North Texas Skeptic - Vol 14 No 04 - 2000

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, dated April 2000, focuses on debunking various pseudoscientific claims and practices. The cover story, "That voodoo that you do," introduces Robert L. Park's upcoming book, "Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud," which aims to expose fraudulent scientific claims.

"That voodoo that you do"

This section, excerpted from "APS News," introduces Robert L. Park, director of public affairs for the American Physical Society (APS). Park's book, "Voodoo Science," targets claims such as magnetic therapy, cold fusion, the Podkletnov gravity shield, free energy, and space colonization movements. The article highlights Park's role in educating the public about pseudoscience, citing his numerous media appearances and opinion pieces. It also details instances where his efforts led to government actions, such as the FTC investigation into "Vitamin O" and the removal of State Department sponsorship for a free energy conference.

The review of Park's book, written by Dr. Eugene F. Mallove, Editor-in-Chief of Infinite Energy Magazine, is critical. Mallove argues that Park and his colleagues in the physics establishment have abandoned curiosity and dismiss experimental data that conflicts with established theory. He specifically criticizes Park's treatment of cold fusion, accusing him of dismissing it as fraud without considering evidence of helium-4 detection, which has been published in peer-reviewed journals. Mallove contends that Park's book contains "egregious fraud" by omitting this data from journalists and the public. He also refutes Park's assertion that cold fusion scientists like Martin Fleischmann were unaware of existing research on hydrogen in metals, noting that Fleischmann co-authored textbooks on the subject and is a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Web news

Dowsing for landmines

This article by John Blanton discusses a method for using dowsing with a pendulum to locate landmines, as described by John Living. Living, trained in dowsing as an officer at the School of Military Engineering, explains how to select and use a pendulum and mark located mines. The article includes a cautionary note about the dangers involved and the importance of mental preparation. It also mentions a technique where dowsers work in sequence to minimize risk if a mine is detonated. The author expresses skepticism about the reliability of web information but finds this particular method intriguing.

BioElectric Shield

This section promotes the "BioElectric Shield," a necklace designed to protect against EMF radiation and negative energies. It is described as a matrix of precision cut crystals in a precious metal case, based on an ancient Tibetan design and laid out according to Nobel Prize physicist William Bragg's mathematical formula. The shield is claimed to balance and strengthen the natural energy field and has reportedly been medically tested on over 12,000 people.

Did ancient Egyptians travel to other planets?

This piece reports on Herbie Brennan's book "Martian Genesis," which suggests that pyramids possess physical properties, including the ability to generate static electricity and induce out-of-body experiences. The article draws parallels between the face on Mars and the Sphinx of Egypt, speculating about interactions between Martian and early human civilizations. It references the Egyptian belief in the "Ka" (a part of the soul that could travel) and suggests the Great Pyramid was designed as a "launching pad" for the pharaoh's soul to travel to the constellation Orion. The mysterious lights on the Great Pyramid are attributed to static electricity, and a mysterious force known as "psychotronic energy" is mentioned, citing experiments by Karel Drbal with pyramid models that could sharpen razor blades. Dr. Paul Brunton's alleged out-of-body experience in the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid is also recounted.

Misplaced candor

This short piece by Jerry Goodenough discusses the honesty of tabloid astrologer Jonathan Cainer. Cainer, who was poached by the Daily Express, reportedly admitted in an interview that astrologers deliberately use vague language and riddles to claim credit when predictions seem to work and avoid accountability when they fail.

Homeopathy—Dilute And Heal

An item from Wired News, written by Andy Patrizio, explores the paradox of homeopathy, where remedies are believed to become more potent with dilution. The article explains that the active ingredient is diluted many times, potentially to the point where only one molecule remains per 10^100 molecules of water. Dr. Bill Gray, author of "Homeopathy: Science or Myth," proposes that water, when subjected to the homeopathic process of dilution and vigorous shaking, develops a structured form. Shui Yin Lo's research on car engine efficiency is cited, suggesting that water molecules form clusters influenced by the added substance. These clusters are believed to retain an "image" of the original substance, even when the chemical is undetectable. The article notes that the American Medical Association declined to comment on Gray's book, and Dr. Richard Sarnat suggests that while the theory of clustered water is not new, it could explain homeopathy's mechanism.

Notices

NTS loses one family name

This notice announces that Ginny Vaughn is now Ginny Barnett, following her marriage. Congratulations are extended to Ginny and Danny.

The North Texas Skeptics now has its own domain name on the Internet.

Readers are directed to visit http://www.ntskeptics.org for more information.

Skeptical Ink

This section features a comic strip titled "A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FAMOUS PSYCHIC" by Prasad Golla and John Blanton. The comic depicts a psychic being questioned by a police officer about a stolen car, with the psychic making vague, seemingly psychic pronouncements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination and debunking of pseudoscientific claims and beliefs. The North Texas Skeptics, through its articles and reviews, consistently promotes a skeptical and evidence-based approach to understanding the world. The editorial stance is clearly against unsubstantiated claims, whether they come from the fields of alternative medicine, paranormal phenomena, or fringe scientific theories. The newsletter encourages critical thinking and the discernment of genuine scientific breakthroughs from fraudulent or misguided ones. The review of Robert Park's book, while critical of Park's methods, aligns with the overall goal of exposing pseudoscience. The inclusion of topics like dowsing, homeopathy, and astrology, all presented with a skeptical lens, reinforces this stance.