The North Texas Skeptics

1. The North Texas Skeptics Pathological Science http://www.ntskeptics.org

2. Pathological Science • What is pathological science? • Irving Langmuir and pathological science • Cold fusion • The hafnium bomb • Sonofusion • The studies of Joseph B. Rhine • Characteristics of pathological science • Recent history of pathological science

3. What is Pathological Science? • Pathological Science is science done—the rules are violated. • The scientist takes ownership of a theory. • Feeble or no attempts are made to refute the theory. • Contrary evidence is ignored. • Problems with the theory are explained away ad hoc. • Detractors are defamed or ridiculed. • The scientific consensus is viewed as a conspiracy of orthodoxy. • The theory becomes a field of cult science.

4. Irving Langmuir • General Electric researcher, Nobel in Chemistry • A talk in 1953 related Langmuir’s experiences with Pathological Science. • The complete story was published in Physics Today, October 1989. • Langmuir’s talk involved the following: • The Davis-Barnes effect • The incredible story of N-rays • The studies of Joseph B. Rhine • The Millikan oil drop experiment • Characteristics of pathological science • Recent history of pathological science

5. + + N N The Davis-Barnes Experiment Alpha Particle: Charge is +2. 590 Volts (typical) Undeflected Particles Magnetic Field Polonium Alpha Particle Source Deflected Particles Alpha Particles Go 8000 to 9000 Miles Per Second. Alpha particles coming from the left are deflected down into the detector at Z. If they combine with electrons in the region of the tube labeled R, then they will not be deflected to Z.

6. The Davis-Barnes Story • Langmuir was invited to observe the effect at Columbia University. • Adjustment by means of crude rheostat • Claims made for very fine accuracy • Measurement involved counting flashes at the edge of visibility. • Davis was quick to explain away questions about the method. • Experimental technique was sloppy—time interval for counting was uncontrolled. • Counts claimed by experimenters could not be replicated by Langmuir and C. W. Hewlett—Barnes explained the discrepancy was due to a contaminated view screen. • Langmuir debunked the results by making the test blinded.

7. Davis-Barnes (Continued) • Barnes excused the result as a gassy tube—the same tube that had been producing good results. • Researchers would not accept Langmuir’s evidence and presented a paper before the NAS. • Barnes excused inconsistent results from “counting bright flashes.” • Davis and Barnes later reported they were not able to reproduce their original data. • In their retraction they never mentioned a gassy tube.

8. Davis-Barnes Data Plot

9. The Rydberg Constant

10. René Blondlot and N-Rays • René Blondlot, French Academy of Sciences, University of Nancy • Blondlot researched x-rays and went on to discover N-rays. • N-rays have peculiar penetrating properties and are viewed in the dark on a calcium sulfide screen. • N-rays penetrate aluminum but not iron, and Blondlot used a large aluminum prism to do N-ray refraction. See the diagram. • Amazing precision was claimed for N-ray spectroscopy. • Measurement required great skill.

11. N-Rays Nernst Filament Aluminum Prism Iron Tube N-Rays Slit Calcium Sulfide Screen

12. Robert Wood and N-Rays • Robert W. Wood, physicist at Johns Hopkins University, researcher in infra-red and ultra-violet photography. • Wood went to France to observe the science of N-Rays. • In the dark Wood secretly removed the aluminum prism and put it in his pocket. • Blondlot continued to observe amazing precision. • Wood published his findings in Nature, and N-rays died a quick death. • Blondlot’s reputation was shattered.

13. Mitogenetic Rays

14. The Allison Effect

15. Cold Fusion • Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann (University of Utah) • Announced 23 March 1989 • Production of available energy from nuclear fusion without requiring high temperature, high pressure • John Bokris, TAMU • Now a field of cult science

16. + + Fusion Basics In the real world atomic nuclei are positively charged and repel each other very strongly. Great force is required to bring them into close proximity to obtain fusion. This is achieved by means of high temperatures and extreme pressures. Quantum tunneling can enable fusion at lower temperatures and pressures.

17. Tokamak Fusion The UT Austin Center for Plasma Fusion embarked on this program to build a Tokamak in 1970. There was no plan to produce power from the experiment. Artist Tony Bell produced this drawing from design plans.

18. Pathological Science Characteristics • The maximum effect that is observed is produced by a causative agent of barely detectable intensity, and the magnitude of the effect is substantially independent of the intensity of the cause.

19. Pathological Science Characteristics • The effect is of a magnitude that remains close to the limit of detectability, or many measurements are necessary bacause of the very low statistical significance of the results.

20. Pathological Science Characteristics • There are claims of great accuracy.

21. Pathological Science Characteristics • Fantastic theories contrary to experience are suggested.

22. Pathological Science Characteristics • Criticisms are met by ad hoc excuses thought up on the spur of the moment.

23. Pathological Science Characteristics • The ratio of supporters to critics rises up to somewhere near 50% and then falls gradually to oblivion.