Shadow of a Doubt - 2000 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: April, 2000
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Monthly Calendar

This issue of the NCAS monthly calendar, 'Shadow of a Doubt,' for April 2000, details upcoming events, lectures, and news relevant to the skeptical community.

Featured Events and Lectures

Vampires: The Truth Behind the Legend

Paul Sledzik, Ph.D., Curator at the National Museum of Health and Medicine and a forensic anthropologist, will present a talk examining European and American vampire folklore. The focus will be on how these folklores might have originated from the misinterpretation of biological phenomena. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 2000, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Lipsett Amphitheater, First Floor, Clinical Center Building 10, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland. This location is noted as being different from most other NCAS meetings. The event is open to both members and non-members, with further information available via the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

Magnetic Magic Show

For 32 years, Fred Jeffers, associated with Iomega Corp., has developed and demonstrated a variety of magnetic 'magic tricks' that showcase real magnetic physics. These demonstrations often appear inexplicable, even to experts. Jeffers is an IEEE Fellow and holds over 50 U.S. patents. Two demonstrations are scheduled for Friday, April 7: one at 10:30 AM at the Natl. Institute for Standards and Technology, Green Auditorium, Gaithersburg, MD, and another at 3:00 PM at the Laboratory for Physical Science, 8050 Greenmead Dr., College Park.

Richard Dawkins: Science, Delusion, and the Appetite for Wonder

Cosponsored with the British Embassy, Richard Dawkins, described as one of the most influential scientists of our time, will visit the Smithsonian on Monday, April 10, at 6:00 PM. He will assess compelling topics in science today, combining astronomy, genetics, virtual reality, and other fields to discuss the human appetite for wonder. General admission tickets are $13 and can be purchased online or by calling (202) 357-3030.

Physics Is Phun

The University of Maryland Physics Department offers a series of free public lecture-demonstrations called 'PHYSICS IS PHUN.' These programs are typically presented four times a year, with the next lectures scheduled for May 11-13. More details can be found on their website.

NCAS Elections

It is time for the annual NCAS Board elections, where 8 out of 16 Board members are elected for two-year terms. Any paid-up member is eligible to run. Interested members are asked to send an email to [email protected] by April 8, 2000.

Skeptic Society Annual Meeting

The Skeptics Society's annual conference, usually held in May or June, will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2000, at Caltech in Pasadena, CA. This year's meeting is a special Festschrift to honor Stephen Jay Gould, who is retiring after 300 consecutive essays in Natural History magazine. The event also serves as a tribute to his significant contributions to evolutionary theory, science, and literature.

Textbook Disclaimer on Evolution Disallowed

A requirement by Oklahoma's textbook committee that state science textbooks include a disclaimer against evolution has been overturned. According to a spokesman for the state's attorney general, Attorney General Drew Edmondson ruled that the committee had exceeded its authority and violated Oklahoma's open meeting laws by failing to notify the public of its actions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The calendar consistently promotes scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and the debunking of pseudoscience, as evidenced by the lectures on vampire folklore and magnetic physics, and the news regarding the evolution textbook disclaimer. The publication also highlights events featuring prominent scientists and organizations dedicated to skepticism and scientific education.