Transcendent Knowledge Podcast, Ep. 17: James Kent, ‘Final 10’ at Dose Nation, pt. 1

 

In this episode Max Freakout and Cyberdisciple talk about psychedelic journalist James Kent, in particular the recent ‘Final 10’ DoseNation podcast series. Topics covered include:

• Kent’s critique of popular psychedelic discourse, especially the strategy of psychedelic drug-legitimization.
• Kent’s dismissive attitude towards the idea of psychedelic religion.
• Kent’s uncritical use of ‘unpleasant = unmystical’ fallacy
• Possible motivations behind Kent’s scorched-earth style thinking.
• Kent’s alarmist rhetoric about psychotic psychedelic experiences.
• Kent’s Prohibitionist attitude, the incompatibility of psychedelia with modern western values. Kent’s anthropological theory about evolving societies inevitably abandoning psychedelic ritual.
• The word ‘hallucinogen’ as de-legitimizing psychedelic drugs.
• The role of multi-state theorizing.
• Kent’s attitude towards using psychedelic drugs in psychotherapeutic and ‘party’ contexts. Party drug-use as ideologically pure.
• Terence Mckenna’s role in psychedelic legitimzation.
• Kent’s omission of crucial subject of mystic-state allegory in religious mythology and rock music lyrics.
• Kent’s regrets about his psychedelic career and taking drugs too seriously, instead of going to psychotherapy.

Covers episodes 1 & 2 of Kent’s ‘Final 10’