Shadow of a Doubt - 2005 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow Of A DOUBT
Issue: FEBRUARY 2005
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "Shadow Of A Doubt" serves as the monthly calendar for the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS), providing information on upcoming events and lectures focused on critical thinking and scientific understanding.

Featured Events and Presentations

Smithsonian Resident Associate Program: A Special Tribute to Stephen Hawking

On Monday, February 14, at 6:30 p.m., the Smithsonian will honor world-renowned physicist and Cambridge University professor Stephen Hawking with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal. The event will include video clips of Hawking's career and a presentation by Professor James Hartle of UC Santa Barbara, titled "Stephen Hawking's Universe." Hartle will discuss Hawking's contributions to understanding the universe and its origins, including the big bang theory and quantum universe concepts. The evening will conclude with brief remarks from Professor Hawking himself. Tickets range from $12 for full-time students to $28 for general admission. The location is Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC.

University of Maryland Honors Presentations

This is the second special NCAS program featuring outstanding students from the University of Maryland Honors course "Science and Pseudoscience." The students presenting are:

• Sonia Belasco: A senior English major, presenting on "More Than Skin Deep: How Advertisers Use Science to Sell to Teens."
• Josh Fixler: A junior Sociology student, presenting on "The Bible Code."
• Mari-Elise Gates: A junior Dance major, presenting on "Imaginary Companions."

These presentations are part of their course final project for Fall 2004. The course "Science and Pseudoscience" has been taught by NCAS board member Chip Denman since 1989.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 12, from 2-4 p.m. at the Montgomery County Library, Bethesda Branch, located at 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland. It is a short walk from the Bethesda Metro station.

Art Hoaxes and How to Spot Them-How Experts Uncover Art Forgeries

On Tuesday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m., a lecture will be held on the topic of art forgeries. The lecture will explore how museums, galleries, buyers, and auction houses determine the authenticity of art. The presentation will highlight the process of determining authenticity through evaluation, historical documentation, and scientific testing, with an illustrated look at high-stakes art fakes. The speaker is Ronald Spencer, an expert in art law and foundation law, and author of "The Expert vs. the Object: Judging Fakes and False Attributions in the Visual Arts." A book signing will follow the lecture. Tickets are $15 for general admission. The location is the S. Dylan Ripley Center in Washington, DC.

A Day of Hoaxes & Scams

NCAS is organizing a special day dedicated to "Hoaxes & Scams" on Saturday, April 30. This will include an afternoon symposium and a special evening show by magician Jamy Ian Swiss at the NOAA Auditorium in Silver Spring, Maryland. Attendees can choose to attend the symposium, the evening show, or both.

NCAS Information and Contact

The National Capital Area Skeptics provides contact information for inquiries:

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8428, Silver Spring, Maryland 20907
• Telephone: 301-587-3827 (for general information and the 24-hour Skeptic Line recording)
• Email: [email protected]
• Skeptical Eye Submission: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.ncas.org/

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

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism, scientific inquiry, and the debunking of pseudoscience and hoaxes. The NCAS consistently promotes critical thinking and evidence-based understanding, as evidenced by the selection of events and the organization's mission statement. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rationalism and the scientific method, aiming to educate the public about potentially misleading phenomena and claims.