Many of us are coming to terms with the implications of AI, but what will this obligatory adaptation extort from us? We consider how our culture’s demand for belief in the promises of AI is the latest iteration of an ancient drama.

“I know now from the experience of others that The Book of the Law is veritably a Golden Bough. It is the only thing that one is allowed to take with one through Hades and it is an absolute passport.” The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: an Autohagiography, edited by J. Symonds & K. Grant (London: Arkana, 1989), p. 513.

The article that forms the basis of our discussion: Azadeh Joon (2025), “Psychosis Fueled by Generative AI are [sic] Tearing Families Apart as Some Claim Chatbots Represent Spiritual Higher Consciousness”, https://tinyurl.com/msechkx7 (substack.com). Accessed June, 2025.

South Wales teenage suicide cluster: https://tinyurl.com/mtm895b6 (wikipedia.com). Accessed June, 2025.

“Assisted Dying Bill”: legislation for legalised euthanasia currently processing through the UK Parliament, known officially as “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill”, https://tinyurl.com/35ajxxpt (parliament.uk). Accessed June, 2025.

The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick, edited by P. Jackson & J. Lethem (London: Gollancz, 2011).

Music: (Intro) "For Her Demon Lover" by OEITH; "Such Glowing Feedback" by OEITH; "Desolate Bethmoora" by OEITH; (Outro) "Becoming" by OEITH.

Curl up with Duncan's novel, The Going Down, published by Sul Books. (Available from all the places you'd expect.)

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Gentle + Humble | John Mark Comer

Church of the City New York

Outro

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