Magazine Summary
Shadow of a Doubt
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You’re on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
Summary
This January 1999 issue of 'Shadow of a Doubt' features Jim Giglio discussing his debunking of 'recalled' aircraft descriptions from a psychology journal. It also presents a series of 1999 predictions from various sources, including Nostradamus, Eileen Lakes, and 'Solong,' covering events like wars, comets, floods, and economic issues. Additionally, it announces a Capital Science Lecture on planetary life and a CSICOP conference on alternative medicine.
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.
If neither happens, then the quatrain will be recycled to prove some other event will occur like all of Nostradamus' predictions.
Key Incidents
Nostradamus predicted air raids and war in France.
Nostradamus predicted a comet would hit the Earth.
Nostradamus predicted a cataclysmic war between Russia and China, possibly involving New York and an eclipse.
The Leonids meteor shower is described as having a collision course with Earth, a topic discussed on Art Bell's radio show.
Eileen Lakes predicted major flooding due to a pole shift and changes in planetary arrangements.
Solong predicted Asia's economic problems would worsen, linking it to Satanic energy and the number 666.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic of the 'Plane Facts Not So' article?
The article features Jim Giglio, a software engineer and former science teacher, who recounts how his skepticism and fact-checking led to a peer-reviewed article rebutting false memories about a World War II aircraft.
What is the topic of the Capital Science Lecture?
Christopher F. Chyba from Stanford University will speak on 'Planetary Perspectives on Life in the Solar System,' discussing the potential for life on worlds like Jupiter's moon Europa.
What are some of the predictions for 1999 mentioned in the issue?
Predictions include Florida becoming the 11th province of Canada, war in France, a comet hitting Earth in July, a cataclysmic war with Russia and China, major flooding, 50% of NFL teams winning their games, worsening economic problems in Asia, and stocks fluctuating.
What conference is CSICOP sponsoring?
CSICOP is sponsoring a conference on alternative medicine in Philadelphia from February 26-28, 1999, with sessions on science, psychology of belief, and critiques of alternative medicine. Dr. Marcia Angell will give the keynote address.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Jim Gigliosoftware engineer and former high school science teacher
- Christopher F. Chybafrom the SETI institute and Department of Geological and Environmental Studies, Stanford University
- Sherrill Bergercontact person for Capital Science Lectures
- Eileen Lakespredictor
- Solongpredictor
- Mike Vincentinventor
- Robert Parkcommentator
- Dr. Marcia Angellkeynote speaker
- Barry Karrcontact person for CSICOP conference
Organisations
- National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
- SETI institute
- Stanford University
- Carnegie Institution
- CSICOP
- NFL
Locations
- Bethesda, USA
- Montgomery County, USA
- Washington D.C., USA
- Florida, USA
- Canada, Canada
- France, France
- Russia, Russia
- China, China
- New York, USA
- Asia, Asia
- Philadelphia, USA