Charles Fort (1874-1932) was a fascinating figure that dared to challenge the scientific status quo. Fort specialized in the collection data that he declared to be "damned" because it refused to fit in the acceptable range of scientific orthodoxy.
Here are some of the stated goals of his eponymous Fortean Society:
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To remove the halo from the head of Science.
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To make human beings think.
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To destroy scientists' faith in their own works and thus force a general return to the truly scientific principle of "temporary acceptance".
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To inform the general public of the political and self-preservative character of most work done under the ambiguous cloak of "pure" science, principally astronomy and physics.
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To inform the general public that the "cosmic order" Science pretends to have established in the flux of existence is simply a mental discipline imposed upon mankind as an expedient to enforce social and economic "order" under what must be--at longest--an ephemeral status quo.
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To prevent scientists from further development of any hierarchy, Brain Trust, Court of Wisdom, authoritarian dictatorship of intelligence or learning, which would--if permitted--lead to a more powerful domination and consequent paralysis of human mentality than any ever imposed by any Church or State or Press in history, not excluding any of the ideologies current today.
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To destroy awe for Authority, as such, in the youth of the world at as tender an age as possible.
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To provide the means for the perpetuation of dissent from any and all dogmas as long as time shall last.
What do you think? Are we not the spiritual successors, the very embodiment of the aims of the Fortean Society from a century ago?
They were heavily maligned in their time, as are we. We dare to challenge the $cientific orthodoxy, because it must be challenged.
Here are the published works of Charles Fort:
The Book of the Damned (1919)
New Lands (1923)
Lo! (1931)
Wild Talents (1932)
You've reminded me of the Fortean times magazine -used to love that, is it any good now I wonder?
I actually bought the April issue a little while ago. I've always found the Fortean stuff sort of hit or miss, but more miss than hit. Haven't gotten into reading that issue yet though. There's other researchers/foundations I prefer. But it was cool to still see the magazine in stores. I was just flipping through it after this post reminded me, has an ad for toilet paper with Boris Johnson on it and a comic at the back like something out of Mad Magazine. I'll have to see if that store still carries it on a regular basis.
Great question! I hope so!
Actually randomly saw someone I follow on social media say yesterday it is the only mag that reviews their work so must be going strong. (His name is Anthony Peake btw got some great theories on life after bodily death). The serendipity is going to make me track down a copy and see if it's still any good!