Home : Skeptical Inquirer magazine

Volume 29, Number 5
September/October 2005

Einstein and the World Year of Physics

We Can Still Learn Lessons from Einstein’s Watershed Year

Gary L. Bennett

The Twin Paradox

Dave Thomas

Special Relativity after 100 Years

John Geohegan

Articles

Obesity: Epidemic or Myth?

New evidence shows that the obesity epidemic is not as bad as we have been led to believe. However, that doesn’t mean that we should dismiss the problem either.

PATRICK JOHNSON

The Elixir of Life

Green Tea or Red Wine?

Green tea, steeped in an ancient civilization, conquered the West because of its supposed health effects. Wine, particularly red wine, is a relative newcomer to the health scene. Tea leaves and red grapes are said to line the path to a long and healthy life. The evidence, however, is not convincing.

WILLIAM H. BAARSCHERS

The God of Eth

Are the usual religious defenses of belief in God really up to the job? A dialogue.

STEPHEN LAW

Palm Readers, Stargazers, and Scientists

A Critique of Futurism

Scientific futurism is not that different from psychic futurism. It serves many of the same purposes and is subject to many of the same cognitive biases including belief perseverance, the confirmation bias, and the assimilation bias. Protecting ourselves from both involves similar skills and techniques.

RICHARD L. MILLER and EMILY BALCETIS

Special Reports

Beware of Quacks at the WHO

CEES N.M. RENCKENS, TOM SCHOEPEN, and WILLEM BETZ

Mystical Experiences

Magnetic Fields or Suggestibility?

JOE NICKELL

Columns

Editor's Note

Obesity Epidemic? Elixirs of Life? Where’s the Truth?

News and Comment

Gallup Poll Shows that Americans’ Belief in the Paranormal Persists
Bill Nye Launches ‘The Eyes of Nye’
Famous ‘Psychic Healer’ Arrested in Toronto
Italian Skeptics Debunk Crop Circle Electromagnetic Radiation Claim
PBS Series Nova to Feature ‘Einstein’s Big Idea’
Deadly Rituals: Nun Dies During Convent Exorcism
‘Jane Doe’ Recovered Memory Lawsuit Appeal
Tom Cruise, Scientology Bash Psychiatry; APA Fires Back

Investigative Files

Italy’s ‘Miracle’ Relics

Joe Nickell

Thinking About Science

The Power and Perils of Metaphors in Science

Massimo Pigliucci

Notes on a Strange World

Beware of Poltergeists

Massimo Polidoro

The Skeptical Inquiree

Isaac Newton, Astrologer?

Benjamin Radford

New Books

Science Best Sellers

Forum

An Unusual Twist in Testing Media Psychics

Wendy M. Grossman

Eloquent but Gloomy

Ralph Estling

Follow-Up

Statistics of the Natasha Test: Response to Concerns and Questions

Ray Hyman

Letters to the Editor

Book Reviews

The Obesity Myth: Why America’s Obsession with Weight Is Hazardous to Your Health

By Paul Campos