This is absolutely amazing work. Herculean lift here. I see you, brother. The traditional (and less helpful) context for analyzing these writers schema would be along some timeline of epoch “emergent modern” “high modern” “postmodern” but your approach throws that out the window in favor of proper first principles observations at the level of psyche. Really excellent. Please keep digging this vein.
While working through this phase, may I suggest you add Conan the Barbarian (Howard) to your reading list? Howard and Lovecraft were lifelong friends and penpals, exploring the horror of their times from different angles. Reading your Theory, it may be that Howard is a more appropriate metaphor (thinking specifically of red nails here, but they're all of a piece).
I don't usually comment but I think this might be the best piece I have ever read from you, or the one that speaks the most directly to my sensitivities at least. Thank you for this inspired and inspiring work. I wonder if there is a distinction to be made between scientific (labatutian) and technical (Gutenberg, the Internet?, language??) revolutions. Maybe the latter is about ability (which might liberate understanding later) and the former about understanding (the technical transformation into ability coming later on)? In any case, fascinating article. I definitely have to read Labatut now
Really amazing article and really hits home for me. I felt/feel exactly this profound loneliness having come to understand how our money system actually works via MMT.
It’s like I’m surrounded by people constantly discussing the epicycles and deferents of a geocentric universe and it’s slowing driving me mad. Turn on the TV and see the President of the United States discussing the effects of epicycles on the US economy, University professors hand out tests to students who will be graded on their ability to understand the epicyclic system, Twitter users always comment “This is Epicycle 101!”.
I want to build the outside walls of an asylum around me like Wonko the Sane
This series has really hit hard and thank you for the Labatut reference. I picked up the book and it really is amazing.
I have read and enjoyed your work for years - but this series of articles has made me slow down and reread and really try and get my head around what you are saying.
Thank you for this wonderful essay. May I suggest you check out the really interesting interviews of Ballard on jgballard.ca (the non-fiction pieces are also worth a look)? Ballard used the interview format to test, develop or rehash his obsessions and ideas about future technological developments and their social consequences. His ability to anticipate them is quite stunning. The interviews have been compiled into a book aptly entitled "Extreme Metaphors". Thanks again.
This is absolutely amazing work. Herculean lift here. I see you, brother. The traditional (and less helpful) context for analyzing these writers schema would be along some timeline of epoch “emergent modern” “high modern” “postmodern” but your approach throws that out the window in favor of proper first principles observations at the level of psyche. Really excellent. Please keep digging this vein.
While working through this phase, may I suggest you add Conan the Barbarian (Howard) to your reading list? Howard and Lovecraft were lifelong friends and penpals, exploring the horror of their times from different angles. Reading your Theory, it may be that Howard is a more appropriate metaphor (thinking specifically of red nails here, but they're all of a piece).
I don't usually comment but I think this might be the best piece I have ever read from you, or the one that speaks the most directly to my sensitivities at least. Thank you for this inspired and inspiring work. I wonder if there is a distinction to be made between scientific (labatutian) and technical (Gutenberg, the Internet?, language??) revolutions. Maybe the latter is about ability (which might liberate understanding later) and the former about understanding (the technical transformation into ability coming later on)? In any case, fascinating article. I definitely have to read Labatut now
Really amazing article and really hits home for me. I felt/feel exactly this profound loneliness having come to understand how our money system actually works via MMT.
It’s like I’m surrounded by people constantly discussing the epicycles and deferents of a geocentric universe and it’s slowing driving me mad. Turn on the TV and see the President of the United States discussing the effects of epicycles on the US economy, University professors hand out tests to students who will be graded on their ability to understand the epicyclic system, Twitter users always comment “This is Epicycle 101!”.
I want to build the outside walls of an asylum around me like Wonko the Sane
Now I’m starting to wonder how long it took each of these writers to become commonly known adjectives...
This series has really hit hard and thank you for the Labatut reference. I picked up the book and it really is amazing.
I have read and enjoyed your work for years - but this series of articles has made me slow down and reread and really try and get my head around what you are saying.
Now map it to AI! I nominate Blake Lemoine for ushering in the Lovecraftian phase.
Thank you for this wonderful essay. May I suggest you check out the really interesting interviews of Ballard on jgballard.ca (the non-fiction pieces are also worth a look)? Ballard used the interview format to test, develop or rehash his obsessions and ideas about future technological developments and their social consequences. His ability to anticipate them is quite stunning. The interviews have been compiled into a book aptly entitled "Extreme Metaphors". Thanks again.