North Texas Skeptic - Vol 13 No 03 - 1999

Magazine Overview

Title: The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics
Issue: Volume 13 Number 3
Date: March 1999
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics

This issue of The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics provides a skeptical examination of various topics, including pseudoscientific health claims, conspiracy theories, media portrayals of paranormal phenomena, and the conflict between science and creationism. The publication emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and the importance of understanding basic scientific principles.

Healthy Skepticism: A Lesson in Chemistry and Chicanery

By Tim Gorski MD

This article debunks the purported benefits of 'Microhydrin,' a product claimed to be a "nutritional form of hydrogen" and "the ultimate antioxidant." Gorski explains that antioxidants, like antacids, do not prevent reactions but rather participate in them. He draws parallels between the claims for Microhydrin and the idea of using lye as an antacid, highlighting the danger of highly reactive substances. Acid-base chemistry involves protons (H+), with acids donating them and bases accepting them. Strong acids and bases are reactive, while biological processes typically use weak acids and bases. Redox reactions involve electrons, with oxidation being electron donation and reduction being electron acceptance. Life relies on redox reactions, often involving oxygen. While antioxidants can be beneficial by acting as reducing agents that are more readily oxidized than vital biomolecules, the idea of a "stronger" or "ultimate" antioxidant like 'silica hydride' is preposterous. Such a substance would likely react explosively. The article criticizes the marketing hype surrounding such products and notes that while some antioxidants like BHA and BHT have shown promise in studies, the evidence for many supplements remains weak. The claims for 'Microhydrin' are dismissed as chemically unsound, akin to claiming lye is a safe and effective antacid.

Post-rational: New Conspiracy Theories

By Jimmy Reynolds

This section explores several contemporary conspiracy theories. The "Cassini Deception" theory posits that NASA's Cassini probe, carrying plutonium, is not for power generation but for a nuclear strike against alien bases on Saturn's moons, a claim the author dismisses by referencing the probe's actual function and the debunked "Star Wars" propaganda. The article also touches on the alleged disappearance of an alien baby from Area 51 in 1952 and the myth of neighbors hiding black helicopters. Reynolds concludes by humorously noting that the evidence for these theories is lacking, and that common explanations are often mundane.

The Third Eye: News and Commentary from the Weird World of the Media

By Pat Reeder

Reeder critiques a discussion between Art Bell and UFO abduction proponent Budd Hopkins, where they allegedly attacked skeptics. Hopkins accused PBS of suppressing evidence regarding UFO abductions, despite providing photos of superficial skin abrasions. Reeder argues that Hopkins's definition of skepticism is flawed, as he dismisses the possibility of abductees lying or being mentally disturbed, while paradoxically claiming to be a skeptic himself. The article also discusses Art Bell receiving CSICOP's "Snuffed Candle Award" for undermining science and logic, with Bell and Hopkins mocking skeptics for condemning something they hadn't heard. Reeder criticizes Bell's flawed logic in this anecdote. The section also briefly mentions new Vatican exorcism guidelines and the "Great Asbestos Cancer Panic," suggesting that the widespread asbestos cleanup was an overreaction driven by alarmists and industry, with little scientific basis for the risk in buildings.

Web News

This section includes several short items:

• Budd Hopkins's response to New York (City) Area Skeptics: Budd Hopkins responds to an invitation to debate the nature of UFOs. He states his policy is to investigate phenomena rather than debate them, arguing that skeptics often hold rigid beliefs against UFOs. He proposes a meeting to discuss protocols for shared investigation of future cases, rather than a debate, emphasizing collaboration over ideological opposition.

• Andrew Weil endorses therapeutic touch: This segment discusses "therapeutic touch" (TT), a practice where practitioners use their hands to assess and balance energy fields for healing. Despite a JAMA study finding that experienced TT practitioners could not detect an "energy field," Andrew Weil, MD, still recommends TT, citing evidence of its effectiveness in pain reduction and relaxation, and suggesting that its mechanism is not yet understood.

• On confronting creationist fallacies: This reprinted article from SCIENCE-WEEK discusses the conflict between scientific education and creationist views. It argues that the issue is not religion versus science, but rather a fringe group's attempt to impose biblical narratives into science curricula. The author, D. Wise, calls for challenging creationists to defend their claims as science and highlights specific biblical claims that contradict scientific data, such as the order of creation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, the debunking of conspiracy theories, and the defense of scientific methodology against unfounded beliefs. The North Texas Skeptics consistently advocate for evidence-based reasoning and a healthy dose of skepticism towards extraordinary claims, particularly those presented in popular media or marketed as health solutions. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific literacy and against the spread of misinformation, whether it comes from marketing hype, conspiracy theorists, or religious fundamentalism attempting to influence science education.