LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “Passages I Highlighted in The Letters of J.R.R.Tolkien” by Ivan Vendrov
Jan 14, 2025
Ivan Vendrov, an author and Tolkien enthusiast, shares fascinating insights from J.R.R. Tolkien's letters. He discusses Tolkien's skepticism about machinery, emphasizing its potential for creating endless labor. Vendrov delves into the moral implications of power and the dangers of technological advancement. He explores the relationship between language and mythology, critiquing modern English as a limitation. The podcast also reflects on themes of love, war, and the complexities of human relationships, linked to Tolkien's rich narratives and philosophical insights.
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Machinery as a Path to Evil
- Tolkien believes machinery embodies the tragedy of attempting to actualize desire and create power in this world.
- This pursuit, he argues, leads to dissatisfaction and ultimately, horrifying evil, referencing Icarus and bombers.
Magic, Machines, and the Fall
- Tolkien links the Fall to our pursuit of power through external means like machines and magic, hindering inner development.
- He sees this desire for domination as the ultimate evil in his works, particularly embodied by the One Ring's externalized power.
The Corruption of Good Intentions
- Tolkien suggests that even seemingly good intentions, like benefiting the world, can be corrupted by the desire for control.
- He illustrates this with Gandalf, arguing a Ring-wielding Gandalf would be worse than Sauron due to self-righteousness.
