Fringe-ology : How I tried to explain away the unexplainable, and couldn’t

By Steve Volk

Harper One, 2011

ISBN 978-0-06-185771-3

The title and a brief look at the table of contents—covering topics from ghosts to UFOs to consciousness and dying—led me to believe I was in for a seasoned journalist’s rational arguments in support of the paranormal. In part, Fringe-ology does come to the defense of beleaguered believers, but Volk also defends skeptics. Throughout the book, he tries to juggle the two extremes and force a kind of paranormal détente where no one gets upset, but no one ever takes a firm stand one way or another.

For example, when discussing a Texas UFO sighting, Volk writes, “In the sturm und drang of debate, however, believers and skeptics just can’t seem to let the unknown stay just and only that.” And therein lies the major problem with the book—it will ultimately not be satisfying for believers or skeptics who are hoping it will provide evidence to bolster their viewpoint. It also flies in the face of human nature, where from the time we can speak we always ask, “But why?” and aren’t satisfied until we get an answer. No, we can’t just let the unknown remain the unknown, simply because it is unknown!

So, now that each side has been forewarned, if you can put aside your personal paranormal agendas you can still get a lot out of Fringe-ology. The author does go into almost scholarly, detailed descriptions of various paranormal topics, by focusing on either one person or event. If you have any interest in the paranormal, it is material worth learning—and no one is going to know if you then use the information to bolster you viewpoint!

Fringe-ology is different, and it’s a book that probably needed to be written in these days where irresponsible paranormal programming is flooding the airwaves, and equally irresponsible skeptics are ranting like Groucho Marx in Horsefeathers, “Whatever it is, I’m against it!”  

I rate it: An Interesting Read