Shadow of a Doubt - 2003 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: JANUARY 2003
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of 'Shadow of a Doubt,' the monthly calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics, focuses on critical thinking and the debunking of pseudoscientific claims. It features an announcement for a public lecture, brief news items on various skeptical topics, and information for NCAS members.

Public Lecture Announcement

The main event highlighted is a lecture by NCAS Board Member Jim Giglio, a former high school science teacher, titled "Dead Cats in the Science Classroom." Scheduled for Saturday, January 11, 2-4 PM, at the B-CC Services Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the talk will address the challenge science teachers face when enthusiastic students introduce pseudoscientific notions into the classroom. Giglio plans to share examples of these "dead cats"—such as theories about ancient astronauts, water-powered carburetors, free electricity gadgets, talking to the dead, and faked moon landings—and illustrate general strategies for teachers to productively use these moments without derailing their lesson plans. The lecture is free and open to everyone.

Featured Articles and News Items

Penn and Teller go after Aliens on TV

An upcoming episode of the SHOWTIME series PENN & TELLER: BULLSHIT! is previewed. Scheduled for January 24, the show promises an aggressive, irreverent expose of taboo topics using humor, carnival tricks, and confrontation. The duo aims to debunk popular notions about alien abductions, Ouija boards, end-of-the-world predictions, creationism, bottled water purity, global warming, miracle-workers, and religious cults. A preview link is provided.

Licensing of psychics

Legislation proposed in San Francisco on December 19 aims to regulate fortune-tellers and psychics. The law would require them to obtain permits, post their rates, and stop deceptive practices, such as "curse removals" involving knots, blood, or hair. This is noted as the first such law for a major U.S. city.

Divine image on street sign

A peculiar report from South Alpine, Texas, describes a "No Parking" sign that has allegedly developed dark patterning resembling the face of Jesus Christ. This has attracted local residents, pilgrims, and curiosity seekers who visit the home nightly to view the "image."

Jesus inscription a fake

An archaeological discovery of an ossuary (burial box) inscribed with "Jacob, son of Joseph, brother of Joshua" has sparked interest as it seems to offer proof of Jesus. Rochelle Altman, co-coordinator of IOUDAIOS-L, an online scholarly community, confirms the authenticity of the Aramaic inscription "Jacob son of Joseph." However, she claims the subsequent phrase "brother of Jesus" is a poorly executed fake, a later addition made by someone attempting to imitate an unfamiliar script and language, likely three centuries after the original inscription.

Membership and Renewal Information

The issue includes a reminder for members to check their mailing labels for renewal dates. It encourages members to renew their subscriptions, offering rates for individuals and households, and mentioning multi-year and lifetime membership options. Contact information for NCAS, including a P.O. Box in Silver Spring, Maryland, a phone number, email addresses, and website, is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the promotion of critical thinking, skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, and the debunking of popular myths and hoaxes. The NCAS's stance is clearly in favor of scientific understanding and rational inquiry, as evidenced by the topics covered and the organization's mission statement, which promotes critical thinking and scientific understanding. The organization is identified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity.