulation to be used to produce coloured ‘auras’. People who do not understand the simple science involved can be paying for an analysis based on moist air!

Perth Skeptics

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The thinker’s guide to Psychic Reading


When you consult a ‘psychic’, you may wonder how he or she appears to know things about you that you haven’t told them.

Psychics use a technique called ‘cold reading’. They may use your age, gender, dress, ethnicity, manner or speech and overall presentation to make a series of highly probable guesses.

You provide feedback each time a psychic fishes for details, which enables him or her to turn the things he/she got wrong from a ‘miss’ into a ‘hit’. This is why the psychic might ask, ‘Does that make sense to you?’ or ‘Does (for example, January) have meaning for you?’ If you respond, positively or negatively, the psychic's next move is to play off the response. For example, if you say, "I was born in January" or my mother died in January" then the psychic may say something like "Yes, I can see that." If you respond negatively, for example, "I can't think of anything particularly special about January," the psychic might reply, "There’s something painful about January; perhaps you don’t want to be reminded of it,” and then go on to the next fishing expedition.

The psychic knows you will try very hard to find meaning in the guesses they make, even when the guesses are way off target. You will then forget what they got wrong, and only remember the guesses they got correct. They may flatter you with such statements as,” Many opportunities that you have had offered to you in the past have had to be surrendered because you refuse to take advantage of others.” While that may very well be true, even if it is not, you will identify with it because it is flattering.

Another technique psychics use is to present you with statements which could apply to almost anyone, such as,’ sometimes you are outgoing, but at other times you like to be alone.’

Not all cold readings are done by malicious manipulators. Some readings are done by astrologers, graphologists, tarot readers, New Age healers, and people who genuinely believe they have paranormal powers. They are as amazed as you when they get a ‘hit’ and it reinforces their belief that their subconscious cold-reading is actually proof of their psychic ‘gift’.

Next time you visit a psychic, try not giving any feedback either by words or body language, and see how ‘accurate’ the psychic is. After all, if they have special powers, why do you need to answer their questions? They should be able to reel off your life story accurately to you without the need to go fishing.

Perth Skeptics

If it makes people happy, what’s the harm?

Holding certain beliefs may make a believer happy, or give them comfort.

But there are overwhelming reasons why any claims in the efficacy of alternative therapies or the existence of the paranormal should be examined critically.

“What’s the Harm” is a website that collects news articles about cases in which people have been ripped-off financially, told incorrect and hurtful things about missing loved ones or have died because they delayed or avoided conventional medical treatment in favour of alternative treatments.

For example, the website lists the story of Isabella Denley, a 13 month old baby in Kew Victoria, who was diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed medication to treat it. Instead of using this medication, her parents consulted an iridologist, an applied kinesiologist, a psychic and an osteopath. Isabella was being treated purely with homeopathic medicine when she died.

Many children die because their parents believe that vaccines are ineffective or have harmful side effects. Some religions discourage their members from seeing conventional doctors and using conventional medicine. Some people have spent their life savings on or gone into debt to pay for alternative treatments – money that could have been spent on more effective and scientifically tested treatments.

Conventional medicine is not perfect, of course, but the scientific consensus is that it’s the best medicine available and is constantly being improved.

Disregarding it on the basis of superstitions, anecdotes or religious belief can lead to tragedy.

http://www.whatstheharm.net

Perth Skeptics

The Thinker’s Guide to Astrology

Astrology, in its traditional form, is a type of fortune-telling based on the theory that the positions and movements of celestial bodies (stars, planets in our solar system [except Earth] Sun, and Moon) at the time of birth profoundly influence a person's life.

In its psychological form, astrology is a type of New Age therapy used for self-understanding and personality analysis.

Skeptics believe that astrology has no relevance to understanding ourselves or our place in the cosmos, and astrologers cannot explain how the positions of celestial bodies affect life on earth or our personalities.

Even so, astrology is believed by millions of people and it has survived for thousands of years. The most popular form of traditional Western astrology is sun sign astrology, the kind found in the horoscopes of many daily newspapers. The term is also used to describe a map of the zodiac at the time of one’s birth.

The position of the earth in relation to the modern signs has changed since the Zodiac was introduced. If you had been born on the same date in 11AD, years ago you would have been born under a different sign.

In fact there should be 13 signs, not 12. And then there is the recent discovery that Pluto is not actually a planet.
Astrologers emphasize the importance of the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, etc., at the time of birth. However, the birthing process isn’t instantaneous. There is no single moment that a person is born. And why are the initial conditions more important than all subsequent conditions for one’s personality and traits? Why isn’t the planet Earth—the closest large object to us in our solar system--considered a major influence on who we are and what we become? Other than the Sun and the Moon and an occasional passing comet or asteroid, most planetary objects are so distant from us that any influences they might have on anything on our planet are likely to be wiped out by the influences of other things here on Earth.

Astrology is probably the most widely practiced superstition in the world today. Nevertheless, there are many who defend astrology by pointing out how accurate professional horoscopes are. Astrology “works,” it is said, but what does that mean? To say astrology "works" does not mean that astrology is accurate in predicting human behaviour or events to a degree significantly greater than mere chance.

There are many satisfied customers who believe that their horoscope accurately describes them and that their astrologer has given them good advice. Such evidence does not prove astrology so much as it demonstrates that people will reject what doesn’t fit and only remember what confirms their beliefs about themselves, and that they will take as personal analysis, generalised statements that could apply to most people.

Perth Skeptics

The Thinker’s Guide to Palmistry


Palmistry is the practice of telling fortunes from the lines, marks, and patterns on the hands, particularly the palms.

Palmistry was practiced in many ancient cultures, such as India, China and Egypt. The first book on the subject appeared in the 15th century. It was used during the middle ages to detect witches. It was believed that certain spots on the hand indicated one had made a pact with the Devil.

According to palmistry, if you are right handed, your left hand indicates inherited personality traits and your right hand indicates your individuality and fulfilment of potential. The palmist claims to be able to read the various lines on your hand. These lines are given names like the life line, the head line, the heart line, the Saturne line. The life line supposedly indicates physical vitality, the head line intellectual capacity, the heart line emotional nature, etc.

Of course, the lines on your palms are wrinkles which were created as your hands developed in your mother’s womb. The lines reflect the structure of the hand muscles and the way in which you habitually curl your palms and fingers.

Although you can often tell a lot about a person by examining his or her hands; age, working background and wealth (rings!), there is no scientific support for the claim that the lines on the palms contain information about whether you will inherit money or find your true love.

But as with other ‘paranormal’ services, you may forget the things the palmist says that don’t fit, and only remember the things he or she tells you that you identify with. (Google ‘cold reading’)

It is hard to imagine what level of superstition would be required to believe that the way an embryo lies in a womb and the wrinkles thereby created on its hand will affect its future.

Perth Skeptics

The Thinker’s Guide to crystal power.

A crystal is a structure formed by the solidification of chemicals. It has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of atoms and molecules, and is bound by external plane faces.

Crystals are pleasing to the eye and have long been used in jewellery. But they also have some properties that make them very important to the electronics and optical industries. Today, crystals are used in just about every type of modern technology.
For centuries, crystals and other gems have been desired for their alleged magical healing and mystical paranormal powers. This belief continues today among occultists and New Age healers, even though it is based on nothing more than anecdotes, the placebo effect and wishful thinking. There is no scientific evidence that crystals are conduits of magical energies useful for healing and protection, or for telling the future.

According to the sellers of crystals, crystals channel good "energy" and ward off bad "energy." They carry "vibrations" that resonate with healing "frequencies," work with the “chakras” and help balance “yin and yang” (more ‘paranormal’ terms). Crystals, they say, affect the emotions and can be used not only for physical healing, but for emotional problems, self-expression, creativity, meditation, and the immune system.

Unfortunately none of these claims is backed by any scientific evidence.
The New Age idea that crystals can harness and direct energy seems to be based upon a misunderstanding of one of the more curious characteristics of certain crystals, namely, that they produce an electrical charge when compressed. This is known as the piezoelectric effect and was discovered in 1880 by Pierre and Jacques Curie.

Other technological developments had to occur before the piezoelectric effect could be used, however, and it was not until the 1950s that the piezoelectric effect could be put to general use in record player needles and a variety of measuring devices. Nowadays, these devices "are used in almost every conceivable application requiring accurate measurement and recording of dynamic changes in mechanical variables such as pressure, force and acceleration."

The piezoelectric effect, however, does not give crystals healing or protective power, despite the claims of those who use and sell crystals in New Age and neo-pagan occultist shops.  Wearing crystals seems to give some people a feeling of protection, and they are certainly pretty.

Perth Skeptics

The Thinker’s Guide to Tarot


The modern tarot deck has been traced back to 15th-century Italy and a trick-taking game called "triumphs" The traditional tarot deck consists of two sets of cards, one having 22 pictures (the major arcana), such as the Fool, the Devil, Temperance, the Hermit, the Sun, the Lovers, the Hanged Man, and Death. The other set (the minor arcana) has 56 cards with kings (or lords), queens (or ladies) ,knights, and knaves (pages or servants) of sticks (or wands, cudgels or batons) , swords,  cups and coins.

There are many different tarot decks used in cartomancy (fortune-telling with cards).  The meanings of the figures and numbers on tarot cards vary greatly among tarot readers and advocates, many of whom find connections between tarot and cabala, astrology, I Ching, ancient Egypt, and various other occult and mystical notions.

Tarot cards are usually read by a fortune-teller, though anyone can buy a deck with instructions on how to discover your real self and actualize your true potential. There is something compelling about shuffling the cards, putting them on the table, drawing into the unknown and having your life laid out and explained by strangers who have the “gift” of clairvoyance.

People who do cold reading may use tarot cards, or crystal balls, or other paraphernalia to enhance the appearance that they are getting messages from ‘the other side’ to you by special delivery. They may use terms you don’t understand so that their presentation is hard to follow, but it reinforces the idea that they are an authority figure with secret knowledge. It encourages a sense of ritual that encourages co-operation and discourages any doubts or protests. The card reader can then pump you for information under the cover of revealing that “the cards” indicate a number of possibilities, and ask you which one fits best. You may be distracted by the jargon:

I see we’ve got the ‘Five of Swords,’ an important card within the lesser arcanum, traditionally associated with challenge and struggle in affairs of the heart. What’s intriguing is that in the same conjunction of the spread we’ve already had ‘The Hermit,’ originally one of the lower triad cards, but now generally regarded as indicating not only solitude …but also the accomplishment of personal goals…It’s as if the cards are suggesting your personal goals are, at this time, due to take priority over romance. I don’t know if this makes sense to you…”

Tarot card reading is cold-reading with props (Google ‘cold reading’) and there is no evidence to suggest readings are the result of paranormal “gifts” or powers.

Perth Skeptics

The Thinker’s Guide to Magnetic Therapy

Your local chemist may have “magnetic insoles” for sale that might help relieve foot pain. Your neighbour wears a magnetic bracelet and swears that it has cured his arthritis. On the internet, you can buy magnetic mattress pads, dog collars and knee wraps, all for alleviation of pain. A magnetic insole only costs $18. Should you spend your money on such “alternative treatments?” The simple answer is “No.”

Magnetic therapies have been around since at least the ancient Greeks, and survived through the Middle Ages. The most common claim for such therapies is that they promote blood flow and bring your body’s “electromagnetic field” into alignment with the Earth’s magnetic field. After all, the blood has a lot of iron in it, doesn’t it? Enough people fall for such claims to help make magnetic therapy a $300 million a year industry in America.

There have been several studies of the effects of magnetic fields on the human body. The way you scientifically study such a claim is to run a “double blind” test, in which you compare two sets of test subjects, one with the magnetic product and one without. It is important that neither group knows which set they’re in, and the laboratory assistants running the test are likewise without this information. This eliminates the “placebo effect,” in which people who think something will help them can easily convince themselves that it does. Tests run as a true double blind have consistently discredited magnetic therapy claims.

One sure sign that magnetic therapies are scams are their repeated misuse of scientific terms. “Electromagnetism,” “electromotive force,” and “polarity agent effect” all sound very scientific, but in the context of the ads for such products they make no scientific sense. The fact is that the human body has an almost unmeasurably weak magnetic field. If it were otherwise, medical devices using much stronger magnetic fields, such as MRIs (magnetic resonance imagery), would play havoc with your body.

No, pulling scientific terms out of thin air does not mean your product is based on sound science.

So if you want to go around with magnets in your shoes, or magnetic bracelets on your wrists go right ahead. Just don’t expect any improvements in either your health or your bank balance.

Perth Skeptics

The Thinker’s Guide to Reiki


Reiki is one of several nonsensical methods commonly referred to as "energy healing." These methods are based on the idea that the body is surrounded or permeated by an energy field that is not measurable by ordinary scientific instrumentation, called chi or qi or ki.

According to the International Centre for Reiki Training, Reiki has helped heal people with virtually every kind of illness including cancer. The Centre claims it helps to improve the effectiveness of all other types of therapy. It states, “A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance and has many benefits for both client and practitioner, including altered states of consciousness and spiritual experiences. . . . Reiki will improve the results of all medical treatment, acting to reduce negative side effects, shorten healing time, reduce or eliminate pain, reduce stress, and help create optimism.“

No special background or credentials are needed to receive Reiki training. To become a practitioner, one must receive an "initiation" or "attunement" from a Reiki Master. Training for the lower levels typically takes 1 or 2 days and begins with an attunement. Training to become a Master is said to take years.

The most comprehensive review of Reiki research was done by Edward Ernst, M.D., Ph.D. and his colleagues at the University of Exeter. After surveying studies published through January 2008, they concluded that most were poorly designed and "the evidence is insufficient to suggest that Reiki is an effective treatment for any condition."

Reiki has no substantiated health value and lacks a scientifically plausible rationale. The power of suggestion may indeed lead to some people experiencing warm glows, but these are in the mind, and not physically manifested.

Perth Skeptics

The Thinker’s Guide to Reflexology

Reflexology, also called zone therapy, is based on the notion that each body part is represented on the hands and feet and that pressing on specific areas on the hands or feet can have therapeutic effects in other parts of the body.

Similar rationales are used employed by iridologists (who imagine that eye markings represent disease throughout the body) and auricular acupuncturists who "map" body organs on the ear.

Most reflexologists claim that their procedures can relieve stress, which is probably correct with respect to everyday stress, because the technique involves manipulation similar to massage, but there is no evidence that reflexology relieves underlying emotional problems, or that the pathways from feet to other areas of the body actually exist.

Many proponents claim that foot reflexology can cleanse the body of toxins, increase circulation, assist in weight loss, and improve the health of organs throughout the body. Others have reported success in treating earaches, anaemia, bedwetting, bronchitis, convulsions in an infant, haemorrhoids, hiccups, deafness, hair loss, emphysema, prostate trouble, heart disease, overactive thyroid gland, kidney stones, liver trouble, rectal prolapse, undescended testicles, intestinal paralysis, cataracts, and hydrocephalus (a condition in which an excess of fluid surrounding the brain can cause pressure that damages the brain). Some claim to "balance energy and enhance healing elsewhere in the body."

One practitioner has even claimed to have lengthened a leg that was an inch shorter than the other. There is no scientific support for these assertions.

One study examined the popular claim that reflexology treatment benefits bronchial asthma. Ten weeks of active or simulated (placebo) reflexology were compared in a controlled trial of 40 outpatients with asthma. Objective lung function tests (peak flow morning and evening, and weekly spirometry at the clinic) did not change. Subjective scores (describing symptoms, beta2-inhalations and quality of life) and also bronchial sensitivity to histamine improved on both regimens, but no significant differences were found between groups receiving active or placebo reflexology. The researchers concluded that they had found no evidence that reflexology has a specific effect on asthma beyond placebo influence

Claims that reflexology is effective for diagnosing or treating disease should be ignored. Such claims could lead to delay of necessary medical care or to unnecessary medical testing of people who are worried about reflexology findings.

Perth Skeptics