North Texas Skeptic - Vol 03 No 02 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 3 Number 2
Date: March/April 1989
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics

This issue of The Skeptic newsletter from The North Texas Skeptics covers a range of topics relevant to skepticism, science, and critical thinking. It includes organizational news, discussions on shamanism, pseudoscience, mathematical literacy, and science education.

NTS News and Events

The newsletter reports on significant organizational changes for The North Texas Skeptics (NTS). A mail-in ballot confirmed that NTS will soon become a Texas non-profit corporation with a single class of membership. Following incorporation, all current members, both Fellows and Associates, will become voting members. The existing membership structure will be renewed under a new dues system as it expires. The organization believes this more formal structure will better serve its growth and expanding activities.

The following members were elected to the Board of Directors: John A. Thomas as Chair, Mel Zemek as Co-chair, Mark Meyer as Secretary & Treasurer, and R. A. Dousette as Newsletter editor.

NTS February Program on Shamanism

The February program featured Prof. Joe Barnhart and Dr. Ray Toledo from the University of North Texas, who presented on the subject of shamanism. They discussed their recent investigations in Mexico, including videotaped sessions with five healers. "Shaman" is defined as a generic term for non-institutionalized, divinely guided healers or magicians. Prof. Barnhart's interest stems from his studies of religion and religious movements, with a particular focus on modern 'electronic shamans' like Rev. Oral Roberts. Dr. Toledo, a medical doctor, has studied shamanistic folk healers, especially in his native Mexico.

The discussion highlighted that shamanism, while considered a pseudoscience, can fill a need, particularly in areas like Mexico where good medical care is not universally accessible. Many Mexicans, especially those with less formal education, turn to shamans due to deep-seated religious and magical beliefs, sometimes consulting doctors first and then shamans if unsatisfied. Some shamans are religious healers, others esoteric, but most blend various beliefs. They often employ techniques similar to those used in psychology, such as imagery and relaxation, and understand the cultural context of their practice.

Shamans tend to address self-limiting or psychosomatic complaints, often seen in general practitioners' offices, and may turn away those with acute illnesses they cannot treat. Dr. Toledo suggested that medical science has neglected the social and subjective aspects of healing, which contributes to shamanism's appeal. He emphasized that subjective suffering is as real a problem for the patient as an objective organic disorder.

March 19 Event

A skeptical look at the Lifespring motivational program in Dallas is scheduled for March 19. Karen Thorson, a former Lifespring member, will discuss the program's claims and whether scientific evidence supports them. Lifespring has been compared to "urban cults," est, and Scientology.

God, Darwin and the Dinosaurs

NTS member Ron Hastings was featured on the Channel 13 Nova program on February 20th, which discussed "God, Darwin and the Dinosaurs." The program included Hastings' work on the Glen Rose dinosaur tracks and his remarks on creationism and education.

A Skeptic's Predictions for 1989

By Tim Gorski, this section presents ten skeptical predictions for 1989:

1. No extraterrestrial spacecraft or aliens will be recovered, despite UFO enthusiasts' claims of government cover-ups.
2. James Randi will still possess his $10,000 bounty for proof of paranormal abilities.
3. An entertainment celebrity will die, another will marry, and another will divorce.
4. Dan Quayle will become an embarrassment to President George Bush.
5. George Bush will be inaugurated without incident but will face a difficult first year as president.
6. Congress will enact a pay raise for its members.
7. The price of oil will change by no more than 10% from the start of the year.
8. The Supreme Court will issue a significant decision on abortion.
9. The Soviet Union will announce a major new peace initiative.
10. The overall psychic prediction success rate, as monitored by NTS, will be worse than the success rate of these skeptical predictions.

An editorial note clarifies that Tim Gorski provided these predictions before the inauguration, and he will receive credit for prediction #5. It also humorously notes that there is still room for improvement to outperform "TAP seers."

Innumeracy

This section reviews "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos (Hill & Wang, N.Y., 1988). The book argues that an inability to understand and deal with numbers is as debilitating as illiteracy. Paulos focuses on the general helplessness of educated people with concepts of quantity, magnitude, fractions, combinations, and probability, rather than advocating for advanced mathematical education.

The book aims to explain simple mathematical skills that can help individuals grasp information from the daily flood of facts. Paulos suggests that improved estimation and calculation skills would lead to fewer ridiculous notions. The book uses entertaining examples, such as estimating the capacity of the U.S. Capitol building or the volume of watermelons, and discusses stock market scams, AIDS testing, election paradoxes, and risk evaluation.

Paulos identifies a tendency to underestimate the frequency of coincidences as a characteristic of "innumerates." He dedicates a chapter to pseudoscience, critically examining astrology, parapsychology, predictive dreams, faith healing, and numerology, explaining how fundamental misunderstandings of arithmetic, coincidence, and probability make people susceptible to pseudoscience practitioners.

Causes of innumeracy are attributed to poor education, psychological blocks, and romantic misconceptions about mathematics. Poor education is explored through the lack of teaching estimation and informal logic, dull textbooks, unqualified teachers, and a joyless pedagogical approach. Psychological factors include the tendency to personalize events and resist external perspectives, along with an innate desire to find meaning in chance occurrences. "Romantic misconceptions" refer to the idea that mathematics is cold and rigid, diminishing feelings for nature or spiritual issues.

The book is described as fun, instructive, and accessible to anyone. The review concludes that if more people understood these simple concepts, society would improve, and if politicians and news writers understood them, public debate and decision-making would be dramatically enhanced.

Members Urged to Support Textbook Change

Members are urged to support a proposed change in protocols for new science textbooks, which the State Board of Education will vote on March 11. These protocols aim to ensure that textbooks thoroughly cover the essentials of the subject and the methods of scientific inquiry. A key requirement is that biology texts fully cover the theory of evolution and its place in life sciences. Readers are encouraged to write to the State Board of Education in Austin or their local board member to express their support. NTS member Ron Hastings is monitoring these proceedings and will provide updates.

MEETING SCHEDULE

The meeting schedule includes an April 16 event where Professor Alan Saxe will discuss the value of skepticism and when skeptics should be skeptical. He will explore the broader social and political implications of skepticism and scientific rationality.

Additional 1989 meeting dates are listed, with topics to be announced later: May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, and December 17. All meetings are held at 2:00 p.m. in Room 101, University Hall, University of Texas at Arlington.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism, critical thinking, and the scientific method, applied to various topics including pseudoscience, paranormal claims, and educational standards. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and the promotion of scientific literacy. The newsletter actively engages with current events and intellectual trends, encouraging members to participate in advocacy for science education and to critically evaluate claims made in popular culture and public discourse.