Shadow of a Doubt - 2004 09

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow Of A Doubt
Issue: September 2004
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the 'Shadow Of A Doubt' newsletter from the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) focuses on upcoming lectures and events, while also providing updates on the organization's activities and membership.

Featured Lectures and Events

Trauma Society: Meaning and Uses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The main featured event is a lecture by Sally Satel, M.D., on Saturday, September 11th, from 2-4pm at the Montgomery County Library, Bethesda Branch. Dr. Satel, a Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a staff psychiatrist at the Oasis Drug Treatment Clinic, and a Lecturer at Yale University School of Medicine, will discuss Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The talk will trace the history of the PTSD concept, explore clinical myths and realities, and examine its relevance to Iraq war veterans. Dr. Satel's background includes serving on the Fowler Commission reviewing sexual misconduct allegations at the U.S. Air Force Academy and working on the professional staff of the Committee on Veteran's Affairs of the U.S. Senate.

Universe on a T-Shirt: The Quest for the Theory of Everything

Another upcoming lecture is scheduled for October 23rd, featuring Dan Falk, a science journalist. His talk is titled "Universe on a T-Shirt: The Quest for the Theory of Everything."

Smithsonian Resident Associate Program: Intuition: Its Powers and Perils

The newsletter also promotes an event in collaboration with the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program. This evening seminar, on Wednesday, September 15th, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, will feature renowned psychologist David G. Myers. Dr. Myers will discuss intuition, exploring how much we should depend on gut-level instinct versus rational analysis. He will define the parameters of intuition and apply them to practical situations, drawing on recent psychological research. Dr. Myers is the author of 'Intuition: Its Powers and Perils,' and copies will be available for sale and signing. Ticket prices are $40 for General Admission, $30 for RAP Members, and $27 for Senior Members.

Letter from the President

Marv Zelkowitz, NCAS President, addresses the members, reflecting on the summer and encouraging continued support for NCAS. He highlights the organization's reliance on membership dues ($30/member, $40/two at same address) to fund its programs, which include printing the 'Shadow' and 'Eye' newsletters, covering meeting room costs, maintaining the NCAS telephone line, organizing spring weekends, special events like movie nights, participation in local science fairs with awards, and digitizing rare documents like the Condon UFO Report.

Zelkowitz also outlines the planning for the 2004/2005 program. In addition to the September lecture, Dan Falk will speak in October. The 2005 spring weekend will focus on "frauds and scams," including identity theft, email scams, and health and nutrition claims, with the possibility of magic tricks for entertainment.

NCAS Information and Contact

The newsletter provides contact information for NCAS, including a P.O. Box in Silver Spring, Maryland, a telephone number (301-587-3827), an email address ([email protected]), a submission email for 'Skeptical Eye' ([email protected]), and a website (http://www.ncas.org/). It reiterates that NCAS is 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 the promotion of scientific skepticism, critical thinking, and rational inquiry. The NCAS actively organizes lectures and events featuring experts in various fields, from psychology and psychiatry to science journalism, to educate the public and encourage a skeptical approach to claims and phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against pseudoscience, as evidenced by the organization's name and its mission to promote critical thinking. The upcoming theme on "frauds and scams" further underscores this commitment to debunking misinformation and protecting the public from deceptive practices.