The Symbolic World

Christian Roy and I discuss Jacques Ellul’s theology of technique (technology) and the way modern systems turn power, efficiency, and mediation into ends in themselves. AI brings this crisis into focus, especially in our speech and relationships, but the deeper question is whether technology still serves a meaningful purpose —or whether we have begun to serve it. We also explore the Christian idea of non-power as a way beyond the logic of domination.

YouTube version: https://youtu.be/HH_vCnVDTdo

Christian’s book: Theology and Technique: https://www.amazon.ca/Theology-Technique-Jacques-Ellul/dp/1725259788

Join Dr. Zac Porcu for his course, A Demonological History of the World: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/a-demonological-history-of-the-world
6 weeks, 12 hours
Price: Only $120, and get 15% off through September 8, 2026 at 11:55PM ET!
Live classes: Sep 15 - Oct 20

Pre-Order GodsDog: Monk now and/or get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/collections/godsdog

🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com

🎧 Listen to and review The Symbolic World podcast:
-Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gI8bUwPtT3gkduHqNh6M5
-Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-symbolic-world/id1386867488

Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

Louise Perry is a British journalist, author, and host of the Maiden Mother Matriarch Podcast. She’s a columnist for the Wall Street Journal and has been described as a leading reactionary feminist. She interviewed me for us to discuss why progressivism became such a powerful cultural force, how the postwar story shaped modern politics and storytelling, and why fairy tales still preserve patterns that our culture has tried to flatten or subvert.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/HVRY6WP4hFA
Her website: https://www.louisemperry.co.uk/
Her X account: https://x.com/Louise_m_perry
Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin: ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠

Pre-order GodsDog 3 and get volumes 1 and 2 on sale! https://store.thesymbolicworld.com/
Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

In this conversation with artist Matt Rhodes, we explore Dead Gods, his epic comic set in the world before the biblical Flood. We talk about Nephilim, Watchers, ancient patriarchs, dragons, dinosaurs, and what civilization might look like when people live for centuries and Noah himself becomes a warrior at the end of the world.

Matt’s website: https://www.mattrhodesart.com/
His YouTube channel where you can follow the creation process: https://www.youtube.com/@mattrhodesart
Project trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP7ETbjN9yE
Support this project directly: https://www.patreon.com/MattRhodesArt

Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin: ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠

🔓 Become a patron to support us and unlock exclusive monthly symbolism content: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe
💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com

Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/
My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/

In this conversation with Jay Dyer, we look at predictive programming, propaganda, Hollywood, and the growing role of AI in shaping how we imagine the future. We also discuss technocracy, centralization, and why the most important response may be much closer to home: rebuilding strong families, parishes, and local communities.

YouTube version: https://youtu.be/qdMVVyxEL3k
Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin, taking place live this August and September. ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠

Website: thesymbolicworld.com
Timestamps:
00:00 – Coming up
01:31 – Introduction
03:32 – What Is Predictive Programming?
08:32 – Propaganda, Art, and Soft Power
14:48 – Hollywood and the Intelligence Agencies
18:03 – Preparing the Public for War
22:33 – Hollywood’s Revolutionary Narrative
28:58 – Globalism, Nationalism, and the Nation-State
31:50 – The Power of Invisible Institutions
36:39 – Why Dystopias Can Still Condition Us
43:07 – The Real Temptation of The Matrix
46:11 – Social Engineering Through Entertainment
49:01 – Why Promote Self-Destructive Narratives?
53:39 – Long-Term Planning and the Technocratic Vision
57:55 – Toward a Global Technocratic State
01:01:40 – Has AI Replaced the Old Narratives?
01:05:23 – AI and the Logic of Inevitability
01:10:47 – Technology, Power, and Centralization
01:13:11 – The Christian Alternative: Subsidiarity
01:17:35 – Conclusion

In this conversation with Josh Nadeau, we talk about art, beauty, symbolism, and the recovery of a Christian imagination. We explore why traditional art still speaks so powerfully, how beauty can reveal realities that arguments often cannot, and why the work of artists may matter more than ever in a fragmented world.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/mE1EMCxGuvI
Check out Josh Nadeau’s work:
Sword and Pencil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swordandpencil/
Every Day Saints Substack: https://substack.com/@everydaysaints
His books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DNX73MZC
Register now for the Universal History Masterclass hosted by Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin, taking place live this August and September. ⁠https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/universal-history-masterclass⁠
Our website: thesymbolicworld.com