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."
Planting a Seed of Doubt
by Elie A. Shneour
Volume 22.4, July / August 1998
Feature
Skeptics should forego any thought of convincing the unconvinced that we hold the torch of truth illuminating the darkness.
Biomagnetic Pseudoscience and Nonsense Claims
by Miguel A. Sabadell
Volume 22.4, July / August 1998
Feature
The following is a short excerpt from an updated version of a paper titled "Magnetotherapy, the Latest Magic Touch."
Magnetic Therapy: Plausible Attraction?
by James D. Livingston
Volume 22.4, July / August 1998
Feature
Long considered quack medicine, magnetic therapy has received a boost from a recent study at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Talking to Heaven — Who’s Answering?
by Joe Nickell
Volume 22.4, July / August 1998
Book Review
Review of James Van Praagh's Talking to Heaven
Fiery Tales That Spontaneously Destruct
by Joe Nickell
Volume 22.2, March / April 1998
Investigative Files
Spontaneous human combustion cases continue to spark controversy, largely due to the efforts of nonscientist journalists.
Multiple Personality Disorder: Witchcraft Survives in the Twentieth Century
by August Piper Jr.
Volume 22.3, May / June 1998
Feature
Since 1980, some psychotherapists have claimed that thousands of Americans are afflicted with multiple personality disorder.
Demolishing the Roswell ‘Alien’ Myth
by Dave Thomas
Volume 22.3, May / June 1998
Book Review
Why do many prominent UFO authors persist in claiming the Roswell Incident is still UFOdom’s best case?
Gray Barker: My Friend, the Myth-Maker
by John C. Sherwood
Volume 22.3, May / June 1998
Feature
Barker, who raised the "Men in Black" concept to prominence, didn't mind if the flying-saucer stories he published were made up.
Abduction by Aliens or Sleep Paralysis?
by Susan Blackmore
Volume 22.3, May / June 1998
Feature
A Roper Poll claimed that nearly four million Americans have probably been abducted by aliens.
A Case of ‘SHC’ Demystified
by Joe Nickell
Volume 22.2, March / April 1998
Investigative Files
Sidebar to this month's article on spontaneous human combustion