North Texas Skeptic - Vol 24 No 02 - 2010

Magazine Overview

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 24, Number 2, dated February 2010, focuses on a variety of topics ranging from cryptozoology to paranormal claims and scientific integrity. The cover prominently features an article titled "Southern Fried Bigfoot" by John Blanton, which delves into the making of a documentary on Bigfoot legends in the American South.

Southern Fried Bigfoot

The article begins by explaining how many skeptical adventures start with e-mails. John Blanton recounts receiving an e-mail from Sean Whitley in October 2004, who was making a documentary titled "Southern Fried Bigfoot." Whitley aimed to illuminate and preserve Southern folklore by interviewing a range of individuals, including anthropologists, wildlife biologists, artists, writers, Bigfoot believers, and skeptics. Sean Whitley and his cameraman interviewed Blanton in January 2005, with Blanton providing the skeptical viewpoint. The documentary was finished in 2009, and Blanton viewed a copy in December, finding it "worth the wait."

Sean Whitley provided further details, explaining that the documentary took five years to make, was self-financed, and involved interviews with numerous Bigfoot researchers, scientists, artists, skeptics, musicians, and zoologists. Whitley stated he kept an open mind about Bigfoot's existence but wanted to present all sides of the debate. The documentary aired on The Documentary Channel in April 2009 and continues to be broadcast. The article notes that the southern Bigfoot sightings parallel those in northern California, with reports of large, bipedal, hairy creatures emerging in the 1960s. Featured in the documentary are the Florida Skunk Ape, the Chupacabras, and the Lake Worth Monster. Prominent figures interviewed include Craig Woolheater (Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy), Dan Maloney (Audubon Zoo), Vaughn Bryant (Texas A&M University), and Loren Coleman.

Blanton mentions showing excerpts of the video at a January meeting and planning a future program on cryptozoology. He also provides a link to purchase the DVD from Amazon, with The North Texas Skeptics receiving a commission.

NTS Paranormal Challenge: Mental Transmission

Another significant section details the status of the NTS Paranormal Challenge, a prize of $12,000 for paranormal feats. John Blanton reports on Raymond Powell from Tennessee, who claimed in July 2009 to be able to project his thoughts. Blanton initially received a thought in advance but did not reveal it to Powell. Powell insisted on conducting communication via phone, but Blanton preferred e-mail for a traceable record, aiming to avoid disputes.

Powell eventually agreed to an e-mail correspondence. Blanton explains that claimants must provide an upfront demonstration before the NTS proceeds. Blanton contacted James Underdown of the Center for Inquiry West and Alison Smith of the James Randi Educational Foundation, both of whom were familiar with Powell. James Underdown had previously attempted a test with Powell, which did not materialize.

Powell's e-mail proposed a challenge: he would read the Bible for 20 minutes, and the NTS would attempt to perceive what he was reading. The proposed test involved Powell in Tennessee and Blanton at an NTS meeting in Dallas. Blanton stopped Powell when he offered to reveal the passage beforehand, stating it would defeat the purpose of a paranormal demonstration. Powell then read from a different part of the Bible, which Blanton concentrated on but could not perceive. Upon comparison, there was no match between what Blanton imagined and what Powell claimed to have read.

Powell expressed disappointment and sent an e-mail accusing Blanton of being deceitful and referencing alleged claims from people in Hong Kong. Blanton responded by reminding Powell that he was prepared to publish all correspondence and that the demonstration design was flawed because it relied solely on his ability to receive, not accounting for potential differences in transmission and reception abilities. Blanton offered Powell another chance to design a demonstration.

Powell then sent a more inflammatory e-mail, accusing the NTS of changing rules and wasting his team's time, referencing a previous challenge with James Underdown. He insisted the NTS stick to the stated rules or cancel the challenge.

Blanton clarified that while the website didn't explicitly require an upfront demonstration, he always insisted on one. He reiterated that Powell's demonstration on January 16 was unsuccessful, indicating why such demonstrations are necessary for refinement. Despite this, Blanton offered to continue working with Powell if he could design a demonstration that proved his abilities, suggesting Powell provide his own receiver and that they both come to Dallas to witness it.

As of the writing, there had been no further communication from Powell. The full e-mail correspondence is available on the NTS website.

Journal Review on Herbal Medicine

Claudia Meek reviews an article from the *Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis* that discusses the analysis of herbal medicines and dietary supplements. The article reveals that many products marketed as natural are illegally adulterated with synthetic drugs to enhance their effects. The paper presents data on how manufacturers include these synthetic drugs, with examples such as sildenafil (Viagra) found in products claiming to improve sexual ability, and diazepam. These adulterations violate regulations in many countries.

Table 1 lists nine adulterants tested, including Sildenafil (Viagra), Famotidine, Ibuprofen, Promethazine, Diazepam, Nifedipine, Captopril, Amoxicillin, and Dextromethorphan, along with their claimed product benefits and the actual use of the synthetic drug. Table 2 summarizes test results for products enhancing sexual potency, showing positive results for capsules, tablets, oral liquids, and medicated wine, but none for honeyed pills.

NTS on Facebook and Twitter

The newsletter announces that The North Texas Skeptics has established groups on Facebook and Twitter to foster community relations. Links are provided for the Twitter group and instructions for finding the Facebook group. The article notes that the Facebook group already had 30 members at the time of writing. It also mentions that the official NTS e-mail address is [email protected], but for privacy reasons, individual member e-mail addresses are not shared. Twitter and Facebook are presented as solutions for members who wish to be known.

NTS Elections

The issue reports on the annual NTS elections. The board of directors was elected in January, followed by the election of officers. The board aims to have five or more members, with membership open to full NTS members. The article notes that the board members tend to be those from the previous year, with a few changes. David Price is new to the board, and Jack and Elizabeth Hittson are noted as no longer active; Jack Hittson passed away from cancer. The newly-elected board members are listed, along with the elected officers: John Brandt (President), Mike Selby (Vice President), David Price (Secretary), and Barbara Neuser (Treasurer). Appointed positions include Keith Blanton (Newsletter Editor), John Blanton (Web Master), and Claudia Meek (Meeting Coordinator). The new board decided to meet again to map out new strategies.

Skeptic Ink

A comic strip titled "Skeptic Ink" by Prasad Golla and John Blanton is included, depicting a humorous exchange about Air Force research into space aliens.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of paranormal claims, the importance of scientific methodology and evidence-based inquiry, and the debunking of pseudoscience. The NTS maintains a skeptical stance, emphasizing the need for verifiable proof and transparency in investigations, as demonstrated by their approach to the Paranormal Challenge and their review of pseudoscientific claims. The publication also highlights the organization's activities, such as meetings, elections, and online presence, fostering a community for like-minded individuals. The review of adulterated herbal medicines underscores the publication's commitment to scientific accuracy and public health awareness, cautioning against the uncritical acceptance of products marketed as "natural."