Super Data Science: ML & AI Podcast with Jon Krohn

845: Tech is Our New Religion And It Needs Reformation, with Greg Epstein

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Dec 17, 2024

Greg Epstein, the Humanist chaplain at Harvard and MIT and author, probes the captivating intersection of technology and spirituality. He argues that technology has evolved into a modern belief system that demands a reformation. The discussion highlights how AI and tech culture mirror religious narratives, fostering blind faith akin to traditional religions. Epstein advocates for prioritizing genuine human connections over digital interactions while setting boundaries with technology. He presents tech agnosticism as a guiding philosophy for navigating these complexities.

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ADVICE

Finding Secular Community

Find connection and purpose through secular activities.
Join civic, arts, or political organizations.

INSIGHT

Social Media's Impact on Community

Social media has transformed how people connect, often replacing in-person religious communities.
This shift raises concerns about the quality and depth of these new digital connections.

ANECDOTE

The Humanist Hub Experience

Greg Epstein led a vibrant secular congregation called the Humanist Hub, offering talks, music, and discussions.
It fostered deep connections but required immense effort, leading him to shift his focus.

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What Matters Next

A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions

Kate O'Neill

In 'What Matters Next,' Kate O’Neill provides leaders with the tools to make strategic, human-centric tech decisions. The book emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the impact of technology while respecting human needs and values. It offers insights and strategies for gaining strategic clarity and making better choices in a world that is moving rapidly due to technological advancements.

Good Without God

What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe

Greg Epstein

In 'Good Without God,' Greg Epstein provides a world view for nonbelievers that emphasizes tolerance, community, morality, and goodness without the need for a higher being. The book is a response to the hostile and intolerant views of religion presented by authors like Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins. Epstein argues that humans can be good and live meaningful lives through Humanism, which includes building communities that meet the same needs as traditional religious communities, such as culture, literature, rituals, counseling, and community service. He also discusses the importance of art, nature, and personal connections in providing a sense of sacredness and fulfillment for nonbelievers[2][4][5].

Agnostic

A Spirited Manifesto

Lesley Hazleton

In 'Agnostic: A Spirited Manifesto', Lesley Hazleton argues for agnosticism as a robust and fulfilling philosophy that stands between atheism and traditional spirituality. She rejects the notion that agnosticism is merely a transitional state, instead presenting it as a way of life that celebrates doubt and the mysteries of the universe. Hazleton critiques both dogmatic atheism and traditional religious beliefs, advocating for a perspective that finds meaning and significance in the living of life itself, rather than in external or supernatural sources. The book includes thoughtful discussions on the role of doubt in science and the human experience, as well as a compelling argument on how the absence of an afterlife can give life its true meaning.

Tech Agnostic

How Technology Became the World's Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation

Greg Epstein

In 'Tech Agnostic', Greg Epstein argues that technology has surpassed religion as the central focus of modern life, influencing every aspect of society. He examines the beliefs, practices, and hierarchies of this 'tech religion' and advocates for a reformation that demands technology serve humanity rather than capital. Epstein emphasizes the importance of skepticism and agnosticism in evaluating the promises and risks of technological advancements, drawing on historical and personal contexts to illustrate the need for a more balanced and human-centered approach to technology[2][4][5].