KunstlerCast - Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century cover image

KunstlerCast - Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century

KunstlerCast 417 — Charles Hugh Smith, Progress and Anti-progress

Jan 18, 2025
In this discussion, Charles Hugh Smith, founder of the blog "Of Two Minds" and author of "The Mythology of Progress," delves into the deceptive nature of progress. He critiques the balance between technological advancements and their adverse effects on society and the environment. Smith argues that meaningful change often emerges from crises, not smooth transitions. He compares modern issues to the decline of the Ming dynasty, emphasizing the need for adaptable governance. The conversation reveals pressing concerns about healthcare, societal values, and the risks of blindly embracing technology.
01:04:57

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The mythology of progress can obscure the negative consequences of technological advancements, highlighting a contradiction in societal beliefs about progress.
  • Challenging the dominant narrative of technology as inherently beneficial often provokes hostility, revealing deeper societal anxieties about identity and security.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Progress and Anti-Progress

The discussion centers on the intertwined concepts of progress and anti-progress, emphasizing that while technology often symbolizes advancement, it can simultaneously generate negative outcomes. The speaker highlights the idea that the mythology of progress simplifies intricate realities, leading people to mistakenly believe that technological growth is inherently beneficial. Examples of anti-progress such as nuclear waste, processed foods, and the addictive nature of social media illustrate how advancements can have detrimental effects on society. This contradiction forces individuals to confront the uncomfortable truth that progress is not a linear path towards improvement.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode