An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and
Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural
exposed by James Randi
(New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995)
Randi gives us a fairly brief, 284 pages, compilation of the paranormal. Articles are arranged alphabetically, and relatively short, most topics are covered in less than a page. He has added a short bibliography, and a reasonably detailed index. Randi also gives us an appendix on the Curse of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen's tomb. Most of the personnel concerned lived long healthy lives. A list of 49 End of the World Prophecies is also appended, all of which have failed.
From this book we can learn about the real Dr. Johannes Faust, who was a wandering magician in the sixteenth century. He was not a character invented by Marlowe or Goethe, or a myth created by Berlioz, Gounod, or Schubert. We can read about the I Ching or book of changes, which was written sometime between 2933 BC or 1882 AD, and is a great source of fortune telling method. We can learn to understand the ideomotor effect which is operating in dowsing, table tipping, pendulum divination, and on the Ouija Board, because the human hand will make involuntary movements when held compulsively still. Randi has an astonishing explanation for Swift's prediction of the two moons of Mars. He reports the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1540-1601) had suggested Mars must have two moons based on astronomical principles as then understood. Randi gives us the circuitry of the Scientologists e-meter, (p. 89), and yes, there really is a mandrake plant, Mandragora officinarum, with a root shaped a little like a small human person, (p. 150).
Something else we get in this encyclopedia are typical Randiisms. "A silly concept cannot be made sillier by expanding it; the quality of silliness is totally saturating and all-encompassing." (p. 95). On Hal Lindsey, "His theories are based on ponderous arithmetical calculations that entertain numerous hilarious excuses for failure along the way." (p. 144). On Maharaj Ji, "The god business is often not as enthusiastically supported as the god might wish." (p. 148). On the ability of garlic to ward off witches, demons, and vampires, "It is absolutely effective for those purposes and is also known to impart a delicious flavor to certain foods." (p. 103).
On the subject of quacks Randi quotes Benjamin Franklin to the effect "there are no greater liars in the world than quacks -- except for their patients" (p. 196), but then continues in a serious vein. "Political and legal considerations have prevented open discussion or even the questioning of procedures that are clearly without merit. The highly litigious nature of American society has effectively provided the quacks with protection, and the public suffers because it cannot afford to defend itself, and politicians fear censure." (p. 197).
Browsing in this book is enjoyable. It is a great reference and should be on the shelves of every public or school library, as well as in every newspaper office.
A Force Upon the Plain:
The American Militia Movement and the Politics of Hate
by Kenneth S. Stern
(New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996)
The members of militias claim to be the super patriots, the only true Americans prepared to defend our country against a treasonous government planning to turn the country over to the United Nations who will install The One World government and give the country to the Mud People. The militias have inherited the past roles of the vitriolic anti-Communists, the John Birch Society, the Ku Klux Klans, the neo-Nazis, the Posse Comitatus, and similar extremist and racist groups. The militia culture has spawned The Order, which in the early eighties acquired millions by robbing armored cars and murdered talk show host Alan Berg because he was Jewish. The militia ideas also spawned Timothy McVeigh, who blew up the Federal Office Building in Oklahoma City.
Kenneth Stern is chief researcher on hate groups for the American Jewish Committee and thus well placed and professionally concerned with the topic. In clear detail he lays out for us the history and present activities of the militias. He examines their antecedents, their ideas and structures, and speculates as to where it may lead us. He considers a civil war between eastern and western states not beyond the realm of possibility, (p 219).
Four issues draw average citizens into the net to listen to militia speakers. Many fear the Brady Bill is the thin edge of the wedge to take away their guns. Intensifying strictures on use of the environment and public lands is seen as federal interference with local ways of life. Fundamentalist religious ideas which see America and its Constitution as God given, and the abortion issue draw others into the net. The disaster at Waco and the shooting at Ruby Ridge have persuaded some that perhaps the government really is after them. Underneath are strong racist and anti-Jewish attitudes, explaining the Federal Government has been taken over by "international bankers", "the illegal Federal Reserve", "the Trilateral Commission", or simply eastern elites. The militia culture is, however, by no means confined to the western regions, armed hate groups exist in all states. There is a small town and rural emphasis, urban dwellers are less likely to be concerned with gun ownership and use of natural resources.
There is no center or hierarchy to the militia movement, each group tends to be very local. Rather, communication is rapid, with the internet serving as a venue for exchanging ideas, rumors, warnings, and how to make explosives. Talk shows, especially on short wave broadcast, contribute heavily to disseminate paranoia. Stern documents a sizeable mainstream support for militia ideas, continuing even after Oklahoma City. A number of right wing Congressmen, and a large number of local elected officials either support the militia, or at least play to their ideology in the hope of garnering votes.
The United States has survived far worse episodes of racist extremism in the political process. But, any time politicians cozy up to irrational ideologies of rancor, especially when these are promoted by armed hatemongers, there is peril in the country.
Short Book Note:
A complete reference on Darwin and evolution:
PARIS, January 1996 (AFP) - A great "Dictionary of Darwinism and of Evolution"... ... This titanesque result, with no antecedent in the matter, has taken ten years work for 150 international specialists in the biological sciences and human studies, under the direction of Patrick Tort. While striving to restore in its entirety the logic of evolution, its original concepts and modern versions, this encyclopedic dictionary initiates a historical investigation of all national Darwinisms."
Among the Editor's unusually straightforward statements:
This historical and critical synthesis of Darwinism and evolutionary theory has been compiled in order to combat the endless distortions of Darwin's ideas. Henceforth, it is demonstrated that:
- Darwin is not the father of modern anti-egalitarian theories,
- Darwin is the founder neither of negative eugenics nor of dogmas of elimination,
- Darwin is not the justifier of Victorian Imperialism,
- Darwin is not responsible for "Social Darwinism".
(from Agence France Presse)
[an error occurred while processing this directive]