Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: December 1998
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Type: Monthly Calendar

This issue of the NCAS newsletter, 'Shadow of a Doubt,' for December 1998, focuses on themes of skepticism, science, and the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims. It announces upcoming events, lectures, and conferences relevant to the skeptical community.

NCAS Meeting: Science on Trial

The NCAS meeting for December is themed 'Science on Trial,' with a focus on 'Etiquette and the Impression of Skepticism: An Examination of "The Power of Belief"'. This meeting will feature a discussion of issues raised by different approaches to spreading the skeptical viewpoint, using segments from a recent ABC TV news special titled 'The Power of Belief'. The program, presented by John Stossel, includes skeptic James Randi, Skeptic magazine publisher Michael Shermer, and a young investigator, Emily Rosa. The forum aims to challenge ideas of skeptical 'etiquette' and discuss the perceived values and goals of the skeptic movement. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 1998, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Montgomery County Library in Bethesda, Maryland. It is free and open to all members and non-members.

Capital Science Lecture

On Tuesday, December 15th, Andrew H. Knoll from Harvard University will deliver a lecture on the 'Early evolution of animals' as part of the Capital Science Lectures series at the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C. The lecture will discuss the significant proliferation of animal life approximately 540 million years ago, integrating insights from paleontology, geochemistry, and molecular biology. The lectures are free and open to the public, though seating is limited. For details, attendees can call (202) 328-6988 or email Sherrill Berger.

Caveat Empty: Codfish Will Thrive in This Natural Product

This section critically examines a full-page advertisement in USA Today for 'Vitamin O'. The ad claims the product is safe, natural, and contains the most abundant element on Earth, suggesting it can help with health consequences related to oxygen deficiency. It describes 'Vitamin O' as containing stabilized oxygen molecules in a liquid solution of sodium chloride and distilled water, to be taken orally as a supplement. The article points out that the supplier, Rose Creek Health Products, is essentially selling ordinary salt water for $40 for a two-month supply, plus shipping. It notes that the 1994 Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act exempts natural substances from FDA regulation, allowing such products to be marketed without stringent oversight.

Critical Thinking or Wishful Thinking

On Friday, January 8th, James Randi, president of the James Randi Educational Foundation, will present a colloquium at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Randi will discuss the prevalence of pseudoscientific products and services, and what he perceives as a media attitude of 'science-bashing' often stemming from a lack of scientific training among journalists and a societal inclination to accept claims uncritically. He warns of an impending 'Second Dark Age' due to the unchecked spread of quackery and technology, expressing pessimism about the future. This talk is free and open to the public.

NCAS Needs You!

The NCAS Board is initiating a publicity and membership drive to increase awareness of the organization and its monthly meetings. Interested individuals are encouraged to help by emailing [email protected], calling the NCAS line at 301-587-3827, or sending a letter to the organization's address.

Science Meets Alternative Medicine Conference

From February 26-28, 1999, CSICOP will sponsor a conference on alternative medicine at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia. The conference will feature sessions on science and alternative medicine, the psychology of belief, scientific critiques of alternative medicine, and legal and ethical issues. Dr. Marcia Angell will deliver the keynote address. The cost is $250 per person, or $125 for students. For more information, contact Barry Karr at CSICOP.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the importance of critical thinking and scientific skepticism in evaluating claims, particularly those related to health and pseudoscience. The NCAS actively promotes scientific literacy and debunks pseudoscientific products and beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against the uncritical acceptance of unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the critique of 'Vitamin O' and James Randi's warnings about a 'Second Dark Age' of irrationality.