Robert Anton Wilson, RIP

Reason Online ^ | 1/11/2007 | Jesse Walker

[oblomov]

The libertarian novelist, journalist, humorist, and philosopher Robert Anton Wilson died at about 4:50 this morning, Pacific Coast time. As far as I'm aware, the last thing he wrote was this, posted on his blog last Saturday: Various medical authorities swarm in and out of here predicting I have between two days and two months to live. I think they are guessing. I remain cheerful and unimpressed. I look forward without dogmatic optimism but without dread. I love you all and I deeply implore you to keep the lasagna flying.

Please pardon my levity, I don't see how to take death seriously. It seems absurd. One of the best things Wilson ever wrote was an essay for The Realist called "13 Choruses for the Divine Marquis." Here's how it ended: I dreamed I called D.A.F. de Sade on the phone and asked him, "Jesus told me that he and you agree on at least one thing and it explains freedom. What is that one thing?"

"Quite simple," he replied, "don't be afraid of the Cross. The fear of death is the beginning of slavery."

And the line went dead with a triumphant click like a barred door falling open.

[oblomov]

The modern right was greatly influenced by Wilson. RIP.

[Slings and Arrows]

The fnords got him. RIP.

[discostu]

I think Wilson has a lot to do with why I don't buy into any doom and gloom scenario being sold by anyone. Global Warming, SARS, Avian Flu, thanks to Wilson I see those all as different ways to spell fnord.

So long RAW, thanks for the wierdness.

[lesser_satan]

bump

[Trampled by Lambs]

Maybe the Illuminati got to him? RIP, Robert...

[Bean Counter]

"Never whistle while you're pissing". Hagbard Celine

Rest......

[No.6]

I don't subscribe to discordia any more but the only thing that comes to mind is 'Holy Chao' -- didn't see this coming. What was the cause?

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Dona eis requiem.

On to the next phase.

[Steve_Seattle]

Is Wilson the one who wrote the book about conspiracies, called "Everything Is Under Control"? I loved the double entendre of that title.

[TC Rider]

RIP kind Sir.

Thank you for showing me the fnords.

I'll really believe you're dead when I see the corpse and a DNA match, otherwise I will believe you are cruising the seas in that cool submarine.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Never whistle while you're pissing". Hagbard Celine

"Never take a sh*t on your own time."

[Dead Corpse]

From one Ostrich Czar to another.... thanks Robert. For everything. RIP...

[TC Rider]

"It was the year when they finally immanentized the Eschaton."

(somebody had to say it)

[PGalt]

Condolences to Robert Anton Wilson's family and friends.

[oblomov]

Yes, it's an excellent book.

[Sherman Logan]

One of the best things Wilson ever wrote was an essay for The Realist called "13 Choruses for the Divine Marquis."

I looked it up and read it.

A steaming pile. His whole theory of the Divine Marquis as a libertarian protestor against authority is common in today's world. Which leads me to wonder if any of them have read either a biography of the Marquis or any of his works. The man was pure evil, or the term has no meaning.

I suspect the modern glorification of him is largely based on his being "transgressive." Anything that upsets the middle classes must automatically be good.

[rahbert]

Whip it like Wilson

[Tanniker Smith]

The following message is for the Powers That Be: YOU ARE NOT CLEARED FOR THAT!

Thank you.
Farewell.

TS

[Lee N. Field]

RAW at last passes the "appointed to a man once to die" part of life. I suspect the "and then comes the judgment" part will be un-fun for him.

Back in the day, I found his "Schroedinger's Cat" trilogy to be quite fun. More recently I tried Illuminatus, but bounced off it badly.

[Tanniker Smith]

My first Internet account was Illuminati Online, which grew out of the Illuminati BBS (then a part of Steve Jackson Games, publishers of Illuminati and Illuminati: New World Order).

[fieldmarshaldj]

Rest in peace.

[killjoy]

RIP

THE MANAGEMENT

[TFFKAMM]

A huge influence on my life and thinking during the critical ages of 18 to 25. I later rejected a lot of his ideas as sophomoric and intellectually sloppy, but much of his body of work still holds up for those of us concerned with individual freedom, and living life with intelligence and humor. To us sex-drugs-n-rocknroll-loving young literati, he was our Ayn Rand, and no doubt will continue to be for young people alienated by ideology and theology.

Rest in peace, Bob. The Great Salon in the Sky welcomes you, and has a bowl of sticky buds and a big-boobed redhead waiting to make your acquaintance.

[Dajjal]

Réquiem fnord aéternam dona ei, Dómine. Et lux fnord perpétua lúceat ei. Requiéscat in fnord pace. Amen.

[Smokin' Joe]

LOL!

[Smokin' Joe]

(To your post, not Mr. WIlson's death).

[BnBlFlag]

Yes, De Sade was a Libertine, not a Libertarian.

[Tanniker Smith]

I figured as much.