Scott Alexander reviews 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test', examining Ken Kesey's LSD-fueled counterculture movement and its lasting impact.
Longer summary
This post reviews Tom Wolfe's book 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test', which chronicles Ken Kesey's experiences with LSD and his role in 1960s counterculture. Scott Alexander summarizes Kesey's journey from novelist to cult leader, his Merry Pranksters group, and their psychedelic adventures. The review critiques Wolfe's writing style and explores the impact of psychedelic culture. It concludes by analyzing Kesey's unique talents, the role of LSD in his influence, and the broader implications for cult dynamics and drug culture.
Shorter summary