Minds as Machines: The Power of Metaphor

1min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Metaphors shape our understanding of complex concepts such as the mind and body, with historical references linking human functioning to technology. The Industrial Revolution prompted the view of humans as machines, while modern perspectives often liken the mind to a computer. This evolution in metaphor influences our self-perception and worldview, emphasizing how language and cultural context guide our interpretations of human experience and cognitive processes.

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).

Support the show