Honestly with Bari Weiss How We Lost Ourselves to Technology—and How We Can Come Back
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Nov 4, 2025 
In this enlightening discussion, author and commentator Paul Kingsnorth delves into the concept of 'the Machine'—a rationalistic worldview that detaches us from our roots and spirituality. He argues that our modern anxiety stems not from technology itself but from a deeper existential crisis. Paul shares his personal journey of moving to rural Ireland to live authentically, and offers insights from his book, *Against the Machine*, advocating for community, meaningful relationships, and a rebellion against the disconnection of modern life.
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Loss Of Place And Wonder
- Paul Kingsnorth argues modernity is replacing rich, place-based cultures with a straight-line, rationalized world.
- That loss creates a pervasive unease that can't be solved by superficial fixes like less screen time.
The Machine Is A Way Of Seeing
- The "Machine" is a way of seeing rooted in rationalism, science, and top-down control rather than merely technology.
- It rises in waves across history but now envelopes us through industrial, scientific, and digital revolutions.
Four Pillars Eroded By Modernity
- Kingsnorth frames traditional societies around four Ps: people, place, prayer, and the past.
- Modernity systematically uproots these pillars, producing rootlessness and cultural collapse.
