REALL News - Vol 14 No 04 - 2006

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 14, Number 4, published in May 2006, is the official newsletter of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL). The publication is dedicated to promoting rational thinking and the application of the scientific method to paranormal and fringe-science phenomena. The issue features a quote from James Randi: "It's a very dangerous thing to believe in nonsense."

Gleanings

This section, edited by Clark Olson, begins with a brief mention of "Fib poems" and their syllable counting, referencing a New York Times article. It then touches upon "Blogs" and the spread of gossip and rumor, posing the question of whether this leads to a "rare, geeky form of poetry."

Evolution, Creationism

This article discusses recent news and letters published in the State Journal-Register concerning the evolution and creationism debate. It highlights Milford Franks' challenge to creationists regarding dinosaur findings in the Gobi desert, which implied dinosaurs coexisted with humans. The article notes that some evidence cited includes cave paintings of dinosaurs and South American pottery depicting triceratops, referencing Jack Cuozzo's book "Buried Alive, The Startling Truth About Neanderthal Man." Cuozzo, an orthodontist and forensic anthropologist, is identified as a confirmed creationist.

Very Brief Book Note: The Singularity Is Near

This section reviews Ray Kurzweill's 2005 book, "The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology." The book explores futuristic topics in genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics, envisioning an era where humanity transcends its genetic limitations to achieve unprecedented heights of intelligence and progress, particularly looking towards the 2020s. Kurzweill discusses the potential of nanobots for enhancing human capabilities, such as increasing oxygen capacity in red blood cells and designing brain-like computers. The reviewer admits to finding some of the technological explanations difficult to understand, particularly the biological aspects, despite acknowledging Kurzweill's expertise. The reviewer also notes Kurzweill's personal regimen of supplements and injections aimed at longevity. Bill McKibben's book "Enough" is suggested as a contrasting viewpoint.

Purpose of REALL

The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL) is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational and scientific organization focused on developing rational thinking and applying the scientific method to paranormal and fringe-science claims. REALL aims to conduct research, convene meetings, publish a newsletter, and disseminate information within its primary geographic region of central Illinois. The organization emphasizes the scientific method as the most reliable system for acquiring knowledge and does not reject paranormal claims outright but insists on objective, critical inquiry. The REALL News is its official newsletter.

Annual membership rates are listed: Regular $20, student $15, family $30, patron $50+, and subscription only $12.

Board of Directors and Editorial Board

The Board of Directors includes Wally Hartshorn (Chairman), David Bloomberg (Vice Chairman), Jim Rosenthal (Secretary-Treasurer), Clark Olson (Newsletter Editor), and At-Large Members Mike Henebry, Bob Ladendorf, and Janet Trutter. The Editorial Board consists of Clark Olson, Wally Hartshorn, and Jim Rosenthal.

REALL Contacts

Contact information is provided for Chairman Wally Hartshorn ([email protected]), Editor Clark Olson ([email protected]), and the REALL website (www.reall.org).

From the Chairman

Wally Hartshorn shares a personal anecdote about a recent trip to South Texas with his family, comparing flying to driving for long-distance travel with a young child. He offers a travel tip regarding boarding planes first with young children, noting that there is no time gap before other passengers board.

Mythbusters Mystery

This segment discusses a "Mythbusters" episode that investigated the claim that a bullet fired into the air can be lethal upon its return. Initial experiments with a machine simulating terminal velocity showed a bullet failing to penetrate a pig carcass. However, expert consultation and X-rays of victims confirmed that people had been injured or killed by falling bullets. The investigation revealed that while a bullet fired straight up falls at terminal velocity, one fired at a slight angle maintains its ballistic trajectory and spin, returning at a much faster, potentially deadly speed. The author found this non-intuitive result interesting and a good example of experimental problem-solving.

May Meeting

The May meeting featured a video presentation from the Skeptics Society's Distinguished Lecture Series by Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of "Doubt: A History." The presentation explored how doubters have historically driven creativity and social advances. The author's wife is reading the book and has learned about ancient Greek philosophers.

June Picnic

Due to the library's annual book sale, the usual June meeting location is unavailable. REALL will instead hold its annual picnic in June, likely on the second weekend (June 10 or 11) at a Springfield park. Details will be provided in the next newsletter.

Owen Twiddle (Comic Strip)

The comic strip "Owen Twiddle" features a character named Doctor Twiddle, who is working on an astrological chart. He is informed about the discovery of new minor planets by MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, to which he exclaims "Drat!" The strip includes a quote "as above, so below" and a question about the effect of incomplete information on calculations.

Quote

A quote attributed to "Zen maxim" states: "Great doubt, great awakening; little doubt, little awakening; no doubt, no awakening."

Our Next Meeting

This section details the upcoming meeting featuring a DVD of Jennifer Michael Hecht's presentation "Doubt: A History." The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, at 7:00 PM at the Springfield Lincoln Library (7th & Capitol). It is free and open to the public.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate between scientific understanding (evolution) and belief systems (creationism), the exploration of future technologies and their potential impact on humanity, and the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in understanding the world. The editorial stance, as indicated by the organization's name and the quote from James Randi, strongly favors a rational, evidence-based approach to knowledge and a critical examination of claims, particularly those related to the paranormal and fringe sciences. The newsletter actively promotes scientific inquiry and debunks common misconceptions, as seen in the "Mythbusters Mystery" segment.