Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 06 No 02 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Volume 6, Number 2
Date: October 1996
Publisher: The Association for Rational Thought

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic, a newsletter from The Association for Rational Thought, focuses on the infiltration of creationism into the Tri-State Region, the intersection of science and entertainment through 'The X-Files,' and the philosophical implications of the Sokal Hoax. It also features several book reviews.

Creationism Invades the Tri-State Region

The lead article details the efforts of 'Answers in Genesis,' a fundamentalist mission organization, to build a "museum" in Boone County, Kentucky. Bill Oliver, Professor and Chair of Chemistry at Northern Kentucky University, shares his experiences and concerns. Oliver, who was raised in a fundamentalist church, explains the young earth creationist viewpoint that the Earth is only about 6000 years old and survived a global flood. He notes that 'Answers in Genesis' aims to build support by appealing to religious individuals who feel Christians are attacked by scientists. Oliver warns that this museum project is likely a precursor to attempts to introduce "intelligent design" and other euphemisms for creationism into public schools, citing San Diego as a precedent. He advises against debating creationists in public forums, as their arguments are often more appealing to laypersons than scientific evidence, and they may resort to distortions and lies. While acknowledging that the museum is being built on private property with private funds, Oliver expresses concern about the impact on the local area, which has largely been free of such influence.

President's Corner: CSICOP meets the X-Files and Speculative Science wins

Joe Gastright, President of the Association, reports on the Friday luncheon speaker at the First World Skeptical Conference, Chris Carter, the creator and executive producer of 'The X-Files.' Carter, who was warmly received, defended his show's use of speculative science for dramatic effect. He stated he is a skeptic, not a purveyor of pseudoscience, but uses it in storytelling. Carter mentioned that a suggestion to add a "Why File" epilogue to each episode, explaining the real scientific investigation of paranormal claims, was rejected as it would detract from the show's entertainment value. He argued that 'The X-Files' has a "smart, intelligent basis in good science" and that scientists were used to ensure it was "responsible to real hard science." Carter admitted that the show's appeal lies in leaving viewers with a strong suggestion that paranormal claims may exist, comparing it to the necessity of "mysticism, ghosts, and magic" in drama, similar to Shakespeare. He noted that stories with plausible, rational explanations were "boring" and "bad for story telling."

Carter also revealed personal beliefs, admitting to being a believer in conspiracy theories due to government actions in the sixties, and suggested a human need for belief in something "beyond our temporal lives, an after life, a God." He questioned how science creates hope in the world, referencing urban legends about cell phones and cancer. Gastright concludes that Carter's approach involves inventing facts to support drama and presenting it as documentary, which is detrimental to skeptics.

From the Un-Easy Chair: The Sokal Hoax

Wolf Roder discusses the hoax paper published by New York University physicist Alan Sokal in the Duke University journal 'Social Text.' Sokal's paper, "Transgressing the Boundaries: Toward a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity," was deliberately filled with nonsense assertions designed to expose the journal's editors. Roder explains that the editors defended their publication by claiming that scientific reality is "socially constructed," meaning science is merely a set of man-made rules like a game. This ideology, Roder argues, flatters postmodern editors who believe all knowledge is an arbitrary agreement among powerful groups, thus validating feminist, Black, and other marginalized groups' "science" as equal to modern science, and by extension, creationism, chiropractic, and other New Age pseudoscience.

Roder highlights that cultural criticism initially focused on social sciences and history as mere opinion. However, when similar claims were made about physics and chemistry, scientists took notice. He asserts that even in economics, sociology, and history, there are facts and accurate interpretations alongside generalizations, just as in hard sciences. The paper's key point, as quoted from Sokal, is that the "infinite-dimensional invariance group" erodes the distinction between observer and observed, and that concepts like pi and Newton's G are perceived in their "ineluctable historicity," with the observer becoming "fatally de-centered."

Creationist Museum

This section provides further details about the proposed "Genesis Park" museum by 'Answers in Genesis' in Boone County, KY. A hearing was held on August 28, 1996, regarding the rezoning of 40 acres of land near Big Bone Lick State Park. The land is being purchased by a religious ministry to develop a "Creation Museum and Family Discovery Center," which is described as a religious amusement park intended to promote creationism and supplant the theory of evolution. The Boone County Comprehensive Plan for development highlights the area's paleontological and archeological significance and encourages research and a "proper museum." 'Answers in Genesis' uses this to suggest their project aligns with the plan, emphasizing that it will be at no cost to taxpayers. However, the article argues that the "museum" would misinterpret artifacts, degrade the area's integrity, and stifle scientific research. The Free Inquiry Group, Inc. encourages public opposition to this project.

Further comments from Elizabeth Oldiges note the site's location and local residents' protests due to fears of disturbing their quiet and increasing traffic. County authorities are reportedly focusing only on noise, visual, and sanitary provisions, not the validity of the museum's ideas.

Book Reviews

The Eagle and the Rose: A Remarkable True Story by Rosemary Altea

This review discusses Rosemary Altea's book, which describes her experiences as an internationally renowned psychic medium. The book details her difficult childhood, marriage, and subsequent entry into a spiritualist circle where her psychic gifts were recognized. She describes her "Spirit Guide," the Grey Eagle. The reviewer notes that Altea's description of psychic work is straightforward, and she seems more comfortable with spirits than with living people. The reviewer finds the book's intelligence lacking but makes up for it in dullness, citing inconsistencies in the narrative and the medium's unawareness during deep trances.

Poetry of the Universe: A Mathematical Exploration of the Cosmos by Robert Osserman

This review examines Robert Osserman's book, which explores fundamental questions about mathematics as a science versus a human invention, and why the universe seems to obey mathematical rules. The reviewer notes that Osserman avoids mathematical formulas, relying on historical exposition and geometric drawings to explain concepts like the earth's sphericity and curved space-time. The book is described as having a lot of material to learn from, but its reasoning is not simple or easy, requiring effort to understand modern cosmology.

Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt by Debbie Nathan and Michael Snedeker

This short book note reviews Nathan and Snedeker's work, which examines ritual satanic child abuse from the perspective of a modern witch hunt, drawing parallels to the Salem witch trials. The book details accusations of grotesque criminal activities against caretakers, often based on children's testimonies, and is dedicated to victims still incarcerated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the defense of scientific rationalism against pseudoscience and religious fundamentalism, the critical examination of claims of the paranormal, and the importance of clear thinking and evidence-based reasoning. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, advocating for the separation of church and state in education and promoting scientific literacy. The magazine actively critiques organizations and ideas that it perceives as undermining scientific understanding and rational inquiry.

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Vol. 6, No. 2
Date: 1996

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic delves into a variety of topics, ranging from the nature of musical perception and psychic abilities to science literacy, the evolution debate, and legal battles involving prominent organizations.

Articles and Features

Tales from the Paranormal: A Paradigm for Paranormal Behavior by Wolf Roder

Wolf Roder explores the concept of being "tone-deaf" using it as an analogy for understanding psychic abilities. He posits that just as most people can enjoy music without being able to discern fine points, and a small minority possess exceptional talent, so too might psychic abilities exist on a spectrum. Roder argues that if psychic talents were as rare as exceptional musical talent, the majority of people would be skeptical, much like his "tone-deaf" friend is to music. He suggests that the difficulty in proving rare phenomena lies in the lack of a widespread, easily discernible experience, drawing parallels between the inability to appreciate music and the inability to perceive or prove psychic phenomena. The author invites readers to consider how one could be sure that rare psychic talents do not exist.

In The News

This section presents answers to questions previously posed by the National Science Foundation to gauge Americans' understanding of science. The questions cover a range of topics including the Earth's core temperature, radioactivity, plant oxygen production, genetics, lasers, atomic structure, viruses, the Big Bang theory, plate tectonics, human evolution, the link between smoking and lung cancer, the extinction of dinosaurs, radioactive milk, union membership, international trade tariffs, and the relationship between wages and worker output.

True - False Questions:

• The center of the Earth is very hot (83% correct).
• All radioactivity is man-made (86% incorrect).
• The oxygen we breathe comes from plants (90% correct).
• The father's gene decides the baby's sex (74% incorrect; it's the X or Y chromosome).
• Lasers work by focusing sound waves (56% incorrect; it's stimulated light).
• Electrons are smaller than atoms (64% correct).
• Antibiotics kill viruses as well as bacteria (59% incorrect).
• The universe began with a huge explosion (46% correct, referring to the Big Bang theory).
• Continents have been moving for millions of years (89% correct, plate tectonics).
• Human beings developed from earlier species of animals (61% correct).
• Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer (92% correct, it contributes strongly).
• Earliest humans lived at the same time as dinosaurs (59% incorrect; dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago, humans appeared about 2 million years ago).
• Radioactive milk can be made safe by boiling it (70% incorrect).
• A majority of American workers are union members (57% incorrect; only 15.5% are unionized).
• Tariffs benefit some groups at the expense of others (84% correct).
• Increased import taxes will increase US goods sold abroad (60% incorrect).
• Encouraging investment in equipment increases labor productivity (67% correct).
• In a market economy, wages depend primarily on output per worker (46% incorrect; depends on supply and demand).

Multiple Choice Questions:

• Light travels faster than sound (86% correct).
• The Earth revolves around the Sun (43% incorrect; both revolve around their center of gravity).
• It takes one year for the Earth to go around the Sun (66% correct).
• Tightening the money supply by the Federal Reserve Board leads to higher interest rates (83% correct).
• US treasury bonds are the safest investment for $1,000 (72% correct).

Explain in your own words questions:

• DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, a chromosome, a string of bases acting as a program for building tissues.
• Molecule: The smallest unit of a chemical compound, consisting of atoms held by electric forces.
• Ozone layer hole: A thinning of ozone in the stratosphere, thought to be caused by man-made gases (CFCs) acting as catalysts.
• Location of ozone hole: Greatest thinning over the Antarctic continent, also exists over north polar regions.
• Harms of ozone hole: Increased ultraviolet rays from the sun, leading to more skin cancers.
• Primary cause of acid rain: Sulphur and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels.
• "Free trade" meaning: Trade among nations with minimal tariffs and restrictions.
• Drug testing: A controlled experiment with a treatment group receiving the drug and a control group receiving a placebo is the better method to determine drug effectiveness.
• Concept of "theory" in science: Refers to comprehensive sets of statements about natural processes or models, as opposed to everyday usage meaning speculation.

Letters to the Editor

To the State Capitol:

This letter urges an Ohio State Representative and Senator to oppose House Bill 692, which is claimed to be designed to mislead students about evolution. The author argues that if the intent is to encourage critical thinking, questions should be raised about all scientific concepts, not just evolution. The letter asserts that evolution is a well-confirmed scientific principle with adequate physical traces to support it, and that mainline science and religion accept it. It criticizes "anti-evolutionists" for introducing misleading information, such as denying the existence of transitional species, and for demanding unreasonable evidence for every species that ever existed.

Andrew O. Lutes (Mansfield News-Journal, Sunday 30 June 1996):

This piece reiterates the argument against House Bill 692, stating it aims to mislead students about evolution rather than encourage critical thinking. It questions why legislation would challenge evolution but not other scientific principles like atomic theory or gravity. The author emphasizes that evolution is a well-established scientific principle with empirical proof and that denying it undermines historical sciences. The letter compares scientists who reject evolution to those who believe in flying saucers, placing them on the "constant fringe" of science. It also addresses the anti-evolutionist argument about transitional fossils, stating that the fossil record has grown richer and identified many transitional species, and that the demand for remains of every species is unreasonable.

News from James Randi

Date: Thursday, 18 July 1996

RE: TWO MATTERS of INTEREST

James Randi reports on two significant events. The first is the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the Church of Scientology against Time magazine and reporter Richard Behar. The lawsuit, for $416 million, stemmed from a cover story titled "Scientology: The Cult of Greed." Judge Peter K. Leisure dismissed the case, upholding the First Amendment.

The second matter concerns an e-mail campaign against Randi and CSICOP, accusing them of promoting child molesting. The e-mails originate from someone claiming to represent "APCRIS" (Association for the Protection of Children's Rights in Society) and are linked to a writer named Michelle Landsberg, who has made similar accusations. Randi is seeking information to identify the individuals behind this campaign, describing it as "urban folklore" and "out-of-the-shadows anonymous things."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Cincinnati Skeptic consistently promotes a skeptical and evidence-based approach to claims, particularly those related to the paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs. The magazine champions scientific literacy and critical thinking, as evidenced by its detailed examination of science knowledge and its strong stance against what it perceives as anti-science or misleading information, particularly in the context of the evolution debate. The publication also appears to defend freedom of speech and the press, as seen in its coverage of the Scientology lawsuit. The editorial stance is clearly pro-science, pro-reason, and critical of unsubstantiated claims and attempts to undermine scientific consensus.