Skeptical Inquirer Electronic Digest 6-23-99
SkeptInq@aol.com
Wed, 23 Jun 1999 16:49:03 EDT
Skeptical Inquirer Electronic Digest
June 23, 1999
Visit the CSICOP and Skeptical Inquirer Magazine website at
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In this week's SIDIGEST:
--Wall Street Journal Highlights York University Chiropractic Affiliation
--Center for Inquiry-Los Angeles Explores the Legend and Attraction of
Vampires
--Mathematician and CSICOP Fellow John Allen Paulos' ABCNEWS.com Column
WALL STREET JOURNAL HIGHLIGHTS YORK UNIVERSITY CHIROPRACTIC AFFILIATION
On Friday, May 28, the Wall Street Journal ran a large feature article
highlighting the on-going controversy at York University over plans to
affiliate with a chiropractic college. The Wall Street Journal took note of
the controversy after a CSICOP organized petition was sent to York University
and released to the media. Despite protest from the world scientific
community and negative media publicity, the York Senate has passed
preliminary approval for the affiliation, and will take a final vote this
fall.
It is not too late to voice protest. For more details, and to sign the
petition, check out a website posted by York faculty in opposition to the
affiliation at: http://www.csicop.org/articles/19990203-chiropractic/
A CSICOP press release can be found at: http://www.ndir.com/chiro/
CENTER FOR INQUIRY-WEST EXPLORES VAMPIRES
Paul Barber
Author of "Vampires, Burial, and Death"
Explores the Legend and Popular Fascination with Vampires.
7:30 PM
July 25, 1999
Center for Inquiry-West
5519 Grosvenor Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
http://www.cfiwest.org
Why have the terrifying ghouls of medieval superstition become the sexy
superstars of today's youth culture? Do tales of undead bloodsuckers occur in
all human cultures? And how do the vampires of Hollywood differ from the
night stalkers of traditional folklore?
These questions and more will be answered at the Center for Inquiry-West on
July 25. Paul Barber--author of the book Vampires, Burial, and Death--will
take an in-depth look at vampires and their role in ancient folklore and
modern fiction. His research reveals that the vampires of old have very
little in common with those of Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, or contemporary Goth
culture.
The Center for Inquiry-West is the west coast bureau and programming center
for CSICOP and Skeptical Inquirer magazine.
If you're in Southern California, don't miss out on exciting events as Los
Angeles heats up with skepticism. Contact the Center for Inquiry-West today
at 310-306-2847 to find out more information or to be added to their mailing
list. Check out their website at http://www.cfiwest.org.
Previously announced upcoming events include:
"Remember Your Humanity: The Ethical Duty of Scientists"
Sir Joseph Rotblat
July 2, 1999 @ 7:30pm
Sir Joseph Rotblat, 1995 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, will speak at the Center
for Inquiry--Los Angeles, at 5519 Grosvenor Boulevard, near Marina Del Rey,
on Friday, July 2. Rotblat's presentation---titled "Remember Your Humanity:
The Ethical Duty of Scientists"---will challenge public and scientists to
apply higher standards of moral responsibility in the development of new
technology. The public meeting, Rotblat's only LA engagement in a rare United
States visit, will start at 7.30 p.m.
CALLING ALL CAMPUSES. The Center for Inquiry wants to hear from skeptics on
Southern California campuses. We are compiling a list of campus contacts who
might be interested in meeting other skeptics at their institution. We are
especially interested in hearing from anyone interested in starting a
skeptics group on campus or inviting a CSICOP representative to speak on
campus. Whether you are a student or faculty member, please send you contact
details and any relevant information to Matt Cherry at FICHERRY@aol.com or
call 310-306-2847.
MATHEMATICIAN JOHN ALLEN PAULOS ON ABCNEWS.COM
Author, CSICOP Fellow, and Temple University Professor of Mathematics John
Allen Paulos contributes a regular column to ABCNEWS.COM. Check it out at:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/science/whoscounting_index/whoscounting_ind
ex.html
Paulos is author of "A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper" along with his
most recent best-seller "Once Upon a Number." Go to his website at:
http://www.math.temple.edu/~paulos/
--30--
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