Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: May 2001
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Content Focus: This issue primarily serves as a calendar of events and announcements for the NCAS and related skeptical organizations, with a strong emphasis on an upcoming annual workshop.

NCAS 2001 Annual Workshop: Understanding Belief

The main feature of this issue is the announcement for the "The 2001 NCAS Annual Workshop" titled "Understanding Belief: How we know what isn't so." The workshop is scheduled for May 19th and 20th in Winchester, Virginia. It poses fundamental questions about human belief systems, perception, and the nature of scientific knowledge, asking: "Why do people believe and perceive what they do? How does science "know" what is or isn't? What perpetuates beliefs that have no basis in fact? What can and should you do?"

The workshop will run from 8:30 am on Saturday, May 19th, until noon on Sunday, May 20th. An optional dinner and social event is planned for Saturday evening. The registration fee is $65 per person, which includes breaks on both days, Saturday lunch, and workshop materials. Hotel accommodations are available at the Hampton Inn in Winchester for $72 per night, with continental breakfast included, provided the workshop is mentioned when reserving.

A recommended but not required reading is "How We Know What Isn't So" by Thomas Gilovich, available via Amazon.com, with NCAS earning a portion of the sale through a provided link.

Registration can be completed by mail to NCAS 2001 Workshop Registration, PO Box 8428, Silver Spring, MD 20907, or by phone at 301-587-3827. For details or email inquiries, contact [email protected].

The workshop will cover a range of topics, including:

• How we know what isn't so: Mental banana peels we can all slip on.
• How we know what is so: How science learns about the world around us.
• Mind-Body Magic Demonstration & Discussion.
• How we know what is and isn't so from History.
• Examining Pseudohistory: Goddesses and God-Kings.
• Panel Discussion: Overcoming the Momentum of Own Beliefs.
• Avoiding Pitfalls for Skeptics.
• De-escalating the Skeptic/Believer Arms Race - Personal Strategies (small group discussions).
• Optional time for personal networking among attendees.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Happy Birthday CSICOP: The issue notes that CSICOP turned 25 on May 1, 2001. Prometheus Books is celebrating by publishing "Skeptical Odysseys: Personal accounts by the world's leading paranormal inquirers," available August 1, 2001, for $27 (ISBN: 1-57392-884-4).

Stay tuned for...

• THE BORDERLANDS OF SCIENCE: WHERE SENSE MEETS NONSENSE: The Eighth Isaac Asimov Memorial Lecture, sponsored by New York Area Skeptics, on Saturday, May 12th, at 3:00 pm at the Unitarian Community Church in Manhattan, New York. Contact Ted Debiak ([email protected] or [email protected]) or visit www.nyask.com.
• INTELLIGENT DESIGN: THE NEW CREATIONISM: Presented by the New England Skeptics Society on Sunday, May 13th, at 3:00 pm at Yale University. Contact Jon Blumenfeld ([email protected] or [email protected]).
• New "Skeptical Inquirer" Series: A new series of ten 3-minute "interstitial" programs on paranormal and pseudoscience topics, produced in cooperation with Skeptical Inquirer, will debut on the Discovery Science Channel in mid-April. Hosted by William B. Davis of "X-Files" fame, the first five programs will cover acupuncture, astrology, hauntings, homeopathy, and magnet therapy. These will air frequently throughout the channel's schedule.
• James Van Praagh Miniseries: A four-hour made-for-television miniseries about James Van Praagh is scheduled to air on CBS in the fall.

Membership Renewal

Members are reminded to check their mailing labels for their renewal date. A one-year renewal costs $20 for an individual or $30 for a two-member household. Renewals should be sent to the NCAS address listed: P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907.

Contact Information

Contact information for the National Capital Area Skeptics includes:

• Telephone: 301-587-3827 (also a 24-hour Skeptics Line recording)
• Email: [email protected]
• Skeptical Eye submission: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.ncas.org/

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the promotion of skepticism, critical thinking, and scientific understanding. The NCAS positions itself as an organization dedicated to these principles, as evidenced by the workshop topics, the events it sponsors or promotes, and its self-description as a "not-for-profit organization which promotes critical thinking and scientific understanding."