Papers by Andrew Fergus Wilson
If conspiracy theory is the narration of fears of existential dread, of a potentially apocalyptic... more If conspiracy theory is the narration of fears of existential dread, of a potentially apocalyptical plot against ‘us’, then we can understand alien conspiracies as a dread of the coming of ‘cosmological humanity’ and the end of ‘geostationary man’. In escaping gravity’s hold a terminal velocity is achieved by a species ready to mythologize, even sacralise, its achievements and to enchant the Heavens once again in terms more suited to the technological age. Virgiliu Pop’s astrosociology will provide a means for framing the uniqueness of post-Gagarin conspiracist spiritualities within the particular religious cultures of cosmic humanity whilst Raymond Williams’ concept of structures of feeling will be drawn upon to understand the cultural significance of these spiritualities.N/
University of Derby, Jul 10, 2020
Altered Consciousness in the Twentieth Century, 2019
Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, 2011
This article considers the relationship between “hashtag activism” as it is currently being used ... more This article considers the relationship between “hashtag activism” as it is currently being used by the alt-right and the tendency to draw on conspiracy theory that Richard Hofstadter identified as being prevalent among what he termed “pseudo-conservatives” half a century earlier. Both the alt-right and Hofstadter’s “pseudo-conservatives” can be characterized by a pronounced populist nationalism that understands its aims as protecting a particular way of life whilst drawing on an aggrieved sense of injustice at being conspired against by an unseen enemy. That this “enemy” is typically foreign in actuality or in spirit confirms the cultural dimension on which their politics is played out. It is argued here that this paranoid populist nationalism has been figuratively drawn upon in the rhetoric of Donald Trump and that this apparent openness to the “pseudo-conservative” discourse on nationalism has provided a bridging effect via which far right elements are seeking to normalize extrem...
Altered Consciousness in the Twentieth Century, 2019
This chapter summarizes modes of consciousness experienced by people who believe that they have b... more This chapter summarizes modes of consciousness experienced by people who believe that they have been contacted by extra-terrestrial entities. It focuses on the theme of self-transcendence in the experience of unidentified flying objects channels. Although Lyssa Royal Holt’s training sessions are commercial offerings, she has made publicly available an extensive archive of written materials in multiple translations via her website and hours of video teachings and interviews on her YouTube channel. These are supplemented by three published books outlining her work and the message she claims to be channelling from extraterrestrial entities and a pack of divinatory cards that are intended to aid their user in accessing the higher aspect of consciousness that Holt describes as our evolutionary destiny. The books are Prism of Lyra: An Exploration of Human Galactic Heritage, Visitors From Within: Extraterrestrial Encounters, and Species Evolution and Preparing for Contact: A Metamorphosis of Consciousness.
Secrecy and Society, 2018
This article considers the relationship between “hashtag activism” as it is currently being used ... more This article considers the relationship between “hashtag activism” as it is currently being used by the alt-right and the tendency to draw on conspiracy theory that Richard Hofstadter identified as being prevalent among what he termed “pseudoconservatives” half a century earlier. Both the alt-right and Hofstadter’s “pseudoconservatives” can be characterised by a pronounced populist nationalism that understands its aims as protecting a particular way of life whilst drawing on an aggrieved sense of injustice at being conspired against by an unseen enemy. That this “enemy” is typically foreign in actuality or in spirit confirms the cultural dimension on which their politics is played out. It is argued here that this paranoid populist nationalism has been figuratively drawn upon in the rhetoric of Donald Trump and that this apparent openness to the “pseudo-conservative” discourse on nationalism has provided a bridging effect via which far right elements are seeking to normalize extremist viewpoints.
The Journal of Astrosociology, 2017
If conspiracy theory is the narration of fears of existential dread, of a potentially apocalyptic... more If conspiracy theory is the narration of fears of existential dread, of a potentially apocalyptical plot against ‘us’, then we can understand alien conspiracies as a dread of the coming of ‘cosmological humanity’ and the end of ‘geostationary man’. In escaping gravity’s hold a terminal velocity is achieved by a species ready to mythologize, even sacralise, its achievements and to enchant the Heavens once again in terms more suited to the technological age. Virgiliu Pop’s astrosociology will provide a means for framing the uniqueness of post-Gagarin conspiracist spiritualities within the particular religious cultures of cosmic humanity whilst Raymond Williams’ concept of structures of feeling will be drawn upon to understand the cultural significance of these spiritualities.
Wilson's article examines how apocalyptic thinking converges with the use of conspiracy theory in... more Wilson's article examines how apocalyptic thinking converges with the use of conspiracy theory in white nationalist world-views at a time of crisis. Apocalyptic thinking is, typically, a religious response to secular threats to the faith community that prophesize, or are attendant on, the End. These millenarian outlooks provide communities in crisis a promise of confirmation of the object of their faith, the vanquishing of enemies and, crucially, continuity for the community in a better world to come. In the latter half of the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first, apocalypticism and conspiracy theory have tended to coincide. The tendency towards a binary distinction between terms of absolute good and absolute evil, and the revelation of secrets relating to human destiny through prophesy or ‘truth-seeking’ provide a broad transposability between the two interpretative strategies. An increasing amalgamation of political paranoia and eschatology have given rise to what has been termed ‘conspirituality’. Much recent white nationalist rhetoric can be understood as emerging from this discursive position, and Wilson's analysis will demonstrate how one white nationalist community drew on conspiratorial apocalypticism in its response to the multiple attacks by Islamic State in Paris on 13–14 November 2015.
If conspiracy theory is the narration of fears of existential dread, of
a potentially apocalyptic... more If conspiracy theory is the narration of fears of existential dread, of
a potentially apocalyptical plot against “us,” then we can understand alien conspiracies as a dread of the coming of “cosmological humanity” and the end of “geostationary man.” In escaping gravity’s hold a terminal velocity is achieved by a species ready to mythologize, even sacralize, its achievements, and to enchant the heavens once again in terms more suited to the technological age. Virgiliu Pop’s astrosociology will provide a means for framing the uniqueness of post-Gagarin conspiracist
spiritualities within the particular religious cultures of cosmic humanity while Raymond Williams’ concept of “structures of feeling” will be drawn upon to understand the cultural significance of these spiritualities.
The ‘2012 industry’ continues apace and variations on the 2012 theme proliferate but they do so w... more The ‘2012 industry’ continues apace and variations on the 2012 theme proliferate but they do so within the context of an existing field of prophetic activity. Despite a number of core texts which, in general terms, shape the scope of 2012 apocalyptic prophecy it is notable that a selection of narratival effects associated with earlier apocalyptic discourse formation are present within 2012 apocalyptic prophecy. This chapter, then, is an attempt to demonstrate the embeddedness of 2012 discourse within existing currents of apocalyptic prophecy and also argues the case for an ‘apocalyptic milieu’ which intersects a variety of North American and European Christian beliefs, popular culture and emerging religious formations.
It will be argued that origin myths and ahistorical mythic constructs of an idealised past serve ... more It will be argued that origin myths and ahistorical mythic constructs of an idealised past serve a dual purpose within nationalist discourse. That is, whilst providing a communal resource from which a shared identity can be built they also offer a vision of an utopian future which appeals to the millennialist strand in nationalist thought. Following Barkun’s identification of nationalist apocalypticism within contemporary conspiracy discourse a comparison will be made of the use and role of origin myths of ethnic communities by (1) nationalist websites and (2) conspiracy theory websites. The comparison is made in order to demonstrate how the syncretic tendency within the contemporary cultic milieu uncritically absorbs paranoid nationalist rhetoric thus problematising commonly held national myths and legends.
Using two contrasting television programmes, made and broadcast in the United Kingdom, this artic... more Using two contrasting television programmes, made and broadcast in the United Kingdom, this article will explore how representations of apocalyptic themes and belief contribute to an idea of ‘nation’. Drawing upon Benedict Anderson’s analysis of the interplay between ‘reason’ and ‘unreason’ in English culture, this analysis will reveal the innate ‘foreignness’ of the coming of the end within mainstream English mass culture.
This chapter will argue that cyberspace, as a medium, offers a unique opportunity for the spiritu... more This chapter will argue that cyberspace, as a medium, offers a unique opportunity for the spiritual seeker to explore the syncretism that lies at the heart of the cultic milieu. The interlinked pages which constitute webspace extend the ‘circuit’ shared by seekers into a global context and, further, provide an enhanced sense of community. In this context individual apocalyptic prophecies can flourish and become sedimented within the cultic milieu, strengthened by this extended circuit and enhanced communal potential.
Books by Andrew Fergus Wilson
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Papers by Andrew Fergus Wilson
a potentially apocalyptical plot against “us,” then we can understand alien conspiracies as a dread of the coming of “cosmological humanity” and the end of “geostationary man.” In escaping gravity’s hold a terminal velocity is achieved by a species ready to mythologize, even sacralize, its achievements, and to enchant the heavens once again in terms more suited to the technological age. Virgiliu Pop’s astrosociology will provide a means for framing the uniqueness of post-Gagarin conspiracist
spiritualities within the particular religious cultures of cosmic humanity while Raymond Williams’ concept of “structures of feeling” will be drawn upon to understand the cultural significance of these spiritualities.
Books by Andrew Fergus Wilson
a potentially apocalyptical plot against “us,” then we can understand alien conspiracies as a dread of the coming of “cosmological humanity” and the end of “geostationary man.” In escaping gravity’s hold a terminal velocity is achieved by a species ready to mythologize, even sacralize, its achievements, and to enchant the heavens once again in terms more suited to the technological age. Virgiliu Pop’s astrosociology will provide a means for framing the uniqueness of post-Gagarin conspiracist
spiritualities within the particular religious cultures of cosmic humanity while Raymond Williams’ concept of “structures of feeling” will be drawn upon to understand the cultural significance of these spiritualities.