YSU Man who discredits myths shares some of his wisdom

He says human beings can't just burst into flames.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Joe Nickell's business card is a wooden nickel. And he does magic with it. He can bend it like rubber, show off multiple sides and transfer it from one hand to the other without missing a beat.
"How about that," he said, showing off the nickel to some students at a reception after a speech Thursday afternoon at Youngstown State University.
A magic trick shouldn't be surprising coming from a guy who calls himself a "paranormal investigator."
For 30-plus years, Nickell, who has a doctorate of English from University of Kentucky, has been investigating and debunking -- myths, legends and even religious beliefs. He has written nearly 20 books and authored countless articles, and he has appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live," "Oprah" and many other television programs.
Traveling job
As a senior research fellow at the New York-based Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, an international scientific organization, and investigative columnist for Skeptical Inquirer magazine, Nickell criss-crosses the globe, investigating claims.
"There are true believers and debunkers," he said to a crowd of about 450 students and curiosity seekers at YSU's Kilcawley Center. "I try to steer between those extremes. We start with forensic evidence and see where it leads us."
Some of his findings:
UHuman spontaneous combustion. Not possible.
UThe Shroud of Turin. Not what it appears to be.
UAliens. None in Roswell.
UCrop circles. A phenomenon like graffiti.
"Anyone ever hear of glowing statues," he asked as several hands went up. Nickell said he traveled to the area in 2003 after a report that the eyes of two statues were thought to be glowing at St. Joseph the Provider Catholic Church in Campbell.
As it turned out, portions of the statues were covered with gold leaf, and sunlight and other forms of light gave the impression that the eyes were glowing. Nickell conducted several experiments.
"The practical experiments clearly demonstrated that the light was being reflected, not transmitted," he wrote in a Skeptical Inquirer newsletter
As he was getting ready to leave Campbell, a woman approached him and asked him his thoughts. Once he told her his scientific findings, the woman said: "I prefer not to believe that."
Audience reaction
Those in attendance were impressed with his presentation.
"I like the fact he has an open mind when he goes into an investigation," said Michael Kenyhercz, a freshman studying anthropology, who attended the presentation for extra credit in two of his classes. "He also told just the right jokes."
Telling stories with humor and a made-for-TV polish, it's clear Nickell enjoys his job.
"It's difficult and dangerous work, and I never have any fun," he said. "And if you're a true skeptic, you might believe me."
What's next for Nickell?
You'll see him on National Geographic television, searching for the lake monster Ogo Pogo in Lake Okanagan in British Columbia. His new books are "Unsolved History" and "Secrets of the Side Shows," which will be out this fall.
In the meantime, he's writing a new book called "Relics of The Christ," which not only re-examines The Shroud, but other religious artifacts.
"I shouldn't tell you what I find," he said with a smile. "But it's not good news."
The lecture was sponsored by the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and is part of the Albert J. Shipka Speakers Series, underwritten by the Philosophy Circle.