Shadow of a Doubt - 1997 05

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue Date: May, 1997
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "Shadow of a Doubt" from May 1997 serves as the monthly calendar for the National Capital Area Skeptics, featuring announcements for upcoming events and a prominent article.

"Freudulent" Follies and Manipulated Memories

The lead article, ""FREUDULENT" FOLLIES AND MANIPULATED MEMORIES,"" details an upcoming presentation by Howard Fishman, Director of Program Outreach at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences. Fishman's talk is set to address the issues surrounding satanic social work and pseudoscientific psychology. He plans to discuss the phenomena of child abuse hysteria and the epidemic of "recovered" memories of childhood sexual abuse. The presentation will also highlight what Fishman views as impotent leadership in mental health and child protection, a lack of consumer protection against such alleged fraud, and the victimization of children, therapy clients, and their families. Furthermore, the talk will question the viability of a mental health enterprise characterized by antiscientific rhetoric, untested hypotheses, ineffective therapies, and a belief that "science in the service of ideology" is acceptable.

Howard Fishman's professional background is outlined, noting his role as director of program outreach in the Office of Education at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences and assistant professor of psychiatry at MCP-Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. His prior experience includes serving as the first non-physician director of continuing medical education at Harvard Medical School and a similar role at The Menninger Clinic.

The presentation is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 1997, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Bethesda Library, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. The event is open to both members and non-members with no admission charge. For further information, individuals are directed to call the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

Event Announcements

The Gender Politics of Science -- June 6-7

This section announces the First Annual Meeting of the Rational Feminist Alliance of CSICOP, to be held at the University of Colorado in Boulder. The meeting will focus on gender and racial politics, particularly how they are used to make claims that go unchallenged for political reasons, leading to intellectual intimidation within academic institutions. For more information, contact Bela Scheiber at 303-444-5368 or via email at [email protected]. The event is associated with the Center for Inquiry- Rockies, P.O. Box 20191, Boulder, Colorado 80306.

UFOs: 50 Years of Myth -- June 20-21

A CSICOP-sponsored workshop titled "UFOS: 50 Years of Myth" is scheduled to take place at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in Tucson, Arizona. This workshop will examine claims of UFO sightings, scrutinizing UFO incidents and photographs through the lens of the philosophy of science, emphasizing objectivity and falsifiability. For details, attendees can contact Barry Karr at CSICOP via phone at 1-800-634-1610 or 716-636-1425.

Kids' Science Theories

This segment presents a collection of "beguiling ideas about science" gathered from essays, exams, and classroom discussions, primarily from 5th and 6th graders. These quotes are presented to illustrate Mark Twain's observation that "the most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all they know and then stop."

• Examples of these theories include:
• "The law of gravity says no fair jumping up without coming back down."
• Children's understanding of molecules and atoms, with one quote stating, "When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions."
• A comparison of human and planetary behavior: "When people run around and around in circles we say they are crazy. When planets do it we say they are orbiting."

• Additional quotes from this section include:
• "While the earth seems to be knowingly keeping its distance from the sun, it is really only centrificating."
• "South America has cold summers and hot winters, but somehow they still manage."
• "Most books now say our sun is a star. But it still knows how to change back into a sun in the daytime."
• An explanation of water's freezing and boiling points: "Water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. There are 180 degrees between freezing and boiling because there are 180 degrees between north and south."
• A definition of vibration: "A vibration is a motion that cannot make up its mind which way it wants to go."
• A comment on vitamins: "There are 26 vitamins in all, but some of the letters are yet to be discovered. Finding them all means living forever."
• A thought on fossils and oil: "Many dead animals in the past changed to fossils while others preferred to be oil."
• A humorous take on oxygen molecules: "Some oxygen molecules help fires burn while others help make water, so sometimes it's brother against brother."
• A personal reflection on time: "Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun. But I have never been able to make out the numbers."
• A distinction between common and chemical solutions: "To most people solutions mean finding the answers. But to chemists solutions are things that are still all mixed up."
• An observation on clouds: "I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing. Clouds just keep circling the earth around and around. And around. There is not much else to do."

The section notes that the quotes will continue "(More later ...)". The last change date for this content is May 6, 1997.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, particularly in psychology and the interpretation of phenomena like recovered memories and UFO sightings. The publication, "Shadow of a Doubt," associated with the National Capital Area Skeptics, clearly promotes a scientific and evidence-based approach. The inclusion of events like the Rational Feminist Alliance meeting and the CSICOP workshop indicates a focus on critical examination of various fields, including gender politics in science and UFOlogy. The "Kids' Science Theories" section, while lighthearted, subtly reinforces the importance of accurate scientific understanding by showcasing common misconceptions in a humorous light, thereby implicitly encouraging clearer scientific education.