Shadow of a Doubt - 1994 05

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt - The Electronic Edition
Issue: May 1994
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Focus: This electronic edition serves as a monthly calendar and features an in-depth look at anomalies and the work of William R. Corliss.

The Ubiquity of Anomalies: A Talk by William R. Corliss

The main feature of this issue is an announcement for a talk by William R. Corliss, a physicist and renowned author who catalogs natural anomalies. Corliss, author of "Handbook of Unusual Natural Phenomena" and "The Unexplained," has dedicated over 25 years to researching and compiling approximately 3,000 significant phenomena that are not satisfactorily explained by mainstream scientific paradigms. His talk, to be held at the Bethesda Library on Saturday, May 21st, will review how his collection was assembled and will describe salient phenomena from six disciplines: Archeology (e.g., Costa Rican stone spheres), Astronomy (quantized redshifts), Biology (pseudofish replication), Geology (giant ring structures), Geophysics (marine phosphorescent displays), and Psychology (eidetic imagery). He will also comment on unusual characteristics of anomalies that transcend disciplinary boundaries.

A supplementary article from The Baltimore Sun, dated February 7, 1993, by Stephanie Shapiro, highlights Corliss's passion for collecting oddities of heaven and earth. It mentions his extensive documentation of phenomena ranging from ball lightning and fish falls to "sane hallucinations" and ice fogs. Corliss, aged 66, views his work as a serious purpose: "The collection and consolidation of the unknown and poorly explained to facilitate future research and explanation." He believes that science progresses by incorporating anomalies, citing historical examples like Mercury's orbital anomalies leading to Einstein's theory of relativity and Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift.

Corliss's publishing company, the Sourcebook Project, run from his home with his wife Virginia, has produced 29 books on anomalies. His book "Handbook of Unusual Natural Phenomena" has sold 60,000 copies, and "The Unexplained" has sold over 100,000. He plans to expand his catalog series to 30 volumes, covering fields like chemistry, physics, logic, and math. He also publishes a newsletter, "Science Frontiers," which humorously lists idiosyncrasies from various sources.

The article notes that Corliss's criteria for "anomalousness" are stringent, filtering out hoaxes and misinterpretations, though he makes an effort to salvage data from the 19th century. He has a following among universities and research facilities, many of whom are members of the Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE), founded in 1982 to discuss research outside established disciplines. Notable figures like Cornell astronomer Thomas Gold and Marcello Truzzi, director of the Center for Scientific Anomalies Research, praise Corliss's work as invaluable for scientific progress.

Corliss has personally witnessed anomalies, such as ball lightning and unusual marine life. His work is described as a constant reminder that the world is full of awe and mystery, with a concern expressed about who will continue his work after him.

NCAS and INFO Events

The issue also provides a schedule of upcoming events for the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) and the International Fortean Organization (INFO) in June and beyond.

• NCAS Events:
• Saturday, June 18: Bethesda Library - Topic and speaker to be announced.

• INFO (International Fortean Organization) 1994 Schedule:
• Monthly informal gatherings are planned for the rest of 1994.
• Friday, May 13: Ultimate Connection Social (Arlington, VA).
• Saturday, May 14: FortNight '94 (Arlington, VA), featuring talks on abductions, anomalies, synchronicity, Atlantis, and remote viewing.
• Saturday, June 25: Premonitoring Earthquakes (Grosvenor Park Condominium III, 10401 Grosvenor Place).
• Saturday, July 30: Light and Life (discussing light quality and human health).
• Sunday, August 14: Charles Fort Birthday Picnic (Manassas).
• Friday, September 30: Current Research in Dreams (Grosvenor Park Condominium III).
• Saturday, October 29: Komodo Dragons (slide lecture).
• Saturday/Sunday, November 12-13: FortFest '94 (Arlington, VA).

Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE) 13th Annual Meeting

• The SSE will hold its 13th Annual Meeting from June 9-11, 1994, in Austin, TX. The agenda includes numerous presentations on topics such as:
• Cold Fusion
• Vacuum Electromagnetic Energy
• Zero-Point Field
• Resonant Interaction Between Consciousness and Environment
• Capillary Fusion
• Ultra Low Nuclear Changes in Metals
• Analytical Chemistry in Anomalies Investigation
• Heresies in Scientific Research
• Pseudoscience, Pathology, or Protoscience?
• Gender Differences in Human/Machine Anomalies
• Telepathic Dreams and Geomagnetic Activity
• Water Dowsing
• Structural Changes in Water and DNA
• Autonomic Nervous System Detection of Remote Observation
• Testing Claims of Exceptional Human Abilities

William Corliss is scheduled to receive the Tim Dinsdale Award and will deliver the Dinsdale Lecture, titled "The Classified Residuum." Marcello Truzzi will present on "Pseudoscience, Pathology, or Protoscience?"

Contact Information

For more details on upcoming talks or conference information, contact Mike Epstein at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland, who serves as Research Chemist and Vice President of the National Capital Area Skeptics. His contact details include email ([email protected]), phone (301) 975-3385, and FAX (301) 975-3845.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of unexplained phenomena, anomalies, and the boundaries of scientific understanding. The publication, through its featured speaker William R. Corliss and the listed events of organizations like NCAS, INFO, and SSE, promotes a skeptical yet open-minded approach to investigating unusual occurrences. The editorial stance appears to be one that values rigorous research, the collection of data on unexplained events, and the potential for these anomalies to drive scientific progress and paradigm shifts. There is an emphasis on critical thinking and distinguishing genuine anomalies from hoaxes or misinterpretations, while also encouraging the investigation of phenomena that fall outside established scientific disciplines.