The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 607 - John Murray Spear and His Machine
Nov 7, 2023
Comedians Gareth Reynolds and Dave Anthony explore John Murray Spear and his controversial life and beliefs. They discuss his unique apprenticeship experiences, the creation of the controversial Hangman game, his involvement in spiritualism, his mission to build a robot baby god, and his excavation project in search of a lost race of humans.
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From Reformer To Spiritual Conduit
- John Murray Spear combined genuine social reform work with emergent spiritualism, shifting from abolition/prison reform to mediumship.
- His early empathy and activism made spiritualism persuasive to followers who already trusted his moral authority.
Vision After A Beating
- After a beating and coma, Spear claimed visions and started attending seances, receiving messages from deceased loved ones and famous spirits.
- Those messages convinced him he was a divine instrument and launched his spiritualist career.
Technology Framed As Sacred Mission
- The spirits commanded Spear to build a "new motor": a perpetual, divinely powered machine to bring spiritual light and equality.
- The plan mixed electrical ideas with mystical rites, framing technology as a sacred instrument.