CSICon

Last updated
CSICon
CSICon logo.png
CSICON 2011-Barry Karr.JPG
CSI Executive Director Barry Karr speaking at CSICon 2011
StatusActive
Genrescience and skepticism
Location(s)Las Vegas since 2016
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2011 (1983)
Attendance500 in 2015 [1]
Organized by Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
Website csiconference.org

CSICon or CSIConference is an annual skeptical conference typically held in the United States. CSICon is hosted by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), which is a program of the Center for Inquiry (CFI). CSI publishes the magazine Skeptical Inquirer. [2]

Contents

History

1983–2005: CSICOP conferences

Banquet at the 1983 CSICOP Conference in Buffalo, New York CSICOP Banquet.jpg
Banquet at the 1983 CSICOP Conference in Buffalo, New York

CSICon's current format stems from 2011, but similar conferences by CSI (until 2006 known as CSICOP, the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) go back as far as 1983, when the first was held at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY). [3] The second international CSICOP conference, themed "Paranormal Beliefs: Scientific Facts and Fictions", was held at Stanford University in 1984. The third, the first European CSICOP conference, was held at University College London in Britain, themed "Investigation and Belief". [4]

Throughout the 1980s, the European readership of the Skeptical Inquirer was increasing, while CSICOP members James Randi and Paul Kurtz were visiting several European countries to help found national skeptical organizations with their own magazines. In 1989, the second European CSICOP conference occurred in Bad Tölz, Germany, co-organized by the GWUP and also known as the 1st European Skeptics Congress. It was followed by the formation of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations in 1994, that would henceforth host international skeptical conferences in Europe. [5]

Subsequent CSICOP conferences were always held inside the United States. These included the First World Skeptics Congress at SUNY Buffalo (1996), "That’s Entertainment! Hollywood, the Media, and the Supernatural" with the Council for Media Integrity in Los Angeles (1998), "Science Meets 'Alternative Medicine'" in Philadelphia (1999) and others. [4]

2005–2011: hiatus

Around 2005, the CSICOP conferences that were on average held every year and a half, usually at a major American university in conjunction with the relevant faculties such as physics, psychology and philosophy, went into a seven-year hiatus. According to Kendrick Frazier, the organization struggled with its leadership, focus and future perspective, prompting amongst other things the 2006 renaming from CSICOP to CSI, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. In the meantime, the annual skeptical conference in Las Vegas, The Amaz!ng Meeting run by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), started to fill the gap and grew larger every year. [6]

2011–present: CSICon

Bill Nye received the "In Praise of Reason" Award at CSICon 2011. CSICON 2011-Bill Nye-CFI In Praise of Reason Award.JPG
Bill Nye received the "In Praise of Reason" Award at CSICon 2011.
CSI, CFI and CSH gathered at the joint CFI Summit in Tacoma, Washington in 2013. CSI Tacoma.jpg
CSI, CFI and CSH gathered at the joint CFI Summit in Tacoma, Washington in 2013.
2016 CSICon logo 2016 CSICon logo.jpg
2016 CSICon logo

2011

When CSI stabilized in 2011, it held its first newly styled CSICon in New Orleans, Louisiana. [6] At this first CSICon, Planetary Society president Bill Nye was presented with the "In Praise of Reason" Award for his efforts in science communication with shows such as "Bill Nye the Science Guy" and later series and lectures. [7] Bill Nye is a frequent speaker at the conference, with speaking slots in 2011 and 2013. He also attended the conference in a non speaker role in 2018. [8]

2012

CSICon 2 took place in Nashville, Tennessee, in October 2012. [9] [10] [11]

2013

In October 2013, CSICon 3 was held as part of a larger CFI conference, including the Council for Secular Humanism (CSH), called the CFI Summit in Tacoma, Washington. [6] This combined congress was an experiment, as some people like Ray Hyman and Daniel Loxton feared or argued the goals and focus of skepticism and humanism differed too much from each other to be discussed at a single conference.

On the other hand, Ronald A. Lindsay and Eddie Tabash defended the decision of a joint conference, and Susan Gerbic wrote afterwards she was "completely impressed" by how well the two camps overlapped (citing the creation–evolution controversy as the most important common ground), and "have to work together". [12] [13] In June 2015, again a joint CFI conference was organized under the banner "Reason for Change", with almost 500 people attending. Frazier opined that "[s]cientific skepticism and secularism/humanism blended fairly seamlessly" in Amherst, New York, the headquarters of CFI. [1]

2016

After the last installment of The Amaz!ng Meeting in 2015, Las Vegas was chosen as the location for CSICon 2016 to fill the void. [14] [15]

There are active efforts to bring more students to CSICon, such as by Oregonians for Science and Reason (O4SR) which in 2016 [16] and 2017 [17] gave three scholarships that included conference fees, travel, hotel and food costs.

2017

At The Amaz!ng Meeting in 2011 (TAM 9) the Independent Investigations Group (IIG) organised a tribute to James Randi. The group gathered together with other attendees, put on fake white beards, and posed for a large group photo with Randi. At CSICon 2017, in absence of Randi, the IIG organised another group photo with leftover beards from the 2011 photo. After Randi was sent the photo, he replied, "I’m always very touched by any such expression. This is certainly no exception. You have my sincere gratitude. I suspect, however that a couple of those beards were fake. But I’m in a forgiving mood at the moment. I’m frankly very touched. I’ll see you at the next CSICon. Thank you all." [18]

2018

Hundreds of new attendees to CSICon from the 650 person audience. CEO Robyn Blumner "There were impactful and thoughtful talks but also plenty of humor". According to Barry Karr the highlight for him was watching James Randi in conversation with Ray Hyman, James Alcock and Ken Frazier "discussing the founding of CSICOP (now CSI) and the dawning of the skeptic's movement. I am not sure how you can top a line-up like the one we had,... we certainly going to try next year!" [19]

One Skeptical Inquirer article covering the 2018 conference profiled volunteer Scott Romanowski, who also volunteered at TAM, [20] while another noted a large number of first-time attendees, and included interviews with several of these people from around the world to gain perspective on what they experienced. [8]

2019

For the 2019 conference an effort was made to lower barriers for younger people to experience CSICon to encourage skeptical inquiry amongst a demographic largely absent from skeptical conferences. [16] Susan Gerbic, Mark Edward, Kenny Biddle, John Anglin, Ron Lee and Stuart Vyse visited the Coral Academy of Science to talk to students shortly before and during the conference. The Skeptic community rallied around the cause and more than $4,000 was donated which paid for 16 students and 2 teachers to attend. [21]

2020

The cancellation of the conference in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to an online series of lectures entitled Skeptical Inquirer Presents. These sessions included presentations by well known figures in the skeptical community and opportunities for viewers to ask questions. [22]

Conference details

DatesLocationNameSpeakersThemes and notes
October 27–30, 2011 New Orleans, Louisiana CSICon Bill Nye, Phil Plait, Barbara Forrest, Lawrence Krauss, Harriet Hall, Steven Novella, William B. Davis, Chris Mooney, Karen Stollznow, James Underdown and The Heathens, Joe Nickell, James Randi, Ray Hyman, Massimo Polidoro, D. J. Grothe, Indre Viskontas, Ben Radford, Margaret Downey, PZ Myers, Sandra Blakeslee, Michelle Blackley, Richard Saunders, Kendrick Frazier, Robert Sheaffer, and others.Theme: "The Conference Dedicated To Scientific Inquiry And Critical Thinking" [3] [23] [24]
October 25–28, 2012 Nashville, Tennessee CSICon 2 Ronald A. Lindsay, Kendrick Frazier, The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (Steven, Bob, and Jay Novella, Rebecca Watson, and Evan Bernstein), George Hrab, PZ Myers, James Alcock, Elizabeth Loftus, Indre Viskontas, Massimo Polidoro, Richard Wiseman, Jon Ronson, Sara Mayhew, Eugenie Scott, Dan Kahan, David Morrison, Sharon A. Hill, Scott Lilienfeld, Anthony Pratkanis, David Gorski, Harriet Hall, Kimball Atwood, Richard Lippa, Carol Tavris, and others.Theme: "The Conference Dedicated To Science And Skeptical Inquiry" [10]
October 24–27, 2013 Tacoma, Washington CSICon 3 (part of the CFI Summit) Ronald A. Lindsay, Ray Hyman, Daniel Loxton, Edward Tabash, Susan Gerbic, Barry Kosmin, Michael De Dora, Ophelia Benson, Mark Hatcher, Bill Cooke, Zack Kopplin, Bill Nye, Ben Radford, James Underdown, Joe Nickell, Leonard Mlodinow, Lindsay Beyerstein, Josh Zepps, and others.Co-organized with the Center for Inquiry as part of the "CFI Summit: A meeting of minds — a call to collaborative action" [12]
June 11–15, 2015 Amherst, New York Reason for Change [note 1] Ronald A. Lindsay, James Underdown, Kendrick Frazier, Tom Flynn, Michael Specter, Eugenie Scott, Harriet Hall, Steven Novella, David Gorski, Leonard Tramiel, Rebecca Goldstein, Stephen Law, Mark Boslough, Scott Mandia, Jan Dash, Joshua Rosenau, Dave Thomas, Ray Hyman, Scott Lilienfeld, Amardeo Sarma, Barry Karr, and others.Co-organized with the Center for Inquiry as "A CFI Conference" [1]
October 27–30, 2016 Las Vegas, Nevada Excalibur Hotel CSICon Las Vegas James Alcock, Banachek, Julia Belluz, Lindsay Beyerstein, Robyn Blumner, Richard Dawkins, Katie Dyer, Sanal Edamaruku, Mark Edward, Kevin Folta, Kendrick Frazier, Susan Gerbic, Stephanie Guttormson, Harriet Hall, Ray Hall, David Helfand, George Hrab, Ray Hyman, Maria Konnikova, Lawrence Krauss, Ronald Lindsay, Elizabeth Loftus, Michael Mann, Joe Nickell, Paul Offit, Massimo Polidoro, Anthony Pratkanis, James Randi, Joe Schwarcz, Eugenie Scott, Kavin Senapathy, Jamy Ian Swiss, Jill Tarter, Carol Tavris, James Underdown, Bertha Vazquez, and Tamar Wilner. [26] Theme: "Celebrate Science and Reason" [15]
October 26–29, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevada Excalibur Hotel CSICon 2017 James Alcock, Teresa Giménez Barbat, Evan Bernstein, Lindsay Beyerstein, Kenny Biddle, Robyn Blumner, Rob Brotherton, Richard Dawkins, Rachael Dunlop, Katie Dyer, Taner Edis, Mark Edward, Kevin M. Folta, Kendrick Frazier, Susan Gerbic, David H. Gorski, MD, Harriet Hall, MD, Raymond Edward Hall, Sheldon W. Helms, Britt Hermes, George Hrab, Ray Hyman, Maria Konnikova, Lawrence Krauss, Michael E. Mann, Natalie Newell, Joe Nickell, Bob Novella, Jay Novella, Steven Novella, MD, Loren Pankratz, PhD, Massimo Polidoro, Ross Blocher [27] (replaced Carrie Poppy), James “The Amazing” Randi – withdrawn (health), [28] Cara Santa Maria, Richard Saunders, Eugenie C. Scott, Kavin Senapathy, Jim Underdown, Richard Wiseman [29] Your alternative to alternative facts. [29]

Science Moms had its American premiere. [30]
October 18–21, 2018 Las Vegas, Nevada Westgate Hotel CSICon 2018 James Alcock, Banachek, Kenny Biddle, Susan Blackmore, Mark Boslough, Tim Callahan, Troy Campbell, Timothy Caulfield, Adam Conover, John Cook, Richard Dawkins, Yvette d'Entremont, Craig Foster, Stephen Fry, Susan Gerbic, Jen Gunter, Abby Hafer, Ray Hall, George Hrab, Deborah Hyde, William M. London, Stephen Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde, Joe Nickell, Paul Offit, Steven Pinker, Massimo Polidoro, James “The Amazing” Randi, Kavin Senapathy, Joseph Uscinski, Bertha Vazquez, Mick West, Carl Zimmer Bigger venue. Bigger stars. Bigger ideas. Bigger fun. [31] Attendance 650. [32]
October 16–20, 2019 Las Vegas, Nevada Flamingo Hotel CSICon 2019 Brian Greene, Julia Sweeney, Richard Dawkins, Britt Marie Hermes, Banachek, James Alcock, Kurt Andersen, Jann Bellamy, Kenny Biddle, Janyce L. Boynton, [33] Troy Campbell, John de Lancie, Chip Denman, Grace Denman, Mark Edward, Susan Gerbic, Jen Gunter, Ray Hall, Bailey Harris, Jeff Hawkins, Ray Hyman, Jonathan Jarry, Nathan Lents, Nick Little, Elizabeth Loftus, Leighann Lord, Michael Mann, David Mikkelson, Loren Pankratz, Gordon Pennycook, Piff the Magic Dragon, Seth Shostak, Jim Underdown, Kavin Senapathy, Joe Schwarcz [34] Let's seize the moment! [34] Attendance 646 [19]
October 15–18, 2020 Las Vegas, Nevada Westgate Hotel CSICon 2020Cancelled due to COVID-19
October 21–24, 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada Flamingo Hotel CSICon 2021Cancelled due to uncertainty of COVID-19 safety
October 2022 Las Vegas, Nevada Flamingo Hotel CSICon 2022 Kenny Biddle, Timothy Caulfield, Richard Dawkins, Susan Gerbic, David Robert Grimes, Lee McIntyre, Nathan Lents, Nick Little, Naomi Oreskes, Penn Jillette, John Petrocelli, Julia Sweeney, Eddie Tabash, Nick Tiller, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Joseph Uscinski, Odaelys Walwyn-Pollard, Richard Wiseman, Seema Yasmin
October 2023 Las Vegas, Nevada Flamingo Hotel CSICon 2023 Kenny Biddle, Robyn Blumner, Laura Davis, Richard Dawkins, Dustin Dean, Kathleen Dyer, Erika Engelhaupt, Dave Farina, Paul Fidalgo, Craig Foster, Tjardus Greidanus, Raymond Edward Hall, George Hrab, Stephen Hupp, Glenn Kessler, Leighann Lord, Paul Offit, Naomi Oreskes, Natalia Pasternak, Penn & Teller, Massimo Polidoro, Rina Raphael, Eugenie Scott, Eddie Tabash, Melanie Trecek-King, Jim Underdown, Bertha Vazquez, Stuart Vyse, Mick West, Richard Wiseman, Seema Yasmin
October 24–27, 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada Horseshoe Las Vegas CSICon 2024 Neil deGrasse Tyson, Brian Cox (physicist), Banachek, Michael Mann, David McRaney, Jerry Coyne, Natalia Pasternak, Massimo Pigliucci, Rina Raphael, Richard Saunders, Daniel Simons, Eddie Tabash, Nick Tiller, Melanie Trecek-King, Jim Underdown, Forrest Valkai

Sunday Morning Papers Sessions

One part of TAM that was carried over directly to CSICon is the Sunday Morning Papers Sessions. As described by Ray Hall, who has been in charge of vetting the Sunday Papers since TAM2 in 2002 and continued in that role for CSICon 2016, "The Sunday Papers are an opportunity for anyone with specific expertise to lend their skills to the [skeptical] movement . . . Proposals that make it to the stage have some or all of these characteristics: they are well researched (with citations), introduce new data and analysis, discuss successes in media outreach, and the speaker’s credentials are well matched to the content of the proposal." [15] As Jay Diamond described them, "The Sunday Papers are 'best of' the skeptical community. Grassroots skeptics get fifteen minutes to discuss their passion, so they are concise and clear." [35] Speakers are given a strict time limit of 15 minutes. According to Diamond, " It’s much easier to do an hour-long talk than fifteen minutes. For the short talk, you need to be very well rehearsed."

Skeptical Inquirer columnist Rob Palmer wrote an article titled, "So, You Want To Speak At CSICon?" which describes his experience of applying for and being accepted as a speaker for the 2018 Sunday Morning Papers Session. The article is aimed at those who are "considering submitting a proposal for the chance to address the conference – or are even just curious as to what the application experience is like." [36]

In 2016, the wide-ranging topics included Creationist attacks on genetic algorithms, Rh-negative blood types, Homeopathy, concussions in American football, teaching critical thinking in college, and chemtrails. [37]

In 2017, the Sunday Papers presentations included teaching people to recognize pseudoscience, the history of phrenology and parallels to the current misuse of functional MRI, the influence of prayer on sports outcomes, the belief in the paranormal among university students, and a review of aberrant treatments promoted on naturopath websites. [38]

In 2018, the Sunday Papers presentations included speakers from the US, Brazil, India, and Denmark: [39]

The 2019 Sunday Papers session consisted of five presentations, including two given by speakers from 2018 and one from the session moderator, Ray Hall: [34]

The 2022 Sunday Papers session consisted of six presentations, including one given by a speaker from 2018 and 2019. [40]

The 2023 Sunday Papers session consisted of four presentations. [41]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Randi</span> Canadian-American magician and skeptic (1928–2020)

James Randi was a Canadian-American stage magician, author, and scientific skeptic who extensively challenged paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. He was the co-founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), and founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Randi began his career as a magician under the stage name The Amazing Randi and later chose to devote most of his time to investigating paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims. Randi retired from practicing magic at age 60, and from his foundation at 87.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Committee for Skeptical Inquiry</span> Organization examining paranormal claims

The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), formerly known as the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), is a program within the U.S. non-profit organization Center for Inquiry (CFI), which seeks to "promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims." Paul Kurtz proposed the establishment of CSICOP in 1976 as an independent non-profit organization, to counter what he regarded as an uncritical acceptance of, and support for, paranormal claims by both the media and society in general. Its philosophical position is one of scientific skepticism. CSI's fellows have included notable scientists, Nobel laureates, philosophers, psychologists, educators, and authors. It is headquartered in Amherst, New York.

Skeptical Inquirer is a bimonthly American general-audience magazine published by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) with the subtitle: The Magazine for Science and Reason.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientific skepticism</span> Questioning of claims lacking empirical evidence

Scientific skepticism or rational skepticism, sometimes referred to as skeptical inquiry, is a position in which one questions the veracity of claims lacking scientific evidence. In practice, the term most commonly refers to the examination of claims and theories that appear to be unscientific, rather than the routine discussions and challenges among scientists. Scientific skepticism differs from philosophical skepticism, which questions humans' ability to claim any knowledge about the nature of the world and how they perceive it, and the similar but distinct methodological skepticism, which is a systematic process of being skeptical about the truth of one's beliefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Kurtz</span> American philosopher (1925–2012)

Paul Kurtz was an American scientific skeptic and secular humanist. He has been called "the father of secular humanism". He was Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, having previously also taught at Vassar, Trinity, and Union colleges, and the New School for Social Research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Hyman</span> American professor of psychology (born 1928)

Ray Hyman is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and a noted critic of parapsychology. Hyman, along with James Randi, Martin Gardner and Paul Kurtz, is one of the founders of the modern skeptical movement. He is the founder and leader of the Skeptic's Toolbox. Hyman serves on the Executive Council for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendrick Frazier</span> American science writer (1942–2022)

Kendrick Crosby Frazier was an American science writer and longtime editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine. He was also a former editor of Science News, author or editor of ten books, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He was a fellow and a member of the executive council of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), an international organization which promotes scientific inquiry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Amazing Meeting</span> Annual conference for skeptics, 2003–2015

The Amazing Meeting (TAM), stylized as The Amaz!ng Meeting, was an annual conference that focused on science, skepticism, and critical thinking; it was held for twelve years. The conference started in 2003 and was sponsored by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Perennial speakers included Penn & Teller, Phil Plait, Michael Shermer and James "The Amazing" Randi. Speakers at the four-day conference were selected from a variety of disciplines including scientific educators, magicians, and community activists. Outside the plenary sessions the conference included workshops, additional panel discussions, music and magic performances and live taping of podcasts including The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe. The final Amazing Meeting was held in July 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Novella</span> American neurologist, skeptic (b. 1964)

Steven Paul Novella is an American clinical neurologist and associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine. Novella is best known for his involvement in the skeptical movement as a host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast and as the president of the New England Skeptical Society. He is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Alcock</span> Canadian educator (born 1942)

James E. Alcock is Professor emeritus (Psychology) at York University (Canada). Alcock is a noted critic of parapsychology and a Fellow and Member of the Executive Council for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is a member of the Editorial Board of The Skeptical Inquirer, and a frequent contributor to the magazine. He has also been a columnist for Humanist Perspectives Magazine. In 1999, a panel of skeptics named him among the two dozen most outstanding skeptics of the 20th century. In May 2004, CSICOP awarded Alcock CSI's highest honor, the In Praise of Reason Award. The author of several books and peer reviewed journal articles, Alcock is also an amateur magician and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massimo Polidoro</span> Italian psychologist and writer (born 1969)

Massimo Polidoro is an Italian psychologist, writer, journalist, television personality, and co-founder and executive director of the Italian Committee for the Investigation of Claims of the Pseudosciences (CICAP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SkeptiCamp</span> Small grassroots conference for scientific skeptics)

SkeptiCamp was founded by Reed Esau in 2007 and is small grassroots conference where scientific skeptics come together and participate and present. Skepticamps are held in varying formats worldwide and are operated in the style of an unconference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skeptic's Toolbox</span> Annual four-day workshop devoted to scientific skepticism.

The Skeptic's Toolbox was a four-day workshop devoted to scientific skepticism. Founded by psychologist and now-retired University of Oregon professor Ray Hyman, it was sponsored by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Annual workshops focused on educating people to be better critical thinkers, and involved a central theme. The attendees formed small groups and were given tasks that to work on and whose results they then presented to the entire workshop on the final day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Council of Skeptical Organisations</span> Umbrella of skeptical organizations in Europe

The European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO) is an umbrella of organisations defending scientific skepticism in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Gerbic</span> American skepticism activist (born 1962)

Susan Gerbic is an American studio photographer who became known as a scientific skepticism activist, mostly for exposing people claiming to be mediums. A columnist for Skeptical Inquirer, she is the co-founder of Monterey County Skeptics and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

European Skeptics Congresses (ESCs) – a series of congresses now supported by the European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO), in which skeptical organisations from many different European countries participate. They have been held ever since 1989. The conferences are often held in the month of September, and may last from two up to four days. The ECSO was formed at the 6th ESC on 25 September 1994 in Ostend, Belgium. Since its foundation, the ECSO co-ordinates in the organisation of new ESCs that take place every other year, and is hosted by a different member organisation each time. Skeptical organisations that are non-ECSO members may also send their delegations. Past ESCs are enumerated below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deborah Hyde</span> British sceptic, folklorist, cultural anthropologist, and Ufologist

Deborah Hyde is a British sceptic, folklorist, cultural anthropologist, Ufologist, fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and editor-in-chief of The Skeptic. She writes and lectures extensively about superstition, cryptozoology, religion and belief in the paranormal, with special regard to the folklore, psychology and sociology behind these phenomena, and has been introduced as a "vampire expert". Hyde has also worked in the motion picture industry.

Tyler Henry Koelewyn is an American reality show personality who appears in the reality show series Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry and Life After Death with Tyler Henry as a clairvoyant medium since 2016. He has published two books.

<i>The Skeptics Guide to the Universe</i> (book) 2018 nonfiction book by Steven Novella

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe: How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake is a 2018 book meant to be an all-encompassing guide to skeptical thinking written by Steven Novella and co-authored by other hosts of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast – Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella, and Evan Bernstein. It also contains material from former co-host Perry DeAngelis.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Frazier, Kendrick (September 2015). "'Reason for Change': Quacks and Cranks, GMOs and Climate, Science and Philosophy". Skeptical Inquirer. 39 (5). CSI. Archived from the original on July 17, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  2. "The Conference Dedicated to Science and Skeptical Inquiry". CSIConference.org. CSI. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Adam Isaac (October 5, 2011). "CSICon – The Conference Dedicated To Scientific Inquiry And Critical Thinking". Point of Inquiry . CFI. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Frazier, Kendrick (June 2001). "CSICOP Timeline". Skeptical Inquirer. 25 (3). CSI. Archived from the original on February 23, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  5. Gábor Hraskó. "Earlier European skeptic events". Hungarian Skeptic Society. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Frazier, Kendrick (March 2015). "Organized Skepticism: Four Decades ... and Today". Skeptical Inquirer. 39 (2). CSI. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  7. "Bill Nye Wins In Praise of Reason Award". CSI website. CSI. January 20, 2012. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Palmer, Rob (27 November 2018). "CSICon 2018: Meet the First-Timers". CSI. CFI. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  9. Bob Smietana (October 26, 2012). "Skeptics, atheists share their doubts at conference". The Tennessean . Gannett Company.
  10. 1 2 3 Frazier, Kendrick (March 2013). "Ideas and Insights, Inquiries and Investigations". Skeptical Inquirer. 37 (2). CSI. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  11. Kyle Hill (November 14, 2012). "How Long Will a Lie Last? New Study Finds That False Memories Linger for Years". Scientific American Blog Network. Scientific American. Archived from the original on November 28, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Frazier, Kendrick (March 2014). "CFI Summit: Highlights. Skeptics, Humanists Come Together in Tacoma in First Joint Conference: Skepticism, Humanism, or Both?". Skeptical Inquirer. 38 (2). CSI. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  13. Gerbic, Susan (March 2014). "CFI Summit: Impressions. Conference Report". Skeptical Inquirer. 38 (2). CSI. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  14. Brian Dunning (March 19, 2016). "Are you frustrated that TAM & the JREF are no more, and the skeptical community has disintegrated?". Skeptoid blog. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 Susan Gerbic (September 22, 2016). "From TAM to CSICon: An Interview with Ray Hall and Katie Dyer". CSI website. CSI. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  16. 1 2 Gerbic, Susan (21 December 2016). "Let's Bring More Students to CSICon - CSI". www.csicop.org. Archived from the original on 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2017-02-12.
  17. Gerbic, Susan (25 April 2018). "2017 O4SR Scholarship Winners for CSICon - CSI". www.csicop.org. Archived from the original on 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  18. Gerbic, Susan (5 December 2017). "CSICon Photo Tribute to James Randi". www.csicop.org. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  19. 1 2 Frazier, Kendrick (2020). "From Fantasyland America to the Fabric of Space and Time". Skeptical Inquirer. 44 (2). Committee for Skeptical Inquirer: 8–17.
  20. Gerbic, Susan (21 August 2018). "King Of Volunteers – An Interview With Scott Romanowski". Skeptical Inquirer. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  21. Gerbic, Susan (18 November 2019). "A Cunning Plan – Bringing Students to CSICon". Skeptical Inquirer. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  22. "CSICon 2020 Conference Postponed for a Year; Online Lecture Series Replaces It". Skeptical Inquirer . Amherst, New York: Center for Inquiry. September–October 2020.
  23. Lavarnway, Julia (March 2012). "CSICon New Orleans 2011 – Where Meeting Awesome Skeptics Is As Easy As Saying 'Hello'". Skeptical Inquirer. 36 (2). CSI. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  24. Lee Speigel (November 1, 2011). "UFO At NFL Game: TV Camera Captures Strange Object In Flight During Broadcast". Huffington Post . Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  25. Barry Karr. "CSICon ad final". CSIConference.org. CSI. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  26. "CSICon Las Vegas: Speakers". CSIConference.org. CSI. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  27. "Ross Blocher at CSICon 2017". centerforinquiry.org. CFI. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  28. Randi, James. "Video message to CSICon attendees". Facebook. CSICon – Skeptical Inquirer Conference. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  29. 1 2 "CSICon Las Vegas 2017". CSICon Las Vegas 2017. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  30. Hupp, Stephen. "SIUE's Hupp Produces Skeptical Film Premiering this Weekend". SIUE.edu. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  31. "CSICon 2018: Speakers". csiconference.org. CFI. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  32. Frazier, Kendrick (2019). "Superstars, Timely Insights, Fun: Latest CSICon Was Biggest (and Best?)". Skeptical Inquirer. 43 (2): 12–21.
  33. 1 2 Palmer, Rob (13 November 2019). "CSICon 2019: Meet The First-Timers". skepticalinquirer.org. Skeptical Inquirer. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  34. 1 2 3 "CSICon 2019". CSIconference.org. CFI. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  35. Gerbic, Susan. "Fifteen Minutes of Skepticism: The Sunday Papers, An Interview with Jay Diamond – CSICon Las Vegas". CSIConference.org. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  36. Palmer, Rob (20 May 2019). "So, You Want To Speak At CSICon?". Skeptical Inquirer. Archived from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  37. Gerbic, Susan (December 2016). "CSICon Las Vegas: "Go for the speakers, return for the people" - CSI". www.csicop.org. Archived from the original on 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2017-02-12.
  38. Gerbic, Susan (29 March 2018). "CSICon Sunday Papers 2017". CSI. Center for Inquiry. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  39. "CSICon 2018: Speakers and Schedule". CSIConfernce.org. CFI. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  40. Palmer, Rob. "The CSICon 2022 Sunday Papers: Learn About All Six Right Here". Skepticalinquirer.org. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  41. "CSICon 2023 Sunday Papers" (PDF). CSI conference. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 8 March 2024.

Notes

  1. Unlike the 2013 CFI Summit that incorporated CSICon 3, [10] "Reason for Change" was not officially named a "CSICon", although CSI again co-organized it. [6] Instead, it was dubbed "A CFI Conference", while the 2016 CSICon in Las Vegas has been ranked the "4th". [25]