In Volume 22, Issue 2:
Features
Susan Blackmore interview:
On parapsychology, rationalising negative results, memes, Zen and consciousness...
Ray Hyman, Richard Wiseman, Caroline Watt and Chris Roe:
An eleven page argument about The Demise of Parapsychology and whether it is still a worthwhile field for research
Lewis Jones on Basava Premanand (1930-2009)
Phil Plait, former President of the James Randi Educational Foundation:
On The Amaz!ng Meeting: London and the future of international events.
Regular columns & contents
Editorial; Chris French & Lindsay Kallis
Hits and Misses; Mark Williams on Simon Singh and chiropractic, misleading advertising, computer marked examinations, and an update on newly proposed animal experimentation
Skeptic at Large; Wendy Grossman on Fact Checking within the media
Philosopher's Corner; Julian Baggini on The Enemy of my Enemy and logical fallacies
Through a Looking Glass Darkly; Mike Heap on public health and the cost of professional consultancy
Reasonable Doubt; Chris French on Shirley Ghostman
Skeps and the City; Tracy King on Celebrity Scepticism
Galileo's Doughnuts; Mark Duwe on The Day I Saw a Ghost
The Donni Position; Jon Donni on Psychic Joe Power
Skeptical Stats; Mark Williams with the observation that sometimes statistics don’t lie - they’re just plain crazy
Focus On; exploring Voice of Young Science, a division of Sense About Science
Humour
 Sprite, by Donald Rooum, the ongoing saga of an ethereal being who has the misfortune to fall for a confirmed skeptic.
Cartoons by Tim Pearce
Pictures from Hilary Evans’ Paranormal Picture Gallery
Book Reviews
The Realm Beyond; by Rosemary Altea, reviewed by Jacqui Farrants
Big Ideas: The Essential Guide to the Latest Thinking; by James Harkin, reviewed by John Radford
Suckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools of Us All; by Rose Shapiro, reviewed by Tessa Kendall
Letters from our readers
Steuart Campbell critiques Ray Ward on JFK
Hilary Evans on Street Lamp Interference
Duncan M. Butlin criticises The Skeptic
Michael Marshall thanks The Skeptic
Rupert Sheldrake on James Randi and talking heads
James Randi responds to Rupert Sheldrake
Chris French responds to Rupert Sheldrake and James Randi
References for articles in this issue can be found here. |
considering its adherents as sadly deluded. At the close of a productive life, she is currently in a care home, suffering from Alzheimers. In her name, The Skeptic is offering prizes (£400 for the winner, £100 for the runner-up) for the best essay on the subject of religious belief and delusion. Though it is not a condition, you are invited to address these questions: “If there isn’t a God, why bother?” and “If they aren’t a punishment from God, why do afflictions like Alzheimers occur?”
