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Paul Kingsnorth

Author and commentator focused on technology, culture, and ecology; author of Against the Machine and founder of The Abbey of Misrule, speaking about the 'machine' and spiritual responses to modernity.

Top 10 podcasts with Paul Kingsnorth

Ranked by the Snipd community
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162 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 57min

How We Lost Ourselves to Technology—and How We Can Come Back

In this enlightening discussion, author and commentator Paul Kingsnorth delves into the concept of 'the Machine'—a rationalistic worldview that detaches us from our roots and spirituality. He argues that our modern anxiety stems not from technology itself but from a deeper existential crisis. Paul shares his personal journey of moving to rural Ireland to live authentically, and offers insights from his book, *Against the Machine*, advocating for community, meaningful relationships, and a rebellion against the disconnection of modern life.
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115 snips
Dec 26, 2024 • 51min

Against Christian Civilization | 2024 Erasmus Lecture Presented by Paul Kingsnorth

In this engaging talk, Paul Kingsnorth, a distinguished novelist and essayist, shares profound insights from his 2024 Erasmus Lecture. He reflects on cultural loss and personal trauma, drawing from a visit to Little Bighorn. Kingsnorth discusses the displacement of Native Americans and the struggle to retain identity amidst cultural erasure. He critiques the decline of Christianity in Western society, contrasting true Christian values with today's materialism. Ultimately, he advocates for transformation through repentance and a return to love as the heart of Christian civilization.
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87 snips
Dec 26, 2023 • 1h 26min

S1 E09. Paul Kingsnorth & Martin Shaw: A poet and mythologist convert

Renowned poet and author Paul Kingsnorth and mythologist Martin Shaw discuss their unexpected conversions to Christianity. They explore their journey from mythology and storytelling to their newfound faith. The speakers also discuss their connection to nature, disillusionment with the mainstream environmental movement, and desire for a deeper connection with the natural world. Martin Shaw shares his love for storytelling and the power of words. They reflect on their childhood engagement with storytelling, the unique aspects of the Sermon on the Mount, and the influence of C.S. Lewis on their thinking. Finally, they delve into the significance of personal encounters with a higher power and the shift from individualistic Christianity to understanding oneself as part of a larger story.
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81 snips
Jan 12, 2025 • 59min

375 - Paul Kingsnorth - Western Civilization Is Already Dead

Paul Kingsnorth, an author and speaker known for his critical take on Western civilization, dives deep into the tensions between Christianity and culture. He challenges the notion of using faith as a mere tool for cultural preservation, questioning if Western civilization is still salvageable. Kingsnorth also explores the contradictions of living Christian values in a materialistic society, while advocating for a return to foundational storytelling to rekindle civilizational identity. He critically examines the implications of Western culture on a global scale, urging a reevaluation of modern values.
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60 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 50min

‘This Is the War Against Human Nature’

Paul Kingsnorth, a novelist and environmental activist, shares his thoughts on the dark side of technology and its impact on human nature. He defines 'the machine' as a system reshaping our culture, linking it to ecological crises and spiritual alienation. Kingsnorth critiques green tech solutions and advocates for a return to community values through the 'four Ps': people, place, prayer, and the past. He explores themes of technological dehumanization, portrays the internet as a spiritual threat, and discusses the profound choices faced in his novel, Alexandria.
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60 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 1min

Paul Kingsnorth on the Dark Powers Behind AI

In a thought-provoking dialogue, Paul Kingsnorth, a novelist and essayist known for his journey from neo-paganism to Orthodox Christianity, explores the unsettling implications of AI. He argues that technology isn't simply a tool but may serve darker spiritual forces. Kingsnorth discusses how our obsession with screens and selfhood can trap humanity, likening the internet to a giant Ouija board. He urges listeners to reconsider technology's role and warns against the spiritual risks it poses, advocating for a more cautious, community-oriented approach.
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48 snips
Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 23min

The Story of Someone Who Changed His Mind

Paul Kingsnorth, a writer and former leading environmentalist, shares his transformative journey from radical activism to a simpler, faith-driven lifestyle in rural Ireland. He critiques the modern Green Movement's shift toward commercial interests, emphasizing the spiritual loss embedded in technological progress. Kingsnorth discusses the challenge of navigating contemporary life, advocating for a return to community and nature. He explores the implications of secular ideologies on identity, while seeking hope and meaning in a rapidly changing world.
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43 snips
Aug 7, 2024 • 56min

The Collapse of the Human Empire - Paul Kingsnorth | Maiden Mother Matriarch 102

Paul Kingsnorth, an author known for 'Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist' and contributions to The Abbey of Misrule, shares his transformative journey from radical environmentalism to Orthodox Christianity. He discusses the contradictions in modern ideologies and the spiritual crisis that underpins political and environmental challenges. The conversation dives into modernity's limits, the relationship between declining birth rates and wealth, and the impact of technology on society. Kingsnorth critiques how environmentalism can inadvertently exacerbate class divisions.
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38 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 23min

Paul Kingsnorth: How to fight the Machine

In a captivating conversation, Paul Kingsnorth, a seasoned writer and former editor of The Ecologist, delves into the themes of his new book, Against the Machine. He critiques the dehumanizing grip of modernity and likens AI to the 'Antichrist.' Kingsnorth advocates for a radical rethink of cultural values, suggesting we let the contemporary West collapse to foster human-centric societies. He champions a thoughtful resistance to technology, emphasizes the need to protect childhood from screens, and explores the spiritual dimensions of our digital lives.
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38 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 54min

Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity | Paul Kingsnorth

In this engaging conversation, Paul Kingsnorth, a novelist and former environmental activist, discusses his spiritual journey from activism to Orthodox Christianity. He critiques our mechanized worldview and the rise of AI as a false God that may lead us to cultural decline. Kingsnorth reflects on the apocalyptic nature of our times, highlighting how traditional pillars of culture have been replaced. He offers practical responses for rebuilding local culture and setting tech boundaries to help reclaim our humanity.

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