North Texas Skeptic - Vol 19 No 08 - 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 19, Number 8
Date: August 2005
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

Zina's Challenge

The lead article, "Zina's Challenge" by John Blanton, discusses the North Texas Skeptics' ongoing offer of a $12,000 prize for proof of the paranormal under controlled conditions, a challenge that has yet to be claimed. Blanton recounts receiving an email from Igor Boyarchenko, who introduces Zina Chuklina, a clairvoyant from Russia. Boyarchenko describes Chuklina's abilities, including predicting future events and providing insights into personal lives, and suggests she might be a suitable candidate for the NTS challenge. He offers to share his knowledge of her 'esoteric knowledge.' Blanton expresses skepticism, questioning the identity of Boyarchenko and the existence of Chuklina, given the e-mail's origin and the lack of verifiable information through internet searches. He notes that while he is willing to play along, the situation presents several possibilities for deception. The article concludes with 'Details to follow,' indicating further investigation into this claim.

Events Calendar

The 'Events Calendar' section lists upcoming activities for The North Texas Skeptics in August 2005. This includes an 'August Program' on Saturday, August 13th, at 2 p.m., featuring Danny Barnett discussing 'Quack Medicine' at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas. A 'NTS Social Dinner and Board Meeting' is scheduled for Saturday, August 27th, at 7 p.m. at Good Eats Grill in Dallas. The calendar also provides future meeting dates for the remainder of 2005: September 10th, October 8th, November 12th, and December 10th. A hotline number for information is also provided.

NTS Officers and Staff

Page 2 lists the officers and staff of The North Texas Skeptics, including President Daniel Barnett, Vice President John Brandt, Secretary Mike Selby, and Treasurer Mark Meyer. The staff includes Newsletter Editor Keith Blanton, Webmaster John Blanton, and Meetings and Social Director Laura Ainsworth. The Board of Directors and Directors Emeritus are also listed, along with Scientific and Technical Advisors such as Joe Barnhart (Professor of Philosophy) and David E. Dunn (Ph.D., Geologist).

Zina Chuklina's Statement

Included in the issue is a statement from Zina Chuklina, the clairvoyant mentioned by Igor Boyarchenko. Chuklina describes herself as a clairvoyant from a small Russian resort town, capable of seeing hidden information, predicting the future, and detailing present and past events, focusing on mundane human problems. She claims a 100% accuracy rate personally, 85% with photos, and 75% via telephone. She states that testing her ability is simple, requiring only a visit, a photo, or a phone call, with no special equipment or conditions needed. She notes she cannot provide exact times for predicted events but can describe the season. Chuklina also mentions that her living conditions are poor, and she cannot cover travel or accommodation expenses for potential clients. She expresses readiness to enter into a protocol for demonstration.

Web News: Creationism Love Fest

John Blanton reports on the 2005 Creation Mega Conference, held at Liberty University. The conference attracted over 1200 people and was cosponsored by Ken Ham's 'Answers in Genesis.' The article highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding creationism versus evolution in schools across about 20 states. It notes that many Christian universities do not require creationism courses, unlike Liberty University. Ronald Bailey's report for Reason Online estimated 2,000 attendees, describing them as predominantly middle to upper-middle class, white, and often with families. Speakers included Romanian geologist Dr. Emil Silvestru, who presented a chronology of Earth based on creationist beliefs, starting with a six-day creation and a global flood. Silvestru attributes fossils to the flood, not evolution. John Whitcomb, co-author of "The Genesis Flood," is mentioned for his belief that Noah carried 1000 kinds of dinosaurs and other animals on the ark. The article contrasts this with the views of Dr. Hugh Ross, who supports the 'Big Bang' theory and a long creation period. Whitcomb also criticizes the intelligent design movement for not referencing the Bible. Ken Ham's view that 'millions of years' is acceptable if God was involved is discussed, as is his rejection of the 'Big Bang' theory due to its conflict with Genesis. The article notes that the 'Big Bang' theory was proposed by Jesuit scientist Georges Lemaitre.

Web News: Scientists Challenge Evolutionary Theory

Susan Wang reports on a group of scientists who challenge evolutionary theory, planning an 'uncommon dissent forum.' The article notes that these scientists are presented by the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. Speakers include molecular biologist Dr. Jonathan Wells, philosopher of biology Dr. Paul Nelson, and biochemist Dr. Michael Behe, who will discuss criticisms of neo-Darwinism, universal common descent, and irreducible complexity. Dr. John Angus Campbell will discuss how Darwinian evolution should be taught. Other speakers include oceanographer Dr. Ed Peltzer, biologists Dr. Ralph Seelke and Dr. David J. Keller, and biophysicist Dr. Jed Macosko. The Discovery Institute claims a list of over 400 scientists who have signed onto their 'Scientific Dissent from Darwinism' list, though the article notes it lacks prominent figures in biological science.

The article also mentions the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) compiling a similar list of scientists who support evolutionary theory, restricting their list to scientists named Steve, Stephen, Steven, or Stephanie. The author expresses skepticism about the credentials of some individuals on the DI list, citing the example of Dr. Jed Macosko, whose listed affiliation with UC Berkeley appears to be limited to a postdoctoral trainee position and a degree, rather than faculty status.

What's New

Political Science: Is the Congressman Doing Climate Studies?

Robert Park's column discusses Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) demanding complete records from three scientists whose climate studies support global warming. The article suggests this demand, particularly given Barton's low environmental voting record and high campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry, is an effort to intimidate scientists.

Catholics too! Archbishop Finds a Little Intelligent Design.

Cardinal Schoenborn, editor of the official Catechism, rejected the idea that John Paul II accepted neo-Darwinism, stating evolution is 'more than just a hypothesis.' The article notes the Church's position on evolution is evolving, quoting Pope Benedict XVI.

Evolution: Schoenborn's Folly Linked to Discovery Institute.

This section critiques Cardinal Schoenborn's essay, suggesting it was influenced by the Discovery Institute. The essay, published in the New York Times, argued that evolution might be incompatible with Catholic faith, aligning with the Discovery Institute's intelligent design stance. The article reveals that Mark Ryland, vice president of the Discovery Institute, urged Schoenborn to write the essay, and it was submitted by the Institute's public relations firm.

Appeal to the Pope: War Looms Between Science and Religion.

Schoenborn's op-ed is presented as a response to an earlier NYT piece by Larry Krauss, who stated the Catholic Church had no issue with evolution. The article mentions that two Catholic biologists, Francisco Ayala and Ken Miller, joined in a letter to Pope Benedict XVI, urging him not to reestablish a divide between science and religion.

God's Hand: Catholics Don't Have to Believe in Adam and Eve.

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick stated that Catholics can believe in evolution if it is understood as guided by 'the hand of God,' rather than chance, but the Church cannot accept that 'this is all an accident.'

Harry Potter: As If Charles Darwin Wasn't Enough of a Problem.

The article notes Pope Benedict XVI's disapproval of the Harry Potter books, viewing them as 'subtle seductions that deeply distort Christianity.' It references Catechism number 2117, which states that practices of magic or sorcery are contrary to the virtue of religion. The authors contrast this with a scientific perspective where magic and sorcery are considered ineffective.

Prayer: And While We're Talking About Things That Don't Work.

This section reports on a follow-up study published in Lancet that found no benefit from intercessory prayer for heart patients, reinforcing earlier findings. It suggests that 'noetic' therapies require further scientific scrutiny, as science assumes events result from natural causes.

World Peace: The Inflation Rate Exceeds That of Real Estate.

David Lynch's plan to raise $7 billion for world peace through Transcendental Meditation is discussed, with skepticism expressed about its feasibility, referencing past failed projects. The article notes the lack of billionaire support for such initiatives.

Missile Defense: That's Even Better Than I Thought It Was.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III is quoted expressing confidence in the Missile Defense Agency's ability to intercept inbound warheads.

Echinacea: The Theme This Week Is 'Things That Don't Work.'

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Echinacea does not prevent or cure colds, despite its widespread use. The article notes that while herbal remedies contain biologically active chemicals, initial tests for Echinacea were inconclusive, and a recent study confirmed its ineffectiveness.

Skeptic Ink

This section features a comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton, with a humorous take on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. It also includes a note about free, non-commercial reuse of the material.

Prayer: Follow-up Study Finds No Benefit for Heart Patients.

This article reiterates findings from a previous study, reporting that a larger follow-up study involving 748 patients undergoing cardiac procedures found no benefit from intercessory prayers. The authors conclude that 'noetic' therapies, which do not involve tangible drugs or devices, warrant further scientific investigation, emphasizing that science operates on the assumption that events result from natural causes.

Evolution: So Is It True That Charles Darwin Was a Democrat?

This piece discusses the political leanings of Charles Darwin in the context of school board elections in Dover, PA. It notes that incumbents supporting 'intelligent design' won the Republican primary, while challengers opposing it won the Democratic primary. The school board election was scheduled for November.

Acupuncture: Or Maybe You Could Just Eat a Jalapeno Pepper.

A randomized, controlled trial published in JAMA compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture for treating migraine. The study found that sham acupuncture, where needles are inserted in incorrect points, was as effective as correct acupuncture over 12 sessions. This suggests that the precise placement of needles may not be critical for migraine treatment.

Table Top Fusion: Total Media Confusion Over UCLA Fusion Device.

The article addresses media misreporting of a UCLA neutron generator experiment, clarifying that it involves deuterium ions striking a deuterium-loaded target, leading to d-d fusion. It criticizes media coverage for referring to it as cold fusion and sensationalizing 'energy from crystals.'

Energy: Maybe This Is the Way the System Is Supposed to Work.

President Bush's remarks on high gasoline prices are discussed, with his suggestion that people should become better energy conservers. The article mentions his call for a nuclear energy policy and incentives for hybrid vehicles. It also touches upon developing new energy sources like hydrogen, ethanol, or biodiesel, noting the challenges with hydrogen as a fuel and the potential of biodiesel made from animal fat.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic strongly emphasizes skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscientific theories, and alternative medicine. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and critical thinking. The magazine actively debunks claims related to creationism, intelligent design, and the efficacy of practices like prayer and acupuncture when scientific evidence does not support them. There is a consistent theme of questioning claims that lack empirical support and highlighting the importance of rigorous testing and scientific methodology. The magazine also engages with current events and cultural phenomena, offering a skeptical perspective on topics ranging from climate change politics to the popularity of 'Harry Potter.' The overall tone is one of critical examination and a commitment to promoting a rational worldview.