North Texas Skeptic - Vol 02 No 05 - 1988

Magazine Overview

This document is the November/December 1988 issue of "The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics," Volume 2, Number 5. It focuses on the activities, discussions, and research undertaken by the organization, promoting skepticism and critical thinking.

NTS News and Events

The "NTS News and Events" section details recent activities. Ron Hastings' article, "The Rise and Fall of the Paluxy Mantracks," published in "Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith," is mentioned for its historical account and insights into dinosaur locomotion. The Board of Directors has elected Mark Meyer as Treasurer and is seeking a Secretary. The organization's bibliography, "Scientists Confront Pseudoscience," has been distributed to libraries in North Texas. NTS membership has grown from approximately 80 to over 100 members. Board meetings are held at 1:30 p.m. before the monthly program, and members are welcome to attend. The organization has received over $250 in donations, with major expenses including newsletter production, mailing, and stationery.

NTS Members Get National Publicity

Member Eddie Vela's story about pseudoscientific beliefs among high school biology teachers, initially featured in the "Dallas Morning News," gained national attention through the Associated Press. Research by members Raymond Eve and Dana Dunn was publicized by CBS, ABC, United Stations radio, Channel 8 local news, and radio talk shows in Tampa-St. Petersburg, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Seattle. A meeting was scheduled for November 20th for members to learn about these findings.

NTS Features Programs on Homeopathy

This section details two recent NTS meetings focused on homeopathy. Dr. Harold F. Newman from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spoke about the agency's efforts against health fraud and its drug approval process. He explained that the 1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act exempted drugs listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia or Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia from being considered "new drugs," thus limiting the FDA's regulatory power over homeopathic remedies. Dr. Joe D. Goldstrich, a medical doctor practicing homeopathy, discussed his approach, which involves extensive patient interviews and a belief in the "law of similars." He acknowledged the lack of scientifically credible evidence for homeopathy's efficacy, relying instead on clinical experience and testimonials. Dr. Goldstrich expressed interest in participating in a blinded study, and NTS offered assistance with the blinding process.

NTS Annual Party

An afternoon get-together was planned for Saturday, December 3rd, hosted by NTS and Mel Zemek at his home. This event was intended to allow new members to meet and exchange ideas.

NTS Survey Results

Approximately 20% of members responded to a survey. Key findings include: 68% found the name "Skeptic" satisfactory, with suggestions for alternatives like "science and rationality advocates." Meeting times were convenient for 47%, inconvenient for 25%, and indifferent for 31%. Locations were convenient for 53%, inconvenient for 16%, and indifferent for 31%. Programs were rated good by 58%, with suggestions for more prominent speakers and debate formats. The newsletter was rated good-to-excellent by 79%, with a desire for more coverage of local pseudoscience activities, book reviews, and member contributions. Members generally agreed with the organization's approach, prioritizing advancing science and rationality and educating the public over mere debunking.

NTS Ghost Busters?

This section features a letter from John A. Thomas, Chair of NTS, to Ms. Jan Browning, President of the Texas Association for Parapsychology (TAP). Thomas expressed interest in learning about reported ghost and haunted house phenomena, emphasizing NTS's aim to educate the public on the scientific method. He stated that while paranormal claims are not rejected outright, they should be subject to critical inquiry, and evidence should be producible. He requested information on experiencing or observing ghosts under satisfactory conditions.

NTS Chair Appears on Heritage Cable System

Chair John Thomas participated in a TV interview show called "Social Issues," sponsored by Professors Tony Picchioni and Paul McGee of North Lake College. The discussion focused on science, empiricism, critical thinking, and the challenges of fostering a skeptical outlook in young people. The show was scheduled to be broadcast multiple times on the Heritage cable system.

Meeting Schedule

• Upcoming meetings included:
• November 20: Professors Ray Eve and Dana Dunn of UTA presenting their research on the scientific competence of science teachers.
• December 11: Dan Korem, writer, producer, and magician, discussing cold reading and his experiences exposing psychics and faith healers.

All meetings were scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Room 101, University Hall, University of Texas at Arlington.

Funds Needed to Expand Study of Pseudoscientific Beliefs

Dr. Ray Eve and Dr. Dana Dunn are developing a study on pseudoscientific beliefs among high school biology and life science teachers. They have completed a pretest with about 200 responses and are seeking funding for a fully representative national sample of 1500 teachers. Dr. Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education offered initial funding, but an additional $6,000-$7,000 is required. Federal agencies have been approached without success. The article encourages anyone with leads on funding to contact the researchers. NTS is also exploring collaboration with The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).

A recipe for skepticism?

This article by Deborah A. Boak reviews teaching materials from The Teachers' Press, written by Fred Smith and Brant Abrahamson, focused on critical thinking and logical fallacies. The materials are designed for high school students and cover topics like Authorities, Prejudice in Group Relations, Seeking Information, and Logical Fallacies. Boak praises the effectiveness of the materials in teaching students to identify and analyze logical fallacies and absurd arguments from media and everyday experiences. She notes that the authors focus on "social studies" but argues that this approach is fundamental to all subjects, including history, literature, and science. The article discusses the potential challenges of incorporating such critical thinking skills into public school curricula, as it might make students less susceptible to fallacious reasoning used by authority figures. NTS has a copy of these materials available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the promotion of skepticism and critical thinking, the importance of scientific literacy, and the debunking of pseudoscience. The organization actively engages in public outreach, member education, and research. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and scientific inquiry, while remaining open to investigating paranormal claims with a critical eye. The newsletter serves as a platform for sharing research, announcing events, and fostering a community of like-minded individuals.