North Texas Skeptic - Vol 23 No 08 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue Date: August 2009
Volume: 23
Issue Number: 8
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic delves into scientific topics, primarily focusing on evolution and its critiques, alongside historical accounts of scientific and medical developments, and the organization's ongoing paranormal challenge.

Real Science

This section, authored by John Blanton, critically examines Jonathan Wells' book "Icons of Evolution." Blanton begins by referencing a previous discussion of Wells' book in 2002, where Wells presented ten "icons" that supposedly underpin Darwinian evolution. Blanton highlights Wells' critique of the peppered moth example, where Wells claims the photos were staged with dead moths to deceive students. Blanton expresses surprise at this revelation, having previously assumed the photos were a straightforward documentation of moths on different colored bark.

Blanton then discusses Wells' affiliation with the Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture (CSC), which promotes Intelligent Design as an alternative to Darwinian evolution. Blanton asserts that the Intelligent Design movement has shown "zero scientific activity" over twenty years, characterized by symposia, debates, and books, rather than empirical research. He criticizes the CSC's publication of a review article in a journal edited by an Intelligent Design sympathizer, suggesting it bypassed normal peer review.

The article then shifts to the research of Peter and Rosemary Grant on the Galapagos finches, another of Wells' "icons." The Grants spent over 30 years observing finches on the Galapagos Islands, meticulously cataloging them, measuring their beaks, and observing their life cycles. Wells, according to Blanton, critiques the Grants' work by stating they did not observe speciation or net evolution, pointing to shifts in beak thickness based on seed availability and subsequent return to previous forms when rains returned.

Blanton contrasts the Grants' arduous fieldwork with Wells' armchair critique. He notes that while Wells may have focused on the finches' beaks, the book "The Beak of the Finch" by Jonathan Weiner covers more. The article also touches upon John Endler's research on guppies in Venezuela, where natural selection, driven by predation, led to adaptations in coloration. Similarly, Jamie Smith's research on sparrows in British Columbia demonstrated population responses to environmental pressures.

Blanton concludes that contrary to creationist assertions, there is ongoing and fruitful research into Darwinian evolution conducted by scientists working in the "real world." He points out that even in the case of the finches, Wells agrees that natural selection works, despite his criticisms.

The Child of Pain

Authored by Daniel Barnett, this article recounts the discovery and early study of nitroglycerin. It begins with Constantin Hering's interest in a notice from Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero in the French science journal "Comptes Rendus des Séances de l'Académie des Sciences" in 1847. Sobrero had experimented with glycerin and nitrosulfuric acid, producing a pale yellowish oil he named "piroglicerina." Sobrero noted its ability to cause severe headaches, which Hering found fascinating for its potential medicinal applications rather than its explosive properties.

Sobrero's face was scarred by an explosion in his laboratory, and he expressed shame about the destructive potential of his discovery. Hering, however, was more interested in the oil's physiological effects. Unable to produce the oil himself, Hering enlisted the help of chemist Morris Davis. Davis eventually provided Hering with a small amount of the substance, which Hering described as "the child of pain."

Davis was the first to taste the oil and experienced a severe migraine. Hering then took the oil to his friend, Dr. Jacob B. Jeanes, in Philadelphia. Jeanes sampled the oil and experienced intense pain, which he described to Hering as he dictated his symptoms.

The Homœopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania

This article details the founding of the Homœopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. It recounts a meeting in February 1848 between physicians Hering, Walter Williamson, and Jacob Jeanes, who aimed to establish a more permanent homeopathic medical college than the defunct Allentown Academy. Their goal was to create an institution that could grant degrees and operate without interference from allopathic practitioners.

They drafted a petition to the Pennsylvania legislature, which, with the support of Charles Brown (Jeanes' brother-in-law and a state representative), was passed into law on April 8, 1848. The college was officially incorporated on April 10, 1848. The first campus was modest, located at 229 Arch Street. The first graduation ceremony took place on March 15, 1849, with six graduates receiving degrees. Jacob Jeanes later resigned to focus on his private practice. The college expanded and moved to larger quarters at 1105 Filbert Street.

Challenge activity

Written by John Blanton, this section addresses the North Texas Skeptics' $12,000 prize for a successful demonstration of the paranormal. Blanton notes that CNN has not reported on this challenge. He describes receiving about four inquiries a year, including a recent one from Scott Moresi.

Moresi proposed a test where he would mentally weaken a subject, who would then be unable to resist his downward force. Blanton critiques this proposal, pointing out that Moresi would be in complete control of the force applied, making it not a double-blind test. Blanton suggests an alternative: the subject attempts an activity without knowing Scott's intentions, and Scott attempts to weaken them, with the outcome judged objectively.

Blanton also shares an email from Tommy Cook, who claims his family can perform "table walking" and wishes to demonstrate this ability. Blanton expresses skepticism, comparing it to table tipping and other spiritualist tricks. He explains to Cook that he needs to review the challenge requirements on the NTS website and provide an initial demonstration before a formal test can be arranged. Blanton notes that many challengers drop out at this stage.

The article concludes by directing readers to the NTS website for the full details of the Paranormal Challenge. It also mentions that all correspondence related to the challenge will be published in the newsletter and on the website.

Skeptic Ink

This is a comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton. The first panel shows figures with the text "Intelligent Design is not driven by a religious agenda." The second panel features "Our interest in this matter is pure science." The third panel has "PRAISE THE LORD" and "RESEAR" (likely research). The fourth panel reads "Pay no attention to the man behind the door."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of scientific claims, particularly concerning evolution and Intelligent Design, and the promotion of skepticism towards paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of empirical scientific research and rigorous testing, contrasting it with what is perceived as pseudoscience or religiously motivated arguments against established scientific theories. The publication actively engages with its audience by inviting challenges to the paranormal and publishing correspondence related to these activities, reinforcing its commitment to rational inquiry and evidence-based conclusions.