Phactum - 2008 07 - July

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: July / August 2008
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Phactum, the newsletter of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT), focuses on the organization's policy regarding religion and its broader mission of promoting critical thinking.

PhACT's Policy on Religion

The lead article, "PhACT's Policy on Religion" by Bob Glickman in consultation with Dr. Andrew Petto, outlines PhACT's approach to engaging with religious topics. PhACT aims to promote critical thinking in all aspects of public life, addressing issues like pseudoscience and misinformation. While acknowledging that a large majority of the public believes in deities, PhACT has drawn a line, choosing not to engage with religion per se, unless empirically testable claims are made. This stance is taken to maintain religious neutrality, which is deemed appropriate for public discourse and essential for promoting science education, particularly in public schools. The organization believes that focusing on rational decision-making and evidence-based outcomes is key to achieving its mission and avoiding potential pitfalls that could alienate allies or inaccurately portray PhACT's aims.

The PhACT Council

The newsletter 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.

PhACT Calendar

The PhACT Calendar section details upcoming events and meetings:

• Monthly Meetings: Held on the third Saturday of most months at the Community College of Philadelphia, featuring speakers on various topics. Parking is free at these events.
• September 20, 2008: Dr. John Allen Paulos will speak on "Innumeracy – Math in Society."
• October 18, 2008: Dr. Robert Kurzban will discuss "We the Person: Evolutionary Psychology and the Many Branches of your Brain."
• November 15, 2008: TBA.
• December 14, 2008: Annual PhACT Winter Solstice Party (members and guests).
• Other Events:
• August 2, 2008: Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia movie night featuring "Taxi to the Dark Side."
• August 5, 2008: Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia speaker Martha Knox on "Liberal Christianity."
• August 9, 2008: Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia casual luncheon.
• August 16, 2008: Secular Book Club meeting at Barnes and Noble.

Submissions for the calendar are open to members and non-members for events of general interest to the skeptical or scientific community in the Philadelphia area.

Museum and Exhibit Highlights

Several institutions and their exhibits are highlighted:

• University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Featuring "Surviving: The Body of Evidence," an exhibition on the scientific study of evolution.
• The Academy of Natural Sciences: Presenting "Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics."
• Wagner Free Institute of Science: Showcasing its natural history museum collection, including highlights like the Saiga Antelope and Ammonite fossils.

Book Reviews and Author Features

• "Women Aren't Supposed to Fly: The Memoirs of a Female Flight Surgeon" by Harriet A Hall: A review of Hall's memoir about her experiences as a woman in the male-dominated fields of medicine and the military in the 1970s.
• Books by Dr. John Allen Paulos: A list of Paulos's books, including his most recent, "Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up." A Publishers Weekly review praises its wit and style in tackling arguments for God.

Letters

Several letters to the editor are included:

• Tom Napier shares a link to a news report about the FTC's judgment against "International Research and Development" for selling fraudulent gas mileage devices.
• Eric Hamell points out that Harold Urey's famous experiment with Stanley Miller, confirming the hypothesis that natural energy sources could create simple organic molecules, was omitted from a previous item.
• Elaine Brody is acknowledged for her clerihew challenge, and William of Orange is presented as a response.
• Tom Napier submits a clerihew about William of Orange.
• Amy Lowenstein shares an amusing logic puzzle from "Dell Logic Puzzles" that touches on skepticism and paranormal claims.
• Tom Napier comments on the tendency to fit predictions to events, referencing Nostradamus and questioning the seriousness of such claims in political contexts.

Various Ruminations

This section, collected by Ray Haupt, covers a range of topics:

• Vaccines and Autism: An AOL poll indicated that 43% believe a link exists, 30% don't know, and 27% believe no link exists. The article also mentions legal challenges against the Gardasil vaccine.
• Politics - "Thrown under the bus": The editor expresses weariness with overused political clichés.
• Creation/Evolution - The Creation Museum: A visit to the Creation Museum near Cincinnati is described. While the facility is attractive and well-maintained, the review highlights its presentation of creationism, including the claim that dinosaurs drowned in the Flood, which occurred around 2342 BC.
• Modern Medicine - the meaning hits home: The author recounts his wife's battle with leukemia and her treatment at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). The article contrasts modern, evidence-based medicine with unproven alternative therapies and praises the rigorous scientific approach of institutions like HUP. It also mentions the work of Dr. Paul Offit on vaccine safety and Dr. Steven Barrett of Quackwatch in exposing health fraud.
• Politics - Change: A quote from Washington Irving about change is presented in the context of the upcoming 2008 Presidential Election.
• Opera - Wretched Recitative: An announcement about La Scala commissioning an opera based on Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" is discussed, noting the composer's atonal style and the potential for unusual operatic elements.

Socrates Café: Asking "The Good Question"

Sam Frederick, Facilitator of Socrates Café at Springfield Township Library, writes about the philosophy of Socrates Cafes. These gatherings encourage participants to ask questions and discuss life's big issues, drawing inspiration from Socrates' method of inquiry. The article details the growth and success of the Springfield Township Library's Socrates Café, which meets weekly and fosters a friendly, safe environment for discussion. It also mentions Chris Phillips, the founder of the Socrates Café movement, and his book "Socrates Café: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Phactum consistently promotes critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and scientific literacy. The organization maintains a stance of religious neutrality, focusing on rational decision-making in public life. There is a strong emphasis on debunking pseudoscience and medical quackery, advocating for scientifically validated treatments. The newsletter also touches upon political discourse and societal issues, encouraging readers to question assumptions and engage in thoughtful inquiry. The editorial stance is clearly rationalist and skeptical, valuing clear thinking and empirical evidence above all else.

Title: Phactum
Issue: July/August 2008
Publisher: Phila. Assoc. for Critical Thinking

This issue of Phactum features a diverse range of articles, from discussions on media and science to historical accounts and folklore.

May 2008 Meeting Report

This section details the highlights of the annual May banquet, which featured a panel discussion with three science-friendly local media professionals: Faye Flamm (Philadelphia Inquirer), Tony Romeo (KYW radio), and Bruce Gordon (FOX News). The discussion explored similarities and differences in print, TV, and radio reporting, addressing questions about newsworthiness, journalistic ethics, media consolidation, and 'story suppressing' conspiracies. Tony Romeo discussed media consolidation, noting it's similar to 40 years ago with three major TV networks. None of the panelists reported feeling censored. The report emphasizes the energy, intelligence, and integrity of the panelists.

Soundbites

This section compiles notable quotes:

• David Baltimore, Nobel laureate, commented on US officials questioning the science of evolution, stating it leads to 'disdain for American intelligence.'
• Ken Lignar offered a sample lesson on intelligent design, critiquing its lack of quantifiable evidence and predictive ability compared to the theory of evolution.
• Glenn Branch of the National Council for Science Education noted that 'creationists are resilient' and are arguing for teachers to have freedom to critique evolution in classrooms.
• Christopher Perillo, a science teacher, likened teaching biology without real dissections to 'trying to become a gardener without touching the dirt,' highlighting that students can already opt out of dissections in 14 US states.

A cartoon from reverendfun.com is included, depicting dinosaurs discussing waiting in lines.

Radiation: Myths and Misunderstandings (Part II: Isotopes and Particles)

By Tom Napier, this article debunks common misconceptions about radiation. It clarifies that irradiated food does not become radioactive, explaining that radioactivity requires neutron bombardment. Artificial radioactive isotopes, often short-lived, are prepared for medical and research purposes, useful for tracing bodily functions and treating cancer.

Alpha Particles

Alpha particles are emitted by heavy isotopes, are identical to helium nuclei, and are stopped by paper or a few inches of air. They pose a danger if ingested or inhaled, as they can deliver an intense dose to surrounding cells, potentially triggering cancer.

Beta Particles

Beta particles are fast-moving electrons emitted by unstable light isotopes. They are stopped by plexiglass or air and can bounce around corners. They can also generate X-rays if stopped suddenly. The electron beam in analog TV sets uses beta particles.

Gammas and X-rays

These are electromagnetic rays with higher energy than radio waves or visible light. X-rays can ionize atoms, while gamma rays have other reactions, like creating electron-positron pairs. The intensity of radiation decreases with the square of the distance from the source.

Unwanted Isotopes

Nuclear power reactors produce fission products with a range of half-lives. The article addresses the myth that long half-life isotopes are the most dangerous, noting that plutonium has a 22,000-year half-life. Short-lived isotopes generate more intense radiation. Used fuel rods are dangerous initially but become manageable over time.

The article also debunks the myth that nuclear reactors are atomic bombs, stating they are incapable of nuclear explosions and are safer than coal-fired power stations.

What Was the Evesham Jersey Devil?

By Don Nigroni, this article traces the legend of the Jersey Devil. The modern legend, originating in 1735, describes a monster born to Mother Leeds. However, Nigroni argues this is a conflation of earlier stories, particularly one from 1887 that identifies the 'Leeds devil' as the offspring of a young man and woman in Evesham, New Jersey, born in 1787. Nigroni suggests that the creature described, with an owl's head and monkey-like face, was likely a Barn Owl (Tyto alba), known for its eerie calls and appearance.

Nigroni's background as an economist with degrees in economics and philosophy is noted.

USS Philadelphia in World War II - The "Galloping Ghost"

This article chronicles the history of the USS Philadelphia, a light cruiser commissioned in 1937. It details its service in the Caribbean, its departure for Pearl Harbor in April 1940, and its operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during World War II. The ship earned the nickname "Galloping Ghost" for its perceived invincibility, surviving numerous attacks with no crew fatalities. It also recounts an incident where the ship had to flee from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1944. The USS Philadelphia was decommissioned in 1947 and later served in the Brazilian Navy before being scrapped in 1973.

Some Notes About Phactum and the Usual Plea for HELP!!

This section announces the availability of Phactum in PDF format via email, a new distribution method made possible by a generous member's donation. It explains how to download Adobe Reader for viewing PDFs. The newsletter also encourages members to provide constructive criticism, corrections, and articles, while avoiding partisan politics and sensational topics. It solicits poetry, book reviews, and clerihews, and provides an email address for electronic correspondence.

Financial donations are also requested, with a quote from Lorenzo de Medici.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, media, and history. It aims to debunk myths and provide reasoned analysis, particularly in areas like radiation and scientific theories. The editorial stance encourages critical thinking, open discussion, and the sharing of diverse viewpoints, as evidenced by the call for constructive criticism and dissent. Historical accounts, like that of the USS Philadelphia and the Jersey Devil, are presented with an emphasis on factual investigation and plausible explanations. The publication also highlights the importance of an informed public and a free press, as underscored by the Thomas Jefferson quote.