# Skepter

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Dutch skeptical popular science magazine

Skepter "De kritische kijk op paranormale verschijnselen en pseudowetenschap" Editor-in-chief Marcel Hulspas (1988–2002) Rob Nanninga (2002–2014) Hans van Maanen (2014–)[1] Categories Scientific skepticism Frequency Quarterly (1988–2006) Semi-annually (2007–present) Circulation 2900 (2300 paid)[2] Publisher Stichting Skepsis First issue March 1, 1988 Country Netherlands Language Dutch Website skepsis.nl/tijdschrift-skepter/ ISSN 0921-5085

***Skepter*** is a [popular science](/source/Popular_science) [magazine](/source/Magazine) of the [Dutch](/source/Netherlands) [skeptical](/source/Scientific_skepticism) foundation [Stichting Skepsis](/source/Stichting_Skepsis). It describes paranormal or controversial theories and methods from a skeptical perspective.

## History

*Skepter* logo 1988–2014.

In its first issue, the contemporary president of Stichting Skepsis, astronomer [Cornelis de Jager](/source/Cornelis_de_Jager), wrote that the paper "could fulfill a useful task in explaining many seemingly miraculous things, and consequently to the clarification of the misconceptions that exist in many people's minds. Education of a hopefully large audience is the first and foremost task of our magazine."[3] From 1988 until 2002, astronomer [Marcel Hulspas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marcel_Hulspas&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Hulspas)] was editor-in-chief, and when he was succeeded by [Rob Nanninga](/source/Rob_Nanninga), the magazine first appeared in colour. In 2007, to reduce costs, increase accessibility and facilitate production and distribution, *Skepter* has been concentrated more and more on the Internet.[4] In that year, the frequency of *Skepter* was reduced from quarterly to semi-annually. On the other hand, its size grew from 20 pages per issue in 1988 to 48 in 2014. During Nanninga's editorship (2002–2014), the number of subscribers increased from about 1500 to 2200.[5]

After Nanninga's death in May 2014, he was succeeded as editor-in-chief by science journalist Hans van Maanen in December.[1] The layout was revamped, and since 2016 *Skepter* has been issued four times a year again, as was the case before 2007.[6] Since September 2017, the staff consists of editor-in-chief Hans van Maanen and editors [Pepijn van Erp](/source/Pepijn_van_Erp) and [CSI fellow](/source/Committee_for_Skeptical_Inquiry) [Jan Willem Nienhuys](/source/Jan_Willem_Nienhuys).[2] The paid [circulation](/source/List_of_magazines_by_circulation) is more than 2300, the total circulation is at 2900.

## Contents

The magazine deals with topics such as [alternative medicine](/source/Alternative_medicine), [magic](/source/Magic_(paranormal)) and the [paranormal](/source/Paranormal). Examples include medical claims in [reflexology](/source/Reflexology), [9/11 conspiracy theories](/source/9%2F11_conspiracy_theories), [tidal forces](/source/Tidal_force), the hype surrounding the popular book *[The Secret](/source/The_Secret_(Byrne_book))*, forged [doctorates](/source/Doctorate) from non-existent universities, the "ridiculous" verdict by an Amsterdam judge that the [Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij](/source/Vereniging_tegen_de_Kwakzalverij) could not label [orthomanual therapist](/source/Manual_therapy) M. Sickesz a "quack"[4] (later overturned[7]), [iridology](/source/Iridology), [Bach flower remedies](/source/Bach_flower_remedies), [ayurveda](/source/Ayurveda), [Aqua Detox](/source/Detoxification), [magnet therapy](/source/Magnet_therapy) [applied kinesiology](/source/Applied_kinesiology), [bioresonance therapy](/source/Bioresonance_therapy), [acupuncture](/source/Acupuncture) and [reiki](/source/Reiki). Moreover, attention is given to [clairvoyance](/source/Clairvoyance), [parapsychology](/source/Parapsychology), [auras](/source/Aura_(paranormal)) and [dowsing](/source/Dowsing), but also to [Egyptian pyramids](/source/Egyptian_pyramids), [aliens](/source/Extraterrestrial_life), [crop circles](/source/Crop_circle) and [UFOs](/source/Unidentified_Flying_Object). Although Nanninga said that practices such as forging doctorates are a disgrace, he emphasised that (writing about) [critical thinking](/source/Critical_thinking) can be interesting.[4]

## See also

- [Critical thinking](/source/Critical_thinking)

- [Freethought](/source/Freethought)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Maanen_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Maanen_1-1) Pepijn van Erp (18 December 2014). ["Hans van Maanen nieuwe hoofdredacteur van Skepter"](http://www.skepsis.nl/blog/2014/12/hans-van-maanen-nieuwe-hoofdredacteur-van-skepter/). *Skepsis Blog* (in Dutch). Stichting Skepsis. Retrieved 18 December 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tijdschrift_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tijdschrift_2-1) ["*Skepter*: een tijdschrift over pseudowetenschap"](https://skepsis.nl/tijdschrift-skepter/). *Stichting Skepsis website* (in Dutch). Stichting Skepsis. Retrieved 18 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** de Jager, Cornelis (1 March 1988). "Is Para-wetenschap ook wetenschap? Een inleiding". *Skepter* (in Dutch). **1** (1). [Stichting Skepsis](/source/Stichting_Skepsis).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AD_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AD_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AD_4-2) Martijn van Calmthout (22 September 2007). ["Sceptisch over nepdoctors"](https://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/4561/Wetenschap/article/detail/842323/2007/09/22/Sceptisch-over-nepdoctors.dhtml). *[Algemeen Dagblad](/source/Algemeen_Dagblad)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Nienhuys, Jan Willem](/source/Jan_Willem_Nienhuys) (January 2015). "In memoriam Rob Nanninga". *Skepter* (in Dutch). **27** (1). [Stichting Skepsis](/source/Stichting_Skepsis): 41.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Israel, Frank Pieter](/source/Frank_Pieter_Israel); [Nienhuys, Jan Willem](/source/Jan_Willem_Nienhuys) (January 2015). "Hans van Maanen hoofdredacteur *Skepter*". *Skepter* (in Dutch). **27** (1). [Stichting Skepsis](/source/Stichting_Skepsis): 42.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Quackometer_7-0)** Andy Lewis (3 August 2009). ["Dutch Sceptics Have 'Bogus' Libel Decision Overturned On Human Rights Grounds"](http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/dutch-sceptics-have-bogus-libel.html). The Quackometer. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Skepter](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Search/Skepter).

- [Online article index](https://www.skepsis.nl/skepindx.html)

v t e Skeptical magazines Antireligioznik American Atheist Magazine Ateist Bezbozhnik u Stanka Bezbożnik wojujący Free Inquiry Freethought Today National Reformer New Humanist Secular Review Skepter Skeptical Inquirer Skeptic (US) The Freethinker The Humanist The Oracle of Reason The Skeptic (UK) The Truth Seeker Wonder en is gheen Wonder Yunyye Bezbozhniki

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Skepter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skepter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skepter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.