From: Tyagi@HouseOfKaos.Abyss.com Date: Tue, 2 Nov 93 13:48:17 PST [note: this is reprinted from TOPYlondon bulletin, June 1991 ] [transcribed by Coyote129, TOPY++; c/o box 410724 SFCA, 94141-0724 ] [ alamut@netcom.com 415-431-7541 ] [ also contact: Station TOPYSOL Box 33540, San Diego, CA 92163-3540] The following interview between AntiClock Wise and Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth London Access Point was conducted by mail. It is meant to give a general picture of TOPY, for more specific info contact TOPY. It should also be pointed out that the subject of this piece is NOT the band Psychic TV. ACW: Can you explain the influences on and foundations of TOPY? TOPY: Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth is a world-wide nett-work ov individuals founded in 1981 (although our roots go back much further). We are attempting to bring about a radical improvement in the quality of everyday life (one way of putting it). Most people pursuing this aim (political parties, performance artists, psychoanalysts, writers, painters, occult orders, etc) limit themselves to certain areas of activity. The Temple is designed to be active in any area, to free our minds by any means necessary. We are ready to use (and abuse!) or ignore any concept from culture. For instance, in TOPYLondon, we recognize influences from the following: William S. Burroughs, Dr, Timothy Leary, Robert Anton Wilson, Aleister Crowley, Austin Osman Spare, the Situationist International, the Church of Satan, Dada, Surrealism, Chaos theory, Deconstructionism, Paganism, The Church of the Subgenius, Nietzsche, Native American Culture, JG Ballard, Frank Miller, Sesame Street, etc. etc. Every individual involved brings a new set of experiences and influences. ACW: How many members do you have and what is the structure of TOPY? TOPY: The basic structure of TOPY is a non-hierachical network. In principle, every Individual in the Temple is of equal status. For administration and organization, however, a two tier system exists. There are currently three STATIONS (Europe, UK, and USA). There are also many ACCESS POINTS, the main centres for local organization. Access Points and Stations are run by the most committed and active Individuals, who choose themselves to take responsibility. Our influence is extremely widespread and for this reason we have no way of knowing exactly how many people use our ideas or are associated with the network. However, we do know that there are hundreds of people actively involved worldwide. We don't like to use the word "member", too many connotations, OK? ACW: I've been reading Eileen Barker's "New Religious Movements" which mentions TOPY on a number of occasions. Is TOPY a NRM? If so, what is your definition of religion? TOPY: We haven't read this book, so any comments must be indirect. i) Cults and religions offer little except domination, dogmas and imprisonment of the human spirit. In these terms TOPY is and anti-cult. We offer no grand solutions to your problems, in fact NO easy answers to anything. We seek no followers and have no gurus. We can show by example how we choose to live our lives and what works for US, but whether people get involved or not is entirely their own affair. It is more use to us to know one person who means it and wants to become active and AWAKE than 100 sheep who just use TOPY and a fashion accessory. ii) According to the Collins English Dictionary, the root of the word religion is the Latin "religio" meaning fear of the supernatural, probably from the word "religare" to tie up, from "ligare" to bind. The Temple embraces the supernatural and wishes to set people free - it is an anti-religion. People have always asked questions like "where do we come from ", "Why do we die", and "Why do bad things happen?". Most religions seem to be about selling people easy, and incorrect, answers to these questions, usually involving the word "GOD" in some form. The Temple encourages people to investigate all answers to these questions and pick their favorites, or make up their own. Or, for those with courage, to face this life which has no reasons. ACW: What is your relationship and reaction to cults such as the Unification Church? TOPY: In a word, "enemy". We have no relationship whatsoever with mindfuck cults like the Moonies, Christianity, etc. Following gurus like the Rev. Sun Moon, the Pope or "God" is a pointless, tragic, exercise. Cult are like religions, only they want total control and usually permit no conflicting opinions. We have studied their methods of control because they provide an insight into the human condition and hopefully a way to fight back against the Control Process. ACW: TOPY is still most famous for Psychic TV. Has this hindered your other work and what is your relationship with PTV? TOPY: Psychic TV provides a very useful outlet for TOPY ideas. Some members of the band are very active within the Temple, other not. If PTV were to cease to exist, TOPY would in no way be diminished - and they've never held us back for doing anything as far as we know! ACW: Magick seems to be an important part of TOPY, you seem to mention Crowley a lot. Yet magick sinister or anachronistic meanings to many people. Can you explain the type, role and importance of magick for TOPY? TOPY: We are interested in magick because it works (for us)> Magick, like sexuality, has been the subject of a great deal of hysteria and control. Both are sources of a great deal of power/energy and this is precisely why people have been blackmailed into not exploring them. Again, we offer no quick solutions. People must find their own methods and design their own rituals. We can recommend writers or systems that we've used as a base, but these must be mutated by the individual into a personal, functional system of realizing their desires. We are dedicated towards the establishment of a functional system of magick and a modern pagan philosophy without recourse to mystification, gods or demons; but recognizing the implicit powers of the human brain (neuromancy) linked with guiltless sexuality focussed through will structure (sigils). Magick empowers the Individual to embrace and realize their dreams and maximise their natural potential. It is for those with the power to touch themselves. It integrates all levels of thought in the first steps towards final negation of control and fear. ACW: Manson and Jim Jones imagery has appeared in your literature. Why? Do you admire extreme cultists? TOPY: Lots of imagery has appeared in our literature, why pick on these ones?We have often been accused of glamourizing these people, but this simply isn't the case. The Jonestown incident indicate quite clearly the dangers of following leaders without questioning their authority. Manson is really rather tedious - a willing scapegoat for the moral backlash of the '60s. There is a great deal to be learnt from the media taboos surrounding these people, but our lives are interesting enough already without and titillating or "shocking" imagery. Serious research has and is being done into these and other cults. ACW: Is TOPY a whole lifestyle? What are your views on sexuality, race, speciesism, gender? TOPY: YES! TOPY is a Way of Life (a "lifestyle" sounds like another bland commodity) not a hobby. It is hypocritical not to attempt to live out your beliefs and desires 24 hours a day. The Temple seeks to end personal laziness and engender discipline: Our aim is wakefulness, our enemy is Dreamless Sleep. It is now one of our primary concerns to develop TOPY into a way of life in every way shape and form. Single issues are dodgy, but on a total level we embrace freedom of sexuality (and have helped allies on trial here under the antiquated S&M laws of this repressed county [UK]); we are opposed to fascism of any kind, be it political, interpersonal or social. TOPY individuals have been active in the closing of the Brighton Dolphinaruim, Anti-Fascist Action, Anti Poll Tax, Animal Rights, the Peace movement, the Right To Party, and many other issues too numerous to mention here. We attempt to put our words into action in every situation. Anything less is death. ACW: What are your views on technology, automation and things such as Artificial Intelligence? TOPY: New technology creates new opportunities for human experience, and raises mankind's limits generally. Unfortunately, technology is just as susceptible to becoming a control tool as anything else (religion, sport, etc). Whilst TOPY supports the use of technology to obviate the need for sentient drudgery, we also recognize that technology is usually just harnessed to profit (making people more "productive") and keeping people amused outside their jobs. As an aside, from the TOPY viewpoint magick and technology are compatible. There are numerous texts available that integrate current technology with ritual magick. ACW: I am particularly interested in what TOPY is doing now. Could you explain the activities and aims of TOPY for the 1990s? TOPY: The '90s are going to be a very chaotic time for everyone, especially us. On the one hand, the nett-work is becoming more focussed with the publication of books and magazine, more events and more input from each individual involved. On the other hand we are in the midst of a backlash against sexuality, the occult, drug use, and non-conformity. We intend to fight all constraints in any way possible. One of our long term aims is the setting up of a TOPY tribal research centre. "The Big House". We also have a number of events planned for 1991 - gigs, lectures, film showings, and exhibition, and group rituals. END