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Home , CSICon, Eugenie Scott, James Alcock, Karen Stollznow, Point of Inquiry, Ray Hyman

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CONFERENCE REPORT]

search is worthwhile.” Rigorous studies in of “energy medicine” were negative, the Crescent City hardly surprising since they were testing “implausible treatments.” When Prince Charles, an advocate of alternative med- icine, complained about Ernst to the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry chancellor of his university, Ernst lost A(CSI) conference has been long- most of his funding and team. Ernst de- awaited since the last event held in fended himself successfully but at high 2003. The inaugural CSICon, the con- cost. He said his work has “generated ference dedicated to scientific inquiry substantial bodies of evidence,” much of and critical thinking, was held October it undermining assertions of alternative 27–30, 2011. medicine, and made him “some friends, For such an event there simply is no lots of enemies.” better location than the French Quar- This is just a brief taste of the sessions ter in New Orleans and simply no bet- that made CSICon New Orleans 2011 ter time than the Halloween weekend. such a treat. There were also lively ses- As I demonstrated in my talk “Making sions on “The Investigators” (, History,” New Orleans is the most “haunted” city in the country (or at least , Karen Stollznow, and one of the many “most haunted”). Ben Radford), “Death from the Skies” NOLA is famous for its music, cui- (, David Morrison, and Seth sine, and Cajun and Creole culture, but Shostak), “Science and Public Policy” it’s also a city teeming with pseudo- (Chris Mooney and Ron Lindsay), science and the . Jackson “Feeling the Future” ( and Square has art galleries and museums ), “Evo lu tion and Creation- but also resident offering tarot, ism” ( and Barbara For- palm, and readings. The rest), “Skepti cism and the Media” (Indre French Quarter is infamous for the Viskontas, San dra Blake slee, and reputation of Bourbon Street, Mardi William B. Davis), “Super stitions and Gras, and Southern Decadence, but it’s Hauntings” (Amar deo Sarma, Stuart also known for its underbelly of Vyse, and Joe Nickell), “UFO Claims” voodoo, hoodoo, and Santeria. The city (Robert Sheaf fer and James McGaha), has a remarkable and vibrant history “Con spiracy Theories” (David Thomas, but is often best remembered for its Robert Blaskiewicz, and Ted Goert zel), folklore of ghosts, vampires, and Voo - “Inde pendent In vestigation Groups,” doo Queen Marie Laveau. The confer- “Grass roots Activ ism and Outreach,” ence was a haven of rationalism, in- “Educating the Next Genera tion,” and a quiry, and amid the myths characteristically mind-bending lunch and legends of the Big Easy. talk about frontiers of modern physics by CSICon featured an exciting array physicist . of dynamic speakers. These are people It was exhausting but exhilarating, we’ve seen on television, whose writings and we can hope there will be many we’ve read in books and copies of the more CSICons to come. , and who we’ve listened to on podcasts and radio is editor of the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER shows. There were fascinating and in- and a member of the Executive Council of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. formative talks presented by James r e l g n E

CSI Executive Council Member Leonard Tramiel chats with student Troy T. Obrero; Indre Viskontas reminds . D

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us immediatley dismissing someone’s story can be counterproductive to skepticism; PZ Myers sports a i r B

CSICon T-shirt during his talk on Sunday; Ken Frazier welcomes the crowd at CSICon’s introductory remarks. : s o t o h p

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Randi, , PZ Myers, Lawrence Krauss, and Indre Viskontas of the TV Joe Nickell Has Asteroid Named After Him show Miracle Detectives. The conference was well-attended with over 300 people but It was a surprise announcement at the beginning of the Friday night awards banquet at intimate enough to enable personal conver- CSICon New Orleans 2011. and CSI scientific consultant James McGaha sations with speakers and fellow confer- came forward and announced that an asteroid has been named for Joe Nickell in honor ence-goers. of his distinguished work on behalf of science, skepticism, and critical inquiry. CSI was well-represented by speakers Nickell, the tireless investigator, prolific writer, and author who is CSI’s senior re- from within its own ranks, including Fel- search fellow, accepted the award. Asteroid 1999 CE10, discovered by McGaha on lows Phil Plait, Seth Shostak, Edzard Ernst, David Morrison, Dave Thomas, and February 9, 1999, will henceforth be known as Joenickell. It is a main belt asteroid Sandra Blakeslee; Execu tive Council mem- about five kilometers in diameter with a period of 3.44 years. The Inter national Astro- bers Eugenie Scott, , and nomical Union’s Com mittee on Small Body Nomenclature oversees the official naming James Alcock; and ’s Chris process using a set of well-defined guidelines. Mooney. Here is the citation: Current, critical, and classical topics were 31451 Joenickell = 1999 CE10 tackled, including creation and , science and public policy, investigations, Named in honor of Joe Nickell (b. 1944), the Senior Research Fellow of the UFO claims, conspiracy theories, alternative Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. A noted author, investigator, and skeptic, Nick- medicine claims, and grassroots activism ell has written more than 30 books on mysteries, frauds, forgeries, and hoaxes. and outreach. SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Editor He promotes scientific inquiry and reasoned investigation of extraordinary Ken Frazier, CSI Executive Director Barry claims . Karr, and President and Nickell joins several other prominent skeptics in having asteroids named for them. CEO Ron Lindsay presented stirring Previously , , , Ann Druyan, and Philip J. Klass speeches about the history and future of were so honored (SI, July/August 1998; May/June 1999). Philosopher and CSICOP skepticism. founder and CSICOP itself (“for its contributions to science education and This was also a time for commendation. During a banquet dinner, Bill Nye received skepticism”) received the honor on CSICOP’s twentieth anniversary (September/Octo - the “In Praise of Reason” Award and Steve ber 1996, p. 8). Others include P Z Meyers, Philip Plait, Michael Stackpole, and Rebecca Novella was presented with the Robert P. Watson (September/October 2008). Balles Annual Prize in Critical Thinking. For his decades of investigative work, Senior Research Fellow Joe Nickell was recognized with an asteroid named after him. (See sep- arate stories.) CSICon encouraged knowledge-shar- ing and networking, but it wasn’t all “work”; there was plenty of play with many unique extracurricular events. At the opening re- ception there was a performance by the Heathens, a band led by Jim Underdown of the Independent Investigations Group (IIG). David Willey, the “Mad Scientist,” presented “How Does a Thing Like That Work?,” an entertaining and interactive lec- ture consisting of the more visual and dra- matic demonstrations from an introductory physics course. One of the many highlights of CSICon was the Smarti Gras parade. It was a sight to behold—hundreds of skeptics in Hal- James McGaha (center right) announces an asteroid has been named after CSI senior loween costumes led by a police escort and research fellow Joe Nickell (center left) while Eugenie C. Scott, Bill Nye, and Steven jazz band to the legendary Tipitina’s jazz Novella approve. club. In true New Orleans style, passers-by joined in with the merriment, cheering us

14 Volume 36 Issue 2 | Skeptical Inquirer March April pages_SI new design masters 2/1/12 12:48 PM Page 15

CONFERENCE REPORT]

along and even following the parade. We Where Meeting hope to have the same public reaction to our critical thinking! Awesome Skeptics This is what CSICon is about: showing Is As Easy As that skepticism is not only important but also fun. Saying ‘Hello’ The party included music, dancing, jam- JULIA LAVARNWAY balaya, and Halloween costumes. Blake Smith, of the IIG in , won the best r e

skeptically themed costume award for his ven before CSICon 2011 in New l g n E

“Occam’s Shaving Cream” outfit. E Orleans officially began, I was al- . D

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Unlike in other conference reports, the ready having great conversations with a i r B

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cuisine deserves a mention too. CSICon de- skeptics from all over the country. While o t o h

parted from the usual bland conference fare, helping at the registration table I met p offering crab cakes with a spicy remoulade, SKEPTICAL INQUIRER readers and sup- eggs benedict with andouille, and an ice porters from as close as a few blocks cream buffet with freshly made waffle cones. away from the conference hotel to as The conference concluded with CSI’s an- far away as the United Kingdom. It nual Houdini séance hosted by Joe Nickell. was amazing to see people from so The session included talks by cold-reading many places convening in one place to expert Ray Hyman and -buster Mas- celebrate reason, science, and skeptical simo Polidoro. Unfortunately but unsurpris- inquiry. ingly, Houdini didn’t turn up, yet again. It sure is something to be surrounded y a

Disappointed that the festivities were by so many like-minded people. Dorion w n r a

over, enthusiastic skeptics continued the Cable, who authored a great write-up v a L

a i revelry with a post-conference tour of the on CSICon 2011 on her Detroit-based l u J

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beautiful flora and fauna of the Louisiana (http://bit.ly/CSIConMCB), com- o t o h

swamps and marshes. men ted that she recalls no place other p In general, the conference was a wonder- than CSICon that people have actually ful opportunity to learn and share learning, recog nized her Flying Spaghetti Mon- reconnect with old friends, and establish ster necklace. But even some non–con- new friendships. Attendees left the confer- ference-goers had their interest piqued ence armed with new information and per- by the high concentration of skeptics. spectives, reinvigorated to step outside of One hotel employee remarked, “You the conference hall and take skepticism to guys have the guy from the X-Files and the streets. Bill Nye the Science Guy? My nerd self This was a highly successful and refresh- just freaked out.” ingly different conference. Nego tiations are The first session after opening re - k a s

already underway for next year. It is ru- marks on Thursday was “The In vesti - s I

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mored that CSICon 2012 is being planned gators” panel with stellar talks from Joe a d A

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to be even bigger and better and that CSI- Nickell, Massimo Polidoro, Karen Stol- t o h

Con is poised to become a preeminent lznow, and Ben Radford on various in- p skeptical conference for years to come. vestigations they’ve undertaken. Be cause the topic of women in the skeptics Karen Stollznowis a CSI fellow and member of the CSI Executive Council. A linguist and researcher at the Uni- movement is of particular interest to me, versity of California, Berkeley, she also cohosts CFI’s I was happy that I was able to ask Karen Point of Inquiry podcast, writes CSI’s online “The Stollznow during the Q&A session after Naked Skeptic” column, and is a SKEPTICAL INQUIRER her talk if she has noticed any advan- contributing editor. tages or disadvantages to being a female

Richard Saunders gets help from SI Deputy Editor Ben Radford during his talk on Power Balance; James r e l g

“The Amazing” Randi conjures an origami Pigasus; Indre Viskontas and Karen Stollznow take a break from n E

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skepticizing to smile for the camera; SI columnist tries his luck in the costume contest, n a i

emceed by Skepchick , with his Dr. Horrible costume. r B

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