Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 12 No 03 - 2002-2003

Magazine Overview

Title: Cincinnati Skeptic
Issue: Vol. 12 No. 3
Date: December 2002/January 2003
Publisher: The Association for Rational Thought

This issue of the Cincinnati Skeptic newsletter delves into various topics related to skepticism, science, and critical thinking. It features discussions on historical witchcraft accusations, scientific investigations into the human soul, book reviews on astronomy and science, and sociological models.

October Meeting: Witches and Fairies – A Short View of Accusations and Legends

Edgar Slotkin, Professor of English at the University of Cincinnati, presented a discussion on witchcraft hysteria across cultures, focusing on the period between 1600-1750 in Europe. He explored why certain times and places experienced witch accusations and trials, proposing a definition for societies prone to such behavior. Slotkin distinguished between the 'nightmare witch,' a common cultural image, and the 'real' witch, who is an actual person accused of witchcraft. He noted that while nightmare witches are universal, 'real' witches are accused within a culture. The presentation touched upon the connection between witchcraft and heresy, citing Joan of Arc as an example where accusations were used for political or religious motives. Slotkin highlighted the 'Age of Reason' as a period of mass witch accusations and burnings, noting the selective geographical distribution of these events. He observed that areas with strong fairy legends, such as Ireland and Norway, had fewer witchcraft accusations compared to neighboring regions. This suggests a cultural distinction based on belief in supernatural creatures.

November Meeting: Measuring the Human Soul and other Amusements

Dr. William B. Jensen of the University of Cincinnati discussed his long-standing interest in the history of special "scientific" apparatus designed for investigating psychic phenomena. Part I of his talk covered devices like the Leftwich paddle and human magnetometer, which he explained are found in 19th-century books of scientific amusements and likely respond to electrostatic charges rather than true psychic phenomena. Part II focused on attempts to detect the human soul using weighing experiments. Dr. Jensen reviewed early 20th-century experiments by Duncan MacDougall and H. L. Twining on weighing humans, dogs, and mice at the moment of death. He concluded these experiments provided no evidence for a material soul, as they failed to account for escaping gases or vapors, violating principles learned from Lavoisier. MacDougall's work inspired André Maurois' novel, 'The Weigher of Souls.'

Book Reviews

Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing Hoax by Philip C. Plait

Reviewed by Wolf Roder, this book is praised for its accessible approach to correcting scientific misinformation. Plait, a professor of astronomy and physics, maintains the website <www.badastronomy.com>. The book covers topics like the Coriolis effect, the difference between meteors and meteorites, the nature of the sky's color, and astronomical phenomena like eclipses and planetary alignments. It debunks common myths, including the moon landing hoax, Velikovsky's theories, creationism, UFO misidentifications, and the invalidity of astrology. Roder recommends the book for its wealth of knowledge presented in an easy-to-understand and amusing manner, particularly for teenagers interested in science.

Don't Know Much About the Universe: Everything you need to know about the Cosmos but Never learned by Kenneth C. Davis

Reviewed by Wolf Roder, this is the fifth book in Ken Davis' series. It covers the science of the universe, astronomy, cosmology, physics, and chemistry without equations or numbers. Davis takes a historical approach, discussing discoveries and scientists, and addressing misconceptions and ancillary questions. The review notes that Davis clears up nonsense without attacking religion, discussing figures like Giordano Bruno and Galileo. A key quote highlights the shift from superstition to reason. The review also includes an explanation of how theories are confirmed, referencing Karl Popper's philosophy of negative confirmation. Roder recommends the book for its ease of reading and amusement, especially for those who don't already know a lot about the subject.

Sociological Model: Group Strength and Grid Strength

Reported by Roy Auerbach, this section introduces a sociological model to understand phenomena like witchcraft accusations. The model uses two axes: group strength (group identity and insularity) and grid strength (rigidity of group organization). Low group/low grid societies (e.g., hippie communes) are unstable. Low grid/high group societies (e.g., tribes) have strong leaders and group identity. High grid/low group societies (e.g., Feudal Europe) have strong allegiance relationships but weak group boundaries. High group strength is linked to a greater likelihood of witchcraft accusations, as societies under stress tend to increase group strength and perceive internal threats. McCarthyism is cited as an example of strong group essence. The Renaissance is presented as a period of radical change in group structure, leading to increased witchcraft accusations in societies like England, which had strong group identity.

Skeptical Thoughts on Love and Marriage

This section presents a collection of humorous quotes and observations about love and marriage, contributed by Charles Hughes. The quotes offer witty, often cynical, perspectives on relationships, marriage, and gender roles.

Science Book Club Meetings for 2002

This section lists the scheduled meetings for the Science Book Club, including the book titles and authors for discussions from November 2002 to February 2003. Titles include 'E=MC²,' 'Seven Daughters of Eve,' 'Invisible Walls,' and 'The Ends of the Earth.'

Details of Upcoming Events

This section outlines the upcoming meetings for the 2002-2003 season. The third meeting on December 14, 2002, features Gary Weiss discussing "Different size infinities." Rick Davis will present a short subject on "Taos, New Mexico, and Kokomo, Indiana, 'hums.'" The fourth meeting on January 11, 2002, is detailed, with a program and lunch at The Dubliner. Future programs and speakers are also listed, including topics on faith-based recovery programs, Tarot cards, acupuncture, Darwin's papers, beekeeping, evolution in Islamic countries, and "Idiotic Design."

Membership Information

Details are provided for membership in The Association for Rational Thought, including annual dues of $15.00, which includes a subscription to the Cincinnati Skeptic. Information on how to join, renew, or make contributions is included, along with contact details for President Roy Auerbach and Rick Davis, and the association's website.

Skepticism and ART on the Electronic Media

This section encourages readers to join SANE (Skeptical Area Network Effort) for skeptical news via email and to visit the Cincinnati Skeptics website for BLURBS, links, information on SANE, bylaws, and meeting details. David Wall is listed as the Web Site Manager.

What is a Skeptic?

This section defines skepticism as a response to paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. Skeptics embrace the scientific method, demand extraordinary evidence for extraordinary claims, and meet to discuss and debate such claims. The Association for Rational Thought is presented as a group that debates merits, skewers dogmatism, and has fun.

Preview Of Coming Attractions

This section previews upcoming meetings for the 2002-2003 season, including the fourth, fifth, and sixth meetings, with dates and times. It also mentions a Friday the 13th in June and asks for program committee ideas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and the debunking of pseudoscience and paranormal claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational thought, evidence-based reasoning, and skepticism towards extraordinary claims. The newsletter actively promotes scientific literacy and encourages its readers to engage in critical examination of various topics, from historical superstitions to modern scientific concepts.