Cereology

Bent nodes, expelled cavities — believers insist the real ones cook the stalks.

The study of crop circles. Documented: in 1991 Doug Bower and Dave Chorley demonstrated for the press how they had made hundreds of formations since 1978 with planks and rope, and circle complexity promptly exploded as competing human teams (Circlemakers) took over. Also documented: the Wiltshire formations' clustering near ancient sites, and believers' pivot to 'genuine' circles distinguishable by bent-not-broken stalks. A complete folklore ecosystem observed in real time: hoax confession absorbed, aesthetics escalated, belief conserved.