We Are The American Medical Association
Robert Anton Wilson (no introduction needed, I'm sure) is dying, and is facing eviction from his apartment. Boingboing has the details.
I don't know about you lot, but even though I read the Illuminatus! trilogy while drifting in and out of a flu coma, and even though I didn't "get" half of what the hell was going on (thanks, again, to the fever-pain), in the ten years since I read it, things keep bubbling up that could only have originated in the wild mind of Robert Anton Wilson. At least half of what I come up with for this very website is deeply influenced by his madness, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. I wouldn't be the same dude without him.
The Boingboing link has information on where to send checks or paypal payments. According to friends, Wilson as of a couple days ago only has enough money to cover one month's rent, after which he spends his dying days homeless. Not cool.
All the best to RAW, and here's hoping things go his way for a change.
[wik] [Update] There is a later post, also on Boing Boing, that tells us that the donations were coming in, so much so that
Anyway, this morning Bob's daughter showed up at his house in tears because she had checked his PayPal account and found money for next month's rent plus more. Bob called me to say that he couldn't believe people would care so much about him and as we talked (which isn't easy for him at this point) he was overcome with emotion more than once. He is so touched and RELIEVED at the possibility of staying in his home. He kept repeating to me his deep felt appreciation and disbelief that people would care so much about him. What a humble and sweet man.
Which is all to the good. I am sure that continuing medical expenses and everyday bills will quickly deplete that, so continued giving is indicated. For those who can't stomach giving without receiving, there is this, a place where you can buy a nifty tshirt, and for each one, $10 will go to RAW. [- buckethead]
[alsø wik] I just noted that the tshirt link above is to, of all things, Giant Robot Printing. Everyone must buy a tshirt to help RAW. I am frankly stunned, though, that they have no tshirts featuring giant robots.
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Never heard of him.
Never heard of him.
At first I thought you were talking about the dude who played Potsie on Happy Days.
But that's someone else.
Wilson was huge to me - in
Wilson was huge to me - in part, I imagine, because I found him at just the right time. I found Heinlein when I was eight, and his juvenile novels made an enormous impact on me, and my thinking that lasts to this day. Likewise, at 19, I was primed and ready for the Illuminatus trilogy, and Schrodinger's Cat. Dropped out of school, frustrated both with the stupidity of others and my own inability to get my life in order, Wilson was like a beacon of hope.
My prize possession for years was a tattered card, which read, "The bearer of this card is a genuine, honest Pope." There was a line underneath for you to write your name, and then the card said, "Please treat him nice." This was right out of Wilson and the Discordians, and when I lost my wallet six years later, I was heartbroken at the loss of the card where the $150 cash barely moved me.
Wilson's influence on me has faded, I think, or maybe just been overlaid by more recent experience. There's no doubt, however, that he is one of three or four writers of whom I can honestly say that what they wrote changed my life.