North Texas Skeptic - Vol 21 No 06 - 2007

Magazine Overview

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, dated June 2007, Volume 21, Number 6, features a cover story titled "Alchemy to Chemistry: Pseudoscience to Science, Part I" by Kristine Danowski. The magazine is published by The North Texas Skeptics and provides a platform for exploring paranormal and pseudoscientific claims from a responsible and scientific point of view.

Alchemy to Chemistry: Pseudoscience to Science, Part I

Kristine Danowski's article delves into the historical transition from alchemy to chemistry. She explains that alchemy, the belief in transmuting base metals into gold, has ancient roots and was associated with mysticism and the occult. The article traces the etymology of "alchemy" and "chemistry" and highlights the limited scientific understanding of ancient civilizations, who lacked concepts like atomic theory, pure substances, and energy.

Ancient alchemists believed metals were living entities and that matter was composed of four primordial elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. They associated metals with planets and qualities, a practice illustrated with tables and figures. The article notes that while alchemy was steeped in mysticism, its practical aspects, such as metallurgy and the purification of metals, contributed to the development of chemistry. The use of symbols for elements, a practice continued in modern chemistry, also originated with alchemy.

Events Calendar

The magazine includes an "Events Calendar" listing upcoming programs for The North Texas Skeptics. These include a "Bad Fiction" discussion on how skeptics should respond to fiction dealing with paranormal phenomena, led by Kristine Danowski and John Brandt, and a "NTS Social Dinner and Board Meeting." Dates and locations for these events in June 2007 are provided.

Organization and Staff

The issue lists the officers and staff of The North Texas Skeptics, including John Brandt as President, Kristine Danowski as Vice President, Mike Selby as Secretary, and Mark Meyer as Treasurer. It also lists the Board of Directors and Scientific and Technical Advisors, featuring academics and professionals from various fields.

The North Texas Skeptics is identified as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization. The newsletter is published monthly, and contact information, including a P.O. Box address, is provided.

Web News

John Blanton's "Web News" section covers several online developments:

Man-to-Monkey Billboards Turn Up the Heat on Evolution

This section discusses the "Who Is Your Creator" (WIYC) campaign, which uses billboards to direct people to a website challenging the theory of evolution. WIYC offers a $5,000 prize for a legal opinion on teaching evolution and creation in public education. The article notes that despite constitutional allowances for teaching the controversy, educators are often prevented from presenting critical analyses of evolution. It also mentions a Pew Research Center survey indicating a public preference for creationism over evolution.

Testing Adam Dreamhealer's Claims

Andrew MacLeod reports on the claims of "Adam Dreamhealer," an alternative therapist who claims to connect to people's "holographic energy fields" for healing. The article details efforts by Barry Beyerstein, Chair of the Society of B.C. Skeptics, to arrange a test of Dreamhealer's abilities, which reportedly failed when Beyerstein asked Dreamhealer to diagnose him over the phone.

Interview: Creation Museum Founder on Evolution Clash

This segment discusses the opening of the $27 million Creation Museum near Cincinnati, founded by Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis. The article frames the museum as a monument to the failure of education and notes the contrast between its creationist message and the scientific consensus on evolution. It also touches on the potential friction between Ken Ham's ministry and organizations like the Discovery Institute, which promote Intelligent Design.

Skeptic Ink

This comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton humorously contrasts creationist viewpoints with scientific observations, particularly regarding the origin of life and the nature of existence.

What's New

Robert Park's "What's New" column presents several brief news items:

Creation: vegetarian dinosaurs line up to board Noah's Ark

This item discusses the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY, describing it as being "about 150 years behind" and a "monument to the failure of education." It also mentions the upcoming election of officers for the National Association of State Boards of Education, with one candidate having voted to include intelligent design in state science standards.

DOE polygraph program: counter intelligence taken literally

This report highlights a Department of Energy (DOE) memo about random polygraph tests for personnel in high-risk categories. It references a previous National Academy of Sciences study that concluded polygraphs have a high incidence of false positives and are "worse than useless."

Collapsing bubble: Purdue launches a new probe of Taleyarkan

This item refers to a continuing investigation into the "Rusi Taleyarkhan sonofusion mystery," where Purdue University is launching a new probe following allegations of serious deviations from scientific practices.

Intelligent Design: creationist astronomer denied tenure

This report notes that Guillermo Gonzalez, co-author of "The Privileged Planet," was denied tenure at Iowa State University. The Discovery Institute expressed shock, framing it as a disregard for "viewpoint diversity."

Tenure: it does not guarantee you'll be taken seriously

This item discusses scientists who explore the anthropic principle, mentioning Frank Tipler and John Barrow's work and Tipler's new book, "The Physics of Christianity," which equates the Holy Trinity with the cosmological singularity.

Application for Membership

The final pages provide an "Application for Membership" for The North Texas Skeptics, outlining membership levels, dues, and benefits. It includes a membership agreement that states members agree with the organization's purpose of exploring paranormal and pseudoscientific claims from a responsible and scientific point of view, subjecting them to fair and systematic testing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, the historical development of science from less rigorous origins like alchemy, and the ongoing debate between scientific and creationist viewpoints. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, advocating for empirical evidence, rational inquiry, and the scientific method. The magazine actively promotes critical thinking and challenges beliefs that lack scientific support, as seen in its coverage of evolution, alternative health claims, and historical scientific practices. The publication also serves as a community hub for like-minded individuals, organizing events and encouraging participation in discussions.