Join Clara Moss as she explores the founding and early investigations of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (originally CSICOP), the influential organization that brought scientific rigor to paranormal claims in the 1970s. Discover how figures like Paul Kurtz, Carl Sagan, James Randi, and Martin Gardner revolutionized skeptical inquiry through methodical investigation of psychic surgery, psychokinesis, and dowsing claims. Learn about their groundbreaking protocols for testing extraordinary claims and how their educational approach distinguished between genuine wonder and wishful thinking. This episode examines how the committee's work established lasting standards for critical thinking that extend far beyond paranormal investigation, influencing how we evaluate everything from medical claims to media misinformation. Explore the cultural context of 1970s America's paranormal renaissance and understand how scientific skepticism developed as a response to extraordinary claims. Perfect for listeners interested in the history of scientific method, critical thinking education, and the ongoing challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction in our information-rich world. Discover why intellectual humility and rigorous analysis remain our best tools for understanding reality.