North Texas Skeptic - Vol 21 No 07 - 2007

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 21, Number 7, published in July 2007, is a publication of The North Texas Skeptics, with a website at http://www.ntskeptics.org. The issue's cover headline is 'Alchemy to Chemistry: Pseudoscience to Science Part I', authored by Kristine Danowski.

Alchemy to Chemistry: Pseudoscience to Science (Part I)

This article, the first part of a series, delves into the historical transition from alchemy to chemistry, with a focus on the alchemist Paracelsus (1493-1541 CE). Paracelsus challenged the Aristotelian view of Four Elements by proposing the 'Tria Prima' (Three Principles): Sophic Sulfur (soul, male), Sophic Mercury (spirit, female), and Sophic Salt (material body). These were not literal substances but mystical properties alchemists sought to access. The article explains that matter, according to Paracelsus, was a combination of these Tria Prima in varying proportions, illustrated by Figure 4. The Tria Prima were distinct from real sulfur, mercury, and salt.

The article then details Paracelsus' method for obtaining the Philosopher's Stone, which was believed to transmute base metals into gold and grant wealth and longevity. The Philosopher's Stone had numerous names and was central to alchemy's 'Great Work.' The author notes that no alchemist ever attained it, though some modern alchemists dispute this. Figure 5 illustrates Paracelsus' method, which involved producing 'purified' versions of gold, silver, and quicksilver (Primitive Materials), then creating the Tria Prima from these, mixing them to form the 'Philosopher's Egg,' and proceeding through further 'machinations' to reach the Stone. The Stone's mechanism was mysterious, capable of transmutation from a distance and lethal upon sight.

Another method described involved four steps named after colors: Nigredo (black, death), Albedo (whitening, abstinence), Citrinitas (restarting), and Rubedo (achievement). Each step had symbolic meanings. Numerology was also important in alchemy, with symbols often replacing numerals, as shown in Table II. Alchemists frequently conducted their work under specific zodiacal signs and planets, which could also serve as excuses for failure.

The article highlights that alchemy was often viewed by the establishment (state and church) as occult, witchcraft, heresy, or subversion, despite which it persisted. It was banned at various times in China, by Emperor Diocletian, Pope John XXII, and King Henry IV of England. Nevertheless, many nations had Court Alchemists, and covert practitioners were numerous. Alchemy was an expensive and hazardous enterprise, involving dangerous materials like mercury and requiring alchemists to use their senses for analysis, often leading to poisoning. Secrecy was paramount due to the lack of patents, the risk of discoveries being stolen, and the potential for rulers to imprison alchemists for their exclusive benefit.

Part II of the series is promised to examine alchemical texts, famous alchemists, and the development of chemistry.

Events Calendar

The issue includes an events calendar for July 2007:

• July Program: Saturday, July 14, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the Center for Nonprofit Management, 2900 Live Oak Street in Dallas. This featured a talk by John Brandt titled "No Free Lunch: Why William Dembski Thinks Mathematics Proves ID (And Why He's Wrong)."
• NTS Social Dinner and Board Meeting: Saturday, July 21, 2007, at 7 p.m. at Macaroni Grill at 75 and Legacy, in Plano. Attendees were asked to RSVP.

Contact information for the NTS Hotline is provided: 214-335-9248.

Challenge Activity

This section, by John Blanton, details the ongoing NTS Paranormal Challenge. It includes an exchange with a claimant named Rosemary, who initially suggested her claim was that God speaks to her and she can perform supernatural abilities. Blanton explains the need for testable claims and provides guidance on how to formulate them, referencing the challenge's webpage.

Rosemary later clarifies her claim: she can perform many things to a person's body, such as intentionally releasing their bladder, altering mood, and making them cry or sad, and asks if this is testable. She is not willing to make predictions about the future. Blanton agrees to attempt a demonstration. After the attempt, Blanton states that Rosemary's demonstration was unsuccessful and that a successful demonstration is required to proceed with a formal test. He reiterates that no one has yet passed the preliminary stage of the challenge in 14 years.

What's New

This section, by Robert Park, presents various news clippings:

• Beliefs: Brownback defends scientific illiteracy by example: Discusses Sam Brownback's statement about the compatibility of faith and reason, and the intelligent design movement's use of terms like 'materialism' instead of 'naturalism.'
• Stem cells: Possible new source of embrionic-like cells?: Reports on a gene transfer method to reprogram fetal mouse cells, noting the potential waste of embryonic stem cells in fertility clinics due to superstitious beliefs.
• Passage: Stephen E. Straus, 60, died of brain cancer: An obituary for Stephen E. Straus, the first director of the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at NIH, who worked to make the office scientific by subjecting quack cures to tests.
• Population: House reverses ban on contraception aid: Notes a House vote to reverse a ban on contraception aid, but mentions a potential veto and insufficient votes for an override, highlighting the issue of uncontrolled population growth.
• Mileage: Senate votes to raise fuel economy standards: Reports the Senate's passage of a substantial increase in fuel economy requirements for cars and light trucks.
• Reliable replacement warhead: House says no new nukes: Discusses an appropriations bill that eliminates funding for Reliable Replacement Warheads (RRW) and calls for a nuclear weapons strategy.
• 1984: What's New was born on this day, 23 years ago: Robert Park reflects on the history of his 'What's New' column, its challenges, and its eventual discontinuation by APS, with a continuation sponsored by the University of Maryland.

Skeptic Ink

A comic strip titled 'Skeptic Ink' by Prasad Golla and John Blanton is included, satirizing creationists and their arguments.

Mars: European Space Agency seeks volunteers for a test

The European Space Agency (ESA) is seeking volunteers for a 17-month simulated human trip to Mars to study the effects of human nature in close confinement, as radiation is a major obstacle for actual human trips. The article mentions disputes between cosmonauts on Mir and discusses the use of humans over robots for faster reactions.

2007: WN lives, but this is my last day with the APS

Robert Park writes about his departure from the APS and his gratitude for being allowed to express his views. He quotes H.L. Mencken: "As he grew older, he grew worse."

The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal

This section describes the mission of CSICOP, which encourages critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a scientific viewpoint. It promotes science, critical thinking, and reason. The Skeptical Inquirer, published bimonthly by CSICOP, is also advertised with subscription details.

Application for Membership

The final pages contain an application for membership to The North Texas Skeptics, outlining membership benefits, subscription rates, and donation options.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims (alchemy, intelligent design), the importance of scientific methodology and testable evidence (NTS Paranormal Challenge), and the dissemination of factual information from a scientific perspective. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, promoting rational inquiry and challenging unsubstantiated beliefs, as evidenced by the 'What's New' section's focus on debunking pseudoscience and the NTS's core mission.