Electronic Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Electronic Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: October
Volume: 1994
Date: October 15, 1994
Publisher: NCAS (likely the National Capital Area Skeptics, given the context of events and hotline numbers)
Country: USA
Language: English
Document Type: Magazine Issue

October Presentation: The Challenger Accident and Quantitative Literacy

The main feature of this issue is an announcement for an October presentation by Dr. Lee R. Abramson, a Senior Research Statistician at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. His talk, titled "THE CHALLENGER ACCIDENT AND QUANTITATIVE LITERACY: A CHALLENGE FOR THE SCHOOLS," will be held on Saturday, October 15, at 2 PM at the Chevy Chase, MD, Library. The presentation will delve into the investigation of the Challenger accident, where the Rogers Commission identified faulty data analysis, specifically an error in graphical data plotting, as a significant contributor to the decision to launch in subfreezing temperatures, leading to the loss of seven astronauts and substantial financial expenditure.

Dr. Abramson will also discuss the development of a new curriculum aimed at introducing Quantitative Literacy (QL) into schools. This QL curriculum emphasizes simple yet effective graphical techniques for data analysis, such as stem-and-leaf and box plots. An NSF-funded project is working to integrate these techniques into middle and high school science curricula. Dr. Abramson's work in promoting QL in schools spans seven years, undertaken through the American Statistical Association and as a school volunteer.

Other Announcements and Events

Movie Night

Grace and Chip Denman are hosting a pre-Halloween movie night on Friday, October 14, at 8 PM at their home in Silver Spring. The film to be shown is "Curse of the Demon" (1957), starring Dana Andrews as an ultra-skeptical investigator. The event is limited to about 20 people, and interested attendees are asked to leave a message on the NCAS line (301-587-3827) by Wednesday, October 12, for directions. Popcorn and sodas will be provided.

Special Spooky Notice from PBS

On Wednesday, October 19, at 9 PM, PBS will air "Telegrams From the Dead," a documentary film exploring spiritualism in 19th-century America. The film's producer reportedly met with skeptics James Randi, Jamy Swiss, and Chip Denman during its planning.

Special Event at the Smithsonian

Penn & Teller are scheduled to host a special evening event at the Smithsonian on December 6, discussing topics of their choice. This is not an NCAS-affiliated event, but NCAS plans to provide registration information to its members when it becomes available. Members are advised to check the NCAS Telephone Hotline or computer BBS for updates.

Halloween Ghost Tour and Dinner

An event is planned for Saturday, October 29, at Point Lookout State Park, Maryland, in conjunction with NCAS. Park Rangers will assist in locating ghosts during a 40-minute tour and program, with claims of recorded voices from the area's history of pirates and Confederate soldiers. The event includes a seafood dinner at the nearby Evans Seafood Restaurant, with tour tickets costing $2 and entrees ranging from $12-$20, or $25 for an all-you-can-eat option. Attendees are asked to meet at the Park around 6:30 PM for the tour, which is about an hour's drive from the Beltway. Tickets go on sale October 11, and a headcount is requested as soon as possible via the NCAS Hotline or BBS to reserve tickets. Attendees are responsible for purchasing their own dinner.

Contact Information

Contact details for NCAS are provided:

• NCAS HOTLINE (RECORDED MESSAGES): (301) 587-3827
• NCAS ELECTRONIC BBS: (703) 280-1446 (2400 8N1 Press Return at Connect)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of science, education, and the paranormal or skeptical inquiry. The lead article by Dr. Abramson emphasizes the importance of scientific literacy and accurate data analysis, using the Challenger disaster as a stark example. This is contrasted with the other announcements, which include a movie about a skeptical investigator confronting supernatural forces, a documentary on spiritualism, and a ghost tour. The inclusion of Penn & Teller suggests an interest in debunking or critically examining claims. The overall editorial stance appears to be one that values scientific rigor and critical thinking, while also acknowledging and engaging with topics related to the unexplained and the paranormal, often from a skeptical perspective, as indicated by the organization's likely affiliation (NCAS).