Yes, the shulgins, are believed by the rest of the scientific community to be "drugged up idiots" im sure.
That is of course if the general masses are listening to the content which i very much doubt they would be regardless of the sobriety of the speaker.
Shulgins produce real results, using chemistry and therefore can back up most of their science. McKenna really brings no physical evidence of what he is saying to the table. I think chemistry with proven compounds being created and tested is a big difference to new age theories made up by some guy that likes to trip, who happens to have a degree.
To me Terrance McKenna's theories are no different than what any other common enthenogen user can come up with.
I however don't see many common enthenogen users who create brand new active compounds using advanced chemistry and pratical research.
The problem is not that McKenna took psychs. Lots of respected scientist not linked with psych research have taken lsd and they are regarded geniouses.
The thing is McKenna took too much, too often
I agree, but taking one or two doses scientifically anayalzed and not preached is a different beast to creating a thesis about 'I tripped out for weeks straight in isolation tanks and saw elves that created the universe'
There is a difference between scientific use of a compound, recreational/spiritual use of a compound and drug abuse/dependency. I consider Terrance McKenna to broadcast his drug abuse to everyone, and it really portrays hallcinogens in a bad light. It almost looks like he was addicted to tripping from a tea tottler perspective, which creates more bad publicity than good.
Basically Terrance McKenna will be used by anti psy users for decades to come, because of him they will think they are addictive, they send you mad and destroy your brain (tumor).
Terrance single handley set back the physcadelic movement by solidifying these common myths.
Edited by jay6785, 29 June 2010 - 12:13 PM.