Fear and Loathing

A term coined by esteemed Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in his memoir, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. As used in the context of the book, the term refers to the consumption of near-lethal amounts of hallucinogens, narcotics, stimulants, alcohol and tobacco. The term can also be seen as part of Thompson's commentary on the perceived descent of American society into moral degeneracy and hypocritical hedonism, largely due to the misguided and greed-driven leadership of national politicians, officers of the law, and local authorities.