Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet (BASIS)

This document is the premier issue of 'BASIS', the newsletter for the newly founded Bay Area Skeptics, dated June 1982. The organization was formed in approximately one month and i

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1982 07

This July 1982 issue of 'BASIS', the newsletter for the Bay Area Skeptics, marks the second publication and highlights positive reactions to the organization's founding from promin

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1982 08

This August 1982 issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, focuses on debunking paranormal claims. It features an analysis of psychic Jeanne Borger's predictions for 1982,

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1982 09

This issue of "BASIS" from September 1982, published by the Bay Area Skeptics, focuses on skepticism towards paranormal claims. It previews the NOVA documentary "The Case of the UF

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1982 10

The October 1982 issue of "BASIS", the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, focuses on debunking paranormal claims and promoting critical thinking. It highlights upcoming events like lec

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1982 12

The December 1982 "BASIS" newsletter from the Bay Area Skeptics highlights the organization's rapid growth and media engagement. It features an editorial by Bob Steiner discussing

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1985 05

1985

This issue of BASIS, the newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics from May 1985, covers an upcoming UFO conference in Fremont, CA, featuring speakers like Bill Moore and Kal K. Korff. I

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 01

The January 1987 "BASIS" newsletter from the Bay Area Skeptics (BAS) features a prominent challenge to psychics in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering $11,000 for demonstrated psy

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 02

This issue of the Bay Area Skeptics' BASIS newsletter features an investigation into medical quackery presented by Jim Lowell, who uses humor to expose absurd practices. It critica

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 03

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, highlights Robert Steiner's effective demonstrations debunking psychic phenomena and faith healing. It also covers a CSICOP

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 04

This issue of BASIS examines the JAL UFO incident, attributing the sighting to celestial bodies like Jupiter and Mars, and debunks 'crystal power' as pseudoscience. It highlights t

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 05

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, features a detailed account of psychic James Hydrick's confession to being a hoax, including his motivations and methods. It

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 06

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, features an article clarifying philosophical metaphysics, distinguishing it from occult interpretations. It also includes a

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 07

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, focuses on debunking claims of paranormal and supernatural phenomena. It details an investigation into faith healer W.V. Gran

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 08

This issue of BASIS, published by the Bay Area Skeptics in August 1987, critically examines the tactics of creationists attempting to influence science education, particularly thro

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 09

This issue of BASIS details the civil trial against Arthur D. Andrews for practicing medicine without a license through his 'natural hygiene' fasting institute, where six deaths we

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 10

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, tackles several topics. It debunks astrologer Jean Avery's claims about Michel Gauquelin's support for astrology, providing e

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 11

This issue of "BASIS" details a skeptical investigation into a dowsing course offered by Santa Rosa Junior College, highlighting the instructor's questionable methods and the lack

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1987 12

This issue of 'BASIS' highlights a lack of scientific understanding in the general public, with only one-third comprehending what a molecule is. It scrutinizes Pat Robertson's fait

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 01

The January 1988 issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, covers various skeptical investigations. Shawn Carlson, a physics PhD candidate, demonstrates how to replicate "

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 02

This issue of BASIS critically examines the accuracy of psychic predictions made for 1987, finding them overwhelmingly inaccurate and often vague. It highlights specific failed pre

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 03

This issue of BASIS delves into the ongoing debate surrounding the Shroud of Turin, highlighting skeptical viewpoints and the complexities of scientific dating methods like carbon-

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 04

This issue of BASIS critically examines the reliability of UFO observations and testimony, contrasting scientific standards with UFOlogy's practices. It discusses Dr. James Harder'

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 05

This issue of BASIS covers James Randi's exposé of faith healers and a channeling hoax in Australia. It features a debate on creationism versus evolution, specifically addressing t

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 06

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, delves into the nature of reality and skepticism. It features an article by magician David Alexander on distinguishing illusi

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 07

This issue of BASIS critically examines various topics related to pseudoscience and irrationality. Shawn Carlson's study demonstrates the ineffectiveness of astrology, highlighting

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 08

This issue of BASIS critically examines various pseudoscientific claims. It details a staged psychic demonstration by magician Bob Steiner to test the gullibility of computer compa

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 09

This issue of BASIS critically examines 'health food' claims, finding many products are not significantly different or healthier than supermarket alternatives, often at a higher pr

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 10

This issue of BASIS critically examines the 'Face on Mars' phenomenon, presenting scientific explanations that attribute the feature to natural geological processes and dismissing

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 11

This issue of BASIS delves into the psychology of superstition, explaining it as a product of coincidental reward and societal prejudice, citing B.F. Skinner's experiments. It crit

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 12

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter from December 1988, critically examines several topics. William Bennetta debunks the Shroud of Turin, citing radiocarbon dati

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 01

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, features an exposé by Don Henvick on SRI's continued remote viewing experiments, questioning their methodology and lack of pu

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 02

This issue of BASIS, published by the Bay Area Skeptics in February 1989, features a two-part article by William Bennetta exposing the Institute for Creation Research's (ICR) attem

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 03

This issue of BASIS, a newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, delves into two main topics. The first, 'Degrees of Folly: Part II,' by William Bennetta, scrutinizes the approval proce

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 04

This issue of BASIS examines two significant controversies. The first details the 'Nature' journal's publication and subsequent investigation of Professor Benveniste's controversia

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 05

This issue of BASIS features an article by George O'Brien questioning whether the scientific method is unnatural to most people, contrasting it with common knowledge, authority, in

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 06

This article investigates the faith healing ministry of Charles and Frances Hunter, who train thousands to perform 'miracles'. The author, Don Henvick, infiltrates their seminars,

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 07

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, critically examines claims of supernatural healing and alternative medicine. It analyzes Dr. Randolph Byrd's study on interce

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 08

This issue of "BASIS" critically examines several topics. David Morrison debunks the 'Face on Mars' theory, asserting it's a natural geological formation and criticizing the Mars P

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 09

This issue of BASIS details the downfall of Australian psychic John Fitzsimons, who was sued for fraud by former followers who suffered malnutrition and financial loss due to his t

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 10

This issue of BASIS critically examines Mensa's engagement with remote viewing experiments at SRI, questioning the correlation between high IQ and skepticism. It highlights concern

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 11

This issue of 'BASIS' highlights the Bay Area Skeptics' $11,000 challenge to anyone who can demonstrate paranormal abilities under controlled scientific conditions. It also critiqu

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1989 12

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter from December 1989, critically examines astrology, questioning its rational basis and highlighting the arbitrary nature of st

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 01

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, features a review of astronomer David Morrison's talk on 'Cosmic Catastrophes,' contrasting mainstream scientific views with

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 02

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, critically examines the accuracy of psychic predictions made for 1989, concluding that most specific and surprising predicti

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 03

This issue of BASIS details Robert Sheaffer's 1989 UFO lecture tour across five Australian cities, highlighting interactions with local skeptics and discussions on topics like crea

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 04

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, critically examines various pseudoscientific claims and educational issues. Ian Plimer details how the Creation Science Foun

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 05

This issue of BASIS explores the New Age movement, questioning its reliance on subjective feelings over objective evidence. It also delves into the legal and scientific battles sur

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 06

This issue of BASIS critically examines the claims that positive thinking can cure cancer, arguing that scientific research does not support this notion and that it can distract fr

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 07

This issue of "BASIS" explores the human need for myth and its relation to belief in the supernatural, contrasting it with scientific explanations. It discusses the construction of

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 08

This issue of BASIS examines the claims of psychic Sherri Bolling, finding her astrological statements to be general and not specific to Libras. It reviews the 'Life Through Time'

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 09

This issue of BASIS critically examines claims of supernatural abilities and religious fraud. It details William Branham's alleged 'word of knowledge' and a magician's 'mind readin

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 10

This issue of BASIS, published by the Bay Area Skeptics in October 1990, includes Halloween-themed puzzles, a discussion on child sexual abuse, and critiques of pseudoscience. It a

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 11

This issue of BASIS, a newsletter from the Bay Area Skeptics, features an article on 'Thought Reform Programs and the Production of Psychiatric Casualties' by Margaret Thaler Singe

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1990 12

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics' newsletter, delves into the commercialization of religion, exemplified by Larry Lea's "prayer warrior" movement. It also examines the im

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1991 01

This issue of BASIS, the Bay Area Skeptics newsletter, critically examines Michael Denton's arguments against evolution, particularly concerning cytochrome c. It also explores the

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1991 02

This issue of "BASIS" critically examines the failed predictions of psychics for 1990, as chronicled by the Bay Area Skeptics, noting that specific and surprising predictions did n

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1991 03

This issue of BASIS magazine delves into the controversial topic of cryonics, examining its scientific basis and ethical implications. It also traces the origins and development of

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1991 04

This issue of BASIS debunks common myths surrounding pregnancy, fertility, and childbirth, emphasizing empirical knowledge over folklore. It also critically examines claims about d

Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1991 05