Homo Zapiens with Dr. Albert Arias
Welcome to another episode Libration Nation! Today, we're diving deep into the surreal and thought-provoking world of Victor Pelevin's "Generation P," also known as "Homo Zapiens" in English. Joining us is Pelevin aficionado Dr. Albert Arias, and we unravel the complex tapestry of post-Soviet Russia's chaotic transition to capitalism, examining the Western cultural invasion and the profound philosophical layers infused with Buddhism and spirituality that Pelevin navigates in his works We'll also chatter about the intriguing film adaptation, the psychedelic journeys depicted in the narrative, and the eerie foresight of fictional leaders born from deep fakes.
Dr. Arias is a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine(2001), and he completed his residency in psychiatry as well as a master’s degree in clinical and translational research at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He was on the faculty at UCONN School of Medicine and then went on to be a faculty member at Yale University School of Medicine for 7 years in the department of psychiatry before joining VCU in 2018 as an associate professor and the Associate Division Chair for Addiction Psychiatry. He is the current President of the Psychiatric Society of Virginia.
Dr. Arias’ current research focuses on studying the effects of medications on mood disorders and addictions.
We paired the book with Moscow Mules as a tie-in with the author’s home country.
Moscow Mule*
.5 ounce lime juice
2 ounces vodka
4 ounces ginger beer, or to taste
Lime wedge for garnish
*Not required, but generally served in a copper cup
In this episode