Phactum - 2007 11 - November

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: November 2007
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)
Character: A newsletter for skeptics and critical thinkers, featuring articles, event calendars, and opinion pieces.

Featured Article: Tony Rothman on "Everything's Relative and Other Fables in Science and Technology"

The lead article for this issue highlights an upcoming PhACT meeting on November 17, 2007, hosted by the Physics Department at the Community College of Philadelphia. The featured speaker is Tony Rothman, a cosmologist and professor of Physics at Princeton University. Rothman will discuss his latest book, "Everything's Relative and Other Fables in Science and Technology." The book aims to correct common knowledge and historical myths in science and technology. Rothman's interests include the Big Bang, black holes, naked singularities, and the detection of gravitons. His father, Milton Rothman, was instrumental in starting PhACT 11 years prior and was also a prolific writer on physics.

PhACT Calendar of Events

The newsletter includes a comprehensive calendar of upcoming events relevant to the skeptical and scientific community:

• November 17, 2007: PhACT Meeting with Tony Rothman at Community College of Philadelphia.
• December 21, 2007: PhACT Annual Winter Solstice Party (members only).
• January 19, 2008: Paul A. Offit, M.D., will discuss "Vaccine Safety: Science Politics and the Media" at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
• November 9, 2007: Delaware Valley Mensa monthly meeting.
• November 8-11, 2007: Metanexus Institute event "Light and Enlightenment: Critical Issues in Rabbinic Judaism and Modern Science" at Villanova University and Main Line Reform Temple.
• November 27, 2007: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology lecture on "Desperate Etruscan Housewives" by Dr. Jean Turfa.
• December 3, 2007: Philadelphia College of Physicians event on "Regenerative Medicine and New Approaches to Healthcare in the 21st Century" with Anthony Atala, MD, at the Mutter Museum.
• November 14, 2007: Rittenhouse Astronomical Society monthly meeting.
• Third Saturday of each month: Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia and Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia book discussion club.
• Second Monday of the month: Philadelphia Brights Meetup Group.
• November 15, 2007: "Sustainable Visions: Strategies for Philadelphia" program at the Academy of Natural Sciences.
• November 10, 2007: Wagner Free Institute of Science Family Open House and "Natural History Road Show."
• November 14, 2007: Wagner Free Institute of Science lecture "Aesthetics and Attitudes in the Golden Age of Natural Science Illustration" by Scott Rawlins.

Book Review: "Everything's Relative: And Other Fables from Science and Technology" by Tony Rothman

Page 4 features a detailed review of Tony Rothman's book. It highlights that the book challenges cherished "facts" in science and history, revealing that the development of key scientific and technological advancements is often more complex than commonly believed. The review mentions examples like Morse, Bell, Edison, and Marconi, and also touches upon Hedy Lamarr's role in the invention of the radio-controlled torpedo. Rothman, a PhD holder, has taught at Bryn Mawr College and is a researcher and lecturer at Princeton University.

Letters and Articles Wanted

Phactum invites members and non-members to submit letters and articles on topics of interest to skeptics. The editor, Ray Haupt, welcomes a wide range of subjects, excluding partisan politics and religious bashing.

Erratttium

An error in a previous issue's advertisement for Tony Rothman's talk is corrected. It clarifies that Albert Einstein was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study, not a professor at Princeton University where he taught.

Letters to the Editor

• Ethanol Debate: Tom Napier from North Wales, PA, discusses the ethanol debate, favoring potato-based ethanol production over corn-based ethanol due to higher yields. He also suggests using waste heat from power stations for fermentation and distillation (cogeneration).
• Clerihew: Sidney Gitlin, Ph.D., from Philadelphia, submits a clerihew about Ray Haupt asking for money from members whose dues are overdue. The editors playfully acknowledge it as a "supercharged clerihew."
• Response to "But Anything's Possible": An anonymous editor responds to a previous article by Madeline van Hecke, Ph.D. The response emphasizes the scientific process of obtaining and verifying information, using the "recovered memory" controversy as an example of how the community can sometimes adopt unproven theories before rigorous scientific validation.

Various Ruminations

Collected and written by Ray Haupt, with contributions from others:

• Robot Marriage: The section questions the awarding of a doctorate by the University of Maastricht to David Levy for his thesis on "Intimate Relationships with Artificial Partners," which predicts human-robot marriage. The author expresses skepticism about the scientific basis for such predictions.
• Global Warming - Ethanol: This section references an October National Geographic article about Brazil's successful transition to ethanol fuel derived from sugar cane. It contrasts this with the US reliance on corn-based ethanol, highlighting the lower yield and potential environmental drawbacks, including deforestation and the irony of using coal to produce ethanol.
• NHS Homeopathic Coverage Shrinking: Dr. Stephen Barrett's Consumer Health Digest reports that the UK's National Health Service is significantly reducing coverage for homeopathic treatments, impacting several homeopathic hospitals.
• James Watson Controversy: The section discusses the furor caused by Nobel laureate James Watson's remarks on race and intelligence. Despite an apology, Watson faced significant backlash, including canceled engagements and suspension from his position at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. The author questions whether the remarks were intentional to promote his book or simply offhand.
• Global Warming - Atlantic City, New Jersey: This piece reflects on the decline of Atlantic City, attributing it partly to the rise of automobiles and later the casino boom, which has not led to a true renaissance. It notes the high rate of corruption among city officials. However, it also highlights the development of the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm as a positive step towards clean energy.

October Meeting Report: Faye Flam on Journalism, Science, and Sexuality

Eric Krieg reports on a PhACT meeting where science writer Faye Flam discussed her experiences writing about sexuality for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Flam, a recipient of PhACT's Journalistic Integrity award, explained that many stories originate from news services and that sensational or fear-based stories tend to gain prominence. She noted that copy editors often choose titles for stories and that budget cuts have led to a reduction in copy editors. Flam shared anecdotes about credulous reporting and the effectiveness of "scares sell" tactics in journalism. She also mentioned that journalists don't need to be experts but must know how to find information, often involving travel. Flam's talk also touched upon the strong reactions her articles on sexual topics sometimes elicited from readers. She announced that she is writing a book on "the evolution of sex," to be published by Penguin Books in June 2008, which will include discussions on pick-up artist culture.

Soundbites

Compiled by Becky Strickland:

• James R. Flynn: Discusses how IQ gains do not necessarily equate to better reasoning or immunity to credulity, citing beliefs in creationism, flying saucers, and astrology as examples.
• Guy Consolmagno: Vatican meteorite collection curator explains that Catholicism has nothing to fear from science, as truth does not contradict truth.
• Climate Change Skeptics: A brief mention of the need for climate change skeptics, with a note that they are not necessarily right on the main issue of human impact.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Phactum include the critical examination of scientific and historical narratives, the impact of media on public perception of science, and the importance of rational debate and skepticism. The newsletter consistently promotes critical thinking and challenges pseudoscientific claims or unverified information. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and scientific methodology, as demonstrated by the correction of errors, the discussion of scientific controversies, and the promotion of events that foster intellectual inquiry. The publication also serves as a platform for members to share their views and engage in discussions on a wide array of topics, from cosmology to social issues.

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

This issue of Phactum, dated November 2007, focuses on critical thinking and the debunking of pseudoscience. It features articles on skeptical explorations, the critique of unproven medical claims, and historical accounts of scientific figures.

Strange Places: Exploring a Haunted Hay Ride

Eric Krieg, president of PhACT, shares his experience exploring a haunted hayride from a skeptical perspective. He describes the various 'scary stations' manned by live actors, including a UFO, a redneck spot, a motorcycle accident, a mad scientist, and the devil. Krieg views the experience as a fun way to engage with urban legends and superstitions, asserting his role as a suburban anthropologist interested in human behavior. He notes that the haunted hayride concept was new to him, unlike when he was a child.

Sense About Science: Malaria & Homeopathy

This section details the work of Sense About Science, a London-based organization dedicated to promoting scientific understanding and countering misinformation. In July 2006, they convened experts to address public misinformation about alternative malaria prevention methods, warning that homeopathic medicines offer no protection against malaria or other serious tropical diseases. An investigation by science writer Simon Singh, in collaboration with Sense About Science, revealed that ten homeopathic clinics and pharmacies were willing to promote unproven homeopathic pills for serious tropical diseases like malaria, typhoid, and yellow fever. Intern Alice Tuff was advised to use homeopathic products instead of conventional treatments. The manufacturers of these products were reportedly unprepared to provide evidence for their claims. Sense About Science, along with other experts, urged the government to ensure public safety by not compromising it with the promotion of unproven remedies. The article is noted as being found on the Sense About Science website and permission was granted by Dr. Aarathi Prasad, a biologist and administrator of the organization.

Book Review: Blind Spots: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things

This section reviews the book 'Blind Spots: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things' by Madeleine L. Van Hecke. The book, published by Prometheus Books in April 2007, argues that many instances labeled as stupidity are actually 'blind spots' in thinking. These blind spots, akin to the blind spot in a driver's side mirror, can cause individuals to overlook obvious information. Dr. Van Hecke, a psychologist, draws on research in various fields to explain how our cognitive assets can create these liabilities. The book identifies ten mental blind spots, such as 'not stopping to think' and 'jumping to conclusions,' and offers tactics for overcoming them to foster more creative and competent thinking. The review highlights the book's use of humorous and poignant stories to offer insights into social and political lives.

Einstein at Princeton

This article recounts Albert Einstein's relationship with Princeton University. His connection began in 1921 when he visited to receive an honorary degree and lecture on relativity. In 1933, he moved to Princeton Township, where he resided until his death in 1955. During this period, Einstein worked at the Institute for Advanced Study, which, though independent, had its original offices on Princeton's campus. From 1933 to 1939, his office was in Fine Hall (now Jones Hall), and he also worked in the Palmer Physics Laboratory. Although never a faculty member, Einstein led a university seminar on relativity and assisted students with mathematics.

Other Mentions and Quotes

The issue includes several short, notable quotes. One is from an editorial in 'New Scientist' (October 6, 2007) discussing the value of questioning scientists. Another is a statement by Jerry Feaser of the PA Game Commission regarding a Bigfoot photograph. Senator Hillary Clinton is quoted on her stance regarding science and innovation. A quote from H.L. Mencken defines an 'Idealist'. G. K. Chesterton is quoted on fallacies becoming fashions. Finally, quotes from David Dinkins, former NYC Mayor, and David Garcia, a baseball manager, are included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards pseudoscience, the importance of evidence-based claims, particularly in health and medicine, and the critical examination of human behavior and thinking. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific rigor, critical thinking, and the debunking of misinformation and unproven theories. PhACT, as the publisher, advocates for a rational and evidence-based approach to understanding the world.