Phactum - 2006 08 - August

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: August 2006
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)
Website: www.phact.org

This issue of Phactum, the newsletter of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, covers a diverse range of topics, from scientific controversies and skeptical analyses to astrological discussions and personal reflections. The magazine aims to promote critical thinking and present alternative viewpoints.

Upcoming PhACT Events and Discussions

The newsletter announces the start of PhACT's 2006/2007 lecture series. The first event, scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2006, at Philadelphia Community College, will feature William Wong, a Princeton University physics Ph.D. candidate. Wong will discuss the Black Light Power Company and the controversial theory of "hydrinos." PhACT President Eric Krieg offers his thoughts on the matter, noting Dr. Randall Mills' 1991 dream of providing near-free energy based on his radical atomic model. Krieg acknowledges the complexity of Mills' theory, which involves shrunken atoms releasing enormous amounts of energy, and the skepticism it faces from established scientific bodies like the American Physical Society.

PhACT Calendar

The PhACT Calendar lists several upcoming events:

• September 16, 2006: PhACT meeting at Community College of Philadelphia featuring William Wong on "Black Light Power and Hydrinos."
• September 9, 2006: Institute for Creation Research (ICR) presents "Thousands ... not Billions," a day of lectures on Young Earth Creationism in Lancaster, PA.
• September 26, 2006: Dave Leiter will present "Science of the Strange" about the Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE) at the Upper Moreland Free Public Library.
• Ongoing: The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP) and the Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia (HAGP) co-sponsor a monthly book discussion club.

The calendar is open to announcements for events of general interest to the skeptical or scientific community within a reasonable radius of Philadelphia.

Skeptical Analysis of 'Hydrinos' Theory

An article continues the discussion on Dr. Randall Mills' "hydrinos" theory. The author expresses skepticism towards free energy claims in general, noting a history of "pathetic" and "ridiculous" unscientific claims. Mills is described as "high end" compared to others, being intelligent, an accomplished MD, and employing real scientists. His theory, detailed in a 1000+ page book, involves shrunken hydrogen atoms potentially yielding near-unlimited power. However, prominent figures like Dr. Robert Park of the American Physical Society dismiss Mills' theory as "plain wrong," citing mathematical errors and inconsistent reasoning. Despite this, Mills has secured significant financing. The author notes that despite years of research and resources, Mills has not provided compelling proof of his claims, and attempts to witness his experiments have been unsuccessful.

A cartoon by B.Z. Toons humorously depicts a roadside assistance scenario related to a car that won't start, possibly alluding to the unreliability of certain theories.

Letters and Political Science Department

This section notes that no letters were received for publication this month, expressing a desire for even "scathing" disagreement. A section titled "Political Science Department" presents an internet item about astrology and politics, with the editor stating they are presenting it as found. The text discusses dreams, astrological interpretations of America's destiny, and the influence of Uranus in Gemini and Aquarius. It also touches on the "War Leaders" of the US and UK, linking them to freedom and revolution.

Astrologers in the Media

An article titled "And speaking of Astrologers" discusses a Philadelphia Daily News feature on astrologer Valerie Morrison. The author questions why this was front-page news, given other potential world events. The article notes that Morrison claims success in solving crimes, a claim met with skepticism by the author but popular with many. The prevalence of daily astrology charts in major Philadelphia newspapers is highlighted, along with television series and programs that present psychics and astrologers as credible.

Errata and World End Predictions

The "Errata" section corrects a previous prediction in the June 2006 issue that the world would end on June 6, 2006. The magazine acknowledges being undeterred and refining its projections. It also mentions a statement from a group of Biblical Scholars regarding incorrectly predicted World End dates, listing several proposed dates that have passed without incident.

My Skeptical Roots

Tom Napier, a physicist, shares his personal history as a skeptic. He recounts reviewing a booklet from Rev. Francis in 1917 that proposed the sun was a cold body, an idea Napier found unscientific. Napier also describes his summer job at age 18, erecting tents for highland shows, and an encounter with a couple selling a potion called "Exultation of Flowers," which he suspected was fraudulent. He later read reports of the couple being charged with fraud.

It's A Miracle!!

William A. Wisdom, a philosophy professor, recounts an experience in the mid-1970s attending a "Special Miracles Night" evangelical tent meeting. He describes the preaching, singing, and testimonials, followed by an invitation for those with needs to come to the stage. Wisdom, wanting to be a "participant-observer," went forward, hoping for a miracle related to understanding Kurt Gödel's "Incompleteness Theorem." Instead, the next morning, he received a financial miracle when the vending machine in the university hall dispensed extra change. He expresses a moment of shame, realizing the miracle might have been intended for a poor man he met at the meeting.

Young Earth Creationism at Sandia National Labs

Dave Thomas reports on a presentation by "creation physicist" Russell Humphreys at Sandia National Labs, titled "Evidence for a Young Earth." Thomas criticizes the event, arguing that it promoted a religious philosophy inappropriate for a taxpayer-funded facility. He details Humphreys' claims about comets and the age of the solar system, which suggest the Earth is young. Thomas refutes these claims, citing the discovery and confirmation of the Kuiper Belt as a source for new comets, which undermines Humphreys' argument that comets disintegrate too quickly to support an old solar system. Thomas also mentions Humphreys' work on dating zircons by helium retention, which he also dismisses as flawed.

Humphreys also discussed finding radiocarbon in diamonds, which should not be present if diamonds are billions of years old. Thomas notes that serious scientists like Dr. R. E. Taylor use such findings to monitor instrument background, as diamonds are scientifically a carbon-containing C14 "blank."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Phactum include skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims (like the "hydrinos" theory and young earth creationism), the promotion of critical thinking, and the examination of media coverage of topics like astrology. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of claims lacking empirical evidence and critical of the uncritical acceptance of such ideas in public discourse and media. The magazine encourages reasoned debate and the application of scientific principles.

Title: Phactum
Issue: August 2006
Volume: 11
Publisher: PhACT (Phila. Assoc. for Critical Thinking)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Phactum focuses on critiquing creationist interpretations of scientific data, particularly concerning radiocarbon dating, and promoting critical thinking. It features articles and notes related to scientific methodologies, creationist arguments, and the organization's activities.

Critique of Creationist Use of Radiocarbon Dating

The lead article, titled "Use of Natural Diamonds to Monitor Radiocarbon AMS Instrument Backgrounds," discusses the perceived misuse of radiocarbon methods by creationist groups. The author contacted Dr. Taylor, who stated that these groups "apparently have little or no understanding of operational details involved in AMS technology and the nature of how ion sources and AMS spectrometers work." Dr. Taylor believes they are unaware of potential sources of trace radiocarbon in blanks and how detectors can register non-radiocarbon events as mass 14 events.

The magazine directs readers to NMSR's "C-FILES" web pages for articles by and about Humphreys and other creationists. It highlights an upcoming event on March 13th where ex-Los Alamos physicist John Baumgardner will speak at Sandia. Baumgardner is described as someone who dismisses critics as militant atheists, even when disagreements are on scientific merits. An example is provided of Baumgardner's response in 1997 to Sandia physicist Marshall Berman's statistical analysis, where Baumgardner attributed Berman's critique to a "tenacious commitment to atheism" leading to dishonesty in science.

The "Origins" colloquium series at Sandia reportedly declined an offer to discuss the science side of things, suggesting a preference for presenting only their own versions of "The Controversy."

Dave Thomas is identified as the President of New Mexicans for Science and Reason, with their website provided.

Upcoming Events and Editorial Notes

An editor's note announces that Dr. Russell Humphrys and Dr. John Baumgardener will be speakers at an Institute for Creation Research event on September 9, 2006, in Lancaster, PA, focusing on the young age of the earth. Readers are directed to the Calendar of Events on Page 2 for more details.

The editor, Ray Haupt, is seeking a review of this event by a PhACT member for publication in the October edition of Phactum, and provides his email address ([email protected]) for contact.

Membership and Support

The magazine includes a section for readers to express support for PhACT's aims. It outlines membership dues of $15 annually ($10 for students) and provides a form for donations, including options for additional support or a specific purpose. Checks are to be mailed to PhACT at 639 W. Ellet Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119.

Poetry Corner

Two poems are featured: "Rutherfordium" by Harry Rutherford and "Reply to Mr. Rutherford" by Alexandra Atkin. Both poems use a playful, rhyming style that incorporates the word "affordium" and "storedium," referencing the element Rutherfordium and its properties.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for scientific rigor and critical thinking, particularly in contrast to what it perceives as the misapplication or misunderstanding of scientific principles by creationist groups. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards creationist claims and a promotion of evidence-based scientific discourse. The magazine actively engages with and critiques specific arguments and individuals within the creationist movement, while also encouraging reader participation and support for its own organization, PhACT.