Hunter-Gatherers Podcast of Hunter S. Thompson Stories

The (oft considered) first time Hunter S. Thompson used the title “Fear and Loathing” came as a result of his attendance at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago—when a cop pushed a billy club into him like a “spear”. Will the police act the same amidst the legions of Gaza protesters descending on the Windy City for this week’s Democratic convention? Curtis Robinson and Christopher Tidmore analyze the parallels and differences to Hunter’s experience in 1968.

After two years of citing how close the 2024 race resembled Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72, Curtis and Christopher finally conclude that "we have regressed" to 1968. What would Hunter have thought of these "nine days in July" from attempted assignation to effective candidate resignation? And we discuss how Kentucky is Vance, whether Hunter was a Hillbilly, and if Harris is less Chisholm than Humphrey? And most importantly, will the Chicago convention protests resemble 1968?

Colorado is weird in a particularly gonzo kind of way. It is both free thinking and libertarian practical, the kind of place that one politician described, "Where a gay married couple defends their weed farm with automatic weapons." It is Hunter's kind of place, and he was proud to call it home. But why is Colorado the perfect gonzoland? Curtis and Christopher explore the history and development of the state – and why it is NOT called Idaho.

Curtis and Christopher examine the Trump Trial and the comparisons of this election to "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72". We come to a sudden realization. It is actually 1968, all over again.

From Shirley Chisholm to Cornel West, Curtis and Christopher return to the "sacred text" of Fear and Loathing '72 and see that the 2024 election seems to be having a similar impact on the Black Vote – in reverse. Could West challenging Biden as an Independent have the opposite impact of Chisholm running as Democrat for President? George McGovern's great gift to the Democratic Party was solidifying the Black vote in future elections. Could a similar set of circumstances as '72 be unraveling that partisan achievement?

Curtis and Christopher Surrender to temptation and launch our latest 'Linkage Fest' between this presidential election and Hunter's 1972 campaign trail classic. The ticket is punched, the ride begins.

From the over-under on Super Bowl cut-aways to a certain singer and the chances that RFK Jr. gets onto enough ballots to make a difference, Christopher & Curtis cite Hunter's writing and note that the distance from sports to politics grows shorter by the day. That is, if it ever existed at all. Trigger alert: Somebody sees a crowded presidential debate stage.

The Trump victory in Iowa's presidential caucus is tipoff for the 2024 election cycle, and of course that sends us back to Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, '72. In particular, Curtis and Christoper note that, to see the parallels, you begin by realizing that objective vs. subjective did not end with Richard Nixon.

Kent Fielding, yes the one from GonzoFest, visits H-G to discuss that San Diego bio-musical. We offer perfectly legal fair-use snippets from the show that you can find on YouTube and ponder the chances that the musical, which is now closed, might make its way to Broadway. And just wait for the part about that big Jann Wenner controversy.

Jimmy Buffet: An HST Friend and Too Much Fun Club Charter Member Has Left the Boat

From those stories about wild long-distance bills in Key West to playing backup for Hunter during an Aspen High School book event (there's video and audio... wait until you hear what he did after he blows out the flip-flop in 1977!), we bid farewell to a truly Gonzo original.