What does the AAAS really think of the Parapsychological Association?

Question

Search any common parapsychological term here.

http://vivo.aaas.org/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?input-form=simple&query=paranormal&v%3Aproject=aaas-website&search.x=9&search.y=4

Answer 1

Apparently the same thing they thought about it back in 1969 when the governing board voted them as an affiliate by the controversial vote of 7 for to 1 against affiliation The larger membership vote was 170 for to 30 against. Clearly only a very small minority of the organization (just like today) did not support their affiliation.

Despite the protest of skeptics the AAAS will not stop the advancement of science and continue to support the PA affiliation.

Psi

Answer 2

Does the phrase "black sheep" come to mind to you?  It sure does to me. Without the Parapsychological Association's champion Margaret Mead to back them (the sole reason they even got accepted in the first place, and only after 2 failed votes!), I don't think they have much support at all anymore. But the good news for the PA is that it does have affiliate status in the AAAS and it's much harder to remove an affiliate than it is to add one, even in the PA's case.

Here is a key quote from the AAAS (thanks for your link) highlighting where the AAAS opinion now stands on paranormal belief:

"...many Americans are scientifically illiterate. Scientific illiteracy has harmful implications not just for individuals, but it may also be hazardous to our national security....The NSF report goes on to express concern over the enduring popularity of belief in pseudo-science and the paranormal, which is an element of scientific illiteracy."

I think if the AAAS could get a magic wish, they'd wish they never accepted the PA as affiliates. Now they are pretty much stuck with them. It's probably embarassing for them.

EDIT:

To correct a pretty lame attempt at deception from another answerer, the quote is indeed from an NSF report but that report is being publicly endorsed by AAAS leaders (specifically by the Project Coordinator, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program), and therefore does undeniably represent the views of the AAAS.

Answer 3

As usual skeptics attempt to misinform the public. This article is from the National Science Foundation not the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

This article in no way represents or expresses the views of the AAAS.

Answer 4

Ladies and gentlemen! This is brawl of the century! The brutal, "no holds barred" Skeptics vs the "know what they experienced" Believers. There's never been a match like this before! Get ready to RUUUUMMMMBBBBLLLEEE!!!!!!

Sorry! That's just a casual observation.