Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: November, 1996
Publisher: The National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Country: USA
Language: English

NCAS Meeting: "Put a Skeptic to Work"

The November 1996 issue of "Shadow of a Doubt" announces an upcoming general work session for the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) titled "Put a Skeptic to Work." This meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 1996, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Bethesda Library, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. The session aims to help NCAS officers prepare a large mailing to area skeptics and to discuss future plans and programs for the organization. For entertainment, a video titled "Cane Toads," described as a humorous, whimsical, but serious story about ecological balance, will be shown. Admission is free, and all members and non-members are welcome. Further information can be obtained by calling the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

NCAS.ORG LIVES

This section announces the launch of the NCAS's presence on the internet and the World Wide Web. The organization now has its own domain name, ncas.org. The World Wide Web address is provided as http://www.ncas.org/ncas. The general information email address is [email protected], and articles for their quarterly publication, "Skeptical Eye," can be sent to [email protected].

Meeting Schedule Updates

No December Meeting: The December meeting of NCAS has been canceled due to the busy holiday season. The next meeting is scheduled for January 18, 1997.

NCAS Movie Night: Despite the cancellation of the December meeting, an NCAS Movie Night is planned for Friday, December 13, at 8:00 PM. Chip and Grace Denman are hosting the event, inviting NCAS members and their guests to enjoy movies that skeptics can laugh at. Popcorn and sodas will be provided. Due to limited space, attendees are advised to call the NCAS line by Wednesday, December 11, to reserve a spot and get directions.

Health and Power Lines

This article addresses the long-standing controversy over residential electromagnetic fields (EMF) and their potential health effects. It reports on the findings of an expert panel convened by the National Academy of Sciences, which concluded that "the current body of evidence does not show that exposure to these fields presents a human health hazard." The article notes that the American Physical Society (APS) reached a similar conclusion 18 months prior. The 3-year study by the National Academy of Sciences, funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), found "no conclusive and consistent evidence that exposures to residential electric and magnetic fields produce cancer, adverse neurobehavioral effects, or reproductive and developmental effects." Despite these findings, the panel, in compliance with the "Full Employment of Scientists Act," called for more research, though not specifically into EMF. The article suggests that other factors might be responsible for a "tiny excess of childhood leukemia near power lines." In response to a reporter's question about "prudent avoidance," Charles Stevens, the panel chair and a neurobiologist, stated, "we wouldn't know what to suggest people avoid." The article concludes with a sardonic remark from Robert L. Park's "WHAT'S NEW" column, suggesting that since proximity to power lines is greatest in congested, low-income areas, it would be best to avoid poverty.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the promotion of skepticism and critical thinking, as exemplified by the NCAS's "Put a Skeptic to Work" initiative and the launch of their online presence. The organization actively engages its members through meetings, movie nights, and online resources. The editorial stance, particularly in the "Health and Power Lines" section, is one of cautious scientific inquiry, presenting findings from authoritative bodies like the National Academy of Sciences while acknowledging ongoing questions and the need for further research, albeit with a critical eye towards potential biases or misinterpretations of data.