Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition

Nick Tiller argues that a recent UFC fight in which medical advice was effectively overridden illustrates the dangerous erosion of respect for expert judgment, especially when entertainment and a culture of performative toughness take precedence over athlete safety. Using the incident to examine combat sports more broadly, he contends that ringside physicians—not referees, promoters, or fighters—should have the final authority on medical decisions to prevent avoidable, potentially life-altering injuries. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/when-the-doctor-says-stop-but-the-fight-goes-on/ About the Author: Dr. Nick Tiller is an exercise physiologist, researcher, and writer covering health, performance, and wellness misinformation. He's been a Skeptical Inquirer columnist since 2021 and is an elected fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. His new book, The Health and Wellness Lie, is an unflinching exposé of the trillion-dollar wellness machine. Visit www.nbtiller.com for more. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Terence Hines reviews The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze That Captured Turn-of-the-Century America. By David Baron. Liveright Books/W. W. Norton, 2025. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/percival-lowell-and-the-canals-on-mars/ About the Author: Terence Hines is professor of psychology at Pace University and adjunct professor of neurology at New York Medical College. He is author of The Psychology and Science of Pseudoscience (2025) and a CSI fellow. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Aymen I. Idris reflects on how modern academia has transformed scientists from hands-on experimenters into grant writers, managers, and administrators, eroding the craft of direct inquiry that once defined scientific discovery. Drawing on his own career and conversations with researchers worldwide, he argues that the future of science depends on reclaiming time at the lab bench, protecting curiosity-driven research, and resisting a system that values metrics and funding over genuine exploration. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/the-lost-art-of-scientific-inquiry/ About the Author: Aymen I. Idris, PhD, is a London-born academic, researcher, founder, and director of Africa in Science (AiS), a think tank dedicated to exploring under-researched and neglected topics in academia. As an editor and writer, his work focuses on academia, culture, and diversity. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Benjamin Radford investigates the claim that James Randi wrongly concluded the famous Cottingley Fairies were suspended as marionettes, tracing the allegation through decades of sources and finding no evidence that Randi ever made such a claim. Instead, the article shows how a tentative early image analysis by other investigators evolved into a persistent myth, illustrating how careful historical research can correct misconceptions—even about prominent skeptics. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/the-cottingley-fairies-and-james-randis-marionette-mystery/ About the Author: Benjamin Radford, M.Ed., is a scientific paranormal investigator, a research fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, deputy editor of the Skeptical Inquirer, and author, co-author, contributor, or editor of twenty books and over a thousand articles on skepticism, critical thinking, and science literacy. His newest book is America the Fearful. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Kenny Biddle investigates the alleged haunting of the McInteer Villa and finds that its ghost stories—from shadow figures to eerie laughter—are best explained by historical inaccuracies, psychological suggestion, and ordinary causes rather than paranormal activity. Using archival research and forensic analysis of photographs and audio, he argues that the villa is a compelling example of how folklore, misinterpretation, and sensational storytelling can transform a historic house into a celebrated haunted destination. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/investigation-into-hauntings-at-the-mcinteer-villa/ About the Author: Kenny Biddle is the Chief Investigator of Paranormal Claims for CSI. A former ghost hunter turned skeptic, he now examines various extraordinary claims, photographic & video anomalies, and "ghost hunting" gadgets to uncover the real-world explanations behind them. He is a CSI Fellow, columnist, producer, speaker, host of the CFI video series "Ghosts in the Machine," and host of The Skeptical Help Bar livestream. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

In the third of a multipart series, Massimo Polidoro recounts the behind-the-scenes struggle to create what would eventually become the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, showing how years of false starts, disagreements, and organizational uncertainty nearly derailed the modern skeptical movement. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/the-missing-catalyst/ About the Author: Massimo Polidoro is an investigator of the paranormal, author, lecturer, and co-founder and head of CICAP, the Italian skeptics group. His website is at www.massimopolidoro.com. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/  

Robyn E. Blumner explains how the homeopathy industry is facing growing legal and regulatory challenges as the FDA tightens enforcement against unapproved products and courts increasingly reject industry efforts to preserve special treatment. She argues that despite aggressive lobbying and proposed legislation to shield homeopathy from oversight, science-based regulation and consumer protection are finally beginning to hold the industry accountable for deceptive and unsupported medical claims. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/the-homeopathic-industry-is-on-the-ropes/ About the Author: Robyn E. Blumner is president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry and executive director of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science. She is a lawyer who previously held posts as a syndicated columnist and editorial writer at the Tampa Bay Times and as executive director of the ACLU of Florida and ACLU of Utah. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Julia Lavarnway, William Matthew London, Stephen Hupp, and Benjamin Radford round up notable developments in skepticism and science, from a multimillion-dollar defamation verdict against a self-proclaimed psychic and Tinder's embrace of astrology to political claims about UFOs, Bigfoot pop culture, and the latest space exploration milestones. The collection highlights how pseudoscientific beliefs continue to influence public life even as evidence-based investigations—from courtroom rulings to NASA's Artemis II mission—push back against misinformation and expand human knowledge. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/news-bites-from-the-tarot-card-readers-defamation-to-the-artemis-ii-record/ About the Authors: Julia Lavarnway is managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer. William Matthew London is the editor of Consumer Health Digest, Quackwatch's free weekly electronic newsletter. Stephen Hupp is the executive director of CSI and editor of Skeptical Inquirer. Benjamin Radford is deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Matthew J. Sharps and Jana L. Price-Sharps examine the legend of the so-called "Lying Monk," Fray Marcos de Niza, arguing that psychology—not deception—best explains the myths surrounding his expedition to Cibola. Using examples of source confusion, language ambiguity, misinterpretation, and faulty perception, they show how ordinary cognitive processes can transform modest observations into enduring legends of lost cities, strange beasts, and giants. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/what-did-the-so-called-lying-monk-really-see/ About the Authors: Matthew J. Sharps is professor of psychology at California State University, Fresno. He is the author of numerous papers and publications in cognitive and forensic cognitive science, including the 2022 book Processing under Pressure: Stress, Memory, and Decision-Making in Law Enforcement (3rd ed.). He has consulted on eyewitness issues in numerous criminal cases and has published several articles in Skeptical Inquirer on the implications of eyewitness principles for erroneous observations and interpretations. Jana L. Price-Sharps is a licensed psychologist who specializes in trauma treatment with forensic and first responder populations. She is a full-time faculty member at Walden University in the Forensic Psychology PhD program and a part-time faculty member in the Department of Psychology at California State University, Fresno. She conducts research on interactive factors in forensic, clinical, and cognitive psychology. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Malorie Mackey recounts her experiences conducting penguin conservation research on South Africa's Robben Island, exploring how its haunting history, eerie landscape, and lack of environmental control can make even skeptical scientists feel as though they are encountering ghosts. Drawing on psychology research, she argues that stress, uncertainty, and our fear of the unknown help explain why supposedly haunted places can feel genuinely paranormal despite the absence of supernatural evidence. Read this article and find accompanying references at: skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/exploring-robben-island-how-the-ghosts-of-the-past-haunt-the-researchers-of-today/ About the Author: Malorie Mackey is an investigative journalist who studies anthropology with a specialization in mythology, occult studies, and folklore. As a member of the Explorers Club, host of the show and podcast Weird World Adventures, and creator of MaloriesAdventures.com, she is always excited to investigate the unknown. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Stefan T. Siegel examines six common misconceptions about mythbusting, arguing that effectively countering misinformation requires more than simply correcting facts—it demands evidence-based strategies that address emotions, identities, and social influences. He advocates a balanced approach that combines mythbusting and fact-boosting, focuses on persuadable audiences, and uses tools such as prebunking, critical thinking, and media literacy to build long-term resilience against misinformation. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/boosting-facts-and-busting-myths-about-mythbusting/ About the Author: Stefan T. Siegel is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Business Education (IWP) at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). He is the author of international articles and books and has several years of work experience in research and teaching in higher education. He has been awarded prizes for his work. His current research focuses on educational theory, educational myths, professionalization of teachers, science communication, and sustainability education. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Massimo Pigliucci revisits Carl Sagan's classic "Baloney Detection Kit" thirty years after its publication, arguing that its core principles remain valuable but require updating to address modern challenges such as social media, misinformation, cognitive biases, and the misuse of logical fallacies. He proposes a more nuanced approach to critical thinking that emphasizes statistical literacy, expertise, media awareness, and skepticism toward corporate influence while preserving Sagan's central commitment to evidence-based reasoning. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/the-fine-art-of-baloney-detection-sagans-essay-three-decades-later/ About the Author: Massimo Pigliucci is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His books include Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (Chicago Press) and Philosophy of Pseudoscience (coedited with Maarten Boudry, Chicago Press). More by Massimo at https://massimopigliucci.org Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Stephen Hupp previews the next issue of Skeptical Inquirer, Volume 50, no. 4, titled "Optimizing the Tools of Our Trade". Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/06/optimizing-the-tools-of-our-trade/ About the Author: Stephen Hupp, PhD, is the executive director of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the editor of Skeptical Inquirer. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Terence Hines reviews Neil DeGrasse Tyson's new book, Take Me to Your Leader. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/a-skeptical-approach-to-flying-saucers-and-aliens/ About the Author: Terence Hines is professor of psychology at Pace University and adjunct professor of neurology at New York Medical College. He is author of The Psychology and Science of Pseudoscience (2025) and a CSI fellow. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" data-turn-id="205a0cda-5bd1-44b8-bf3b-f172b757dc3c" data-turn-id-container="205a0cda-5bd1-44b8-bf3b-f172b757dc3c" data-testid="conversation-turn-103" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-699c9d8e-8998-8329-94d7-4ba726badcc0-3" data-turn-id-container= "request-699c9d8e-8998-8329-94d7-4ba726badcc0-3" data-testid= "conversation-turn-104" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Robert Williams explores the enduring myth that Harry Houdini performed a daring escape at Niagara Falls and shows that, despite its plausibility, no historical evidence supports the story. The article examines how films, museums, publicity, and public expectations can combine to create legends that feel true even when they aren't. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/houdini-and-niagara-falls-how-legends-attach-themselves-to-great-men/ About the Author: Robert Williams is a best-selling author, world record holder, and professional magician. He writes the Substack blog Examine Everything, where he takes a thoughtful, skeptical look at the evidence—or lack thereof—behind a wide range of extraordinary claims. Drawing on his background in magic and real-world experience, he reveals the tricks and techniques that drive deception, helping readers think more deeply about what they believe and why. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Benjamin Radford uses a humorous Freshpet commercial about zodiac signs and pet compatibility to explore the persistence of astrology in popular culture.  Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/freshpet-chews-on-astrology/ About the Author: Benjamin Radford, M.Ed., is a scientific paranormal investigator, a research fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, deputy editor of the Skeptical Inquirer, and author, co-author, contributor, or editor of twenty books and over a thousand articles on skepticism, critical thinking, and science literacy. His newest book is America the Fearful. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" data-turn-id="8af77e6c-8847-4499-ad9a-01b0d3592c7a" data-turn-id-container="8af77e6c-8847-4499-ad9a-01b0d3592c7a" data-testid="conversation-turn-87" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-699c9d8e-8998-8329-94d7-4ba726badcc0-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-699c9d8e-8998-8329-94d7-4ba726badcc0-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-88" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Nick Tiller examines the marketing and scientific claims behind AG1. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/right-lets-talk-about-ag1/ About the Author: Nick Tiller is an exercise scientist and writer covering health, performance, and wellness misinformation. He's the author of The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science (Taylor & Francis, 2020) and The Health and Wellness Lie (Bloomsbury/Hopkins Press, 2026). He's been a Skeptical Inquirer columnist since 2021 and is an elected Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. www.nbtiller.com Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

David Weinberg reviews The Certainty Illusion: What You Don't Know and Why It Matters (2025). By Timothy Caulfield. Allen Lane, 2025. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/surviving-the-information-chaos-storm/ About the Author: David Weinberg, MD, is a recently retired physician who has contributed to Science Based Medicine and The Skeptic magazine (UK). He was a speaker at the Sunday Papers session of the 2024 CSICon. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Terence Hines reviews The Ghost Lab: How Bigfoot Hunters, Mediums and Alien Enthusiasts Are Wrecking Science (2025). By Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling. PublicAffairs. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/a-jane-goodall-among-the-spiritualists/ About the Author: Terence Hines is professor of psychology at Pace University and adjunct professor of neurology at New York Medical College. He is author of The Psychology and Science of Pseudoscience (2025) and a CSI fellow. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Daniel Whiteson argues that while humans hope for communication and shared understanding with extraterrestrial intelligence, we have no solid evidence that aliens would use the same mathematics or physics to describe the universe. By examining the mixed history of scientific development on Earth and philosophical challenges to the universality of math and physics, he concludes that alien science may be fundamentally different from ours—making contact both more uncertain and potentially more intellectually transformative than we usually imagine. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/do-we-have-physics-in-common-with-aliens/ About the Author: Daniel Whiteson is a particle physicist, a professor at UC Irvine, and cohost of the podcast Daniel and Kelly's Extraordinary Universe. He is the coauthor, with Andy Warner, of Do Aliens Speak Physics? Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Melanie Trecek-King reflects on how the explosion of digital information in just the "last fifteen seconds" of human history has overwhelmed brains evolved for a much simpler world, making us highly vulnerable to misinformation. She argues that surviving the modern information landscape requires recognizing our cognitive biases and actively developing critical thinking and media literacy skills to counter them. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/from-savanna-to-smartphones-reflections-on-the-past-fifteen-seconds/ About the Author: Melanie Trecek-King is an associate professor of biology at Massasoit Community College. Her website is www.ThinkingIsPower.com. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Andrea Love explains that apparent rises in cancer rates are often due to better detection, expanded screening, and longer life expectancy—not a true surge in disease. She argues that misleading media coverage fuels unnecessary fear, while in reality many cancer death rates are declining thanks to advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/are-cancer-rates-skyrocketing-or-are-we-better-at-detection/ About the Author: Dr. Andrea Love is an immunologist and microbiologist with over a decade of experience in basic sciences, translational medicine, and clinical research. She is a subject-matter expert in infectious disease immunology, cancer immunology, and autoimmunity and is adept at translating complex scientific data and topics for the public and healthcare providers. She works full-time in life science biotechnology in the fields of vaccinology, immunology, immunotherapy, cancer, cell and gene therapy, and other related fields. While she will always be a biomedical scientist, she has a passion for helping the public understand complex science topics in order to navigate the world better. She is also the author of Immunologic, a newsletter and science information hub that communicates evidence-based information on science and health topics. Andrea is also the Executive Director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation, and was the 2023 American Medical Writers Association McGovern Award Recipient. She is passionate about scientific literacy starting from an early age and encouraging children toward a career in STEM. Outside of her career in science and efforts in science communication, she lives near Philly with her partner and their 7 rescue cats. She is a marathoner and ultramarathoner, a yogi, a black belt in judo, and an amateur wildlife photographer.  Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Kenneth L. Feder reviews the legacy of Erich von Däniken, arguing that his popular "ancient astronaut" claims—such as aliens influencing human development, creating ancient art, or interbreeding with humans—are unfounded and rooted in misunderstandings of archaeology and human creativity. While acknowledging his cultural impact and popularity, Feder criticizes his ideas as pseudoscientific, often dismissive of non-European achievements, and lacking any credible evidence. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/erich-von-daniken-a-legacy-of-pseudoscience/ About the Author: Kenneth L. Feder is author of The Encyclopedia of Dubious Archaeology and Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology. He is professor of anthropology at Central Connecticut State University and a Committee for Skeptical Inquiry fellow and Skeptical Inquirer consulting editor. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Gerald Rosen and Loren Pankratz argue that Francine Shapiro's widely promoted origin story for EMDR—discovering its effects during a walk—is false, presenting photographic and historical evidence that her ideas were influenced earlier by neurolinguistic programming. By undermining this foundational narrative, they contend that the credibility and claimed effectiveness of EMDR deserve greater scientific scrutiny. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/a-photograph-exposes-emdrs-true-origins/ About the Authors: Gerald M. Rosen, PhD, is retired from his private practice and continues as a clinical professor emeritus with the Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle. He has published articles on various issues of concern to psychology, including self-help books, problems with PTSD as a diagnostic construct, vanity certification credentials, and novel therapies such as EMDR. He coedited the book Clinician's Guide to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Loren Pankratz, PhD, was a consultation psychologist at the Portland VA Medical Center and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health Sciences University. He maintained a forensic practice after retirement but now is focused on writing and collecting books on the history of deception. He is author of the book Mysteries and Secrets Revealed: From Oracles at Delphi to Spiritualism in America and is a CSI fellow. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Stephen Hupp honors Lee Nisbet for his central role in founding and shaping the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (now Committee for Skeptical Inquiry), including organizing its early conferences and guiding its development. Nisbet was as an essential figure whose leadership, scholarship, and institutional groundwork helped establish and sustain the modern skeptical movement. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/in-memory-of-lee-nisbet-csicops-first-executive-director/ About the Author: Stephen Hupp, PhD, is editor of Skeptical Inquirer. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and professor of Clinical Child & School Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Frederick Crews devoted his career to challenging the scientific and intellectual legitimacy of Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis, ultimately arguing it lacked empirical evidence and functioned as a closed, pseudoscientific system. Through influential works like The Pooh Perplex and The Unknown Freud, he sparked major debates in academia, helping reframe Freud's legacy as culturally influential but scientifically unfounded. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/freuds-greatest-critic-the-legacy-of-frederick-crews/ About the Author: Carlos Orsi is a journalist and science writer who also writes mystery and science fiction. He's currently chief editor of Revista Questão de Ciência (Question of Science Magazine). Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Banachek reflects on his experiences with James Randi, highlighting his brilliance as a publicity generator, investigator, and educator who exposed frauds such as faith healer Peter Popoff and consistently challenged paranormal claims through demonstrations and the Million Dollar Challenge. The tribute emphasizes Randi's enduring legacy as a champion of critical thinking and skepticism, whose influence continues through organizations like the James Randi Educational Foundation and the broader skeptical movement. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/my-memories-of-the-amazing-randi-part-two/ About the Author: Banachek was born in England on November 30, 1960. He was schooled in South Africa and the United States. It was while living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, that Banachek saw his first magician at a high school function at the age of fourteen. He was intrigued but not enough to delve much further into that secret world. In 1976, the bicentennial year of the United States, Banachek moved to the United States. It was at the end of this same year that he picked up a worn copy of James Randi's book The Truth about Uri Geller. Banachek performed Mind Games Live in Las Vegas at the prestigious Strat hotel, Casino and Skypod. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Nick Tiller argues that the United States is not uniquely prone to pseudoscience overall but is instead unusually divided into polarized subgroups, each with its own beliefs, trust levels, and susceptibility to misinformation. These divisions—combined with capitalism and the rapid spread of ideas in the attention economy—create ideal conditions for pseudoscience to thrive and spread globally, even as organized skepticism continues to push back against it. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/the-united-states-of-pseudoscience/ About the Author: Nick Tiller is an exercise scientist and writer covering health, performance, and wellness misinformation. He's the author of The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science (Taylor & Francis, 2020) and The Health and Wellness Lie (Bloomsbury/Hopkins Press, 2026). He's been a Skeptical Inquirer columnist since 2021 and is an elected Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. www.nbtiller.com Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Massimo Pigliucci argues that skepticism is an ongoing, often difficult effort grounded in inquiry, ethical responsibility, and the recognition that pseudoscience will never fully disappear. Rather than aiming to "win," skeptics should focus on thoughtful dialogue, critical thinking, and incremental progress—lighting small "candles" of reason through persuasion, humility, and evidence-based engagement. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/the-nature-of-pseudoscience-how-to-fight-it-and-why-it-matters/ About the Author: Massimo Pigliucci is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His books include Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (Chicago Press) and Philosophy of Pseudoscience (coedited with Maarten Boudry, Chicago Press). More by Massimo at https://massimopigliucci.org Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Fifty years after James Randi helped popularize modern skepticism, pseudoscientific beliefs remain persistent "unsinkable rubber duckies," with ideas like astrology and UFOs continuing to resurface despite decades of debunking. While organized skepticism has successfully diminished some claims, the ongoing fight shows both meaningful progress and the enduring challenge of confronting misinformation. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/04/unsinkable-rubber-duckies-and-four-headed-dragons/ About the Author: Stephen Hupp, PhD, is editor of Skeptical Inquirer. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and professor of Clinical Child & School Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

The Artemis II mission's detailed images of the Moon found no evidence of the alien structures and "skyfish" phenomena long claimed by UFO enthusiasts like Jose Escamilla, reinforcing scientific explanations over extraordinary claims. Benjamin Radford uses this case to illustrate how pareidolia and misinterpreted visual data can fuel conspiracy theories, underscoring the importance of skepticism and media literacy in evaluating sensational claims. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/artemis-ii-fails-to-find-moon-cities/ About the Author: Benjamin Radford, M.Ed., is a scientific paranormal investigator, a research fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, deputy editor of the Skeptical Inquirer, and author, co-author, contributor, or editor of twenty books and over a thousand articles on skepticism, critical thinking, and science literacy. His newest book is America the Fearful. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has generated widespread attention, but the failure of psychics to provide actionable help—despite their claims—highlights a critical gap between asserted abilities and real-world results. Benjamin Radford argues that this silence exposes both the lack of evidence for psychic powers and an ethical inconsistency, suggesting that verifiable, testable predictions are the only meaningful way to evaluate such claims. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/nancy-guthrie-disappearance-highlights-psychic-failure/ About the Author: Benjamin Radford, M.Ed., is a scientific paranormal investigator, a research fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, deputy editor of the Skeptical Inquirer, and author, co-author, contributor, or editor of twenty books and over a thousand articles on skepticism, critical thinking, and science literacy. His newest book is America the Fearful. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Acupuncture research from China shows an implausibly high rate of positive results, driven by systemic bias, poor methodology, and powerful cultural and political incentives that shield the practice from critical scrutiny. Rather than banning such studies outright, the article argues for stricter research standards and greater skepticism to prevent distorted evidence from shaping global health policy. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/is-it-time-we-stop-publishing-acupuncture-research-from-china/ About the Author: Nick Tiller is an exercise scientist and writer covering health, performance, and wellness misinformation. He's the author of The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science (Taylor & Francis, 2020) and The Health and Wellness Lie (Bloomsbury/Hopkins Press, 2026). He's been a Skeptical Inquirer columnist since 2021 and is an elected Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. www.nbtiller.com Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Stuart Vyse reports that Penn & Teller have filed an amicus brief urging the United States Supreme Court to review the conviction of death row inmate Charles Don Flores, arguing it relied on unreliable "junk science" in the form of investigative hypnosis.  Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/magicians-penn-teller-file-brief-in-junk-science-death-row-case/ About the Author: Stuart Vyse is a psychologist and author of Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition, which won the William James Book Award of the American Psychological Association. He is also author of Going Broke: Why Americans Can't Hold on to Their Money. As an expert on irrational behavior, he is frequently quoted in the press and has made appearances on CNN International, the PBS NewsHour, and NPR's Science Friday. He can be found on Twitter at @stuartvyse. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/  

Alejandro Borgo traces the history of parapsychology, from its origins with the Fox sisters and the spiritualist movement to the formalization of research by Joseph Banks Rhine, who attempted to study telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis using experimental protocols and statistical analysis. Despite decades of experimentation worldwide, including rigorous attempts at replication, no repeatable evidence for psi phenomena has been found, leaving parapsychology in decline and its claims unproven, with most supposed effects now explained by psychology or chance rather than a new form of energy or ability. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-rise-and-fall-of-parapsychology/ About the Author: Alejandro Borgo is director of the Center for Inquiry Argentina and a journalist, writer and musician. He has written two books about pseudoscience and critical thinking. He is editor of Pensar magazine (pensar.org) and has been a speaker at several skeptics congresses and conferences. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

In this article, Anthony G. Wheeler examines a surge of Reiki studies published in Turkey, arguing that they promote a scientifically implausible form of "energy medicine" without addressing its lack of evidential basis or considering alternative explanations such as placebo effects and patient attention. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/responding-to-a-burst-of-reiki-from-turkey/ About the Author: Thomas J. Wheeler was a biochemistry professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine for twenty-five years, followed by a second career as a high school science teacher. While at Louisville he developed an elective course on alternative medicine, a subject he continues to pursue, posting his writings on the Kentucky Council Against Health Fraud site (https://sites.google.com/site/kycahf/kentucky-council-against-health-fraud). He has been a Skeptical Inquirer subscriber since 1982. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

In this review of The Saucerian: UFOs, Men in Black, and the Unbelievable Life of Gray Barker, Terence Hines explores Barker's complex role in shaping UFO mythology from the 1950s through the 1980s. Barker is credited with popularizing the Men in Black, the Philadelphia Experiment, and Mothman, blending fact, fiction, and mischief in a career that influenced UFO culture more than scientific understanding. Hines highlights McKee's meticulous research, showing how Barker's writings, publishing, and personal antics left a lasting impact on popular perceptions of the paranormal. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/gray-barkers-legacy-men-in-black-the-philadelphia-experiment-and-mothman/ About the Author: Terence Hines is professor of psychology at Pace University and author of Pseudoscience and the Paranormal. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

In this review of The Conjuring: Last Rites, Kenny Biddle examines the film's claim to be "inspired" by the Smurl family haunting and finds that it bears virtually no resemblance to the documented case. Drawing on interviews, contemporary reporting, and the book The Haunted, he details how Ed and Lorraine Warren promoted sensational claims while offering no physical evidence and blocking scientific scrutiny. Biddle argues that the film abandons the historical record in favor of fictional mythology, turning a dubious real-life case into a self-serving supernatural spectacle. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/the-uninspired-conjuring-last-rites/ About the Author: Kenny Biddle is the Chief Investigator of Paranormal Claims for CSI. A former ghost hunter turned skeptic, he now examines various extraordinary claims, photographic & video anomalies, and "ghost hunting" gadgets to uncover the real-world explanations behind them. He is a CSI Fellow, columnist, producer, speaker, host of the CFI video series "Ghosts in the Machine," and host of The Skeptical Help Bar livestream. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Andrea Love argues that the "paraben panic" began with a deeply flawed 2004 study and was amplified by media sensationalism, chemophobia, and low science literacy—despite decades of robust evidence showing that parabens are safe, weakly biologically active preservatives used at minuscule levels. Read this article and find accompanying references at: skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/the-paraben-panic-from-public-outcry-to-public-harm/ About the Author: Dr. Andrea Love is an immunologist and microbiologist with over a decade of experience in basic sciences, translational medicine, and clinical research. She is a subject-matter expert in infectious disease immunology, cancer immunology, and autoimmunity and is adept at translating complex scientific data and topics for the public and healthcare providers. She works full-time in life science biotechnology in the fields of vaccinology, immunology, immunotherapy, cancer, cell and gene therapy, and other related fields. While she will always be a biomedical scientist, she has a passion for helping the public understand complex science topics in order to navigate the world better. She is also the author of Immunologic, a newsletter and science information hub that communicates evidence-based information on science and health topics. Andrea is also the Executive Director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation, and was the 2023 American Medical Writers Association McGovern Award Recipient. She is passionate about scientific literacy starting from an early age and encouraging children toward a career in STEM. Outside of her career in science and efforts in science communication, she lives near Philly with her partner and their 7 rescue cats. She is a marathoner and ultramarathoner, a yogi, a black belt in judo, and an amateur wildlife photographer.  Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Reflecting on fifty years of Skeptical Inquirer, Craig A. Foster finds that skepticism's core mission has remained remarkably consistent: confronting enduring pseudoscientific claims that rely heavily on arguments from ignorance and rarely gain credible evidence over time. While skeptics often feel disappointed by the persistence of credulity, he argues that meaningful progress will require broader public engagement and better education in intellectual humility, critical thinking, and recognizing misleading arguments—because, like the proverbial rat, people will keep believing as they always have unless the conditions change. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/ten-trips-five-findings-and-one-unrelenting-rat/ About the Author: Craig A. Foster is a CSI fellow and the director of research and evaluation at Northshore School District in Bothell, Washington. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Robyn E. Blumner reflects on the mistaken beliefs and cultural fads she once experimented with—from religion and astrology to Ouija boards and Erich von Däniken's ancient astronaut claims—recalling how easily even curious, intelligent people can be taken in. Crediting scientific critics such as Carl Sagan and the rise of the organized skeptical movement, she argues that valuing evidence over comforting or entertaining falsehoods is a lifelong commitment—and one still worth defending today. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/weve-all-been-fooled-right/ About the Author: Robyn E. Blumner is president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry and executive director of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science. She is a lawyer who previously held posts as a syndicated columnist and editorial writer at the Tampa Bay Times and as executive director of the ACLU of Florida and ACLU of Utah. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Massimo Polidoro recounts the early 1970s efforts by James Randi, Martin Gardner, and Ray Hyman to create what would eventually become CSICOP, revealing that the modern skeptical movement began not with a clear structure but with strategic debates over tone, mission, funding, and even its name. Long before it had a public identity, the group wrestled with how to promote rigorous evaluation of paranormal claims without appearing merely "debunking," gradually shaping a vision centered on education, evidence, and responsible criticism. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/organizing-doubt-before-csicop-had-a-name/ About the Author: Massimo Polidoro is an investigator of the paranormal, author, lecturer, and co-founder and head of CICAP, the Italian skeptics group. His website is at www.massimopolidoro.com. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Benjamin Radford argues that while many conspiracy theories may seem like harmless entertainment, they contain an embedded narrative of hidden enemies that can foster mistrust, alienation, and, in some cases, justify violence or harmful policy decisions. He contends that the real danger arises when conspiracy beliefs—especially when clustered together and amplified by confirmation bias—are acted upon by individuals with the will or power to influence others, making skepticism a necessary safeguard rather than mere cynicism. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/the-hidden-harms-of-conspiracies/ About the Author: BIO Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

In the wake of widespread drone scares across Europe—sparked by war in Ukraine and fears of Russian "hybrid warfare"—Mick West examines how airport shutdowns, military alerts, and even assassination rumors were driven largely by eyewitness misidentifications of ordinary aircraft and lights in the sky. Drawing on investigative work from his Metabunk community and video recreations using flight data, he argues that scientific skepticism is essential for separating real threats from panic-fueled error—especially when geopolitical tensions make overreaction both tempting and dangerous. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/how-skeptics-might-save-the-world/ About the Author: Mick West is a writer, investigator, and debunker who enjoys looking into the evidence behind conspiracy theories and strange phenomena and then explaining what is actually going on. He runs the Metabunk forum, tweets @mickwest, and is the author of the book "Escaping the Rabbit Hole". Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/  

Melanie Trecek-King recounts her visit to a Bigfoot museum run by a committed believer and uses the experience to explore how pseudoscience and science denial operate.  Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/this-isnt-about-bigfoot/ About the Author: Melanie Trecek-King is an associate professor of biology at Massasoit Community College. Her website is www.ThinkingIsPower.com. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Skeptical Inquirer editor Stephen Hupp introduces new columns appearing for the first time in the latest issue of the magazine, The Chroniclers of Curiosity. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2026/02/cheers-to-our-columnists/ About the Author: Stephen Hupp, PhD, is editor of Skeptical Inquirer. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and professor of Clinical Child & School Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Nick Tiller recounts how a widely publicized study claiming homeopathic care dramatically reduced illness in newborns—published in the European Journal of Pediatrics—was later retracted after skeptics exposed serious methodological flaws, bias, and ethical concerns. He argues that the paper's lack of blinding, weak controls, and implausible biological basis reflect systemic problems in peer review and the institutional support of pseudoscience, while the eventual retraction highlights both the self-correcting power—and troubling slowness—of the scientific process. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/extraordinary-claims-the-homeopathy-paper-that-duped-a-mainstream-journal/ About the Author: Dr Nick Tiller is an exercise scientist and author of The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science, named one of Book Authority's "Best Sports Science Books of All Time." He's a columnist at Skeptical Inquirer and an elected Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. www.nbtiller.com Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed proponents and users of Spelling to Communicate—a discredited variant of facilitated communication—to the federal government's top autism advisory panel. Stuart Vyse argues that endorsing these scientifically debunked methods promotes pseudoscience, offers false hope to families, and undermines evidence-based support for people with autism. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/rfk-jr-puts-facilitated-communication-users-on-the-hhs-autism-panel/ About the Author: Stuart Vyse is a psychologist and author of Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition, which won the William James Book Award of the American Psychological Association. He is also author of Going Broke: Why Americans Can't Hold on to Their Money. As an expert on irrational behavior, he is frequently quoted in the press and has made appearances on CNN International, the PBS NewsHour, and NPR's Science Friday. He can be found on Twitter at @stuartvyse. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Benjamin Radford shows how innumeracy and poor media literacy can amplify controversy—and why skepticism is a vital safeguard against such traps. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/dilbert-dilemma-the-tragic-innumeracy-of-scott-adams/ About the Author: Benjamin Radford, M.Ed., is a scientific paranormal investigator, a research fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, deputy editor of the Skeptical Inquirer, and author, co-author, contributor, or editor of twenty books and over a thousand articles on skepticism, critical thinking, and science literacy. His newest book is America the Fearful. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/

Stephen Hupp details the schedule for CSICon 2026, the 50th annviersary conference of the Committee of Skeptical Inquiry held June 11-14, 2026, in this the second of a two part preview of the conference. Register now at csiconference.org. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/get-the-most-out-of-csicon-part-2-celebrate-our-history-chart-our-future/ About the Author: Stephen Hupp, PhD, is Executive Director of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) and editor of Skeptical Inquirer. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and professor of Clinical Child & School Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/