Phactum - 2007 09 - September

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue Date: September 2007
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)

This issue of Phactum, the newsletter of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, delves into historical events, scientific inquiry, and skeptical analysis. The cover story, "Mysterious Delusions: Witchcraft in Salem Village," examines the 1692-1693 witch trials, presenting historical beliefs and critiquing modern explanations such as food-borne toxins, pathogens, mass hysteria, and interpersonal conflicts. The article notes that while 17th-century citizens believed in a conspiracy to overthrow Christianity, Enlightenment thinkers viewed accusers as frauds. Contemporary explanations also include biological factors and psychological phenomena.

PhACT Meeting and Calendar

The newsletter announces a PhACT meeting on September 15, 2007, featuring Professor Walter F. Rowe, a forensic scientist, discussing "Mysterious Delusions: Witchcraft in Salem Village." The PhACT Calendar lists numerous upcoming events in the Philadelphia area, including lectures on the Geology of Mars, Steven Pinker discussing "The Stuff of Thought," James Morrow on "The Last Witchfinder," and Gary Kasparov on decision-making. Other events include lectures at the Wagner Free Institute of Science on topics like invertebrate diversity and technological breakthroughs, as well as discussions on human evolution and ancient Egypt at the University of Pennsylvania Museum.

Articles and Commentary

"Various Ruminations" by Ray Haupt addresses the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case, criticizing the "Gang of 88" faculty members who condemned the accused students prematurely. Research by K.C. Johnson is cited, highlighting that 84.1 percent of the faculty signatories described their research interests as related to race, class, or gender, suggesting a de facto segregation between social sciences and hard sciences.

Another section, "Still Another Witch Hunt," reports on four women in Papua New Guinea who were tortured and murdered due to accusations of witchcraft. The article also briefly mentions global warming and a query about the status of Blacklight Power, Inc.

"Ear Candling" critically examines the practice, describing it as an ancient medical remedy for earwax buildup. The article notes its purported benefits but also points to a lack of scientific evidence and potential harm, citing an emergency room physician's experience.

"Intellectual Inadequacy" offers a brief reflection on the complexity of the Federal Income Tax, quoting Albert Einstein. "Astronomers find hole in universe" reports on the discovery of a vast void in the universe by University of Minnesota astronomers.

"The Teenager and Bigfoot: A Discussion With a Youngster About the Scientific Method" by David Cragin, Ph.D., details an interview with a 13-year-old boy interested in Bigfoot. Cragin emphasizes understanding the other's perspective and guiding the boy to evaluate evidence scientifically, rather than simply attacking his beliefs. The discussion covers the nature of proof, legends, and the scientific process of evaluating claims.

"Soundbites" compiles short, interesting facts from various sources, including scientific observations about chromosomes, human anatomy, and brain cells, and a commentary on "unintelligent design."

"But Anything's Possible" by Madeleine van Hecke, Ph.D., explores how to respond to the common objection that "anything's possible" when arguing against unsubstantiated claims, seeking effective analogies to explain statistical concepts.

Letters to the Editor

The "Letters" section includes a letter from Robert E. Kay, MD (Ret), referencing an article about secularism in America. Another letter from Harriet Hall, MD, discusses the website Quackwatch, defending its reliability against criticism from Joel Kauffman and encouraging readers to verify information themselves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Phactum consistently promotes critical thinking, skepticism, and a scientific approach to understanding the world. The editorial stance is clearly against pseudoscience, unsubstantiated claims, and the uncritical acceptance of beliefs, whether historical, anecdotal, or pseudoscientific. The newsletter encourages evidence-based reasoning and provides a platform for discussions on science, history, and rational inquiry, particularly within the Philadelphia community.

Title: Phactum
Issue: September 2007
Volume: 11
Publisher: PhACT (Phila. Assoc. for Critical Thinking)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Phactum, dated September 2007, focuses on critical thinking, skepticism, and the scientific examination of phenomena often relegated to the fringes of belief. The magazine features articles on effective communication, scientific explanations for unusual experiences, and reviews of skeptical podcasts.

Articles and Content

Effective Communication and Critical Thinking

The issue opens with a discussion on how to engage in productive conversations about topics like Bigfoot. It highlights the importance of respecting perspectives and fostering logical thinking. The article suggests strategies such as avoiding direct disagreement, exploring the nuances of evidence, and emphasizing basic scientific principles. The example of a conversation with a 13-year-old is used to illustrate how framing the discussion around the concept of provable existence can encourage logical reasoning. The article emphasizes that effective discussions leave all parties feeling respected and that the conversation was productive.

China's Lake Monster

A brief report on the cover discusses sightings of a 'Loch Ness Monster'-like creature in Lake Tianchi, China, with local officials reporting up to 20 such creatures. The article includes an illustration of a prehistoric sea reptile and a map of the region.

Out of Body - Out of Mind?

By Becky Strickland, this article explores the phenomenon of out-of-body experiences (OBEs). While neuroscience generally attributes OBEs to brain activity, the article highlights recent research using virtual reality goggles, cameras, rubber hands, and sticks to induce these experiences. These experiments demonstrate how mismatches in sensory streams (vision, touch, balance) can lead the brain to interpret a sense of being in a different body or a separation from one's own body. The article notes that such scientific explanations are rarely found in popular media but are sometimes reported in scientific journals and popular press.

Skeptical Podcasts, Part 2: Heirs to the Throne

Written by Greg Lester, this article reviews two skeptical podcasts: Rick Wood's Audiomartini and Alex Tsakiris's Skeptiko.

• Audiomartini: Hosted by Rick Wood, this podcast is described as an actual radio show broadcast weekly, featuring hour-long interviews with paranormalists. Wood is characterized as a skeptic who allows guests to present their views fully, often with a subtle hand, and occasionally poses direct challenges. Guests have included spiritualists, ghost hunters, UFO believers, and Holocaust revisionists. The author praises Wood's approach as a refreshing change from more conventional skeptical podcasts.
• Skeptiko: Hosted by Alex Tsakiris, this podcast is positioned on the other side of the looking glass, focusing on paranormal explanations of consciousness and psi research. Tsakiris is described as a proponent of Dean Radin's work and seems to believe that fringe evidence for paranormal phenomena is on the verge of mainstream acceptance. The author notes that Tsakiris often expresses frustration with skeptics and mainstream science, framing skepticism as a dogma. While Tsakiris's interviews with skeptics are found to be fun and challenging, his interviews with fringe researchers can devolve into 'whinefests.' The author also criticizes Tsakiris for editing interviews to put words in guests' mouths and for a disappointing episode that promised a debate but instead re-edited previous material.

The author concludes that Audiomartini is the better podcast due to its host's sincerity and the broader scope of its exploration into the paranormal and fringes of science.

Resources for Critical Thinking

This section recommends resources from The Foundation for Critical Thinking at San Diego State University, including inexpensive booklets on critical thinking suitable for all ages. It specifically mentions the booklet "Critical Thinking: Basic Theory & Instructional Structures" for educators.

Other Content

The issue also includes a brief mention of the Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers, a group of hobbyists in Philadelphia, and a cartoon by Gary Larson featuring Carl Sagan as a child. There is also a brief obituary for actress Fay Wray.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and the importance of evidence-based reasoning. PhACT, the publisher, clearly advocates for a rational and evidence-based approach to understanding phenomena, distinguishing between scientific inquiry and pseudoscience. The magazine's stance is to encourage rigorous examination of claims, whether they originate from believers or skeptics, and to promote clear communication and logical thinking skills. The reviews of podcasts and the discussion on effective dialogue underscore the magazine's commitment to promoting a skeptical and analytical worldview.