#207 | Guerrilla Ontology: The Cancer Of Civilization & An Ineffable Visceral Space w/ Julian Langer

Intro: 7:34

In this episode, I speak with eco-radical and guerrilla ontologist philosopher and writer Julian Langer. In this wide-ranging discussion, we discuss the middle-spaces of social engagement with technology and industrial infrastructure within an eco-pessimist perspective, Julian’s encounters with the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion and the mainstreaming of climate/environmental activism, the “ineffable visceral space” of his encounter with cancer and modern medicine, and maximizing individual freedom within the varying “intensities of capture” of civilized life.

This discussion with Julian covers a great deal of territory, meandering as conversations often do, with general (and quite specific) reflections on the nature of resistance and liberation within an eco-pessimist perspective — nestled within Julian’s ontological anarchist approach to philosophy, writing, and activism. How can a more pessimistic view of life enable us to more fully engage with the reality we find ourselves in — one of ecological collapse, political oppression, runaway climate change, and mass extinction? In connecting with wild nature — our wild nature — we can maximize our freedom within the various “intensities of capture” of civilization, as Julian defines it in this discussion. Along with these general reflections, Julian describes his experience with cancer, medical treatment, technology, and death — as explored in his moving essay ‘Cancer, Technology, and an Ineffable Visceral Space’: “Everyone was a cancer patient and everyone was--like all those people who go to cancer hospitals, have the best care in the entire fucking world and don’t make it--going to die. This was an all-consuming thought. And really, what was the point of it all? Why had I bothered to go through all that, if it was just going to be a less intense version of that for the rest of my time alive?” (http://bit.ly/2zd7MPg) We touch on all these themes and more in this episode.

Julian Langer is the author of two books: ‘Feral Consciousness: Deconstruction of the Modern Myth and Return to the Woods’ and ‘Feral Iconoclasm.’ Julian defines his himself as an eco-anarchist, guerrilla ontologist philosopher, musician, and activist. Julian exists and resides on the land of Briton.

Episode Notes:

- Learn more about Julian and his work: https://ecorevoltblog.wordpress.com

- Read ‘Cancer, Technology, and an Ineffable Visceral Space’: http://bit.ly/2zd7MPg

- Read Julian’s response to John Jacobi: http://bit.ly/2KV6VrQ

- Julian’s most recent poetry: https://nightforestpoetry.wordpress.com

- The songs featured in this episode are “Number 13 (Bellz)” and “Snowsuit (Grab My Mask)” by Samiyam from the album “I Got Shit To Do.”