R: R: TRP on Ecstasy

[tommasopincio]

This is not a moral matter. It does not make sense to discuss if MDMA, LSD
and other psychedelics are good or bad, and that's why Pynchon's view might
seem controversial. The same thing may be said for the 60's counter-culture.
Sure, if you look at its failure it is very difficult to be all approving,
but the counter-culture failed because a universal social project was
identificated as a way of life.
However, the gloomy end of the story cannot cancel the light of the initial
dream which was a belief in something more right than the power. "It's true,
we were young. We were arrogant. We were ridiculous. We were excessive. We
were reckless. We were foolish. But we were right" once Abbie Hoffman said.
Zoyd & the Vineland co. might be look pathetic but Pynchon has the greatest
affection for them. He loves these people and he does just because their
failure was to live in the silly illusion they would never die. In the
Vineland page Doug refers to this illusion is seen as menace for the Power
which control life and death.
I believe Pynchon's interest in drugs is strictly related to the idea of
refusing the Power on human basis, and--on a secondary level--the touching
humanity of the day(drug)dreaming loosers. LSD does not offer eternal life,
but in its realm it is possible to experience how never die would be,
and--eventually--that we could or should live in a better world.
Pynchon sees Power as sort of an invincible Dark Force, a political
emanation of Death. The failure of 60's counter-culture was
inevitable--fixed from the very beginning by nature. Pynchon does not have a
moral judgement about the choice of that illusiory opposition--he is just
touched it. He is touched by the frail humanity of human beings. I would not
look oversentimental, but this is one reason which makes him a special
writer.
Going back to the Ecstasy point, it is to be said that Rave Scene does not
believe trance and MDMA might work as part of a social utopia, but it is
anyhow a subversive cultural based on a cosmic love project--probably in a
more childish way but still.