We Are Not Saved

Transcript: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatchesendofworld/2023/10/would-you-wager-on-pascals-mugging/ Imagine that someone walks up to you and demands all your money. If you fail to comply they threaten to kill all the inhabitants of some far off planet. How would you react? And is this similar to Pascal's Wager?

The podcast discusses the choices people make regarding beliefs in God and immortality, including atheism, apathy, and transhumanism. It explores the benefits of religious belief on mental health and the health benefits of regular attendance in communal worship. The advantages of religion and transhumanism are compared, as well as the pros and cons of atheism and transhumanism. Supporting religious podcasts through donations is emphasized.

Transcript: https://www.wearenotsaved.com/p/ai-risk-might-be-more-subtle-than Depressed people are more prone to addiction. If social media engagement looks a lot like addiction, does that mean algorithms for increasing engagement also increase depression?

Transcript: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatchesendofworld/2023/09/the-greatest-three-nephites-story-ever-told/ It is believed that, during his mortal ministry, Jesus granted immortality to three of His American apostles. Known as the Three Nephites they now wander the Earth until His return, doing good. This has lead to many stories of miraculous assistance. This is the greatest of all those stories.

Transcript: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatchesendofworld/2023/09/faith-ufos-the-supernatural-and-transistor-radios/ Why are many people so willing to believe evidence of UFOs and Aliens, and so unwilling to believe evidence for God?

Transcript: https://www.wearenotsaved.com/p/speculative-attempts-to-complicate When things aren't going well, those in power will sometimes introduce some speculative chaos in the hopes that what emerges on the other side will be better. It mostly doesn't work.

Transcript: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatchesendofworld/2023/09/the-thickness-of-the-world/ In the book Till We Have Faces by CS Lewis there is a scene where the King is arguing with a priest about what seems to be an unreasonable demand from one of the gods. The priest says something profound, something I'm still trying to wrap my head around. This episode is an effort to do just that.

The World Beyond Your Head: On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction by: Matthew B. Crawford Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by: Oliver Burkeman Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future by: Jean M. Twenge When Violence Is the Answer: Learning How to Do What It Takes When Your Life Is at Stake by: Tim Larkin Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution by: Tucker Carlson Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by: Gino Wickman One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by: B. J. Novak Animal Farm by: George Orwell Slaughter-House Five (Graphic Novel) by: Kurt Vonnegut and Ryan North Children of the Mind (The Ender Saga, 4) by: Orson Scott Card Chariots of the Gods by: Erich von Däniken

The podcast discusses the misconception that the apocalypse will be exciting and lethal, emphasizing the messy and miserable aspects of the aftermath. It also explores the resilience of life on Earth, the possibility of life spreading to other planets, and the realities of apocalyptic events. Lastly, it delves into the difficult and desperate aftermath of a war, criticizing idealized portrayals in fiction.

Transcript: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatchesendofworld/2023/08/does-technology-encourage-virtue/ Last week we looked at how technology appears to multiple our temptations, but what does it do to our better impulses. If we move from considering the Deadly Sins to the Capital Virtues does technology undermine our efforts or assist us?