William S. Burroughsвђ™ "the Revised Boy Scout Ma... Apr 2026

The definitive edition, published by Ohio State University Press in 2018, was compiled from recordings found in OSU archives and incomplete typescripts from other university libraries.

In a notably prescient move, Burroughs is credited with one of the first printed uses of the term "fake news" (appearing on page 48), proposing the dissemination of fabricated news to foment mass panic and chaos. William S. Burroughs’ "The revised boy scout ma...

He explores language as a "virus" and a tool of manipulation, suggesting that disrupting linear narratives can liberate spontaneous human patterns. The definitive edition, published by Ohio State University

Burroughs advocates for the use of democratically available technology—such as tape recorders and video cameras—to manipulate societal behavior. Burroughs advocates for the use of democratically available

The text presents itself as a guide for young revolutionaries to overthrow corrupt governments using "weapons of illusion" and electronic tools. Key themes explored in the manual include:

Critics have noted that while the book was written over 50 years ago, its focus on the power of memes and social-media-like manipulation makes it feel "uncannily prescient" in the 21st century.