You Have Permission The Gospel of Self-Optimization (#349)
Sep 15, 2025
David Zahl, writer and director of Mockingbird Ministries, critiques self-optimization culture and its dehumanizing effects. He argues that our obsession with efficiency overlooks the profound complexity of life. The conversation dives into how wellness industries exploit our discontent and the difference between optimization and meaningful living. Zahl reflects on Jesus' inefficiency and how loneliness shapes our identities. They also connect cultural references, emphasizing that true growth flourishes through community rather than relentless self-improvement.
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Machine Language Dehumanizes Us
- David Zahl argues that machine metaphors for humans normalize dehumanizing efficiency as life's primary value.
- He warns that calling people "programmed" or "optimized" reduces relational and spiritual depth.
Personal Transition And The Need For Slowness
- Dan describes juggling life transitions: finishing doctoral work, renting an office, and kindergarten starting.
- He realized culture rarely grants time for organic adjustment during big life changes.
Jesus As An Anti-Efficiency Model
- Zahl notes Jesus' life contradicts a cultural obsession with efficiency and optimization.
- He sees Jesus' approach as valuing presence and encounter over hurried productivity.
