s06e59 | The God-Shaped Machine, with New Polity's Marc Barnes
Feb 13, 2024
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Marc Barnes, a podcast host and writer from New Polity, joins the show to discuss technology, reality, and spirituality. The conversation covers the problems highlighted in 'The Anatomy of Melancholy,' the ambiguity of technology, the role of emojis in communication, reliance on technology in medicine, parallels between tyranny and technology, virtue signaling in consumer goods, the church's perspective on atheists, the significance of godparenting in Christianity, and a deep dive into the historical and societal factors shaping our understanding of gender.
Christianity is a response to God's self-revelation and not a pragmatic solution to abstract problems.
God allows individuals to choose their beliefs while respecting the freedom of others.
Liberalism, while offering certain goods, can also promote atomization and tyranny in society.
Society collectively contributes to the development of transgenderism, and individuals seek validation in a world with its own damaging consequences.
Deep dives
Religion as a response to God's self-revelation
Christianity is fundamentally different in that it is not a solution to an abstract problem but rather a response to God's self-revelation. It is not based on pragmatic results but on the truth of God's existence and love.
The freedom of belief and allowing others to choose
In Christianity, God does not force belief but allows individuals to choose for themselves. The example of Jesus' crucifixion shows the proper attitude towards others' beliefs, giving them the freedom to choose while not imposing one's own faith.
The limitations of liberalism
Liberalism relies on the good provided by Christianity while often promoting the atomization and loneliness that it aims to solve. The dominance of technocrats in our society leads to a kind of tyranny, where people are increasingly isolated, sick, and scared. While liberalism can have positive aspects, it also has limitations and potential for tyranny.
The pulsating nature of liberalism
Liberalism can manifest in different ways, sometimes acting tyrannical and other times offering freedom. It relies on the presence of certain goods and can fluctuate based on societal conditions and the actions of individuals.
The Influence of Liberalism on Gender and Technology
This podcast episode delves into the influence of liberalism on various aspects, including gender and technology. The speaker suggests that liberalism tends to assume the role of a source for goods such as freedom and rights. However, the speaker argues that true freedom and rights are inherent to human nature, granted by a higher power, and not bestowed by the state or the philosophy of liberalism. Furthermore, the episode explores how technology has been commodified and sold back to individuals, shaping their perception of freedom, order, and communication. The discussion also touches upon the role of God-parent relationships, highlighting how they reflect the spread of familial relations within Christian communities.
The Medicalization of Sex and Evolving Definitions of Gender
The podcast episode tackles the medicalization of sex and its impact on defining gender. It examines how the authority to define gender has shifted from social and cultural constructs to the domain of science and medicine. The influence of scientific knowledge and the increasing emphasis on biological aspects in determining gender are discussed. The conversation delves into the historical understanding of gender, from the ideal of the Virgin as a symbol of perfection to the role of doctors in shaping our concepts of gender. The episode also considers the societal effects of abortion, contraception, and moral practices in relation to transgenderism.
Society's Complicity in Shaping Gender Identity
This podcast episode explores how society as a whole plays a role in the development of transgenderism and gender identity. It delves into the influences, both economic and symbolic, that contribute to shaping one's understanding of gender. The discussion highlights that society's collective behavior, including acts of hatred, violence, neglect, and dismissal, all contribute to the world in which transgenderism makes sense to some individuals. It also examines how individuals look for healing and validation in a world filled with many sins and often resort to technologies that may have their own damaging consequences. The episode emphasizes that all individuals are complicit in creating the world in which transgenderism exists.
Marc Barnes from @NewPolityPodcast (whose series on Gender with Maria Brandell is superb) joins me to talk about the relation between technology, reality, and spirituality.
Marc's writing: https://newpolity.com/technology
New Polity's upcoming conference: http://newpolity.com/events/2024
New Polity's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NewPolityPodcast
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