Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue Date: June 2003
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Description: This issue of the monthly calendar for NCAS focuses on upcoming events and resources relevant to skeptics and critical thinkers.

Featured Event: Lucky Day!

The cover story announces a "Lucky Day! National Capital Area Skeptics Friday the 13th Superstition-Free Celebration." This event marks the beginning of a new tradition for NCAS, ending their 2002-2003 season with a gathering on Friday, June 13th. The celebration is scheduled to take place at the Mayorga Coffee bar in Silver Spring, Maryland, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It is described as a happy hour with no reservations, cover charge, or minimum purchase, operating on a pay-as-you-go basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring their skepticism but leave cynicism behind, as the event will feature close-up magic by Brian "The Lies of Brian" Morton, whose act is described as "blatant dishonesty in the service of wonder."

NCAS requests that attendees call (301-587-3827) or email ([email protected]) to help them gauge expected attendance. The venue is located at 8040 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, at the intersection of Blair Mill Road and East-West Highway, half a mile from the Silver Spring Metro. Free parking is available in the lot on Blair Mill Road, with metered street parking also an option.

NCAS Summer Break and Future Events

The publication notes that NCAS typically does not schedule events during July and August, taking a summer break after the June 13th event. They plan to resume their lecture series and other events in September, marking the start of a new year.

Upcoming Skeptical Events and Resources

Visiting London: For those considering travel to London in late summer, the 11th European Skeptics Congress is scheduled for September 5-7, 2003. This event is sponsored by ASKE (The Association for Skeptical Enquiry), THE SKEPTIC, ECSO (The European Council of Skeptical Organisations), and CSICOP (The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal). Further details can be found at http://www.skeptica.dk/2002/05_01.htm.

CSICOP's Annual Workshop: CSICOP will host "The Skeptics Toolbox: Critiquing Research: Determining Adequacy" from August 14-17 at the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. This workshop aims to equip attendees with the tools to evaluate research supporting paranormal claims, particularly those that use sophisticated statistical methods and apparatus.

Bad Science: Readers are directed to the UK Guardian's website (http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/badscience/) for weekly articles discussing "bad science," which are described as quite interesting.

Closer to Truth: The publication mentions that the television series "Closer to Truth," which features debates among scientists, scholars, and artists on fundamental issues, aired episodes on WHUT (local UHF Channel 32) in May. Streaming video archives of previous series are available online, and viewers can check local schedules for current airings.

Membership Renewal

A section titled "Time to renew?" prompts readers to check their mailing labels for their renewal date. The cost for a one-year renewal is $30 for an individual or $40 for a household. Multi-year discounts are available, and information on signing up for 2, 5, or lifetime memberships can be found on the NCAS website. The NCAS mailing address is provided as P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907.

Contact Information

Contact information for NCAS includes a telephone number (301-587-3827), an email address for general inquiries ([email protected]), and an email for "Skeptical Eye" submissions ([email protected]). Their website is http://www.ncas.org/.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around promoting skepticism, critical thinking, and scientific understanding. The NCAS actively organizes events to engage the public in these principles, such as the "Superstition-Free Celebration." The organization also serves as a hub for information on skeptical events, resources, and research, encouraging its members and the public to critically evaluate claims, particularly those related to the paranormal. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and scientific inquiry, as evidenced by their support for organizations like CSICOP and their focus on debunking pseudoscience and "bad science."