It's worth revisiting the Constitutional philosophy of separation of
church and state [0]. When technology became our new religion, it
prefigured the establishment of new churches. The five giant websites
that ministrate to all our earthly needs demand fresh Jeffersonian
ideas.
Y'know I thought that too, and even wrote a (I hope reasonably well
argued) piece on why people should not throw a religious mantle over
issues that can better be framed within rationalist secular ethics
[0]. But then I keep seeing more and more that scares me in people's
reactions to AI and what are clearly cult-like tendencies to submit
before the power of technology. The very conceit of "technological
determinism" [1] is already an abdication of reason. Check out
Techno-Theodicy, the relation between Silicon Valley, Cosmism and
transcendence, and the now old but very salient Andrew Kimbrell talk
on "Cold Evil" [2]. It always starts as " a stretch" and in the blink
of an eye it's "just accepted as the normal culture". I think it would
behove us well to at least recognise and address this.
Comments
It's worth revisiting the Constitutional philosophy of separation of church and state [0]. When technology became our new religion, it prefigured the establishment of new churches. The five giant websites that ministrate to all our earthly needs demand fresh Jeffersonian ideas.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state
That's a stretch, I don't see tech giants as religious vehicles.
Y'know I thought that too, and even wrote a (I hope reasonably well argued) piece on why people should not throw a religious mantle over issues that can better be framed within rationalist secular ethics [0]. But then I keep seeing more and more that scares me in people's reactions to AI and what are clearly cult-like tendencies to submit before the power of technology. The very conceit of "technological determinism" [1] is already an abdication of reason. Check out Techno-Theodicy, the relation between Silicon Valley, Cosmism and transcendence, and the now old but very salient Andrew Kimbrell talk on "Cold Evil" [2]. It always starts as " a stretch" and in the blink of an eye it's "just accepted as the normal culture". I think it would behove us well to at least recognise and address this.
[0] https://techwrongs.org/2023/03/06/microsoft-is-not-a-religio...
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_determinism
[2] https://centerforneweconomics.org/publications/cold-evil-tec...
This is an idea I haven't seen before, thanks for that. I'll be glad to read it.
Unfortunately, since it's new to me, I can't provide any kind of reasoned reply, other than to send my thanks and a nice day.
EDIT: That said, I'll also check out your podcast.
They do things like incorporate in ireland to not pay taxes and often have a cult of personality at the helm. Quacks like a duck and all.