North Texas Skeptic - Vol 25 No 01 - 2011

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 25, Number 1, published in January 2011, is a magazine dedicated to exploring paranormal and pseudoscientific claims from a responsible and scientific perspective. The issue features a variety of articles covering topics such as the creationism versus evolution debate, cold fusion research, astrology, scientific integrity, and homeopathy. It also includes an events calendar and membership application.

Web news

This section, authored by John Blanton, addresses the nature of information found on the World Wide Web, noting that it contains both truth and falsehood. The article delves into the long-standing conflict between creationists and secular society regarding the teaching of evolution. It recounts the 1981 court case McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education, where creationism was deemed religious content and thus illegal to teach in public schools at public expense. Following this, the Intelligent Design movement emerged, which, while shedding overt religious trappings, still incorporates miracles and the idea of a creator. The article references the Dover, Pennsylvania case as a public forum demanded by creationists.

After 5 years, Dover intelligent design ruling's impact still felt

This article by Andrew Shaw discusses the lingering impact of the Dover intelligent design ruling from five years prior. Tammy Kitzmiller, a plaintiff in the case, notes that the issue is still brought up. The article details how the Dover school board, represented by William Buckingham and Alan Bonsell, sought to balance the teaching of evolution with creationism, favoring texts like 'Pandas and People.' The court, presided over by Judge John E. Jones III, ultimately ruled that intelligent design is religion, not science, and banned Dover schools from enforcing such policies. The article highlights the testimony of creationist witnesses like Michael Behe, whose assertion of peer-reviewed science was challenged when his primary example was his own book, 'Darwin's Black Box.' Behe is quoted as saying that the scientific case for intelligent design continues to strengthen, despite the legal outcome.

Job candidate sues UK, claiming religion cost him the post

Written by Peter Smith, this article reports on astronomer Martin Gaskell's lawsuit against the University of Kentucky. Gaskell, who was a leading candidate for a director position in 2007, alleges he was denied the job due to his writings on evolution and his Christian beliefs. The university acknowledged that his stance, which included recommending students read critics of evolution and intelligent design, played a role in their decision. The article suggests that Gaskell's case serves as a reminder of the underlying issues in the evolution versus creationism debate.

Sir Peter Vardy – an apology

This section details an apology issued by The North Texas Skeptics to Sir Peter Vardy. An earlier article had alleged that Sir Peter Vardy, through the Vardy Foundation, was imposing fundamentalist beliefs and pseudoscience on children attending schools he funded. The Skeptics accept that these allegations were untrue, that the schools are not faith schools, and that Sir Peter Vardy is not a creationist seeking to advance creationism through sponsorship. They have apologized and paid damages, which Sir Peter Vardy donated to charity.

Cold Fusion Proven True by U.S. Navy Researchers - Will Suppression of this Science be Repeated?

Authored by Mike Adams, this article reports on new developments in cold fusion research. It states that the technology, initially announced in 1989 by Fleischmann and Pons and dismissed by many, has been proven true by US Navy Researchers. Scientist Pamela Mosier-Boss presented data at an American Chemical Society meeting supporting the reality of cold fusion, citing "highly energetic neutrons from low-energy nuclear reactions." The author expresses skepticism about cold fusion claims, questioning why proponents still need to purchase electricity if the technology is viable. The article also includes a diagram of a Tokamak device for hot fusion research and notes that despite decades of research, hot fusion has not produced usable power, unlike the hydrogen bomb.

Principle of astrology proven to be scientific: planetary position imprints biological clocks of mammals

Another article by Mike Adams, this piece discusses the perception of astrology. Adams notes that skeptics often dismiss astrology as 'quackery.' He suggests that the idea of personality being imprinted at birth by celestial positions is resisted by the scientific community, which shies away from notions of holistic connections between individuals and the cosmos. The author states he has nothing to counter this, and that astrology, unlike hot fusion, has remained consistent for thousands of years.

Wikipedia

This section highlights Wikipedia as a valuable, free source of information for the Skeptical News column. It includes a plea from Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales for donations to keep the site operational, emphasizing its status as a major website primarily supported by its users.

What's new

This column, by Robert Park, presents various clippings of interest.

Integrity: White house guidelines on scientific transparency

This sub-section discusses President Obama's March 2009 memorandum on scientific integrity, which aimed to prevent the distortion of science for political ends. It contrasts this with the previous Bush administration's practices. The article notes that while the guidelines were issued, they did not please everyone, with some finding them too short and others too long.

Homeopathy: Fundamental laws of nature take precedence.

This sub-section reports on a UK Parliament Science and Technology Committee report urging the withdrawal of funding and licensing for homeopathy. It mentions the 200th anniversary of Samuel Hahnemann's "Organon of the Medical Art" and the prevailing philosophy of "vitalism." The article explains that homeopathy involves sequential dilution of medications, and that the energy of cell phone radiation is insufficient to cause cancer, contrary to some beliefs.

NTS elections for 2011

This announcement details the upcoming elections for the North Texas Skeptics board of directors on January 15, 2011. It specifies that only full members with dues paid up by that date are eligible to vote or serve. Others are invited to attend the proceedings.

EMF exposure: Does waving of the trees make the wind blow?

This article discusses epidemiology and the study of disease causation. It mentions Paul Brodeur's 1989 articles in The New Yorker linking electromagnetic fields (EMF) to cancer, which were later published as books. The author criticizes Brodeur's lack of scientific background and the media's tendency to present both sides of an issue, even when one side is scientifically unfounded. The article notes that the National Academy of Sciences eventually addressed the issue in 1996.

Skeptic Ink

This comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton satirizes the idea of building a Noah's Ark theme park that glorifies Genesis, with a commentary on religious freedom and the use of credit cards.

Epidemiology: Fundamental laws of nature take precedence.

This section revisits the topic of cell phone radiation. It references Devra Davis's book 'Disconnect,' which argues against cell phone radiation. The author reiterates that cell phone radiation, operating in the microwave region of the spectrum, requires significant energy to cause harm, and that only extreme blue-end photons can induce cancer by creating mutant DNA strands. The article notes recent reports suggesting a link between in-utero cell phone exposure and behavioral problems in children.

Flying saucers: Ballot initiative would welcome them to Denver.

This brief item mentions a ballot measure in Denver proposed by Jeff Peckman to establish an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission, suggesting that Denver's high altitude might attract extraterrestrial visitors.

Astrology: Making medicine fit the stars-who knew?

This piece discusses an article in The Wall Street Journal about expectant mothers in India consulting astrologers for auspicious birth dates. The author suggests this could lead to a broader integration of astrology into modern medicine, even proposing the idea of a staff astrologer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The North Texas Skeptic revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims and the defense of scientific principles. The magazine consistently advocates for evidence-based reasoning and challenges beliefs that lack empirical support, particularly in the realms of creationism, intelligent design, and alternative medicine. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, promoting scientific literacy and transparency while debunking what it perceives as misinformation or scientifically unfounded ideas. The publication also appears to support organizations like Wikipedia that provide accessible information and encourages critical thinking among its readership.