tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154546312012-05-23T07:13:39.535-04:00National Capital Area SkepticsPromoting critical thinking and scientific understanding. noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-36044085460028173352012-06-10T21:09:00.000-04:002012-05-14T21:17:35.328-04:00NCAS 25th Anniversary! NCAS Turns 25 this year! Join us at our big shindig! Sunday, June 10, 2012 1 to 5:30 PM Fenton Room, Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza Full details and registration can be found here. Only 65 seats available, so don’t delay!Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-77512117394317028832012-05-25T21:16:00.000-04:002012-05-14T21:17:42.922-04:00NCAS at BalticonThe Maryland Regional Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, otherwise known as Balticon, will take place Memorial Day Weekend May 25-28, 2012 at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn. In addition to lots of Sci-Fi and Fantasy related events, Balticon has an extensive science track. Among the speakers this year is Dr. William D. Phillips, Jt Quantum Institute, Laureate, Nobel Prize in Physics for 1997. Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-47865174581279346432012-05-12T20:23:00.000-04:002012-05-03T20:24:12.473-04:00May 12 - Jamila Bey - 2012 and the FaithlessSaturday, May 12, 2012, 1:30pm Bethesda Regional Library 7400 Arlington Rd Bethesda, MD [map] From doomsday predictions and reprimanded nuns to women's health and the faith of those in power, the year 2012 is shaping up to be one filled with myriad conflicts over religious faith. DC-based journalist Jamila Bey will discuss why skepticism and reason need not be subject to the whims of warringBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-37881111330354967692012-05-01T09:40:00.000-04:002012-05-09T09:41:17.366-04:00Shadow of a Doubt - May 2012The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics NCAS Public Lecture Series: 2012 and the Faithless - Jamila Bey NCAS Presents the 2012 Philip J. Klass Award and Celebrates 25 Years Revised Bylaws Adopted, New Board Members Elected, Officers Chosen Torn From Today's Headlines By Scott Snell - Venus Gets a Bum Rap (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Its Shadow) Shadow Light Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-3148606435325125482012-04-14T20:03:00.008-04:002012-04-18T18:52:49.635-04:00April 14 - Frederick L. Joutz - Forecasting vs. Fortune TellingSaturday, April 14, 2012, 1:30pm Bethesda Regional Library 7400 Arlington Rd Bethesda, MD [map] (Slides from Talk) How is scientific forecasting different from reading tea leaves? How well do economic forecasts perform, and why should we feel more confident in them than in psychic predictions? Frederick L. Joutz will describe the scope of modern forecasting, and the tools and assumptions Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-23844371431484073432012-04-01T17:27:00.000-04:002012-04-09T07:52:22.542-04:00Shadow of a Doubt - April 2012The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics NCAS Public Lecture Series: Frederick L. Joutz - Forecasting vs. Fortune Telling - April 14 NCAS 25th Anniversary - Save the Date! Sunday, June 10 NCAS Board Elections - Return ballots by April 30 Next Board Meeting -  Monday, April 16 Torn From Today's Headlines by Scott Snell - The GSA Scandal's "Mind Reader" Torn From Today's Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-14916513100023307302012-03-31T09:53:00.000-04:002012-03-18T09:54:16.484-04:00NCAS to participate in the Washington Academy of Science CapSci12During the weekend of March 31-April 1, the Washington Academy of Science (WAS) is sponsoring the 5th Capital Science weekend in Arlington VA. Most affiliate organizations of the WAS are presenting talks in their specialty. As an affiliate of the WAS, NCAS is presenting 3 talks on Sunday, April 1 from 2-5pm: - 2pm: Vaccines and autism - Prof. Marvin Zelkowitz, Department of NCAShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410450654449554479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-61880848469179645442012-03-14T11:52:00.000-04:002012-03-12T19:07:25.465-04:00Wed March 14th, 7pm Drinking Skeptically with NCAS in MD and VA Drinking Skeptically in MD & Now also No. VA ! 2d Wednesday Each Month - 7:00 p.m Jackie’s Restaurant (map) Join us in the Sidebar 8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD www.jackiesrestaurant.com The Front Page (map) 4201 Wilson BLVD Arlington, VA 22203 www.frontpagearlington.com Visit and Join the NCAS MeetUp.comBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-23834028544021287922012-03-10T13:30:00.000-05:002012-03-12T19:06:53.254-04:00March 10 - Ann Merchant - The Science and Entertainment Exchange Saturday, March 10, 2012, 1:30pm National Science Foundation Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA [map] Ann Merchant (Deputy Executive Director for Communications for The National Academies) will discuss The Science & Entertainment Exchange (“The Exchange”), a program she oversees for the National Academy of Sciences that connects entertainment industry professionals with top Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-91872164464563644172012-03-01T10:30:00.000-05:002012-03-03T10:33:17.971-05:00Shadow of a Doubt - March 2012The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics March 10 - Ann Merchant -  The Science & Entertainment Exchange Happy 25th Birthday, NCAS! NCAS to Participate in The Washington Academy of Sciences' Capital Science 2012 Walter Rowe at Library of Congress on March 13 Lawrence Krauss at UMD on March 26 NCAS Board Elections Torn From Today's Headlines by Scott Snell - For the Birds: Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-40287667297582920832012-02-11T13:30:00.000-05:002012-04-19T18:13:55.916-04:00Feb 11 - Brian Engler - Measuring Mythology Saturday, February 11, 2012, 1:30pm National Science Foundation Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA [map] (Slides from Talk) Brian Engler will discuss the research underpinning his paper “Measuring Mythology: Startling Concepts in NCCAM Grants” co-authored by Eugenie V. Mielczarek and recently published in the January/February 2012 issue of Skeptical Inquirer magazine. Over the pastBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-77071250964742540792012-02-08T19:00:00.000-05:002012-02-16T16:14:39.776-05:00Wed Feb 8th, 7 pm Drinking Skeptically with NCAS in MD & VA Drinking Skeptically in MD & Now also No. VA ! 2d Wednesday Each Month - 7:00 p.m Jackie’s Restaurant (map) Join us in the Sidebar 8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD www.jackiesrestaurant.com Chevy's Fresh Mex 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (Ballston Common Mall) www.chevys.com Just two blocks from the Ballston Metro station. Visit and Join the NCAS MeetUp.comBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-20239737952023871692012-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:002012-02-03T14:12:59.684-05:00Shadow of a Doubt - February 2012The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics Feb 11th - Brian Engler - Measuring Mythology March Lecture:  Ann Merchant - The Science & Entertainment Exchange January Lecture Redux -  Lawrence Krauss Torn From Today's Headlines by Scott Snell - Nowhere to Hide: Looking for an Apollo Moon Landings Hoax–from Inside NASA (Addendum) Shadow Light Drinking Skeptically - Feb 8th NCAS Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-47110636059777748732012-01-14T08:15:00.000-05:002011-12-13T08:17:00.606-05:00Jan 14 - Lawrence Krauss - A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than NothingSaturday, January 14, 2012, 1:30pm National Science Foundation Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA [map] Where did the universe come from? What was there before it? What will the future bring? And why is there something rather than nothing? Lawrence Krauss’s provocative answers to these and other timeless questions in a wildly popular lecture now on YouTube have attracted almost a Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-75670562430458289532012-01-01T17:27:00.000-05:002012-01-09T17:29:13.266-05:00Shadow of a Doubt - January 2012The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics January 14 - Lawrence Krauss: A Universe from Nothing February Lecture:  Measuring Mythology: Startling Concepts in NCCAM Grants Prez Sez Torn From Today's Headlines: Nowhere to Hide: Looking for an Apollo Moon Landings Hoax–from Inside NASA (Part 2) From Readers Shadow Light Drinking Skeptically NCAS Public Lecture Series Lawrence Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-25439928863355130702011-12-14T19:00:00.000-05:002011-11-27T19:55:59.027-05:00Wed Dec 14th, 7 pm Drinking Skeptically with NCAS in MD & VA Drinking Skeptically in MD & Now also No. VA ! 2d Wednesday Each Month - 7:00 p.m Jackie’s Restaurant (map) Join us in the Sidebar 8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD www.jackiesrestaurant.com Chevy's Fresh Mex 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (Ballston Common Mall) www.chevys.com Just two blocks from the Ballston Metro station. Visit and Join the NCAS MeetUp.comBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-1820648248075533122011-12-10T13:30:00.000-05:002011-12-13T08:16:52.483-05:00Dec 10 - The Brain on Trial: How Neuroscience Challenges the Law as We Know ItSaturday, December 10, 2011, 1:30pm National Science Foundation Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA [map] Mark Frankel, American Association for the Advancement of Science Neuroscience has a lot to offer the law.  These include, for example, use for determining whether a person is competent to stand trial or sign a contract, whether brain dysfunction is a mitigating factor in Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-59691500986119552632011-12-01T09:05:00.000-05:002011-12-06T22:20:12.404-05:00Shadow of a Doubt - December 2011The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics The Brain on Trial: How Neuroscience Challenges the Law as We Know It January NCAS Lecture: Lawrence Krauss Torn From Today's Headlines by Scott Snell - Nowhere to Hide: Looking for an Apollo Moon Landings Hoax-from Inside NASA From Readers Shadow Light Drinking Skeptically NCAS Public Lecture Series The Brain on Trial: How Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-43350807642766484662011-11-12T09:18:00.000-05:002011-12-13T08:16:45.109-05:00Nov 12 - Fighting Junk Science in the Courts: Deterring Dangerous TherapiesSaturday, November 12, 2011, 1:30pm National Science Foundation Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA [map] Presented by Brian J. Gorman, M.Sc., J.D. (Towson University) An alleged miracle cure for autism known as Facilitated Communication (FC) swept the country with great promise and hope in the early 1990’s. Proponents of FC claimed that there was a special technique whereby Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-4058447566594207842011-11-01T07:41:00.000-04:002011-11-07T07:42:24.950-05:00Shadow of a Doubt - November 2011The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics Fighting Junk Science in the Courts: Deterring Dangerous Therapies Prez Sez Torn From Today's Headlines: Gaddafi's 2011 Death Foretold...by a Sitcom? Shadow Light Drinking Skeptically NCAS Public Lecture Series Fighting Junk Science in the Courts: Deterring Dangerous Therapies Brian J. Gorman, M.Sc., J.D. Saturday, November 12, 1:Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-45085578205286313392011-10-15T07:44:00.000-04:002011-10-13T07:44:22.732-04:00Oct 15 - Humans to Mars: How and WhySaturday, October 15, 1:30pm - 4:00pm Bethesda Regional Library 7400 Arlington Rd Bethesda, MD [map] Presented by Douglas Gage, Ph.D. Now that the space shuttle program has ended, what should be the next step for human space flight? There appears to be broad agreement that Mars should be our ultimate goal, but some say that first we should go back to the moon or to an asteroid, and many Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-66804105221457029422011-10-01T07:41:00.000-04:002011-10-19T12:10:44.990-04:00Shadow of a Doubt - October 2011The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics Humans to Mars: How and Why - Douglas W Gage, Ph.D. SkeptiCamp DC 2011 Torn from Today's Headlines: Reentry of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite: a Case Study for UFO Reports? November Lecture: Brian J. Gorman Shadow Light Drinking Skeptically Humans to Mars: How and Why - Douglas W. Gage, Ph.D. Saturday, October 15, 1:30pmBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-66941241173161913552011-09-25T13:30:00.001-04:002011-09-14T11:15:39.438-04:00Sept 25 - The Science of Divination: What they DON'T Teach at Hogwartspresented by Michael Blanford, Director of Educational Programs, JREF How do you tell the best place to dig a well? Or locate utility pipes under the pavement? Or even detect hidden explosives? For hundreds of years, rural water witches and their urban counterparts have used pendulums and dowsing rods to seek knowledge, resources, and treasure. What are they doing and why does it sometimes seemBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-51871627326751820362011-08-25T12:16:00.009-04:002011-08-29T15:56:28.227-04:00Shadow of a Doubt - September 2011The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics SkeptiCamp DC 2011 ABC News - "Beyond Belief: Psychic Power" October NCAS Lecture: Humans to Mars: How and Why. New Board Member Elected, Officers Chosen Shadow Light Drinking Skeptically SkeptiCamp DC 2011 Skeptics are invited to Greater Washington, D.C., area’s 2nd annual SkeptiCamp. SkeptiCamp DC 2011 -- an informal conference Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-65636491850934109952011-08-19T10:50:00.001-04:002011-08-25T11:47:31.031-04:00Sept 10 - Why You Should Be Skeptical of the Media's Medical Reporting, Dr. John CmarSaturday, September 10, 1:30pm - 4:00pm Bethesda Regional Library 7400 Arlington Rd Bethesda, MD [map] One of the greatest disservices that the current trend of sensationalist, opinion-based media "reporting" does is to misinform the public about medical matters. It's one thing to distinguish evidence-based medicine from science-based medicine, and another that the news media often doesn't seem Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14306470638861431559noreply@blogger.com