"The eye is the first circle; the horizon which it forms is the second; and throughout nature this primary figure is repeated without end. It is the highest emblem in the cipher of the world."

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David McGowan's 2004 book Programmed to Kill: the Politics of Serial Murder is probably the darkest and most disturbing conspiracy theory I have ever read, placing it high in the running for the darkest and most disturbing books I have ever read. It has become a foundational text for the Conspiracy Left (contra conspiracy theory's reputation as the exclusive domain of the right, McGowan was a committed leftist), and something of a meme recently.

How does it hold up?

Music by PhaseGoht

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Follow me at https://twitter.com/AldousAsterion.

"After such knowledge what forgiveness? Think now/History has many cunning passages, contrived corridors/And issues, deceives us with whispering ambitions,/Guides us by vanities."

In all honesty, I was too lenient on Angleton; he was an evil man. But the connection between his modernist, New-Critical literary training and the way he shaped the practice of intelligence in the 20th Century remains under-analyzed. As a gesture to this end, I read T.S. Eliot's poem "Gerontion" and compared some of its lines to Angleton's life and career.  

To support the show, and get early access to episodes and bonus content, go to https://www.patreon.com/symbolpod.

In 1666 the world was full of apocalyptic expectations. Onto this stage stepped Sabbatai Zevi, who proclaimed himself messiah. It was a new era, in which the Law was annihilated. Gershom Scholem's classic essay reevaluated the legacy of the false prophet of the 17th century. This is part 1 of 8. For the rest of this series, go to https://www.patreon.com/symbolpod and become a patron of the podcast. 

For those that just can't get enough Dick, I covered the material (novels, short stories & critical works) I read in preparation for the Art of Darkness episode on PKD. 

For the full show go to https://www.patreon.com/symbolpod. 

I joined the Art of Darkness Podcast, hosted by Kevin Kautzman (https://twitter.com/kautzmania) and Brad Kelly (https://twitter.com/bradkelly), to discuss the life and works of Philip K. Dick. 

Follow the podcast on twitter at https://twitter.com/artofdarkpod.

Artwork by https://twitter.com/pinealcolada. 

Follow me at https://twitter.com/AldousAsterion.

Samson's riddle, Virgil's ritual, Milton's Hell, and Junger's prophecy.

Music by PhaseGoht.

Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/symbolpod. 

Follow @Aldous Asterion.

Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/symbolpod.

Follow me on Twitter @AldousAsterion.

Listen to No Future: https://soundcloud.com/no_future_93. 

Listen to The Art of Darkness: https://artofdarkpod.com/

I will be a guest on some future episodes of both of these great podcasts.  

"The eye is the first circle; the horizon which it forms is the second; and throughout nature this primary figure is repeated without end. It is the highest emblem in the cipher of the world."

Heghoulian is back to discuss the second half of Ballard's career, focusing in particular on the novels Empire of the Sun (1984) and Millennium People (2003). Themes include war, class, modernity, hauntology, and psychopathology. Read Heghoulian's writing at https://heghoulian.substack.com/ and follow him on Twitter @Heghoulian.