Reggie James

What did you explore in your residency?

The problem is that technology has been constructed from a predominantly post-modernist framework, with its values holding all the flaws of post-modernism. Crisis of representation. Relativism. Post-Materialism.

When we take it up to another level of abstraction, beyond even emerging philosophies such as effective accelerationism, we can see that modern technology has been a deeply secular project.

So the question becomes: what to make of our faith practices as it must wrestle with an accelerating environment?

For example: it can't be as simple as calling pornography sin. That is obvious and doesn't get at the root issue. Instead we must look to what the Bible says about our attention – "giving the first of our fruits". This is not a physical gift, but one of our awareness. Which is currently under constant stress and is typically given to our phones. And really our phone is just the mechanism, what we are really giving our attention to is the underlying network. Are humans, by their nature, network worshipers due to their own self-worship? Might this be the ultimate form of idolatry present since the fall?

It was this style of questioning that both set off interests and research. This led me to consume copious amounts of sermons, lectures, scriptures from the Bible, commentaries on those scriptures, and supporting texts from the majority of the residency. Which is to say, I was allowing the living word of God to minister me through this question, more than I was trying to come up with answers myself. I think this is what made my personal residency journey a little unique, and ultimately what shaped me during my time in the residency.

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Key insights and learnings

We do not take the consequences of original sin as seriously as we should - as we relate it to our contemporary / functioning world view. When we do, we can currently see (and at times foresee) how human efforts of renewal fall short. (additionally I might add, it helps us dismiss human efforts that have absolutely zero to do with renewal as wasted energy… simply increasing entropy) Why we are, seemingly, constantly frustrated with our environment. And why cognitive defenses to the environment are rapidly deteriorating as we "progress" in time.

Each one of these could be another booklet if given the proper time to research and focus.

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What's next?

I'm thinking about shopping the booklet around to publishers. Expanding on it / adding additional questions to answer. Additionally, it has led me towards a unique set of beliefs that may or not be the foundation for a new type of research institution. I'm still working through this though.

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Favorite memory from the Residency

Sitting with Alexia on the last full day of Symposium, in one of the offices, answering a string of questions about faith.

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How has Interact shaped your relationship to technology?

I'm not sure yet. I think it widened my aperture to not think solely through the lens of company formation. There are many wrappers that can leverage technology, build new technology, introduce new schools of thoughts - that aren't a company. This feels obvious, but also bubble popping for me personally.

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About Reggie

Reggie James is focusing on dignity in digital life. Co-author of HARDWARE 2024, designer, and former Eternal CEO, Reggie is exploring Reformed Theology as a lens for understanding the spiritual effects of our technological systems.

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Artifacts & Links