North Texas Skeptic - Vol 24 No 06 - 2010

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 24, Number 6
Date: June 2010
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic features a tribute to Virginia (Ginny) Barnett, a prominent figure in the organization, and delves into several contentious topics related to science, skepticism, and pseudoscience.

Ginny

This article, written by John Blanton, serves as an obituary and tribute to Virginia (Ginny) Barnett. Blanton recalls meeting Ginny early in the life of the North Texas Skeptics (NTS) and describes her as a true friend of science and intellectual honesty. He highlights her crucial role in organizing resistance in 1995 against the Plano School District's plan to introduce the creationist book "Of Pandas and People" into the curriculum. Ginny devised a protest badge featuring a panda with a line through it, which effectively deterred the creationists on the school board. Blanton also mentions her various functions for the NTS, including a year as president, and her marriage to Danny Barnett in 2000. Ginny Barnett passed away in May 2010 after years of failing health.

L' Affaire Coppedge

Written by John Blanton, this article examines the case of David Coppedge, a computer specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Coppedge filed a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination, harassment, and wrongful demotion. The article explains that Coppedge was accused of "pushing religion" for discussing Intelligent Design (ID) and distributing DVDs related to it, such as "Unlocking the Mystery of Life" and "Privileged Planet." The author contrasts the creationists' narrative, which frames Coppedge as a victim of religious persecution, with a more detailed account that suggests his productivity fell and his research was not as strong. The article notes that Coppedge is the son of creationist James Coppedge and is on the board of Illustra Media, the producer of the ID videos. Blanton expresses cynicism about the timing of the lawsuit, suggesting it could have been part of a sequel to the documentary "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." The article also touches upon the Sternberg and Gonzalez affairs, previously covered by the NTS, as examples of cases promoted by the Discovery Institute.

Paul Kurtz resigns

This section announces the resignation of Paul Kurtz from the board of directors of the Center for Inquiry (CFI). Kurtz, along with Martin Gardner and James Randi, was instrumental in founding CFI in 1976 to counter paranormal claims. The announcement from the CFI board expresses gratitude for Kurtz's decades of service and leadership, acknowledging his significant role in the organization's growth and success. The transition involved Dr. Ronald A. Lindsay becoming president and CEO in 2008, and Richard Schroeder becoming chairman in 2009, with Kurtz moving to chairman emeritus.

MIOS revisited

Written by John Blanton, this short piece revisits the Metroplex Institute of Origin Science (MIOS). Blanton notes that he had previously hinted he might be dropped from their mailing list but received an update. The update includes information about a presentation by Dr. Jobe Martin on April 6, 2010, titled "Where We Are in the Fight for the Biblical Truth of Creation." Martin's presentation reportedly discusses the defiance of Biblical Truth, the importance of passing truth to children, and the need to "contend for the faith."

Martin Gardner

This section, also by John Blanton, reflects on the writings of Martin Gardner, a renowned skeptic. Blanton expresses admiration for Gardner's book "Science: Good, Bad and Bogus" and recalls how Gardner's work in Scientific American helped him understand that closer examination of ESP and paranormal phenomena weakens the evidence. Blanton notes that Gardner, along with Paul Kurtz, James Randi, Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, and Philip J. Klass, founded the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) in 1976. Gardner also wrote "Fads & Fallacies in the Name of Science," and his output reached fifty titles. The article mentions Gardner's birth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1914, his degree from the University of Chicago, and his death in May 2010 in Norman, Oklahoma.

What's new

This section, compiled by Robert Park, presents several short news items:

• Cell phones: five billion are in use around the world: Park discusses the widespread use of cell phones and the lack of scientific evidence linking their radiation to brain cancer, despite media reports. He notes that microwave photons lack the energy to create DNA mutations.
• COSMOS: the Cohort Study on Mobile Communications: This UK-launched study aims to track 250,000 cell phone users for 30 years to determine if wireless radiation can induce cancer. Park expresses concern that such studies might perpetuate unfounded fears of radiation.
• Cell phones: trust me, it's not cumulative: A physician's warning about cumulative risk from cell phone exposure is dismissed by Park as unlikely.
• Apocrypha: Science Board hides American ignorance: The National Science Board's decision to remove questions about the origin of the universe and evolution from its "Science and Engineering Indicators" report is criticized. John T. Bruer, a philosopher with ties to the Vatican, is identified as a key figure in this removal.
• Cell phones: cancer in Maine is mainly in the brain: The Maine House of Representatives rejected a law requiring labels on cell phones warning of possible brain cancer risk, as there is no credible evidence of such a link.
• Mars Rover: the oldest colonist on the red planet: The Mars Rover Opportunity, which arrived on January 25, 2004, has operated longer than the Viking 1 lander and is continuing its mission, trekking towards a large crater.

Skeptic Ink

This comic strip, by Prasad Golla and John Blanton, features a dialogue between a clergyman who rejects intelligent design and a skeptic who questions the idea of stupidity being a gift from God.

Science: born on this day 2595 years ago.

This brief item notes that May 28 is considered by some as the birthday of science, marking the day Thales of Miletus allegedly predicted a solar eclipse. The author emphasizes the importance of causality in science.

Gusher: environmental impact is elevated to a "catastrophe."

This short report touches on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, noting the failure of "junk shot" and "top kill" attempts, and the ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Hurricanes too? more bad news for the gulf coast.

This item references a Wall Street Journal article predicting a potentially busy Atlantic hurricane season, possibly comparable to 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit.

Antimatter: now available on-demand.

A CERN collaboration named Athena has created approximately 50,000 antihydrogen atoms. The article notes that antimatter is a staple in science fiction and that its production in the laboratory is a significant scientific milestone, though the scarcity of antimatter in the universe remains a mystery.

Future Meeting Dates

A list of upcoming North Texas Skeptics program meetings and social dinners is provided for June through November 2010.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North Texas Skeptic consistently promotes scientific literacy, critical thinking, and skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, paranormal phenomena, and religious dogma that encroaches on scientific discourse. The magazine actively debunks creationism and Intelligent Design, highlighting perceived flaws in their arguments and the tactics of their proponents. It also covers news related to science policy, technological advancements, and the broader skeptical movement, often featuring contributions from prominent skeptics and scientists. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and a secular worldview, while also acknowledging and memorializing figures within the skeptical community.