Editing Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (section)

== Activities ==
In order to carry out its mission, the committee "maintains a network of people interested in critically examining paranormal, fringe science, and other claims, and in contributing to [[consumer education]]; prepares bibliographies of published materials that carefully examine such claims;encourages research by objective and impartial inquiry in areas where it is needed; convenes conferences and meetings; publishes articles that examine claims of the paranormal; does not reject claims on ''a priori'' grounds, antecedent to inquiry, but examines them objectively and carefully".<ref>{{cite web |title=About CSI |url=https://www.csicop.org/about/about_csi |website=CSI |publisher=Committee for Skeptical Inquiry |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=June 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606163053/https://www.csicop.org/about/about_csi |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Standard ===
An axiom often repeated among CSI members is the quote "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/aliens/carlsagan.html|title=Interview With Carl Sagan|publisher=NOVA Online|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403035048/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/aliens/carlsagan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which Carl Sagan made famous and adapted from an earlier quote by Marcello Truzzi: "An extraordinary claim requires extraordinary proof".<ref>{{Cite journal | author=[[Marcello Truzzi]] | title=On the Extraordinary: An Attempt at Clarification | journal=[[Zetetic Scholar]] | volume=1 | issue=1 | page=11 | year=1978 | url=http://www.tricksterbook.com/truzzi/ZS-Issues-PDFs/ZeteticScholarNo1.pdf | access-date=May 9, 2011 | archive-date=April 11, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411204900/http://www.tricksterbook.com/truzzi/ZS-Issues-PDFs/ZeteticScholarNo1.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> (Truzzi in turn traced the idea back through the [[Pierre-Simon Laplace#Quotations|Principle of Laplace]] to the philosopher [[David Hume]].)<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/anomalistics/practices.htm
 |title       = On Some Unfair Practices towards Claims of the Paranormal
 |access-date  = 2007-05-01
 |author      = Marcello Truzzi
 |publisher   = Skeptical Investigations
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070428163349/http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/anomalistics/practices.htm
 |archive-date = 2007-04-28
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref>

According to CSI member Martin Gardner, CSI regularly puts into practice [[H. L. Mencken]]'s maxim "one [[horse-laugh]] is worth a thousand [[syllogism]]s."<ref>Quoted in Gardner, Martin (1981). ''Science: Good, Bad, and Bogus'', Prometheus Books, {{ISBN|0-87975-144-4}}, pp. vii, xvi.</ref>

=== Publications ===
[[File:Skeptical Inquirer.jpg|thumb|Logo of the ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'']]
CSI publishes the magazine ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'', which was founded by Truzzi, under the name ''The Zetetic''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kreidler |first=Marc |date=2019-02-04 |title=History of CSICOP |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/history-of-csicop/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Skeptical Inquirer |language=en-US}}</ref> The journal was under Truzzi's editorship for the first year, until August 1977.<ref name=":1" /> The magazine was retitled to ''Skeptical Inquirer'' with [[Kendrick Frazier]], former editor of ''[[Science News]]'', serving as its editor. In June 2023, Stephen Hupp was named as the magazine's editor. Hupp replaced Stuart Vyse, who was the interim editor in November 2022 following the passing of Kendrick Frazier.<ref>{{cite web |title=Skeptical Inquirer Magazine Introduces New Editor Stephen Hupp |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/skeptical-inquirer-magazine-introduces-new-editor-stephen-hupp/ |website=centerforinquiry.org |date=June 12, 2023 |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=28 June 2023}}</ref> In 1987, [[Cecil Adams]] of [[The Straight Dope]] called ''Skeptical Inquirer'' "one of the nation's leading antifruitcake journals".<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_344.html
| title = Are subliminal messages secretly embedded in advertisements?
| access-date = 2007-05-01
| date = 26 June 1987
| publisher = The Straight Dope
| archive-date = July 20, 2008
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080720120609/http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_344.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> In addition, CSI publishes ''Skeptical Briefs'', a quarterly newsletter for associate members.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.csicop.org/sb/| title = Skeptical Briefs| access-date = 2008-09-01| year = 2008| publisher = Committee for Skeptical Inquiry| archive-date = September 16, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080916195946/http://www.csicop.org/sb/| url-status = live}}</ref>

CSI conducts and publishes investigations into [[Bigfoot]] and [[unidentified flying object|UFO]] sightings, [[parapsychology|psychics]], [[astrology|astrologers]], [[alternative medicine]], [[cult|religious cult]]s, and paranormal or pseudoscientific claims.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

=== Conferences ===
[[File:CSICON 2011-Barbara Forrest.JPG|thumb|[[Barbara Forrest]] participating in the "Creation and Evolution" panel at CSICon 2011 in New Orleans]]
[[File:Bill Nye lectures at 2013 CFI Summit.jpg|thumb|[[Bill Nye]] speaking about science education at CSICon 2013 in Tacoma, Washington]]
[[File:CSI Staff Halloween Party 2016.jpg|thumb|CSI Staff at CSICon Halloween Party 2016]]
{{Main|CSICon}}
CSICOP has held dozens of conferences between 1983 and 2005, two of them in Europe, and all six World Skeptics Congresses so far were sponsored by it. Since 2011, the conference is known as CSICon. Two conventions have been held in conjunction with its sister and parent organizations, CSH and CFI, in 2013 and 2015. The conferences bring together some of the most prominent figures in scientific research, science communication, and skeptical activism, to exchange information on all topics of common concern and to strengthen the movement and community of skeptics.

CSI has also supported local grassroot efforts, such as [[SkeptiCamp]] community-organized conferences.<ref>{{Cite web| access-date = 2012-03-21| url = http://skepticamp.org/wiki/Main_Page| title = SkeptiCamp| date = n.d.| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130506090720/http://skepticamp.org/wiki/Main_Page| archive-date = 2013-05-06| url-status = dead}}</ref>

=== Response to mass media ===
Many CSI activities are oriented toward the media. As CSI's former executive director Lee Nisbet wrote in the 25th-anniversary issue of the group's journal, ''Skeptical Inquirer'':

{{Blockquote|sign=|source=|CSICOP originated in the spring of 1976 to fight mass-media exploitation of supposedly "occult" and "paranormal" phenomena. The strategy was twofold: First, to strengthen the hand of skeptics in the media by providing information that "debunked" paranormal wonders. Second, to serve as a "media watchdog" group that would direct public and media attention to egregious media exploitation of the supposed paranormal wonders. An underlying principle of action was to use the mainline media's thirst for public-attracting controversies to keep our activities in the media, hence the public eye.<ref>
{{cite news
| last = Nisbet
| first = Lee
|date=Nov–Dec 2001
| url = http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_6_25/ai_79794375
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080117014321/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_6_25/ai_79794375
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 2008-01-17
| title = The Origins and Evolution of CSICOP; Science Is Too Important to Be Left to Scientists
| publisher = Skeptical Inquirer
| access-date = 2006-06-22
}}</ref>}}

As a media watchdog, CSI has "mobilized thousands of scientists, academics and responsible communicators" to criticize what it regards as "media's most blatant excesses".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stacy |first1=Dennis |title=CSICOP Scare! |url=https://www.anomalist.com/commentaries/csicop.html |publisher=The Anomolist |access-date=14 December 2023}}</ref> Criticism has focused on factual TV programming or newspaper articles offering support for paranormal claims, and programs such as ''The X-Files'' and ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', which its members believe portray skeptics and science in a bad light and help to promote belief in the paranormal.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}} CSI's website currently{{when|date=August 2016}} lists the email addresses of over ninety U.S. media organizations and encourages visitors to "directly influence" the media by contacting "the networks, the TV shows, and the editors responsible for the way [they portray] the world."{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

=== Following pseudoscientific and paranormal belief trends ===

CSI was quoted to consider [[pseudoscience]] topics to include [[yogic flying]], [[therapeutic touch]], [[astrology]], [[fire walking]], [[Haitian Vodou|voodoo]], [[magical thinking]], [[Uri Geller]], [[alternative medicine]], [[Mediumship|channeling]],  psychic hotlines and detectives, [[near-death experiences]], [[unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs), the [[Bermuda Triangle]], [[homeopathy]], [[faith healing]], and [[reincarnation]].<ref name=CSI_NSF>National Science Foundation [https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Public Understanding. Science Fiction and Pseudoscience. Relationships Between Science and Pseudoscience. What Is Pseudoscience?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616181809/http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm |date=2016-06-16 }}</ref>
CSI changes its focus with the changing popularity and prominence of what it considers to be pseudoscientific and paranormal beliefs. For example, as promoters of [[intelligent design]] increased their efforts to include it in school curricula in recent years, CSI stepped up its attention to the subject, creating an "Intelligent Design Watch" website<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/intelligentdesignwatch/|title=CSI|work=csicop.org|access-date=2006-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706172737/http://www.csicop.org/intelligentdesignwatch/|archive-date=2006-07-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> publishing numerous articles on evolution and intelligent design in ''Skeptical Inquirer'' and on the Internet.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

===CSI Chief Investigator===

In September 2022, [[Kenny Biddle]] was announced as CSI's Chief Investigator.  Biddle is a CSI Fellow <ref>{{cite web |last1=Palmer |first1=Rob |title=Meet CSI's Newest Fellow: Kenny Biddle |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/meet-csis-newest-fellow-kenny-biddle/ |website=Skepticalinquirer.org |date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref> and writes a column for [[Skeptical Inquirer]] called ''A Closer Look'' (2018–present), which focuses on his use of [[scientific skepticism]] to investigate paranormal claims, including ghost photography and video, ghost hunting equipment, UFOs and psychic ability.  Biddle credits his previous careers as an auto mechanic, helicopter mechanic, and X-ray technician for building his skills in attention to detail, problem-solving, testing, and critical thinking. Biddle also has co-written articles with [[Joe Nickell]] about ghost and miraculous photography.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Palmer |first1=Rob |title=Introducing CSI's Chief Investigator |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/introducing-csis-chief-investigator/ |website=skeptical inquirer.org |date=November 28, 2022 |access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref> Biddle was a speaker at [[CSICon]] in 2019 and 2022.

=== Health and safety ===
CSI is concerned with paranormal or pseudoscientific claims that may endanger people's health or safety, such as the use of alternative medicine in place of science-based healthcare. Investigations by CSI and others, including [[consumer organization|consumer watchdog]] groups, law enforcement, and government regulatory agencies,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01446.html |date=September 6, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026222642/https://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01446.html |archive-date=2006-10-26 |title=FDA Asks U.S. Marshals to Seize Dietary Supplements: Products Being Promoted With Drug Claims |publisher=U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] <!-- press release # P06-128 -->}}</ref> have shown that the sale of alternative medicines, paranormal paraphernalia, or pseudoscience-based products can be enormously profitable. CSI says this profitability has provided various pro-paranormal groups large resources for advertising, lobbying efforts, and other forms of advocacy, to the detriment of public health and safety.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}