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26-470: The SkeptiCamp concept was founded in 2007 by Reed Esau . It was partially inspired by Daniel Loxton 's 2007 essay on the state of the Skeptical movement, "Where Do We Go From Here?", and from attending The Amaz!ng Meeting in 2007, an annual conference that focuses on science, skepticism, and critical thinking. SkeptiCamps can be "loosely organized", the format also allows ad hoc group formation, and avoids

52-458: A SpeedyCamp is a slimmed down version of a SkeptiCamp. SpeedyCamps are a platform for more inexperienced speakers to make a presentation in 15 minute time slots which includes time for attendees to ask the speaker questions or to make comments. Topics are similar to the larger SkeptiCamps, and include presentations centered around Scientific Skepticism. The first SkeptiCamp in Australia was run by

78-503: A little too hot,’... Which is a strange thing to say about fundamental biology." Not so in Canada. About writing a children's book on the topic of evolution Loxton states, "People forget to see kids as thinking beings, as people who have existential questions that they want answered. They just need the best information available," he said. "Keep it simple, but make it true." In 2011, he wrote Ankylosaur Attack (Tales of Prehistoric Life) , which

104-576: Is a Canadian writer, illustrator, and skeptic . He wrote or co-wrote several books including Tales of Prehistoric Life, a children's science trilogy, and Abominable Science! , a scientific look at cryptozoology . As editor of Junior Skeptic , Loxton writes and illustrates most issues of Junior Skeptic , a children's science section in the Skeptics Society 's Skeptic magazine. Loxton has written articles for critical thinking publications including eSkeptic , Skeptic , Skeptical Briefs , and

130-464: Is a quarterly science education and science advocacy magazine published internationally by The Skeptics Society , a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience , superstition , and irrational beliefs. First published in 1992, the magazine had a circulation of over 40,000 subscribers in 2000. The magazine was co-founded in late 1991 by Michael Shermer and Pat Linse as they formed

156-406: Is on newsstands in the U.S. and Canada as well as Europe, Australia, and other countries. The cover story of the magazine's first issue paid tribute to scientist and science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov . According to Shermer, Asimov died when the issue was going to print, so artist Linse produced a pencil portrait of the author. As Asimov wrote a number of stories featuring robots and coined

182-571: The Skeptical Inquirer as well as contributed cover art to Skeptic , Yes , and Free Inquiry . He also regularly contributes to Skepticblog, a collaboration blog promoting science , critical thinking , and skepticism . Loxton credits Barry Beyerstein for his interest in skepticism. In several interviews Loxton talks about attending a science fiction conference in British Columbia in 1991 and hearing Beyerstein speak on behalf of

208-707: The Australian Skeptics on April 30, 2011, at the University of Technology Sydney . 100 people attended the 7 hour event and discussed a broad range of topics from the conflict in the Middle East to genetically modified food and clinical trials in the United States. Melbourne SkeptiCamp followed on October 22, 2011, at the University of Melbourne , then shortly afterwards the Surf Coast Summer SkeptiCamp

234-562: The Canadian side of the Alaska Panhandle . Loxton has published articles on skeptical activism. In 2007, he wrote "Where Do We Go From Here?" about the direction of the new generation of skepticism, and which helped to inspire the SkeptiCamp community organized conferences on scientific skepticism . Then in 2009, he wrote "What Do I Do Next?" providing ideas for individual involvement in

260-511: The BC Skeptics. "He calmly and kindly fielded questions from the audience—and I was shocked by almost everything he said. This wasn’t the usual fluff: this guy really knew what he was talking about, in a way that I had never encountered before. Even his 'I don’t know's were substantial in a way that I wasn’t used to hearing." Loxton worked as a professional shepherd in British Columbia on

286-907: The Skeptics Society. The magazine was first published in early 1992. It is published through Millennium Press. As of July 2021, Shermer remained the publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine. The magazine's co-publisher and art director was Pat Linse, until her death in July 2021. Other noteworthy members of its editorial board include, or have included, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins , Pulitzer Prize -winning scientist Jared Diamond , magician and escape artist turned educator James “The Amazing” Randi , actor, comedian, and Saturday Night Live alumna Julia Sweeney , professional mentalist Mark Edward , science writer Daniel Loxton , Lawrence M. Krauss and Christof Koch . Skeptic has an international circulation with over 40,000 subscriptions and

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312-711: The Surf Coast, Canberra, and Brisbane. The first Skepticamps in Canada took place in Vancouver in 2008 and 2009 and one was organized in Edmonton in July 2010. Then on October 23, 2010, simultaneous SkeptiCamps were held in four Canadian cities: Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto . Ottawa and Vancouver continued to host Skepticamps most years since 2010, while the most recent one in Edmonton took place in 2011, in Winnipeg in 2014. In

338-565: The United Kingdom, Edinburgh had a Skepticamp every year between 2009 and 2012. London had one in 2013 and Manchester every year since 2014. In Spain, Madrid and Alicante both had a Skepticamp in 2012. Under the name SciCamp, a Skepticamp took place in Uppsala (Sweden) in 2012. NZ Skeptics help a Skepticamp in Wellington in 2014. Daniel Loxton Daniel Loxton (born 1975)

364-420: 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

390-442: The likelihood of artificial intelligence to tributes to influential skeptics including Isaac Asimov and Ernst Mayr . Some editions feature special sections devoted to a particular topic or theme that is examined through multiple articles by different authors, such as intelligent design . Bound into most issues is a 10-page young-readers' section called Junior Skeptic . Heralded by a cover printed on glossy paper (the rest of

416-485: 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 of Junior Skeptic . He writes and illustrates most issues. The first edition of Junior Skeptic appeared in volume 6, #2 of Skeptic (2000). In April 2006, an independent, skeptical talk program called Skepticality

442-521: The magazine's 100th edition, Vol. 26 No. 2 included a retrospective of over 40 years of Skeptic artwork and covers by Linse and Loxton. Each issue features an editorial . In the past this was provided by James Randi , and was often a reaction to stories from mainstream news media such as the 2005 story by the ABC newsmagazine Primetime Live featuring a Brazilian faith healer , João Teixeira . Other times Randi wrote about topics he had investigated in

468-515: 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" and Karen Stollznow wrote "Bad Language". 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). As of 2018 , the magazine had two regular columnists: Harriet A. Hall and Carol Tavris . In 2021,

494-806: The overhead associated with more formal content channels. The first SkeptiCamp was held in August 2007 in Denver , and was organized by Reed Esau along with Rich Ludwig and Crystal Yates-White. Since that first event, over one hundred other events have been held in cities such as Winnipeg , Canada; Colorado Springs ; Nashua, New Hampshire ; Chicago, Illinois ; and Seaside, California . In January 2018 Monterey County Skeptics ran their 4th Skepticamp at Seaside ; and in February 2018 Fort Collins held their 8th consecutive annual skepticamp. Just as SkeptiCamps are slimmed down versions of larger skeptic's conferences such as CSICon ,

520-512: The past, such as alleged dowsers , alleged psychics like Sylvia Browne , and UFOs. 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 from professionals , contributing to extended academic debate across issues raised in past editions. The bulk of the magazine treats a variety of topics. Cover stories have ranged from examination of alleged UFOs in religious icons and theories of

546-569: The scope and limits of scientific skepticism that has been raised again in recent days". Loxton is the author of Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came To Be , which was nominated for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Norma Fleck Award for Children's Non-Fiction and won the Lane Anderson Award (a $ 10,000 prize). When pitching Evolution to U.S. publishers, Loxton was told, "‘Well of course I love it, but we just think it’s

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572-453: The skepticism movement, which was featured on an episode of the Skepticality podcast. In 2014, he wrote "Why Is There a Skeptical Movement?" which explores "the roots, founding principles, and purpose of scientific skepticism. Arguing that it is essential for skeptics to "appreciate that we’re caretakers for the work of those who have come before," Loxton carries forward the discussion about

598-403: The term " robotics ", the cover of volume 12, #2 (2006), which is devoted to the topic of artificial intelligence, depicts a robot sitting on a park bench reading that first issue. 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

624-668: Was launched on January 21, 2012, at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall. In 2015, the Australian National Skeptics Convention kicked off with the 100th worldwide SkeptiCamp in Brisbane. Eight local skeptics participated as speakers and the event concluded with a panel discussion. The science on top podcast was recorded live at the 2018 Surf Coast Summer Skepticamp. Skepticamps are held annually in Australia at

650-717: Was nominated for a Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express award from the Ontario Library Association. He also appeared in an interview on the JREF podcast, For Good Reason in the episode dated February 6, 2010 and on Christopher Brown's Meet the Skeptics! podcast. In 2013, he co-authored Abominable Science! . In 2015, Loxton was elected a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry . Skeptic (U.S. magazine) Skeptic , colloquially known as Skeptic magazine ,

676-453: Was relaunched as Skepticality: 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 of Skeptic magazine. In 2009, a second official podcast was added. MonsterTalk critically examines the science behind cryptozoological and legendary creatures , such as Bigfoot,

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