 Premiere issue, featuring a tribute toIsaac Asimov | |
| Editor-in-Chief | Michael Shermer |
|---|---|
| Categories | Skeptical magazine |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| Circulation | 40,000 subscribers |
| Publisher | The Skeptics Society |
| First issue | Spring 1992 |
| Company | Millennium Press |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Altadena, California |
| Language | English |
| Website | Skeptic.com |
| ISSN | 1063-9330 |
Skeptic, colloquially known asSkeptic magazine, is a quarterlyscience education and science advocacymagazine published internationally byThe Skeptics Society, anonprofit organization devoted to promotingscientific skepticism and resisting the spread ofpseudoscience,superstition, andirrational beliefs.[1] First published in 1992, the magazine had a circulation of over 40,000 subscribers in 2000.
The magazine was co-founded in late 1991 byMichael Shermer and Pat Linse as they formed the Skeptics Society.[2][3] The magazine was first published in early 1992. It is published through Millennium Press.As of July 2021, Shermer remained the publisher andeditor-in-chief of the magazine. The magazine's co-publisher andart director was Pat Linse,[4] until her death in July 2021.[5] Other noteworthy members of its editorial board include, or have included,evolutionary biologistRichard Dawkins,Pulitzer Prize-winning scientistJared Diamond,magician andescape artist turned educatorJames “The Amazing” Randi, actor, comedian, andSaturday Night Live alumnaJulia Sweeney, professional mentalistMark Edward, science writerDaniel Loxton,Lawrence M. Krauss andChristof Koch.Skeptic has an international circulation with over 40,000 subscriptions and is on newsstands in the U.S. and Canada as well as Europe, Australia, and other countries.[6][7][8]
The cover story of the magazine's first issue paid tribute toscientist andscience-fiction writerIsaac Asimov.[9] According to Shermer, Asimov died when the issue was going to print, so artist Linse produced a pencil portrait of the author.[citation needed] 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 arobot sitting on a park bench reading that first issue.[10]
Every issue of the magazine opens with a description of The Skeptics Society and its mission statement, which is to explore subjects such ascreationism,pyramid power,Bigfoot,pseudohistorical claims (as in the examples ofHolocaust denial and extremeAfrocentrism), the use or misuse of theory andstatistics,conspiracy theories,urban myths,witch-hunts,mass hysterias,genius andintelligence, and cultural influences on science, as well as controversies involvingprotosciences at the leading edge of established science, and evenfads likecryonics andlow-carb diets. In addition to publishing the magazine, the Society also:
In 2011, the magazine had three regular columnists:James Randi wrote "'Twas Brillig…",Harriet A. Hall wrote "The Skep Doc" andKaren Stollznow wrote "Bad Language".[12]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).[citation needed] As of 2018[update], the magazine had two regular columnists: Harriet A. Hall andCarol Tavris.[13]
In 2021, the magazine's 100th edition, Vol. 26 No. 2 included a retrospective of over 40 years ofSkeptic artwork and covers by Linse and Loxton.[14]
Each issue features aneditorial. In the past this was provided byJames Randi, and was often a reaction to stories from mainstream news media such as the 2005 story by theABCnewsmagazinePrimetime Live featuring aBrazilianfaith healer,João Teixeira.[citation needed] Other times Randi wrote about topics he had investigated in the past, such as allegeddowsers,[15] allegedpsychics likeSylvia Browne, and UFOs.[citation needed]
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 fromprofessionals, contributing to extended academic debate across issues raised in past editions.[citation needed]
The bulk of the magazine treats a variety of topics.Cover stories have ranged from examination of allegedUFOs inreligious icons and theories of the likelihood ofartificial intelligence to tributes to influential skeptics includingIsaac Asimov[9] andErnst Mayr.[16] Some editions feature special sections devoted to a particular topic or theme that is examined through multiple articles by different authors, such asintelligent design.[citation needed]
Bound into most issues is a 10-page young-readers' section calledJunior 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 ofJunior Skeptic. He writes and illustrates most issues.
The first edition ofJunior Skeptic appeared in volume 6, #2 ofSkeptic (2000).
In April 2006, an independent, skeptical talk program calledSkepticality was relaunched asSkepticality: 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 ofSkeptic magazine.[17]
In 2009, a second official podcast was added.MonsterTalk critically examines the science behindcryptozoological andlegendary creatures, such as Bigfoot, theLoch Ness Monster andwerewolves.[18]Monster Talk is hosted by Blake Smith andKaren Stollznow, and previouslyBen Radford. Blake Smith produces the show.[19]
The editorial board is composed of the following people:[20]
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