Skeptical Inquirer
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For a fast-growing number of discriminating persons, the Skeptical Inquirer is a welcome breath of fresh air, separating fact from myth in the flood of occultism and pseudoscience on the scene today. This dynamic magazine, published by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, tells you what the scientific community knows about claims of the paranormal, as opposed to the sensationalism often..
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
The evidence of Abraham Lincoln’s supposed belief in Spiritualism includes his attendance at séances, his alleged professions of belief to other believers, and “eyewitness” accounts of him asking (and listening to) the spirits’ advice on the conduct of the Civil War. Lincoln as Spiritualist gained public attention first from an 1863 newspaper article, then exploded ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
Last year, wasabi had a big moment. CBS News claimed the sushi condiment could offer a “boost in memory,” while USA Today suggested it was linked to “a better brain.” The New York Post noted it had “really substantial” cognitive benefits. Yes, the spicy green stuff you always wish is guacamole was lauded by the ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
As advertised, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry made it possible for us to see “the brightest stars of reason and science shine” at CSICon 2024 from October 24 through 26. For this issue of Skeptical Inquirer, we have a shining team of reporters covering everything from the Thursday workshops to the Sunday Papers. I’ll get ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
“Teaching is essential for the promotion of critical thinking, and as university professors, teaching is at the core of what we do.” With these words, microbiologist Natalia Pasternak, professor of Science and Policy at Columbia University and a CSI fellow, opened the first session of the first LiliCon, the meeting of the Lilienfeld Alliance for ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
The health and wellness industry is big business—massive, in fact—and is rife with misinformation and pseudoscience. Three presenters covered this topic and then later sat together for a broader discussion as a panel. Timothy Caufield: The New Wellness BS? Manly Woo Timothy Caufield, professor of law and public health, took us deep into the darkness ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
Many of my fellow conference attendees mentioned that this was the best CSICon lineup ever. What certainly came across loud and clear was the knowledge and passion of the speakers. From Natalia Pasternak’s rallying cry to protect women and children in Brazil to Forrest Valkai’s rousing monologue about finding meaning through science and nature, we ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
CSICon 2024 has come and gone, and what a ride! In addition to reuniting with old friends, meeting new friends in person for the first time, and hosting an interactive workshop (with Richard Saunders) that kicked off the conference, it was the speakers that really made the conference something special for me. And we had ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
In the Spring 1978 issue of Skeptical Inquirer, James Randi wrote a Special Report, “Tests and Investigations of Three ‘Psychics.’” And here we are, nearly half a century later, with zero evidence of any psychic powers. Some might argue we have made little progress eroding the public’s trust in psychics, and certainly we have had ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
A pair of talks about biological sex provided plenty of content for discussion—sometimes heated—during CSICon 2024. For this report, I’ll stick to the “two paragraphs per talk” limit I set for all the CSICon reporters, although to help me get through this nuanced topic I’ll cheat a little by first providing a brief description of ..read more
Skeptical Inquirer
3w ago
CSICon 2024 was my (Adrienne Hill’s) fourth CSICon, and I must say, the best one I’ve attended yet. I reunited with old friends, made new ones, and soaked in the most outstanding schedule I’ve ever seen—everything from the opening remarks to the Sunday Papers hosted by Susan Gerbic and Rob Palmer was unparalleled. I was ..read more