Reading 1-21-09

Since I haven't bought the other book yet-- the last time I checked, it wasn't availiable at SSI or Dynamic-- I read '65 in Hippie. I love this text: while I don't really understand the organization of ideas within each "year," all of the images and history are intriguing and entertaining. I've actually already read into '67 for fun-- I'd probably read this even if I didn't have to. Anyway...

What I found most interesting about the '65 chapter was the parts on LSD with the Pranksters and Dr. Leary. I believe that their differences sums up the situation with drugs in America: sure, there are asses out there who cause trouble under the influence, but Dr. Leary is an example of a well-meaning, responsible drug user. Obviously, with a drug as contentious as LSD (not many people would be willing to legalize it, I'd guess), it's kind of hard to say "responsible drug user," but this quote about Leary on p. 36 kind of justifies it: "Leary's approach to the LSD experience was about as far from that of the Pranksters as could be imagined. He though it should be taken in a peaceful setting to produce a personal, contemplative, spiritual experience. The intention being to cause a 'Brain-change,' or, to use one of Leary's slogans, 'You have to be out of your mind to use your head.'" Leary, it seems, took drugs and accepted the personal and social responsibilities associated with them; the Pranksters, on the other hand, were just that-- pranksters. No wonder Leary was mystified when they showed up at his house! I suppose the Pranksters were similarly surprised by the Hell's Angels-- not that the Pranksters wrecked Leary's party or anything-- who eventually forced the leader away from his own LSD party. The parts describing the naked guy (wasn't that the leader of the Pranksters?) dancing in front of cops, flaunting his legal use of LSD, and the police could only intervene once they proved marijuana (much less dangerous and mild than LSD) was being used. So, the wild LSD party got raided because of marijuana. Cops today would have a field day with that party.