Scholar Joshua Buhs discusses Charles Fort and the Forteans in this podcast. Topics include Fort's influence on Bigfoot legends, the concept of anomalies as intermediates between true and false, and biases in Fort's work. The episode also explores possible literary influences on Fort's writing style and delves into the cultural history of Forteans, highlighting their impact on modern society.
Charles Fort's philosophy challenges traditional beliefs by focusing on anomalies and the fluidity of truth.
Fortean societies emerged to explore anomalous phenomena, shaping science fiction and modern conspiracy theories.
Deep dives
The Influence of Charles Fort on Modern Culture
Charles Fort and his book, 'Think to New Worlds', have had a profound impact on modern society. Fort's philosophy, focusing on anomalies and the fluidity of truth, challenges traditional beliefs and has influenced various fields like science fiction.
Fort's Legacy in Science Fiction
Charles Fort's ideas inspired a new strand of science fiction that delved into anomalies and explaining the workings of the universe. Writers like Eric Frank Russell incorporated Fortean anomalies into their work, shaping the ideology of science fiction towards exploring human potential and evolution.
Fortean Societies and Influence Today
Fortean societies emerged to explore and discuss anomalous phenomena, with the Fortean Society being a central hub until 1959. While various organizations exist today, Fort's influence is still prevalent, especially in conspiracy theories and modern news.
The Multifaceted Impact of Charles Fort
Exploring Fortean cultural history reveals connections to modernist poetry, theosophy, and other facets of culture. Understanding Fort's diverse influences provides a rich intellectual journey that extends beyond anomalous phenomena.
Joshua Buhs is scholar of the overlap of politics, biology, and ecology in twentieth-century America, Joshua Blu Buhs has written articles that have appeared in Isis, Environmental History, The World of Genetics, and
Journal of the History of Biology, In this episode we discuss Charles Fort and the Forteans.
Book link: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/T/bo214839745.html