Bent Spoon Award
Nominations for 2008
The winner for 2008 was Dr Kerryn Phelps, who used to be the President of the Australian Medical Association but now sells quackery and woowoo.
The following nominations were received for the 2007 Bent Spoon Award.
Nominee: Dr Charlie TeoNominated by: William Verhoef
Date: 29/09/2008
Reason: For being unscientific about his views on the link between Mobile Phones and Brain cancer.
When asked by Andrew Denton on "Enough Rope" what he thought about the link between Mobile Phones and Brain cancer, he replied:
"In my view yes, but not scientifically no. If you look at the science on mobile phones and the link with brain cancer, it is quite compelling but there’s no double blinded studies, there’s no placebo controlled studies etcetera, etcetera, you there’s really no science to it. There’s an association and the association is quite compelling. I think the scariest thing is that we know that when you give radiation for cancer to the brain, you can develop brain cancer from the radiation so we know that, we know that radiation causes cancer, but it takes about ten years for it to develop, so we know that EMR electromagnetic radiation is going to take at least ten years to create brain tumours and possibly longer fifteen, twenty years, so if you look at the literature and just pull out the studies that have followed their patients for more than ten years it becomes really, really compelling the link personally I think there probably is."
Why does his personal opinion differ from the scientific opinion?
The science is that there can be no link because, in order to cause cancer, the EMR has to be able to break bonds within the DNA molecule and the EMR from mobile phones would need to be 1000 times stronger than they actually are in order to achieve this. And no properly conducted scientific study has ever shown a link between brain cancer and mobile phones.
Also, how does Charlie Teo propose to study the effect using a "double blind placebo controlled trial"???
As for long term studies, there have been no reliable long term studies to date, but the lack of a mechanism for EMR from moblile phones causing cancer would argue strongly that no link is ever likely to be found.
Nominee: McDonaldsNominated by: Stephen Davis
Date: 24/09/2008
McDonalds for getting away with their "we make it fresh for you" spin. Without so much as a whimper from the Aussie public this carp was swallowed whole. Maccas don't have food waiting ready to go anymore, they "claim" it's better if YOU wait while we cook you up a fresh burger. All they are doing is lowering their service costs and ignoring our valuable time.... and yet again the sheep didn't see it coming…
Baaaaa
Editor's comment: And this is somehow paranormal?
Nominee: ABC 891 AdelaideNominated by: Edi Winkler
Date: 19/09/2008
I'd just like to nominate ABC 891 Adelaide, specifically the breakfast show with the 'bald brothers' for their piece this morning (19/9/08) on Alien abduction. They interviewed a guy who was looking for alien abduction stories from SA. Spruiking all the usual claptrap, including stating that there have been 'psychologists' (yeah, really - which ones?) studying and publishing articles (sorry, in which peer reviewed journal?) on this topic, thus making a more genuine science. The interviewer then asked how someone could tell if they'd been abducted and the interviewee then proceeded to explain in detail how to create your own nutbag alien abduction story. Pseudoscience at its finest, and all promulgated by the tax payer at your ABC!
Nominee: Ordinary AustraliansNominated by: David Archibald
Date: 10/09/2008
I'd like to nominate any Australian who believes that there is a scientific basis for the idea that the Reserve Bank interest rates affect the inflation rate.
Editor's comment: Do you mean those Australians who believe that increased interest rates flow through to prices, therefore increasing inflation, or those who believe that increasing interest rates reduces demand and the invisible hand then reduces prices accordingly, thus reducing inflation? Or do you mean economists who, given the two choices above, have at least three possible answers?
Nominee: The Night Show with Christo on Gold 104.3Nominated by: Jordan Clarke
Date: 10/09/2008
I am nominating The Night Show with Christo on Gold 104.3 for their late Wednesday night interviews with the Ghost Whisperer Anthony Grzelka. As most skeptics can appreciate, he would simply deceive callers by using standard methods, like explaining aspects of people that have "crossed over" to "the other side" to "confirm" he was telling the truth, before saying that the caller's relatives loved them and are saying hi! This would often involve deaths with something to do with the lungs, and names beginning with the letter J. His method of connecting would be to increase his "frequency", while spirits would decrease theirs so as to make a fuzzy connection between both realms. Covers for his mistakes would include always beginning by telling the caller that he may not contact the person they want him to, and explaining that the similar "frequencies" between, for example, a mother and an aunt, is the reason he might mistake the identity of the spirit when the caller says that a certain person he thinks he is contacting is actually alive.
But I think it more important to nominate The Night Show than Anthony, as there has also been a Dream Interpreter on the Show, Jane Teresa Anderson, who briefly talked about how we dream (the only science the show has had since Richard Monk departed, who was a slightly more skeptical and science enthusiastic presenter), before going on to talk about people's dreams as if they were an analytically accessible work of literature!
Also, this program is broadcast in four states and, although late at night (11-1pm), is still a large enough influence to deserve the award more than something like "Haunted Australia", a boring program (they rarely have any "encounters") on Melbourne's local TV station Channel 31.
So thank you Christo and The Night Show for your unenlightening contribution to messing up people's already generally sensitive, superstitious minds!
URL: http://www.arn.com.au/thenightshow/whatson.html
Nominee: WikipediaNominated by: Albert Haigh
Date: 7/09/2008
Wikipedia, for the following nonsense…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incorruptibility
Incorruptibility is the property of a body — usually a human body — that does not decompose after death. Such a body is sometimes referred to as incorrupt or incorruptible (adjective) or as an incorruptible (noun). Incorruptibility is seen as distinct from the good preservation of a body, or mummification. Incorruptible bodies are often said to have the Odour of Sanctity, exuding a sweet aroma.
Editor's comment: If Wikipedia rejected entries because they were wrong or idiotic then half the stuff in there would disappear. This happens to be a correct explanation of the concept of incorruptibility, so Wiki isn't to blame for including it. I assume that there is a Wiki entry espousing the "science" behind astrology as well. If you don't like what's there, feel free to edit the entry.
Nominee: Richard SaundersNominated by: Andrew Earl
Date: 2/09/2008
I wish to dejectedly add my nomination for Richard Saunders for the bent spoon award. It was monumentaly inappropriate for Richard to participate in such a production (The One). Five minutes in and I was wringing my hands and cringing violently. Yet from Richard?...... well you saw it. I would have liked to nominate the poor misguided woman seated next to Richard but surely he is far more deserving given the position he comes from. Richard....I am not overly bright, nor claim to have superior intelligence but geez mate, I know bull@#$% when I see it.
Nominee: The One - Channel 7Nominated by: Peter Bowditch
Date: 1/09/2008
What a disappointment! If the show had been trying to see if any "psychic" was really psychic then it might have had some point, but when you start out by assuming that there are degrees of psychic ability and that some simple tests can find the most expert practitioner then the cause is lost.
What was truly amazing was how bad the "psychics" actually were when given simple tasks such as finding a boy in the bush or a shipping container with something in it. Still, none of this relative incompetence has stopped any of them from adding "As seen on The One" to their advertising fliers. I saw that coming and I don't claim any psychic powers at all.
I don't blame my friend Richard Saunders for the debacle. He did his best, but his comments were severely edited and the producers were not interested in presenting a truly skeptical view. That was not what the show was for or about.
Nominee: Radio JJJ and Dools & LindaNominated by: Veit Cieslak
Date: 1/09/2008
Editor's comment: Have they been quoting Cardinal Pell, or is that you just find their choice of music unbelievable?
Nominee: Cardinal George PellNominated by: Veit Cieslak
Date: 1/09/2008
Editor's comment: Why? What's he done this time?
Nominee: CIT SolutionsNominated by: Stephen Wilks on behalf of Canberra Skeptics
Date: 26/08/2008
Canberra Skeptics has the pleasure of nominating CIT Solutions for the 2008 Bent Spoon Award.
This unaugust institution is the wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of the Canberra Institute of Technology, known in these parts simply as CIT. It has for some time now been offering the paying public courses in the tarot, astrology, feng shui, spirit channeling, and such beyond the fringe medicine as reflexology. These are offered alongside and on equal footing with courses in real science and technology, such as astronomy and information technology.
CIT is the ACT's main technical and vocational education college, and a flagship of public education here. As such, its effective support for the promulgation of degrading drivel sends a powerful message to the community implying the respectability of this stuff. We think that there is no greater cause for skeptical concern than when the public education system is seen to effectively support the paranormal, making CIT Solutions definite Bent Spoon material.
We should also like to add an honourable mention of the ACT's Minister for Education, Andrew Barr MLA, who drolly replied to our request that he merely affirm his disdain for such courses by telling what we already knew and, indeed, had raised ourselves i.e. that the courses are offered by a commercial subsidiary for the paying public and are not for any formal qualification. Whereupon we had to remind him that CIT Solutions is wholly owned by CIT, uses CIT facilities to conduct these courses, advertises through a link to the CIT website and drapes itself what is effectively the CIT logo. (But we should also add that one other MLA in the ACT's toy legislature, not to be confused with the real parliament up on Capital Hill, actually had sufficient sense of responsibility to publicly complain about these courses - Richard Mulcahy, an independent member. Bully for him).
Copies of our formal exchanges with the Minister, CIT Solutions and CIT itself are attached for further background on this nomination. You'll notice that in the last one we invited CIT Solutions to take up the Australian Skeptics $100,000 challenge, money for jam if it has well-placed faith in its own courses. We still await their reply.
Nominee: Richard SaundersNominated by: Neil Cunningham
Date: 19/08/2008
I would also like to regretfully nominate Richard Saunders for the Bent Spoon. His participation on the show was embarrassing and probably did Australian Skeptics a lot of harm. I cannot begin to describe my disappointment as I watched the Patsy being taken for a ride.
The most charitable explanation of his performance was that his comments were edited out in post production. If this is the case, then perhaps an explanation (and apology) should be published.
And to the editor: the Vice President of Australian Skeptics certainly is eligible for the award. He should have known better.
Nominee: Prime Minister Kevin RuddNominated by: Timothy Casey
Date: 19/08/2008
I'd like to nominate Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for the bent spoon award. I know he is the Prime Minister and will no doubt get every other award under the sun but he really did earn this one. And I quote:
TARA BROWN: But it's never too late to continue the debate is it?
PM KEVIN RUDD: Look at your kids in the eye tonight and ask yourself this question - "If we have this much evidence available to us now "on climate change and just refuse to act, "then what are the consequences for them?" The alternative, however, is to just stick your head in the sand and hope it all goes away.
This is a flagrant use of an argument from irrelevance on 60 Minutes' "Crunch Time". When someone asks you to acknowledge the fact that there is always the potential for more evidence, and you answer with this emotionally manipulative tripe, it is not answering the question. The same fallacy was used by Oreskes (2004) in Science and simply has nothing to do with the question of whether climate change is something to be alarmed about.
To add insult to injury, there is also a false dilemma tacked on the end of the Prime Minister's statement. Outside the entirely virtual world of Boolean Algebra, dilemmas are always false because (unless you are dead) there are always more options - this is why there is such fascination for things like "lateral thinking" - all we need to do is drop the bad intellectual habits such as assuming that any set of options is always complete!
The Prime Minister is supposed to be a role model, but this false arguing on his part is precisely the kind of behaviour that I am lead to believe the Skeptics came into being to oppose. Your kids are being taught the opposite of Critical Thinking by the Prime Minister's behaviour on 60 minutes and any other forum where he brazenly uses this intellectual sleight of hand we refer to as a fallacy. Please give Prime Minister Rudd the bent spoon he has worked so hard for...!
URL: http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=614370
Nominee: Peter ConlonNominated by: Andrew Jenkinson
Date: 6/08/2008
I would like to nominate Peter Conlon and the Wellness Water filter (see www.wellness.com.au) for the laughable claims about “enhanced water” and his “Magnetic Resonance Activation”. I was particularly impressed with his new structure for the humble water molecule. Instead of it being H2O it is now a ring molecule with 4 oxygen atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms. And guess what? You can buy this wonderful water filter for prices starting from only $975. I also liked his creative approach to addressing Australian law with regards to health claims. He states that “any health claims made in Australia must be supported by trials conducted at a recognised medical institution under tight clinically controlled conditions” including double blind placebo, crossover, peer review etc and then goes on to state that “We are now delighted to report that after an exhaustive process Wellness now has multiple clinical trials underway or nearing completion investigating the effect of drinking and bathing in Wellness water”. In other words there aren’t any clinical results and I doubt very much if there ever will be otherwise he might just find himself open to prosecution.
URL: http://www.wellness.com.au
Nominee: ABC TelevisionNominated by: Alan Needham
Date: 5/08/2008
What is wrong with the ABC? They won the Bent Spoon last year with “Psychic Investigators” a series described by the ABC as a serious scientific study of the contribution psychics make to solving crime, but which in fact showed a totally uncritical acceptance of psychic abilities. Now they’re repeating the series in the wee small hours, throwing good taxpayers' money after bad.
And while were on the subject (of the ABC), last night’s “Catalyst" on the function of the female reproductive system was an excellent educational programme for year 8 and 9 school kids but was hardly cutting-edge science. And the ABC recently axed its only astronomy radio programme on Radio National. Dumb down the science and beef up the pseudoscience, eh Aunty? This pandering to the lowest common denominator is intolerable.
Nominee: Pamela TimbushNominated by: Pamela Timbush
Date: 2/08/2008
I would like to be nominated for psychic readings.
Editor's comment: A competent psychic would know in advance who was going to win the award and would also know that anyone nominating themself is unlikely to win.
Nominee: Richard SaundersNominated by: Robert Lang
Date: 26/07/2008
Sadly, we should nominate Richard Saunders for his part in "The One". This show is such a farce and his participation in the show is making him look like a goose! They say he's the 'voice of reason', but the editing really doesn't give him a chance to say much at all and it's embarrassing that he's involved in such a show without properly setting up the challenges.
7 hits for the first guy on speed reading was an absolute joke.
Wait, Ned Kelly is talking to me saying he doesn't approve...oh my god, such a choking feeling…
Editor's comment: I'm not sure that a Vice President of Australian Skeptics is eligible for the award.
Nominee: The One - Channel 7Nominated by: Dave Smith
Date: 3/07/2008
Well, I was going to nominate that channel seven show and I see that Skeptics is involved!!!! well I never, anyways, I still nominate channel seven for the Bent Spoon and also the "Forrest Gump" award for even efen thinking of the show in the first place and the "Leyland P76" award for deciding to run with a product that was doomed from the start.
This show has to be a crock so maybe I should just nominate Kerry Stokes, well, actually, I do, because I can
Nominee: Catalyst - ABC TelevisionNominated by: Matt Godden
Date: 2/07/2008
I'd like to nominate ABC's Catalyst "science" show for the 2008 bent spoon award, for their piece on April 3rd about Acupuncture "improving" fertility and conception rates. This was the second week in a row that Chinese medicine modalities were promoted on Catalyst, however this particular episode took this to new heights by showing a 3d animation describing the "mechanism" of how acupuncture "works". Yup, Chi, and meridians.
Not a word of qualification, no "this has not been shown to exist", not even "this mechanism is disputed by scientists". Pure, unadulterated credulity.
So, the ABC's science flagship broadcast a piece, stating as fact, ideas that are totally lacking in evidence, indeed ideas that are directly contradicted by evidence.
I wrote to ABC's Science Show podcast, asking Robin to give Catalyst some stick about it, as he had done for Horizon's sensationalism over the LHC, and he responded that he would pass the concerns on. I received this from ABC Corporate Affairs sometime later (below).
Their basic excuse is "our science shows can present things as true, even if they're not".
I hope they can win the award, as loudly and publicly as possible, they so richly deserve. Let's face it, the commercial networks are a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, and will always say whatever they like so long as the advertising dollars keep rolling in. We can at least hope that those at the national broadcaster have some pride in their work, and will actually attempt to improve their game if properly censured.
Thank you for your email to the Science Show regarding the Catalyst story about the use of acupuncture to assist with IVF treatment, broadcast on 3 April. Your correspondence has been referred to me for response.
The ABC regrets that you were concerned by the presentation of acupuncture in this story, including the references to 'chi' and the computer-generated animation of the meridian system purported to exist in the human body.
I should explain that the content of Catalyst is categorised as topical and factual content for the purposes of the ABC's Code of Practice and Editorial Policies. This content category allows for the presentation of programs which reflect a wide range of audience interests, beliefs and perspectives, including programs which present controversial opinion and comment. Where topical and factual content deals with matters of contention or public debate, a diversity of principal relevant perspectives must be demonstrated across a network or platform in an appropriate timeframe.
In this story, Catalyst examined acupuncture as an adjuvant for IVF treatment, looking at Professor Niu Jianzhao's work at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and an Australian study conducted by Professor Robert Norman and Dr Caroline Smith. The story did not attempt to provide a comprehensive examination of acupuncture, or a survey of scientific studies on its efficacy. Rather, given that IVF treatment cannot guarantee pregnancy, and that therefore many women are turning to alternative ways to increase its chances of success, the story looked at whether acupuncture can do so.
The ABC considers that acupuncture and other forms of alternative medicine are matters of contention. Accordingly, as this Catalyst story focused on a possible benefit of acupuncture without examining its detractors or the broader debate about its efficacy, ABC Television is required to present other views on alternative medicine over time. One such view was recently presented in the two-part Compass series Enemies of Reason, broadcast on ABC1 on 4 and 11 May. The series was written and presented by Professor Richard Dawkins and looked at some widely held irrational beliefs. The second part of the series, entitled 'The Irrational Health Service', is of particular relevance as it featured Professor Dawkins' extensive criticisms of alternative medicine.
While your concerns are noted, the ABC considers that this Catalyst story was consistent with the ABC's editorial guidelines for topical and factual content. Nonetheless, please be assured that your comments have been noted and conveyed to the Catalyst team so they are aware of your feedback. Your suggestion for the Science Show to look into this matter has also been noted by Robyn Williams, as have your comments on a recent Science Show podcast.
Thank you for taking the time to write. I have attached links to the ABC's Code of Practice and Editorial Policies for your information: http://abc.net.au/corp/pubs/documents/codeprac07.pdf and http:// abc.net.au/corp/pubs/edpols.htm.
Yours sincerely
Simon Melkman
ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs
Nominee: Sharon StoneNominated by: Lee Janetzki
Date: 24/06/2008
My nomination for the Bent Spoon Award 2008 is Sharon Stone for the following statement regarding the Chinese earthquake:
"Well you know it was very interesting because at first, you know, I'm not happy about the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans because I don't think anyone should be unkind to anyone else. And so I have been very concerned about how to think and what to do about that because I don’t like that. And I had been this, you know, concerned about, oh how should we deal with the Olympics because they are not being nice to the Dalai Lama, who is a good friend of mine. And then this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and then I thought, is that Karma? When you're not nice that the bad things happen to you?"
Believing in Karma is one thing, but committing career-suicide over that belief is another.
Editor's comment: Sadly, Sharon is not eligible as the award is for work in Australia.
Nominee: Take Action Pty LtdNominated by: Neil Ross
Date: 16/06/2008
I have found an Australian site for the hydrogen from water fuel supplement. My cousin asked me if this sort of thing would be good on a diesel powered genset, but my opinion is that he would be wasting his money. The claims are impressive, and if it were that easy I am sure the car makers would have introduced these things years ago!
Try as I might I cannot see the results of independent testing supporting these claims anywhere on the internet.
URL: http://www.takeaction.com.au/hoh/
Editor's comment: Brown's Gas!! It never goes away, does it?
Nominee: The vast majority of the populationNominated by: Liz Tynan
Date: 28/05/2008
I would like to nominate for the Bent Spoon:
The vast majority of the population
….who, either by not caring or by actively supporting it, allow nonsense like astrology and clairvoyance to continue being propagated through each new generation. When is it ever going to end?
Editor's comment: Hmm. I don't think there's enough room to engrave 20 million names on the plaque. That's 20 million minus the members and supporters of Australian Skeptics of course.
Nominee: Dowsers group at FranklinNominated by: Stephen Lalor
Date: 17/05/2008
Could I please nominate the Dowsers group at Franklin who claim to have located the remains of a Polynesian Temple in the Huon River estuary
Nominee: Carbon sequestrationNominated by: Eugene Kochnieff
Date: 13/05/2008
It seems half the country has fallen for the idea that we can some how using less energy that was derived from burning it in the first place recover carbon from exhaust gases and store it somewhere.
Well if it were possible we could get limitless perpetual energy by burning 1 Kg of coal and just recovering the carbon and re burning it ad infinitum.
Nominee: A Current Affair and reporter Ben McCormackNominated by: Jason Hameister
Date: 4/05/2008
I would like to nominate A Current Affair and the reporter Ben McCormack for his investigation into "the Secret Ingredient in Milk" which aired on the 21/04/08. It was a display of hollow journalism, lacking any investigation or analysis of critical data. It totally mislead the public into thinking that we are being ripped off by big business and that they were adding "secret" ingredients into milk. This was a LIE, as I can substantiate what the secret ingredient is, where it comes from and why it is used, and it has nothing to do with ripping people off or trying to manipulate the essence of milk. It was a scare campaign at it's best. I have emailed the station regarding this but they have refused to respond at this time.
Nominee: Today Tonight - Channel 7Nominated by: Ken Harvey
Date: 3/05/2008
I nominate Channel 7’s Today Tonight for a somewhat dubious foray into suspect science.
This time it’s Adelaide grandmother Nellie Elvey giving long range weather forecasts using a variety of indicators including ants, birds, ducks the moon, gum leaves and lizards. However, my favourite is the humble puss. Quote:-
“Nellie says, when there's rain coming and if they just wash behind one ear – that means light rain. If they wash more vigorously and both ears and that you know it's going to be a very good rain.” Struth!
See:- http://todaytonightadelaide.com.au/story.php?id=657 for the full story.
URL: http://todaytonightadelaide.com.au/story.php?id=657
Nominee: NSW Stae GovernmentNominated by: Bruce Wallace
Date: 27/04/2008
I nominate the Iemma NSW State Government for giving $86 million of taxpayers money to the World Youth Day. Money for superstition.
Nominee: Wilson Tuckey MHRNominated by: Andrew Dolphin
Date: 13/04/2008
For his comment on "Sorry Day"…
"I am not in this house for tokenism. I went down there and prayed for those people."
URL: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23205437-601,00.html
Nominee: Australia PostNominated by: Chris Fletcher
Date: 11/04/2008
I would like to nominate Australia Post for their astrological stamps! I have an envelope here with a stamp on it describing Virgos as: Analytical and Irritable.
I know Australia Post do a great job in delivering mail all over the country, but I couldn't let this one pass.
Actually come to think of it, since most Virgos would CLEARLY be skeptics, they would make great additions to the organisation - after all they are analytical and can focus their irritability on rubbish. (Like astrology!) :)
Nominee: TV Station GWN (Golden West Network)Nominated by: Andrew Dolphin
Date: 11/04/2008
For promoting, through advertising, mobile phone scams that claim to be able to advise about soul mates and cheating partners simply by texting two names. I'm sure GWN isn't alone but it's the station I see them on here in regional WA - and by jibbers it runs a lot of hem!
The ABS gets joint nomination for allowing these ads to go to air.
I was going to nominate the station running Peter Popoff's Miracle Water ads but I can't remember if it's GWN or WIN.
Nominee: Today Tonight - Channel 7Nominated by: Johann-Heinrich Schönfeldt
Date: 9/04/2008
The other night (8/4/2008) Today Tonight on channel 7 had a segment on Magnetic water, making crops grow better amongst other things (www.waterforlife.net.au (down at this moment)). I am appalled at the sheer lack of investigation that they put into assembling these stories. They seem to investigate certain stories very deeply and then some other stories not at all. This is not how journalism works, or rather, should work.
I nominate Today Tonight for promoting a scam, when they love to expose scams.
Nominee: Adelaide Sunday MailNominated by: Dave Allen
Date: 17/03/2008
Dear Bent Spoon
The Adelaide Sunday Mail supplement, Body & Soul for March 16 2008, contains a spurious article entitled “Crystal Clear, How to Choose a Clairvoyant.”
Body and Soul is a supplement aimed at younger females, and thus persons who may not have developed full critical thinking as yet. It is in the style of a Dolly magazine.
The article opens, “Want to see into your future? Here’s how to pick the right clairvoyant for you. By Paul Fenton-Smith.” At the end of the article is a advert for a book, “The Tarot Revealed, a Beginners Guide by Paul Fenton-Smith (Allen & Unwin) $26.95 is out now.” At no time is the article marked as an advert, paid for or otherwise. The content of the article is not worthy of comment.
This is the second time in recent months that Body & Soul has carried an article of such doubtful integrity, the previous one involving selecting the right Crystal for you, subject of a submission by myself.
I have concern at two levels. One, that impressionable people are being duped into thinking the paranormal has some truth. Two, that Body and Soul have twice carried dangerous articles that have been authored by a person flogging a product on that subject, with no warning or disclaimer warning the reader that the article is an Advert.
Thank You 0402447793 It is a curious thing that God learned Greek when he wished to turn author - and that he did not learn it better.
Nominee: Radio JJJ and Dools & LindaNominated by: Jason Hameister
Date: 15/03/2008
I would like to nominate both JJJ Radio and the announcers "Dools & Linda" for having the psychic Simon Turnbull on their station talking to JFK. The presenters deserve it for allowing him into their timeslot but the station deserves it because when I called to ask questions that could validate whether or not he was talking to JFK, I was refused to go on. They were only allowing questions they could be answered in a vague or non identifiable manner. Thank you
Nominee: Greg CaryNominated by: Lynette Bishop
Date: 11/03/2008
Greg Cary definitely.
Pompous upstart.... thinks he's Lawsie just coz he now broadcasts throughout Qld.
He's not in the same league as the King of Radio
We miss you Lawsie
Editor's comment: As Manuel said in Fawlty Towers: "Que?"
Nominee: Tea Tree Gully CouncilNominated by: Ken Harvey
Date: 5/03/2008
I nominate the Tea Tree Council in South Australia.
According to:-
http://www.messengernorth.com.au/article/2008/03/04/4056_north_news.html
their library has called in a spiritual adviser to rid the building of sinister spirits - but the council insists it was not an exorcism.
Apparently, staff had told management they felt ``uncomfortable'' at night when the building, on Montague Rd, Modbury, was unoccupied.
It seems that the adviser came to the site and conducted a “procedure”.
The exorcism you have when you’re not having an exorcism!
“The “Spiritual Adviser” was, apparently, an aroma therapist and the “Procedure” was the burning of incense.
URL: http://www.messengernorth.com.au/article/2008/03/04/4056_north_news.html
Nominee: Araluen Arts CentreNominated by: Charlie Carter
Date: 5/03/2008
Araluen is our local taxpayer funded regional Arts centre, gallery and theatre in Alice Springs. The advertisement below says everything.
Kelvin Cruickshank - Medium
Born and raised in a small country town in the north island of New Zealand, Kelvin exhibited psychic abilities from an early age. He knew he was somehow different from other children because he saw people that the other kids couldn't see. Although he didn't understand who these people were, he knew that he was never alone.
Kelvin has dedicated his life to working full time as a psychic medium passing on messages from those who have passed over. With the outstanding success and popularity of the award winning series “Sensing Murder” currently screening on Channel 9, Kelvin has decided to introduce a series of exclusive evenings around Australia that will reach out and touch more people at once.
Kelvin will read as many people permitted by spirit per session.
Nominee: Tea Tree Gully CouncilNominated by: Chris Ziersch
Date: 4/03/2008
I nominate Mark Horton and the Tea Tree Gully library staff responsible for employing a spiritual adviser to “rid the library of spirits”.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23322955-5007700,00.html
and
http://www.messengernorth.com.au/article/2008/03/04/4056_north_news.html
A library should be a place of learning, not ignorance!
Nominee: Sensing Murder - Channel 9 TVNominated by: Geoff Cowan
Date: 2/02/2008
I would like to nominate TV shows that portray Psychic Investigators that is currently showing (or soon to show) on Channel 9. I have been involved in law enforcement and intelligence role for over 24 years and these people damage than good. They walk into the lives of victims and start to tell them that people close to them are the murderers and then all hell breaks loose. These shows, maybe good entertainment for some, but in the long-term could cause psychological harm to victims and damage victims families, especially for members that have been caught in the cross-fire of allegation that they are involved. It is interesting that the National Homicide Study conducted at the Australian Institute of Criminology actually provides a basis for the cold call of the “investigator”.
Anyway, they should be removed or have a “This is Crap” Rating.
Editor's comment: Geoff actually has academic qualifications in criminology, so he almost certainly knows more about crime investigation than any psychic. Not that that would be hard to do.
Nominee: SBS Evening NewsNominated by: Albert Goodman
Date: 30/01/2008
I'd like to nominate SBS evening news one night in early January for a report on the Pope's hostile reception at Rome University, which the reporter explained was "possibly connected to a spate of recent books by atheists that denigrated God". Either this is evidence of a pro-religion/anti-atheist agenda at SBS (and I'm not that conspiracy-minded) or just another example of their reporters' illiteracy (maybe she meant deny God?). At the very least it's a case of absence of common sense; how can atheists denigrate something we don't think exists?
Nominee: FoxtelNominated by: Steve Hannington
Date: 22/01/2008
My nominee at the moment would have to be Foxtel for freely airing the Australian Christian Channel. I personally enjoy tuning in every now and then as an alternative to the Comedy channel, however, the fact that the messages on this channel are freely available to kids without any parental warning is highly problematic (messages such as homosexuality is a sin etc). There are even kid's shows where children are encouraged to 'be saved right now' by saying a prayer.
Nominee: Amanda de WarrenNominated by: Geoff Cowan
Date: 16/01/2008
I would like to nominate Amanda de Warren for the Bent Spoon Award. It is just so unseemly that a person can talk to a dead spider. I assessed this person and she charges $165 a session and does 60 “channellings” a week, that is approximately over $9900 a week !! My nomination is based on the deduction that many of her clients do not have the money for such a session, yet they pay it in the delusion that they will know all about their pets. This woman, and those like her are bottom feeders on human misery. I also doubt, in fact I have no doubt what so ever about her complete lack of ability to actually communicate with anything other than a human being through a credit card machine.
Nominee: Northern Territory NewsNominated by: Tony Ellis
Date: 11/01/2008
I’d like to nominate the Northern Territory News for this minor gem.
They’ve picked up something from one of the loonier sites on the web and run it as a feature news story.
Unfortunately they don’t actually say which website it is.
It gives the phrase “silly season” a whole new meaning.
Astronauts landed at Uluru: it's true?
ANCIENT astronauts landed at Uluru and proceeded to create humankind, according to UFO enthusiasts in America.
etc
URL: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/01/10/3054_ntnews.html
Nominee: Experiencers - ABC TVNominated by: Alan Needham
Date: 8/01/2008
Television again, I'm afraid. The ABC shows so many wonderful programmes but seems to feel the need to occasionally balance these with crass garbage like Second Opinion, Psychic Investigators, and now Experiencers. This last rubbish, shown on 3rd January, was advertised thus on its web site www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200801/programs/ZY8006A001D3012008T203000.htm : "A serious scientific investigation of the realistic possibility of life forms on other planets, Experiencers is a thought-provoking and fascinating documentary."
Apart from anything else, this was badly misleading advertising. The entire programme consisted of interviews with "experiencers" and other true believers in alien abduction. There was no investigation, scientific or otherwise, and not a single sceptic or independent scientist was interviewed. All the abductees "saw" aliens identical to the Roswell little green men (complete with pointy faces and black, slanted eyes) and all the space ships described were 1950s - style flying saucers! The similarity of the stories was actually presented as strong evidence that aliens are visiting the planet. People woke to find aliens in their bedroom and were paralysed by them (who hasn't experienced sleep paralysis during bad dreams?). Strange lights appeared outside windows, etc etc.
If this is the ABC's (and everybody else's) idea of a serious scientific investigation, we're all in serious scientific trouble.
URL: www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200801/programs/ZY8006A001D3012008T203000.htm
Nominee: Melbourne MuseumNominated by: Andrew Walsh
Date: 8/01/2008
Dear Australian skeptics (copied to Melbourne Museum Gift Shop and Museum Victoria), I would like to nominate Museum Victoria, specifically the Melbourne Museum, for the Aust. Skeptics annual Bent Spoon Awards, for allowing their gift shop to sell Himalayan Salt Crystals. These magic crystals are supposed to be a “natural way of counteracting toxins and balancing the PH of the body, each ionizing bath will restore and energize”. As you know, the annual Bent Spoon Awards have honoured individuals and organisations whose contributions to the intellectual health of the nation can, at best, be described as decidedly negative. It is particularly egregious that the Melbourne Museum are purveyors of such pseudo-scientific piffle as these crystals. Perhaps they may wish to extend their line of mystical products to include tarot cards, divining rods and astrology charts. If, however, they realise how incongruous it is for such a prestigious educational institution to sell such rubbish, and they remove the crystals from their shelves, I will cheerfully withdraw my nomination.
Editor's comment: Andrew wrote to the Museum about this nonsense and received a reply which suggested that the shop is about money, not science. Sad that!
Nominee: Amanda de Warren and Michelle HamerNominated by: Geoff Perston
Date: 5/01/2008
As an indicator of what a bumper year of joy and unadulterated amusement 2008 looks like being for us Skeptics, I'd like to nominate self-styled "animal psychic" Amanda de Warren, and also the Melbourne AGE contributor Michelle Hamer for a joint award.
You can read all about Ms de Warren's amazingly successful application of her "skills" here:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/pets/from-the-horses-mouth/2008/01/03/1198949986735.html
I was particularly impressed with her telling of a boy that "had a pet spider and the house had caught on fire and the family couldn't get it out, so it perished in the fire. The spider came through and had a chat."
Also appealing was a dog who told Ms de Warren that "I was abandoned by my first owner who left me in a cage. I'm sorry that I chewed up the white blanket, I'd like my walks to be longer and I don't like the chicken stuff my new owners give me."
Still, apparently she thinks she has *something* of benefit to offer scientists (and not just to the owners of deceased arachnids or misunderstood canines). Ms de Warren says that "I'd like to speak with whales about why they beach themselves, I think it could be such a bonus for science to use my skills."
What marine biologist could possibly refuse an offer like that?
URL: http://www.theage.com.au/news/pets/from-the-horses-mouth/2008/01/03/1198949986735.html
Nominee: LutecNominated by: Barry Nicholson
Date: 1/01/2008
I have been keeping an eye on Lutec, and they are back again – but asking for serious money now from “sophisticated investors” for their NEW Lutec Electricity Amplifier. Note this is not the same as the Lutec 1000 generator, but does multiply electrical power input. According to their website (http://www.lutec.com.au/), it seems I could string a series of these machines together, using the output from smaller machines as input to larger ones, and produce a Megawatt from my torch battery…
These guys could be a second-time winner!
Nominee: Cardinal George PellNominated by: Dianne Arton
Date: 29/12/2007
I would like to nominate Cardinal George Pell for using his status as a clergyman and distorting any decency the Christian religion may have to offer, by his continual attacks on basic human rights, for example the following:
1. Attempting to ban RU486 - a safe early alternative, for women seeking abortion, to general anesthetic needed in surgical abortion.
2. Denying equal human rights to people simply because of their sexual orientation.
3. For attempting to cover-up paedophile behaviour by church clergy. He stated that "Abortion is a worse moral scandal than priests sexually abusing young people.."
He is an example of where a belief in the supernatural causes great harm to many people.
Nominee: Terri IrwinNominated by: Candice & Matt Mitchell
Date: 29/12/2007
I nominate Terri Irwin, Australia Zoo and anyone else involved for the upcoming disgrace involving Jon Edwards. I draw attention to the shambles that was an ACA 'report' on the 27/12/07.
This hurts, as I love The Crocodile Hunter. I know he'd understand.
Nominee: Terri IrwinNominated by: Tony Fraser
Date: 23/12/2007
On 5 January 2008 the renowned psychic, John Edward, will be appearing at Australia Zoo as part of a summer entertainment program. Proprietor of Australia Zoo, Terri Irwin, is "open" to receiving a message from the spirit of her late husband, the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. According the Sunday Mail "Mrs Irwin said the Summer Down Under program was Edward's idea and aimed to promote animal conservation issues to a broader audience by appealing to people through several performers".
Is there nothing that Edward won't stoop to? He is preying on the Irwin's, Zoo workers and the public. I had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before Edward resorted to this. I find it abhorrent that he feels the need to constantly peddle his garbage to people who are grieving.
What is the bet that Edward "contacts" Steve and receives the message that he loves his family and is proud of the park and the work that they are doing for animal conservation.
There are so many nominations here - Edward himself for continuing to peddle dribble, Australia Zoo for embracing the idea, The Sunday Mail for reporting it, the public for willing to pay $90 to be part of this farce.
PS I wonder if there is any word from Diana, Dodi or Henri-Paul.
Editor's comment: I've arbitrarily given the nomination to Terri Irwin, because she organised the farce
Nominee: Terri IrwinNominated by: Peter Bowditch
Date: 21/12/2007
For allowing John Edward to pretend to contact the spirit of Steve Irwin. And for charging people $90 to see the farce
Nominee: Michael ConnollyNominated by: Robert Freke
Date: 17/12/2007
Dreamtime expert, Michael Connolly, for his non-scientific approach to dates and suggesting that Aboriginal people were around 15 million years ago to see the ancestors of the current kangaroos moving on all fours rather than hopping.
“Indigenous expert Michael Connolly says he has no doubt Aboriginal people were around to see the species.”
URL: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/13/2117940.htm
Nominee: MannatechNominated by: Cilia van Zal
Date: 17/12/2007
I'd like to nominate Mannatech for selling sugar pills they call 'glyconutrients'.
MLM is nothing than a pyramid scam selling 'miracle' pills.
I think the selling of this 'nutrient' is closely related to the anti-vax scheme because it's supposed to help detox the body, or something. (Everybody who has been vaccinated apparently needs those sugar pills).
The one thing I don't understand, and what I'd love to find out is that doctors endorse and promote it, such as Dr. Robert Sinnott and Dr. Ben Carson from the USA, the Scottish Dr. Robert Murray (who did an Australian lecture tour flogging off these pills) and even Australian Dr. Iain MacRobert. all seem convinced that science has proved that these pills work.
I wonder what their motive is- are they really convinced- if they're good scientists they should not rely on anecdotal evidence. I haven't been able to find REAL evidence that these pills work.
I am interested in your view on this and whether you have any idea why doctors support this scheme. It's a bit like astronomers supporting astrology because of anecdotal stories rather than real scientific evidence.
Is there money in it for them, e.g. do they receive a cut of the sales? I am skeptical about their sincerity.
If I can nominate a company it will be Mannatech, I'm not sure if there is enough evidence against the Australian doctor Iain MacRobert for him to be nominated. If there is, I'd like to nominate him as well.
Thank you, I hope you have more information about the lack of science related to these glyconutrients than I have so that it will be justified to nominate this company.
URL: http://www.glyconutrients.net.au
Editor's comment: As Mannatech (or Manndreck or Mannacrap as it is usually referred to) is not an Australian company they are not eligible for the Bent Spoon award, although any of their Australian distributors are.
You asked whether they do it for the money, and the answer is "Yes". For the money and nothing else.
Nominee: Malcolm TurnbullNominated by: James Oglethorpe
Date: 12/12/2007
For using $10M of taxpayers' money, in the middle of the election campaign, to back an unlikely-sounding Russian rainmaking technology…
URL: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s2095134.htm
Nominee: Water4GasNominated by: Rodney Allan
Date: 21/11/2007
Surfing the net I saw a Google ad for this site.
My curiosity got the better of me and I followed the link. Turns out I can burn water in my car to double my mileage. That's right, apparently I can use electricity from the battery to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen and then combust the hydrogen and oxygen together in the engine to double my mileage. What could be simpler? 100% water cars are also on the drawing boards apparently. Presumably involving an endless cycle of electrolysis and combustion. Anyone with a basic understanding of physics will understand what is wrong with this picture.
URL: http://www.water-4-fuel.com
Editor's comment: It appears to have everything - ridiculous claims, garish web site, expensive books telling the "secret", … Unfortunately, the Bent Spoon is only awarded to Australian woo woo.
I wonder if there is a kit for the Prius.
Nominee: Canberra Radio Station Mix 106.3Nominated by: Kevin Davies
Date: 18/11/2007
I wish to nominate Canberra Radio Station Mix 106.3 for their consistent use of "Angie Clairvoyant." Every Monday from 8-10pm, Mix 106.3 (according to the website) lets the public "Listen into Angie's amazing insight and hear the startling observations with peoples lives. Call in with a question about your career, relationships, or participate with our regular theme nights" in a segment known as "Cosmic Conversations."
A media organisation with the sort of coverage as a radio station should not be promoting this woo-woo and is thus well deserving of a nomination for the bent spoon award.
URL: http://www.mix106.com.au
Nominee: Dr Kerryn PhelpsNominated by: Eran Segev
Date: 1/11/2007
The lady used to be the president of the AMA, but now she spends her time promoting woo woo and quackery.
Nominee: Susie - WIN TVNominated by: Tim Fitzgerald
Date: 23/10/2007
I nominate WIN-TV (Channel Nine) morning show "Susie" on 23rd Oct 2007 for allowing astrologer Milton Black to make predictions about the forthcoming Australian federal election. He stated that the Liberals would win by about 5 to 7 seats. Perhaps Milton should read a few pre-election polls widely published in the media about which party will win, and by how many seats. Any journo, student of politics and the general voting public can make the same predictions and get it right. Milton stated that he has correctly predicted the results of all federal elections since 1982. Sorry to disappoint you Milton, but so has the national press. He finished the interview with Susie by stating that he will resign if he gets it wrong. Oh, we can only hope.
Editor's comment: This nomination was caught in a spam trap and didn't arrive at Skeptics HQ until after both the closing date for 2007 nominations and the election. It has been included in the 2008 nominations because we can all see how correct the prediction was.
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