Hilaritas Press Podcasts Episode 50: Jesse Walker
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Oct 23, 2025 Jesse Walker, Books Editor at Reason Magazine and a historian of politics and conspiracy, joins to discuss Robert Anton Wilson's intriguing political writings. They dive into how Wilson's work mirrors today's political landscape and explore the concept of 'Fortean politics.' Walker reveals how conspiracy theories shaped his mindset and why Wilson’s insights remain relevant. The duo also reflects on the internet’s impact on divergent realities and considers what Wilson would think of modern politics, emphasizing his anti-censorship and anti-war stances.
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First Encounter And Personal Meetings
- Jesse Walker first encountered Robert Anton Wilson in high school through the Steve Jackson Illuminati game and friends who loaned him the book Illuminatus!.
- He later met Wilson in person in Chapel Hill in 1986 and corresponded with him near the end of Wilson's life after writing about him.
Politics Beyond Simple Maps
- Political labels (left/right/authoritarian/libertarian) simplify a complex landscape and miss many unusual overlaps.
- Walker framed Wilson's politics as a network of pathways and anomalies rather than fitting into a four-quadrant map.
From Certainty To Model Pluralism
- Wilson's early writing sounds certain and theory-driven while his later voice embraces multiple models and uncertainty.
- Psychedelics, occult work, and political paranoia helped shift him from certainty to agnostic pluralism.
