Skeptical Inquirer
Skeptical Inquirer is the official journal of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Six times per year Skeptical Inquirer publishes critical scientific evaluations of all manner of controversial and extraordinary claims, including but not limited to paranormal and fringe-science matters, and informed discussion of all relevant issues. In addition to news, articles, book reviews, and investigations on a wide variety of topics, Skeptical Inquirer has a stellar stable of regular columnists including Joe Nickell (“Investigative Files”), Massimo Polidoro (“Notes on a Strange World”), Massimo Pigluicci (“Thinking About Science”), Robert Sheaffer (“Psychic Vibrations”), and SI managing editor Benjamin Radford's reader-driven (“The Skeptical Inquiree”). Yale University neurologist Steven Novella, M.D., founder of the New England Skeptical Society and executive editor of the Science-Based Medicine blog, contributes a new "The Science of Medicine" column, and contributing editor Kenneth W. Krause adds a regular science column, "ScienceWatch."
Legend of the Ztarr: The Skeptic Epic
by Sara E. Mayhew
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Article
Entertainment—whether in the form of books, television, film, music, or graphic novels—can be a powerful way to convey a message, including the promotion of science-based thinking.
CSICon New Orleans 2011 - Where Meeting Awesome Skeptics Is As Easy As Saying ‘Hello’
by Julia Lavarnway
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Conference Report
Even before CSICon 2011 in New Orleans officially began, I was already having great conversations with skeptics from all over the country. It was amazing to see people from so many places convening in one place to celebrate reason, science, and skeptical inquiry.
CSICon New Orleans 2011 - Critical Thinking in the Crescent City
by Karen Stollznow
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Conference Report
A Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) conference has been long-awaited since the last event held in 2003. The inaugural CSICon, the conference dedicated to scientific inquiry and critical thinking, was held October 27–30, 2011.
CSICon New Orleans 2011 - Ideas and Analysis, Frauds and Fun: An Intellectual Treat
by Kendrick Frazier
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Conference Report
Like its earlier CSICOP conference predecessors, CSICon New Orleans 2011 was rich with provocative ideas, good science, critical thinking, informed analysis, and penetrating criticism of claims poorly supported by scientific evidence.
Antimatter Pseudoscience
by John Eades
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Article
Claims that antimatter annihilation can generate limitless power or lead to unbelievably destructive bombs are greatly exaggerated, as can easily be shown by running a few numbers.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Views East and West
by Joe Nickell
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Investigative Files
Perhaps no gulf between the East and the West is more significant than in theories and practices concerning medicine.
The Day Houdini (Almost) Came Back from the Dead
by Massimo Polidoro
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Notes on a Strange World
After magician and skeptic Harry Houdini died on October 31, 1926, scores of mediums claimed they had received a genuine message from the “soul” of the once-great skeptic and medium-basher.
Amateur Paranormal Research and Investigation Groups Doing ‘Sciencey’ Things
by Sharon Hill
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Article
A study of 1,000 websites shows how amateur groups use technical jargon and equipment as symbols of what is “scientific” while actually promoting the paranormal and not adhering to any real scientific principles of investigation.
End to a Twisted and False Episode in Psychiatry
by James M. Wood
Volume 36.2, March/April 2012
Book Review
A review of Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case by Debbie Nathan.
Civilizations Lost and Found: Fabricating History - Part Three: Real Messages in DNA
by Deborah A. Bolnick, Kenneth L. Feder, Bradley T. Lepper, and Terry A. Barnhart
Volume 36.1, January/February 2012
Article
The Lost Civilizations of North America documentary suggests that there is genetic evidence for a pre-Columbian migration of Israelites to the Americas. However, DNA studies provide no support for this hypothesis.
