Phactum - 2008 05 - May

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: May/June 2008
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
Description: The newsletter of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, covering events, lectures, and articles on science, skepticism, and critical thinking.

PhACT Events and Announcements

PhACT Luncheon and Media Discussion Panel

This issue highlights an upcoming luncheon on May 17, 2008, at Edibles Restaurant in Horsham, PA. The event features a "Media Integrity Panel Discussion" with Faye Flam (Philadelphia Inquirer columnist), Tony Romeo (KYW Radio news journalist), and Bruce Gordon (Fox TV News reporter). The discussion will focus on media responsibility in covering science and pseudoscience. The cost is $25, with a student rate of $15. Reservations are required, and seating is limited to 40. This event marks the last intellectual activity for the 2007/2008 year.

PhACT Picnic

A PhACT picnic is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, 2008, at Mondauk Commons Park in Upper Dublin. This event is free and exclusively for members and their guests.

Lecture Series

The 2008/2009 lecture series at Philadelphia Community College will resume on Saturday, September 20, with Dr. John Allen Paulos, a professor of mathematics at Temple University. He will discuss "Innumeracy, Math in Society, and other things that might be on his mind."

The PhACT Council

The issue lists the members of The PhACT Council: Eric Krieg (President), Bob Glickman (Secretary), Ray Haupt (Treasurer), Mike Caro, Dr. David Cattell, Dr. David Cragin, Tom Napier, Harry Rothwell, and Becky Strickland.

Membership and Submissions

Phactum is printed six times a year and serves as the main propaganda organ for the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking. Membership/subscription is available for $15 per year ($10 for students). Readers are encouraged to send letters, ideas, essays, poetry, and opinions to editor Ray Haupt at [email protected].

PHACT CALENDAR - Events and Meetings

Community College of Philadelphia Meetings

PhACT meetings are held at 2:00 PM on the third Saturday of most months at the Community College of Philadelphia. These meetings are free and open to the public.

Media Integrity Panel Discussion (May 17, 2008)

This event, detailed on page 1, costs $25 per person and requires advance payment and reservations.

PhACT Picnic (July 13, 2008)

This event is free and reserved for members and their guests.

Innumeracy Lecture (September 20, 2008)

Featuring Dr. John Allen Paulos, author of "Innumeracy" and other books. More information is available on his writings at http://www.math.temple.edu/~paulos/

Charles Eisenstein Lecture (May 6, 2008)

At Ludington Library, Bryn Mawr, PA, Charles Eisenstein, author of "The Ascent of Humanity," will discuss the cultural concept of self, spirituality, and the divide between the sacred and the mundane. This event is free and open to the public.

Delaware Valley Mensa General Membership Meeting (May 9, 2008)

This meeting at the Police Administration Building in Philadelphia will discuss religion. It is open to the public. Contact Pete Stevens for details.

HAGP Movie Night (May 10, 2008)

At BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia (HAGP) will screen "The Four Horsemen," featuring discussions with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. More information at www.hagp.org.

Wagner Free Institute of Science Lecture (May 15, 2008)

Dr. Jerrold Casway will present "The Birthplace of Philadelphia Baseball" at the Wagner Free Institute of Science. This is part of their "Weeknights" series and is free.

"OUR FINE-FEATHERED FRIENDS" (May 3, 2008)

A family open house at the Wagner Free Institute of Science, featuring a presentation at 1 PM and hands-on activities for children ages 6-12. The museum's natural history collection will be open from 12-4 PM. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $8 for ages 12 and up.

Mensa General Membership Meeting (June 13, 2008)

Contact Pete Stevens for details.

Freethought Society Anti-Superstition Bash (June 13, 2008)

This event, "Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center," will be held at the Radisson-Warwick Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia, featuring James Randi and Dr. Stephen Uhl. Admission is $10, free for children 13 and under.

International Cultic Studies Association Conference (June 26-29, 2008)

This conference at the University of Pennsylvania will feature over 100 speakers on cultic studies, offering opportunities for learning, networking, and professional development. Registration is required.

Atheist Centre in India Event (July 1, 2008)

Dr. G. Vijayam, Executive Director of the Atheist Centre in India, will speak at Desi Village restaurant in King of Prussia, PA, on how atheists organize social reform projects. The event includes a "Happy Hour" and presentation. RSVP is required due to limited space.

Socrates Cafe

An organization that encourages Socratic Thinking, with meetings held at the Springfield Free Library in Wyndmoor, PA, on the second and fourth Monday of each month. It is free and open to the public. Contact Sam Frederick for more information.

Italian Priest Arrested for Fake Exorcisms

A news item from The Telegraph reports on an Italian priest under investigation for fraud after allegedly amassing £3 million by performing fake exorcisms.

Articles and Commentary

Help was asked ... And help was received!

This section thanks members for their financial aid, noting that printing Phactum is the largest expense. Solutions discussed include publishing less often, raising more money, or a combination. The current newsletter is 14 pages. The editor, Ray Haupt, finds editing Phactum fun and educational but mentions other PhACT priorities like a scholarship fund and sponsoring speaker events or science fairs.

Letters

An editor's letter discusses a previous article in the City Paper about the Socialist Workers Party. The writer, a former member of their youth group, advises against getting involved with the organization, citing concerns about internal democracy and potential manipulation. The letter also mentions the International Cultic Studies Association and its upcoming meeting in Philadelphia.

Ben Stein and "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed"

An article discusses Ben Stein's appearance on a talk show and his book "How To Supercharge Your Portfolio." It then delves into the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," which contends that media and atheist academics conspire against Intelligent Design proponents, infringing on academic freedom. The author notes the movie fails to mention the lack of results from creationist research and the potential for religiously affiliated universities to accommodate such research. The article criticizes the movie's comparison of Darwin to Hitler and concludes that Dr. Petto's review was too kind.

The Evolution of Hiccups

An article by Faye Flam, a journalist and panelist at the PhACT luncheon, explains how hiccups evolved from fish to modern humans, referencing an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Global Warming and H.R.H, the Prince of Wales

Prince Charles discussed climate change skepticism, stating, "If I may speak plainly among friends, this is sheer madness. The scientific facts are as plain as they are alarming. Worryingly in the last few months we have learnt that the North Polar ice cap is melting so fast that some scientists are predicting that in seven years it will completely disappear in summer." The article notes that Charles's case is not helped by his enthusiasm for homeopathy.

Penis Snatching Sorcerers Terrorize Congo

A Reuters news release reports on police in Congo arresting suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises, following a wave of panic and attempted lynchings. The article notes the widespread belief in witchcraft in West Africa and mentions similar incidents in Ghana.

Socrates Cafe

An introduction to the Socrates Cafe, an organization promoting Socratic Thinking, with a local chapter in Springfield Township, PA.

Italian Priest Arrested for Fake Exorcisms

A news report about an Italian priest investigated for fraud related to fake exorcisms.

Global Warming - Ethanol to the rescue

An article questions the claim that ethanol enriches gasoline, noting that it can reduce MPG performance and questioning the definition of "enrichment" in this context.

Lie detector department

An item from Dr. Robert Park's newsletter discusses the Pentagon issuing portable lie detectors to soldiers in Afghanistan, noting their high cost and similarity to e-meters.

Charleton Heston, R.I.P.

A tribute to the late actor Charlton Heston, detailing his birth, marriage, film career (iconic roles as Moses and Ben Hur), political activism (civil rights, later Republican affiliation), and presidency of the National Rifle Association. He died at age 84, survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

April 2008 Meeting Report: Evolution/Intelligent Design

Becky Strickland reports on a presentation by Dr. Andrew Petto regarding the controversy between evolution and Intelligent Design. Petto traced the history of the ID proposal, criticized its arguments (confusing evolutionary theory with Darwinism, misinterpreting probability, using subtractive logic), and highlighted that ID proponents' motivation is often fear of going to hell. The report also mentions the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" and suggests visiting www.ncseweb.org for analysis. Petto's debate style is compared to playing chess with pigeons.

Soundbites

• BrainWork: A neuroscience newsletter reports that a California study found no association between autism rates and the discontinuation of thimerosal. It also notes studies suggesting a genetic link to autism.
• Claudia Puig (USA Today): A review of "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" calls it "propaganda, a political rant disguised as a serious documentary on stifled freedom of inquiry."
• Stephen Hawking: Views on the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, stating primitive life is common but intelligent life is rare.

Radiation: Myths and Misunderstandings (Part I: Half-lives, the whole story)

By Tom Napier, this article clarifies the difference between "radiation" and "radioactivity." It explains that radioactivity is a property of unstable atomic nuclei releasing energy as radiation. The concept of "half-life" is introduced, explaining how radioactive materials decay over time. It mentions Harold Clayton Urey, discoverer of deuterium, and the importance of protons and neutrons in atomic structure. The article notes that most naturally occurring atoms are stable with infinite half-lives.

Uranium-238 Radioactive Decay Chain

A diagram illustrates the decay chain of Uranium-238, showing the various isotopes and their half-lives leading to stable Lead-206.

A Full House for The Science Guy

By Tom Napier, this article recounts attending an event featuring Bill Nye, "Science Guy," at Hatboro-Horsham High School. Nye's talk focused on the joy of discovery, space exploration, and conservation. The author also attended a reception and had a brief interaction with Nye.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes critical thinking and scientific explanations, often contrasting them with pseudoscience, religious dogma, and what it perceives as media bias. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of claims not supported by rigorous scientific evidence, as seen in the discussions on Intelligent Design, homeopathy, and fake exorcisms. The publication encourages open discussion and welcomes diverse viewpoints, provided they remain within the realm of science and avoid partisan politics or religion bashing unrelated to scientific inquiry. There is a strong emphasis on education and the importance of accurate scientific understanding.

Title: Phactum
Issue: May/June 2008
Publisher: Phila. Assoc. for Critical Thinking
Country: USA
Language: English

Content Summary

This issue of Phactum features a diverse range of articles, including a presentation by science communicator Bill Nye, an in-depth exploration of the history and folklore of the Jersey Devil, and a historical account of the USS Philadelphia naval ship. The magazine also includes book reviews and membership information for PhACT.

Bill Nye on Energy and Climate Change

Bill Nye delivered a presentation that touched upon several key themes. He shared observations from orbit, including evidence of water on Mars and spectacular images of geological features. Nye highlighted the launch of the New Horizons probe, noting its record-breaking speed. He also discussed the Planetary Society's proposal to place a transponder around the asteroid Apophis to monitor its risk of collision. Nye's discussions with climatologists convinced him of the unusually rapid rate of Earth's warming, linking it to the world's population increase. He contrasted primitive transportation in China and India with European bicycle lanes, advocating for human-powered transport. Nye also shared his experience with a GM EV-1 electric car and discussed the potential of using car batteries for distributed energy storage. He touched upon the potential of new technologies like 'bucky-balls' for revolutionizing electricity transmission and structural engineering. Nye also contrasted modern wind turbines with tall ships and shared his own use of solar power, noting his significantly reduced utility bills. His presentation emphasized the joy of scientific discovery, the potential for scientists and engineers to 'Change the world,' and the financial rewards of breakthroughs in energy technology.

The History and Folklore of the Jersey Devil

This extensive article by Don Nigroni delves into the origins and evolution of the Jersey Devil legend. It begins by recounting the 'Phenomenal Week' of January 17-22, 1909, when mysterious hoofprints were reported throughout the Delaware Valley. The article traces the creature's name and description through various early traditions, noting its evolution from the 'Leeds's devil' to the 'Jersey Devil.' One tradition places its birth in Burlington City in 1735 to a Mother Leeds, an amateur witch, as the offspring of a witch and the Prince of Darkness, with a horse's head, bat's wings, and serpent's tail. Another tradition dates its birth to 1787 in Evesham, also to a Mother Leeds, as the result of a mother's curse on her first child, described with owl-like features, monkey's face, and feathered wings. The earliest published account is from W. F. Mayer's 1859 Atlantic Monthly article, 'In the Pines,' which includes an anecdote involving Hannah Butler, known as the 'Queen of the Pine Rats.'

The article highlights the 1899 New York Herald article, 'Jersey Sees a Devil: Leeds' Monster Reappears Among the Pines,' which conflated the Jersey Devil with other ghost stories. It notes that by 2002, the leading legend was that the Jersey Devil was the 13th child born due to a mother's curse. The article also discusses the number thirteen's association with bad luck, particularly in the 17th century. It presents a version where a gypsy curse is the origin, stemming from a woman's refusal to give food to a gypsy. Several locations in New Jersey are mentioned as potential birthplaces. The 'Phenomenal Week' of 1909 is described in detail, with tracks found across a 70-mile area, often in inaccessible places. The article suggests that these tracks, as well as those in the Great Devon Mystery of 1855, were likely the result of practical jokes involving horseshoes attached to shoes or stilts. Later incidents in Gibbstown (1951) and Whitesbog (1952) are also discussed, with the latter involving a bear's paw attached to a pole. The author, Don Nigroni, expresses a hope for snow during the hundredth anniversary of the 'Phenomenal Week' in January 2009.

USS Philadelphia: A Naval History

This section details the history of the fourth ship in the U.S. Navy named Philadelphia. The protected cruiser's keel was laid in March 1888 by Wm. Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia. It was launched in September 1889, sponsored by Miss Minnie Wanamaker. Commissioned in July 1890, it served as the flagship of Rear Admiral Bancroft Gherardi commanding the North Atlantic Squadron. The ship was later reassigned to the Pacific Station in June 1893, steaming to various locations including Rio de Janeiro, Callao, and San Francisco. It participated in ceremonies related to the U.S. assumption of sovereignty over the Hawaiian Islands. The USS Philadelphia served as flagship of the Pacific Station until February 1900, when its flag was transferred to the USS Iowa. The cruiser continued Pacific operations until 1902, when it was ordered to the Puget Sound Navy Yard for decommissioning. It served as a receiving ship and later a prison ship before being struck from the Navy List in November 1926 and sold in 1927.

Book Reviews

Two book reviews are featured:

• Women Aren't Supposed to Fly: The Memoirs of a Female Flight Surgeon by Harriet A Hall: This book recounts the author's experiences as one of the few women in the Air Force in 1970, detailing her challenges, career progression, and unconventional coping mechanisms.
• The Score by Faye Flam: A science writer's exploration of the male-female relationship, tracing its evolutionary history and the strategies males use to attract females, highlighting the inherent tension between monogamy and promiscuity.

PhACT Membership

The magazine includes a section encouraging support for PhACT, providing details on annual membership fees ($15 for regular, $10 for students) and a mailing address for checks and donations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue showcases PhACT's interest in a broad spectrum of topics, from scientific exploration and environmental concerns (Bill Nye's presentation) to historical mysteries, folklore, and local history (Jersey Devil, USS Philadelphia). There is a clear emphasis on critical thinking, as suggested by the publisher's name, with the Jersey Devil article offering a skeptical perspective on the folklore by suggesting hoaxes as explanations for the mysterious events. The inclusion of book reviews on diverse subjects like aviation history, gender dynamics, and science writing indicates a commitment to exploring various facets of human experience and knowledge. The overall stance appears to be one of intellectual curiosity, encouraging readers to engage with complex topics from multiple viewpoints, including historical, scientific, and folkloric perspectives.