Hermitix Wilhelm Reich versus The Flying Saucers with James Reich
Nov 19, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, novelist and ecopsychologist James Reich delves into the controversial late work of Wilhelm Reich, an influential yet polarizing figure. He reveals how countercultural icons sparked his interest in Reich and discusses the complexities of Reich's scientific ambitions, including his daring experiments with orgone energy. The conversation also explores Reich's fascination with UFOs and his unique sci-fi influences, showcasing how personal struggles and socio-political contexts shaped his groundbreaking yet eccentric theories.
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Counterculture Was My Entry Point
- James Reich describes discovering Wilhelm Reich through countercultural figures like William S. Burroughs and Patti Smith.
- Those artists filtered Reich's work and drew James into reading Reich in the early 1990s.
Reich Tried To Be A Scientist
- Reich's writing surprised James Reich by its experimental technicality and lab-style detail.
- Reich repeatedly sought scientific legitimacy, using experiments and measurements to back psychoanalytic claims.
Three Arcs Of Reich's Career
- James Reich frames Wilhelm Reich's career as three diminishing arcs: 1919–1939, 1939–1950, and 1950–1957.
- The third arc (cloudbusters, Oranur, UFOs) shows increasing isolation and marginalization despite technical ambition.
