 "De kritische kijk op paranormale verschijnselen en pseudowetenschap" | |
| Editor-in-chief | Marcel Hulspas(1988–2002) Rob Nanninga(2002–2014) Hans van Maanen(2014–)[1] |
|---|---|
| Categories | Scientific skepticism |
| Frequency | Quarterly (1988–2006)Semi-annually (2007–present) |
| Circulation | 2900 (2300 paid)[2] |
| Publisher | Stichting Skepsis |
| First issue | March 1, 1988 |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Language | Dutch |
| Website | skepsis |
| ISSN | 0921-5085 |
Skepter is apopular sciencemagazine of theDutchskeptical foundationStichting Skepsis. It describes paranormal or controversial theories and methods from a skeptical perspective.
In its first issue, the contemporary president of Stichting Skepsis, astronomerCornelis de Jager, wrote that the paper "could fulfill a useful task in explaining many seemingly miraculous things, and consequently to the clarification of the misconceptions that exist in many people's minds. Education of a hopefully large audience is the first and foremost task of our magazine."[3] From 1988 until 2002, astronomerMarcel Hulspas [nl] was editor-in-chief, and when he was succeeded byRob Nanninga, the magazine first appeared in colour. In 2007, to reduce costs, increase accessibility and facilitate production and distribution,Skepter has been concentrated more and more on the Internet.[4] In that year, the frequency ofSkepter was reduced from quarterly to semi-annually. On the other hand, its size grew from 20 pages per issue in 1988 to 48 in 2014. During Nanninga's editorship (2002–2014), the number of subscribers increased from about 1500 to 2200.[5]
After Nanninga's death in May 2014, he was succeeded as editor-in-chief by science journalist Hans van Maanen in December.[1] The layout was revamped, and since 2016Skepter has been issued four times a year again, as was the case before 2007.[6] Since September 2017, the staff consists of editor-in-chief Hans van Maanen and editorsPepijn van Erp andCSI fellowJan Willem Nienhuys.[2] The paidcirculation is more than 2300, the total circulation is at 2900.
The magazine deals with topics such asalternative medicine,magic and theparanormal. Examples include medical claims inreflexology,9/11 conspiracy theories,tidal forces, the hype surrounding the popular bookThe Secret, forgeddoctorates from non-existent universities, the "ridiculous" verdict by an Amsterdam judge that theVereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij could not labelorthomanual therapist M. Sickesz a "quack"[4] (later overturned[7]),iridology,Bach flower remedies,ayurveda,Aqua Detox,magnet therapyapplied kinesiology,bioresonance therapy,acupuncture andreiki. Moreover, attention is given toclairvoyance,parapsychology,auras anddowsing, but also toEgyptian pyramids,aliens,crop circles andUFOs. Although Nanninga said that practices such as forging doctorates are a disgrace, he emphasised that (writing about)critical thinking can be interesting.[4]
