63.27a

“Mailer Brings Existentialism to City.” Article-interview by Hoke Norris. Chicago Sun-Times, 12 May, 58. Speaking at the University of Chicago on 11 May, Mailer said that totalitarianism was taking over the country, pointing to architecture and air conditioning as examples. He also commented on his September 1962 Chicago debate with William F. Buckley, Jr., describing Buckley’s debate tactics as “unspeakably churlish invective,” but adding that offstage Buckley was “the best fellow you ever met.” He spoke at length about the nature of existentialism. “That which makes me feel good is good,” was his shorthand description of the philosophy. See 62.13a, 63.22, 63.27.