The Scholar Who Inspired a Legion of Cranks

Charles Fort, a figure born in 1874 in Albany, N.Y., became known for his paranormal research and collection of anomalies like frogs raining from the sky and unexplained flying objects. His work, notably "The Book of the Damned," critiqued mainstream science for ignoring phenomena outside accepted norms. Fort's approach inspired a wave of followers who sought to challenge academic orthodoxies and embrace skepticism. One of his devotees, Tiffany Thayer, played a key role in shaping Fort's legacy and establishing a Fortean methodology based on radical skepticism and the exploration of excluded knowledge. Fort's influence extended to ufologists who found support for their beliefs in his writings. The Fortean method encouraged doubting everything and rejecting faith-based acceptance, positioning Fort as a central figure in the exploration of the improbable and implausible. Joshua Blu Buhs' book, "Think to New Worlds," delves into the cultural history of Fort and his followers, highlighting their unique response to modernity and their efforts to transform Forteanism into a disciplined approach to understanding the unknown.