Hm. That's an interesting one, particularly since I have yet to finish reading Fort directly. Most of what I know of his reporting has been from secondary sources. That said, I'll assume you're asking for phenomena and theories that are in the vein of Charles Fort, in which case:
Antarctic Space Nazis: Ken Hite wrote a whole column on this at one point, and I have a book (Arktos, which he recommended and I have yet to get around to reading) which details at least some of it. Basically, the Nazis were fascinated with the poles (and, I suppose, the Poles). They also were working on rocketry. Hence, Antarctic Space Nazis!
Elvis and / or JFK are still alive: (Corrollary: Andy Kaufman is still alive.) It's the classic conspiracy theorist's playground. They're not dead! I saw them playing Pinochle in Reno! Magic Bullet! Andy's just joking! Et cetera, et cetera, ad nausem. One can't pooh-pooh the fact that it's become a closet industry, though.
Jesus had kids and moved to the Riviera: This really got rolling with Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Baigent and Leigh, but Dan Brown got a bunch of credit for it. Either way, it's got the classic hallmarks of Forteana. Famous person, secret history, dirty secret, and religious overtones.
Le Comte St. Germain: Basically, anything he's been tied to. Immortality, crazy alchemy, political intrigue, ... you name it. Eco made him a protagonist, and most really nutty gamers have played around with the concept a bit.
Freemasonry: ...though mostly in the odd bits of history associated with it. The supposed ties to the Templars, the Founding Father Conspiracy, the dozens who died in a secret war on the streets of Boston. They've been stuck in pretty much every weird niche, and they seem to deserve it.
...though I suppose that's more a list of the popular Forteana, rather than the stuff I like. That said, it's stuff I like. :)
- Antarctic Space Nazis: Ken Hite wrote a whole column on this at one point, and I have a book (Arktos, which he recommended and I have yet to get around to reading) which details at least some of it. Basically, the Nazis were fascinated with the poles (and, I suppose, the Poles). They also were working on rocketry. Hence, Antarctic Space Nazis!
- Elvis and / or JFK are still alive: (Corrollary: Andy Kaufman is still alive.) It's the classic conspiracy theorist's playground. They're not dead! I saw them playing Pinochle in Reno! Magic Bullet! Andy's just joking! Et cetera, et cetera, ad nausem. One can't pooh-pooh the fact that it's become a closet industry, though.
- Jesus had kids and moved to the Riviera: This really got rolling with Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Baigent and Leigh, but Dan Brown got a bunch of credit for it. Either way, it's got the classic hallmarks of Forteana. Famous person, secret history, dirty secret, and religious overtones.
- Le Comte St. Germain: Basically, anything he's been tied to. Immortality, crazy alchemy, political intrigue, ... you name it. Eco made him a protagonist, and most really nutty gamers have played around with the concept a bit.
- Freemasonry: ...though mostly in the odd bits of history associated with it. The supposed ties to the Templars, the Founding Father Conspiracy, the dozens who died in a secret war on the streets of Boston. They've been stuck in pretty much every weird niche, and they seem to deserve it.
...though I suppose that's more a list of the popular Forteana, rather than the stuff I like. That said, it's stuff I like. :)Reply
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