Skeptic (American magazine)

Last updated
Skeptic
Skeptic-1.jpg
Premiere issue, featuring a tribute
to Isaac Asimov
Editor-in-Chief Michael Shermer
Categories Skeptical magazine
FrequencyQuarterly
Circulation 40,000 subscribers
Publisher The Skeptics Society
First issueSpring 1992
CompanyMillennium Press
CountryUnited States
Based inAltadena, California
Language English
Website Skeptic.com
ISSN 1063-9330

Skeptic, colloquially known as Skeptic magazine, is a quarterly science education and science advocacy magazine published internationally by The Skeptics Society, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs. [1] First published in 1992, the magazine had a circulation of over 40,000 subscribers in 2000.

Contents

History, format and structure

The magazine was co-founded in late 1991 by Michael Shermer and Pat Linse as they formed the Skeptics Society. [2] [3] The magazine was first published in early 1992. It is published through Millennium Press. As of July 2021, Shermer remained the publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine. The magazine's co-publisher and art director was Pat Linse, [4] until her death in July 2021. [5] Other noteworthy members of its editorial board include, or have included, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist Jared Diamond, magician and escape artist turned educator James “The Amazing” Randi, actor, comedian, and Saturday Night Live alumna Julia Sweeney, professional mentalist Mark Edward, science writer Daniel Loxton, Lawrence M. Krauss and Christof Koch. Skeptic has an international circulation with over 40,000 subscriptions and is on newsstands in the U.S. and Canada as well as Europe, Australia, and other countries. [6] [7] [8]

The cover story of the magazine's first issue paid tribute to scientist and science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. [9] According to Shermer, Asimov died when the issue was going to print, so artist Linse produced a pencil portrait of the author.[ citation needed ] As Asimov wrote a number of stories featuring robots and coined the term "robotics", the cover of volume 12, #2 (2006), which is devoted to the topic of artificial intelligence, depicts a robot sitting on a park bench reading that first issue. [10]

Every issue of the magazine opens with a description of The Skeptics Society and its mission statement, which is to explore subjects such as creationism, pyramid power, Bigfoot, pseudohistorical claims (as in the examples of Holocaust denial and extreme Afrocentrism), the use or misuse of theory and statistics, conspiracy theories, urban myths, witch-hunts, mass hysterias, genius and intelligence, and cultural influences on science, as well as controversies involving protosciences at the leading edge of established science, and even fads like cryonics and low-carb diets. In addition to publishing the magazine, the Society also:

In 2011, the magazine had three regular columnists: James Randi wrote "'Twas Brillig…", Harriet A. Hall wrote "The Skep Doc" and Karen Stollznow wrote "Bad Language". [12] The magazine's page count was between approximately 100 and 110 pages until the 2010s. It was reduced to approximately 80 pages with Vol. 16 No. 3 (2011).[ citation needed ]As of 2018, the magazine had two regular columnists: Harriet A. Hall and Carol Tavris. [13]

In 2021, the magazine's 100th edition, Vol. 26 No. 2 included a retrospective of over 40 years of Skeptic artwork and covers by Linse and Loxton. [14]

Topics

Each issue features an editorial. In the past this was provided by James Randi, and was often a reaction to stories from mainstream news media such as the 2005 story by the ABC newsmagazine Primetime Live featuring a Brazilian faith healer, João Teixeira.[ citation needed ] Other times Randi wrote about topics he had investigated in the past, such as alleged dowsers, [15] alleged psychics like Sylvia Browne, and UFOs.[ citation needed ]

The magazine also features a large correspondence section called "Forum". This includes not only letters from lay readers but also in-depth comments and rebuttals from professionals, contributing to extended academic debate across issues raised in past editions.[ citation needed ]

Skeptic magazine cover.jpg

The bulk of the magazine treats a variety of topics. Cover stories have ranged from examination of alleged UFOs in religious icons and theories of the likelihood of artificial intelligence to tributes to influential skeptics including Isaac Asimov [9] and Ernst Mayr. [16] Some editions feature special sections devoted to a particular topic or theme that is examined through multiple articles by different authors, such as intelligent design.[ citation needed ]

Junior Skeptic

Bound into most issues is a 10-page young-readers' section called Junior Skeptic. Heralded by a cover printed on glossy paper (the rest of the magazine is printed on non-glossy stock), Junior Skeptic focuses on one topic, or provides practical instruction written and illustrated in a style more appealing to children.

Daniel Loxton is the Editor of Junior Skeptic. He writes and illustrates most issues.

The first edition of Junior Skeptic appeared in volume 6, #2 of Skeptic (2000).

Official podcasts

In April 2006, an independent, skeptical talk program called Skepticality was relaunched as Skepticality: The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine . New episodes of the show are released on a biweekly basis. The show is produced by the original, continuing show hosts (Robynn McCarthy and Derek Colanduno) in collaboration with staff of Skeptic magazine. [17]

In 2009, a second official podcast was added. MonsterTalk critically examines the science behind cryptozoological and legendary creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and werewolves. [18] Monster Talk is hosted by Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow, and previously Ben Radford. Blake Smith produces the show. [19]

Collections

Editorial board

The editorial board is composed of the following people: [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>The Skeptics Dictionary</i> 2003 essay collection by Robert Todd Carroll

The Skeptic's Dictionary is a collection of cross-referenced skeptical essays by Robert Todd Carroll, published on his website skepdic.com and in a printed book. The skepdic.com site was launched in 1994 and the book was published in 2003 with nearly 400 entries. As of January 2011 the website has over 700 entries. A comprehensive single-volume guides to skeptical information on pseudoscientific, paranormal, and occult topics, the bibliography contains some seven hundred references for more detailed information. According to the back cover of the book, the on-line version receives approximately 500,000 hits per month.

<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 empirical evidence. In practice, the term most commonly refers to the examination of claims and theories that appear to be beyond mainstream science, 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">Michael Shermer</span> American science writer (born 1954)

Michael Brant Shermer is an American science writer, historian of science, executive director of The Skeptics Society, and founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, a publication focused on investigating pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. The author of over a dozen books, Shermer is known for engaging in debates on pseudoscience and religion in which he emphasizes scientific skepticism.

The Skeptics Society is a nonprofit, member-supported organization devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs. The Skeptics Society was co-founded by Michael Shermer and Pat Linse as a Los Angeles-area skeptical group to replace the defunct Southern California Skeptics. After the success of its Skeptic magazine, introduced in early 1992, it became a national and then international organization. Their stated mission "is the investigation of science and pseudoscience controversies, and the promotion of critical thinking."

<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.

<i>The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience</i> 2002 book by Michael Shermer

The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience is a two-volume collection of articles that discuss the Skeptics Society's scientific findings of investigations into pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. The editor, Michael Shermer, director of the Skeptics Society, has compiled articles originally published in Skeptic magazine with some conceptual overviews and historical documents to create this encyclopedia. It was published by ABC-CLIO in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Loxton</span> Canadian writer (born 1975)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skeptics in the Pub</span> Informal social event for skeptics since 1999

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kylie Sturgess</span> Educator, skeptic, podcaster

Kylie Sturgess is a past President of the Atheist Foundation of Australia, an award-winning blogger, author and independent podcast host of The Token Skeptic Podcast. A Philosophy and Religious Education teacher with over ten years experience in education, Sturgess has lectured on teaching critical thinking, feminism, new media and anomalistic beliefs worldwide. She is a Member of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) Education Advisory Panel and regularly writes editorial for numerous publications, and has spoken at The Amazing Meeting Las Vegas, Dragon*Con (US), QED Con (UK). She was a presenter and Master of Ceremonies for the 2010 Global Atheist Convention and returned to the role in 2012. Her most recent book The Scope of Skepticism was released in 2012. She is a presenter at Perth's community radio station RTRFM, and a winner at the 2018 CBAA Community Radio Awards in the category of Talks, with the show Talk the Talk In 2020 she was in the final eight in the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Asia-Pacific virtual showcase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desiree Schell</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Stollznow</span> Australian-American skeptic (born 1976)

Karen Stollznow is an Australian-American author, linguist, public speaker, and podcaster. Her books include Missed Conceptions: How We Make Sense of Infertility, On the Offensive: Prejudice in Language Past and Present, The Language of Discrimination, God Bless America: Strange and Unusual Religious Beliefs and Practices in the United States, Haunting America, Language Myths, Mysteries and Magic, Hits and Mrs, and Would You Believe It?: Mysterious Tales From People You'd Least Expect. Stollznow also writes short fiction, including the title Fisher's Ghost and Other Stories, and she is a host on the podcast Monster Talk with Blake Smith. She has written for many popular publications, including The Conversation and Psychology Today. Stollznow has also appeared as an expert on many TV shows, including A Current Affair and the History Channel's History's Greatest Mysteries.

<i>MonsterTalk</i> Skeptical podcast

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">SkeptiCamp</span> British organization (founded 2007)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Farley</span> Software engineer & skeptic (born 1962)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">CSICon</span> Annual skeptic conference in the United States

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.

References

  1. ↑ "What We Do". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Meet Michael Shermer". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  3. ↑ Shermer, Michael (2021-06-22). "All Our Yesterdays: A Remembrance of Pat Linse". Skeptic (Altadena, CA). 26 (3): 64–71.
  4. ↑ "Masthead, Skeptic Magazine" . Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  5. ↑ Shermer, Michael. "Michael Shermer on Twitter". Twitter . Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Smith, Scott S. (April 2000). "Schism in the Church of the Left Brain" (PDF). Fate. pp. 36–37. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Contribution Guidelines". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Making a living of bullshit detecting". VUE Weekly. August 27, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  9. 1 2 "Vol. 1 No.1 (Premiere Issue) Tribute to Isaac Asimov". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Vol. 12 No. 2 Artificial Intelligence" Archived 2015-10-24 at the Wayback Machine . Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Skepticamp" . Retrieved 2012-03-21.
  12. ↑ "Table of Contents". Skeptic. Vol. 16, no. 2. Skeptics Society. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Skeptic: Current Issue: Volume 23 Number 1". skeptic.com. Skeptic Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  14. ↑ Linse, Pat. "The Art of the Skeptic". Skeptic.com. The Skeptics Society. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  15. ↑ "A Report from the Paranormal Trenches". Skeptic.com. Skeptic Magazine. 2011-08-31. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  16. ↑ Sulloway, Frank J. (February 2005). "Ernst Mayr, 1904–2005Remembrances & Tribute". Skeptic.
  17. ↑ Campling, Chris (August 9, 2008). "Podcast of the week: Skepticality offers the 'truth'". The Times . Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  18. ↑ "About MonsterTalk" . Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  19. ↑ "About the Hosts of MonsterTalk". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Editorial Board". Skeptic Society. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
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