Shadow of a Doubt - 2002 10

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: October 2002
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Featured Lectures and Events

The National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) Public Lecture Series is highlighted, with free admission for all. The cover announces a lecture by Prof. Walter Rowe, a forensic scientist from George Washington University and long-time NCAS board member. He will discuss how television portrays forensic investigators, examining instances where TV gets it right and wrong in criminal investigations.

The lecture by Prof. Rowe is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2-4pm at the B-CC Services Center, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda, Maryland. The center is described as being in the two-story County office building on the plaza level of the Metropolitan complex, above a County parking garage, with free parking available on weekends.

Upcoming events are also detailed:

• Saturday, November 2: Chris Mooney, a journalist and former staff writer for Skeptical Inquirer, will speak. Mooney currently writes for American Prospect magazine and has produced articles on alternative medicine for Washington Monthly and The Washington Post. His talk will focus on his current assignments.
• Saturday, December 7: Stuart Jordan, a NASA solar physicist, will discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the Sun's role in global warming.

Articles and Reports

Perpetual Motion

The issue reports on Carl Tilley, who rented the Nashville SuperSpeedway to demonstrate his electric generator. Tilley modified a 1981 DeLorean by replacing its engine with a conventional electric motor connected to twelve 12-volt batteries. This setup powers the car and also runs a generator to charge the batteries, allowing the car to continuously run. Tilley claims this system utilizes static electricity generation rather than cutting magnetic fields. Eric Krieg of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PHACT) predicted mechanical failure after 25 miles. The demonstration was stopped at 52 miles due to a wheel bearing failure, which the article attributes to lubrication with "snake oil."

World Peace at a Profit

Following the 9/11 events, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi launched an appeal for $1 billion to fund an elite corps of 40,000 trained "Yogic Fliers." The goal is to "generate a powerful, scientifically-proven unified consciousness field" to create permanent world peace. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi plans to fund this initiative through bonds issued by the Global Country of World Peace, a virtual nation he founded. The article humorously describes the Yogic Fliers launching themselves by constricting their sphincter muscles.

The Truth behind the Legends

Information is provided about Free Forensic Mystery Workshops to be held at the National Museum of Health and Medicine and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. These workshops are scheduled for 11am and noon on October 26, with registration required by calling 202-782-2200.

Pseudoscience in Japan

This section, written while the editor is on a trip to Japan, explores current skeptical activities there. It highlights research presented at the Human PSI Forum in Makuhari, Chiba, Japan (August 22-27, 2002).

• Are There Any Effects Other Than Suggestion in External Qi? by Mikio Yamamoto (National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Japan). This study investigated claims that qigong masters can cause body movements or cure diseases without physical contact. Scientific experiments using double-blinded, randomized conditions and statistical analysis suggest the possibility of effects beyond mere suggestion.
• Non-visible Recognition and Pill Moving through Glass Bottle without any Physical Touch by Yoshio Machi (Tokyo Denki University, Japan). This research involved clairvoyance experiments and attempts to move objects without physical contact, yielding several physiological values.

The section concludes with the statement: "Pseudoscience is alive and well in Japan."

Out-of-Body Brain Site Found

Researchers in Switzerland have identified a brain region associated with out-of-body experiences (OBEs). By triggering these experiences through electrical brain stimulation, they suggest that OBEs involve a part of the brain implicated in other illusory bodily perceptions. A link to the study is provided: http://www.Academicpress.com/inscight/09192002/graphb.htm.

Membership and Contact Information

An announcement prompts members to check their mailing labels for renewal dates. A one-year renewal costs $30 for an individual or $40 for a household. Contact information for the National Capital Area Skeptics is provided:

• Address: P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907
• Telephone: 301-587-3827 (NCAS Skeptic Line)
• Email: [email protected]
• Skeptical Eye submission: [email protected]
• Website: www.ncas.org

NCAS is identified as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of claims that lack scientific evidence, often referred to as pseudoscience. The NCAS, through its publication "Shadow of a Doubt" and its lecture series, actively promotes skepticism and scientific literacy. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against the uncritical acceptance of extraordinary claims, whether they pertain to perpetual motion, paranormal phenomena, or unsubstantiated claims of achieving world peace through unconventional means. The magazine highlights instances where scientific investigation debunks or questions such claims, while also providing information on events that encourage critical thinking and scientific discourse.