This is a good example of the early point I make in my piece about taking positions. Notice how you try and locate me somewhere on a spectrum. You say I make a certain transgressive point, but then "backpedal" (a spatial direction) and so wind up in the true position that you are accusing me of, that of anxiously signalling I am a good liberal and willing to submit to Wokism -- this despite the digs I make against DEI and the "In this house" flag. Thats whats kind of stupid about debate, but I will say it again: despite the oppressive mechanisms of Wokism, the idea of multiculturalism still appeals to me because of the xenophilia it satisfies. Though xenophobia may be transgressive in relationship to the new corporate-university multiculturalism, it is still ultimately a craven and unimaginative submission to the safety of the same and tribal homogeneity.
Thanks for the kind words. That was a vulnerable podcast for both of us, but I think it stirred up the waters in an interesting way. I think a lot about the topic too, comparing my own youth and my understanding of the underground past to today's very different situation. And thanks to Jules for engaging -- happens too rarely these days!
I just listened to this convo with Michael, and really enjoyed and appreciated it. It’s the kind of raw, exploratory conversation I want to have and hear more of. Also, my ears really perked up when Mike mentioned the Buddhist teacher who’d developed a “soul making dharma”. I’ll be poking my head down that rabbit hole for sure.
Did not know that. Doesnt quite sound like the right word though, jizz and ejaculation, but the music isnt that wanky really, more controlled. Of course "jazz" itself may have had a similar original meaning, but that is seriously debatable.
"warm thrill of confusion and space cadet glow" ... a good description of the Cantina! Richard Pryor is a genius and a necessary part of any complete balanced breakfast.
Wow, good for you. I was a Star Wars fan as a kid for sure, but I never made it past the initial trilogy. As a "fan-adjacent" adult, I went deeper into Tolkien and Star Trek, something about the world building and digital revisions put me off. It was fun being a fan in the 90s before fan geekery won the pop entertainment game.
I absolutely loved that podcast episode on Transgression with Michael Taft. It was so honest, and such a realistic depiction of the motivations approaching use of psychedelics - one's personal style and capacity for risk. Was glad to see Jules Evans bring it up, too.
You’ve outdone yourself with this essay my man. I can relate on so many levels. Here’s to xenophilia! Raising a cup of spice tea to you in the cantina of the mind✌🏽
Oh, and in the spirit of “wish I could be there”, perhaps my essay on the psychedelic nature of perfume could add something to your upcoming gathering on scent, and even the “design your own religion” jam. My psychedelic religion would definitely have to have good music and funky smells. https://open.substack.com/pub/thevale/p/perfume-is-psychedelic?r=1yky0&utm_medium=ios
A delight. Unless there's more than one version, you're looking at someone who actually READ that Star Wars novel with its Lovecraftian mise-en-scene (“one-eyed creatures and thousand-eyed, creatures with scales... tentacles, claws and hands"). It must have been the last time I was ever approached the modern definition of fan.
Sounds like you partly answered your own question about "xenophobia" at the end of the podcast about transgression, when you talked about the transgressive appeal of the "alt-right". The juice of transgression has shifted to the right because the taboo-makers, authoritarians and moralists have shifted to the left. If xenophobia is forbidden by liberal orthodoxy, then on a "left hand path" I will embrace it. You make a good point that there isn't much magickal power in modern "safe-space" liberalism. But when I hear you backpedaling after making that point with "I'm not saying that...", signalling that you're still basically a good liberal who submits to the "woke" powers that be, you lose much of the transgressive power and appeal you might otherwise have, imo.
This is a good example of the early point I make in my piece about taking positions. Notice how you try and locate me somewhere on a spectrum. You say I make a certain transgressive point, but then "backpedal" (a spatial direction) and so wind up in the true position that you are accusing me of, that of anxiously signalling I am a good liberal and willing to submit to Wokism -- this despite the digs I make against DEI and the "In this house" flag. Thats whats kind of stupid about debate, but I will say it again: despite the oppressive mechanisms of Wokism, the idea of multiculturalism still appeals to me because of the xenophilia it satisfies. Though xenophobia may be transgressive in relationship to the new corporate-university multiculturalism, it is still ultimately a craven and unimaginative submission to the safety of the same and tribal homogeneity.
Thanks for the kind words. That was a vulnerable podcast for both of us, but I think it stirred up the waters in an interesting way. I think a lot about the topic too, comparing my own youth and my understanding of the underground past to today's very different situation. And thanks to Jules for engaging -- happens too rarely these days!
I just listened to this convo with Michael, and really enjoyed and appreciated it. It’s the kind of raw, exploratory conversation I want to have and hear more of. Also, my ears really perked up when Mike mentioned the Buddhist teacher who’d developed a “soul making dharma”. I’ll be poking my head down that rabbit hole for sure.
+1 “Like reality itself, I’m a hot mess.”
Did not know that. Doesnt quite sound like the right word though, jizz and ejaculation, but the music isnt that wanky really, more controlled. Of course "jazz" itself may have had a similar original meaning, but that is seriously debatable.
"warm thrill of confusion and space cadet glow" ... a good description of the Cantina! Richard Pryor is a genius and a necessary part of any complete balanced breakfast.
Wow, good for you. I was a Star Wars fan as a kid for sure, but I never made it past the initial trilogy. As a "fan-adjacent" adult, I went deeper into Tolkien and Star Trek, something about the world building and digital revisions put me off. It was fun being a fan in the 90s before fan geekery won the pop entertainment game.
So sweet, thanks for commenting. It's definitely the kind of place I'd expect to find you!
"second"?
I absolutely loved that podcast episode on Transgression with Michael Taft. It was so honest, and such a realistic depiction of the motivations approaching use of psychedelics - one's personal style and capacity for risk. Was glad to see Jules Evans bring it up, too.
You’ve outdone yourself with this essay my man. I can relate on so many levels. Here’s to xenophilia! Raising a cup of spice tea to you in the cantina of the mind✌🏽
Oh, and in the spirit of “wish I could be there”, perhaps my essay on the psychedelic nature of perfume could add something to your upcoming gathering on scent, and even the “design your own religion” jam. My psychedelic religion would definitely have to have good music and funky smells. https://open.substack.com/pub/thevale/p/perfume-is-psychedelic?r=1yky0&utm_medium=ios
Let us never forget that the cantina band in Star Wars canonically plays not jazz music, but jizz music.
I always look forward to feeling the warm thrill of confusion n space cadet glow your words always provide, thank you.
I hadn’t seen that Richard Pryor skit😂
A delight. Unless there's more than one version, you're looking at someone who actually READ that Star Wars novel with its Lovecraftian mise-en-scene (“one-eyed creatures and thousand-eyed, creatures with scales... tentacles, claws and hands"). It must have been the last time I was ever approached the modern definition of fan.
Sounds like you partly answered your own question about "xenophobia" at the end of the podcast about transgression, when you talked about the transgressive appeal of the "alt-right". The juice of transgression has shifted to the right because the taboo-makers, authoritarians and moralists have shifted to the left. If xenophobia is forbidden by liberal orthodoxy, then on a "left hand path" I will embrace it. You make a good point that there isn't much magickal power in modern "safe-space" liberalism. But when I hear you backpedaling after making that point with "I'm not saying that...", signalling that you're still basically a good liberal who submits to the "woke" powers that be, you lose much of the transgressive power and appeal you might otherwise have, imo.
first