James Ellis, the author and host of the popular podcast Hermitix, takes us on a journey through his transformation from his enigmatic online presence as MetaNomad to his current philosophical and literary endeavors under the name James De Llis. In this conversation, we explore his evolution as a thinker and writer, discussing his recent short fiction collection, There’s a Man Crying in the Street (2024), and drawing connections to his earlier essays from Exiting Modernity (2021) and Only Ever Freedom (2022).

De Llis reflects on the shift from his earlier persona, MetaNomad, and the pivotal critique by fellow writer Darren Allen that sparked a profound realization about the nature of suffering. He delves into the impact of this insight on both his writing process and his broader philosophical outlook, offering a candid look at how these ideas shaped his recent works.

The conversation also navigates themes of happiness and contentment, contrasting fleeting pleasures with a more enduring state of being that sustains through both joy and suffering. Ellis shares personal anecdotes and practical exercises for cultivating this mindset, shedding light on how his own philosophy informs his writing.

Ellis also provides updates on his forthcoming book releases, reflects on fictional characters that have influenced him, and offers a deep dive into the creative process behind There’s a Man Crying in the Street and other stories. Throughout, he shares his evolving perspective on what it means to find true happiness and peace in an unpredictable modern world.

Selected Time Stamps from Interview

00:00 Trailer: The Nature of Suffering00:58 Evolution of Metanomad to Hermitix03:29 The Influence of Mark Fisher, Nick Land05:26 The Transition to Writing Under a Real Name06:50 Exploring his Recent Fiction09:15 Reflections on Happiness and Modernity16:35 The Story of 'Who's Walking Who?'21:56 The Irony of Modern Comfort29:08 Hyperstition and the Power of Fiction45:12 The Myth of Narcissus and Disenchantment48:11 The Push for Secularity and Political Trends51:53 Responsibility and Influence of Writing55:37 The Nature of Suffering and Misery01:00:48 Darren Allen, “Beauty of a Weed” Overcoming Misery01:09:41 Reflections on Happiness and Suffering01:14:28 Final Thoughts and Future Works01:14:48“Smile and Be” as a Hyperstition

James has a B.A. in Fine Art and an M.A. in Continental Philosophy.

Find his works, essays and more @

https://www.jdemeta.net/

James de Llis also hosts the Hermitix Podcast which he describes as:

“Hermitix is a podcast focusing on one-on-one interviews relating to fringe philosophy, obscure theory, weird lit, under appreciated thinkers and movements, and that which historically finds itself 'outside' the academic canon.”

https://hermitix.net/

Music Sample in Intro: Acediast / Malformed Canticle Of Despondent Languor

Full transcript @ leafbox.com



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Leafbox Podcast

Interview: James De Llis

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