The following two articles deal with "biorhythms", but they make interesting reading nonetheless. The first appeared in the very first issue of the "PPC Journal" (Jan/Feb 1978) which had hitherto been called "65 Notes". The second article, which was a reply to the first, appeared in the next issue. Enjoy this glimpse into The Way Things were... -Joe- --------------------------------------------------------------------- The original article: BIORHYTHMS? by Richard J. Nelson (1), Santa Ana, California "PPC Journal", V5 N1 P3 (Jan/Feb 1978) A calculator booth in an electronics show was manned by salespersons from KOSMOS. They were showing a biorhythm calculator called the KOSMOS 1. Along with a demonstration of their machine, they gave out a small shirtpocket booklet entitled "Biorhythm and You" which contained interesting facts about biorhythms. The terms 'caution' and 'mini-caution' days were used instead of critical and mini-critical days. They pointed out that the number of days before all three cycles start from zero again, as at birth, is the product of the three prime numbered periods (23 x 28 x 33 = 21,258) or 58 years 67½ days. This booklet, and other books on the subject, seem to ignore some basic characteristics of nature. If the biorhythm cycles repeat from birth over the life span of a person, how can such cycles repeat themselves so accurately that they are not expected to be off even one day over the series of cycles that represent years of living. One day in a 58 year 67½ day (worst case) series of biorhythms is 47 parts per million. That is a stability that few physical inert objects on earth possess. Are our life cycles regulated by day and night cycles? If so, certain people who are not 'in phase' with the normal world would not have predictable biorhythms. What life experiences affect biorhythms? Are the three cycles stable with respect to each other? Possibly some members who are into biorhythms have some answers. Calculators make accurate biorhythm calculations possible, but how can we be assured that our biological processes are as accurate? --------------------------------------------------------------------- The reply: BIORHYTHMS? by Jack E. Kahoun, M.D. (698), San Mateo, California "PPC Journal", V5 N2 P4 ".... you shall reveal to me the secrets of the world..., in periods of 28 and 23." --Sigmund Freud, 1897 What is there in human nature that seems to almost require the acceptance of that which the intellect patently rejects? Evidence our editor's apparent wish to be reassured about the so-called biorhythms after having given obvious data to refute such claims. (Even though his "computational cycle" may have been at its nadir when he listed the product of the cycles as 21,258!) Now that human knowledge has stripped the veil of mystery from so much of life, and now that this sophistication can be communicated to such a large segment of society, why is it that the fanciful precepts of biorhythms, astrology, psychokinesis, Kirlian photography, UFO cult, etc., etc. have at least a degree of acceptance in such a large segment of contemporary society? *This* is the intriguing question to my mind! But back to biorhythms. Not only can you buy a calculator from Kosmos, but Casio makes a fine unit, and Edmund Scientific is also in there to carve its piece of Barnum's modern pie. When you are traveling you will be reassured to know that the Friendly Skies of United are safeguarded by the airline's own attention to their pilots' critical days. And who knows how many bookmakers' odds are under this kind of numerological influence? The present day biorhythm nostrum can probably be traced to a Berlin surgeon, Wilhelm Fliess in the 1890's. He conceived of a male cycle of 23 days and a female cycle of 28 days. His major opus was "The Rhythm of Life: Foundations of an Exact Biology" first published in 1906. By using the formula 23x + 28y, where x and y are integers, he applied the formula to natural phenomena ranging from a single cell to the solar system. Apparently he didn't even know it is simple to generate any number by that formula, for he included many tables of important numbers so generated. Fliess's very personal friend and ardent admirer during this period was Sigmund Freud. The latter was enthralled by all of this, as evidence the quote from one of his letters to Fliess which heads this essay. While the relationship between these men eventually came to a bitter end, such was not the fate of the cycles. The male and female cycles acquired new names and a new 33 day intellectual cycle was "discovered"! One thing seems certain: as long as there is a need to be mystified, there will be someone around to capitalize on it. Martin Gardner devotes an entire informative chapter in his book "Mathematical Carnival" to this interesting history. The broader field of conjuring, from card tricks to parapsychology, is expertly and entertainingly covered by the magician James Randi in the Jan. '78 issue of "Technology Review". If it's fun and games you are after, biorhythms may offer a limited period of attraction. If it's science ye yearn for--forget it! Jack E. Kahoun M.D. (698) Ed. Note. We will, of course, blame the 21,258 error on the typwriter and not the calculator.