Phactum - 2012 02 - February

Magazine Overview

Phactum, February 2012 issue, published by the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT). The magazine serves as a newsletter and propaganda organ for the association, focusing on critical thinking and rationalism.

Featured Talk: Bioethics and the Evolution of Consciousness

The issue highlights an upcoming PhACT meeting on February 18, 2012, at the Community College of Philadelphia. The featured speaker is Professor Stacey Ake from Drexel University, who will discuss "Bioethics and the Evolution of Consciousness." Dr. Ake's academic background includes a PhD in Biology with research on population dynamics and genetics of E. coli in Mexico, and a PhD in Philosophy focusing on the evolution of human consciousness. Her interests span population genetics, evolutionary theory, and bacterial pathogenicity. She has previously served as Editor of Metanexus and taught various philosophy courses.

Letters to the Editor

The "Letters to the Editor" section includes correspondence from Howard J. Wilk, who points out a spelling error in a previous issue. Tom Medero's new column, "What's On Your Mind?", is praised by Paul Schlueter III, who also contributes a letter discussing the legal concept of "intent" and its relation to free will. Schlueter emphasizes the difficulty in proving intent and the importance of critical thinking in evaluating actions. Another letter from Tom Medero critiques the legislative approach to personhood and contraception, arguing it is not the government's role. A letter from Don Nigroni recounts the stranding of a fin whale off Ocean City, NJ, on January 23, 2012, and links it to a similar incident in 1907 involving the "Goldie Budd" and a large sea creature.

Various Ruminations

Collected and written by Ray Haupt, this section addresses common word usage issues, specifically the misuse of "complimentary" and "complementary." It also touches upon the incident of the dead fin whale, referencing a March 2, 1907, New York Times report about the "Goldie Budd" encountering a large sea creature. The article details the whale's examination by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and quotes Captain Hyland Parker's description of the 1907 encounter, which he likened to a sea serpent but suspected was a whale.

Homeopathy and Skepticism

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to skepticism regarding homeopathy. The "10:23" campaign, led by the Merseyside Skeptics Society in the UK, is highlighted as an effort to raise awareness about the perceived flaws in homeopathy. The article notes that other skeptic organizations, like the New Zealand Skeptics, also participate in such campaigns. The Merseyside Skeptics plan an event targeting Boots, a UK pharmacy chain. The article also discusses the prevalence of homeopathic remedies in US pharmacies, citing James Randi's involvement in exposing homeopathy. It examines specific products like Cold-Eeze, Zicam, CharcoCaps, Airborne, Air Shield, ColdCalm, and Chestal, questioning their ingredients and efficacy, and mentioning lawsuits related to deceptive advertising and diluted active ingredients. Oscillococcinum is also discussed as a homeopathic remedy facing a class-action lawsuit.

Weed Warriors Program

PhACT member Don Nigroni is featured for his involvement with the John Heintz National Wildlife Refuge and its "Weed Warriors" program, which aims to eradicate invasive plant species. Volunteers are sought for a training program to help with this conservation effort.

Global Warming and Disappearing Glaciers

A brief report mentions the retreating Jorge Montt glacier in Patagonia and the arrest of a man for stealing glacial ice.

Featured Book: The End of Faith

Sam Harris's book, "The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason," is reviewed. The book is described as an "impassioned plea for reason in a world divided by faith," analyzing the clash between faith and reason, criticizing religious fundamentalism, and advocating for a secular humanistic approach to global problems. The review notes Harris's arguments against accommodating religious beliefs that justify harm and his exploration of spirituality as a biological need.

Beliefs and Critical Thinking

Tom Medero's article, "The Importance of Belief," explores how beliefs shape personality and provide strength and conviction. He stresses the need for integrity in beliefs and thoughtful reconsideration when new information arises. Medero critiques the overuse of the term "clinical" in advertising and advises trusting only verified health professionals. He discusses how children are taught beliefs, the adolescent stage of developing self-identity and questioning authority, and the importance of developing critical thinking skills. Medero distinguishes between belief based on reason and belief based on faith, cautioning against confusing the two and highlighting the potential for disastrous outcomes when faith is perverted.

Other Content

The issue includes a poem by Bob Killian comparing Darwin and Lincoln, a section on "Meridian Tapping" as a New Age healing technique, and information about the 2nd Annual Philadelphia Science Festival, detailing events like "Name That Beer!" and "Science Day at the Ballpark."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Phactum are critical thinking, skepticism towards pseudoscience (particularly homeopathy), the importance of reason over faith, and the examination of societal issues through a rational lens. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific evidence, logical reasoning, and a skeptical approach to claims that lack empirical support. The publication actively encourages its readers to question, analyze, and engage in critical discourse.

Title: Phactum
Issue: February 2012
Date: February 2012

This issue of Phactum delves into the complex psychological phenomenon of anosognosia, exploring its definition, manifestations, and implications across various aspects of life.

Anosognosia: The Mystery of Expertise and Self-Awareness

The lead article, "Anosognosia" by Paul Schlueter III, introduces the concept through an excerpt from David Eagleman's book "Incognito." The article highlights how our brains acquire expertise in complex tasks, like walking, without conscious deliberation, contrasting implicit and explicit mental functions. Anosognosia is defined as "A total lack of awareness about an impairment," exemplified by former Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, who, after a stroke in 1974, remained unaware of his partial paralysis.

The author expands the definition of anosognosia beyond physical impairments to include cognitive ones, such as persistent beliefs in the supernatural, psychic abilities, or the existence of God, and the irrational insistence on seeing conspiracies. It also touches upon everyday misconceptions, like the difficulty in explicitly describing the actions involved in changing lanes while driving, or the impaired judgment of drunk drivers who believe they can drive safely.

The article also discusses "countersteering" in motorcycling, a technique that is counterintuitive yet crucial for safe riding. It notes that many experienced riders deny its existence, drawing a parallel to those who deny the scientific fact of evolution. The concept of "mushin," a state of intuitive, unconscious competence in Japanese martial arts, is presented as the functional opposite of anosognosia.

Book Review: The Kings of Clonmel

Eric Hamel reviews John Flanagan's "Ranger's Apprentice Book 8: The Kings of Clonmel." The book is set in a fictionalized medieval Europe and centers on a religious group that gains influence through orchestrated acts of destruction while offering divine protection. Hamel notes that the book illustrates some ways perceptions can be shaped by stagecraft but lacks depth in exploring subtler forms of manipulation and self-deception within cults. He highlights a quote from a sage old woman: "A god who brings you good and bad in equal amounts doesn't ask for much... But a god who promises only good times? A god like that will always want something of you," serving as a cautionary lesson about offers that seem too good to be true.

Historical Vignette: Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

A brief historical note details the life of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (1828-1914), a Civil War Union soldier who achieved fame for his leadership at the Battle of Little Roundtop at Gettysburg. It mentions his appointment as lieutenant colonel of the 20th Maine regiment, his multiple wounds, and his eventual promotion to brigadier general. Post-war, Chamberlain served as governor of Maine and president of Bowdoin College.

PhACT Calendar and Events

The issue includes extensive listings of upcoming events in February 2012, primarily in the Philadelphia area, organized by PhACT (Physics Department of Community College of Philadelphia hosts meetings) and other affiliated organizations. These events cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Science and Technology: Bioethics and Evolution of Consciousness, New Developments in Cold Fusion, Pollination Biology, Agricultural Science and Policy, Near-Field Cosmology, Turing's Cathedral: The Origins of the Digital Universe, Science on Tap discussions on economics, politics, and plant knowledge.
• History and Culture: The Life of Joshua Chamberlain, The Victorian Celebration of Death, General Meade's Campaigns of 1862, American Revolution Round Table, A Town Square Program on Urban Highways, Political Reform in the Gilded Age, and lectures on Walter Isaacson's "Steve Jobs" and Alain de Botton's "Religion for Atheists."
• Other Events: Philadelphia Nerd Nite, Delaware Valley MENSA meetings, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers meetings, and a "How to Become a Certified Heinz NWR Weed Warrior" workshop.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of human consciousness, perception, and self-awareness, particularly in the context of impairments and cognitive biases, as exemplified by anosognosia. The magazine also promotes scientific literacy and engagement through its extensive calendar of events, encouraging critical thinking and learning across diverse disciplines. The editorial stance appears to be one that values scientific inquiry, historical understanding, and the critical examination of beliefs and behaviors, while also providing a platform for community events and discussions.

Phactum, Volume 21, dated February 2012, is the primary publication of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT). This issue functions largely as a calendar of upcoming events, lectures, and tours occurring in March and April 2012, primarily in the Philadelphia area.

Featured Events and Lectures

The magazine details a variety of events hosted by different organizations:

• Philadelphia Nerd Nite: Scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month, with a special late April event as part of the Philadelphia Science Festival.
• Wagner Free Institute of Science: Offers a lecture on "Instructing our Cells to Rebuild our Bodies" by Dr. James Gearhart, focusing on regenerative medicine and stem cell research. The institute also hosts the Westbrook Free Lectureship, with Dr. Hazel Barton discussing "Whitenose Syndrome in Bats."
• Free Library of Philadelphia: Features a talk by Elaine Pagels on her book "Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation."
• PhACT Event: A discussion on "New Developments in Cold Fusion" by physicist Tom Napier.
• Laurel Hill Cemetery: Hosts several tours and events, including a "St. Patrick's Day Tour, Tastes and Toasts," a "Classy Broads and Daring Dames" tour focusing on women's history, and a tour titled "Laurel Hill: The Hot Spots and Storied Plots." They also offer a tour on "Designing for the Dead: Art and Architecture of Laurel Hill."
• College of Physicians of Philadelphia: Presents "Food & Thought" with Dr. Barry Schwartz discussing "Practical Wisdom: The Right Way to Do the Right Thing." They also host a "Murder at the Mütter™M: President Lincoln Is Shot!" event exploring the forensics of Lincoln's assassination.
• American Philosophical Society: Features a lecture by Sydney Nathans on his book "To Free a Family: The Journey of Mary Walker," detailing the story of an enslaved woman's fight for freedom.
• American Revolution Round Table of Philadelphia (ARRTOP): Includes an event where Bill Ochester will appear as Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and a talk by Michael S. Adelberg on "The American Revolution in Monmouth County (NJ): The Theatre of Spoil and Destruction."
• Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers: Announce events related to astronomy, including a discussion on "Rehab and Update of Franklin Institute's 10-Inch Zeiss."
• Science on Tap: A regular event at National Mechanics featuring talks on various scientific topics, including "Mongolian Fish Hunt" by Mark Sabaj Pérez.
• Viewing of I Remember Better When I Paint: A documentary screening and discussion on the impact of creative arts on Alzheimer's patients.
• Annual Grand Army Museum Preservation Dinner: An event featuring a presentation on "Lincoln and the Civil War" by historian Matthew Pinsker.
• The Robert L. Sadoff, MD, FCPP Lecture: Features Honorable Lynne Abraham discussing ethical issues for prosecutors.

Organizations and Membership

The magazine highlights the hospitality of the Community College of Philadelphia and Dr. David Cattell for hosting PhACT. It also provides details on how to become a supporting member of PhACT, with options for email or US Mail delivery of Phactum. Donations for student prizes for the High School Science Fair are also encouraged.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Phactum, as the propaganda organ for the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, consistently promotes events that encourage critical thinking, scientific inquiry, historical understanding, and intellectual engagement. The editorial stance appears to be one that values education, open discourse, and the exploration of diverse topics, from science and history to social issues and the arts. The publication serves as a vital resource for individuals interested in lifelong learning and intellectual pursuits within the Philadelphia community.