PA Skeptics: Now is the time

Now is the time…to think about establishing a network of PA folks to discuss the possible formation of a state skeptical/science & reason group. Would you like to be a part of organizing this group?

I’m looking statewide for a number of reasons:

• There is not a large “skeptical” presence in any one part of the state (especially here in the southcentral area).
• I hope an organization will have a say in statewide issues and policy (like education and consumer advocacy, etc.)
• I want to tap into the excellent resources (people) all across the Commonwealth.
• It would be great to cooperate with existing groups statewide.

So, this would be an inclusive coalition, a network that highlights all the efforts statewide. I don’t want to usurp local groups that exist already.

My initial thoughts (subject to manipulation) are that our group would have these types of objectives:

• Advance the use of skepticism as a process and valid testing to address claims of how the world works
• Organize lectures, workshops and educational events for the public
• Serve as a media contact in response to paranormal and pseudoscience news and activities
• Deliver a rational opinion to media outlets and our community & state leaders in response to dubious claims, pseudoscience or anti-science issues.
• Scientifically investigate paranormal claims
• Reach out to schools, civic organizations and youth groups to advance science-based processes and share the wonder of the natural world without superstition.

I have a few clarifications, however, that you should consider before you volunteer your contact info. This is not an “atheist” group. The scope will not include religious or civil rights issues except if they encroach into a scientific realm (i.e., evolution, miracle claims, race/gender equality). We already have established nonbelief/freethought groups across the state – that will not be the focus of this group.

An email group will allow us to communicate and discuss ideas. By joining the email group, you are not obligated to undertake any further responsibility and can drop off at any time. Non-PA residents are welcome to join in the discussion. If you are interested in helping shape such a network, please send an email to paskeptic@gmail.com with your name and location and I will add you to the PA Skeptics Google Group I’ve set up. Or, you can sign up yourself with an account (does not have to be a google email address) by going here and requesting membership. You can also wait and join any group officially if it eventually forms. I will spread that news far and wide if it happens. This is just the preliminary stages. I’d appreciate your help.

Sharon Hill

>paskeptic@gmail.com

Weird things road trip

Spent 10 hours driving through north central PA and upstate NY today. I saw an incredible sunrise over the Susquehanna River, the misty mountains and valleys north of Williamsport and the ridges of wind turbines in the rolling hills of New York. But, here are two puzzlers.

Losing your senses over zinc

This article from Science Daily has a few funny and head-scratchy things in it. It’s about tests of homeopathic nasal sprays that claim to shorten or prevent a cold. The “huh?” thing is that these sprays (and swabs) contain zinc in high quantities, which is not “homeopathic”. I don’t have a bottle of Zicam on me so I’m not certain what the homeopathic “ingredient” (and I use that term loosely) is claimed to be in it. I guess it can be both homeopathic and have an active ingredient but I guarantee the terms confuse people who equate homeopathic with “natural” and “safe”. Neither of those is necessarily true in this case.

Second, it uses the REALLY funny word “anosmic” (a-nose-mik) It sounds like you’ve lost your nose. Actually, it kind of does mean that. The research paper notes that there is a link between zinc nose sprays and permanent loss of smell. The FDA previously told consumers to stop using the zinc gluconate product. But they can’t MAKE the manufacturer take it off the shelf.

The bottom line is this product has failed tests to show that it even works for what it is claimed to do AND it can cause harm.

At The Amazing Meeting 8 earlier this month, there was a call to rally skeptic voices behind a movement to remove homeopathic medicine from the shelves of Wal Mart. It’s a worthy cause we should support. How would the average person know that what they are buying off the shelf is useless and potentially harmful – it’s right next to conventional medicines. What’s worse is that real medicines are locked behind the pharmacy counter. People want quick fixes and waste money by grabbing OTC stuff like this. Buyer beware.

Hello! My eyes are up here.

We have a ways to go for true parity for women in science and skepticism but it looks like we are pretty far ahead of some other folks…

TAM takeaway – I heart you guys

I spent Monday traveling home from TAM (The Amazing Meeting 8 in Las Vegas) and Tuesday and Wednesday adding new friends to Facebook and Twitter, tagging photos and commenting on blog post about it. I reflect on my first TAM experience and am struck by a few very unexpected things.

It might have been the exhaustion since I had trouble sleeping, eating (and even drinking) while there, but I was quite overcome with emotion. While glad to leave Vegas, which I am not fond of, I found myself REALLY sad to leave everyone behind. I can’t even mention all the virtual friends that became real and those real people with whom I forged a greater connection. The best was the new people I met. How awesome was everyone there! I heart everyone. See, I’m all gushy about it. Something must happen when you cloister a worldwide group of likeminded folks in a desert hotel for a few days. We get close.

In Search of… sham inquiry & a public beguiled

I’m heading into my last semester in the Science and the Public Ed.M. program through the University at Buffalo.

It’s been an experience. I’ve kept track of all the concepts about science, people and the world that I never would have understood without this program. I’ll share that someday after it’s all over. In summary, I am constantly surprised at how much understanding I missed, even after obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree, having extensive scientific training on the job and being a long-time member of the science & skepticism community.

This last semester will be devoted to thesis writing. I’m actively collecting data right now for the project.