Transcendence Through Technology

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The concept of an 'Omega point' represents a predicted intelligence explosion, leading humanity to transcend physical limitations and achieve a divine form, essentially experiencing a resurrection. This idea closely relates to the notion of transhumanism, originally infused with religious meaning, notably derived from Dante, and further shaped by figures like Julian Huxley, who secularized it. The evolution of this thought highlights a lineage connecting early theological ideas to modern transhumanist and long-termist perspectives, illustrating a profound historical interplay between technology and spirituality.

Paris Marx is joined by Meghan O’Gieblyn to discuss parallels between transhumanism and Christian narratives of resurrection, despite the fact many transhumanists identify as staunch atheists.

Meghan O’Gieblyn is an advice columnist at Wired and the author of God, Human, Animal, Machine.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Meghan wrote about transhumanism and religion for n+1.
Paris wrote about the religion of techno-optimism in Disconnect.
Amy Kurzweil wrote about her father’s chatbot of his own father.
In China, AI “deathbots” are being used to help people grieve.
Richard Dawkins now identifies as a “cultural Christian” (not Catholic, as Paris mistakenly said in the episode).

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