Shadow of a Doubt - 1997 11

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: November, 1997
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the National Capital Area Skeptics' publication, 'Shadow of a Doubt,' for November 1997, focuses on critical thinking and information evaluation, with a particular emphasis on the credibility of sources, especially on the World Wide Web.

Featured Articles and Events

Selecting the Best Information Sources: How to Judge Credibility

This section details an upcoming talk by Laura Slaughter, a PhD candidate in Library and Information Services at the University of Maryland. The talk, scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 1997, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Bethesda Branch of the Montgomery County Library, will cover methods for assessing the accuracy, trustworthiness, and reliability of information sources. A significant portion of the discussion will be dedicated to World Wide Web sites, aiming to help attendees avoid misrepresentation and deceit online. The event is free and open to both members and non-members of NCAS.

Science Fact and Fiction

This segment announces a PBS program titled 'Beyond Science?' on 'Scientific American Frontiers,' airing on Wednesday, November 18, 1997. The program intends to differentiate between science fact and fiction, and to identify genuine scientific visionaries versus cranks. It will explore scientists' perspectives on headline-grabbing stories, including claims related to aliens, graphology, and free energy machines.

Alternative Medicine

The article expresses concern from prominent scientists regarding the Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM), an agency within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These scientists are worried about the lack of scientific rigor in the projects undertaken by the OAM, suggesting that politically correct standards have been applied, compromising scientific integrity. There is a proposal to designate the OAM as a 'National Center,' which could shield it from criticism and potentially lead to increased funding without adequate scrutiny. The concerned scientists emphasize the public's right to know which treatments are effective and warn that elevating the OAM without assessing its performance could exacerbate existing issues. This piece is attributed to R. Park's 'What's New.'

Skeptical Inquirer References

This section informs readers that an updated list of skeptical references is available online. Compiled by Lewis Jones, this index includes references from 'Skeptical Inquirer,' 'UK Skeptic,' and other similar magazines. The list is over 66Kb in size and can be accessed via the website www.hutch.demon.co.uk in both HTML and text formats, making it a valuable resource for those who read 'Skeptical Inquirer.'

UFOs Online

This part highlights an online interview with Ken Frazier, a CSICOP Fellow and editor of 'Skeptical Inquirer' magazine. Frazier, author of the new book 'The UFO Invasion,' was interviewed by Ann Devlin for her online audio program 'Ann Online.' The 40-minute recorded interview can be accessed at the provided URL: http://www.annonline.com/ramfiles/971009.ram.

Ig Nobel Awards

An edited version of the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony, which honors research that 'could not or should not be reproduced,' is scheduled to be broadcast on NPR's 'Talk of the Nation/Science Friday' with Ira Flatow on Friday, November 28. This mention serves to highlight unusual or questionable scientific endeavors.

Want to Join

This section encourages readers to join the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) to receive benefits such as a mailed copy of 'Shadow of a Doubt' and other membership perks. The membership fees are $20 for an individual and $30 for a household. The NCAS states that membership helps them stay informed about pseudoscience issues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the importance of critical thinking, media literacy, and scientific skepticism. The publication actively promotes the evaluation of information sources, particularly in the face of pseudoscientific claims and questionable alternative medicine practices. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous scientific standards and evidence-based reasoning, as demonstrated by the concerns raised about the OAM and the promotion of skeptical resources. The NCAS positions itself as a resource for staying informed about and combating pseudoscience.