Doubt - No 37

Magazine Overview

DOUBT: The Fortean Society Magazine, Vol. II, Whole Number 37

This issue of "doubt," The Fortean Society Magazine, edited by Tiffany Thayer, was published in 1931. The magazine utilizes a unique 13-month calendar, with this issue corresponding to the year 1 FS (Fortean Society year).

Subscription and Availability

Membership in the Fortean Society is available to all, with annual dues set at $2.00. For those in Sterling countries, the dues are 8/-. In England, correspondence should be directed to Eric Frank Russell. "doubt" is available for 35c per copy in principal cities worldwide and 2/- in Great Britain. It is also available in many public libraries and universities, which maintain complete files.

Illustrations

Unless otherwise credited, all illustrations in "doubt" are the work of L M F S Art Castillo.

First Prize

Frank McMahon received first prize for coupling a datum of the vivisection victory at Albany with the invasion of several nearby points by packs of wild foxes. The article notes that "the dogs called in their cousins."

Rabies Scare and Vivisection

The issue criticizes "authorities" for creating a rabies scare to benefit serum-sellers. It reports eighteen persons bitten by foxes as of February 19, with one woman dead by March 15. An estimated 35,000 foxes were said to be surrounding Philadelphia. A list of N. Y. State Senators who voted for a bill making pound animals available to their torturers is provided, including Bennett, Campbell, Cooke, Erwin, Halpern, Hatfield, Hollowell, Hughes, Hults, Manning, Metcalf, Mitchell, Mitchell, Neddo, Seelye, Van Lare, Wicks, Williamson, and Wise.

International Notes

Second honors went to MFS Mealy for locating Alfred W. Lawson, described as a "long-time rebel." Lawson, now 84, is associated with the "Des Moines University of Lawsonomy." The article notes that the institution has been granted tax exemption since 1946.

Third place was awarded to MFS Borden for reporting the disappearance of a Norwegian "atomic scientist" named Per Werenskiold on February 8, described as "gone fission, natch!"

Other Mentions

MFS Mitchell is noted for a piece about "welded ships" developing plate cracks, a concern for marine insurance companies. The article references the "Liberty" ships built during the war, questioning how many of them broke.

Unexplained Phenomena and Incidents

Several short reports detail unexplained events:

• A "plaster-shattering" blast rocked the naval center at Pensacola, Florida, followed by the discovery of a hot, cone-shaped piece of metal that had fallen from the skies.
• A letter from Bombay dated February 26, 1952, discusses the US rearming to avoid economic collapse.
• A seismologist in Faenza, Italy, reported that the earth's crust in the Po Valley had risen about a foot in 16 days, a claim dismissed by another scientist.
• Two cracks, one a mile long, appeared in the earth near Burlington, Vermont, following a series of weird rumblings and lights.
• Earth tremors were felt in Montana, though officials discounted the possibility of an earthquake.
• A massive underground mountain range reportedly moved four inches, felt from Des Moines, Iowa, to Austin, Texas.
• A "homing" pigeon race from Ballycastle to Dublin saw 75% of the birds fail to return.
• Reports of a DC-4 dropping 2200 feet in flight near Cleveland, Ohio, with no apparent cause.
• A blast in the "beach casino area" of Santa Cruz, California, knocked a man off his feet.
• An explosion was heard over an area of "893 square miles" near Dallas, Texas.
• Two explosions in Miami, Florida, one described as a prank involving an old firework.
• A series of blasts over an eight-hour period shook parts of the Southern California coastline.
• A sonic shock from a diving jet plane was suspected in the Los Angeles area.
• "Shocks" were reported near El Paso, Texas, with no sound mentioned.
• Two more blasts in Dallas, including a hole in a river bank and a shattered bridge end.
• An explosion in Liverpool, England, damaged houses, with "bangs" heard since 1950.
• A "jet plane" theory was advanced for an event in the East Bay area, San Francisco.

Scientific and Technical Notes

• A report on the structure of crystals by H. Lipson suggests a method of guessing atomic arrangements.
• Smoke shells used by Allied artillerymen were green on St. Patrick's Day in Korta.
• A discussion on the possibility that "flying" in heavier-than-air craft is not practical.
• A mention of an Air Force expedition using a solar eclipse to check map accuracy.
• The discovery of two girls, aged 15 and 17, running wild in a Japanese forest, tearing clothes with their teeth.
• The repudiation of the infamous Fatima photos, now dated to 1921 instead of 1917.
• The Piccard Punchinellos are preparing for further stratospheric and deep-sea ascents.

Social Commentary and Criticism

• The magazine criticizes the "decay of American character," citing instances of censorship and soldiers involving police in a party incident.
• A "crime box" is introduced in Southern California for the public to submit "tips" on criminal operations, which the magazine likens to the Inquisition.
• A book titled "Haunted People" by Hereward Carrington and Nandor Fodor is mentioned.
• An inquiry is made about J. L. Mott, who was involved with "Atlantis" in the 1930s and 1940s.
• A pamphlet by T. J. Stevenson, "REASON/The Book of the Century," is reviewed.
• MFS Alex Grant is quoted as saying that if people stopped buying newspapers, they might be delivered free due to their propaganda.
• A pamphlet titled "WHISKEY or POLIO" by Duon H. Miller suggests COLA drinks cause polio.
• The Society was represented at an international exhibition on "HUMAN RELATIONS" in Copenhagen.
• A report on a Swiss referendum concerning economic theories.
• A critique of educational campaigns in Germany and approaches to Nehru regarding rebuilding India.
• Sweden is described as becoming a Police State on March 6, 1952, with powers to open letters and tap telephone wires.
• A letter to a former professor at Smith College was returned marked "Deceased/Address unknown."
• A report on the "striking jail birds" and the need for citizens to stand up for their rights.
• A discussion on Foucault's pendulum experiment and its interpretation.
• A critique of the Mercator Projection and a proposal for a new projection with East and West Poles.
• Clarence Willcock of Pudsey is honored for refusing an Identity Card.
• An appeal for help from Madras, India, due to widespread hunger.

UFO and Aerial Phenomena Reports

• Norman G. Markham submits a photograph taken during an electrical storm, showing a streak and a sequence of dots, which he believes to be an object from outside space. He notes the object was invisible to his eye and made no sound.
• Reports of "jest planes" causing sonic booms or unexplained blasts.
• A mention of "Damned Martians" and the potential shift in public focus from war with Russia to "flying saucers" and defense against spacemen.
• References to "Moon Bounces Radio Message Back to Earth" and possibilities for satellite space ships.
• A report on a "jet plane" theory for an event in the East Bay area, San Francisco.

Specific Incidents and Cases

• Vivisection Victory and Fox Invasion: Albany, USA - A victory against vivisection is linked to an invasion of wild foxes in nearby areas.
• Missing Scientist: null - Per Werenskiold, a Norwegian "atomic scientist," has been missing since February 8.
• Naval Center Blast: Pensacola, Fla., USA - A blast occurred at the naval center, followed by the discovery of an unusual metal object.
• Earthquake-like Events: Po Valley, Italy; Burlington, Vt., USA; Alberta, Canada; Kansas, USA - Various reports detail seismic activity, earth cracks, and tremors.
• Aerial Phenomenon: Clovis, N.M., USA - A photograph captures a mysterious streak and dots, interpreted as an object from space.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "doubt" magazine strongly reflects the Fortean Society's characteristic skepticism towards official narratives and established authorities. There is a consistent theme of questioning scientific claims, governmental actions, and societal norms. The magazine champions the underdog and highlights unexplained phenomena, often with a critical and sometimes satirical tone. Vivisection and animal rights are recurring concerns, as is a distrust of "authorities" who are seen as manipulating public opinion for their own benefit. The magazine actively seeks out and publishes unusual reports and anecdotal evidence, encouraging readers to question conventional explanations and to remain open to the possibility of phenomena beyond current scientific understanding. The editorial stance is one of independent inquiry, critical thinking, and a persistent search for truth in the face of what is perceived as widespread deception and conformity.

This issue of "MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT" (Issue 157) is primarily dedicated to presenting a chronological catalog of Charles Fort's meticulously recorded observations of anomalous phenomena from the years 1863 and 1864. The publication is by The Fortean Society. The issue also features philosophical and analytical articles.

Physics as Bodies in Motion by H. W. Giles

The first major article is a transcript of a lecture by H. W. Giles, titled "Physics as Bodies in Motion." Giles challenges conventional notions of matter, asserting that "there's no such thing as matter," only "bodies in motion." He argues that all physical laws and concepts like space, time, inertia, force, and energy are abstractions derived from observing the multiplicity and comparisons of these moving bodies. He posits that motion is relative to the observer's place of observation, and that concepts like time are derived from comparing different motions. Giles suggests that mathematical relationships are merely "ghosts of motions" and that all change fundamentally involves motion. He concludes that force, velocity, acceleration, inertia, and energy are all generalizations of the observed behavior of bodies in motion.

MFS BUMP WRITES: The Ego and His Own

This section features an essay by MFS Bump, who recommends Max Stirner's "The Ego and His Own" as a text that reveals the falseness of Orthodoxy and provides means to overthrow it. Stirner's philosophy, as interpreted by Bump, emphasizes the "Uniqueness" of the individual as the true reality, rather than participation in universal qualities. Bump frames the fundamental conflict as one between "realists" (who deal effectively with reality) and "escapists" (who try to escape from reality). He argues that universalism is a manifestation of escapism, where individuals create a world of universals to avoid facing the disagreeable aspects of the actual world. This escapism, Bump suggests, can lead to a "war against reality" and a "war against realists." He draws a parallel to Nietzsche's description of how Christianity can convert emotional tendencies into anti-egotism, potentially leading to schizophrenia, which he posits might be a product of Christianity or its derivatives. Bump views universalism as a self-created disease, while schizophrenia is imposed by others. He criticizes "modern science" and its practitioners as the new "priesthood" perpetuating this escapist illusion.

MORE NOTES of CHARLES FORT (1863-1864)

This extensive section comprises a chronological listing of Fort's notes, transcribed from his personal manuscripts. The notes detail numerous reports of unusual aerial phenomena, meteors, auroras, earthquakes, strange sounds, and other unexplained events from around the world. Each entry typically includes a date, location, a brief description of the event, and references to publications where the event was reported (e.g., "LT" for London Times, "BA" for British Association reports, "CR" for Comptes Rendus).

Key events cataloged include:

• October 1863: Reports of violent noises and shocks in Rouen, France; earthquakes in Hereford, Worcester, and Wales; a hurricane in Paris; a violent thunder storm followed by darkness in Leomonster; an aurora in Sussex; a comet-like meteor in Margate; and a "dark day" in Canada. Lights resembling "two united balloons" were seen in France.
• November 1863: Mentions of meteors and a "strange discovery in the Orne."
• December 1863: Reports of meteors, a large meteor display, and an aurora in Weston-super-Mare.
• 1864: This year sees a dense catalog of events, including:
• Numerous meteor sightings across England, France, and other locations, often described with details about their appearance, sound, and trajectory.
• Reports of "fireballs" and "bolides."
• Unusual atmospheric phenomena, such as a "violent noise like the firing of cannon," "loud sounds," "discolored water," "sudden intense darkness," and "rumbling sounds."
• Geological events like earthquakes and "great quakes."
• Reports of "manna" falling in Asia Minor and other regions.
• Unusual animal behavior, such as "multitudes of birds" dropping dead in California and "sheep" experiencing an "extraordinary year" in Iceland.
• A "great explosion" at Montauban with "coal-like substance with little metallic grains" and "crystalline form."
• A "luminous body the size of the moon" observed near Puycharnard.
• Descriptions of "insects" covering apple trees and other surfaces on the Isle of Wight.

The notes are presented in a format that alternates between numbered boxes (referring to non-human phenomena) and lettered boxes (referring to persons), with the printed record being chronologically consecutive. The difficulty of deciphering Fort's handwriting is noted, as are the use of symbols and code.

Advertisements and Society Information

The final pages contain advertisements for books and publications available from The Fortean Society. These include:

• "Order Glacial Period and Drayson's Hypothesis" by John Millis.
• "America NEEDS Indians" by the author, described as a plan to conserve the continent.
• "Chakotin's RAPE OF THE MASSES," presented as a detailed blueprint for gaining domination and mentally enslaving peoples.
• A compilation of "The Books of CHARLES FORT" (The Book of the Damned, New Lands, Wild Talents) with an introduction by Tiffany Thayer, offered as a "perfect gift" for "unlearning."

Information is provided for ordering these items from The Fortean Society, located at BOX 192, GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX, NEW YORK.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the cataloging of anomalous phenomena, the philosophical exploration of reality and perception, and the critique of established scientific and religious orthodoxies. The Fortean Society's stance is clearly one of skepticism towards conventional explanations and a dedication to documenting and analyzing unexplained events. The philosophical articles by Giles and Bump align with this by questioning fundamental assumptions about the nature of reality and knowledge, and by critiquing what they perceive as escapist tendencies in mainstream thought and science. The overall editorial stance is one of intellectual curiosity, critical inquiry, and a commitment to presenting evidence of phenomena that fall outside accepted scientific paradigms.