That stalwart evangelist of the gospel-according-to-science and denouncer of the alternatives, Carl Sagan, is at it again. In a forthcoming book The Demon-Haunted World: Science As a Candle in the Dark (Random House) recently previewed in that paragon of populist pabulum Parade Magazine Sagan preaches against the sins of UFOlogy and similar follies.

Employing all the familiar tricks of the debunker's trade, the Parade sermon is a classic. Arguments, as usual, rely on guilt by association, confusion of the issues, sarcasm and rhetorical sleight of hand. Strong evidence (i.e. the Roswell case) is ignored, while the weak is made a whipping boy (as in the crude crop circle hoaxing of Messrs. Doug and Dave of Southhampton).

Though now a seasoned skeptic, Sagan would have us believe that he too, in his gullible youth, accepted the tabloid heresies of flying saucers and such. But now, initiated into the scientific mysteries and anointed with his Ph.D., he's put away such childish things and become a clear-thinking man who understands that only science can lead to salvation.

In this uncertain world, where so many of our institutions have failed if not betrayed us, wouldn't it be nice to think that academic science, at least, still stands tall and pure? Wouldn't it be reassuring to believe the weaknesses and vices of lesser men petty politics, cynicism, bigotry, etc. have not infected those we reverently esteem as scientists? How wonderful, if we could be certain that such giants have no hidden agenda, and, for the sake of truth, would willingly sacrifice their prestige and their privileges.

Would it were so, Carl.

With every passing day, it seems, the case against academic science grows stronger. And mind you, Carl, we're not talking anecdotal stuff here. Consider new evidence for the great antiquity of the Sphinx and the implications for mainstream Egyptology (Atlantis Rising, #1); look at recent breakthroughs in so-called cold fusion and the ultimate effect on the priesthood of high-energy physics (see Jeane Manning's article within); or read Michael Cremo and Richard Thompson's Forbidden Archeology and discover how the elders of paleontology, archeology and anthropology have for over a century stacked the deck in favor of an established dogma (see our Cremo interview inside).

Study, Carl, and forsake the darkness, for the hour of enlightenment draweth nigh.

J. Douglas Kenyon

Publisher