Phactum - 2010 09 - September

Magazine Overview

Phactum, September 2010 issue. This publication is described as 'The Newsletter and Propaganda Organ of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking'. The issue features a quote from Thomas Jefferson on the cover and announces upcoming events and articles.

Lecture Series Announcement

The 2010/2011 Lecture Series kicks off on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at 2:00 PM at the Community College of Philadelphia. Dr. David Cattell, Chairman of the Physics Department, will host science and science fiction author John Grant. The event will be held in the Small Auditorium in the Bonnell Building and is free and open to the public.

Denying Science - John Grant

This section introduces John Grant and his work, highlighting his upcoming lecture which will offer a glimpse into his work in progress on a book titled 'Denying Science: Conspiracy Theories, Media Distortions, and the War Against Reality'. The article poses rhetorical questions about common denialist viewpoints, such as those concerning global warming, evolution, vaccinations, and HIV/AIDS, suggesting that believing such notions requires a refusal of scientific understanding.

Cartoon

A cartoon by Nick D. Kim is featured, with a caption quoting a professor who discovered the 'final unifying equation' as 'D = ducks!!'. The caption humorously suggests that humanity is not permitted to know the universe was designed by a committee of ducks.

Quote

A quote from Rudolf Ludwig Karl Virchow, a German medical pioneer, states: "Belief begins where science leaves off and ends where science begins."

"Bogus Science" Reviewed by Tom Napier

This review discusses John Grant's book "Bogus Science" (2009), comparing it to Martin Gardner's classic "Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science." Napier notes that Grant's book, like Gardner's, focuses on specific areas of pseudoscience in detail rather than superficially covering many topics. The review lists some of the subjects covered, including flat-earthers, hollow-earthers, Atlantis, pyramid prophets, cryptozoologists, perpetual motion, and anti-gravity. The book is described as fascinating but idiosyncratic, with red headers and footnotes. It is noted as Grant's third book on the fringes of science, following "Discarded Science" (2006) and "Corrupted Science" (2007).

Corrupted Science: Fraud, Ideology and Politics in Science by John Grant

This section provides details about John Grant's book "Corrupted Science" (2007), published by Artist's and Photographers' Press Ltd. The book is described as a companion to "Discarded Science" and focuses on fraud and deception in science. It covers topics such as fake scientific results, miracle cures, the influence of religious institutions on science, Christian Fundamentalism's opposition to evolution and stem-cell research, racist pseudoscience, the promotion of pseudosciences by regimes like Nazi Germany and Stalin's Russia, and the Bush Administration's attempts to suppress scientific information on global warming. Grant identifies Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia, and Bush's America as regimes that have systematically corrupted science.

Discarded Science: Ideas That Seemed Good at the Time... by John Grant

This section details John Grant's book "Discarded Science" (2006), published by Facts, Figures & Fun. The book is described as a historical survey of scientific ideas that seemed plausible but turned out to be wrong. It includes topics such as the flat earth, hollow earth, lost worlds, Piltdown man, alchemy, aliens, and various defunct scientific and pseudoscientific concepts. The book is divided into sections covering 'Defunct Science and Pseudoscience', 'World in Upheaval', 'Lost Worlds, Hidden Races, and Unknown Creatures', 'The Evolutionary Wars', 'Aliens Among Us', 'Hard Science', and 'Us... Or Something Like Us'.

Errors

An error in the July/August 2010 issue of Phactum is noted, where the editor illustrated John Grant's book review with the cover of Martin Gardner's book "Fads & Fallacies" instead of Grant's "Bogus Science". The review of "Bogus Science" is reprinted with the correct cover image on page 2.

PhACT Council Elections

An announcement for PhACT Council elections to be held at the September 2010 meeting on September 18, 2010. Only dues-paying members may vote.

Letters to the Editor

Two letters are included. Gary Lange, Ph.D., comments on the amount of gambling-related information in the previous issue and notes that gamblers are prone to suicidal attempts. Eric Hamell from Philadelphia informs members about upcoming events hosted by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, featuring H. Paul Schuch of the SETI League and Anna Dhody of the Mutter Museum.

Various Ruminations Collected/Written by Ray Haupt

This section contains several short pieces. One is titled "Bad News, Good News, and Team Kareem," discussing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's athletic achievements and his diagnosis with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML). It highlights the importance of life-saving research and Kareem's involvement with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to raise funds for cancer research. The section also mentions the discovery of the Philadelphia Chromosome by Dr. Peter Nowell and David Hungerford at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Nowell's subsequent award of the Albert Lasker Award.

Another piece, "Leukemia and Rudolf Ludwig Karl Virchow," discusses Rudolf Virchow, a German doctor and scientist, often called the "father of modern pathology." It touches on his contributions to cell theory, his coining of the term "leukemia," and his involvement in politics and public health reform. It also notes his opposition to antiseptics and his acceptance of Darwin's theory of evolution.

Psychology 1, Spooky Coincidences 3

This short item by Tom Napier mentions Jeane Dixon's prediction of President Kennedy's assassination and notes the coincidence that Stanley Kubrick's film "Dr. Strangelove" had a test screening on the day Kennedy was shot.

Help!!!!!

PhACT is seeking assistance in applying for 501c3 (nonprofit status) to attract funding and continue its programs. They are looking for members with relevant skills and also for event organizers.

Astronomy: New Decadal Survey Shows Restraint

This piece discusses physicist Bob Park's observation that recent telescope surveys have become overly ambitious wish lists. Park suggests a more reasonable survey approach, particularly concerning extrasolar planets and the theoretical limitations of observation.

Stephen's Ark? Stephen Hawking: Abandon the Earth

This section reports on Stephen Hawking's statement that the long-term future of the human race must be in space to avoid extinction on Earth. The article questions Hawking's assertion, comparing it to science fiction and raising concerns about the feasibility and potential impact of such a project, including the question of how to transport other species like whales.

Rich Exoplanet System Discovered

A BBC report on the discovery of a star named HD-10180 with at least five planets, located about 127 light years away, is mentioned.

The Rapture is Nigh

This section discusses Harold Camping's prediction of the Rapture of Believers on May 21, 2011, based on biblical numerology. It notes his previous failed prediction and invites skeptics to discuss the matter at a PhACT meeting.

UK Homeopathy Controversy Rages On

This item summarizes a report from the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee regarding homeopathy. The report debunks homeopathy's claims, concluding it is a placebo treatment and recommending that the government stop funding it on the NHS and that homeopathic hospitals should not be funded. The MHRA's licensing of homeopathic products is also criticized for lending undue credibility.

Lines on Homeopathy

A short poem about homeopathy by Bishop William Croswell Doane.

The PhACT Jersey Devil Expedition

A brief mention of a PhACT expedition to search for the Jersey Devil, with a link to a write-up by Joe Nickell.

Clerihew by Tom Napier

A clerihew about Joe Nickell:
"Joe Nickell / Knows the paranormal's fickle. / If he saw the Jersey Devil / He'd fear it wasn't on the level."

Gambling Notes

This section provides several brief notes on gambling issues: Pennsylvania casinos offering credit lines, the composition of a gambling council in South Dakota, a Las Vegas 'doctor' accused of scamming terminally ill patients and spending money on gambling, and a lack of public treatment programs for problem gamblers in central Ohio.

If You Want an Enhancing Experience, Be in Philadelphia in December

An announcement for a conference on ethical, legal, and public policy issues presented by biomedical enhancements, titled "Transforming Humanity: Fantasy? Dream? Nightmare?", to be held at the University of Pennsylvania on December 3-4. The conference will feature experts in bioethics and neuroscience.

Advertisement

A fake 1950s advertisement for "Soda Pop" is presented as an example of how advertising claims can be misleading, underscoring the need for critical thinking.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes critical thinking, skepticism towards pseudoscience, and a reliance on scientific evidence. It covers a range of topics from science denial and the history of science to contemporary issues like biotechnology and public health. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the articles on homeopathy, pseudoscience, and the promotion of scientific literacy.

Phactum, September 2010, Volume 11. This issue features several in-depth articles on scientific and historical topics, including a critique of statistical significance, developments in paleontology, the history of telescopes, and a biblical examination of suicide. It also includes a calendar of upcoming events.

Questioning Statistical Significance

This article, by Paul Schlueter III, discusses Tom Siegfried's critique of the common use and interpretation of 'statistical significance' in scientific research. Siegfried argues that the 'Scientific Method' relies on a flimsy foundation of statistical analysis, which is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. He points to Ronald A. Fisher's development of the 'P value' in the 1920s, intended to determine if crop yield variations were due to fertilizer or random factors. However, Siegfried contends that there's no logical basis for using a P value from a single study to draw conclusions. The article also touches upon the challenges posed by hybridizing Fisher's and Neyman-Pearson's approaches, leading to muddled statistical interpretations. The implications of this flawed methodology are illustrated through drug efficacy testing, where arbitrary P values like P=0.05 can lead to incorrect conclusions about a drug's effectiveness, potentially harming patients. The proposed solution involves using statistical significance to refine hypotheses rather than draw final conclusions, and the importance of running multiple, duplicative studies. The article also introduces Bayesian Reasoning, which incorporates 'prior probability' into statistical computations, as an alternative approach.

Thomas Bayes Biography

A brief biographical sketch of Thomas Bayes (1702-1761) is provided, detailing his early life, education in theology and logic, ordination as a Presbyterian minister, and his later interest in probability. His fame stems from his work defending Isaac Newton's calculus against criticism.

Suicide and the Bible

Paul Schlueter III explores the biblical perspective on suicide. He notes that the word 'suicide' does not appear in standard English translations of the Bible, but the concept is often linked to prohibitions against killing. The article presents seven biblical characters who are interpreted as having taken their own lives: Abimelech, Samson, Saul, Saul's Armorbearer, Ahithophel, Zimri, and Judas Iscariot. For each, the circumstances and potential motivations are described. The article also suggests that Jesus' death could be seen as a 'Suicide-by-the-Authorities,' intended as a martyrdom of love. It concludes that the Bible does not explicitly prohibit suicide and leaves the judgment of its ethical quality to individual interpretation. A brief section titled "Suicide vs. Catholicism" notes that Christianity linked suicide to sin later, with Augustine defining it as a crime and Aquinas as a mortal sin.

The Essential Telescope

By Tom Napier, this article traces the history and development of the telescope. It begins with Galileo's crude telescope in 1610 and Johann Kepler's work on planetary motion, marking the shift from geocentricism. Isaac Newton's contribution in 1678 with his law of gravitation and his improvement on telescopes by using a concave mirror (Newtonian telescope) to avoid chromatic aberration are discussed. The article differentiates between reflecting and refracting telescopes, noting the limitations of refractors due to the size and weight of lenses, and the advantages of reflectors for larger apertures. It explains the Cassegrain design, which folds the light path to create a shorter tube. The article also covers factors affecting telescope performance, such as magnification, atmospheric conditions, and resolution. It critiques cheap, plastic telescopes as being detrimental to fostering interest in astronomy. Finally, it touches upon the use of telescopes for tracking UFOs, suggesting they are generally ineffective for this purpose.

Viewing Apollo

This section, also by Tom Napier, discusses the visibility of the lunar landers. It calculates that while an eight-inch telescope can resolve about one second of arc, making the moon appear as nearly 2000 pixels across, the lunar lander descent stages (about 14 feet across) would require a resolution better than two feet to be seen. The Hubble Space Telescope, with its 0.05-second resolution, can resolve about 300 feet, but is not typically used for lunar observation. The author also recounts his experience using a B/W TV camera attached to his telescope to view the moon.

The Original Moon Hoax

This piece recounts the 1835 New York Sun newspaper's sensationalized series of articles about Sir John Herschel's supposed discoveries in South Africa. The articles falsely claimed Herschel had discovered human-like, winged inhabitants on the moon, along with its oceans, plants, and animals, leading to widespread public fascination and even plans for missionary expeditions.

Developments in Paleontology

Authored by Paul Schlueter III, this article updates readers on recent developments in paleontology. It covers the discovery of four skeletons in South Africa, revealing Australopithecus sediba, a species that appears to bridge features of older Australopithecus and Homo lines. The discovery was partly credited to the 9-year-old son of paleoanthropologist Lee R. Burger. The article also discusses the excavation of an ancient sinkhole at the Malapa Site in South Africa. Furthermore, it details the discovery of a new hominid species, the Denisova hominid, from a finger bone found in Siberia. DNA analysis suggests this hominid lived among Neanderthals and humans and represents a fourth hominid species. The article includes a chart illustrating genetic and language relationships among hominids and mentions various fossil sites and dating estimates for different species.

PhACT Calendar

This section lists upcoming events of interest to the skeptical and scientific community in the Philadelphia area. Events include lectures by John Grant on "Denying Science," a meeting on "Loyalty in Revolutionary Pennsylvania" with Clarissa Dillon, an operatic concert, a talk on "The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches from the Fault Line Between Christianity and Islam," and a meeting of the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical and scientific viewpoint, critically examining claims and methodologies. The articles on statistical significance and paleontology emphasize rigorous scientific inquiry and the correction of errors. The piece on suicide and the Bible offers a reasoned, non-dogmatic interpretation of scripture. The telescope articles advocate for empirical observation and accurate understanding of scientific principles. The overall stance is one of promoting critical thinking and debunking pseudoscience, as exemplified by Tom Napier's contributions.

Phactum, September 2010 issue, is the main propaganda organ for the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT). This issue details a comprehensive calendar of events, lectures, and exhibitions happening in and around Philadelphia during September, October, and November 2010. The publication covers a diverse range of topics, including science, history, culture, health, and paranormal investigations, hosted by various institutions and organizations.

Featured Events and Lectures

Astronomy and Science Education:

• Rittenhouse Astronomical Society: A talk on the evolution of planetariums and the work of Armand Spitz, featuring Joyce Spitz. (Date not specified, but implied to be in September).
• Science on Tap: A monthly gathering at National Mechanics featuring scientists discussing engaging topics. The September 13th event features Beauvais Lyons discussing "The Association of Creative Zoology." The series is presented by the APS Museum.
• Penn Science Café: A lecture series held at the MarBar, featuring topics like "Do Genomes Compute?" with Junhyong Kim (Sept 22) and "Nature's Nanotechnology" with Yale Goldman (Oct 20).
• Wagner Free Institute of Science: Offers free adult education courses in the Fall 2010, including "The Scientist as an Explorer," "An Introduction to Insects and Related Arthropods," "Forensic Anthropology," and "Physics and Chemistry in the Kitchen." They also hosted a "Family Open House" on September 11th with "Pollinator Power!" and a "Philadelphia Honey Festival" event.
• The Academy of Natural Sciences: Presents "Global Warming 2010: Creating Jobs and Saving the Planet" featuring Bill McKibben (Sept 20). They also offer a "Beginning Nature Photography" course and "An Evening with Author Jay Kirk" discussing his book "Kingdom Under Glass" (Oct 27).
• American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum: Features an exhibition "The Association for Creative Zoology" by Beauvais Lyons (Sept 10-18). An artist panel "A Priest, A Rabbi and Charles Darwin Walk Into A Bar..." is scheduled for Sept 19. Gary B. Nash will lecture on "The Liberty Bell" (Sept 24), and Stewart B. Nelson will discuss "Sabotage in the Arctic: Fate of the Submarine Nautilus of 1931" (Oct 29).

History and Culture:

• Free Library of Philadelphia: Hosts several events, including a talk by Daniel R. Biddle and Murray Dubin on "Octavius Catto and the Battle for Equality in Civil War America" (Sept 22). John Barry will discuss his book "An American Hero in the Age of Sail" (Sept 22). Thomas Buergenthal will speak about his memoir "A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz" (Sept 27). Allen Hornblum will discuss "The Invisible Harry Gold: The Man Who Gave the Soviets the Atom Bomb" (Oct 6). Simon Winchester will lecture on "Atlantic" and Ian Frazier on "Travels in Siberia" (Nov 2).
• Laurel Hill Cemetery: Offers historical tours, including "The Worlds of Thomas Jefferson at Laurel Hill" (Sept 26) and "THE GHOSTS AMONG OUR GRAVES: A Paranormal Investigation" (Oct 2).
• The College of Physicians of Philadelphia: Features "The Nevermore Theater Project presents The Tell-Tale Heart" (Sept 11-12). Lectures include "The Many Faces of Health Care Reform: Consumers (Older Adults)" (Oct 12), "DISSECTION: Photographs of a Rite of Passage in American Medicine 1880 – 1930" (Oct 18), and the "16th Annual Thomas Langfitt, Jr. Memorial Symposium on Health Care Policy: Accountable Care Organizations" (Oct 19).
• University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Hosts an "Afternoon Symposium Water in the Ancient World" (Oct 2).
• Mütter Museum: Hosts its "3nd Annual Day of the Dead Festival" (Oct 30).
• Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF): Features a Joseph Priestley Society Luncheon with Magid Abou-Gharbia on "Realities of Drug Discovery and Development" (Sept 16). John Stewart will lecture on "Chemical Affinity in Eighteenth-Century British Mineralogy" (Sept 28). CHF will also live-stream the "Ig Nobel Prizes" ceremony (Sept 30).

UFOs and Paranormal:

• Pennsylvania Mutual UFO Network (MUFON): Hosts its 3rd Annual UFO Conference in two locations: Sheraton Hotel in Langhorne (Oct 9) and Westmoreland Community College in Youngwood (Oct 16). The conference will feature speakers on paranormal, abduction, and UFO topics.
• Laurel Hill Cemetery: "THE GHOSTS AMONG OUR GRAVES: A Paranormal Investigation" (Oct 2).

Other Events:

• SOCRATES CAFE: A free philosophical discussion group moderated by Lewis Mifsud at Springfield Township Public Library.
• Mensa General Membership Meeting: On the second Friday of each month.
• Opera Jeopardy!: An evening of fun for opera enthusiasts at Keenan's Valley View Inn (Oct 23).
• Laurel Hill Cemetery: Hosts the "2nd Annual Rest In Peace 5K Run" (Oct 9) and "Woof, Wag n' Walk" (Oct 9).

PhACT Information

The Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT) expresses gratitude to the Community College of Philadelphia and Dr. David Cattell for hosting their events. PhACT distributes Phactum six times a year and is funded by supporting members and subscribers. Membership options include email delivery for $15/year ($10 for students) or US Mail delivery for $25/year. The publication also solicits letters, essays, and donations for its "High School Science Fair Student Prize Funds."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Phactum strongly emphasizes public engagement with science, history, and culture through a wide array of lectures, workshops, and exhibitions. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting critical thinking and informed discussion, as evidenced by the variety of intellectual topics covered and the explicit goal of the "Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking." There is a notable focus on local Philadelphia institutions and events, highlighting the city's rich cultural and academic landscape. The inclusion of paranormal and UFO-related events alongside scientific and historical ones suggests an open-minded approach to various phenomena, encouraging investigation and discussion across different fields of inquiry. The publication also demonstrates a commitment to supporting youth science education through its prize fund.