Phactum - 2008 10 - October

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue Date: October 2008
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking

This issue of Phactum, the newsletter of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT), delves into various topics at the intersection of science, skepticism, and irrationalism.

Editorial: Here we go again! by Tom Napier

Tom Napier's editorial sets the tone for the issue by reiterating PhACT's mission, which originated in 1994 from subscribers of the Skeptical Inquirer and was modeled after CSICOP. PhACT focuses on defending science and researching pseudoscience and the paranormal, deliberately avoiding engagement with religion, which Napier quotes Douglas Adams as calling "Someone Else's Problem." He clarifies that PhACT is not a sister organization to CODESH, which critiques religion, but acknowledges that those wishing for PhACT to shift its focus are welcome to propose it. Napier defines PhACT's boundary: verifiable scientific fact is within its concern, while concepts without solid foundation are not. He emphasizes that while they respect the boundary, they will defend it vigorously when religious fanatics encroach upon scientific territory, citing the example of young-earth creationism being presented as science. He also refutes the notion that "No one can prove a negative," arguing that if something's existence would produce observable effects that are not observed, then the entity likely does not exist, and the burden of proof lies with the proponent.

PhACT Calendar

The calendar section lists upcoming and recent events relevant to the PhACT community and the broader skeptical movement in the Philadelphia area.

• The Physics Department of Community College of Philadelphia: Hosts PhACT meetings on the third Saturday of most months, offering free and open sessions unless otherwise noted. Parking is free with a voucher from Dr. Cattell.
• Saturday, October 18, 2008: "We the Person: Evolutionary Psychology and the Many Branches of your Brain" lecture by Dr. Robert Kurzban at the Community College of Philadelphia. The talk will explore the adaptationist approach to human cognition, discussing concepts like unconscious mental processes, the non-belief-generating nature of some mental systems, mutually incompatible cognitive representations, the suspect nature of a unified self, and the omnipresence of human inconsistency and moral hypocrisy.
• Saturday, November 15, 2008: TBA.
• Sunday, December 14, 2008: Annual PhACT Winter Solstice Party, free for members and guests.
• Thursday, October 9, 2008: The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia's meeting featuring Paul H. Robinson discussing "Shared Intuitions of Justice."
• Friday, October 10, 2008: Delaware Valley Mensa meeting with John A. Nagy discussing his book, "Rebellion in the Ranks: Mutinies of the American Revolution."
• Friday, November 4, 2008: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Abramson Cancer Center present "Focus on Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myelona," an educational conference.

The Big Questions in Science and Religion: 2008-2009 Metanexus Senior Fellow Lecture Series with Keith Ward

This series features lectures by Keith Ward, a fellow of the British Academy and Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus at the University of Oxford. The lectures, held at various locations in the Philadelphia area and Wilmington, DE, explore the relationship between morality and religion, the scientific challenge to belief in God, the reconciliation of evolution with creation, materialism, and the concept of the soul.

Socrates Cafe

PhACT member Sam Frederick moderates a weekly Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday evening at the Springfield Township Library.

Wagner Free Institute of Science Adult Education Course Schedule Fall 2008

The Wagner Free Institute of Science offers free, introductory college-level courses. Fall 2008 offerings include:

• "An Introduction to Insects and Related Arthropods" by Professor Jon K. Gelhaus.
• "An Introduction to Darwin and Evolutionary Biology" by Professor Scott McRobert.
• "Molecules that Matter" by Professor Erin McLeary, focusing on seven key molecules in American history.
• "Surviving 'Surviving': The Making of an Exhibit on Human Evolution" by Professor Janet Monge, exploring the exhibit "The Body of Evidence."

The Institute's public education courses are in their 153rd year.

Letters

This section features correspondence from readers, addressing various points raised in previous issues.

• Peter Freyd questions the provenance of a quote attributed to Jefferson regarding government and happiness, providing an alternative quote from 1802 that aligns with his skepticism about the original attribution.
• David Wilkins responds to a letter linking atheism with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), refuting the notion that AS is a condition associated with atheism. He argues that AS involves a lack of capacity for social interaction, whereas atheism is a chosen belief system, and that associating the two demonstrates a lack of empathy.
• Eric Hamell critiques the use of the term "porn" to describe the Creation Museum's depictions, arguing it is inaccurate and harmful, equating nudity with sex and hindering enlightened behavior.
• Eric Hamell also provides two clerihews, one about Tom Napier and another about Dave Leiter.
• Greg Lester comments on the pronunciation of "nuclear," suggesting "new-klee-urr" as the most acceptable pronunciation and linking "new-clear" to a backlash against American provincialism.
• Greg Lester also discusses Tom Napier's points on time vs. gasoline cost and cold fusion, referencing the Pons and Fleischmann experiment and citing papers that support the anomalous heat effect.
• Joel M. Kaufman responds to the use of the term "porn" regarding the Creation Museum, agreeing with Eric Hamell that it is an incorrect and unfortunate usage.
• David L. Leiter offers two clerihews, one about skeptics and another about himself.

Various Ruminations Collected/written by Ray Haupt

Ray Haupt shares a brief update on the "current count of Steves" in response to a previous query, noting it's a moving target and aiming for 1000 by Darwin's birthday. He also provides the NCSE website.

Ayurvedic Medicine

This section critiques Ayurvedic medicine, noting that while many websites promote its benefits, research indicates that 20% of tested products contained dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic. The author questions why the FDA does not assert controls on such products for safety reasons.

Autism and vaccine quackery again

This section reviews Dr. Paul Offit's book, "Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure." The book exposes the myth that vaccines cause autism, chronicling the actions of individuals and media outlets promoting this idea. It highlights the irresponsible behavior of various figures and the financial gains made through anti-vaccine litigation. The review praises Offit's work as a definitive analysis of the controversy and a must-read for parents.

Béla Ferenc Dezso Blasko

A brief biographical note on Béla Lugosi (Béla Ferenc Dezso Blasko), born 126 years prior to the issue date, highlighting his iconic role as Dracula and his career playing monsters and mad scientists, as well as his later struggles with addiction and his final film, "Plan 9 From Outer Space."

Beware the Boogeyman and Explosive Rats! by Don Nigroni

This article presents two historical accounts of mass hysteria. The first recounts the "Phenomenal Week of 1909" when the Jersey Devil was reportedly seen in the Pine Barrens and Delaware Valley, leading to panic and the use of the Jersey Devil as a boogeyman to control children. The second story details an incident in Trenton, New Jersey, where a workhouse discovered dynamite missing, leading to fears that rats had eaten it. This caused widespread hysteria, with people fearing rats carrying dynamite, which could explode if caught in traps or if the rats themselves detonated.

"THE LINE BLURS..." by Paul Schlueter III

Paul Schlueter III discusses the distinction between legitimate science and pseudoscience, using Magnet Therapy as a prime example of the latter. He notes that while many magnetic products are scams, legitimate research is emerging in the field of nanomagnets for cancer treatment. He contrasts the scientific approach of researchers using nanomagnets with the "mumbo-jumbo" of pseudoscientific magnet therapy products. Schlueter emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between valid scientific research and unsubstantiated claims, especially as the public may be misled by proponents of pseudoscience.

Monstrous Life: An Evolutionary Demonstration by Llyd Wells

Llyd Wells discusses Solomon Spiegelman's 1967 experiment involving the laboratory evolution of a virus (Qẞ) into a "monster." The experiment demonstrated how selective pressure for faster reproduction led to the virus shedding most of its genome, as smaller genomes could be copied more quickly. Wells draws parallels between this phenomenon and Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) found in the human genome, as well as mitochondria, suggesting that evolution can favor the loss of genetic information when it is redundant or unnecessary. He concludes that the secret of life lies not in DNA or specific molecules, but in the contingent and conditional nature of evolution itself.

Ringing Rock Boulder Fields in SE Pennsylvania by Andrew E. Stroud

Andrew E. Stroud describes the geological phenomenon of ringing rock boulder fields in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He highlights three preserved public sites: Ringing Rocks County Park, The Stony Garden, and Ringing Hill Park. These fields are composed of large igneous boulders that produce a bell-like sound when struck.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Phactum revolve around the critical examination of claims, the defense of scientific methodology against pseudoscience and irrationalism, and the exploration of evolutionary biology. The editorial stance, as articulated by Tom Napier, is firmly rooted in scientific skepticism, advocating for a clear distinction between evidence-based reasoning and faith-based assertions. The newsletter consistently promotes critical thinking and challenges unsubstantiated beliefs, whether they stem from religious dogma, pseudoscientific claims, or historical instances of mass hysteria. The issue also touches upon the importance of accurate scientific reporting and the dangers of misinformation, particularly concerning topics like vaccines and alternative medicine.

Phactum, October 2008, Volume 11. This issue focuses on the geological phenomenon of 'ringing rocks' and includes a commentary on societal responsibility.

Geology of the Ringing Rocks

The main article details the geology of boulder fields that produce ringing sounds, specifically highlighting Ringing Hill Park in Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The park is owned and operated by the Ringing Hill Fire Company. The boulder fields are composed of a rock type referred to as olivine diabase, which formed approximately 200 million years ago when basaltic magma rose from the Earth's mantle and injected as sills into shale formations. Phenocrysts of olivine and hypersthene settled at the base of these sills, forming a hard, dense, and weather-resistant rock unit 10-15 feet thick. These fields typically occur in dip-slope situations where the olivine diabase unit aligns with the ground's slope.

The ringing ability of the rocks is attributed to internal elastic stresses within the rock, likely imparted during crystallization. The dry environment of the boulder fields prevents these stresses from dissipating through weathering. The tones produced are described as similar to striking bells or old boilers, with sensitivity to residual stress rather than the shape of the boulder. The lack of weathering rinds on interior boulders allows them to resonate.

• Key facts about the ringing rocks are listed:
• They are natural geological features, not created by human activities, meteors, or mysterious forces.
• The boulders are 'in-place' and were not transported by glaciers or streams.
• They do not possess unusual energy fields like extreme magnetism or radiation, nor do they disrupt communication frequencies.
• The olivine diabase rock does not have an unusually high iron content.
• The boulders are not hollow.

A diagram illustrates a typical Ringing Rock Boulder Field, showing the 'DIP SLOPE', 'ANTI-DIP SLOPE', and the rock layers.

Profile: Mr. Stroud

The issue includes a brief profile of Mr. Stroud, a geologist born in Easton, Pennsylvania. He attended the Montana School of Mines and studied the petrology of the Ringing Rocks Complex near Whitehall, Montana. He currently resides in Virginia City, Nevada, working as a water rights and mapping consultant.

Commentary: Societal Responsibility

A significant quote from Margaret Thatcher, speaking to Women's Own magazine on October 31, 1987, is featured. Thatcher expresses her view that people have become too reliant on the government to solve their problems, seeking grants or expecting housing without fulfilling obligations. She emphasizes that 'there is no such thing as society,' only individual men, women, and families, and that government action is always mediated through people. She stresses the importance of individuals looking after themselves and their neighbors first, asserting that entitlements only exist after obligations have been met.

Membership Information

The second page provides information for joining or rejoining the Phila. Assoc. for Critical Thinking (PhACT). Annual membership is $15, or $10 for students. Members can send checks payable to PhACT, with details on mailing address and contact information provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Phactum demonstrates a commitment to exploring natural phenomena with scientific explanations, as seen in the detailed geological analysis of the ringing rocks. The inclusion of Margaret Thatcher's quote suggests an editorial stance that values individual responsibility and self-reliance, potentially critiquing over-dependence on governmental or societal structures. The publication also serves as a membership drive for the Phila. Assoc. for Critical Thinking, indicating a focus on engaging its audience with both intellectual content and organizational activities.