Doubt - No 27

Magazine Overview

Title: DOUBT
Issue: No. 27
Volume: 19 FS (Fortean Society Year)
Date: 1949 (implied by content, though cover states '1931 A D = the year 1 FS')
Publisher: The Fortean Society
Editor: Tiffany Thayer

This issue of DOUBT, the magazine of The Fortean Society, presents a diverse collection of reports on unexplained phenomena, social commentary, and critiques of established institutions. The cover art, by Castillo, features a figure on a throne holding a newspaper with headlines about atomic radiation and utopia, juxtaposed with warnings of Russian destruction, reflecting the magazine's critical stance on societal narratives.

Contents

Fortean Phenomena and Sightings

The magazine dedicates significant space to cataloging unusual events, particularly UFO sightings, under the heading "IF IT'S IN THE SKY IT'S A SAUCER." Reports span from April to October 1949, detailing numerous sightings of 'flying saucers,' 'discs,' 'balls of fire,' and other aerial objects across North America and Europe. Descriptions include various shapes (disc, cigar, funnel, teardrop, oval, squares, box formation, plate), colors (red, blue, white, silver, yellow, green), and behaviors (moving, falling, crashing, glowing, whining, hissing, trailing smoke). Specific incidents include a 'fiery object' over Hamilton, Ontario; 'balls of fire' over northern Utah and Delaware; 'box formations' over San Diego; 'discs' over Michigan, Oregon, and New York; and a 'large, lighted object' over Beverly Hills. The issue notes the coincidence of these reports with the release of a Saturday Evening Post article and an Air Force press handout, suggesting a coordinated effort to manage public perception.

Other Fortean phenomena reported include 'FISH-FALLS' and 'FROG-FALLS' in various locations, such as Marksville, Louisiana, and Kasalinsk, Kazakhstan. The magazine also documents unusual animal behavior and occurrences, such as a fish with four legs, and a 'bright, fiery, red splotch' over Falmouth, Maine.

Social Commentary and Activism

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to social and political commentary, particularly concerning pacifism and conscientious objection. Garry Davis, declared an 'Accepted Fellow' of the Society, is prominently featured. Davis, a self-proclaimed 'World Citizen,' was arrested in France for refusing military conscription. His statement outlines his pacifist principles, emphasizing the unifying values of humanity and a refusal to engage in violence. He details his 'Plan of Action,' which includes writing to President Auriol and preparing for direct action, including potential imprisonment alongside a French conscientious objector, Jean Moreau.

The magazine also critiques the concept of 'sanity' in poetry, particularly in response to an article by Stanton A. Coblentz attacking Ezra Pound. Eric Frank Russell defends Pound, arguing that poetic merit should not be judged by political alignment or the success of the composer's side in conflict. Russell challenges Coblentz to produce superior work rather than resorting to personal attacks.

Critiques of Institutions and Dogma

DOUBT continues its critical examination of established institutions, including government, science, and religion. The magazine questions the narrative surrounding the atomic bomb and criticizes the 'Foley Square Stench,' referring to the conviction of eleven men for 'thinking ill of the king,' implying a suppression of dissent. The 'Jesuit Publicity' section notes the involvement of Jesuits in reporting on alleged spiritistic phenomena, contrasting it with the perceived lack of progress from 'scientific' investigators.

The issue also touches upon the influence of the Catholic Church, mentioning the raid on two churches for running bingo games and the Knights of Columbus advertising a controversial statement about Jesus Christ. The 'UN WHO' section highlights the World Health Organization's budget and projects, questioning their utility.

Personal Accounts and Society Matters

The magazine includes personal accounts and updates from members, such as MFS Bush's proposal for a large-scale project to counteract global catastrophe by destroying Antarctic ice. The 'Chapters' section clarifies the Society's stance on local groups, emphasizing their independence and lack of authority over the broader Fortean Society membership.

Book Reviews and Recommendations

Nandor Fodor's book, "The Search for the Beloved," is reviewed as a clinical investigation of trauma, with a note on its technical terminology and case histories. The book "THE COMMUNIST TRIAL" by George Marion is recommended as an antidote to propaganda. The prophecies of Nostradamus are also discussed, with a new edition of "The Complete Prophesies of Nostradamus" by Henry C. Roberts being offered.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of DOUBT reinforces The Fortean Society's commitment to investigating and reporting on unexplained phenomena, often challenging mainstream scientific, political, and religious narratives. The magazine champions critical thinking, individual conscience, and a healthy skepticism towards official pronouncements. There is a consistent theme of questioning authority, whether it be governmental, scientific, or religious dogma. The editorial stance is one of intellectual independence, encouraging members to form their own conclusions based on presented evidence, however unusual. The magazine also shows a strong interest in pacifism and the rights of individuals to dissent, as exemplified by the coverage of Garry Davis. The overall tone is one of curiosity, critical inquiry, and a wry amusement at the absurdities of human behavior and belief systems.

This issue of DOUBT (identified by the page number 419) features a striking cover with the headline "These IMMORTAL CLOWNS..." and "0+ POST OFFICE HOOEY 0", accompanied by an illustration of a Fortean postage stamp designed by Castillo. The magazine appears to be published by The Fortean Society and focuses on documenting unexplained phenomena, often with a critical or skeptical perspective on conventional explanations.

HI-LEE HI-LO

This section presents a list from The Milwaukee Journal (dated 7-10-49) detailing the fluctuating reported elevation of the city above sea level across various years from 1929 to 1949. The figures show considerable inconsistency, ranging from 214 feet to 619 feet, with several years listing 'none given'.

WHAT EVER BECAME OF . . .

This is a brief, unelaborated query: "Alfred Lawson?"

JESUS CARDS

This section announces the production of holiday greeting cards featuring reproductions of an Art Castillo drawing that embodies the text of "Joking Jesus," a poem by James Joyce. The cards are described as amusing and highly sacrilegious, intended for release shortly after the first of the year 20 FS (Fortean Society?). Each card is the size of a page of DOUBT, priced at $1.00 for 13 cards, with a minimum order of 13.

MFS EVANS WRITES

This article features a letter from MFS Evans responding to a criticism by Mr. Rollo regarding the modernized Copernican System. Evans states he cannot object to Rollo's criticism, having previously engaged with Flat-Earth enthusiasts. He discusses Rollo's arguments about the apparent lack of movement in the sea and air, and the difficulty of believing in a moving Earth. Evans notes that Rollo's arguments are similar to the Aristotelian view of a central, stationary Earth with revolving stars, which was the orthodoxy of the Middle Ages. He explains that this view was abandoned due to Forteans and early astronomers studying observed facts and finding the old beliefs inadequate, leading to the idea of a moving Earth. Evans acknowledges that even thinkers like Tycho Brahe and Bacon found the moving Earth concept incredible, and that religious poets also struggled with it.

Evans finds Rollo's argument about the comparative absence of movement in sea and air difficult to overcome but is surprised Rollo accepts Foucault's Pantheon experiment, which Flat-Earthers reportedly claim gives ambiguous results. He also points out that Rollo does not mention the precession of the equinoxes as evidence for Earth's rotation, nor the movements of planetary satellites as evidence for gravitation. Evans questions how far the 'Heavens' move if they are moving, and whether they are frictionless. He concludes that while he expects current ideas of the universe to undergo revision, he does not anticipate a reversion to older Aristotelian views, nor does he believe a Fortean must subscribe to the dogma that all current scientific theories are necessarily wrong, but rather that they should be regarded as not necessarily right.

RUN OF THE MILL

This section compiles various unusual and unexplained events:

• A German movie, "Berliner Ballade," won a prize in Venice.
• A cow was found stranded near the summit of Pikes Peak, with its presence unexplained.
• A hay-stack in Scotland reportedly rose in the air to an estimated height of 300 to 700 feet during calm conditions.
• Large patches of dust covered the Atlantic Ocean, with the Navy deeming the phenomenon inexplicable.
• In Alencon, France, a man drowned while attempting to drown a kitten.

MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT

This extensive section presents transcribed notes from Charles Fort's manuscripts, cataloged chronologically. The notes begin with the year 1800 AD and are presented in a format that alternates between records of non-human phenomena (Box 2) and records of persons (Box A). The handwriting is described as difficult, often using symbols and code. The material is sourced from public libraries, with references to the "British Association for the Advancement of Science" (BA) and other publications.

The entries detail a vast array of phenomena, including:

• Quakes and Geological Events: Numerous earthquakes are recorded across various locations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with dates, locations, and sometimes descriptions of intensity or associated phenomena like tidal waves or subterranean sounds.
• Meteors and Aerial Phenomena: Sightings of meteors, fireballs, and strange lights are frequently noted, often with descriptions of their appearance, duration, and trajectory. Some entries detail unusual atmospheric conditions like dust clouds, colored vapors, or strange fogs.
• Weather Anomalies: Reports include extreme cold, heavy snow, unusual rain, hailstorms, waterspouts, and even instances of ice falling.
• Zoological Anomalies: Mentions of unusual bird migrations, strange insects, and even reports of frogs falling from the sky are included.
• Other Phenomena: This category encompasses a wide range, such as unusual sounds, volcanic eruptions, and even reports of strange objects or figures in the sky.

Examples of specific entries include:

• 1854: Quakes in Eaux-Bownes, Strehla (Germany), and Japan; a stone fall in Germany; sounds of explosion and quake in the Pyrenees; a sulphurous fog in Paris; a dense mass of copper-colored vapor over Scotland; and a meteor larger than the moon over Durham.
• 1855: Reports of meteoric stones, volcanic activity at Vesuvius, unusual rains, and a significant number of quakes in France, Switzerland, and Italy. There are also mentions of strange sounds, heavy fogs, and unusual bird activity.
• 1856: Numerous entries detail meteors, quakes, volcanic eruptions (Vesuvius), waterspouts, and unusual atmospheric events, including a report of a rain resembling red wine in Switzerland and a phenomenon described as a "crewless ship".

Books Advertised

Two books are advertised:

1. Order Glacial Period and Drayson's Hypothesis by John Millis, reprinted for the Fortean Society, priced at $1.00.
2. "America NEEDS Indians" by the author, described as a practical plan for conserving the continent, with 425 pages and a folding map, priced at $7.00.

Additionally, The Books of CHARLES FORT are advertised as a 4-volume set in 1, containing 1151 indexed pages, including "The Book of the Damned," "New Lands," "Lo!," and "Wild Talents," with an introduction by Tiffany Thayer, priced at $5.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of DOUBT are the documentation and presentation of unexplained phenomena, often referred to as 'Fortean phenomena'. The magazine appears to maintain a stance of collecting and presenting these events without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, but rather encouraging readers to question conventional narratives and consider alternative possibilities. The inclusion of Charles Fort's extensive catalog of historical anomalies underscores this editorial approach. There is a clear emphasis on historical records, scientific skepticism, and the exploration of the unusual and the 'impossible'. The tone is informative, archival, and suggestive of a community interested in the fringes of known science and history.