Flim-Flam

[Producer]

I just started reading Flim-Flam and wow. I am already half way through the book and I guess the only thing I would say is it should be updated.

So far, I believe that 'Cottingley fairies' were finally confessed as a hoax by Elsie and Frances sometime in the early 80's. And what about all the new garbage from Erich von Däniken?

 

[Splurge]

I guess, like many good books, it's "of its time".

There are plenty of newer skeptical books. If the age of the examples in "Flim-Flam" worries you, or you feel that the principles expressed therein are no longer applicable in the light of new evidence, perhaps you could try one of those?

As for Erich von Däniken,

Von Däniken's credibility was finally undermined after he was unable to substantiate claims made in another book, Gold of the Gods, that he had photographed metal plaques containing the wisdom of extraterrestrials. In 1977, a BBC Horizon programme, The Case of the Ancient Astronauts, took a rational look at his theories and showed them to be pseudo science.

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/R/real_lives/daniken.html

 

[NoZed Avenger]

So far, I believe that 'Cottingley fairies' were finally confessed as a hoax by Elsie and Frances sometime in the early 80's.

And yet PBS ran (re-ran) a show on "unexplained phenomenon" just a few years ago that actually used the fairies as one of their unexplained stories. I don't remember the name of the program, but I remember thinking that the inclsuion of that bit as a serious claim certainly did not help their credibility much.

 

[Tricky]

It may be dated, but I think it is still Randi's best book. It was the book that led me to this forum and I will always be grateful for that.

 

[Ratman_tf]

The Cottingley fairies is a good example of various woo-woo rationalizations, and seemed to be included just as an illustration. (Even if the faries have been brought up since then, some kooky ideas never die...)

Seeing all the people in the various photographs wearing distinctly seventies clothing is kinda amusing. Flim Flam is such a good source for specifici claims that have been debunked, I hope someone may publish a book like it but addressing recent claims.

 

[Producer]

Thanks for your comments. It just seems that the references I have read in the book have been "proven" to be false already.

Take for instance the five Navy bombers in the "Bermuda Triangle". They were all found together with no fuel (one goes down, the rest follow). They may have been inexperienced, but they were heros that stuck together in my book! I wonder what the families think of re-broadcasts of In-Search Of.

Anyways, if the book was updated with additional notes, I would buy it again. Great reading that I will probably finish tonight. I will then start on "Why People Believe Weird Things" and "An Encyclopedia of claims, Frauds....."

I am also proud to show of my new JREF Mug from becoming a new member. Plus, nothing like going to Vegas to TAMII (I will bring my lucky JREF pen to the craps table LOL).

 

[NoZed Avenger]

Re: Re: Flim-Flam

Seeing all the people in the various photographs wearing distinctly seventies clothing is kinda amusing. Flim Flam is such a good source for specifici claims that have been debunked, I hope someone may publish a book like it but addressing recent claims.

I would love to see a Volume 2 -- perhaps including applicants for the prize. FLIM-FLAM-FLUM

Man, give me access to the data and I could probably talk a writer friend into collaberating . . . .