Shadow of a Doubt - 1998 02

Magazine Overview

This document is the February 1998 issue of "Shadow of a Doubt," the monthly calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS). It details upcoming events and news relevant to the organization and its members.

Featured Events and Articles

Native American Creation Stories Talk

Dr. David Murray, Director of Research at the Statistical Assessment Service (STATS) and a social anthropologist, is scheduled to present a talk on "Native American Creation Stories." The talk will explore the value and limitations of these stories and how they challenge Western empirical disciplines like history. Dr. Murray has conducted field work among Native groups. The event will take place on Saturday, February 21, 1998, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Bethesda Branch of the Montgomery County Library, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is free for both members and non-members. For more information, attendees can call the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

"How To Be a Citizen Skeptic" - 1998 NCAS Weekend Workshop

An exciting weekend workshop titled "How to be a Citizen Skeptic" is planned for March 13-15, 1998. It will be held at the Holiday Inn in Solomons Island, Maryland, approximately 90 minutes from the Washington Beltway. The main workshop sessions are scheduled for Saturday, March 14th, and Sunday morning, March 15th. The event promises surprises and an optional Saturday evening social dinner at a local restaurant. The previous NCAS workshop was described as fun and informative. The schedule includes:

• Friday Evening: Arrival and an informal dinner for early arrivals.
• Saturday (9 AM - 5 PM): Tentative topics include experiences with grassroots skepticism, coping with school boards, newspaper articles, and parent groups, using examples like the "Quadro Tracker" as case studies. There will be hands-on sessions where attendees form small groups to develop methods for investigating claims and products, researching available resources, and responding to the media through letters and other means.
• Saturday Evening (8 PM): An entertaining magic show by Jamy Swiss, described as "ok, so its only illusions, but fascinating anyway."
• Sunday (9 AM - Noon): Continuation of the Saturday program.

Hotel Registration: Information is provided for the Holiday Inn Select Solomons, with special rates of $69.95 for singles and $79.95 for doubles. These rates are valid until February 13, 1998. Guests are advised to book by mentioning the NCAS weekend. The hotel stay is recommended from Friday night through Sunday morning.

Conference Registration: Fees are to be sent to NCAS at 8006 Valley St., Silver Spring, MD 20910. The cost is $50 per person, which covers continental breakfast for two days, lunch on Saturday, handouts, and the Saturday evening show. For two people, the cost is $90, and they will receive one set of handouts. A registration form is included for Name, Address, Phone, Email, and Dinner preference (Saturday dinner is optional and not included in the registration fee).

NCAS Founder on TV

Jamy Ian Swiss, one of NCAS' founding members, is scheduled to appear on WETA on Wednesday, February 11, at 9:00 PM in a show titled "The Art of Magic."

Psychic Friends Network Bankruptcy

Inphomation Communication Inc., the company behind the Psychic Friends Network, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Baltimore-based company reported liabilities of $26 million and assets of approximately $1.2 million. The article notes with irony that despite employing psychics, the company seemingly could not predict its own financial downfall.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication consistently promotes skepticism and critical thinking, as evidenced by the focus on debunking spurious claims, the "Citizen Skeptic" workshop, and the reporting on the bankruptcy of a psychic network. The NCAS appears to be an active organization with regular events and a clear stance against pseudoscience and unsubstantiated claims, while also engaging with cultural topics like Native American creation stories from a critical perspective.