388 - Mary Harrington - Identity After Postmodernism

In this conversation with Mary Harrington, we explore how identity has evolved from the ancient idea of the soul to the concept of self and today how we talk and think about identity. We dive into how technology and AI shape this shift and why bringing back the soul might help us tackle modern challenges. We argue that purpose and hierarchy clarify identity in today’s mess of competing selves. We explore how swapping deep reading for digital scrolling shifts consciousness, how memes steer thought, and the nature of AI and its affects on culture.<br /><br />Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/TJnGDEAka7I<br /><br />Our conversation at ARC that prompted this: A philosophy of human identity in a digital age | Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Pageau, Mary Harrington:  https://youtu.be/oa-MK6l_hgE?si=86TQRbbDCrQdqb60<br /><br />SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS<br />Join me this April for the Symbolism Masterclass, a 6-week deep dive into the essentials of symbolic thinking. Over 18 immersive hours, I'll guide you through the framework behind everything I've explored in 500+ videos—from heaven and earth to dragons, fairies, kings, conspiracies, Darwin, the Bible, and beyond.<br /><br />🗓 Dates: Live classes every Wednesday at 1-4 PM Central /  2-5 PM Eastern time: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28<br />⏰ Class Length: 3 hours each session<br />💰 Cost: $175<br />👉 Register Today: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/symbolism-masterclass<br />‼️EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Use code MASTERCLASS1 at checkout to get 15% off from March 31 until April 7 - only valid for once-off purchases (cannot be combined with any other discount)‼️<br /><br />ORTHODOX ARTS FESTIVAL: Learn more here: https://www.orthodoxartsfestivaldfw.com/<br /><br />🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau <br /><br />🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe <br /><br />Our website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ <br />My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/