Thank you for the link, Scott.
This is a sad case all around. My guess is that, in spite of the evidence, the patient's family will continue to believe that the communications are Hoube's and not the facilitators. The dynamics of the situation are analogous to those of turn-of-the-century mourners who would eagerly seek out mediums in hopes of communicating with deceased loved ones. Miguel ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott O Lilienfeld" <[email protected]> To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 9:46:29 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [tips] facilitated communication? I agree with Miguel that there are two separate issues at stake here. I also think it's an open question whether Houben has at least some degree of consciousness; based on the relatively minimal information presented, it's difficult or impossible to know. Neurologist Steve Novella has a pretty good analysis of the issues on the Science-Based Medicine blog: http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=1286 I'm watching CNN right now, and see that they're still covering this story with no hint of skepticism. Amazing..well then again, maybe not. Happy Turkey Day to all....Scott From: [email protected] [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 9:03 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] facilitated communication? To my mind the case of Rom Hoube raises two separate issues. One issue concerns the question of whether he is conscious to some degree. The second is whether he is able to communicate. Scott and others have clearly shown the dubiousness of Rom Hoube's alleged communication abilities. However, I am not certain what the basis is for skepticism regarding the question of whether Rom exhibits some degree of consciousness. Can someone point me to discussion regarding the latter? Miguel ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott O Lilienfeld" <[email protected]> To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 4:49:45 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [tips] facilitated communication? See also: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-skeptical-psychologist/200911/coma-dubious-science-and-false-hope (apologies for the duplication to TIPs members who are also PESTs members). Just got a call from the Associated Press, so it seems that at least some news organizations are on to the fact that something is very fishy here. .....Scott Scott O. Lilienfeld, Ph.D. Professor Editor, Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice Department of Psychology, Room 473 Psychology and Interdisciplinary Sciences (PAIS) Emory University 36 Eagle Row Atlanta, Georgia 30322 [email protected] (404) 727-1125 Psychology Today Blog: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-skeptical-psychologist 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-140513111X.html Scientific American Mind: Facts and Fictions in Mental Health Column: http://www.scientificamerican.com/sciammind/ The Master in the Art of Living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his intellectual passions. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him - he is always doing both. - Zen Buddhist text (slightly modified) -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:38 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] facilitated communication? __New Scientist_ has an admiring piece on the Pharyngula man, P.Z. Myers, the "mild-mannered scourge of creationists" at http://tinyurl.com/yzlryj5 The third item in Myers' blog for today (at http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/ ) is the Rom Houben case of alleged recovery from a vegetative state. Myers, in addition to citing Randi and Arthur Caplan, whom we've previously noted, also cites and links to Orac at http://tinyurl.com/yf7zn9j Orac puts the case in the context of "Another contender for the worst reporting ever", the previous candidate being none other than Desiree Jennings, whom we've also recently discussed. So dissent to the widespread uncritical reporting of this "miracle" is spreading, although still only a tiny fraction of the total. How long until Steven Laureys, the neurologist promoting this, issues an embarrassed retraction? I give him two weeks. And this post ties together three of our recent concerns--Darwin, Desiree, and Houben. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [email protected] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. 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