Language as a Virus: William S. Burroughs, Social Media & the Digital Manifestation of Doctor Benway

Frater Mike Richardson examines William S. Burroughs’ prophetic concept of “language as a virus” through the lens of contemporary social media and post-truth politics. Drawing parallels between Burroughs’ character Doctor Benway and algorithmic manipulation systems, we explore how cut-up techniques offer hermetic tools for consciousness liberation in the digital age. The analysis integrates Rosicrucian principles of spiritual discernment with postmodern deconstruction methods, arguing that Burroughs’ esoteric insights provide essential wisdom for navigating contemporary information warfare. Part of the ongoing series of Metropolitan Study Group meetings hosted by the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, Province of Greater London. For more information visit: https://srialondon.org