North Texas Skeptic - Vol 14 No 03 - 2000

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 14, Number 3, published in March 2000, is a newsletter from The North Texas Skeptics organization. The issue features articles on 'Free energy,' 'Skeptics Web site at The Dallas Morning News,' 'Web news,' 'What's new,' and 'Skeptical ink.' The cover headline prominently displays 'Free energy.'

Free energy

This section, authored by John Blanton, delves into the concept of 'free energy' and its relation to the laws of thermodynamics. It begins by referencing historical figures like Watt, Joule, and Carnot, and the fundamental principle that 'there is no free lunch,' encapsulated by the First Law of Thermodynamics (energy conservation).

The article discusses 'perpetual motion machine cranks' who attempted to violate the first law, and contrasts them with inventors who seek to 'finesse' it. It explains Joule's concept of the mechanical equivalent of heat, where work produces an equivalent amount of heat. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is introduced, which further restricts the usability of energy, even if present. This is humorously restated as a poker game: 'You can't win' (first law), 'You can't break even' (second law), and 'You can't get out of the game' (third law).

The author then addresses Joseph Newman, whose book 'The Energy Machine of Joseph Newman' is mentioned. Newman is characterized as a 'free energy crank' who aims to violate the first law of thermodynamics. His theories are based on misconceptions, including the idea that electricity flows at the speed of light in wires (electrons actually move much slower, while signals travel fast). Newman's concept of 'gyroscopic particles' moving at the speed of light is also questioned.

The article then shifts to 'Zero point energy,' a concept explored by physicist Harold Puthoff. It stems from the idea that empty space is not empty, with particles momentarily appearing and disappearing. While physicist Steven Weinberg confirms zero point energy is real, he cautions that the amount of energy available is likely very small, comparable to a gallon of gasoline in the Earth's volume.

'Free energy' is also discussed in the context of solar power, which provides energy at no additional expense after the initial kilowatt hour. However, the high cost of solar cells makes the first kilowatt hour prohibitive, explaining why OPEC remains relevant. The potential of harnessing hydrogen fusion power is explored, referencing projects like 'Sherwood' and the Russian 'tokamak' device, though both are noted for consuming more power than they produced.

Skeptics Web site at The Dallas Morning News

This section, also by John Blanton, announces the launch of the North Texas Skeptics' (NTS) new Web site, hosted by The Dallas Morning News. The site offers an online calendar of events, support for chats, form processing, and email capabilities. It also plans to include an online donation form and eventually host all back issues of the newsletter. The Web master, Curtis Severns, is credited with setting up the page.

Web news

Authored by John Blanton, this section covers several brief news items:

The straight homeopathy

It discusses Cecil Adams' 'The Straight Dope' column, which addresses reader questions with well-researched answers. A question about homeopathic remedies for a cold, based on 'the vibration of the molecules of the plant,' is presented. Cecil Adams' response dismisses homeopathy as having made a comeback and having proven effectiveness on par with 'eye of newt,' calling it 'nuts.'

Northern exposure

This item reports on a creationist speaking at a local school in Willmar, Minnesota, as reported by August Pamplona from the Skeptic list server. It mentions a news item from the local paper about the story of creation versus evolution and notes that Dr. Don Bierle, a biologist and Bible scholar, will be discussing both concepts.

Crop Circle Beer

Pat Reeder shares an item from the Electronic Telegraph about a new product from California called 'Crop Circle Beer.' The beer is brewed using barley grown in fields with crop circles, with the maltster emphasizing the need for the barley to be clearly identifiable and traceable.

The wild, wild world of Kent Hovind

This section critiques Kent Hovind, a creationist speaker known for his unorthodox perspective and exaggerated academic record. It mentions his affiliation with Patriot University, described as an 'accreditation mill,' and his $250,000 challenge for empirical evidence of evolution. The article links to further information on Hovind's claims and the reality of his challenge.

Human energy fields

It mentions physicist Vic Stenger of the University of Hawaii, who has researched solar neutrinos and maintains a skeptical Web site. His presentation 'A physicist looks at the human energy field' is available online.

Lions and tigers and bears!

This brief item introduces the 'Scraphorn Monster Society' and its Web site, suggesting that Bigfoot is less remarkable than the tales of the scraphorn monster. It also notes that the site offers merchandise.

What's new

This section, following clippings of interest, includes:

Patent nonsense: infinite energy meets infinite bandwidth

It reports on BlackLight Power being awarded a patent for a chemical means of shrinking hydrogen atoms into 'hydrinos,' which inventor Randall Mills claims is a major discovery. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has warned that Media Fusion's claims about transmitting data over power lines lack scientific merit.

Science and religion: AAAS council to discuss "the dialogue."

It notes that the AAAS Dialogue on Science and Religion, funded by the Templeton Foundation, is being discussed by the AAAS Council due to concerns that it is at odds with the AAAS mission to advance science.

Alternative medicine: even placebos have side effects.

An NIH study found that St. John's wort interferes with protease inhibitors for AIDS treatment and possibly cyclosporin for transplant rejection. It also mentions a company selling 'Sam-E' at zero concentration, highlighting that suppliers of 'natural' substances are not required to prove safety or efficacy.

Who wants to be a millionaire? ABC pays inept psychic $1M.

This item recounts how ABC covertly videotaped Mark Sanders, a telephone psychic, revealing his business as a scam. Sanders sued ABC for ruining his reputation, but a jury agreed with ABC, noting his failure to sense he was being taped.

Skeptical Ink.

This section features a comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton titled 'An oil Spot dries in the Sun on a driveway in North Dallas.' The comic depicts people seeing the face of a man in an oil spot, with one person thinking, 'It's just the way I thought he would look.' Another panel shows celebrities attracted to the spectacle, and the final panel quotes, '...of the image of Paul Kurtz in an oil spot.' The copyright is 2000, and free, non-commercial reuse is permitted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, particularly those related to 'free energy' and alternative medicine, and the promotion of scientific literacy. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, as evidenced by the debunking of concepts like perpetual motion machines, the critique of creationism and homeopathy, and the highlighting of questionable scientific patents. The newsletter actively promotes the work of skeptical organizations and individuals, providing resources and information to counter misinformation and promote critical thinking.