Phactum - 2013 01 - January

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: January 2013
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
Country: USA
Language: English

Main Features and Articles

"You Mean It's Not True? Busting Media Myths."

This section introduces a lecture by W. Joseph Campbell, a Professor of Communications at American University. Campbell debunks prominent media-driven myths, including the hero-journalist interpretation of Watergate, the "Cronkite Moment" of 1968, and myths surrounding the reporting of Hurricane Katrina. His 2010 book, "Getting It Wrong: Ten of the Greatest Misreported Stories in American Journalism," is highlighted, which addresses these and other cases, examining how myths can feed stereotypes and overstate the media's influence.

Books by Dr. W. Joseph Campbell

This section provides details on three of Dr. Campbell's books:

• Getting It Wrong: Ten of the Greatest Misreported Stories in American Journalism (University of California Press, 2010): Explores and dismantles media myths, examining cases like Watergate and Hurricane Katrina coverage, and how myths can influence perceptions.
• The Year That Defined American Journalism: 1897 and the Clash of Paradigms (Routledge, 2006): Analyzes the pivotal year 1897 in American journalism, focusing on the clash between William Randolph Hearst's 'journalism of action' and Adolph Ochs's fact-based approach, and introduces a year-study methodology.
• Yellow Journalism: Puncturing the Myths, Defining the Legacies (Praeger, 2003): Reassesses the yellow press era, challenging myths such as its role in fomenting the Spanish-American War and questioning the famous exchange between Frederic Remington and William Randolph Hearst.

Phactum Table of Contents

The issue includes a variety of content, with page references:

• Letters to the Editor (p. 4)
• Various Ruminations (p. 9)
• Rebuttal to October Meeting Report by Tom Medero (p. 12)
• Wagner Free Institute of Science (p. 14)
• Spring 2013 Adult Education Courses: What's on Your Mind? (p. 15)
• In Order to Form a More Perfect Union by Tom Medero (p. 17)
• The Power of Positive Writing by Paul Schlueter III (p. 17)
• Calendar of Events (p. 19)

Various Ruminations

This section, collected and written by Ray Haupt with help from others, covers several topics:

PhACT and Politics of Science

Discusses Kenneth Silber's presentation on the differing biases of Republicans and Democrats regarding science, noting Republican skepticism towards climate change and Democratic skepticism towards vaccines.

Paranormal Police

Highlights the interest in ghosts among Philadelphia Police Department officers, who also engage in paranormal investigations. It references an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Paranormal Societies website.

Antiquackery Book Published

Reviews Morton E. Tavell's book, "Snake Oil Is Alive and Well: The Clash between Myths and Reality," which aims to help readers distinguish health facts from fiction.

Creationists in Trademark Suit

Reports on a lawsuit filed by ScienceFriday Inc. against the operators of a right-wing radio show, "Real Science Friday," for trademark infringement and cybersquatting. The lawsuit concerns the use of similar names and the show's alleged promotion of creationism over evolution.

Philadelphia Science Festival 2013

Announces PhACT's participation in the festival, co-hosting James Randi as a speaker with the Franklin Institute.

Philadelphia emerges as East Coast gambling hub

Discusses a USA Today report on Pennsylvania becoming the second-largest gambling state, with a significant concentration of casino operations in the Philadelphia region.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters address various topics:

• Howard J. Wilk writes about longevity and "blue zones," questioning the documentation of longevity claims. He also discusses the concept of the hollow Earth and references Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar. Another letter from Wilk addresses the afterlife and the attributes of an omniscient God.
• Don Nigroni discusses the demarcation between science and pseudoscience, arguing that it's not just about falsifiability but also about community acceptance. He also submits an article by Benjamin Franklin about a "Sea Monster."
• Jonathan Swift is quoted on the desire to live long but not be old.
• Paul Schlueter III comments on the demarcation problem, using the Thor Heyerdahl "Kon Tiki" experiment and the NOVA "Mystery of Easter Island" experiment as examples of areas where the line between proven fact and plausible theory is blurred.
• Eric Krieg discusses the evolutionary basis of violence and cooperation in humans and animals, advocating for ethical training.
• Editor's note mentions a potential conspiracy regarding the lack of records from September 3rd to 13th, 1752.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, media narratives, and pseudoscience. It encourages readers to engage with complex topics, question assumptions, and articulate their thoughts clearly. The editorial stance appears to favor evidence-based reasoning and a scientific approach, while also being open to exploring diverse perspectives and engaging in thoughtful debate, as evidenced by the invitation for participation from various groups and the discussion of topics like evolution and paranormal phenomena from a critical standpoint.

Phactum, January 2013 issue, is a magazine that delves into a variety of topics, including the nature of charlatanism, advancements in medical science, philosophical debates on the definition of science, ethical considerations, and educational opportunities. The issue features articles by Edzard Ernst, Tom Medero, and Paul Schlueter III, among others, and includes event listings and book reviews.

How to Become a Professional Charlatan

This article, referencing a blog by Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, outlines a humorous, nine-step approach to establishing oneself as a professional charlatan. The steps include inventing a therapy name and history, incorporating pseudo-science and ancient wisdom, claiming a panacea, dealing with skeptics, using statistics deceptively, engaging with Big Pharma, and soliciting money. The author notes that this principle can apply to various fields beyond medicine, such as free energy, doomsday prophecy, and multi-level marketing, emphasizing the utility of being a charming cad.

Major Progress in Cancer Treatment

The magazine reports on significant progress in cancer treatment, specifically for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Following previous reports on CLL trials at the University of Pennsylvania, this issue highlights a successful clinical trial at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. A 7-year-old girl with ALL, who had exhausted conventional treatments, participated in a trial involving the modification of the HIV virus to create "killer" T-cells. This therapy resulted in the girl appearing cancer-free, though doctors remain cautious about declaring a cure.

The Canadian Association of Witch Doctors

This section introduces the Canadian Association of Witch Doctors (CAWD), which has organized and embraced modern technology while maintaining ancient traditions. Their website explains their philosophy and therapeutic results. Notably, CAWD states that their witch doctors "claim to be the only fully honest healthcare profession in that we openly assert that none of our therapies actually work." They also do not charge for services, attributing this to their "awesome powers of manipulating loco and good fortune" and their acknowledgment that their practices are ineffective. The article mentions they have an official theme song.

Rebuttal to Akim Adams’ October 2012 meeting report on Dr. Michael Gordin's discussion of "The Pseudoscience Wars: Immanuel Velikovsky and the Birth of the Modern Fringe"

Authored by Tom Medero, this article offers a rebuttal to Akim Adams' report on Dr. Michael Gordin's discussion. Medero agrees that a clear demarcation between science and pseudoscience is not always necessary, but argues that pseudoscience exploits this ambiguity. He contends that philosophical qualifications for defining science, such as Karl Popper's, should not be viewed in isolation but as building upon previous philosophical work. Medero expresses concern about theoretical physicists like Lee Smolin and Leonard Susskind, questioning when their theories, such as the "Fecund Theory of Universes" and "String Theory," transition from speculative ideas to accepted scientific theories. He emphasizes the need for rigorous testing and confirmation, drawing a parallel to Einstein's efforts to prove his theory of relativity. Medero suggests that a lack of rigorous scientific principles may allow more pseudoscience to emerge.

"The Power of Positive Writing"

This article by Paul Schlueter III discusses a study reported by Janet Raloff in Science News, which suggests that peer reviewers may be influenced by positive outcomes in studies. The study involved bogus articles where one version presented positive results, and another presented inconclusive results. Reviewers were significantly more likely to recommend publication for the positive-outcome article. Schlueter highlights the concern that this "Positivity Bias" could lead to the publication of substandard research, particularly in fields like Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) and pseudoscience. He suggests that for critical thinkers, it might be beneficial to temporarily remove outcome information when reviewing articles to focus on methodology and accuracy.

Spring 2013 Adult Education Courses

The Wagner Free Institute of Science in Philadelphia offers free adult education courses at the undergraduate level. The courses cover topics such as plant physiology, genetics, vertebrate anatomy, the artistic response to scientific revolutions, reading the landscape of Philadelphia, and beetle basics. Some courses require preregistration, while others are open to members only.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? In Order to Form A More Perfect Union

Tom Medero's article explores the concept of normative ethics and the shift in American culture towards greater permissiveness since the mid-1950s. He argues that while this may be a progressive response to the conservative 50s, it also brings challenges related to responsibilities. Medero discusses the need for a comprehensive set of normative ethics to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all humanity. He identifies Immanuel Kant's "categorical imperative" as a foundational principle for establishing a universal moral code. Medero acknowledges the role of free will as a philosophical challenge but expresses hope for a more perfect union through ethical conduct.

Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution

This section reviews John A. Nagy's book, "Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution." The book traces the history of spy techniques from ancient times to the American Revolution, detailing methods used by both sides during the war, including codes, ciphers, dead drops, and counterintelligence efforts. It highlights George Washington's reliance on a spy network and his design of sophisticated deceptions. The review notes the author's discovery of previously unrecognized spies and methods, particularly focusing on the Culper ring.

PHACT CALENDAR

The PhACT Calendar lists upcoming events in January, February, March, April, May, and September 2013, hosted by PhACT and other organizations. Events include talks on "Busting media myths," "Behavioral Economics and the Libertarian Paternalism Approach to Policy," a participation in the Philadelphia Science Festival with James Randi as guest speaker, an expedition to the John Heintz National Waterfowl Refuge, and a talk on "AIDS Denialism."

The Philadelphia Area Center for the History of Science (PACHS) Events

PACHS maintains a calendar of events related to the history of science, technology, and medicine. Listed events for January 2013 include a lecture on "Aerodynamics For the Rest of Us," a "Science on Tap" talk on "3D Printing for the Sweet Tooth: Are Sugar Glass Vascular Networks the Future of Organ Regeneration," a lecture by Sandra Steingraber on "water-born toxins and human health," and a talk on "The Art of Tony Auth: To Stir, Inform and Inflame." Additionally, a "Great Battles" lecture series discusses "The First Crusade: Three Battles for Latin Christendom."

SOCRATES CAFE

Socrates Cafe is a free, public philosophical discussion group moderated by Lewis Mifsud, held every Monday evening in Wyndmoor, PA.

A New Reading Circle: The Institute for Religion and Science

This group meets on the second Monday of the month to discuss Ilia Delio's "The Emergent Christ."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Phactum include a critical examination of pseudoscience and its distinction from legitimate science, the importance of rigorous scientific methodology and peer review, and the philosophical underpinnings of ethics and morality. The magazine appears to advocate for critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and a skeptical approach to extraordinary claims, while also providing information on educational and scientific events. The editorial stance seems to favor rationalism and scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the articles on charlatanism, pseudoscience, and the critique of unverified theories. The inclusion of events from organizations like PhACT and PACHS suggests a focus on promoting scientific literacy and engagement within the community.

Title: Phactum
Issue: January 2013
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Content Summary

This issue of Phactum, dated January 2013, is a comprehensive listing of events, lectures, and presentations primarily taking place in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. The publication serves as the main propaganda organ for the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT).

Featured Events and Lectures:

Urban Sustainability Forum - Next Generation Green: Held at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, this event features young leaders discussing their sustainability projects and initiatives in Philadelphia.

Evening Lecture: Secret of the Great Pyramid: Dr. Bob Brier discusses evidence for a mile-long ramp inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, based on research with architect Jean Pierre Houdin.

PhACT Event: "You mean it's not true? Busting media myths.": Communications professor W. Joseph Campbell debunks prominent media-driven myths.

Edgar Allan Poe: A Birthday Tribute: A walking tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery focusing on Poe's time in Philadelphia, his literary works, and associates. The tour commemorates the 204th anniversary of Poe's birth.

American Revolution Round Table of Philadelphia: Mike Kochan presents his new book, "The Turtle."

MONTHLY FOURTH FRIDAY TOUR: HOT SPOTS and STORIED PLOTS: A tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery highlighting its history, art, and stories.

Kitchen Science: An event at The Franklin Institute Science Museum exploring food science through hands-on activities.

Katherine Stewart speaks about The Good News Club: The Fundamentalist Assault on Public Education: A public talk at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

A Staged Reading of Begotten Not Made by Paul Meade: A play exploring themes of bio-ethics, IVF, assisted suicide, and savior siblings.

Heart of Darkness: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Invisible Universe: Jeremiah Ostriker discusses his work in astrophysics and cosmology, in conversation with Gino Segre.

Philadelphia Public School Presentation with Superintendent William H. Hite, Jr.: Dr. Hite shares his vision on health and education.

General Stanley McChrystal | My Share of the Task: General McChrystal discusses his career and lessons learned, in conversation with Mark Bowden.

"Darwin and Religion: Rumors of Warfare in a Post-Darwinian Age,": A lecture by Edward Davis exploring the relationship between Darwinism and religion.

The Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers: Monthly meetings are held at the Fels Planetarium, offering talks on astronomy.

Afternoon Lecture: Deciphering the Lod Mosaic: Dr. C. Brian Rose explores the significance of a Roman mosaic unearthed in Lod, Israel.

Science on Tap: A monthly science café featuring informal presentations and conversation.

A Brief Look at Both Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks: A lecture by "Doc" Timothy Folkmer.

"pOrnithology": the Birds and the Birds and the Bees: An illustrated lecture by George Armistead on bird courtship rituals and reproductive strategies.

Great Battles: From Actium to an Asp: The Beginning of the End for Cleopatra the Great: An evening lecture at the University of Pennsylvania Museum about the historical context of the Battle of Actium.

Deborah Willis and Barbara Krauthamer | Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery: A presentation on their book examining photographs of African Americans during the Civil War era.

TIL DEATH DO US PART: THE LOVE STORIES OF LAUREL HILL: A Valentine's Day themed tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Professor John Ruscio, a psychology professor at The College of New Jersey, will discuss: Behavioral Economics and the Libertarian Paternalism Approach to Policy.

The Jewish Problem in American Medical Education and Its Modern Implications: A talk by Edward C. Halperin tracing the history of anti-Semitism in medical education.

MONTHLY FOURTH FRIDAY TOUR SERIES: HOT SPOTS and STORIED PLOTS: Another tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Screening of Contagion: A special screening of the film "Contagion" at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, in honor of Anne Schuchat.

"Recovering the Priceless: The Proof is in the Undercover Operation to Regain our Heritage!": A lecture by Robert K. Wittman, former FBI agent, about recovering stolen art.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance:

The publication strongly advocates for critical thinking and skepticism, as evidenced by its affiliation with the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking and its policy for article use, which allows reprinting by groups recognized in CSI's international network of skeptics organizations. The content primarily focuses on educational, scientific, historical, and cultural events, often with a critical or analytical perspective. There is a clear emphasis on providing information about public lectures, discussions, and community events, encouraging public engagement with intellectual and cultural activities. The magazine also highlights opportunities for membership and support of PhACT and its initiatives, such as the High School Science Fair Student Prize Funds.