Conversation with John Higgs: Unearthing Concealed Narratives
John Higgs, a British author, is known for uncovering hidden narratives within history and culture, offering new perspectives that often challenge conventional understanding. His work predominantly delves into the counterculture, exploring figures and themes that oppose mainstream views. Among his acclaimed books are “The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds,” which delves into the convergence of pop culture and subversive art, and “Stranger Than We Can Imagine: Making Sense of the Twentieth Century,” a distinctive interpretation of the 20th century’s complexities. His latest book, “William Blake Vs The World,” investigates the visionary poet William Blake, linking Blake’s insights to contemporary developments in neurobiology, quantum physics, and comparative religion. Higgs is also an active public speaker, having presented at numerous festivals and venues, including Tate Britain and the British Library. Prior to focusing on writing, he directed animated TV episodes, developed a BBC Radio 4 quiz series, and worked as a video game producer.
What initially drew you to write about figures of the counterculture like Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson, and how have they influenced your worldview?
A lot of this was an attempt to understand the impact of that immense psychedelic wave which washed over Western culture during the 1960s. This was hugely significant in countless different arenas, from science to art to fashion to spirituality, but it is often downplayed. Yet it was a different world before the 1960s than it was afterwards, and people now think differently. There are reasons why Silicon Valley emerged where it did, for example, growing out of the psychedelic heartland and shaping the twenty-first century.
That psychedelic wave was disreputable and a little taboo, however, so many respectable writers and historians don’t engage with it too deeply. Many twentieth century thinkers were comfortable up until the point where modernism morphed into post-modernism. They often then retreat, insisting that we’ve all made a terrible mistake, and that the world should be understood in the same way that it was in their childhood. There were very few thinkers like Robert Anton Wilson who understood that new way of thinking, and why it emerged and was necessary. Almost uniquely, he went with it and came out the other side.
Your work often explores underappreciated narratives within culture. What process do you follow to uncover these hidden stories?
From my perspective, all those subjects are pretty obvious. They are great stories just sitting there, out in the open. Most of my books have felt like open goals that other writers have weirdly not taken.
I suspect that this is because, in the UK, it is a particular section of society who typically make it to bookshop shelves. These are people from quite comfortable backgrounds who see the world in a certain way, and the expensively educated community tend to have the same blind spots. I don’t mean that as a criticism, for we all have our own blind spots and I know I have many. It’s just that when so many authors have the same blind spots, then a lot of really fascinating stories get overlooked. This is how you get a situation where a story as unique and interesting as that of The KLF just sat there for 17 years, without anyone outside of fan circles picking it up or exploring it.
What inspired you to co-found the East Sussex Psychedelic Film Club, and what do you aim to achieve with it?
I’m not sure we aim to achieve anything with it, to be honest, other than to ensure a room full of people come together and have a good night out. It’s just intended to be jolly. I like to think we overdeliver to a massive degree, be that through the presence of film props and conversations with directors, or the elaborate yet determinedly lo-fi programme.
The ESP-FC came about from drinking in a pub in Lewes with the electronic musician Richard Norris and the film producer Andy Starke. It used to be that when men of a certain age went drinking, they’d end up starting a podcast. Now, we’re at a time where they start a psychedelic film club. I recommend it!
Read the full interview with John Higgs at Retrofuturista.com
