The Resume

(December 25, 1925-April 27, 1998)
Born in Cajamarca, Peru
Known for his 'anthropological' works about Meso-American shamanism
Wrote 'The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge' (1968), 'A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with Don Juan' (1971), 'Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan' (1973), 'Tales of Power' (1974), 'The Second Ring of Power' (1977), 'The Eagle's Gift' (1981), 'The Fire From Within' (1984), 'The Power of Silence: Further Lessons of Don Juan' (1987), 'The Art of Dreaming' (1993) and 'Magical Passes: The Practical Wisdom of the Shamans of Ancient Mexico' (1998)

Why he might be annoying:

His 'research' was made up out of whole cloth.
There is no evidence that Don Juan Matus, the shaman from his books, ever existed.
After a Time magazine story exposing a series of fabrications he made about his personal background (1973), he disappeared from public view.
He assembled a group of female followers, known as the witches, who changed their names, cut off contact with the outside world, and got identical haircuts.
After his death, several of the witches disappeared and may have committed suicide.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was able to fool UCLA, which gave him a PhD based on the material in his books.
His admirers included Jim Morrison, William S. Burroughs and Federico Fellini.
Time called his books 'beautifully lucid.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Born on Christmas Day [December 25th] (Ranked: 1925)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 16]
• I Abused Peyote
• I Attended UCLA
• I Died in 1998 (Ranked: 72)
• I Earned a Doctorate
• I Had a Vasectomy
• I Have Liver Cancer
• I was Cremated
• Profiles 24501-24750 (Ranked: 24545)
• Recluses
• Sixty-Nine
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 19980427)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 26 Votes: 73.08% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 18 Votes: 83.33% Annoying