Phactum - 2008 03 - March

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: March 2008
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
Focus: Critical thinking, science, skepticism, and debunking pseudoscience.

Featured Article: Real Free Energy

The lead article announces a meeting on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at 2:00 PM, hosted by PhACT and the Physics Department of Community College of Philadelphia. The event will feature electrical engineer Nick Pine discussing "Real Free Energy." The meeting is free and open to the public, held at Community College of Philadelphia, 17th and Spring Garden Streets, West Building Room W2-48.

The article highlights the prevalence of "crackpots and con men" selling schemes for free energy, but shifts to discuss viable, non-polluting energy sources like wave power, geothermal, bio-diesel, hydroelectric, wind, and solar energy. It notes that enough solar energy hits New Jersey to power the entire nation and that while solar photovoltaics are not yet cost-justifiable, solar heating can be significantly cheaper than electrical energy for heating purposes. Nick Pine, the speaker, is an electrical engineer with a Registered US Patent Agent qualification, known for designing solar house heating systems and other creative solar solutions. Information about his company and projects is available online.

PhACT Calendar

The PhACT Calendar section details upcoming meetings and events, typically held on the third Saturday of most months at Community College of Philadelphia. These events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

• March 15, 2008: Nick Pine discusses "Real Free Energy."
• April 19, 2008: Andrew J. Petto, PhD, discusses "Science and Religion in America's public school classrooms," coinciding with the anniversary of Charles Darwin's death. His book, "Scientists Confront Intelligent Design and Creationism," will be available.
• May 17, 2008: Luncheon meeting with speaker TBA.
• July 13, 2008: PhACT Picnic (members and guests only).
• September 20, 2008: Dr. John Allan Paulos is scheduled to speak.

Other listed events include:

• March 14, 2008: Delaware Valley Mensa meeting with Climatologist Thomas Delworth discussing global warming at the Police Administration Building, Philadelphia.
• March 14, 2008: Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia hosts author John Allen Paulos discussing his book "Irreligion" at the Philadelphia Ethical Society.
• March 26, 2008: The Franklin Institute hosts a forum on "Should the Government Make You Do It? Vaccine Mandates and Children," featuring vaccine scientists and medical ethicists.
• March 26, 2008 (7 Wednesdays): Independence Branch of the Free Library hosts Professor Llyd Ewan Wells discussing "Evolving Ideas of Life."
• April 1, 2008: Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia hosts Dr. Theodore Schick, Jr. discussing "How to Think About Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age."
• April 3, 2008: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology hosts Kenneth J. Matthews lecture on "Shipwrecked Architecture: The Roman Column Shipwreck at Kizilburun, Turkey."
• April 23, 2008: Free Library of Philadelphia hosts Roger Mudd discussing his career in television news.
• March 29, 2008: Wagner Free Institute of Science hosts Dr. Nina G. Jablonski discussing "The Evolution of Human Skin Color."

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

Election Announcement

PhACT is holding elections for its Council at the meeting on April 19, 2008, at 1 PM in the West Building, Room W2-48, of the Philadelphia County Community College. Members in good standing are invited to vote. Nominees for election include Eric Krieg (President), Bob Glickman (Secretary), Ray Haupt (Treasurer), and councilors David Cattell, Dave Cragin, Tom Napier, Harry Rothwell, Becky Strickland, and new councilor Mike Caro.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters address current topics and debates:

• Joel Kauffman criticizes the Quackwatch website, accusing it of unfair criticism and misrepresentation. The letter writer defends Quackwatch, citing its awards and recommendations from reputable sources, and contrasts Kauffman's writings with Quackwatch's accuracy.
• Dr. Mark Geier responds to a statement about thimerosal in vaccines, asserting that the HHS has conceded the first Thimerosal test case (Poling V. HHS) and that experts filed reports in that case. He calls the ruling an "outrageous ruling" and notes it is being appealed.
• William of Orange is presented as a clerihew, followed by a note from Elaine Brody encouraging more poetry.
• James Randi clarifies a statement about "unerring identification of cards in sealed envelopes," emphasizing that statistical significance, not absolute certainty, was the claim. He also explains that JREF's goal is to "discover/uncover the truth," not to "debunk."
• The issue includes a letter regarding the controversy over thimerosal in vaccines, citing a case where HHS conceded the first test case (Poling V. HHS), with experts including Dr. Mark Geier and Dr. Andrew Zimmerman involved. The letter writer states this is an appealable ruling.

Various Ruminations

Collected and written by Ray Haupt:

• Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - R.I.P.: A brief obituary notes the passing of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement, on February 5, 2008, at age 91. His mantra "Don't fight the darkness. Bring the light, and darkness will disappear" is quoted. His rumored cause of death was injuries from a yogic flying collision, which the FAA is investigating.
• Interesting new websites: The article highlights the "What's the Harm?" website, which summarizes reports of harm from faulty beliefs, and mentions Quackwatch and Dr. Stephen Barrett. It also points to a Canadian version of Quackwatch run by Dr. Terry Polevoy. Dr. Harriet Hall's "Science Based Medicine" website is also recommended.
• The Flat Earth: This section discusses the historical computation of the Earth's circumference by Eratosthenes and contrasts it with modern flat-earthers like Fadhel Al-Sa'd, who bases his theories on the Koran. The International Flat Earth Society (IFES) is mentioned as a successor to the Universal Zetetic Society.

Health - Alarm the Public Department

• BBC News reports an Israeli study linking heavy cell phone usage to increased incidence of cancer in salivary glands, questioning the conclusiveness of such findings.
• Health - A downside to Vaccines?: An item discusses research by Dr. J. Barthelow Classen suggesting vaccines may cause insulin-dependent diabetes in children with a strong family history of the condition. It notes that while thimerosal has been removed from many vaccines, this has not impacted autism rates. The article defends the use of thimerosal as a preservative and discusses the potential issues with its removal, especially in the developing world. It also touches on the media's role in controversies and the pharmaceutical industry's credibility.

William F. Buckley, Jr. - R.I.P.

A brief mention of the passing of William F. Buckley, Jr. on February 27, at age 82. It references his participation in a 1997 Firing Line debate on the creationism/evolution controversy, where he argued that evidence for the naturalist theory of evolution was "unsubstantial" and "fanciful," though his specific objections remained unclear.

Help!

An appeal for members and readers to contribute articles and letters to Phactum, encouraging contrarian views and constructive feedback. Donations are also welcomed.

Soundbites

Compiled by Becky Strickland, these are short quotes from various sources:

• Helen Wallace of Genewatch warns about companies selling inaccurate genetic tests.
• An editorial from New Scientist argues for the value of science beyond economic returns, noting that astronomy and particle physics are particularly affected by funding cuts.
• Renee Jenkins of the American Academy of Pediatrics criticizes the TV drama "Eli Stone" for linking flu vaccines to autism.
• A quote notes that creationism is a global issue.

February 2008 Meeting Report

By Becky Strickland and David Cragin, PhD, this report summarizes a talk by Dr. Paul Offit on vaccine safety. Dr. Offit, an expert in immunology and virology, discussed the ongoing controversy linking vaccines and autism, attributing its launch to a flawed 1998 Lancet study. He defended vaccines, noting their importance in controlling diseases and the fact that they generate less profit for pharmaceutical companies than drugs. He also highlighted the media's role in sensationalizing controversies and the importance of rigorous scientific methods. Dr. Dave Cragin adds a side note about mercury exposures and the historical use of mercury-based products.

USS Philadelphia and Benedict Arnold

This historical piece recounts the story of the first USS Philadelphia, a gondola constructed by Gen. Benedict Arnold on Lake Champlain in July 1776. It was part of a 15-ship flotilla intended to impede a British invasion. The gondola was holed and sank on October 11, 1776, during a clash with British forces. The article notes that the ship was raised in 1935 and is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution. It also mentions that six US Navy ships have been named USS Philadelphia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes critical thinking, scientific literacy, and skepticism towards pseudoscience, health fads, and unsubstantiated claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and scientific consensus, as demonstrated by its coverage of topics like "Real Free Energy," vaccine safety, evolution, and the debunking of various fringe theories. The publication actively encourages reader participation and debate, welcoming contrarian views as long as they are grounded in reason and evidence. The emphasis is on separating fact from fiction and promoting a rational understanding of the world.