Phactum - 2009 02 - February

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: February 2009
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Phactum, the newsletter of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, covers a range of topics from scientific and medical advancements to critiques of pseudoscience and societal issues. The cover story highlights a PhACT meeting on "Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies and Botanicals in Cancer Care," featuring Dr. Barrie R. Cassileth.

Featured Articles and Meetings

Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies and Botanicals in Cancer Care

The main feature announces a PhACT meeting on February 21, 2009, at the Community College of Philadelphia, with Dr. Barrie R. Cassileth as the speaker. Dr. Cassileth, Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is an expert in alternative and complementary medicine in cancer care. The article explains that Integrative Oncology synthesizes mainstream cancer treatment with complementary therapies to address the physical and emotional needs of patients, emphasizing evidence-based, non-invasive approaches.

PhACT Calendar

The calendar section details upcoming events hosted or sponsored by PhACT and related organizations:

• February 21, 2009: Dr. Barrie R. Cassileth discusses Integrative Oncology.
• March 21, 2009: Journalist Lauri Lebo discusses "The Dover Evolution/Intelligent Design Trial."
• April 18, 2009: A meeting on "Teaching critical thinking" with speakers Sharon Schwarze and Harvey Lape.
• February 13, 2009: Delaware Valley Mensa General Membership Meeting and Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers meeting.
• February 26, 2009: Wagner Free Institute of Science lecture by Dr. Alan Mann on "The Origin of Humanness."
• February 27, 2009: New England Educational Institute seminar on Asperger's Disorder & Autism.
• Ongoing (through April 19, 2009): "Hadrosaurus foulkii: The Dinosaur That Changed the World" exhibit at The Academy of Natural Sciences.
• Weekly (Mondays): Socrates Cafe discussion group moderated by Sam Frederick.

Spring 2009 Courses at Wagner Free Institute of Science

Several free, introductory college-level courses are listed, including "Grasses, Rushes, and Sedges," "Genetics in the Wild: Wildlife Conservation and Genetics," "Field Paleontology," "Park, Cemetery, and Garden: The Landscapes of Philadelphia," and "Spring Flora of Fairmount Park."

Dr. May R. Berenbaum on "The Case of the Disappearing Bees"

A lecture on March 28, 2009, at the Wagner Free Institute of Science features Dr. May R. Berenbaum discussing the "pollinator crisis" and colony collapse disorder, focusing on the importance of pollinators and the potential impact on the environment.

Rittenhouse Astronomical Society Monthly Meetings

Announcements for the monthly meetings of the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society, offering opportunities to discuss astronomy.

Letters to the Editor

Time Distortion and Relativity

A letter from Andrew Petto, PhD, discusses the concept of time distortion at relativistic speeds, referencing the Michelson-Morley experiment and subsequent measurements by Michelson and Gale, Sagnac, and Dayton C. Miller. Petto highlights criticisms of Miller's work and quotes Albert Einstein on the potential invalidity of the special and general theories of relativity if Miller's results were confirmed. The letter also touches upon the scientific community's potential reluctance to accept results that challenge established paradigms.

Response to a Removed Letter

An editor's note explains that a previous letter about Stephen Barrett, M.D., of quackwatch.org was removed due to containing false, misleading, and defamatory statements.

News and Commentary

Feds Attack Bogus Cancer Cures

This section reports on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) actions against eleven marketers of unproven cancer cures. The FTC, along with the FDA and Competition Bureau Canada, investigated websites making false claims about products like cantron, herbal teas, laetrile, and soursop extract. Several cases were resolved by settlements, with companies closing sites or removing claims. The FTC also sent warning letters to numerous companies.

Black Death Kills al-Qaeda Operatives in Algeria

A report from The Telegraph suggests that Bubonic Plague has reportedly killed at least 40 al-Qaeda terrorists in Algeria. The article notes the limited reporting of this event in major news outlets and speculates on the possibility of biological warfare experiments gone awry.

Autism Scaremongers Blasted

Dr. Stephen Barrett reports on the resignation of Alison Singer from Autism Speaks due to the organization's continued stance on the potential link between vaccination and autism. Singer, a proponent of scientific evidence, criticized the group's position and the attention given to celebrity claims.

Fuel Efficiency Devices - Bogus Variety

The FTC has temporarily halted a deceptive advertising campaign for a device claiming to dramatically improve automobile fuel efficiency and turn any vehicle into a hybrid. The FTC filed a complaint against Dutchman Enterprises, LLC, and its president, Dennis Lee, alleging false claims and pseudo-scientific explanations.

Young Earth Creationist Attack on Texas Science Course

This brief item notes that Texas Creationists are protesting a high school science class curriculum dealing with Earth and Space Science.

Personal Reflections and Philosophical Musings

Various Ruminations by Ray Haupt

Ray Haupt shares a personal reflection on the death of his wife, Andrea, from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in January 2009. He recounts her illness, treatment, and passing, and suggests donations to the Abramson Cancer Center for stem cell research.

What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

A brief explanation of AML is provided, sourced from Wikipedia, describing it as a cancer of white blood cells characterized by rapid proliferation of abnormal cells.

Leukemia Quackery

This section critically examines "alternative medicine" for cancer, specifically targeting a website selling an e-book on "all natural" cancer cures. The author highlights the lack of medical training of the website's author and lists various homeopathic and herbal products marketed as cancer treatments, questioning their efficacy and the business practices involved.

Some thoughts on MORALITY by Alfred Erpel

Alfred Erpel offers a humanity-centric definition of morality, stating that actions are most moral when they result in the most good for the most people. He discusses the complexity of determining morality due to uncertainty about outcomes and emphasizes that human well-being is paramount.

Soundbites

This section features brief quotes:

• Martin Gardner on the near-victory of science over religious control.
• Actress Amanda Peet on trusting hard scientific evidence regarding childhood vaccines.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Phactum include a strong emphasis on critical thinking, skepticism towards pseudoscience and unproven medical claims (particularly in cancer treatment and alternative medicine), and a commitment to scientific evidence. The publication actively debunks quackery and promotes scientific literacy. There is also a focus on current scientific and societal issues, such as the evolution debate, environmental concerns (pollinator crisis), and public health topics like autism and vaccination. The editorial stance is clearly pro-science, rational inquiry, and evidence-based reasoning, often contrasting these with anecdotal evidence, faith-based claims, and commercial exploitation of public fears.

Title: Phactum
Issue: February 2009
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Miller Debunks the Discovery Institute... Again

This article, shamelessly pinched from Glenn Branch's weekly Evolution Education Update newsletter, discusses Kenneth R. Miller's response to an attack by the Discovery Institute on his testimony in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case. The core of the debate revolves around the claim that the blood clotting system in vertebrates is irreducibly complex and therefore unevolvable, a claim found in "Of Pandas and People" and Michael Behe's "Darwin's Black Box."

Miller rebuts the assertion that he misrepresented Behe's claims. He then explains recent scientific research that undermines Behe's arguments, citing the lamprey's perfectly functional clotting system, which lacks factors present in jawed fish but still functions, and also lacks Factors IX and V. Miller argues that the Discovery Institute's attempt to rehabilitate irreducible complexity fails because, as demonstrated in the Dover trial, key systems like blood clotting, the bacterial flagellum, and the immune system are indeed evolvable.

Miller questions why the Discovery Institute is still attacking the Kitzmiller decision years later, suggesting they are maneuvering for future state board hearings or legislative sessions. He expresses concern that these groups are more adept at politics and public relations than science, urging vigilance in science education. The article notes the appearance of anti-evolution bills in Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Nick Matzke, writing on The Panda's Thumb blog, adds details to Miller's rebuttal, pointing out that Behe himself wrote the section on blood clotting in "Of Pandas and People." Matzke also notes that Behe's testimony in Kitzmiller, claiming the treatment of blood clotting in "Darwin's Black Box" was "essentially the same," was problematic for him on cross-examination.

The article provides links to Miller's three-part essay on Carl Zimmer's blog, "The Loom," as well as resources related to "Of Pandas and People," Michael Behe's "Darwin's Black Box," Nick Matzke's blog post, and information about the Kitzmiller case from NCSE.

Will-o'-the-Wisp, Theory-Laden Facts and Inconvenient Facts

This article by Don Nigroni explores the phenomenon of Will-o'-the-wisps, mysterious lights seen floating above bogs, marshes, and swamps for centuries. Traditional descriptions include looking like a candle or torch flame, being variously colored, floating, appearing feet above the surface, having a cold flame, being seen only at night, and receding when approached.

Historically, explanations were embedded in folklore, attributing these lights to sprites (Will-o'-the-Wisp, Jack-o'-Lantern), fairy lights, or ghost lights. More recently, scientists have attempted to explain them as marsh or swamp gas, primarily methane, which is produced by decaying organic matter. However, methane gas doesn't spontaneously combust, and if ignited, would produce a hot flame visible during daylight. Some scientists propose a chemiluminescent reaction involving phosphorus vapor, generating a cold light.

Nigroni notes that while he has observed methane bubbles in marshy areas, they burst at the surface and do not rise. He has never personally witnessed a Will-o'-the-wisp despite extensive fieldwork in relevant habitats. The article concludes that while folklore used theory-laden facts and modern science attempts to explain the phenomenon by ignoring inconvenient facts, these strange lights remain an unsolved mystery.

Sense About Science

This section highlights "Sense About Science," a UK charity that releases projects of interest to scientists and skeptics. Two recent projects are detailed:

Celebrities & Science 2008

For the third year, Sense About Science reviewed progress on whether celebrities check scientific facts before speaking out. While UK celebrities showed improvement, international counterparts did not fare as well. The article mentions examples like Mariah Carey misinterpreting Einstein's formula and Demi Moore's use of leeches for 'detox,' as well as discussions around Obama's comments on MMR and autism. The project has garnered international media attention, and readers are encouraged to submit examples of pseudoscientific claims made by celebrities in 2009.

The Detox Dossier

Building on previous work debunking pseudoscientific product claims, members of the Voice of Young Science (VoYS) network investigated claims made by 'detox' products. The "Detox Dossier" found that companies use 'detox' to promote various products (e.g., foot patches, hair straighteners) without providing reliable evidence or consistent explanations of the 'detox' process. The claims are described as misleading about how the body works.

Links are provided to download the PDFs for both projects and for more information about Sense About Science, including contact details for Dr. Leonor Sierra.

Force, Work and Dimensions

This article by Tom Napier critically examines claims of "free energy" promoters, focusing on Dennis Lee. Napier explains that magnetic forces behave like springs and require energy input to overcome, and that while potential energy is stored, no net energy is gained. He debunks the idea that magnets emitting energy is proven by them not falling off refrigerators, explaining this as stored potential energy.

Napier addresses a common misconception that magnets provide mechanical energy, stating that this energy originates from the input of electrical current. He illustrates this with the example of electric motors, where output mechanical energy is at most equal to the input electrical energy, adhering to the laws of thermodynamics.

He also critiques Lee's demonstration involving a car engine connected to liquid carbon dioxide. Napier points out that a stationary engine supplies no power, regardless of torque, and that liquefying and pressurizing carbon dioxide requires more energy than is generated. He highlights Lee's error in dimensional analysis, a crucial scientific tool for verifying equations.

Napier explains dimensional analysis using the example of force, length, and time as fundamental dimensions. He shows how work (energy) is force times distance, and how Einstein's E=mc² balances dimensionally. He also discusses Newton's second law (F=ma) and how dimensions of force are derived. The article concludes by emphasizing that useful work is limited by thermodynamics, but useless work seems unlimited.

A Response to Responses about the Statement of PhACT's Policy on Religion

Dr. Andrew Petto addresses exchanges regarding PhACT's Policy on Religion. He clarifies two main issues:

1. Opposition to Creationism: Petto asserts that opposition to creationism in science classrooms is not because it is religious, but because it is a religious idea masquerading as science, lacking scientific validity. He likens this opposition to that against cryptozoology or pyramid power in science education.
2. Scope of PhACT's Policy: Petto explains that PhACT's policy, as understood from conversations with Bob Glickman, is not about opposing all religion. Instead, it focuses on preventing the hijacking of public policy, education, and law by sectarian religious doctrines. PhACT aims to be a watchdog over the logic and argumentation of those who propose policies based solely on religious principles, ignoring empirical facts. The policy emphasizes that creationism should be excluded from science classrooms because it fails to meet scientific standards, not because it is religion.

Petto also touches on the logical leap of assuming that logical inconsistencies in philosophers' arguments for God's existence prove all religion is false. He suggests that PhACT's niche is to scrutinize the underlying logic of arguments used to influence public policy.

Gravity for Pluto!

This section, presented as a graphic with text overlays, advocates for the reclassification of Pluto as a planet. It uses strong, politically charged language, calling for the reversal of "cosmic plots of oil companies and fascist astronomers" and demanding the "restoration of stolen gravity and planethood to Pluto." It urges "Comrade Astrologers, to the barricades!" The graphic includes a diagram of the solar system with Pluto depicted as a planet. It also shows images of protests for Pluto and mentions astronomical societies that might be of interest to skeptics, including the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society and the Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers, as well as monthly meetings of PhACT.

Policy For Article Use and Coming Soon

This section outlines PhACT's policy for article use, stating that materials originating in Phactum may be reprinted by groups recognized in CSI's international network of skeptics organizations, with proper credit to the author and the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking. Other publications must obtain permission from PhACT. Permission for articles originating from other sources must be granted by the original publisher.

Under "Coming Soon," Phactum announces plans to expand with "Special Editions" distributed via email only, focusing on single topics with longer articles. Members and readers are invited to submit long articles of interest to skeptics and science-minded people, avoiding partisan politics and religion-bashing. The material should be comprehensible to a bright lay audience. High school science teachers and college students are encouraged to submit papers.

PhACT Membership and Contact Information

Details are provided for supporting PhACT through membership or donations. Annual membership is $15 (with email delivery of Phactum) or $25 (with US Mail delivery). Student membership is $10 (email only). Checks should be payable to PhACT and mailed to their Philadelphia address. Contact information for the PhACT editor, Ray Haupt, is provided for submitting letters and ideas.

The PhACT Council

A list of the PhACT Council members is provided, including Eric Krieg (President), Bob Glickman (Secretary), and Ray Haupt (Treasurer), along with other members.

USS Pennsylvania

This section provides historical information about the USS Pennsylvania, a 3241-ton, 120-gun ship of the line built for the U.S. Navy. Authorized in 1816, it was laid down six years later and commissioned in late 1837. Its only sea voyage was from Delaware Bay to Chesapeake Bay. After being decommissioned, it served as a receiving ship until 1842. On April 20, 1861, it was burned to the waterline to prevent capture by Confederate forces at the Norfolk Navy Yard and was later salvaged and broken up.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes a skeptical and evidence-based approach to understanding the world. It actively debunks pseudoscientific claims, particularly those related to intelligent design and evolution, and critiques the public relations tactics of organizations promoting such ideas. The magazine also engages with phenomena often associated with the paranormal, such as Will-o'-the-wisps, by seeking rational, scientific explanations while acknowledging when mysteries remain. The "Sense About Science" section reinforces this stance by highlighting efforts to combat misinformation and promote critical thinking. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific rigor and against the intrusion of non-scientific ideas into public discourse and education. There is a clear emphasis on critical analysis of arguments and evidence, as seen in the articles on physics, evolution, and the policy on religion. The "Gravity for Pluto!" section, while using provocative language, aligns with a broader theme of challenging established narratives, albeit from an astrological perspective within a publication generally focused on scientific skepticism.