Phactum - 2017 07 - July

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue: July / August / September 2017
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
Editor: Ray Haupt

This issue of Phactum, the newsletter and propaganda organ of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, features a prominent article on the Ark Encounter, a full-size replica of Noah's Ark.

Ark Encounter Visit

The editor, Ray Haupt, recounts his visit to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, in August 2017. He describes the structure as an impressive, massive wooden vessel, 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, conforming to biblical dimensions as interpreted by scholars. The article notes the presence of a bungie jumping platform and zip lines on the rudder tower, and mentions the Ararat Ridge Zoo located nearby. The interior exhibits are described as well-air-conditioned and ventilated, featuring animal pens and dioramas depicting aspects of Ark Life, including the Creation story, Adam and Eve, and scenes of pre-Flood Earth with dinosaurs and gladiators. The article also touches upon the biblical narrative of Noah, his family, and the animals boarding the Ark, noting that the names of Noah's wife and sons' wives are not revealed in the Bible but are used at Ark Encounter, with Noah's wife named Emzara. The editor found the Ark Encounter to be well done, pleasant, and interesting, comparing it to Disneyland in its unique appeal.

Opioid Deaths and Science Gone Wrong

Under the section "Various Ruminations," collected and written by Ray Haupt, the issue delves into the opioid crisis. Dr. Paul Offit's discussion of his book "Pandora's Lab: Seven Stories of Science Gone Wrong" is highlighted, focusing on deaths and infirmities caused by illicit use and over-prescription of opioid drugs. The article notes the untimely death of pop music icon Prince due to opioid over-prescription and lists other celebrities who have died from improper opioid use, including John Beluschi, Chris Farley, Janis Joplin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Heath Ledger, Brittany Murphy, Anna Nicole Smith, Whitney Houston, and Lenny Bruce. Sigmund Freud's death from morphine overdose and River Phoenix's death from opiates are also mentioned. The article distinguishes between "opiates" (natural substances from the poppy plant like morphine and codeine) and "opioids" (synthetic substances like Oxycontin), noting that the terms are often used interchangeably.

Skepticism and Science Denial

The magazine features an article titled "Love the Flat Earth Movement," discussing a Denver Post article by Craig A. Foster. Foster, a psychology professor and member of skeptical organizations, is not a Flat-Earther but explores conspiracy theories, science denial, and science education. He expresses optimism that anti-science movements will eventually encourage the embrace of real science. The article provides links to the Denver Post piece and the Colorado Skeptics website. The issue also mentions PhACT's participation in school science fairs in 2018, seeking donations to support students who display critical thinking skills.

Gambling Addiction and Other Topics

Several articles address gambling. Steven Caulker, an ex-England football star, bravely reveals his struggles with drink and gambling addictions, including contemplating suicide. The issue reports on Nevada casinos winning over $991.6 million in May 2017, noting it as the third consecutive monthly year-over-year revenue increase. An editorial questions whether gambling is a sustainable way to prop up budgets, highlighting concerns about targeting vulnerable individuals and governments acting as accessories after the fact. A Canadian study on problem gambling and trauma is noted as struggling to find participants. Additionally, Monsignor William Dombrow in Philadelphia pleaded guilty to embezzling over half a million dollars from a retirement home for priests to fund his gambling habit and other indulgences.

Letters to the Editor and Notable Quotes

The "Letters to the Editor" section includes a letter from Howard J. Wilk discussing an article in Scientific American about a long-running experiment to domesticate foxes, noting changes in their appearance and behavior. The issue also includes a quote from William Shakespeare and a personal statement from Isaac Asimov about his atheism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Phactum consistently promotes critical thinking and skepticism, particularly against science denial and what it perceives as irrational beliefs, such as the Flat Earth movement and creationism as presented by the Ark Encounter. The magazine encourages readers to engage with factual information and scientific reasoning. The editorial stance appears to be one of rational inquiry and a defense of scientific principles against pseudoscience and unfounded claims. The inclusion of topics like opioid addiction and gambling addiction also suggests a concern for societal issues and the impact of poor decision-making or systemic problems.

Phactum, July/August/September 2017 issue, Volume 46, Number 3. This issue covers a diverse range of topics, from state-level gambling proposals and health studies to critiques of scientific claims and historical expeditions.

Pennsylvania Eyes Video Gaming Terminals

The state of Pennsylvania is considering a proposal to introduce up to 35,000 video gaming terminals in bars, bowling alleys, and social clubs. Proponents, like Rep. Mike Sturla, argue that this would address existing illegal video gaming operations. However, the proposal faces strong opposition from established casinos, concerned about revenue loss and the potential for increased underage and problem gambling.

West Virginia's Gambling Problem

A WalletHub study ranks West Virginia as the fourth-most gambling-addicted state in the U.S. The study analyzed 15 key metrics, including illegal gambling operations and lottery sales. Neighboring states also showed varying levels of gambling addiction, with Ohio ranking 10th and Kentucky 47th.

Health and Consumer Reports

Dr. Stephen Barrett reports on the "Radiation Harmonizer" (Geoclense Home and Workplace Harmonizer), a device claimed to neutralize harmful electromagnetic frequencies. CHOICE testing in Australia found the device did not work as claimed, drawing no power and having no measurable effect.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning regarding the risks of consuming raw milk. Data from 2009-2014 indicates that unpasteurized milk and cheese products are responsible for a disproportionately high percentage of illnesses and hospitalizations related to contaminated dairy products, despite low consumption rates.

"German New Medicine" Founder Dies

Ryke Geerd Hamer, the developer of "German New Medicine," died at the age of 82. Hamer claimed cancer was caused by emotional conflict and promoted his method as a "Germanic" alternative to mainstream medicine, which he alleged was part of a Jewish conspiracy. His medical license was revoked in 1986 for malpractice.

France Mandates Vaccinations

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that France will mandate eight additional childhood vaccines by 2018, including those for measles and whooping cough, in response to children dying from measles. The price of cigarettes will also increase.

Laurel Hill Cemetery Book Review

A review of the book "Laurel Hill Cemetery (Images of America)" by Carol Yaster and Rachel Wolgemuth is presented. The book details the history of Philadelphia's Laurel Hill Cemetery, established in 1836, highlighting its picturesque design, notable burials, and its revitalization in recent decades.

Meeting Reports: Dr. Paul Offit's "Pandora's Lab"

Reports from physics students Jennifer Cortese and Nicolas Bugueno cover Dr. Paul Offit's presentation on his book "Pandora's Lab: Seven Stories of Science Gone Wrong." The book examines scientific inventions that had negative consequences. Topics discussed include the history of pain treatment and addiction, the development of drugs like morphine and heroin, and the dangers of pseudoscience and eugenics. The review highlights how science development can bring harmful problems and the importance of distinguishing good science from bad.

PhACT Expedition to Valley Forge National Park

An account of the PhACT Expeditionary Force's search for ghosts at Valley Forge National Historic Park on May 20, 2017. Led by Eric Krieg, the team explored various locations, including Lafayette's Quarters and the P.C. Knox Estate, but found no evidence of ghosts or hobbits. The expedition also focused on the natural history of the area, noting the flora and fauna, including a Green Heron.

Baseball! Poem

A poem titled "Baseball!" by Albert Fried-Cassorla, an Adjunct Professor of English. The poem celebrates the excitement and camaraderie of the sport.

Review of "Acts & Facts" Magazine

Paul Schlueter III reviews an issue of "Acts & Facts," a publication of the Institute for Creation Research (ICR). The review criticizes the magazine's anti-scientific stance, particularly its arguments against evolution and its promotion of creationism. Schlueter highlights the ICR's mission to align science with the Bible and its fundraising efforts for the ICR Discovery Center. The review scrutinizes articles on topics like the biblical Flood account, evolutionary clocks, convergent evolution, and the age of the Earth, labeling them as pseudoscience and misrepresentations designed to support a religious agenda. The review also points out the magazine's reliance on internal references and biblical quotes rather than peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the intersection of science and health, the critical examination of scientific claims, and the promotion of creationist viewpoints by organizations like the ICR. The magazine appears to present a skeptical view of certain scientific developments and consumer products, while also engaging with historical and cultural topics. The editorial stance, particularly in the review of "Acts & Facts," is critical of religious arguments presented as scientific fact and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based reasoning and peer-reviewed science.

Title: Phactum
Issue: July/August/September 2017
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Article 1: Useful Definitions of Ideologies

This article, authored by Paul Schlueter III, explores definitions of ideologies, drawing from an April/May 2017 Free Inquiry article by James J. Hughes. Hughes quoted definitions from an article in PLOS ONE titled "Understanding Libertarian Morality: The Psychological Dispositions of Self-Identified Libertarians." The research, conducted by psychologist Jon Haidt, focused on moral intuitions, which are described as seemingly innate to people.

Haidt identified six foundational moral traits:

• Care/Harm: Protecting others from harm.
• Fairness/Cheating: Treating others in proportion to their actions.
• Liberty/Oppression: Judgments about whether subjects are tyrannized.
• In-Group Loyalty: Loyalty to one's race, group, family, or nation.
• Respect for Authority/Hierarchy: Deference to established structures.
• Sanctity/Purity: Avoiding degradation and disgusting things.

Haidt's research indicated that Liberals, Conservatives, and Libertarians exhibit different sensitivities to these traits:

• Liberals: More sensitive to Care/Harm and Fairness/Cheating.
• Conservatives: Less sensitive to the first two, but more sensitive to In-Group Loyalty, Respect for Authority, and Sanctity/Purity.
• Libertarians: Most sensitive to Liberty/Oppression and less sensitive to the other five.

The author notes that while this list could be useful for categorizing oneself and others, changing one's ideology in response to argument might be unlikely due to these traits being perceived as inborn. However, understanding these ideals could influence how one frames discussions to appeal to different groups.

The author shares informal observations from discussions with evangelical Christians and Correctional Officers, who expressed disagreement with the findings, often citing "Science is unreliable anyway." A common objection was the demand for a specific gene responsible for these traits, which scientists acknowledge is complex, involving the interaction of many genes. Some participants directed the conversation towards opposition to "Determinism" and argued that behaviors are learned, not inherited, citing the example of "Gays aren't born that way." The author also notes that none of the evangelical individuals cited evangelization as a factor influencing beliefs, suggesting that heavily religious individuals might fall under the Conservative ideology based on Haidt's framework.

The article posits that this topic, similar to Global Climate Change, tends to elicit liberal support and conservative opposition, potentially leading to continued partisanship and division rather than legislative or social policy progress. The author also observes that some Black friends have gravitated towards Libertarianism, citing racist tyranny as their life experience. Conversely, few Black individuals in prison seemed to hold personal Liberal philosophies, though many used liberal-sounding arguments for privileges. The author expresses a desire for research into these ideas within the context of race and culture.

Article 2: Thugs and Bullies

Authored by Paul Schlueter III, this article addresses the personality types of "Thugs and Bullies," which were absent from a previous discussion of prison inmates' political and ideological views. The author distinguishes between thugs and bullies based on their underlying wealth and power: thugs generally lack wealth and authority, while bullies possess one or both.

Both groups share an enjoyment of using violence or authority to compel others. Thugs are characterized by high physical strength and ferocity, while bullies rely on support networks (gangs, police authority, powerful relatives) for dominance.

The article outlines a mental algorithm used by thugs and bullies to select victims:

1. Is the victim likely to submit?
2. If the victim fights back, is the victim likely to prevail (through strength or network support)?
3. Is there a good chance the victim can be intimidated against reporting the abuse?
4. How well can the thug/bully withstand the consequences of being caught?

Thugs and bullies are adept at demonizing and alienating victims from their support networks, using labels like "child molester" or offenses against "the weak" as derogatory character stains. The author notes that while they intimidate the weak, victimizing others face-to-face is considered "manly."

An overblown sense of entitlement to victimize is identified as a defining characteristic. Thugs and bullies take what they want, dehumanize the victim, and act from a position of perceived superior power. If successful, they will repeatedly victimize the same person.

Unlike the traditional concept of judging a man by his enemies, thugs and bullies are characterized by their victims' weakness, indicating cowardice. They rarely respond to shaming, as they do not value others' opinions. They tend to "gang up" for domination and exhibit little loyalty, readily betraying others ("snitching") to reduce their own punishment.

Interestingly, those in authority who tend to bully react with rage when their actions might be reported for review. Individuals with integrity are usually willing to face review, while bullies fear that their superiors will recognize the inappropriate nature of their actions. The author concludes that prison is an ideal environment to observe thugs and bullies in their pursuit of victims.

PhACT Calendar and Event Listings

The magazine includes extensive listings for lectures and events of interest to skeptics in the Philadelphia area, organized by date and host institution.

Key Events and Organizations Mentioned:

• PhACT Events: Meetings hosted by Dr. David Cattell, Chairman of the Physics Department at Community College of Philadelphia, on the third Saturday of most months. A specific lecture by Kenneth Silber on "Science and Politics in a 'Post-Truth' Era" is highlighted for September 16, 2017.
• The Philadelphia Area Center for the History of Science (PACHS): Maintains a calendar of events related to the history of science, technology, and medicine.
• Lectures and Other Events for Skeptics Around Philadelphia: A comprehensive list of events from various institutions including:
• University of Pennsylvania Museum
• American Philosophical Society
• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Franklin Institute
• Free Library of Philadelphia
• Chemical Heritage Foundation
• College of Physicians of Philadelphia
• Delaware County Institute of Science
• Delaware Valley Opera Company
• Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers
• Freethought Society
• Friends of Valley Forge
• Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia (HAGP)
• Institute for Science and Religion
• Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter - Science Cafe
• Laurel Hill Cemetery
• Nerd Nite
• Penn Science Cafe & Lightbulb Cafe
• Pint of Science
• Rittenhouse Astronomical Society
• Science on the Hill at St. Joseph's
• Science on Tap
• University of Pennsylvania Museum
• Wagner Free Institute of Science

Specific Event Examples:

• Wagner Free Institute of Science: Offers various lectures and events, including "Libations with Leidy – Happy Hour and Open House" (Sept 8), "New Perspectives on Historic Collections" (Sept 28), "Lantern Slide Salon" (Oct 12), "Empire of the Living Dead: The Scientific History of Peruvian Mummies" (Oct 25), and "Evening with an Expert: Fossils" (Nov 2).
• Laurel Hill Cemetery: Hosts numerous themed tours and events, such as "Titans of Industry" (Aug 27), "South of the Bridge: Explorations of the Cemetery's Southernmost Sod" (Aug 30), "Cinema in the Cemetery" (Sept 8), "The Hot Spots and Storied Plots" (Sept 9, Oct 27, Nov 18), "Into the Veil" (Sept 23), "Spirits and Spiritualists" (Sept 26), "Pints and Plots: Laurel Hill's Buried Brewers" (Oct 1), "Seven Deadly Sins in the Cemetery" (Oct 3), "9th Annual Rest in Peace 5k Run" (Oct 7), "Sinners, Scandals and Suicides" (Oct 8), "The Worlds of Thomas Jefferson at Laurel Hill" (Oct 15), "Haunted Halloween History Tours" (Oct 20-21), "Dracula: A Gothic Mystery" (Oct 26-28), and "Fall Family Day: Halloween Picnic and Parade" (Oct 29).

PhACT Membership and Policy

Information is provided for supporting PhACT, including annual membership dues ($15, $10 for students) which include email delivery of Phactum. Donations are also accepted. The magazine's policy for article use is outlined, stating that materials may be reprinted by groups recognized in CSI's international network of skeptics organizations, provided the author and PhACT are credited. Other publications require permission from PhACT. Permission for articles and illustrations from other sources must be obtained from the original publisher. The PhACT editor is Ray Haupt, and the website is www.phact.org.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the analysis of ideological frameworks and their psychological underpinnings, the examination of negative social behaviors like bullying, and the promotion of skeptical inquiry through event listings and organizational information. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting critical thinking, scientific literacy, and providing a platform for skeptical discourse and community engagement within the Philadelphia area. The magazine serves as the main propaganda organ for the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking, aiming to disseminate information and encourage participation in related activities.