The HIGH TIMES Interview: Allen Ginsberg, the Count Beat Poet
February 1992 marked the original publication of the HIGH TIMES interview with Allen Ginsberg, the iconic Beat poet and hemp activist. Known for his seminal poem “Howl” and his outspoken advocacy for marijuana-law reform and other causes, Ginsberg has become a literary and countercultural figure. His work has earned him recognition from both the counterculture and the literary establishment, including a National Book Award for “The Fall of America.” In addition to his literary achievements, Ginsberg has collaborated with musicians like Bob Dylan and the Clash, and recently released a spoken-word/music album titled “The Lion for Real.” He has also ventured into opera, writing lyrics for “Hydrogen Jukebox” with composer Philip Glass. And as if that wasn’t enough, a book of Ginsberg’s photographs has just been released by Twelvetrees Press. At 65 years old, Ginsberg teaches poetics at the Naropa Institute’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics in Boulder, Colorado, where this interview took place. Despite his busy schedule, Ginsberg proved to be a generous and engaging interview subject, with his responses sounding like improvisational poetry.
Why the Revival of Interest in the Beat Generation?
When asked about the recent revival of interest in the Beat Generation and its literature, Ginsberg explains that the themes and values of the Beat ethos are still relevant today. He believes that the Beat literature offers a refreshing perspective on the current state of society, which he describes as “hyper-technological, homogenized, money-obsessed, security/fear-based, and militaristic.” The Beat literature, on the other hand, delves into topics like the analysis of the technological Police State, ecological sanity, and the Whitmanic notion of American friendship and affection as the basis of democracy. Ginsberg also notes the Beat’s respect for individuality and disregard for unjust laws, particularly in regards to psychedelics, marijuana, and heroin. He contrasts these values with the destructive actions of the “straight” world, such as the war in Iraq and the exploitation of the earth’s resources.
Beat Works that Reflect These Ideals
When asked about specific Beat works that embody these ideals, Ginsberg mentions books like “On the Road” and “Visions of Cody.” These works, he believes, capture the essence of the Beat ethos and its values. They offer a counter-narrative to the dominant societal norms and provide a refreshing perspective on issues that are still relevant today.
