Blizzard of the World

On the conclusion of To Live and Die in Technopolis, our inaugural series on technique, we ask a single question that'll get us going for 90 minutes, we insist that we're realists, not pessimists, we paint two very different portraits of two very different phenomena of the same name, and we get a bit excited there at the end.1. Introduction (0:50)2. "Continuation or Revolution?" through characteristics of technique (3:42)3. Four characteristics of pre-18th century technique (10:14)3.1 Only applied to limited fields, and to a limited number of fields;3.2 Economy of tools and means used;3.3 Spread limited in space and time;3.4 The possibility of choice.4. Seven characteristics of post-18th century technique (35:59)4.1 Rationality;4.2 Artificiality;4.3 An obligation to default to technique;4.4 Self-expanding;4.5 Unicity and indivisibility;4.6 Universalism;4.7 Autonomy.5. Conclusion (1:32:26)http://blizzardoftheworld.buzzsprout.comTwitter: @blizzardofworldEmail: blizzardoftheworld@gmail.com"Electric Blues" by Nikitsan MusicArtwork by PgeshanSupport the show

On the first part of To Live and Die in Technopolis, we meet a rare Frenchman who truly understands how the world works, we rail on science and reason for a little while, we get into a time machine to pump the tires of the Greeks and the Romans, and we wish the 19th century took a different turn. Welcome to Blizzard of the World!1. Introduction to the podcast and to Jacques Ellul (0:51)2. Definition of technique; its relation to science and to reason (26:50)2.1. Definition2.2. Science and technique2.3. Reason and technique3. Technique in history; points of reference (43:08)3.1. Ancient civilizations (Greece & Rome)3.2. Technique under a Christian Europe (4th to 14th century)3.3. A revival, a drought and the printing press (15th to 17th century)3.4. The technical revolution (18th and 19th century)4. Why did the technical revolution happen in the 19th century? (1:00:00)4.1. The simplistic answer in three factors: a) Science; b) Philosophy; c) The contemporary mindset.4.2. The complete answer in five factors: a) Accumulation of technical experience; b) Increase in population; c) Fertile economic grounds; d) Flexibility of the social milieu; e) Emergence of a clear technical mindset.5. Conclusion (1:30:43)http://blizzardoftheworld.buzzsprout.comTwitter: @blizzardofworldEmail: blizzardoftheworld@gmail.com"Electric Blues" by Nikitsan MusicArtwork by PgeshanSupport the show