God, Human, Animal, Machine

Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning

By: Meghan O'Gieblyn

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

A strikingly original exploration of what it might mean to be authentically human in the age of artificial intelligence, from the author of the critically-acclaimed Interior States. • "At times personal, at times philosophical, with a bracing mixture of openness and skepticism, it speaks thoughtfully and articulately to the most crucial issues awaiting our future." —Phillip Lopate

“[A] truly fantastic book.”—Ezra Klein

For most of human history the world was a magical and enchanted place ruled by forces beyond our understanding. The rise of science and Descartes's division of mind from world made materialism our ruling paradigm, in the process asking whether our own consciousness—i.e., souls—might be illusions. Now the inexorable rise of technology, with artificial intelligences that surpass our comprehension and control, and the spread of digital metaphors for self-understanding, the core questions of existence—identity, knowledge, the very nature and purpose of life itself—urgently require rethinking.

Meghan O'Gieblyn tackles this challenge with philosophical rigor, intellectual reach, essayistic verve, refreshing originality, and an ironic sense of contradiction. She draws deeply and sometimes humorously from her own personal experience as a formerly religious believer still haunted by questions of faith, and she serves as the best possible guide to navigating the territory we are all entering.

Fantastic

This book is a slow build with circular seeding of ideas throughout the chapters. The last couple of chapters are really amazing. Highly recommend.

Insightful and cleared eyed

Everything that’s old is new again. A comprehensive synthesis of religion and technology thinking that points to the blind spots in both systems. An uplifting ode to humanism.

Excellent Philosophical Exploration

Excellent exploration of the intricacies between theology and technology, and the metaphors and questions that apply to each. Will be listening again!

Brilliant insights and unique storytelling

O’Gieblyn provides a deep dive into consciousness, technology, spirituality and theology while maintaining a unique personal voice and original writing that expands both the mind and the heart.

Exploring what it means to be human

Woah! One of the most thought-provoking reads. It's deep and out there but so good. Exploring what it means to be human, the relationship between humans, technology and AI through the lens of religion and spirituality. Think humanity, transhumanism, uploading your mind to the cloud and the singularity... prompting questions about whether machines can possess a soul or consciousness. Aspects of data, patterns and how we are evolving. Highly recommend.