Table of Contents

Michael Ellsberg
May 25, 2023
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My memoir Joyful Pessimism has plenty of real-life sex and philosophical pessimism in it, but I’ve decided to spice it up with even more sex and philosophical pessimism—which hasn’t even occurred yet—via a dystopian erotic novella. The novella is entitled Ishtar’s Angel, and takes place in 2033 after an economic collapse due to AI takeover. It is narrated by one Daemon Derriere.

The chapters of the book alternate between my memoir Joyful Pessimism (true) and the novella Ishtar’s Angel narrated by Daemon (hopefully never true), and are clearly labeled.

The interweaving narratives deal with topics including: the AI jobpocalypse, BDSM, psychedelics, witch worship, bipolar, anti-porn feminism vs. sex work decriminalization, ancient and future temple prostitution, goddess worship, philosophical pessimism, antinatalism, biomisia, assisted suicide, economic collapse, bitcoin, the breakdown of the nation-state and the rise of neo-feudalism: and how to survive it all with gallows humor.

Here’s what I’ve written so far (as of May 31, 2023):

Author’s Note: Most names and identifying details in my memoir Joyful Pessimism have been changed. One character in the memoir, my therapist “Shoshanna,” is a composite of several therapists—I’ve had many! Thus, my conversations with “Shoshanna” are composites as well, based on many conversations I’ve had with different therapists.

For reference in the memoir timeline, I was born on May 12, 1977.

Joyful Pessimism: A Memoir of Sex, Mental Illness, and Philosophy is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.