Magazine Summary
The North Texas Skeptic
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You’re on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
Summary
This issue of The North Texas Skeptic explores the claimed benefits of meditation, including alterations in brain waves and potential societal impacts, while also questioning the scientific basis for such claims. It highlights research on monks' altered brain structures and discusses the 'Art of Living' group's claims about crime reduction. The publication also addresses the debate over evolution education standards in Texas, with the 21st Century Science Coalition advocating for science-based curricula. Additionally, it features a personal narrative about a Craigslist scam involving fraudulent checks and a discussion on the relationship between brain science and the concept of the soul.
Magazine Overview
Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue Date: November 2008
Volume: 22
Issue: 11
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English
This issue of The North Texas Skeptic delves into various topics through a skeptical lens, featuring articles on the purported benefits of meditation, the ongoing debate surrounding evolution education in Texas, and a personal account of an online scam. The magazine also includes event calendars and organizational information.
Catch the mental wave
Author: Prasad Golla
This article critically examines the claims made by various spiritual groups, particularly regarding the beneficial effects of group meditation. The author questions the 'paranormal' nature of these claims, suggesting that larger claims are less likely to be tested. While acknowledging that meditation is a tranquilizing activity, the article points to a study suggesting meditation can alter brain waves. It references research by Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who found that Tibetan Buddhist monks meditating for thousands of hours had altered brain structure and function. The author also discusses the claims made by 'Art of Living' representatives about group meditation reducing crime rates in Washington D.C. by 25%, questioning the mechanism and the lack of follow-up questions from the host of a radio program.
Later in the article, the author humorously suggests his own method of 'meditation' is 'sleep,' implying that if criminals slept more, crime would be reduced. He also touches upon the visit of Sri Sri Ravishankar and the 'Art of Living' organization's activities in Dallas.
Coalition defends draft standards in Texas
Author: Glenn Branch
This section, reprinted from an Evolution education update newsletter, discusses the efforts of the 21st Century Science Coalition to ensure that Texas state science standards reflect current scientific understanding of evolution. The coalition, comprising scientists, argues against the inclusion of 'strengths and weaknesses' language, which they believe is used to introduce non-scientific ideas into the curriculum. They emphasize the importance of evolution education for future careers in science, agriculture, engineering, and biotechnology, warning that watering down science studies could drive away industries from the state. The article cites op-eds published in Texas newspapers and an editorial from the Austin American-Statesman supporting their position.
NCSE's new Website
Author: Glenn Branch
This brief announcement details the launch of the National Center for Science Education's (NCSE) new website. It highlights the site's modern design and improved functionality, aimed at making information about the creationism/evolution controversy and resources for defending evolution education more accessible. The article also mentions the maintenance of a legacy website and the availability of an RSS feed.
New on your Website
Author: John Blanton (skeptical Web master)
This piece describes a change in Amazon.com's affiliate program. Previously, pertinent text on the Skeptic's website could link to Amazon products, earning a commission. Now, Amazon offers a page banner widget that displays 'pertinent' products, a change that the author notes is less direct and potentially less useful for the website's goals.
The check is in the mail
Author: John Blanton
This article recounts a personal experience with an online scam. The author, selling a lock set on Craigslist, is contacted by a buyer named 'Donna' who claims to have trouble with her keyboard. Donna agrees to purchase the item and sends a cashier's check for a significantly inflated amount ($3128.30), instructing the author to keep $200 and wire the remainder to her 'shipper.' The author, recognizing the scam, plays along, requesting details about the check and the bank. He explains the common scam: the buyer sends a worthless check, the seller's bank may temporarily credit the account, and the seller wires money to the scammer, only to have their own account debited when the fraudulent check bounces. The author humorously details his interactions with 'Donna' and mentions other similar experiences with buyers sending worthless checks, framing it as a form of 'poetic justice' for the scammers.
Mind body science
Author: Rodrigo Neely
This article explores the relationship between the brain and the concept of the soul. The author argues that people readily accept the idea of a soul but often hesitate to discuss the brain. He defines the soul as an ephemeral, supernatural presence and the brain as a physical organ. Using examples like the case of Phineas Gauge, whose personality drastically changed after a prefrontal cortex injury, the author emphasizes that brain function is directly linked to mental states and personality. He suggests that understanding the brain's role in consciousness and behavior challenges the notion of a separate, indestructible soul and proposes that neuroscience offers a more grounded explanation for human experience.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The North Texas Skeptic consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach to paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and controversial topics. The magazine promotes scientific literacy, critical thinking, and rational inquiry. Recurring themes include skepticism towards extraordinary claims, the importance of scientific education (particularly in evolution), and debunking common misconceptions or scams. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific explanations and a skeptical examination of phenomena that lack empirical support.
“The entire point of education is to provide students with the best information available, without wasting time on bogus arguments. We don't teach alchemy alongside chemistry, for example, or astrology alongside physics. We don't ask students to decide for themselves whether Earth revolves around the Sun or vice versa. Is that 'censorship'?”
Key Incidents
A study published in November suggested that meditation can alter brain waves. Tibetan Buddhist monks who meditated for thousands of hours reportedly altered their brain structure and function.
A representative from 'Art of Living' claimed that group meditation significantly reduced crime rates in D.C. by about 25%.
Phineas Gauge suffered a railroad spike accident that destroyed his prefrontal cortex, leading to a drastic change in his personality, illustrating the link between brain damage and personality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the claimed benefits of group meditation?
Claims suggest that group meditation has beneficial effects not just on the individual meditating but also on the group, society, city, country, and even the globe. It is also suggested to alter brain waves and potentially reduce crime rates.
What is the 21st Century Science Coalition's stance on evolution education?
The coalition advocates for science standards that acknowledge evolution's vital role in understanding biological sciences and encourage critical thinking, opposing the inclusion of 'strengths and weaknesses' language that can introduce supernatural explanations.
How does brain science relate to the concept of the soul?
Brain science suggests that the mind's functions are directly tied to the physical condition and activity of the brain. Cases like Phineas Gauge, who suffered personality changes after prefrontal cortex damage, illustrate the brain's responsibility for personality and behavior, questioning the idea of a separate, transcendental soul.
What is the common online scam described in the magazine?
The scam involves a seller listing an item on Craigslist. The buyer sends a fraudulent cashier's check for a much larger amount than the item's price, instructing the seller to keep a portion and wire the rest to a 'shipper.' The check is worthless, and the bank eventually recovers the funds from the seller.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Prasad GollaAuthor
- Dalai LamaSubject of study
- Richard DavidsonNeuroscience professor
- Sri Sri RavishankarSpiritual leader
- Praveen SinghArt of Living representative
- Maharishi Mahesh YogiTranscendental Meditation founder
- Glenn BranchAuthor
- Daniel I. Bolnick21st Century Science Coalition advisory committee member
- R. E. Duhrkopf21st Century Science Coalition advisory committee member
- David M. Hillis21st Century Science Coalition advisory committee member
- Ben Pierce21st Century Science Coalition advisory committee member
- Sahotra Sarkar21st Century Science Coalition advisory committee member
- +8 more
Organisations
- The North Texas Skeptics
- Center for Nonprofit Management
- Art Of Living Foundation
- United Nations
- 21st Century Science Coalition
- National Center for Science Education (NCSE)
- Amazon.com
- U.S. Postal Service
- Western Union
- FedEx
Locations
- Dallas, USA
- Wisconsin-Madison, USA
- Texas, USA
- D.C., USA
- District of Columbia, USA
- Washington, D.C., USA
- Waco, USA
- Austin, USA