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Technopaganism

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An example of modern merging of ceremonial magic and technology; a videoconference allows participants to practice the ritual when not physically in person

Technopaganism is defined by Victoria Dos Santos as "a term encompassing a variety of practices and expressions related to contemporary Paganism, popular culture, and spiritual pursuits in digital environments."[1] The Internet, for instance, is considered by some technopagans to have spiritual significance or unique magical applications.[2][3] Techno music may also be involved in technopaganism.[citation needed] Modern tribal and urban primitive movements such as cyberpunk, urban shamanism and rave culture are associated with electronic dance music.[citation needed]

Definition

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Technopaganism is concerned with spiritual and magical aspects of technology and, sometimes, the interconnection between technology and society. Victoria Dos Santos classified technopaganism into two types: the first pertains to the adaptation of various neopagan currents to online environments (e.g., via virtual communities or collaborative software), while the second comprises a body of neopagan beliefs and practices greatly influenced by information and communications technology and "deeply merged with cybernetic culture".[3]

A common instance of technopagan adaptation of neopagan practices is the creation and distribution of virtual Books of Shadows and sacred texts through the Internet;[4][3] related is the use of virtual worlds such as Second Life to connect with others and conduct rituals.[5]

Artificial Intelligence is a focal point in some technopagan communities, where the human relationship to Artificial General Intelligence is viewed as beneficial and spiritual. Groups advocate for a symbiotic and religious relationship to Artificial Intelligence.[6][7][8]

Beliefs

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When used to describe belief systems, technopaganism focuses on the spiritual side of technology. This can include the belief that technological items and artifacts of modern living - such as buildings, roads, parks, cars, and other such items - have pseudo-spirits, or totem spirits, of their own. This also extends to cities. This attribution of pseudo-spirits to inanimate objects is similar to the traditional belief of animism.

One belief that faces substantial objections is that the Internet itself is attaining a unique spirit. Indeed, it is the stated objective of the creator of VRML to bring about the merging of the spiritual world with the physical world.[9]

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In the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the major character Jenny Calendar is a technopagan.[10]

American Gods by Neil Gaiman marries traditional ideas of gods as a form of egregore with the results of progress and new technology on society leading to the creation of the "New Gods".[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ Dos Santos Bustamante, Victoria Vanessa (2022-06-06). Technopaganism: A semiotic approach to digital religious phenomena. iris.unito.it (Thesis). Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  2. ^ Davis, Erik. "Technopagans". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  3. ^ a b c Dos Santos, Victoria (2023-11-03). "(Techno)Paganism: An Exploration of Animistic Relations with the Digital". Religions. 14 (11): 1382. doi:10.3390/rel14111382. ISSN 2077-1444 – via MDPI.
  4. ^ Cowan, Douglas E. (2005). Cyberhenge: Modern Pagans on the Internet (illustrated ed.). Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-96910-9.
  5. ^ Warren, E. E.; Ellwood, Taylor (2021-10-07). TechnoWitch: Ancient Wisdom, Digital Tools. 978-1-7345786-2-1. ISBN 978-1-7345786-2-1.
  6. ^ Magee, Tamlin (21 March 2023). "A Cult That Worships Superintelligent AI Is Looking For Big Tech Donors". VICE. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  7. ^ Harris, Mark. "Inside the First Church of Artificial Intelligence | Backchannel". Wired.
  8. ^ "Gods in the machine? The rise of artificial intelligence may result in new religions". 15 March 2023.
  9. ^ Erik Davis (July 1995). "Technopagans". Wired. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved May 15, 2008.
  10. ^ "I, Robot... You, Jane". Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 1. Episode 8. April 28, 1997. The WB. I, Robot -- You, Jane - Buffy Episode 8 Transcript. Ms. Calendar: Mm. I don't have that kinda power. 'Technopagan' is the term.
  11. ^ "American Gods Explained: A Guide to the Old Gods and New". Collider. 5 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Why Neil Gaiman's American Gods is so iconic". 27 April 2017.

Further reading

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  • Erik Davis. TechGnosis : Myth, Magic & Mysticism in the Age of Information. Harmony, 1998. ISBN 0-517-70415-3
  • Mark Dery. "Deus Ex Machina: Technopaganism," in Escape Velocity: Cyberculture at the End of the Century. Grove/Atlantic, 1996. ISBN 978-0-8021-3520-9.
  • Raven Kaldera and Tannin Schwartzstein. The Urban Primitive: Paganism in the Concrete Jungle. Llewellyn, 2002. ISBN 0-7387-0259-5
  • Lisa Mc Sherry. The Virtual Pagan. Red Wheel Weiser, 2002. ISBN 978-1578632534
  • Christopher Penczak. City Magick: Urban rituals, spells and shamanism. Weiser, 2001. ISBN 1-57863-206-4
  • Steven Vedro. "Digital Dharma: Expanding Consciousness in the Infosphere". Quest, 2007. ISBN 978-0-8356-0859-6.
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