[throwanem]

You're not wrong, of course; my use of "cult" here was mainly just a cheesy potshot because I think it's silly and I don't think it thinks it is, at least not the way you describe - but perhaps that's only because I've never seen it save from the outside.

("Nature is Good" strikes me as lacking nuance, though. I see what you're going for, but toothache is natural, too.)

Judging by his written works, Wilson seems like he would've been quite a man to know. I'd like to be able to say I'm not so small a person as to envy you that opportunity just a little, but honesty compels me otherwise. He was kind of a minor hero to me in my youth and early adulthood, seeing as Illuminatus! helped me gain the perspective to get through some very difficult times in my life; if nothing else, I'd have liked the chance to thank him for that.

[poke53281]

I agree with you re: the "Nature is Good" dogma. In spirit, it was meant to convey respect for the cycle of life, diversity of the biosphere, etc. Gets seriously problematic if extended to, I dunno, the Polio virus and asteroid impacts. In any case, that particular dogma dates to the the 1960s, when nuance wasn't exactly the flavor of the decade. And arguing about stuff is good, too!

And yep, Wilson was the real deal. His work had also been a huge influence on me at the time that I met him. I still evangelize Quantum Psychology to anyone who I think can handle it.

[throwanem]

Thanks for reminding me of that one! I need to dig it out of my bookshelf and read it again - it's been years.