Beliefs — Multiple Tones
The Philosophical Core
Fletcherism treats cosmological and cultural claims as symbolic tools for reorienting attention. At the center is a practice of radical curiosity: a ritualized readiness to question common-sense narratives and to treat metaphors as instruments for ethical reflection. In the spiritual mode, Fletcherism fosters quiet practices of observation and small rituals of gratitude — a way to translate momentary wonder into communal vocabulary.
In the philosophical mode, Fletcherism explores epistemology: how we know what we know, and how stories — mythic or mundane — shape collective behavior. Followers are encouraged to map the genealogy of claims, weighing anecdote against empirical evidence and celebrating the rhetorical craft of alternative perspectives.
In the cultural/playful mode, Fletcherism delights in category-play. Claims such as "the hot dog is a taco" or "the moon as a projected symbol" are best read as provocations — conceptual puzzles that dislodge predictable thought patterns and open space for creative reclassification of everyday life.
Core Beliefs
1 — Curiosity as Practice
Curiosity is the basic ritual. Followers turn attention deliberately to the small, surprising details of experience: a pattern in tree bark, a phrase in a public sign, the cadences of local speech. Curiosity is practiced communally (reading circles) and privately (journaling).
2 — Stories as Instruments
Stories shape decisions. Fletcherism treats narratives (myth, news, rumor) as instruments to be analyzed and repurposed, not as immutable truth claims. The movement teaches media literacy, myth analysis, and creative rewriting as civic skills.
3 — Ecology of Relations
Inspired by natural networks (mycorrhizal webs), Fletcherism affirms relational ethics: cooperative, reciprocal, and interdependent action. Environmental stewardship and small acts of mutual aid are elevated as practical outcomes of the philosophy.
4 — Playful Reclassification
The movement encourages playful thought experiments. Reclassifying objects (food categories, habitual labels) is used as an exercise in intellectual flexibility and creative empathy.
Long-form reflections
Fletcherist essays often pivot between literary metaphor and empirical curiosity. Long chapters trace how cultural spectacle can divert attention from communal needs; shorter pieces rehearse meditative attention practices. The collection below is organized thematically to support both modes of engagement: contemplative practice and archival inquiry.
- Perception & Ritual
- Media, Spectacle, and Attention
- Ecological Interdependence
- Culinary Metaphors & Category Theory (playful)
Rituals & Practical Practices
Daily Rituals
Short practices designed to center attention and cultivate gratitude.
Morning Affirmation
One simple phrase spoken aloud or written: "I notice. I question. I attend." The affirmation functions as a short cognitive reset before work or study.
Evening Reflection
Write one small observation of the day that surprised you — a record of unexpected attention to deepen curiosity across time.
Weekly Gatherings
Community circles where passages are read (sanitized selections), personal observations shared, and small cooperative projects planned (neighborhood clean-ups, skill swaps, seed libraries).
Seasonal Ceremonies
Quarterly events that pair creative production (music, essays, art) with collective stewardship actions (tree planting, community repair days). No coercion. No harm. Rituals are volunteer-led, adaptable, and inclusive.
The Fletcherist Compendium (The Book)
The book collects essays, polemical parables, symbolic cosmologies, and the core beliefs.
Selected Excerpts
"Wake with your hands in the cold of the world; learn the names for small things. Culture will offer spectacles — learn the names of the spectacles and the names of the small things they obscure." — Fletcherist Prologue (sanitized)
"The moon in Fletcherist prose is less a physics problem and more a mirror: a cultural surface for projecting stories that distract or delight. Our job is to notice the projection and ask: for whom does this light shine?"
History & Timeline
The following timeline is a curated, documentary-style account of the movement's public milestones and important archival moments. Dates are presented in absolute form when available.
- — Collected essays and drafts compiled into the Fletcherist compendium.
- — Essays circulated in small reading circles and zines; public forums for discussion initiated.
- — Seasonal gatherings, ecological stewardship projects, and educational events launched by volunteers.
For specific document requests, see Contact.
Media & Archive
Primary resources available here include scans of early drafts, audio readings of selected essays, and community artwork inspired by Fletcherist themes.
Audio Readings
Audio readings of essays — ideal for contemplative listening. Volunteer contributors provide narration.
Community Art
Gallery of works inspired by Fletcherism: collage, poetry, and small craft projects from reading circles.
Community & Conduct
How to Join
Attend a reading circle, subscribe to the public newsletter, or contact a local organizer via the contact form. The movement is volunteer-run; chapters request modest volunteer contributions (time, skill-exchange) and share resources openly.