The long-running US magazine Skeptical Inquirer, renowned for its commitment to science and reason, has released its November/December 2025 issue, focusing on the theme “The Supernatural Stories That Mirror Our Realities.” The new edition examines how stories of the paranormal and fantastical often reflect genuine societal fears, beliefs, and cultural tensions.
At the forefront of the issue, Daniel A. Reed, founder of the West Virginia Skeptics’ Society, contributes an analysis titled “How Stranger Things Mirrors Real-World Paranormal Stories.” Reed draws parallels between the Netflix hit Stranger Things and real-life episodes such as James Randi’s “Project Alpha” experiment and the Satanic Panic of the 1980s—both pivotal moments in the history of public fascination with the paranormal.
“While Stranger Things is filled with fantastic tales and incredible story arcs, it also holds a mirror to the world that inspired it,” Reed writes. “Today, instead of secret government research into remote viewing, we spend money on congressional hearings on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and the risks they may pose to national security—hearings that seem more shaped by personal biases than by evidence.”
Reed’s article uses these comparisons to explore how modern culture remains captivated by mystery and conspiracy, even as science advances. His insights align with the magazine’s mission to challenge the extraordinary with rational inquiry.
Belief, Skepticism, and Human Relationships
In another major feature, “How Wicked Reflects Real-World Intersections between Belief and Skepticism,” real-life couple Malorie Mackey and Michael Maldonado turn to theatre to explore philosophical differences. Drawing on their experiences and the characters Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked, the pair examine how belief and skepticism coexist in personal relationships.
Their essay provides a candid look at how an “always-questing-to-believe” outlook can harmonize with a more questioning, evidence-based mindset. It argues that opposing approaches to truth-seeking, rather than dividing people, can strengthen mutual understanding and connection.
The Spread of Fear and Disinformation
Another timely inclusion, “Toxic Lies: Why Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Disinformation Matters,” by Katy Carroll, Mariana Diaz-Garcia, and Francesco Marelli, explores why CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) crises resonate so powerfully with the public. The authors warn that misinformation surrounding these threats can amplify fear and hinder effective emergency response.
The article places emphasis on the psychological and political power of disinformation in crisis scenarios, echoing the magazine’s wider goal of promoting scientific literacy in the age of viral misinformation.
Challenging Science’s Own Myths
Elsewhere in the issue, Charles G. M. Paxton’s essay “Weird Things Some Scientific Skeptics Say about Science” examines whether core tenets of skepticism—such as Occam’s razor and Popperian falsification—are always as robust as they appear. Paxton argues that even these respected principles should be subject to scrutiny, calling for a more nuanced understanding of how science evaluates truth claims.
AI, Chemistry, and the Culture of Fear
The issue also includes a column from Robyn E. Blumner, President and CEO of the Center for Inquiry (CFI), titled “Project Vend.” Blumner recounts an experiment by AI firm Anthropic, in which its model Claude attempted—and failed—to operate a vending machine. The column humorously highlights the limitations of artificial intelligence and reflects broader debates around automation and machine reasoning.
Complementing these features, Andrea Love contributes “From Food Dyes to Vaccines: Fear of Chemicals Endangers Us All,” an essay on the persistence of chemophobia and its impact on public health. Meanwhile, Benjamin Radford, the magazine’s Deputy Editor, presents “Explaining Aligned Alien Abductions,” dissecting recurring patterns in abduction narratives and the cultural forces that sustain them.
Continuing a Tradition of Rational Inquiry
Together, these features reinforce Skeptical Inquirer’s core purpose: to investigate the extraordinary with evidence, critical thought, and clear reasoning. The publication continues to serve as a forum for exploring how superstition, belief, and misinformation intersect with science and culture.
The November/December 2025 issue is now available on select newsstands across the United States and can also be accessed online via skepticalinquirer.org. Readers may download a PDF version directly from the site.
For interview requests with Editor Stephen Hupp or additional information about the magazine, media representatives are invited to contact the publication’s press office through official channels.
