The Skeptics Society

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The Skeptics Society
Formation1992;32 years ago (1992)
Type Nonprofit
Location
  • Worldwide
Membershipc. 50,000 (magazine circulation) [1]
Executive director
 Michael Shermer
Website Official website

The Skeptics Society is a nonprofit, [2] [3] 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." [4]

Contents

History

In late 1991, [5] the Skeptics Society was co-founded by Michael Shermer and Pat Linse, [6] [7] in Los Angeles with the assistance of Kim Ziel Shermer. [8] For the first five years, Shermer and Linse worked on the Skeptics Society out of Shermer's garage. [5] [9] The Skeptic Society formed after a scandal forced an earlier group known as the Southern California Skeptics to dissolve. [5] [10] [11]

In 1996, the Los Angeles Times reported that Shermer, Linse, and Ziel Shermer walked on a bed of hot coals in Altadena, California in a demonstration to show that their ability was natural rather supernatural in origin. [12] By 2000, Shermer stated that the Society's magazine, Skeptic, had a circulation of 40,000. [11] As of 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Society itself had 50,000 members. [9]

Shermer stated as context for the founding of Skeptic Society: [4]

The modern skeptical movement is a fairly recent phenomenon dating back to Martin Gardner’s 1952 classic, Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science . Gardner’s copious essays and books over the past four decades debunking all manner of bizarre claims, coupled to James “the Amazing” Randi’s countless psychic challenges and media appearances throughout the 1970s and 1980s (including 36 appearances on The Tonight Show), pushed the skeptical movement to the forefront of public consciousness. The philosopher Paul Kurtz helped create dozens of skeptics groups throughout the United States and abroad, and his Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) inspired me to found the Skeptics Society and Skeptic magazine...

Explaining the organization's name, the Society states: [4]

Some people believe that skepticism is the rejection of new ideas, or worse, they confuse 'skeptic' with 'cynic' and think that skeptics are a bunch of grumpy curmudgeons unwilling to accept any claim that challenges the status quo. This is wrong. Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas—no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally, skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the possibility that a phenomenon might be real or that a claim might be true. When we say we are 'skeptical,' we mean that we must see compelling evidence before we believe. [4]

Activities

Skeptic Magazine

The Skeptics Society publishes Skeptic magazine, a quarterly magazine that examines fringe science and paranormal claims, available by subscription or on major newsstands in the U.S. and Canada. Its cover stories have included examination of alleged UFOs in religious icons, [13] theories of the likelihood of artificial intelligence, [14] and tributes to its role models such as Isaac Asimov and Ernst Mayr.[ citation needed ] 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 and alternative medicine. The Skeptics Society also publishes eSkeptic, a weekly email newsletter on skeptical topics. The society hosts a website with information on skepticism-related topics and provides information to the media about such topics.[ citation needed ]

Junior Skeptic

Bound into most issues is a 10-page young-readers' section called Junior Skeptic which first appeared in 2000 in volume 6, #2 of Skeptic magazine. Junior Skeptic focuses on one topic, or provides practical instruction written and illustrated in a style more appealing to children. The editor of Junior Skeptic is Daniel Loxton, who writes and illustrates most issues.[ citation needed ]

Skeptic Research Center

The Skeptic Research Center (SRC) launched in July 2020 as a way to survey peoples' attitudes about divisive issues.[ non-primary source needed ] [15] The results of each survey study are released through a series of brief reports (i.e., digestible single-topic analyses) through eSkeptic and on the Skeptic website. As of November 2021, the SRC has released 19 reports and the center’s work has been cited in the Wall Street Journal and the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. [16] [17]

Podcasts

The Skeptics Society distributes two podcasts.

Skepticality, adopted as the group's official podcast, promotes critical thinking and science. It was listed by iTunes as a top-rated audio talk show in 2016. [18] 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. MonsterTalk is a podcast that critically examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or werewolves. Hosted by Blake Smith and Dr. Karen Stollznow, MonsterTalk holds interviews with scientists and investigators. It received "The Best Fact Behind Fiction" award in 2012 from the Parsec Awards. [19]

Symposium Panel, 2011 Skeptics Symposium Panel, 2011.jpg
Symposium Panel, 2011

Lecture series

The Skeptics Society sponsors a lecture series at the California Institute of Technology. The Caltech Lecture Series offers speakers on a wide range of topics relating to science, psychology, social issues, religion/atheism, skepticism, etc. Past speakers include Julia Sweeney, Richard Dawkins, Philip Zimbardo, Dinesh D'Souza, Steven Pinker, Carol Tavris, and Sam Harris. The lectures occur on Sunday afternoons, and are open to the public for a nominal fee.[ non-primary source needed ] [20] [21]

The Skeptics Society hosted the "Origins Conference" in October 2008 with Nancey Murphy, Hugh Ross, Leonard Susskind, Sean Carroll, Paul Davies, Stuart Kauffman, Christof Koch, Kenneth R. Miller, Donald Prothero, and Victor J. Stenger. [22] [ non-primary source needed ]

On 24–26 June 2011 the organization also hosted the Science Symposium, speakers included: Michael Shermer, James Randi, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Mr. Deity (Brian Keith Dalton). [23] [ non-primary source needed ]

On 29–31 May 2015 Skeptic Society hosted In the Year 2525: Big Science, Big History, and the Far Future of Humanity. Speakers included: Richard Dawkins, Jared Diamond, Lawrence Krauss, Esther Dyson, John McWhorter, Ian Morris, Carol Tavris, Gregory Benford, David Brin, Michael Shermer, and Donald Prothero. [23]

Reading Room

The Reading Room is a library containing a growing index of articles, reviews and opinion editorials culled from their archives, offering a look into the subjects the Skeptics Society has explored over the years. [24] [ non-primary source needed ]

School curriculum resources

The Curriculum Resource Center is a free repository of resources for teaching students how to think skeptically. [25] [ non-primary source needed ]

Notable editorial board members (past and present)

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.

The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) is an American grant-making institution founded in 1996 by magician and skeptic James Randi. As a nonprofit organization, the mission of JREF includes educating the public and the media on the dangers of accepting unproven claims, and to support research into paranormal claims in controlled scientific experimental conditions. The organization announced its change to a grant-making foundation in September 2015.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remote viewing</span> Pseudoscientific concept

Remote viewing (RV) is the practice of seeking impressions about a distant or unseen subject, purportedly sensing with the mind. A remote viewer is expected to give information about an object, event, person, or location hidden from physical view and separated at some distance. Physicists Russell Targ and Harold Puthoff, parapsychology researchers at Stanford Research Institute (SRI), are generally credited with coining the term "remote viewing" to distinguish it from the closely related concept of clairvoyance. According to Targ, the term was first suggested by Ingo Swann in December 1971 during an experiment at the American Society for Psychical Research in New York City.

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">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.

A debunker is a person or organization that exposes or discredits claims believed to be false, exaggerated, or pretentious. The term is often associated with skeptical investigation of controversial topics such as UFOs, claimed paranormal phenomena, cryptids, conspiracy theories, alternative medicine, religion, exploratory or fringe areas of scientific, or pseudoscientific research.

<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">Paul MacCready</span> American aeronautical engineer (1925–2007)

Paul Beattie MacCready Jr. was an American aeronautical engineer. He was the founder of AeroVironment and the designer of the human-powered aircraft that won the first Kremer prize. He devoted his life to developing more efficient transportation vehicles that could "do more with less".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghost hunting</span> Investigating reportedly haunted locations for ghosts

Ghost hunting is the process of investigating locations that are purportedly haunted by ghosts. The practice has been heavily criticized for its dismissal of the scientific method. No scientific study has ever been able to confirm the existence of ghosts. Ghost hunting is considered a pseudoscience by the vast majority of educators, academics, science writers and skeptics. Science historian Brian Regal described ghost hunting as "an unorganized exercise in futility".

The New England Skeptical Society (NESS) is an American organization dedicated to promoting science and reason. It was founded in January 1996 as the Connecticut Skeptical Society, by Steven Novella, Perry DeAngelis and Bob Novella. The group later joined with the Skeptical Inquirers of New England (SINE) and the New Hampshire Skeptical Resource to form the New England Skeptical Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Seckel</span> American collector and skeptic (1958–2015)

Alfred Paul "Al" Seckel was an American collector and popularizer of visual and other types of sensory illusions, who wrote books about them. Active in the Freethought movement as a skeptic in the 1980s, he was the co-founder and executive director of the Southern California Skeptics. News coverage arising from his connection to Jeffrey Epstein has stressed Seckel's misrepresentation of his education and credentials.

<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).

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

Sharon A. Hill is an American science writer and speaker known for her research into the interaction between science and the public, focusing on education and media topics. Hill's research has dealt mainly with paranormal, pseudoscience, and strange natural phenomena and began at the University at Buffalo, where she performed her graduate work in this area. Hill attended Pennsylvania State University, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in geosciences and working as a Pennsylvania geologist.

Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning whether claims are supported by empirical research and have reproducibility, as part of a methodological norm pursuing "the extension of certified knowledge". Scientific skepticism, or skepticism for short, manifests itself since the 20th century as a societal phenomenon involving several individuals and more or less organised groups through several different media, commonly referred to as "the skeptical movement". This is a compilation of the various lists about skepticism with articles in Wikipedia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Český klub skeptiků Sisyfos</span> Czech skeptical nonprofit organisation

Český klub skeptiků Sisyfos is a Czech skeptical nonprofit organisation founded in 1994 and headquartered in Prague. Its primary goal and mission is to spread and defend the findings and results of contemporary science, to promote rational, critical thinking, to acquaint the public with the principles of scientific method, to speak out against the spread of paranormal ideas and unproven procedures, to ensure that universities, scientific societies and institutions are actively responsible for defending science and critical thinking, to investigate controversies and false claims, to provide assistance to citizens in protecting against fraudulent products and ineffective or dangerous alternative medicine products and healing methods. In line with mission and goals, the club refuses to interfere with religious, moral and political issues.

References

  1. ↑ The number 50,000 is based on the circulation of Skeptic magazine, which is probably higher than the Society's actual membership. "Contribution Guidelines". Skeptic. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Non-profit". Propublica. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Non-profit". Guidestar. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "A Brief Introduction". Skeptic Society. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Shermer, Michael (22 June 2021). "All Our Yesterdays: A Remembrance of Pat Linse". Skeptic (Altadena, CA). 26 (3): 64–71.
  6. ↑ Ibold, Hans (13 November 2000). "L.A.'s Own Ghostbuster". Los Angeles Business Journal. 22 (46). Pat Linse, co-founder of the Skeptic Society in Pasadena.
  7. ↑ Loxton, Daniel (November 2009). "The Paradoxical Future of Skepticism". Skeptical Inquirer. 33 (6). Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.
  8. ↑ Melton, J. Gordon (2008). The Encyclopedia of Religious Phenomena. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 308. ISBN   978-1-57859-230-2.
  9. 1 2 Wolfe, Alexandra (1 September 2017). "Michael Shermer's Skeptical Eye". The Wall Street Journal . ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  10. ↑ Smith, Scott S. (April 2000). "Schism in the Church of the Left Brain" (PDF). Fate. pp. 36–37. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  11. 1 2 Shermer, Michael (June 2000). "Letter in response to Schism in the Church of the Left Brain" (PDF). Fate . Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  12. ↑ Morrison, Patt (6 November 1996). "Fighting the peril of silly science". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest   293399294 . Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "Medieval UFOs?". Skeptic. 11 (1). skeptic.com. 2004. Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  14. ↑ Skeptic Vol. 12 No. 2 – "Artificial Intelligence" Archived 24 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine . skeptic.com
  15. ↑ "Skeptic Research Center Archives". Skeptic. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  16. ↑ Baker, Gerard (3 May 2021). "Opinion: Media Mistrust Won't Inoculate You Against Misinformation". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  17. ↑ Kaufmann, Eric (April 2021). "The Social Construction of Racism in the United States" (PDF). Manhattan Institute.
  18. ↑ "Customer Ratings". iTunes . Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "Best Fact Behind Fiction". Parsec Awards. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  20. ↑ "Caltech Lecture". The Skeptics Society. 2008. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  21. ↑ "Caltech Lectures". Caltech. Retrieved 31 May 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  22. ↑ "Origins Conference October 3–4, 2008". Skeptics Society. 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  23. 1 2 "Conferences Past". Skeptic Society. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  24. ↑ "Reading Room". Skeptic Society. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  25. ↑ "Resource Center". Skeptic Society. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  26. ↑ "Editorial Board". Skeptic Society. Retrieved 31 May 2016.


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