Many are asking for more info about why crypto represents a potential for salvation from the apocalypse posited here. I can’t provide that info because I don’t really understand it either. So what I’ll do is get James, and maybe Ardian too (founder of Canonic) on to discuss specific questions we all have. I’m also going to get James and John Robb on the same podcast one day soon.
I really enjoyed this one. Poulos occasionally loses me with the run-on apocalyptic commentary, but there's enough here to sink my teeth into to make it worth another listen later this week.
I thought the idea Darryl posited on technology becoming a demonically possessive force for humanity was interesting. I have a slightly different take, but we end up in similar places. I'm of the opinion that short of a spiritual intervention (and I mean that more literally than an acceptance of some cheap neo-gnostic enlightenment), human beings are pretty much all on a trajectory of becoming the worst versions of themselves. Indeed, if there is a Hell, it's filled with such beings. The biblical imagery of flames and physical torment represent something far worse, an eternity of every character flaw and propensity toward evil getting exponentially worse. If my (admittedly bleak) outlook on human nature is anywhere close to accurate, then the real danger isn't that technology would come to possess our thought processes, but that we would give a class of people (or worse, everyone) a form of artificial immortality, and in doing so would bring Hell to earth. It's less the risk of being possessed by a demon and more a danger of becoming a demon yourself. At this point, I'll go on the record in saying that I think Elon Musk's Neuralink pursuit is a really, really bad idea.
I'm glad I've listened to enough of Poulos now to realize that I won't be missing out by not buying or reading his book. I've suffered through as much as I can on here and on other podcasts. He's obviously very well-read, and obviously does plenty of thinking, but I am just never going to succumb to sky gods and best-selling works of fiction as my answer to literally anything. Maybe that is what America needs, so good on ya, and let me be the first to wish you good luck. Our current societal trajectory (always subject to modification) is taking us places we've not been, and that scares an Orthodox religious pundit? Hmmm, sounds good to me. Religious tribalism has plenty to answer for, and it's really rich to hear someone propose that as a plan for our future. Hate to be the one to shit on anyone's parade, (I don't actually hate it, that was a lie) but we've done unspeakable harms to each other with our bad old human tendencies for millenia, no matter what tech or religion was in play at the time, so why exactly will it be worse because we are all plumbed in to one another? Poulos's explanation was (and is always) wordy, rambling and mostly incoherent unless you already buy the religious aspects. Maybe it will just be the same ol' shitshow of greed and violence interspersed with great art and culture. Y'know, people shit. I for one am willing to at least remain open to different, and possibly better ways of interacting. Although I very much do not want to get a lecture from my couch about my posture.
Love the episode, a lot of things hit the right spot. I am not sure I understand the Bitcoin monastery as a solution, and the "opening Bitcoin wallet as making effort" part. Criptocurrencies seem like a part of the problem to me if we are talking about new technologies leading into disasters. Can you please elaborate more in the next episode?
don't mean to be rude but after listening to your first two podcasts about this book and the first draft of your review I was intrigued about this book. After listening to the author kind of just ramble on, tossing out "woke" here and there, talking about Jesus in one breath and then calling people mentally ill losers the next (that doesn't seem very Christlike to me) with no coherent point other than mining for bitcoin (hard pass) all I could think of was this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQCU36pkH7c. Its not really fair but it is pretty funny...
I really enjoyed the first two episodes, but this was a huge letdown. James uses a lot of words but substantiates none of his claims. The only solution he ever offers is religion, which somehow falls beyond the scrutiny that is extended to other social phenomena. His viewpoint is clearly American, which is fine, but becomes a bit silly when you try to apply it to a clearly world wide phenomenon such as the internet. Do you have any idea how: 'Americanizing the internet', sounds to your international audience?
My main takeaway was: if you take away religion, what is left of his analysis?
After the interview with John Robb and this episode, I'm gonna have to start recommending Martyr Made to friends when they ask for a good horror podcast...
But jokes aside, this podcast is cool as hell, thanks for keeping up with the simultaneous series! This episode made me want to quit paying tributes to the mainstream techno-religion by watching YouTube, and go to church.
For the most part, this is a fantastic episode. Loads of great discussion about how technology is warping our minds, societies, and future. The swarm, as John Robb describes, is real and dangerous.
I do have a criticism though. The choice of describing Putin as grounded in reality is an increasingly bizarre one. His history of gambling against western incompetence and lack of will arguably paid off in the past. But he is more than happy to distort reality for his own ends, and his own perceptions are distorted at best, given his pre-war speech.
Putin uses the swarm, when he can.
"Russia is reconstructing reality and rewriting history to legitimize itself and undermine others."
Many are asking for more info about why crypto represents a potential for salvation from the apocalypse posited here. I can’t provide that info because I don’t really understand it either. So what I’ll do is get James, and maybe Ardian too (founder of Canonic) on to discuss specific questions we all have. I’m also going to get James and John Robb on the same podcast one day soon.
Sweet can’t wait!! Still have my fingers crossed for that last Epstein episode though 🤞😅
I really enjoyed this one. Poulos occasionally loses me with the run-on apocalyptic commentary, but there's enough here to sink my teeth into to make it worth another listen later this week.
I thought the idea Darryl posited on technology becoming a demonically possessive force for humanity was interesting. I have a slightly different take, but we end up in similar places. I'm of the opinion that short of a spiritual intervention (and I mean that more literally than an acceptance of some cheap neo-gnostic enlightenment), human beings are pretty much all on a trajectory of becoming the worst versions of themselves. Indeed, if there is a Hell, it's filled with such beings. The biblical imagery of flames and physical torment represent something far worse, an eternity of every character flaw and propensity toward evil getting exponentially worse. If my (admittedly bleak) outlook on human nature is anywhere close to accurate, then the real danger isn't that technology would come to possess our thought processes, but that we would give a class of people (or worse, everyone) a form of artificial immortality, and in doing so would bring Hell to earth. It's less the risk of being possessed by a demon and more a danger of becoming a demon yourself. At this point, I'll go on the record in saying that I think Elon Musk's Neuralink pursuit is a really, really bad idea.
Brave to put someone who talks about Christianity like that on here 👌
I'm glad I've listened to enough of Poulos now to realize that I won't be missing out by not buying or reading his book. I've suffered through as much as I can on here and on other podcasts. He's obviously very well-read, and obviously does plenty of thinking, but I am just never going to succumb to sky gods and best-selling works of fiction as my answer to literally anything. Maybe that is what America needs, so good on ya, and let me be the first to wish you good luck. Our current societal trajectory (always subject to modification) is taking us places we've not been, and that scares an Orthodox religious pundit? Hmmm, sounds good to me. Religious tribalism has plenty to answer for, and it's really rich to hear someone propose that as a plan for our future. Hate to be the one to shit on anyone's parade, (I don't actually hate it, that was a lie) but we've done unspeakable harms to each other with our bad old human tendencies for millenia, no matter what tech or religion was in play at the time, so why exactly will it be worse because we are all plumbed in to one another? Poulos's explanation was (and is always) wordy, rambling and mostly incoherent unless you already buy the religious aspects. Maybe it will just be the same ol' shitshow of greed and violence interspersed with great art and culture. Y'know, people shit. I for one am willing to at least remain open to different, and possibly better ways of interacting. Although I very much do not want to get a lecture from my couch about my posture.
Love the episode, a lot of things hit the right spot. I am not sure I understand the Bitcoin monastery as a solution, and the "opening Bitcoin wallet as making effort" part. Criptocurrencies seem like a part of the problem to me if we are talking about new technologies leading into disasters. Can you please elaborate more in the next episode?
don't mean to be rude but after listening to your first two podcasts about this book and the first draft of your review I was intrigued about this book. After listening to the author kind of just ramble on, tossing out "woke" here and there, talking about Jesus in one breath and then calling people mentally ill losers the next (that doesn't seem very Christlike to me) with no coherent point other than mining for bitcoin (hard pass) all I could think of was this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQCU36pkH7c. Its not really fair but it is pretty funny...
Literally reloaded this page four minutes after this was posted lol keep up the work Darryl it's getting powerful
I really enjoyed the first two episodes, but this was a huge letdown. James uses a lot of words but substantiates none of his claims. The only solution he ever offers is religion, which somehow falls beyond the scrutiny that is extended to other social phenomena. His viewpoint is clearly American, which is fine, but becomes a bit silly when you try to apply it to a clearly world wide phenomenon such as the internet. Do you have any idea how: 'Americanizing the internet', sounds to your international audience?
My main takeaway was: if you take away religion, what is left of his analysis?
After the interview with John Robb and this episode, I'm gonna have to start recommending Martyr Made to friends when they ask for a good horror podcast...
But jokes aside, this podcast is cool as hell, thanks for keeping up with the simultaneous series! This episode made me want to quit paying tributes to the mainstream techno-religion by watching YouTube, and go to church.
So sweet! Thought you bailed on this series. Just got my copy of Human Forever a few days ago. Perfect timing!
Yes please! This series is indescribably good! Thanks DC!
Fire 🔥
Whooooo! Cannot wait to hear this one!
I seem to recall part 1, but don’t remember pt. 2. Is it on the site?
For the most part, this is a fantastic episode. Loads of great discussion about how technology is warping our minds, societies, and future. The swarm, as John Robb describes, is real and dangerous.
I do have a criticism though. The choice of describing Putin as grounded in reality is an increasingly bizarre one. His history of gambling against western incompetence and lack of will arguably paid off in the past. But he is more than happy to distort reality for his own ends, and his own perceptions are distorted at best, given his pre-war speech.
Putin uses the swarm, when he can.
"Russia is reconstructing reality and rewriting history to legitimize itself and undermine others."
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-019-0227-8
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CPRT-115SPRT28110/html/CPRT-115SPRT28110.htm
https://theconversation.com/vladimir-putins-lying-game-100513
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/putins-officials-too-afraid-to-tell-him-truth-of-war-against-ukraine-us-101648685425110.html