Magazine Summary
Shadow Of A Doubt
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You’re on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
Summary
The National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) held its 2004 Weekend Workshop titled 'Art Becomes Reality' in Leesburg, Virginia, from March 27-28. The workshop featured presentations on topics such as media influence on reality, historical mysteries like the Miracle at Mons and the Philadelphia Experiment, and a panel discussion on belief. A 'Science Safari' event was also held at the Library of Congress on March 19. Ian Rowland cancelled his East Coast tour. Membership renewal information was also provided.
Magazine Overview
Title: Shadow Of A Doubt
Issue: March 2004
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Content Focus: Skepticism, critical thinking, science, and debunking pseudoscientific claims.
NCAS Yearly Workshop: "Art Becomes Reality"
The March 2004 issue of "Shadow Of A Doubt" prominently features the upcoming NCAS 2004 Weekend Workshop, titled "Art Becomes Reality," to be held in Leesburg, Virginia. The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. It promises presentations, attendee participation workshops, and surveys designed to test the audience's "common knowledge" and explore how art influences reality and truth.
- Topics covered in the presentations include:
- From Reel to Real: An examination of how media shapes our views of reality.
- The Miracle at Mons: An investigation into the historical event where the German advance was allegedly slowed, questioning the involvement of medieval English bowmen or St. George.
- The Lost City of El Dorado: A discussion on whether this legendary city was real.
- How the South Won the Civil War: A presentation exploring a counter-factual historical scenario.
- Why We Want to Believe: A panel discussion on the psychology behind belief.
- Fact or Fake? SOCK: A quiz designed as a "Survey of Common Knowledge."
The workshop will take place at historic Carradoc Hall, located at the Holiday Inn on East Market Street (Route 7) in Leesburg, Virginia. Pre-registration costs $45 per person, with a $50 fee at the door. Registration includes handouts, continental breakfast, and breaks. Saturday lunch and dinner are separate, though a buffet lunch is available for $10. A special NCAS rate of $79 per night is available for those staying at the Holiday Inn.
Registration information, including mailing address and contact details, is provided for the NCAS 2004 Workshop Registration, P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907.
A "Science Safari" at the Library of Congress
On Friday, March 19, the Library of Congress Science, Technology and Business Division, in conjunction with the Department of Energy's Office of Science, is sponsoring a "Science Safari." This event, held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Mumford Room (6th floor of the Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave., Washington, D.C.), will feature science experiments and interactive activities suitable for various age groups, adaptable for classroom use.
Ian Rowland Show-Cancelled
The newsletter announces the unfortunate cancellation of Ian Rowland's entire U.S. East Coast April tour. Readers are directed to his website, http://www.ianrowland.com/NewsSchedule/News&Schedule.html, for his explanation. The cancellation is noted as a significant disappointment to NCAS.
Membership Renewal
Members are urged to check their mailing labels and renew their NCAS membership if their renewal date has passed. The cost for a 1-year renewal is $30 for an individual or $40 for a household membership. Failure to renew will result in membership being dropped.
NCAS Information and Contact
- Contact information for the National Capital Area Skeptics is provided:
- Telephone: (301) 587-3827 (24-hour Skeptic Line recording)
- Email: [email protected]
- Skeptical Eye submission: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.ncas.org/
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907.
NCAS is identified as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue revolve around promoting scientific skepticism, critical thinking, and an evidence-based approach to understanding the world. The NCAS actively organizes events and provides resources to educate the public on these principles. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry and the scientific method, as evidenced by the workshop topics and the organization's mission statement. The newsletter also serves as a platform for disseminating information about upcoming events, membership drives, and important announcements relevant to the skeptical community.
NCAS...for good reason
Key Incidents
The Miracle at Mons presentation explores how the German advance at Mons was slowed down, questioning if medieval English bowmen or St. George were involved.
The Philadelphia Experiment is a topic covered in a presentation, posing the question 'Was it real?'
A presentation discusses 'How the South Won the Civil War', suggesting a counter-factual historical perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCAS 2004 Weekend Workshop about?
The workshop, titled 'Art Becomes Reality,' explores how art affects our reality or our knowledge of what is true, featuring presentations, workshops, and surveys.
When and where was the NCAS 2004 Weekend Workshop held?
It was held on Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, at historic Carradoc Hall, the Holiday Inn in Leesburg, Virginia.
What topics were covered in the NCAS 2004 Weekend Workshop presentations?
Topics included 'From Reel to Real' (media's influence), 'The Miracle at Mons,' 'The Lost City of El Dorado,' 'How the South Won the Civil War,' a panel discussion on 'Why We Want to Believe,' and a 'Fact or Fake?' quiz.
What is the 'Science Safari' event?
A 'Science Safari' was cosponsored by the Library of Congress and the Department of Energy's Office of Science, featuring experiments and interactive activities on March 19.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Ian Rowlandspeaker
Organisations
- National Capital Area Skeptics
- Library of Congress Science, Technology and Business Division
- Department of Energy's Office of Science
Locations
- Leesburg, USA
- Silver Spring, USA
- Washington D.C., USA