Skeptic (U.S. magazine)

Skeptic

Premiere issue of Skeptic, featuring a tribute to Isaac Asimov.
Editor-in-Chief	Michael Shermer
Categories	Skeptical magazine
Frequency	Quarterly
Circulation	50,000 subscribers[1]
Publisher	The Skeptics Society
First issue	Spring 1992
Company	Millennium Press
Country	United States
Based in	Altadena, California
Language	English
Website	www.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.^[2] Founded by Michael Shermer, founder of the Skeptics Society,^[3] the magazine was first published in the spring of 1992 and is published through Millennium Press. Shermer remains the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the magazine and the magazine’s Co-publisher and Art Director is Pat Linse.^[4] Other noteworthy members of its editorial board include Oxford University 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 50,000 subscriptions and is on newsstands in the U.S. and Canada as well as Europe, Australia, and other countries.^[1][5]

History, format and structure

The cover story of the magazine's very first issue paid tribute to scientist and science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. ^[6] 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.^[7]

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:

• sponsors lecture series at the California Institute of Technology
• produces and sells tapes of the lectures, as well as other books on pertinent subjects
• holds field trips to investigate and research such subjects
• conducts social events to promote good-will
• provides resources for the public, skeptic organizations (such as SkeptiCamp^[8]) and the media, with which they may approach controversial subjects from a skeptical viewpoint

As of 2011 the magazine had three regular columnists. James Randi writes "’Twas Brillig…," Harriet A. Hall writes "The Skep Doc" and Karen Stollznow writes "Bad Language."^[9][10][11] 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).

Typical topics

Each issue features an editorial by James Randi, often a reaction to stories from mainstream news media, such as the 2005 story by the ABC newsmagazine Primetime Live on a Brazilian faith healer, João Teixeira. Other times Randi examines other topics that he has investigated in the past, such as alleged dowsers,^[12] alleged psychics like Sylvia Browne, and UFOs.

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.

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 luminaries such as Isaac Asimov^[6] and Ernst Mayr.^[13] 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 - a frequently recurring topic in the magazine, given the ongoing creation vs. evolution controversy.

Issues 1-10 Volume Number Featured Topic 1 1 Tribute to Isaac Asimov 1 2 Cryonics 1 3 Revolution in Evolution? 1 4 Witches, Heretics & Scientists 2 1 Genius: Myth & Reality 2 2 Science, Religion & Cults 2 3 Fad Psychology 2 4 Pseudohistory 3 1 Pseudomedicine 3 2 AIDS 3 3 Race & IQ 3 4 Cosmology & God 4 1 Evolutionary Psychology 4 2 Evolutionary Ethics 4 3 Conspiracy 4 4 Carl Sagan Tribute 5 1 Environmental Science 5 2 The God Question 5 3 Anthropology 5 4 Pseudoscience 6 1 Science & Society 6 2 Taking God Seriously 6 3 Why Professors Believe Weird Things 6 4 JFK Facts and Fictions 7 1 Influence 7 2 Cloning & Genetic Engineering 7 3 Millennium Madness 7 4 Pseudoscience 8 1 Race & Sports 8 2 Science & Religion 8 3 Chaos & Complexity 8 4 Intelligent Design 9 1 Anthropology Wars 9 2 Environmental Skeptic 9 3 A.I. and Theology of UFOs 9 4 Stephen Jay Gould Tribute 10 1 Roswell Requiem 10 2 Stephen Wolfram’s Science 10 3 Evolution, Intelligent Design 10 4 Low Carb Craze . . . . . .

Issues 11-21 Volume Number Featured Topic 11 1 Medieval UFOs? 11 2 Nature vs. Nurture 11 3 Catastrophe. Collapse. 11 4 Ernst Mayr, 1904–2005 12 1 Debunking with KABOOM! Meet the Mythbusters 12 2 Artificial Intelligence 12 3 Religion 12 4 9/11 Conspiracies 13 1 The Legacy of Carl Sagan 13 2 Richard Dawkins & Religion 13 3 Medical Controversies 13 4 Quirkology 14 1 Global Warming 14 2 Evolution of Intelligence 14 3 The New Revisionism 14 4 Fooled by Ponzi (and Madoff 15 1 Christian Conspiracy Theory 15 2 2012 — The End of the World Again? 15 3 Mind Myths 15 4 Climate Skeptics 16 1 The Happiness Industry 16 2 The Origin of Life 16 3 Islam 16 4 The Man Who Invented Flying Saucers 17 1 Scientology 17 2 Climate Change Q&A 17 3 Christian Nation? 17 4 Alternative Cancer Cures 18 1 The Mass Murder Problem 18 2 Gender Differences 18 3 50 Years of JFK Conspiracy Theories 18 4 Ancient Aliens 19 1 Did Jesus Exist? 19 2 Boston Bombing Conspiracy Theories 19 3 The Multiverse 19 4 Diet Myths 20 1 Terrorism 20 2 Drug Policy 20 3 Alfred Russel Wallace 20 4 Robert Trivers 21 1 Confidence Scams 21 2 Uploading Your Brain

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).

Junior Skeptic Topics Volume Number Featured Topic 6 2 Emily Rosa vs Therapeutic Touch (volume 6, #2) 6 3 Bigfoot (volume 6, #3) 6 4 Aliens Among Us? (volume 6, #4) 7 1 Fortune telling (volume 7, #1) 7 2 Urban legends (volume 7, #2) 7 3 Halloween (volume 7, #3) 7 4 Television psychics (volume 7, #4) 8 1 Charles Darwin (volume 8, #1) 8 2 Pyramids(volume 8, #2) 8 4 Atlantis (volume 8, #4) 9 1 Moon landing hoax (volume 9, #1) 9 2 Magician’s Force (volume 9, #2) 9 3 Psychic surgery & snake oil (volume 9, #3) 9 4 Sea monsters (volume 9, #4) 10 1 Extraterrestrial life (volume 10, #1) 10 2 Yeti (volume 10, #2) 10 3 Bermuda Triangle (volume 10, #3) 10 4 King Tut’s Curse (volume 10, #4) 11 1 Loch Ness Monster (volume 11, #1) 11 2 Sasquatch Part 1 of 2 (volume 11, #2) 11 3 Sasquatch Part 2 of 2 (volume 11, #3) 11 4 Madman of Magic (volume 11, #4) 12 2 Pyramid power (volume 12, #2) 12 3 Alien abduction Part 1 (volume 12, #3) 12 4 Alien Abduction Part 2 (volume 12, #4) 13 1 Evolution Part 1 (volume 13, #1) 13 2 Evolution Part 2 (volume 13, #2) 13 3 Ancient astronauts Part 1 (volume 13, #3) 13 4 Ancient astronauts Part 2 (volume 13, #4) 14 1 Dragons (volume 14, #1) 14 2 Crystal skulls (volume 14, #2) 14 3 Great American Skeptics (volume 13,#3) 14 4 The Art of Cold Reading (volume 14,#4)

. Volume Number Featured Topic 15 1 Skepticism from Scooby-Doo (volume 15,#1) 15 2 The Shocking Secret of Thetis Lake (volume 15,#2) 15 3 The Cottingley Fairies Hoax (volume 15,#3) 15 4 Top Ten Busted Myths (volume 15,#4) 16 1 The Origin of the Griffin (volume 16,#1) 16 2 Skeptical Investigation (volume 16,#2) 16 3 The Kraken! (volume 16,#3) 16 4 Fossil Fakes Part 1 (volume 16,#4) 17 1 Fossil Fakes Part 2 (volume 17,#1) 17 2 The Mighty Moa! (volume 17,#2) 17 3 Mokele Mbembe (volume 17,#3) 17 4 Dark Secrets of the Oracle-Monger (volume 17,#4) 18 1 Ghostbuster Girls! (volume 18,#1) 18 2 Alien Invaders (volume 18,#2) 18 3 Mermaids (volume 18,#3) 18 4 Ping-pong Planets and Velikovsky (volume 18,#4) 19 1 Carl Sagan (volume 19,#1) 19 2 Photographing Phantoms-Part 1 (volume 19,#2) 19 3 Photographing Phantoms-Part 2 (volume 19,#3) 19 4 Flat Earth?!(volume 19,#4) 20 1 Inside the Hollow Earth Part 1(volume 20,#1) 20 2 Inside the Hollow Earth Part 2 (volume 20,#2) 20 3 Bat-People On the Moon (volume 20,#3) 20 4 Space Brothers from Venus? (volume 20,#4) 21 1 Haunted Houses (volume 21,#1) 21 2 Man-Eating Plants (volume 21,#2) 21 3 21 4 22 1

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.^[14]

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.^[15] Monster Talk is hosted by Blake Smith, Ben Radford and Dr. Karen Stollznow. Blake Smith produces the show.^[16]

Collections

• Paranormal Claims: A Critical Analysis, 2007, edited by Bryan Farha, University Press of America, ISBN 978-0-7618-3772-5. Several of the chapters are reprints of Skeptic articles.
• The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience, a collection of articles that discuss the Skeptics Society's scientific findings of investigations into popular pseudoscientific and supernatural claims.

Editorial Board

^[17]

Arthur Benjamin Roger Bingham Napoleon Chagnon K.C. Cole Richard Dawkins Jared Diamond Clayton J. Drees Mark Edward George Fischbeck Gregory Forbes John Gribbin Christof Koch

Lawrence M. Krauss William McComas Leonard Mlodinow Richard Olson Donald Prothero Nancy Segal Eugenie Scott Ambrose Swasey Julia Sweeney Frank Sulloway Carol Tavris Stuart Vyse

Masthead

Officers	Publisher & Editor-in-Chief	Co-publisher & Art Director	Director of Development	Senior Editor	Jr Skeptic Editor
Michael Shermer	Michael Shermer	Pat Linse	Steven Ridley	Frank Miele	Daniel Loxton
Pat Linse

Sr Scientists	Contributing Editors	Editorial Assistants	Photographer	Database Circulation	Office Manager	Webmaster
David Naiditch	Tim Callahan	Gene Friedman	David Patton	Jerry Friedman	Nickole McCullough	William Bull
Bernard Leikind	Harriet Hall	Sara Meric			[email protected]	[email protected]
Claudio Maccone	Donald Prothero	Julie Riggott
Liam McDaid	Carol Tavris
Thomas McDonough

See also

• Critical thinking
• FactCheck
• Freethought
• Pseudoscience
• Scientific skepticism
• Skeptical Inquirer
• SkeptiCamp
• Skepticism
• Snopes.com
• The Freethinker journal
• The Skeptic's Dictionary
• The Skeptic (UK magazine)
• The Straight Dope

References

1. "Contribution Guidelines". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
2. "What We Do". Skeptic (U.S. magazine). Retrieved March 5, 2015.
3. "Meet Michael Shermer". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
4. "Masthead, Skeptic Magazine.". Retrieved 1 December 2008.
5. "Making a living of bullshit detecting". VUE Weekly. August 27, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
6. "Vol. 1 No.1 (Premiere Issue) Tribute to Isaac Asimov". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
7. "Vol. 12 No. 2 Artificial Intelligence". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
8. "Skepticamp". Retrieved 2012-03-21.
9. "Table of Contents". Skeptic. 16 (2). Skeptics Society. Retrieved July 10, 2011
10. "Table of Contents". Skeptic. 16 (1). Skeptics Society. Retrieved July 10, 2011
11. "Table of Contents". Skeptic. 15 (4). Skeptics Society. Retrieved July 10, 2011
12. Randi, James (August 31, 2011). "A Report from the Paranormal Trenches". Skeptic.
13. Sulloway, Frank J. (February 2005). "Ernst Mayr, 1904–2005Remembrances & Tribute". Skeptic.
14. Campling, Chris (August 9, 2008). "Podcast of the week: Skepticality offers the 'truth'". The Times. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
15. "About MonsterTalk". Retrieved July 22, 2011.
16. "About the Hosts of MonsterTalk". Skeptic. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
17. "Editorial Board". Skeptic Society. Retrieved 31 May 2016.

External links

• Skeptic Magazine's Official site
• The Skeptics Society's Official site
• Monster Talk Podcast
• Skepticality Podcast
• Lecture Series
• Conferences
• The Reading Room
• Curriculum Resource Center