The Skeptic (British magazine)

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The Skeptic
The Skeptic summer 2009.jpg
The Skeptic cover for Volume 22, Issue 2, 2009: Parapsychology: Dead or Alive?
Editor-in-Chief Michael Marshall
Categories Science magazine
FrequencyQuarterly
Publisher Merseyside Skeptics Society
Founded1987
CountryUnited Kingdom
Language English
Website www.skeptic.org.uk
ISSN 0959-5228

The Skeptic is a British non-profit skepticism magazine. It describes itself as "the UK's longest running and foremost sceptical magazine, which examines science, skepticism, secularism, critical thinking and claims of the paranormal." It is also known to take a critical stance towards alternative medicine. [1]

Contents

History, format and structure

The Skeptic was founded in 1987 by Wendy M. Grossman, and subsequently edited from 1988 to 1998 by Toby Howard (The University of Manchester, England) and Steve Donnelly (University of Huddersfield, England). From 1998 to 2011 it was edited by Chris French, [2] [3] and from 2011 to 2020 by Deborah Hyde.

In the end of 1986, Grossman visited the headquarters of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (still named Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, CSICOP) in Buffalo, NY. She had crossed paths with the skeptical movement more than five years earlier, after attending a lecture by stage magician James Randi and reading Martin Gardner's Science: Good, Bad, and Bogus. Ever since this first contact, she became a reader of CSI's publication, Skeptical Inquirer. On that day at CSI, the executive director, Mark Plummer, suggested her to start a newsletter. [4]

Even after stepping aside from The Skeptic's editorial board, Grossman has expressed a great satisfaction for all the magazine's accomplishments over the years and credits it to the sum of the work of many individuals in a common goal: "The thing I am actually proudest of in fact is not my own contribution in starting The Skeptic. What I am proud of is that it has attracted so many persistent supporters who have worked far harder to keep it alive and make it prosper than I ever did myself: Chris French and his Goldsmiths students; Hilary Evans, who has contributed both illustrations from the Mary Evans Picture Library and his own writing for so many years; cartoonists Donald Rooum and Ted Pearce; Toby Howard and Steve Donnelly, who edited the magazine for eight years and did the brutally hard work of growing the subscriber base; Peter O’Hara, my partner in getting the magazine out when it was photocopied and posted by hand; Michael Hutchinson; and the many, many contributors of articles and other features to the magazine who are too numerous to list. It is not a great thing to start a newsletter, but it is a great thing 20 years later to see it still alive and not dependent on its founder for its survival. That is really the key, because for something to have real, longterm impact it must be a community effort". [4]

Since 2020 magazine has been edited by Michael Marshall and Alice Howarth, [5] and published by the Merseyside Skeptics Society. Regular columnists and authors contributing articles to the publication have included Mark Duwe, Chris French, Wendy M Grossman, Mike Heap, Paul Taylor and Mark Williams. Neil Davies routinely provides artwork for the cover. Centerfold pieces have been contributed by Crispian Jago. Other artwork is routinely contributed by Donald Rooum, Tim Pearce, Andrew Endersby and Barbara Griffiths. [6]

The magazine is also supported by an Editorial Advisory Board which as of 2015 included, among others: James Alcock, Susan Blackmore, Derren Brown, David Colquhoun, Brian Cox, and Richard Dawkins. [7]

Podcast

In 2008, an independent, rationalist talk show airing on London's Resonance FM called Little Atoms became The Official Podcast of The Skeptic Magazine. [8] New episodes of the show are released on an almost weekly basis. The show has been produced by Neil Denny, Padraig Reidy, Anthony Burn and Richard Sanderson since September 2005. [9] [10]

Ockham Awards

The 2016 Ockham Awards QED 20161015 246.jpg
The 2016 Ockham Awards
Deborah Hyde grants the 2013 Editor's Choice Ockham to The Pod Delusion team. The Pod Delusion Wins the Editors' Choice Ockham Award 2013.jpg
Deborah Hyde grants the 2013 Editor's Choice Ockham to The Pod Delusion team.
Matt Dillahunty presents Alan Henness the 2015 Event / Campaign Award for "Stop the Saatchi Bill". QED 20150425 0488.jpg
Matt Dillahunty presents Alan Henness the 2015 Event / Campaign Award for "Stop the Saatchi Bill".
Britt Hermes thanks the skeptical community for the 2016 Blog Ockham. QED 20161015 272.jpg
Britt Hermes thanks the skeptical community for the 2016 Blog Ockham.

The Skeptic magazine annually awards the Ockham Awards, or simply the Ockhams, at QED. This occurred for the first time in 2012, and the award ceremony has been considered a highlight of the conference ever since. [11] The Ockhams were introduced by editor-in-chief Deborah Hyde to "recognise the effort and time that have gone into the community’s favourite skeptical blogs, skeptical podcasts, skeptical campaigns and outstanding contributors to the skeptical cause." [12] The winners are selected by a panel, from submissions by the skeptical community. [13] "The Editors' Choice Award" is a special Ockham without a category, chosen by the current and past editors-in-chief of The Skeptic, Chris French, Wendy Grossman and Deborah Hyde. [13] The ironic award 'for the most audacious pseudo-science', "The Rusty Razor" (introduced in 2017), is determined entirely by public vote.

The name refers to Ockham's razor, formulated by English philosopher William of Ockham (c. 1285–1347). The trophies, designed by Neil Davies and Karl Derrick, carry the upper text "Ockham's" and the lower text "The Skeptic. Shaving away unnecessary assumptions since 1285." Between the texts, there is an image of a double-edged safety razorblade, and both lower corners feature an image of William of Ockham's face. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<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.

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."

<i>Skeptic</i> (American magazine) American science education magazine

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. First published in 1992, the magazine had a circulation of over 40,000 subscribers in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy M. Grossman</span> American journalist (born 1954)

Wendy M. Grossman is a journalist, blogger, and folksinger. Her writing has been published in several newspapers, magazines, and specialized publications. She is the recipient of the 2013 Enigma Award for information security reporting.

<i>Skepticality</i> Skeptical podcast

Skepticality was the official podcast of The Skeptics Society's Skeptic magazine. Beginning in May 2005, the podcast explores rational thought, skeptical ideas, and famous myths from around the world and throughout history. Each episode is an audio magazine featuring regular segments by contributors who are specialized in specific areas of critical thought followed by featured content which is usually in the form of an interview with a researcher, author, or individual who is helping promote skeptical thought and/or science in an effective way. It has featured interviews with James Randi, and scientists, such as authors and astronomers Phil Plait and Neil deGrasse Tyson, Greg Graffin from Bad Religion, Adam Savage from the MythBusters, songwriter Jill Sobule, author Ann Druyan and science communicator Bill Nye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris French</span> Psychologist specialising in paranormal beliefs (born 1956)

Christopher (Chris) Charles French is a British psychologist who is prominent in the field of anomalistic psychology, with a focus on the psychology of paranormal beliefs and anomalous experiences. In addition to his academic activities, French frequently appears on radio and television to provide a skeptical perspective on paranormal claims.

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

Skeptics in the Pub is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and social networking among skeptics, critical thinkers, freethinkers, rationalists and other like-minded individuals. It provides an opportunity for skeptics to talk, share ideas and have fun in a casual atmosphere, and discuss whatever topical issues come to mind, while promoting skepticism, science, and rationality.

<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">Sharon A. Hill</span> American geologist and science blogger

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association for Skeptical Enquiry</span> Organization

The Association for Skeptical Enquiry (ASKE) is a skeptical organisation in the United Kingdom.

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.

QED: Question, Explore, Discover is an annual skeptical conference held in Manchester, England. QED is organised by North West Skeptical Events Ltd (NWSE), a volunteer-owned non-profit organisation originating from a collaboration between the Merseyside Skeptics Society and the Greater Manchester Skeptics Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Marshall (skeptic)</span> British skeptical activist and journalist (born 1983)

Michael "Marsh" Marshall is a British skeptical activist and the editor of The Skeptic magazine since September 2020. He is the co-founder and vice-president of the Merseyside Skeptics Society and co-host of its official podcast, Skeptics with a K, project director of the Good Thinking Society, and has occasionally written for The Times, The Guardian and New Statesman. As of 2022, Marshall is a fellow with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

<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.

<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.

<i>European Skeptics Podcast</i> Skeptical podcast

The European Skeptics Podcast (TheESP) is a weekly podcast recorded in English and hosted by three skeptics from several different European countries: András Gábor Pintér from Hungary, Pontus Böckman from Sweden and Annika Harrison from Germany who joined the team in July 2020. The main goal of the podcast is to "support European level actions within the skeptical movement and build bridges among skeptics" all over the continent. The show is often jokingly referred to by other podcasters and people interviewed on the show as "the REAL ESP experience" referring to a namesake pseudoscientific concept.

References

  1. ↑ Adams, Jon; Tovey, Philip (2014-06-11). Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nursing and Midwifery: Towards a Critical Social Science. Routledge. p. 57. ISBN   978-1-317-59526-7.
  2. ↑ Moshakis, Alex (2019-01-27). "Truth detectives: the know-it-all skeptics railing against fakery". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  3. ↑ "Weird ... or what?". Goldsmiths, University of London. September 18, 2008.
  4. 1 2 Grossman, Wendy. "When The Skeptic came of age: a 2011 reflection on the first 21 years of the magazine". The Skeptic. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Editorial Board". The Skeptic. September 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  6. ↑ "Regular Contributors". April 1, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Editorial Advisory Board". The Skeptic. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Miro Guide – Little Atoms". www.miroguide.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012.
  9. ↑ Marshall, Ben (Jan 17, 2007). "Why blogs are going straight to video". The Guardian . London. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  10. ↑ Marshall, Ben (February 27, 2007). "Weekly web trawl: ephemera, anger and smut". The Guardian . London. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  11. ↑ Korteweg, Leon (2 December 2016). "QED 2016 – verslag van een lang weekend tussen skeptici". Skepter (in Dutch). 29 (4). Stichting Skepsis: 45–46. Archived from the original on 2017-10-18. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  12. 1 2 Hyde, Deborah (2012). "The Skeptic Magazine Awards 2011: Winners". The Skeptic. Vol. 23, no. 4. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23.
  13. 1 2 Hyde, Deborah. "The Ockham Awards". The Skeptic's website. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
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