Weird Naturalism of the Brothers McKenna
International Journal for the Study of New Religions February 20, 2017 DOI: 10.1558/ijsnr.v7i2.31944 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe 1971 'Experiment at La Chorrera' in Colombia, conducted by Terence and Dennis McKenna, became a legendary event in psychedelic culture. This paper analyzes the intellectual matrix of Jungian alchemy, Marshall McLuhan's media theory, and science fiction that shaped the experiment's protocols and concepts. It introduces McKenna's early unpublished text 'Crypto-Rap' as an example of 'weird naturalism.' The authors argue that the McKennas 'esotericized' media theory into an occult framework of resonance, sympathy, and apocalyptic ontology.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Alchemy Naturalism Sympathy Philosophy Brother |
| Key finding | The McKennas transformed media theory into an occult apparatus of resonance, sympathy, and apocalyptic ontology. |
Abstract
When Terence McKenna and his brother Dennis performed the so-called “Experiment at La Chorrera” in Columbia in 1971, they staged what became one of the most legendary and storied trip tales in contemporary psychedelic culture. This paper diagrams the matrix of Jungian alchemy, Marshall McLuhan, and science fiction that underpinned the protocols and conceptual apparatus of the Experiment. These ideas are tied to McKenna’s early unpublished text Crypto-Rap, which is briefly summarized as an example of “weird naturalism.” In essence, it is argued that Terence and Dennis McKenna “esotericized” media theory into an occult apparatus of resonance, sympathy, and apocalyptic ontology.