North Texas Skeptic - Vol 23 No 01 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 23, Number 1
Date: January 2009
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic delves into the complex phenomena of out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and near-death experiences (NDEs), alongside a significant focus on the ongoing battles over science education and the teaching of evolution in Texas.

Out-of-Body Experiences and Near-Death Experiences (Part II)

The lead article, "Out-of-body experiences Part II" by Kristine Danowski, continues the exploration of NDEs, building on a previous installment. The article notes that NDEs, like OBEs, have been described across cultures, with historical accounts found in texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the biblical testaments. Anthropologists identify three characteristics of historical NDEs: a journey to the underworld, a journey to a higher world, and fantastic travel.

Physician Kenneth Ring is credited as the founder of the NDE movement, defining the "core experience" with five elements: peace, the actual OBE, entering darkness, seeing the light, and entering the light. Common reported encounters include those with deceased loved ones, religious figures, and a life review. The article also touches upon the phenomenon of experiencing mystical consciousness.

Several physiological theories are presented as explanations for NDEs, mirroring those for OBEs, including temporal lobe paroxysm, cerebral anoxia, cortical disinhibition, pharmaceuticals, illness/trauma effects, and sensory deprivation. Psychological theories, such as depersonalization (the psychological threat of personality dissolution at death) and motivated fantasy (where expectations influence experience), are also discussed. The concept of archetypes, accessing shared human racial memories, is mentioned as another psychological explanation.

Paranormal explanations for NDEs are also acknowledged, assuming dualism and an afterlife, with soul travel and psychic vision being common interpretations. However, the article notes that proponents of paranormal explanations often interpret data to support their beliefs, and both paranormalists and scientists may underreport negative results.

Research into NDEs is primarily conducted through retrospective surveys of trauma survivors and the terminally ill, which are acknowledged as subjective. The article highlights investigator bias as a problem in NDE research.

A physiological theory suggests that trauma- or stress-induced endorphins cause NDEs. Endorphins, acting as analgesics, alter sensory awareness and emotional responses, potentially producing a "runner's high" and increasing pain threshold. This theory posits NDEs as an evolutionary adaptation to mitigate the dangers of terror, preventing panic in life-threatening situations. Survivors of severe accidents, particularly high falls, sometimes report feeling no fear or pain.

Recent scientific studies have investigated induced OBEs in laboratory settings. Experiments in Sweden involved altering subjects' perception of spatial location using video cameras and goggles, leading subjects to feel they occupied a space behind their true location. Further tests measured electrical conductivity, showing physiological responses when subjects' "virtual bodies" were stimulated, suggesting the brain can be tricked into incorrect spatial positioning.

The article concludes that OBEs and NDEs appear to be real phenomena, but their interpretation remains open: are they physiological, psychological, sensory, or a combination? It states that no evidence exists for a soul or astral body, nor for an afterlife, and research thus far indicates no evidence of an afterlife.

Kristine Danowski is identified as the Vice President of the North Texas Skeptics.

Events Calendar and January Elections

The "Events Calendar" section announces the annual elections for the NTS Board of Directors to be held on Saturday, January 17, at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas. Dues-paid members are eligible to vote, and the elected Board members will then elect the officers. The meeting is scheduled for 2 PM, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP.

Evolution Education Update and Texas Science Standards Debate

The "Web News" section, by John Blanton, focuses on the ongoing debate surrounding science education in Texas, particularly concerning the teaching of evolution. The article highlights the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin in 2009 and the January issue of Scientific American dedicated to evolution.

It details the contentious process of revising the Texas state science standards. The phrase "strengths and weaknesses" in relation to scientific explanations, particularly evolution, has been a point of contention. Early drafts of the standards included this language, which critics argued was used to dilute the teaching of evolution and promote "stealth creationism." While some drafts attempted to replace it with phrases like "analyze and evaluate scientific explanations using empirical evidence," the debate continued.

Several organizations, including the Texas Freedom Network, Texas Citizens for Science, and the 21st Century Science Coalition, have opposed the inclusion of "strengths and weaknesses" language, citing a survey showing that most Texas biologists reject the idea. The article notes that the Texas Education Agency's website provides information on the standards revision procedure and drafts.

Evidence is presented suggesting that calls for teaching "strengths and weaknesses" are a form of stealth creationism. A representative from the San Antonio Bible Based Sciences Association is quoted offering "scientific evidence of weaknesses in evolution and for creation." The Texas Freedom Network's blog is cited for examining how antievolution factions have influenced the state board of education, favoring the inclusion of "strengths and weaknesses" and "intelligent design" in textbooks.

Antievolution Bills Dead in Michigan

This section reports that two antievolution bills in Michigan (House Bill 6027 and Senate Bill 1361) died in committee. These bills were part of the "academic freedom" strategy to undermine the teaching of evolution. The article explains that "academic freedom" was a creationist catchphrase used to advocate for the inclusion of controversial topics and to allow teachers to present science curricula in ways that address "scientific controversies." Critics, including Michigan Citizens for Science and the Michigan Science Teachers Association, argued that these bills would introduce non-scientific ideologies, such as "intelligent design creationism," into science classrooms and were unnecessary as existing educational systems already address critical thinking and diverse viewpoints.

This Has Got to Hurt

Another piece by John Blanton, "This Has Got to Hurt," comments on the perceived struggles of creationists. It notes that 2009 marks Darwin's 200th birthday and that Scientific American is dedicating its January issue to evolution. The author suggests that Intelligent Design, a rebranded form of creationism, is not gaining traction in the scientific community and is increasingly being denounced by reputable scientific organizations, making it "an idea whose time has passed."

What's New

This section, curated by Robert Park, includes brief news items:

• ENERGY TRANSITION: OBAMA MAKES A PERFECT CALL: Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize winner, has been selected as Secretary of Energy, a move seen as a positive step for science funding and research.
• CLEAN COAL? FLOOD OF ASH-LADEN SLUDGE IS A WARNING: A dike burst at a TVA generating plant in Tennessee, releasing fly-ash sludge. While officials stated there was no immediate danger to water supplies, the incident highlights the environmental impact of energy production and the need for sustainability.

Skeptic Ink

A comic strip titled "Skeptic Ink" by Prasad Golla and John Blanton satirizes the creationist movement's view that the media does not give Intelligent Design a fair shake, while simultaneously acknowledging that ID lacks successes.

Energy from Water: Is CNN Flacking for Blacklight?

This news item questions CNN's reporting on BlackLight Power, a company claiming to extract energy from water. The author expresses skepticism, referencing past reports and a cautious response from physicist Steven Chu regarding similar claims.

PCAST: Obama Continues to Make Good Science Choices

This brief item notes Obama's appointments to the President's Council of Science Advisors, Harold Varmus and Eric Lander, and John Holdren, highlighting a shift towards prioritizing science and openness in government.

Future Meeting Dates

A list of upcoming North Texas Skeptics meeting dates for 2009 is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North Texas Skeptic consistently promotes a skeptical and science-based approach to paranormal claims and pseudoscientific topics. The magazine advocates for critical thinking, empirical evidence, and the scientific method. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of established scientific consensus, particularly regarding evolution, and critical of creationist or intelligent design arguments presented as scientific. The publication actively engages with and reports on debates concerning science education and the demarcation between science and pseudoscience. The magazine also serves as a platform for discussing scientific advancements and current events through a skeptical lens.