About
New Escapologist is an irregularly published magazine that celebrates the “flight” bit of the “fight or flight” quandary. We take the stance that running away can sometimes be noble.
Each issue is a compendium of funny and existential essays and anecdotes. We promote freedom, Anarchy and the Absurd.
‘Escape’ is the theme for the series, but each issue has its very own sub-theme. Issue Three is the Practicalities Issue.
We use Escapology as a metaphor for human freedom:
Houdini’s popularity as an escape artist came about during a time of technological and political revolution. It was during the 1900s that Ransom Eli Olds implemented the first mass production of marketable cars, Tomas Edison’s phonograph made a commodity out of music and the colonial expansion of Europe and America prompted the birth of the somewhat unpleasant political period known now as New Imperialism. Technologies and movements initially plugged as liberating would soon be discovered by thinkin’ types to be nasty, horrible traps designed only to placate, segment and enfeeble. When people become dependent upon companies or governments to entertain them, to transport them, to plan their days and to import their goods, they forget what it is to be free, alive and autonomous.
The work of Houdini and his contemporaries escaped the province of curiosity – that of conjuring and ventriloquism – and into the universe of metaphor.
Taken from An invitation to New Escapology.
New Escapologist is at once a collection of ideas on How to Live and a satirical exploration of modern urban life.
We also arrange parties, give copies of the magazine to libraries and we’re thinking of running a seminar and comedy cabaret in 2010.
Escapologist. Noun. (pronounced: es’cap·ol’o·gist). One who actively seeks to escape the imaginary manacles of modern life: work, debt, government, leisure industries, status and anxiety.
Praise for the magazine
“We had to wait thirty years for someone to come up with an idea like this – an indie magazine about escape attempts!!! Next step: a whole Escapology Cult.” – Prof. Stanley Cohen, co-author of Escape Attempts.
“Excellent publications which deserve a wide readership.” – Tom Hodgkinson, editor of the Idler and author of How to be Free.
