Zak Stein joins me in a constructive discussion about our respective projects to reconstruct value after postmodernism. Having talked to Zak about his work with David J Temple, this time he responds to my work in the first volume of the Evolution of Meaning Series. Here we explore in greater detail his concerns about projects that would situate human cultural evolution within the broader cosmic evolutionary process more generally. How do we avoid reducing the human in the process? How do we properly understand what uniquely delineates human cultural processes from animal ones? What is the proper role of science in all of this?0:00 Introduction2:24 Irreducible Humanity: Continuity and Discontinuity15:34 The Role of the Philosopher: Translating the Sciences for Human Meaning20:34 Situating the Insights of Modern Science: Integrating Postmodern Critiques35:46 Interior vs. Exterior Accounts29:37 Metaphysics and Methodology: Religion or Radical Empiricism?41:58 Intersubjectivity and Universal Pragmatics1:04:30 Science after Postmodernism To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

On Saturday, January 18, Sky Meadow Institute hosted a virtual meet-up and open Q&A with Tim Freke, author of Soul Story and a leading thinker in the emergent spirituality space. For more upcoming events, check out skymeadowinstitute.org To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

Layman and I dig into the distinctions between similar terms like "nature," "natural," "naturalization," and "natural order" in an effort to better realize the relevant shades of the biosphere.0:00 Introduction2:56 'Nature' vs.19:36 'Natural' vs. 40:41 'Naturalization' vs.1:08:39 'Natural Order' vs...1:25:03 Conclusion To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

I continue my discussion with Layman Pascal about the role of the human in/as/and for the biosphere. After an elegant summary and recap of the topic so far, Layman offers thoughts on specific roles and projects that might be undetaken through collective action to traverse along the negentropic course of the "ecodrome." We chat economics, ideology, ethics, and religion, and also tackle the question of biosphereic consciousness. 0:00 Introduction2:03 Layman's Recap: Sacred Naturalism and the "Ecodrome"18:26 Gaian Demography I: Eco-Heirophants23:30 Civics: Green Mobilization Efforts25:52 Economics: Negentropy as Currency35:03 Ideology: A Post-Neoliberal Spirit of Eco-Cultus43:59 Lower- to Mid-Scale Enaction47:49 The Ethics of Biosphere Extension and Reproduction1:03:53 Gaian Demography II: Roles and Tribes1:21:42 Waking Gaia1:34:44 Religion: A Planetary Devotion1:40:20 Looking Ahead To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

In the first of a series of discussions, Layman Pascal offers his thoughts on the role of humanity in the biosphere. What new ways are there for appreciating our place on/as the planet and in/as the cosmos? Here we focus primarily on the role of the individual in biospheric processes. How do religion-like activities and sensibilities serve ecological viability and flourishing? How can this vision unite various approaches to value and knowledge in the 21st century? Timeline:0:00 Introduction 3:16 The Role of the Human in, for, and as the Biosphere 7:48 A Biophilic Universe 14:51 A Comprehensive Story for Our Time 23:30 Nurturing Nature 27:28 Minds and Societies as Systems of Gaia 38:42 Contingency and Teleology, Problems and Progress 44:22 Religionizing Eco-Consciousness: Promise and Pathology 1:04:09 Psychotechnologies and the Biosphere 1:14:08 The Center of the Mandala 1:20:38 Moving out of Flatland To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

Following the publication of the first issue of Metamodern Theory & Praxis, a new, anti-disciplinary journal dedicated to movements in metamodern thought, we will be inviting the various contributors for some discussion about their work.Here, Jared Morningstar joins us to talk about his piece A Metamodern Paradigm for Islamic Studies Scholarship: Evaluating and Extending Shahab Ahmed's Theorization of Islam and the Islamic.You can read this and the other works in issue 1 here: https://sts.williams.edu/metamodern/v1i1/. To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

James Cussen of @TheLivingPhilosophy joins me to discuss his probing 6-part critique of what "metamodernism" really is. We go deep into the strands of metamodern theory and discourse to debate the relative merits and demerits of various approaches to the topic. Along the way, we both explore various ways to clarify and nuance topics and ideas core to various metamodern projects.0:00 Introduction (and Name Change)3:29 Pulling the Thread8:23 Trend, Period, Episteme, Logic?26:35 The Problems of Stage Theories56:37 Who's Afraid of 'Postmodernism'?1:14:37 What the Hell is 'Modernity'?1:36:24 Culture and Complexity1:59:25 Telling the Story of our Stories You can read James's critique here: https://www.thelivingphilosophy.com/p/metamodernism-critique-introduction To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

Jim Palmer joins me to talk about his work in "deconstructionology." After sharing a bit of his story, which includes movement from mega-church pastor to questioning Christian seeker to deconstructioning writer, Jim talks to me a bit about his ideas of engaging religion generally and Christianity specifically beyond superficial either/or thinking.How do we move past simple binaries of theism/atheism, for example, or different kinds of ideology? What container is expansive enough to hold religious questioning without simply leading to a) a lateral move or b) unmoored relativism?Timestamps:What might a God on the other side of deconstruction look like? 0:00Introduction 1:36Jim's Story 14:04Deconstruction Therapeutics 23:44Metamodernism and Reconstruction 30:56Towards Existential Health 36:29Between Binaries 52:41A Truly Human Jesus, and a Truly Divine Humanity 1:01:09Liberating Knowledge 1:05:38A God on the Other Side of Deconstruction Jim's Substack can be found here: https://jimpalmerauthor.substack.com/ To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm and I announce the launch of the new academic journal for metamodern studies: Metamodern Theory & Praxis. The journal is open access and free to read online here: https://sts.williams.edu/metamodern/v1i1/ Print versions are also available for purchase. To hear more, visit brendangrahamdempsey.substack.com

Layman Pascal, a collaborator focused on metamodern politics, shares his insights on the tumultuous political landscape following the recent election. He discusses how to approach the complexities of differing political views without blame and emphasizes valuing nonrational collective intelligence. Pascal critiques the Democratic Left and questions the traditional notions of revolution. The conversation delves into the emotional fallout of election results and the importance of diversifying media consumption to foster a more open discourse.