The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens The Creature in the Machine | Frankly 120
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Jan 23, 2026 Knee surgery becomes a springboard for deep reflection on our physical existence versus the cognitive overload of modern life. The host explores the tension between gratitude for technological advances and the hidden costs they incur. He interweaves insights from Tolkien and Kingsnorth, highlighting humanity's struggle within an increasingly mechanical world. Current political dynamics and social fragmentation are examined, paired with a commitment to embodied practices like weightlifting to reclaim agency. Ultimately, it's an invitation to remain human in a rapidly abstracting society.
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Body Shocked Awake
- Nate Hagens describes waking with intense knee pain after surgery that refocused his attention on his physical body.
- He emphasizes rediscovering embodiment after years spent mostly in his mind and digital tools.
Books Read During Recovery
- Nate read The Fellowship of the Ring and Paul Kingsnorth's Against the Machine during recovery and found them spiritually linked.
- He connects Tolkien's hobbits and Kingsnorth's critique of civilization to the theme of life versus power.
Technology Is Magic With An Invoice
- Modern fossil-fueled technology reads like magic at scale, exemplified by a titanium knee replacement.
- That 'magic' carries an invoice of supply chains, waste, and hidden energetic costs.
