Shadow of a Doubt - 2001 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: April 2001
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Focus: Skepticism, critical thinking, and debunking pseudoscience.

Featured Lecture: Pseudoscience and the U.S. Patent Process

The issue prominently features a lecture by Mark Banash, Ph.D., titled "Pseudoscience and the U.S. Patent Process." Banash, who holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton and has a background in mathematics and English, currently works as a research scientist at Millennium Inorganic Chemicals and teaches at Howard Community College. He also writes science fiction and produces an audio series called "The Funnt File" which often explores skeptical themes.

His lecture aims to inform the audience about the U.S. patent process, highlighting the surprising fact that an invention does not need to be described in a scientifically accurate way to be granted a patent. The talk will explore why reputable companies might invest millions in startups with unexplained processes and products, and how such products can be sold without a clear understanding of their workings.

The lecture was scheduled for Saturday, April 21, from 2pm to 3:30pm at the Bethesda Branch of the Montgomery County Library, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. It was advertised as free admission and open to everyone, members and non-members alike. For more information, attendees were directed to call the NCAS Skeptic Line at (301) 587-3827 or email [email protected]. The NCAS is identified as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding.

Special Performance: Jamy Ian Swiss - The Honest Liar

On the same evening, Saturday, April 21, at 7:30 pm, a special fund-raising performance titled "Jamy Ian Swiss: The Honest Liar" was scheduled at the Cecile Goldman Theater, District of Columbia Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St NW, Washington DC. Jamy Ian Swiss, described as a master of deception and an original co-founder of NCAS, was to present his sophisticated show of magic and "honest lying." His special "Cracking the Cons" had recently been seen on Discovery Channel.

Suggested donations for the performance were $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Advance reservations could be made by calling 301-587-3827 or emailing [email protected].

The event included testimonials from various publications: Vanity Fair magazine called him "astonishing," Penn & Teller described him as "James Bond with a deck of cards for a pistol," and the Washington Post noted his "finely tuned sense of the absurd."

Upcoming Skeptical Events and News

The Tenth European Congress in Prague

The issue announced the 10th European Skeptical Congress, scheduled for September 7-9 in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The congress promised an interesting scientific program and excursions through the city, offering an opportunity to meet skeptics from Eastern and Central Europe. The venue was the Czech Academy of Sciences. Contact information included an email address ([email protected]) and a web link (sisyfos.hyperlink.cz/10esc), along with postal details for ICARIS CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT.

CSICOP's 25th Anniversary Party

CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) was celebrating its 25th anniversary with a party on Sunday, April 22nd, 2001, from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Center for Inquiry-International in Amherst, New York. The event, themed "Skeptic's Odyssey: 25 Years and Counting," featured speakers such as Paul Kurtz (Chairman Emeritus, SUNY at Buffalo), Joe Nickell (Senior Research Fellow), Bela Scheiber (Local Groups Liaison), Barry Karr (Executive Director, CSICOP), Henry Gordon (magician), and Lee Nisbet (Professor of Philosophy).

A buffet was offered for $10.95 per person.

Be Prepared for Friday the 13th

CSICOP planned to establish an annual "National Superstition Bash Day" on Friday, July 13th. This event aimed to include a major press campaign to national media outlets, with CSICOP intending to direct media inquiries to local skeptical groups hosting their own events. Further information and participation details were available by contacting Program Director Amanda Chesworth.

Skeptics in the Media

The "Skeptics in the Media" section highlighted several developments:

• FOX Family's "Exploring the Unknown" was set to return, hosted by Michael Shermer and actor Mitch Pileggi, starting Thursday, April 5 at 10 pm.
• Scientific American launched a new "Skeptic" column in its April issue, written by Michael Shermer. The first column, titled "Colorful Pebbles and Darwin's Dictum," was based on a quote from Charles Darwin about the importance of observation. Special acknowledgment was given to Editor-in-Chief John Rennie for his support of skepticism.

Membership Renewal

An announcement reminded readers to check their mailing labels for their NCAS membership renewal date. A one-year renewal cost $20 for an individual or $30 for a two-member household. Renewals were to be sent to the NCAS address: P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.

Contact information for NCAS included a telephone number (301-587-3827), email ([email protected]), and a submission email for "Skeptical Eye" ([email protected]). The NCAS website was listed as http://www.ncas.org.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the promotion of scientific skepticism and critical thinking, particularly in contrast to pseudoscience and unfounded beliefs. The National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) actively organizes lectures, performances, and events to educate the public and engage with media. The publication demonstrates a clear stance against the uncritical acceptance of claims, as evidenced by the focus on the patent process's potential to bypass scientific rigor and the coverage of skeptical initiatives like the European Congress and CSICOP events. The emphasis on debunking and critical analysis is further reinforced by the inclusion of Michael Shermer's column in Scientific American and the promotion of magic as a form of "honest lying" that can be analyzed critically.