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Shadow of a Doubt - 1995 08
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Title: Shadow of a Doubt Issue: August, 1995 Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) Document Type: Magazine Issue
Magazine Overview
Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: August, 1995
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue
This issue of "Shadow of a Doubt" focuses on skepticism towards paranormal claims and pseudoscientific research. The main cover story addresses the "Maharishi Effect Claim," a topic explored by Barry Markovsky from the University of Iowa.
Maharishi Effect Claim
Barry Markovsky, from the Department of Sociology at the University of Iowa, is set to discuss the "Maharishi Effect Claim." This claim, put forth by researchers at Maharishi International University, asserts that the practice of advanced Transcendental Meditation (TM) techniques by groups has significant, positive effects on societies worldwide. These purported benefits include reductions in crime and war, fewer auto accidents, and an overall improvement in people's well-being. Markovsky intends to critically examine the research methods and statistical techniques used to support this claim, as well as the underlying theory. His presentation is described as non-technical and aims to foster discussion on how paranormal claims should be handled by the scientific community, media, and the public.
The event featuring Markovsky is scheduled for Saturday, August 19, at the Bethesda Library, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. For more information, the NCAS Skeptic Line can be reached at 301-587-3827.
NCAS Elections and Board
The issue also provides an update on the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) elections. Following the April elections, the current NCAS Board members are listed:
- President: Joe Himes
- Vice President: Gary Stone
- Secretary: Marvin Zelkowitz
- Treasurer: Grace Denman
- Spokesman: Chip Denman
The Board members are:
- Al Baer
- Mike Epstein
- Herb Federhen
- Curtis Haymore
- Patti Maslinoff
- Pam O'Neill
- Sean O'Neill
- Eugene Ossa
- Maggie Ragaisis
- Walter Rowe
- Jamy Swiss
NCAS Meeting Dates
A schedule for NCAS meetings for the 1995-1996 period is provided. Most meetings are held on Saturdays at either the Bethesda Library or Davis Library. The locations are specified as:
- Bethesda Library: 7400 Arlington Road (near Bethesda Metro)
- Davis Library: 6400 Democracy Blvd (near I-270)
The schedule includes:
- September 16, Bethesda Library
- October 14, Davis Library
- November 4, Bethesda
- December 2, Bethesda
- January 27, Bethesda
- February 17, NCAS Weekend
- March 23, Davis
- April 20, Davis
- May 18, Davis
- June 15, Bethesda
An apology is made for the inability to always meet near a Metro station due to library space demands by school staff.
Probability and Hocus Pocus
An article, sourced from a University of Maryland press release, discusses "As Carnival Season Gets Underway, Statistician Considers the Probability of Hocus Pocus." Chip Denman, manager of the Statistics Laboratory at the University of Maryland and a founder of NCAS, is featured. Denman combines his expertise in probability, statistics, and conjuring to explain how people can be deceived by carnival games and fraudulent palm readers. He will be present at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium in late August at the University of Maryland booth.
NCAS Joke of the Month
The issue concludes with the "NCAS Joke of the Month," attributed to Stephen Wright:
"I went to this restaurant last night that was set up like a big buffet in the shape of an Ouija board. You'd think about what kind of food you want, and the table would move across the floor to it."
The last change date for this content is noted as August 7, 1995.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue revolve around critical thinking, skepticism towards extraordinary claims, and the application of scientific methodology to evaluate evidence. The NCAS, as indicated by its publication "Shadow of a Doubt," actively promotes a rational and evidence-based approach to understanding phenomena, particularly those that fall into the realm of the paranormal or pseudoscientific. The editorial stance is clearly one of encouraging critical inquiry and debunking unsubstantiated claims, as exemplified by the detailed examination of the Maharishi Effect and the discussion on probability versus deception.