Committee for Skeptical Inquiry

[Barry Karr <SkeptInq@AOL.COM>]

Dear List Reader,

It isn't too often that we toot our own horn, but sometimes something comes across that we really feel important to share with our readers.  Once such case in point follows.  It is a letter from Mario Di Maggio, Staff Scientist: Planetarium Glasgow Science Centre.  

Years ago when we ran the first ever Superstition Bash, we had it in the back of our minds to try and make this an international event.  Over the years we have encouraged and have coordinated with local, regional and national skeptical and science minded organizations, to hold such an event in their areas.  We have even created a "How To" website to aid in the process.

See:  http://www.csicop.org/superstition/
and see the wonderful coverage Comedy Central gave one of our events:
http://www.comedycentral.com/timewasters/kc/bash01.jhtml

So we are particularly proud of the letter from Dr. Di Maggio, for as he states, "it is a great boon for sceptical thinking."  


Subj:   Groundbreaking Superstition Bash    
Date:   3/14/04 10:29:29 AM Eastern Standard Time   
From:   mario@dimaggio.org  


Dear Sir/Madam

I would like to thank CSICOP for the inspiration that motivated me to hold a Superstition Bash at the Glasgow Science Centre over Scotland's long weekend of Friday February 13th-17th, 2004.

As far as I know, we are the first Science Centre in the world to hold such an event, and I'm happy to report that it became our biggest media event ever, second only to our opening two years ago. The programme ran over five days and was called "Superstition – Science Fact or Fiction?" 

Apart from the 'Superstition Obstacle Course' (modeled on your example), we also put together a live 'sceptical science show'; a planetarium show about astrology; and compiled 'fascinating facts' about luck and superstition.

I have put up a website highlighting various features of our event here:  http://superstition.dimaggio.org

Please feel free to link this site to yours, as it may serve as an inspiration for ideas to others - as yours did for me. In fact, I strongly encourage others to organise such an event, as it is a great boon for sceptical thinking and extremely popular with the
media. I'm happy to freely share resources and suggestions with others, and can be contacted at:  mario@dimaggio.org

I wish CSICOP continued success with the superb work it is doing.

Yours faithfully

Mario Di Maggio
Staff Scientist: Planetarium
Glasgow Science Centre


2)  WE NEED YOUR HELP

Over the last year or so we have been taking a poll of people subscribing to the Skeptical Inquirer via the internet asking how they heard about us. One of the most popular responses was that they heard about us from a family member or friend.  

We certainly appreciate the help our readers have given us in spreading the word.  And, of course, this has given us an idea.  Perhaps you can recommend to us some people you think might be interested in the Skeptical Inquirer and the efforts of CSICOP.  We will send them a sample issue and information on us (while supplies last) along with a note stating that you, our reader, recommended this person to us.

We are doing all that we can to grown the skeptical movement and we hope we can count on your support.

Please e-mail at: skeptinq@aol.com

Barry Karr
CSICOP

PS:  I am almost fully aware what I am letting  myself in for here with this offer, so bear with me, it may take some time to get issues out to people.