North Texas Skeptic - Vol 19 No 01 - 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 19, Number 1
Date: January 2005
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, dated January 2005, provides a 'Wrap up' of the previous year's skeptical topics and looks ahead. The magazine covers a range of subjects including creationism, alternative medicine, psychics, conspiracy theories, gambling, and scientific controversies.

Wrap up

By John Blanton, the lead article reviews the skeptical landscape of 2004. It highlights the continued prominence of creationism, referencing the historical Scopes Trial and the modern proponents like Phillip Johnson, William Dembski, Michael Behe, and Jonathan Wells. The article notes the public schools' increasing openness to teaching creationism, a stance even William Jennings Bryan opposed. The resurgence of interest in alternative medicine is also noted, particularly the debunking of studies claiming success with intercessory prayer. The psychic John Edward is mentioned, with a wry comment on his persistence. The issue also touches upon the public's acceptance of conspiracy theories, exemplified by the sales of Thierry Meyssan's book about the 9/11 attacks.

Events Calendar

The magazine includes an 'Events Calendar' section, detailing an upcoming NTS Board of Directors meeting and election of officers scheduled for January 8, 2005, at the Center for Community Cooperation in Dallas. This meeting is crucial for electing board members who will then appoint the organization's officers. A social dinner is also scheduled for January 22, 2005, at Good Eats Grill in Dallas.

Organization and Personnel

Page 2 provides a detailed listing of the North Texas Skeptics' officers, staff, Board of Directors, and Scientific and Technical Advisors. The organization is identified as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization based in Carrollton, Texas. The newsletter is published monthly, and reprint permissions are outlined.

December Meeting: Dowsing and Alien Communication

The December meeting featured presentations by Rechey Davidson, a map dowser, and Harold Sargent, who claims to be an alien's representative to SETI. Davidson demonstrated his technique of finding lost objects using a map and a bent wire, though a test to find hidden jewelry was unsuccessful, suggesting the technique needs further refinement. Harold Sargent demonstrated how his body produces radio signals in response to alien communications, using a sensitive radio probe he placed in his mouth. The probe chirped in response to signals, even when a cell phone was activated nearby.

Mind steak

By John Blanton, this article discusses 'MindStake,' a system developed by hypnotherapist Dr. Terry B. Massey, which claims to increase gambling winnings. The system, available on CD, is marketed to provide a mental edge in games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps. The article notes that MindStake comes with promotional offers like cash and free stays at gambling resorts. It also points out a disclaimer in the infomercial: 'Don't get greedy. If you win, take the money and run.' The article also delves into the house advantages in casino games like blackjack and roulette, mentioning Edward O. Thorpe's book 'Beat the Dealer' and the concept of card counting.

Shame!

By John Blanton, this article addresses the recent declaration by atheist philosopher Antony Flew that DNA evidence suggests intelligent design. The article references a Dallas Morning News editorial that praised Flew for being 'unafraid to let new facts change his mind.' Blanton questions what these 'facts' are and what constitutes 'scientific data' and 'accurate information.' He notes that the editorial board of The Dallas Morning News received briefings from both the Discovery Institute and the Texas Freedom Network regarding the controversy over Texas biology textbooks. Blanton concludes that while the editorial page is not a hard news section, he will research the matter further.

What's new

By Robert Park, this section presents various news clippings. One clipping discusses the Bush Administration's plan to buy flu vaccine and mentions FluMist and Oscillococcinum from the Wall Street Journal. Another discusses the book 'The Rebirth of Cold Fusion,' noting its timing with a DOE report that found 'significant progress in sophistication of calorimeters' but similar conclusions to the 1989 review, which advised against further research. A third clipping reports that a Columbia professor removed his name from a prayer study that claimed women prayed for by strangers were more likely to become pregnant, a study with a troubled history involving fraud and suicide. A final clipping from the Washington Post Magazine discusses a secret DOE review of cold fusion that allegedly circumvented the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Skeptic Ink

This section, by Prasad Golla and John Blanton, features a comic strip with humorous, satirical takes on news and psychic predictions for 2004, including false claims about Osama bin Laden's death and Madonna's childbirth.

The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal

This section promotes the work of The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) and its publication, The Skeptical Inquirer, encouraging critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a scientific viewpoint.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North Texas Skeptic consistently promotes skepticism, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. The magazine challenges pseudoscientific claims, alternative medicine, psychic phenomena, and conspiracy theories. The editorial stance is to provide factual information and encourage readers to examine evidence rigorously. The publication aims to debunk misinformation and promote a rational worldview, as seen in its coverage of creationism, cold fusion, and the MindStake gambling system. The magazine also serves as a platform for local skeptical community events and discussions.