Doubt - No 26

Magazine Overview

Title: doubt
Publisher: The Fortean Society
Issue: No. 26
Editor: Tiffany Thayer
Price: 50c

This issue of 'doubt,' the magazine of The Fortean Society, delves into a variety of unconventional topics, challenging established scientific and historical narratives. The cover features a stylized illustration of a telescope and the title 'doubt' in bold lettering, edited by Tiffany Thayer.

The Geocentric Hypothesis vs. The Copernican System

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a reasoned discussion questioning the absolute certainty of the Copernican model of the universe, which places the Earth revolving around the Sun. The author, identified as 'A Native of Strathearn,' argues that a geocentric system (Earth at the center) is worthy of serious consideration. The article posits that many arguments for the Copernican system are circular and that the geocentric model, despite its historical association with Ptolemy's flawed systems, has not been conclusively disproven. The author highlights that astronomical observations used for navigation can be made under either system, suggesting astronomy is practically neutral on this point. The immense distances involved in modern astronomy are illustrated with analogies, and the article questions the certainty of light's straight path and the existence of a deflecting medium. It suggests that the 'unity of nature' principle, a cornerstone of modern astronomy, might be flawed if applied universally. The author also points out that the daily revolution of the Earth on its axis, as proposed by the Copernican system, should have more observable effects on fluids like water and air (e.g., massive currents from the poles to the equator) than it appears to have, whereas the slower orbital motion seems to produce more noticeable effects. The article contrasts this with the geocentric view, where the daily motion of the heavens around a stable Earth is seen as a more plausible explanation for these phenomena. The Pantheon experiment and the deflection of falling bodies are discussed as arguments for Earth's rotation, but the author suggests these might be explained by celestial forces in a geocentric model. The article concludes that the certainty of the Copernican system is far from absolute, leaving the geocentric hypothesis as a possibility.

Gomer Bath on Fort

This section is a reprint from the Peoria (Ill) Star, featuring an article by MFS Bath praising Charles Fort. Bath argues that Fort, a great humorist, has been overlooked. He emphasizes Fort's delightful and malicious sense of humor, which he used to critique dogmatic 'wiseacres' and challenge established scientific beliefs. Fort's books are described as not attacking science itself, but rather the dogmas that exclude unexplained phenomena. Laughter, according to Bath, is the ultimate defense against dogma, and Fort's ability to wield it makes his work enduring and worthy of wider readership.

Spiritual Vampirism

Written by George Christian Bump, this article discusses C. W. Webber's 1853 book, "Spiritual Vampirism: The History of Etherial Softdown and her Friends of the 'New Light.'" The book is presented as a factual account of human vampires who drain vitality through an 'Odic fluid' or sympathetic element, described as the vital force and the medium for spiritual communication. The article explains how this fluid can be manipulated and how individuals with excess Odic force can influence others. It suggests that the concept of spiritual vampires might explain how humanity could be 'owned and exploited by a hidden entity,' acting as media for draining human vitality.

Other Articles and Contributions

• April Fish: A brief note acknowledging readers who caught the humor in a previous issue's article, which turned out to be an April Fool's joke.
• Chapter Six: An invitation for London members of The Fortean Society to meet at the White Horse Tavern.
• Essay on Human Nature: H. S. Petty quotes an anonymous 1856 Harper's New Monthly Magazine article that critiques governments and human nature, viewing them as based on 'Fraud and Force.'
• Only Fortean Cleric: A Pyrotic: This piece reports on the death of 'Father Will Whalen,' a former Jesuit rector and associate of Abe Merritt, who died in a fire of unknown origin in the Bronx.
• Hi-Spots in Mail: This section includes contributions from readers:
• Helen Knothe writes about lichens, particularly 'lichen-manna' (Lecanora esculenta and affinis), as an important emergency food source, detailing historical accounts of its appearance and consumption.
• John Atkins provides an update on curious stones found in Wales, including a photograph and details about their reported discovery after a storm, though information from local papers proved elusive.
• Jack Campbell reviews the American Weekly of October 22, 1944, noting peculiar reports such as a paratrooper hovering motionless for an hour and Navy blimps causing extreme terror in animals, leading to death in some cases.
• From Anonymous: A contributor describes an experience during military training involving digging foxholes and being subjected to an M-3 Light Tank running over them, noting the sandy soil caused the foxholes to cave in badly.
• From Emison: This contribution addresses an article on Crater Lake, Oregon, by Vora Sowers. The writer challenges Sowers's assertion that pumice is merely 'talcum powder and flour,' stating that pumice in the Rogue River area exists in rock form, powder form, and is used for roads, and that the description is inaccurate for that region.
• Lonc Monument: A brief note about a monument erected in Berlin in memory of Frank A. Lonc, which is in the shape of a triangle embodying his 'Cosmic Constant' (1.618+).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'doubt' include skepticism towards established scientific paradigms (particularly in astronomy), an interest in unexplained phenomena, and a critical examination of dogma and authority. The magazine champions the work of Charles Fort as an example of how humor and critical inquiry can challenge accepted truths. There is a clear editorial stance that favors exploring alternative explanations and questioning conventional wisdom, as evidenced by the detailed defense of the geocentric hypothesis and the inclusion of various anecdotal and unusual reports from readers. The magazine appears to value a Fortean approach, which involves collecting and examining data that is often dismissed or ignored by mainstream science.

This document, titled "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT," appears to be a continuation of Charles Fort's extensive cataloging of anomalous events and phenomena. The content spans pages 403 through 407, presenting a chronological compilation of observations, reports, and discussions related to unexplained occurrences. The primary focus is on historical records of natural phenomena, scientific curiosities, and potentially fraudulent inventions.

Content Breakdown

Page 403

The page begins with descriptions of a river appearing to flow upwards, accompanied by photographic references (#1-#5). It then delves into the notorious "Keeley motor," a fraudulent perpetual motion machine built by John Keeley, which is preserved at the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia. The text details how Keeley's machine was powered by a hidden hydraulic system, exposing the fraud after his death. Following this, the document presents an excerpt from "The Book of Lightning (Lei Shu)" by Li Shih-Chen, translated from Chinese. This section discusses ancient Chinese beliefs about "thunder-axes," "thunder-washing blocks," "thunder-hammers," and "thunder-gimlets," attributing them to the God of Thunder and divine dragons. It references works like "Po Wu Chi" and "Hiuan Chung Ki" to explain the origins and significance of these objects in Chinese folklore and cosmology. The section concludes with a quote from Berthold Laufer's book "JADE."

Page 404

This page continues the discussion on ancient texts and phenomena, referencing HFFS Hammett's review of Jaworski's "Le Geon: ou la terre vivante." This book proposes that the Earth is a living organism, comparing its components to biological structures like cells, nuclei, and protoplasm. The reviewer finds the thesis amusing but cautions against taking it too seriously. The page then shifts to a critique of metaphysical and semantic issues, particularly addressing "Brother Brady." The author expresses difficulty in understanding Brady's abstract concepts due to inadequate communication and the use of "multiordinal abstracts." The critique highlights the problem of finding referents for abstract ideas and questions Brady's use of the pronoun "His" in relation to a "Magician" or "Underlying Oneness," suggesting it implies a religious or conventional mythological framework.

Pages 405-407

These pages constitute a chronological listing of "More Notes of Charles Fort," primarily focusing on events from the 1800s. The entries are presented in a dense, tabular format, with dates ranging from 1852 to 1854. Each entry typically includes a date, a brief description of the phenomenon, and a source citation (e.g., BA for British Association reports, LT for The London Times, Am J Sci for American Journal of Science). The phenomena recorded are diverse and include:

• Meteorological events: Unusual rain (red rain, black rain), waterspouts, auroras, strange atmospheric lights, and phenomena like "whirls" and "light like Coggia's."
• Geological events: Earthquakes (quakes) in various locations worldwide (India, Italy, Jamaica, Greece, Armenia, Ireland, Wales, Sicily, Spain, Mexico, Chile, etc.), volcanic eruptions (Etna, Mount Korabelott, Mayan volcano), and geological formations.
• Astronomical events: Meteors (large meteors, falling stars, streaks), comets (new comets, comet nebulas), and observations of stars (disappearing stars, stars of specific magnitudes and positions).
• Biological anomalies: Unusual insects, "worms" appearing in gardens, and strange sounds associated with phenomena.
• Other anomalies: "Haunted House" sounds, "aerial soldiers," and reports of falling stones or objects.

The entries often cross-reference previous notes or cite specific publications, demonstrating Fort's systematic approach to collecting and organizing data on unexplained occurrences. The notes also include references to specific books and authors, such as "The Books of Charles Fort," "Science Digest," and "The Northwestern Engineer."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the cataloging of unexplained phenomena, the critique of scientific and philosophical dogmatism, and the exploration of historical records that deviate from conventional explanations. The editorial stance, as inferred from Charles Fort's work and the commentary within the text, is one of skepticism towards established scientific paradigms and a deep interest in phenomena that challenge mainstream understanding. There is a consistent effort to present evidence, however anecdotal or obscure, for events that defy easy explanation, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond the ordinary. The inclusion of fraudulent inventions like the Keeley motor also suggests an interest in the human capacity for deception and the nature of belief.

The document emphasizes the importance of detailed observation and the collection of data from a wide array of sources, including scientific journals, newspapers, and historical texts. The critique of abstract language and communication highlights a concern with clarity and the grounding of concepts in observable reality, a principle aligned with semanticist approaches. Overall, the issue serves as a testament to Charles Fort's lifelong project of documenting the "damned" phenomena that lie outside the accepted scientific framework.