Cincinnati Skeptic - Vol 14 No 01 - 2004

Magazine Overview

The Cincinnati Skeptic is the newsletter of the Association for Rational Thought (ART), with this issue being Vol. 14, No. 1, dated August/September, 2004. The publication focuses on rational thought and skepticism, covering upcoming events, organizational news, and member activities.

September Meeting: "Penn and Teller's Bullshit"

The September 11th meeting of the Association for Rational Thought will feature two episodes from the first season of Showtime's "Bullshit" series, hosted by Penn and Teller. The series is described as exploring skeptical topics with an irreverent and humorous style. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM at the Dubliner Restaurant, located at 6111 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge.

Needed: Newsletter Editor

The newsletter highlights a need for a new editor, as Wolf Roder retired in 2004 after many years. The ART considers the newsletter a vital activity. The organization is offering mentorship for new editors and encourages those with prior experience to apply. Interested individuals are asked to contact Rick Davis, ART President, via phone (513-533-8142) or email ([email protected]) to discuss the opportunity.

Roxanne Qualls to Speak at ART October Meeting

Former Mayor of Cincinnati, Roxanne Qualls, is slated to speak at the October ART meeting on "Political Advertising." Qualls, who now teaches at Northern Kentucky University, will present on Wednesday, October 6th, at 7:00 PM on the University of Cincinnati campus. This meeting is co-sponsored by the student group, UC Skeptics. The specific venue was not set at the time of publication, but attendees are directed to the website www.CincinnatiSkeptics.org for updates. A campus map is available at www.uc.edu/directions.

Upcoming Meetings

In addition to the September and October events, ART and UC Skeptics will co-sponsor a talk by Marc Abrahms, publisher and editor of the “Annals of Irrelevant Research,” in late October. This event will replace the November meeting and will be held on the UC campus in the evening, with details to be confirmed.

In December, the meeting schedule returns to Saturday mornings at the Dubliner. ART members Wolf Roder and Randy Weaver will lead a discussion on the theories of economist and geographer Jared Diamond, author of "Guns, Germs and Steel." The January meeting will be the annual "Ten-Minute" meeting, where members can present topics of interest for ten minutes each.

The newsletter also mentions that other meetings are in the planning stages.

Dues are Due

The newsletter reminds members that August is the time for dues collection. The bylaws have been updated to offer reduced rates for retirees and students, who now pay half the regular rate of $15 per year, amounting to $7.50. A lifetime membership option is available for $180. Dues can be mailed to “A.R.T., P.O Box 12896, Cincinnati, OH 45212,” or paid to the Treasurer, Rick Prairie, at ART meetings.

Science Book Club

The Science Book Club meets on the 4th Sunday of every month at 2:30 PM in the 3rd-floor meeting room of the main library downtown. The remaining 2004 schedule includes:

• September 26: Joseph Tainter on "The Collapse of Complex Societies"
• October 24: Steven Pinker on "The Blank Slate"
• November 21 (3rd Sunday): Richard Dawkins on "A Devil's Chaplain"
• December 19 (3rd Sunday): Stephen Jay Gould on "Structure of Evolutionary Theory"

Officers

The following members are listed as officers for the 2004-05 ART year:

• President: Rick Davis ([email protected], 513-533-8142 or 513-474-3087)
• President Elect: Randy Weaver ([email protected], 513-531-4669)
• Past President: Roy Auerbach ([email protected], 513-731-2774)
• Secretary: Bryan Sellers ([email protected], 513-385-6795)
• Treasurer: Rick Prarie ([email protected], 513-681-8444)
• Program Chair: Rick Davis
• Meeting Org.: Randy Weaver
• Publicity Chair: Bryan Sellers
• Web Site: David Wall ([email protected], 859-331-3322)
• Newsletter: open
• Media Coord.: open
• Investigations: open

The officers welcome comments and suggestions. The website is www.CincinnatiSkeptics.org.

The newsletter concludes with the mailing address for the Association for Rational Thought: P.O. Box 12896, Cincinnati, OH 45212.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes rational thought and skepticism, evident in the choice of speakers and discussion topics, such as Penn & Teller's "Bullshit" and Jared Diamond's scientific theories. It actively engages members in organizational activities, from attending meetings to taking on editorial roles. The publication also serves as a practical communication channel for administrative matters like dues and officer elections, reinforcing a community-oriented approach to promoting skeptical inquiry.