released 7/1/1999

Erik Davis describes his research on how humans’ fascination with technology — and particularly information technology — is permeated with “mythic energy” and gnostic aspirations. Davis notes that throughout modern history, tech-enthusiasts have displayed an almost religious imagination in the language they use to describe technological possibilities and utopias. Along with these esoteric impulses, there is often a gnostic theme of escaping corporeal limits. Davis is concerned about the real-world effects of seeing increasing technological progress as our human destiny; he argues that we ignore the vast ecological and social consequences of pursuing a high-tech civilization to our peril. He is the author of TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information (Harmony, 1998). This interview was originally featured on Volume 38 of the Journal.

11 minutes

PREVIEW

The player for the full version of this Feature is only available to current members. If you have an active membership, log in here. If you’d like to become a member — with access to all our audio programs — sign up here.

Related reading and listening