December 07, 2023

RR Pod E28 P2 Bob Cluness -An Esoteric Menagerie: The Weird & Eerie, Slenderman, CCRU, Accelerationism, Chaos Magic(k) and Digital Technology

1 hour 44 minutes

In Part 2, we sit with the concept of accelerationism, how it is occultural in its original form (in Bob’s opinion), its problems, its appropriation by far-right groups, and the related sticky problems of capitalism and neoliberalism that are currently associated with accelerationist thinking in these circles.
The conversation from here continues to expand.
Bob also discusses the explosion of digital technologies and how contemporary spiritual currents and esoteric movements are enmeshed with technology. This leads us into a more detailed exploration of the CCRU and conspiracy theories, as well as the irony of how the esoteric concept of perennialism (or the idea that there is one everlasting Truth with a capitol T), has gained traction with some magical practitioners.
As a little tangent, we also talk about trauma, as this is the ‘elephant in the room’ when discussing Slenderman, as well as the current focus by many on ‘healing’ and how esoteric currents AND neoliberalist viewpoints have also influenced the discourse around healing and wellness.
Lastly, Bob shares his current work into the works of JG Ballard and Simon Sellars. Bob sees these works as esoteric texts that add to his interests of researching not only historiographical aspects, but also what is happening now in modern esoteric currents.

PROGRAM NOTES

Bob Cluness:
(99+) Bob Cluness | University of Iceland - Academia.edu
(99+) "I am an other and I always was…" On the Weird and Eerie in Contemporary and Digital Cultures Ritgerð til MA-prófs í menningafraeði | Bob Cluness - Academia.edu

Social media:
Facebook

Simulacra and Simulation (The Body, In Theory: Histories of Cultural Materialism): Jean Baudrillard, Sheila Faria Glaser: 9780472065219: Amazon.com: Books
Selected articles about philosophers mentioned in E28:
Gilles Deleuze (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
Félix Guattari - Wikipedia
Jean François Lyotard (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Hyperstition Primer (edith.reisen)
The Weird And The Eerie [PDF] [3ufdj9jsm190] (vdoc.pub)
Applied Ballardianism | Memoir from a Parallel Universe
#ACCELERATE: The Accelerationist Reader | libcom.org

Slender Man stabbing - Wikipedia

(99+) Speculative Fiction | Aren Roukema - Academia.edu
“Book Zero” through the Years in: Aries - Ahead of print (brill.com)
Chapter 12 “Cthulhu Gnosis” in: Fictional Practice: Magic, Narration, and the Power of Imagination (brill.com)

Intensive Care (album) - Wikipedia
Watch Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God (HBO) | TV Shows | HBO Max

NOTE about audio: At this time, I am recording at a temporary location due to extensive home renovations. Unfortunately, the building in which I'm located is also undergoing renovations. I had attempted to work around the noise, but sadly, I wasn't aware that wood floors were being sanded at the same time I was recording. The audio is therefore not optimal; I did my best to edit out the noise, but apologize for the (at times) poor audio quality.

Theme Music: Daniel P. Shea
Other Music: Stephanie Shea