Skeptic (U.S. Magazine) - History, Format and Structure

History, Format and Structure

The cover story of the magazine’s very first issue was a tribute to scientist and science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. The robot on the cover of volume 12, #2 (2006) is depicted sitting on a park bench reading that issue. (Asimov wrote a number of stories featuring robots and coined the term robotics.)

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, and provides resources for the public, skeptic organizations (such as SkeptiCamp) and the media, with which they may approach controversial subjects from a skeptical viewpoint.

In 2011, the magazine has three regular columnists. James Randi writes "’Twas Brillig…," Harriet A. Hall writes "The Skep Doc" and Karen Stollznow writes "Bad Language."

The magazine’s page count varies from 104 – 114 pages.

Read more about this topic:  Skeptic (U.S. magazine)

Famous quotes containing the word structure:

    Who says that fictions only and false hair
    Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauty?
    Is all good structure in a winding stair?
    May no lines pass, except they do their duty
    Not to a true, but painted chair?
    George Herbert (1593–1633)