Shadow of a Doubt - 1995 03

Magazine Overview

Title: SHADOW OF A DOUBT - The Electronic Edition
Issue: MARCH 1995
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics
Date: March 18, 1995

This electronic publication from the National Capital Area Skeptics features an article by Robert L. Park, Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, titled "When Scientists Fool Themselves." The publication also includes announcements for upcoming events and contact information for key members.

When Scientists Fool Themselves

Robert L. Park's article explores how scientific discoveries, despite their power to surprise, can often be wrong. He attributes this to subtle flaws in instruments or interpretation, and the tendency for scientists to see what they expect. Park states that a false report from a respected colleague can lead other scientists astray. He plans to illustrate this with examples ranging from Joe Newman's "energy machine" to "cold fusion." The article also intends to examine current scientific controversies, such as the biological hazards of power line fields, for similar characteristics that lead to scientific error.

Robert L. Park is described as a Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland and Director of the Washington Office of the American Physical Society. He writes a weekly electronic commentary on science issues, is a frequent contributor to Op-Ed pages, and has appeared on television and radio. He is a former chairman of the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland, has authored over a hundred scientific papers, and is the founding editor of the international journal Applications of Surface Science.

Announcements and Other Items of Interest

The publication includes several announcements for skeptics:

• Operation Right to Know: Sponsoring a noontime picket line on Wednesday, March 29, at the General Accounting Office in Washington D.C. to emphasize the GAO's current probe into the Roswell Incident and to end UFO secrecy. Contact: [email protected].
• Temple University: The Center for Frontier Sciences is sponsoring a talk by Professor Daryl J. Bem titled "Does ESP Exist? Experimental Evidence for an Anomalous Process of Information Transfer" on Thursday, March 23, at the Kiva Auditorium, Ritter Annex, Philadelphia, PA.
• Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man (FRNM): Dr. Sally Feather, daughter of J.B. Rhine, has been appointed as Executive Director. The FRNM was founded to carry on Dr. Rhine's work.
• American Laboratory: Consulting Editor Gabor Levy addresses environmental skepticism and bureaucracy in his editorials.
• Society for Scientific Exploration: The Fourteenth Annual Meeting will be held in Huntington Beach, California, from June 15-17, 1995. Major themes include Survival Research and Puzzles in Archaeology. Specific talk titles mentioned are: "Did Biela's Comet Cause the Chicago and Midwest Fires?", "Post-mortem Survival-the State of the Debate", "Analysis of Anomalous Audio and Video Recordings", "Evidence Suggestive of Reincarnation", "A Statistical Study of Angular Placements of Features on Mars", "Acoustical Properties of Ancient Ceremonial Sites", "Limits in Mathematics and Music", "Artificial Structures on Mars", "The Age of the Sphinx", and "Sacred Sites and Sacred Science."

Contact Information

Mike Epstein, Research Chemist at NIST and VP of the National Capital Area Skeptics, provides his contact details: [email protected], PHONE: (301) 975-4114, FAX: (301) 975-3845. He notes that opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily those of his affiliations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication clearly aligns with a skeptical viewpoint, focusing on critical examination of scientific claims and phenomena. The featured article by Robert L. Park directly addresses how scientific processes can lead to erroneous conclusions, emphasizing the importance of rigorous methodology and interpretation. The announcements for events and organizations also reflect an interest in topics often associated with pseudoscience or controversial claims, such as ESP, UFOs, and survival research, from a critical or skeptical perspective. The inclusion of a quote about the incremental nature of scientific progress and the refinement of questions suggests an appreciation for the scientific method while acknowledging its limitations and the potential for error.