Skeptic (U.S. magazine)

The cover story of the magazine's very first issue paid tribute to scientist and science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. [6] As Asimov wrote a number of stories featuring robots and coined 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.[7]

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
• provides resources for the public, skeptic organizations (such as SkeptiCamp[8]) and the media, with which they may approach controversial subjects from a skeptical viewpoint

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".[9] 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.[10]

In April 2006, an independent, skeptical talk program called Skepticality 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.[13]

In 2009, a second official podcast was added. MonsterTalk critically examines the science behind cryptozoological and legendary creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and werewolves.[14] Monster Talk is hosted by Blake Smith, Ben Radford and Dr. Karen Stollznow. Blake Smith produces the show.[15]

• Paranormal Claims: A Critical Analysis, 2007, edited by Bryan Farha, University Press of America, ISBN 978-0-7618-3772-5. Several of the chapters are reprints of Skeptic articles.
• The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience, a collection of articles that discuss the Skeptics Society's scientific findings of investigations into popular pseudoscientific and supernatural claims.

The editorial board is composed of the following people:[16]

• Critical thinking
• FactCheck
• Freethought
• Pseudoscience
• Scientific skepticism
• Skeptical Inquirer
• SkeptiCamp
• Skepticism
• Snopes.com
• The Freethinker journal
• The Skeptic's Dictionary
• The Skeptic (UK magazine)
• The Straight Dope

• Skeptic Magazine's Official site