Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Faith

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Delving into the parallels between techno-optimism and religious belief, the chapter critiques faith-based rhetoric in tech circles and discusses how narratives of progress and transcendence through technology resonate as a contemporary religion. The conversation examines the comparison between technological narratives of immortality and salvation to religious eschatology, questioning the implications of prioritizing future advancements over current societal issues.

Paris Marx is joined by Meghan O’Gieblyn to discuss parallels between transhumanism and Christian narratives of resurrection, despite the fact many transhumanists identify as staunch atheists.

Meghan O’Gieblyn is an advice columnist at Wired and the author of God, Human, Animal, Machine.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Meghan wrote about transhumanism and religion for n+1.
Paris wrote about the religion of techno-optimism in Disconnect.
Amy Kurzweil wrote about her father’s chatbot of his own father.
In China, AI “deathbots” are being used to help people grieve.
Richard Dawkins now identifies as a “cultural Christian” (not Catholic, as Paris mistakenly said in the episode).

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