Shadow of a Doubt - 1999 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: January 1999
Publisher: The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics

This issue of 'Shadow of a Doubt' focuses on skepticism and scientific inquiry, presenting a lecture on debunking false memories, a series of predictions for the upcoming year, and announcements for science lectures and conferences.

Plane Facts Not So

The lead article, 'Plane Facts Not So,' features Jim Giglio, a software engineer and former high school science teacher. Giglio will discuss how his straightforward skepticism and careful fact-checking led him to write a peer-reviewed article that rebutted false memories concerning the descriptions of a World War II aircraft, which were reported in a psychology academic journal. The lecture was scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 1999, at the Montgomery County Library in Bethesda, Maryland.

Capital Science Lecture

On Tuesday, January 26th, Christopher F. Chyba from the SETI institute and Stanford University's Department of Geological and Environmental Studies was scheduled to speak on 'Planetary Perspectives on Life in the Solar System.' The lecture, part of the Capital Science Lectures series at the Carnegie Institution in Washington D.C., would explore the potential for life beyond Earth, particularly focusing on oceans on moons like Europa and their prevalence in the solar system and beyond. The lectures are free and open to the public, with limited seating.

1999 Predictions

This section compiles various predictions for 1999, urging readers to save the calendar to check their accuracy. A disclaimer notes that the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) makes no warranties on the accuracy of these predictions and advises readers to consult legal, financial, or medical professionals before acting on any advice.

• Florida's Future: A prediction states that Florida will become the 11th province of Canada by the end of 1999.
• Nostradamus' Prophecies: Two quatrains from Nostradamus are cited, predicting air raids and war in France in July 1999, and a comet hitting Earth in July 1999. The article notes that if these do not occur, the quatrain will be 'recycled' for other events. Another Nostradamus prediction foresees a cataclysmic war with Russia and China, possibly linked to an eclipse in mid-1999, a weakened large city (possibly New York), and symbols of pestilence and plundering.
• Leonids Meteor Shower: The issue mentions the Leonid meteor shower and its potential collision course with Earth, a topic discussed on Art Bell's radio show.
• Flooding: Eileen Lakes predicted major flooding in July 1999 due to a pole shift and changes in the solar system's planetary arrangement.
• NFL Games: 'Solong, the Great Gosh' predicts that only 50% of NFL teams will win their games on October 10th.
• Asian Economy: 'Solong' also predicts that Asia's economic problems will worsen in 1999, attributing it to 'Satanic energy' linked to the number 666.
• Stock Market: The Canadian Press predicts that stocks will fluctuate ('go up ... and down').
• Inventions: Mike Vincent is credited with inventing the 'smart tomato' by embedding computer chips into vegetables.
• Weather Patterns: Robert Park notes that scientists will explain unusual weather patterns as either a result of global warming or not.

Science Meets Alternative Medicine Conference

CSICOP is sponsoring a conference on alternative medicine at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia from Friday, February 26, 1999, to Sunday, February 28, 1999. The conference will feature sessions on Science and alternative medicine, Psychology of belief, Scientific critiques of alternative medicine, and legal and ethical issues. Dr. Marcia Angell is slated to give the keynote address. The cost is $250 per person and $125 per student. Contact Barry Karr for more information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism, scientific investigation, and the critical examination of claims, whether they be about historical aircraft, future predictions, or alternative medicine. The publication, 'Shadow of a Doubt,' clearly aligns with a rationalist and skeptical viewpoint, aiming to debunk pseudoscience and promote evidence-based reasoning. The inclusion of predictions, while presented with a disclaimer, serves to highlight the often-unsubstantiated nature of such forecasts and encourages readers to critically evaluate them.