#2036

Mentioned in 16 episodes

The Technological Society

Book • 1964

In 'The Technological Society,' Jacques Ellul discusses the concept of 'technique,' which he defines as the totality of methods rationally arrived at and having absolute efficiency in every field of human activity.

Ellul argues that modern society is dominated by this 'technique,' which is focused on efficiency and has infiltrated all aspects of human existence, including science, automation, politics, and human relations.

He warns that this technological system threatens human freedom and responsibility, and that it has taken on a life of its own, independent of human control.

The book explores the historical rise of 'technique,' its characteristics, and its profound impact on society, highlighting the need for a critical reevaluation of the role of technology in human life.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 16 episodes

Mentioned by

Cory Hixson

when discussing the concept of efficiency and its impact on society.

238 snips

233: Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau

Mentioned as a source for Kaczynski's ideas on technology and society.

185 snips

The Sunday Read: ‘The Strange, Post-Partisan Popularity of the Unabomber’

Mentioned throughout the podcast as the central theme, exploring his critique of technology's dehumanizing effects.

26 snips

Why Technology is Enslaving and Dehumanizing Us

Mentioned by

Mark Hurst

as a favorite author who inspired Tectonic, warning about the spread of technology.

18 snips

Duncan Moench on "soylent screens" and producerism from Jul 14, 2025

Mentioned by

John Stonestreet

in the context of discussing the application of technology to medicine and the illusion of control.

17 snips

The Fallout From 10 Years of Obergefell and Colorado's Radical New Laws

Mentioned by

Howard Rheingold

to illustrate the idea that efficiency colonizes everything.

17 snips

Howard Rheingold on Lucid Life Online & Attention As A 21st Century Literacy

Besproken in de podcast als een van Ellul's belangrijkste werken over techniek en de technologische samenleving.

15 snips

Jacques Ellul

Mentioned by

Josh White

while discussing the negative impacts of modern civilization.

12 snips

We Are What We Love

Mentioned by

Josh Neal

in the context of his critique of technology and its impact on society.

Episode 1192: Anti-Conspiracy Activist's Self-Interested Motivations w/ Josh Neal

Mentioned by

Simon Kennedy

, referencing Ellul's concept of technique as a way of seeing everything through the lens of self-interest.

Christopher Watkin - Technology, Identity and Grace

Mentioned by

John Stonestreet

when discussing the belief in technique to solve all problems.

Trump's IVF Policy, a New Statement on Superintelligence, and the NBA Betting Scandal

Mentioned by

L.M. Sacasas

in relation to how our society is ordered for technique.

#6. L.M. Sacasas on Ivan Illich, Technopoly, and Human Flourishing

Mentioned by Jacob Marquez-Rollison as a book exploring the pervasive influence of technique in modern society.

Jacob Marques-Rollison / The Two Sides of Jacques Ellul’s Work

Mentioned by

Lee C. Camp

when discussing technique and its effects on community and relationships.

The Subtext: When Artists Fund the Military

Mentioned by

David Zahl

when defining technique as the obsession with streamlining everything under the sun.

Against Self-Optimization by David Zahl

Mentioned by

Vern Poythress

as a book that explores idolatrous motifs in technology.

Science and Faith w/ Vern Poythress

Impacted the speaker's views on technology, who warned that technology no longer serves human needs.

The Gary Null Show 5.28.25

Aangehaald door

Kick Bras

als het boek van Jacques Ellul, waarmee Thomas Merton het erg eens was.

Thomas Merton en de natuur

Impacted

Paul Hoffman

’s views on technique, efficiency, and the marginalization of human values in technological advancement.

AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep, with Paul Hoffman

Mentioned by Josh Pauling, using the term "technological society" to describe a society shaped by technology.

Robin Phillips and Joshua Pauling, "Are We All Cyborgs Now?: Reclaiming Our Humanity from the Machine" (Basilian Media, 2024)

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