Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 10 No 02 - 2000

Magazine Overview

The October/November 2000 issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic, published by The Association for Rational Thought, features a cover headline stating, "Never assume a conspiracy when ignorance and incompetence can explain the situation," attributed to Bill Johnston.

In this Issue

The table of contents lists articles on "Cicada Guy Unlocks Origin," "World Trade Organization Protests," "Comments Corner," "Too Many Books," "Puzzle for Thinkers," "Superstition Bash Information," and "Membership information."

September Meeting: Cicada Guy Unlocks Origin

This article discusses Gene Kritsky, a September meeting speaker and expert on periodical cicadas, who wrote "Instant Origin" to simplify Darwin's "Origin of Species." Kritsky's own experience with the book, including initial confusion and his students' lack of engagement with it, motivated him to create a more accessible version. Darwin originally planned a multi-volume series on speciation but condensed it into "Origin of Species" as an "abstract" over 500 pages. Gene Kritsky has reduced this to 125 pages of excerpts and illustrations with his notes. The article explains that Darwin's "Origin of Species" aimed to refute creationist claims of single creation events followed by a flood. Darwin tested this against observations, such as the Galapagos Islands' volcanic nature and the variation in finch beak sizes, questioning how species could disperse from a single point without leaving descendants along the way. Darwin's goal was to establish natural selection as the mechanism for descent over long periods, contrasting it with the creationist view. He also made predictions, such as the existence of a moth with a long proboscis to pollinate a specific Madagascar orchid, which was later confirmed.

The article further details Darwin's argument in "Origin of Species." He began by discussing variation under domestication, using examples like dog breeds and pigeon varieties to show how selection can create significant differences. He then argued that variation occurs in nature, citing the wide geographic distribution of species like the Tiger Cowry, which shows variation across subspecies and varieties, suggesting a process rather than a single creation event. Darwin predicted that broad geographic distribution led to wide variation. The article notes that Darwin avoided the word "evolution" in "Origin of Species" due to potential controversy, with Herbert Spencer later coining the phrase "survival of the fittest" and using the term "evolution."

Darwin's argument progressed to explaining why variations occur, focusing on the struggle for existence where only some offspring survive. Chapter 4 illustrated the adaptive value of variation, using protective coloration of moths as an example, and discussed the rate of change and how competition for resources drives change. Chapter 5 addressed challenges to his theory, such as the complexity of the eye, which Darwin countered by pointing to primitive functional versions in many species. He also used the example of the honeycomb to show how graded variations, rather than single-stroke creation, led to its perfection. Darwin demonstrated that species can cross-breed and produce fertile offspring, using periodical cicadas as an example, showing that they are not entirely independent entities. The article also touches on Darwin's approach to the fossil record, noting that he did not rely on it heavily and even addressed criticisms of its incompleteness. He predicted the discovery of fossils predating the Cambrian Age, which has since occurred. Darwin's final chapter focused on biogeography, arguing that climate alone does not explain the distribution and variation of species, but competition is also a key factor. He concluded that the classification of plants and animals shows a branching pattern consistent with variations and speciation caused by natural selection.

On the Subject of the Violent Protests Against the World Trade Organization in Seattle

This section, drawing from an "Intelligence Report" by the Southern Poverty Law Center, analyzes the "Battle in Seattle" protests. It notes the presence of both "progressive" groups and "hard-edged soldiers of neofascism," who decried "The New World Order Agenda" and "Jewish media plus big capital." The article suggests that the convergence of the far "left" and "right" in these protests may indicate the shape of future American extremism. It posits that many young people on both ends of the political spectrum share a worldview that opposes the homogenizing forces of globalism and despises capitalism. They favor decentralized, agrarian societies, a pristine environment, and a mystical spirituality over rationalism. These individuals are described as descendants of the "back-to-the-land hippies of the 1960s."

Comments Corner: "A Pugnacious Snapping Turtle"

This article by Joe Gastright details the life and work of Joseph Rodes Buchanan (1814-1899), a physician, philosopher, and educator in Cincinnati. Buchanan arrived in 1841 to join the faculty of "The Literary and Botanico-Medical Institute of Cincinnati," an academic version of Samuel Thompson's "patent medicine" movement. Buchanan's father, Joseph Buchanan Sr., was a founder of the medical school at Transylvania University and lectured on "Philosophy of Human Nature." Joseph Rodes Buchanan was described as self-educated, a journalist, and a doctor. He was orphaned young and supported himself as a printer and teacher. He was influenced by Charles Caldwell, a graduate of Benjamin Rush's medical school, who was interested in Phrenology, Mesmerism, and Prison Reform. Buchanan was a prolific writer, often on vitalistic and metaphysical topics. He was considered part of the mainstream medical community. The article notes that Buchanan and Caldwell were bright, well-educated, and convinced of their own brilliance, believing truth was intuitive and personal, and scientific truth was derived from attention to experiments. They were described as "pre-scientific" and "postmodern" in their views.

Too Many Books.... Too Little Time....

This section reviews "The Spark of Life: Darwin and the Primeval Soup" by Christopher Wills and Jeffrey Bada. The review distinguishes between the question of evolution and the origin of life, noting that creationists often conflate them. It explains that evolution deals with gradual change in animals and plants, while the origin of life is a bio-chemical question explored through laboratory experiments. The book reports on the state of research into how life might have arisen on Earth, dedicating the work to Stanley L. Miller, whose famous experiment created simple amino acids. The review highlights that our understanding of the early Earth's atmosphere, energy sources, and earliest life forms has changed significantly, with life potentially existing for only a few thousand years rather than billions. The article also mentions that early environments were likely chaotic, with volcanic activity, meteorites, and underwater vents proposed as sites for early life. The discovery of DNA as the blueprint for life provides a focus for research, with some suggesting messenger RNA or a more primitive molecule as the earliest replicator. The review notes that life exists in extreme conditions, from deep below the Earth's surface to Antarctic rocks and Arctic oceans. It concludes that our understanding of early Earth environments has been greatly modified, moving from Darwin's "warm little pond" idea to a picture of a storm-assaulted, volcano-studded, earthquake-wracked chaos.

Denying History: Who says the Holocaust Never Happened and Why do They Say it?

This review discusses the book "Denying History" by Michael Shermer and Alex Grobman. The review highlights that while many historical events are subject to interpretation due to distance in time, the Holocaust is a well-documented event within living memory, supported by photography, film, eyewitness accounts, and bureaucratic records. The review states that Holocaust deniers assert that while many Jews died, millions did not, that deaths were part of war chaos and not intentional extermination, and that gas chambers did not exist. The authors argue that Holocaust denial is driven by an ideological agenda to revive anti-Jewish hatreds and justify racist nationalism, linking it to a revival of Nazism. The book "Denying History" systematically refutes these arguments, explaining the process of rational historical research and differentiating it from pseudo-history. The review draws a parallel between Holocaust denial and creationism, noting that both focus on picking apart evidence rather than presenting a coherent alternative narrative. It concludes that while individual pieces of evidence can be rejected, the overwhelming body of evidence for the Holocaust is undeniable.

A Puzzle for Thinkers: Pocket Money

This section presents a word problem involving three students, Tom, Richard, and Helen, and their pocket money, with a total of $28.80 per week. The solution to last month's puzzle (a variation of the Monty Hall problem) is also provided, explaining why switching doors increases the probability of winning.

Beware of Magnets that Really Work:

This brief item reports on a study by Dr. Thomas Mattioni of the Arizona Heart Institute, which suggests that magnets can have a real effect on some patients, contrary to the common belief that their effectiveness is purely placebo. It warns that magnetic fields can interfere with pacemakers and implanted defibrillators, advising that magnets should be kept at least six inches away from such devices.

Superstition Bash Information

This section announces an event titled "Explore the World of Superstitions - rational & irrational, familiar & unfamiliar." It invites attendees to test their courage by performing actions like opening an umbrella indoors or walking under a ladder. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 13, 2000, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM at St. John's Unitarian Church, 320 Resor Ave., Cincinnati, OH. Attendees are asked to RSVP to Donna Loughry.

Membership and Association Information

This section provides details about The Association for Rational Thought (A.R.T.), an independent, nonprofit organization that shares the ideas of CSICOP, the Skeptics Society, and JREF. It lists contact information for various skeptical organizations and A.R.T. officers. Membership dues are $15.00 annually and include a subscription to the Cincinnati Skeptic. Information on how to join, renew membership, or make additional contributions is provided, along with details about the "SANE" (Skeptical Area Network Effort) email list and the A.R.T. website.

Preview Of Coming Attractions

Upcoming events include the "Superstition Bash" on Friday, October 13, 2000, and the "Third Meeting of the 2000-2001 Season" on Saturday, November 11, 2000, at a new location: Bonham Branch Library in Wyoming, OH. Details about parking, nearby food options, and meeting times are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical thinking, skepticism, and the rational examination of claims, particularly those related to pseudoscience, paranormal phenomena, and historical revisionism. The magazine consistently promotes scientific inquiry and evidence-based reasoning, as demonstrated by its articles on evolution, the debunking of Holocaust denial, and the analysis of protests through a rational lens. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific methodology, intellectual honesty, and the debunking of misinformation and conspiracy theories. The publication serves as a platform for disseminating skeptical viewpoints and encouraging an informed, rational approach to understanding the world.