The Problem With Secular Architecture - Jonathan Pageau

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  • čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
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    - VIDEO NOTES
    Jonathan Pageau is a French Canadian icon carver, public speaker and CZcamsr exploring the symbolic patterns that underlie our experience of the world, how these patterns emerge and come together, manifesting in religion, art and in popular culture. He's also the editor of the Orthodox Arts Journal and host of the Symbolic World blog and podcast.
    - LINKS
    Jonathan's channel: ‪@JonathanPageau‬
    - TIMESTAMPS
    0:00 Why didn’t you want to come on the show?
    2:02 Doesn’t the Bible ban drawing God?
    8:05 The problem with the Sistine Chapel
    15:10 The problem of ugly modern buildings
    22:38 Does secularism cause ugly buildings?
    26:51 The problem of modern cities
    30:40 Why are religious buildings beautiful?
    35:26 “Progress” and trends in architecture
    43:27 Icons vs idols
    52:25 Why do people think you’re speaking “woo”?
    57:22 Where do you go for wisdom?
    - SPECIAL THANKS
    As always, I would like to direct extra gratitude to my top-tier patrons:
    John Early
    Dmitry C.
    Mouthy Buddha
    Solaf
    - CONNECT
    My Website/Blog: www.cosmicskeptic.com
    SOCIAL LINKS:
    Twitter: / cosmicskeptic
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    The Within Reason Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
    - CONTACT
    Business email: contact@cosmicskeptic.com
    Or send me something:
    Alex O'Connor
    Po Box 1610
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    ------------------------------------------

Komentáře • 1,4K

  • @theodorelocke1674
    @theodorelocke1674 Před 5 měsíci +854

    TIMESTAMPS
    0:00 - start
    59:03 - end

  • @renaud_gagne
    @renaud_gagne Před 5 měsíci +337

    I think this calls for part 2 with a deeper exploration.

    • @bigol7169
      @bigol7169 Před 5 měsíci +6

      It really doesn't

    • @Bookswinters
      @Bookswinters Před 5 měsíci +9

      I'm not super interested in hearing JPs fanfiction about how the world works. For example, to the unindoctrinated like myself it comes off as double speak for JP to complain about ubiquitous economic pressures ruining architecture. Because in the same breath he blames "leftists", who broadly define themselves as opposing the flows of economic pressure. If he actually spoke with a leftist it's likely many would support state sponsored beautiful public buildings like the cathedrals he speaks of...
      I'm sure he has some rationale that makes sense through his mental contortions if you're willing to follow his twisted logics. Same way he rationalizes "you shall not make a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" as meaning simply avoid representing God the Father. To a layman he's just special pleading. It would come off as more honest if he simply said "we don't think the second commandant still applies" or "we interpret it as meaning simply no idols".

    • @egonomics352
      @egonomics352 Před 5 měsíci +34

      @@Bookswintersyou do not know what you talk about.

    • @feliped2443
      @feliped2443 Před 5 měsíci +23

      @@Bookswinters One-dimensional take

    • @clorofilaazul
      @clorofilaazul Před 5 měsíci +3

      I hope Alex won’t ever invite this mediocre guy to his podcast.

  • @PaulVanderKlay
    @PaulVanderKlay Před 5 měsíci +289

    This went well! Kudos to you Alex for doing what others couldn't.

    • @06rtm
      @06rtm Před 5 měsíci +4

      It was brilliant

    • @baalstone675
      @baalstone675 Před 5 měsíci +5

      Hi Paul. Yes it was great.

  • @JoshWiniberg
    @JoshWiniberg Před 5 měsíci +533

    Pageau is such an intriguing and interesting guest. I've been thinking recently that my atheism is really a reaction against reductionist religiosity. When you find religious people with that deeper take, who are also dismissive of the "man in the sky" conception of god it does make me think there are forms of religious thinking I can really respect. It just seems like many modern religious types have an extremely unsophisticated interpretation on religion, and that often provokes an equally unsophisticated reaction from us atheists. A necessary reaction, in my view, but we would maybe do better to not only reduce ourselves to the same literalist interpretations as the people we oppose for holding precisely the same unrefined interpretation.

    • @youlig1
      @youlig1 Před 5 měsíci

      Yes, And also i think atheism itself is not a sufficient answer to the death of God. Atheism only provides criticism but no real alternatives. The only thing an atheist can rationally want is progress and "understanding the universe". But atheists can't give us the ultimate why... Religion basically states that God IS the ultimate why of the universe. God is the source and the way and the purpose of things. So by loosely defining it, it actually makes it more practicable for an actual human being. An atheist can't tell you the purpose of life whitout writing 50 philosophy books about it. Or an atheist can say: Who cares what the purpose is, just live in the here and now man.

    • @bradspitt3896
      @bradspitt3896 Před 5 měsíci +36

      The nature of subjectivity and identity made me understand religious thinking. That's Jonathan's bread and butter.

    • @bobwilkinsonguitar6142
      @bobwilkinsonguitar6142 Před 5 měsíci +25

      Thank you for this comment, it's an excellent insight

    • @blumousey
      @blumousey Před 5 měsíci +35

      Absolutely agree, Jonathan is a unique mind worth listening to.

    • @machtnichtsseimann
      @machtnichtsseimann Před 5 měsíci +44

      @JoshWiniberg - Thank you for your fair and honest comment. As a Theist/Christian, it has been very frustrating reading and watching comments and videos from Atheists who insist on caricatures of God ( man in the sky, flying spaghetti monster ) that come off as mere mockery. As much as I appreciated ( and miss ) Hitchens for strong, valid challenges, he also was lazy in going for cheap slam dunk insults instead of arguing in good faith. You sound like one who is for arguing in good faith, on both sides. I, too, have been frustrated by simplistic reasoning from fellow Christians, and it actually would bring tension upon myself when around Believers for asking uncomfortable questions. Then later in life it became unbearable to keep my questions to myself, so watching debate after debate has been helpful in my journey. Yes, there are much deeper Christian thinkers out there.
      I would say that Atheists reacting to unsophisticated thinking by Christians shouldn't bring a "necessary" reaction in kind from Atheists. Why not rise above it and do due diligence to investigate for oneself if such reactions from Atheists are warranted to the core and history of Christianity? Argue in good faith. I've consistently corrected fellow Christians when they reacted similarly to unsophisticated comments by Atheists with fleshing out stronger sophisticated reasoning on behalf of Atheists. Both sides, if you will, can do better. Partly why I watch Alex, for the respect he displays as well as striving for intellectual honesty in himself as well as his opponent.

  • @deadfr0g
    @deadfr0g Před 5 měsíci +670

    Yep, these here are load-bearing walls… but are they Lord-bearing walls? 🤨

  • @No5TypeK
    @No5TypeK Před 5 měsíci +231

    wow I never imagined in a million years that Jonathan would come on this podcast. I'm surprised.

    • @alekhinesgun9997
      @alekhinesgun9997 Před 5 měsíci +11

      He would what now...

    • @r3fus32d13
      @r3fus32d13 Před 5 měsíci

      he said t​hat he would cum on his podcast

    • @jeremybuckets
      @jeremybuckets Před 5 měsíci +3

      man english is so hard i can't imagine trying to learn it

    • @winterphilosophy3900
      @winterphilosophy3900 Před 5 měsíci +3

      ​@@jeremybucketsimagine trying to learn a second language 😂

    • @ACslater1
      @ACslater1 Před 5 měsíci

      ​@@alekhinesgun9997ayo chill shun

  • @mad-official
    @mad-official Před 5 měsíci +128

    This conversation flew by. I can't believe how much I enjoyed this. Hope you have him back on again.

  • @lelezz3118
    @lelezz3118 Před 5 měsíci +194

    As a first-time viewer of Alex, I am pleasantly surprised by his open-minded attitude in a dialogue about religion!

    • @Domesticated_Ape
      @Domesticated_Ape Před 5 měsíci +23

      He’s great 👍 You can tell he really wants to explore the ideas rather than just win points

    • @UltimateIrishRebel
      @UltimateIrishRebel Před 5 měsíci +26

      He's got a degree in Theology so if he wasn't willing to grapple with religious ideas he'd be in trouble!

    • @leegrant7333
      @leegrant7333 Před 5 měsíci +4

      yes...but get him with Dawkins and they cackle together

    • @ahmedozturk2723
      @ahmedozturk2723 Před 5 měsíci +7

      ​@@leegrant7333 You're deluded if you think Alex takes Dawkins seriously.

    • @unduloid
      @unduloid Před 5 měsíci +5

      I wouldn't call spending almost an hour complaining about brutalist architecture a "dialogue about religion."

  • @hearstboy
    @hearstboy Před 5 měsíci +201

    Is it just me, or did this conversation feel short? I was fascinated by the conversation, it was great, and could have listened to the two of you go at it for a few more hours. I think it's because you both came into this conversation with the intent to understand each other while still being genuine to yourselves.
    I've always been interested in imagery and symbols as a juxtaposition of aesthetics and meaning. I was particularly intrigued by the explanation of how one can justify judeo-christian iconography in light of the biblical commandment to not make such images.
    Thank you for this interview!

    • @Hailfire08
      @Hailfire08 Před 5 měsíci

      Same!

    • @boomguitarjared
      @boomguitarjared Před 5 měsíci

      Ryte?! I feel the same, ahnd it was rahd to see them flesh out the nuances of their different perspectives, ahnd even come to a consensus for the most part 👌🤘

    • @hippipdip
      @hippipdip Před 5 měsíci +4

      @@boomguitarjaredmy guess would be they agreed to a shorter discussion given J’s prior concerns. I thought it went rather well though, and would welcome a follow up.

    • @dionysis_
      @dionysis_ Před 5 měsíci +2

      For sure. I think they are testing the waters to see if it is going to be productive. It certainly was!

    • @SRose-vp6ew
      @SRose-vp6ew Před 5 měsíci

      I wrote this as a standalone comment, but it makes sense to answer your question. To quote the scripture he’s talking about, Exodus 20, first let me say you can see the objection is not to follow, serve, obey, or bow down and worship the object or the evil that some objects of the time represented. Also other gods are listed as demonic principalities that are associated with a few things, but start the rabbit trail with the seven deadly sins. Two of these sins that lead to hell being self pleasure and love of success often sought with the sacrifice of your own infant offering. Use google image to see Moloch sacrifice to better understand the carved bull/cow bowing down and other “god” worship, although some still sacrifice kids in hopes of greater success and The commandment still say this will be wrong.
      “And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods besides me.
      “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

  • @callunaherissonne662
    @callunaherissonne662 Před 5 měsíci +81

    Well, I for one am glad Jonathan reconsidered. Great conversation, thank you both.

  • @davidr2421
    @davidr2421 Před 5 měsíci +56

    I love the irony of having this conversation in front of the ubiquitous rectangular IKEA shelf-lamp

    • @brotherben4357
      @brotherben4357 Před 5 měsíci +5

      I love lamp

    • @camrobinson118
      @camrobinson118 Před 5 měsíci +1

      Lest we forget, and to answer Alex's question about "atheistic structures," the well attended and sacred space beneath the "Golden Arches."
      Ronald McDonald be praised and amen!

  • @joshmuehlendorf8153
    @joshmuehlendorf8153 Před 5 měsíci +43

    Wow Alex. Great job letting this episode happen. You had some questions cued up and placed them in the exact right spot. I’d bet $100 that you had dozens of questions but you had the wisdom to let them go and let the conversation take its own life. Well done!

  • @allisthemoist2244
    @allisthemoist2244 Před 5 měsíci +66

    It's crazy how positive the atmosphere is for these podcasts. Been hoping for this one

  • @HAMETE
    @HAMETE Před 5 měsíci +25

    I didn't know Jonathan and I found the conversation super interesting.

    • @ahmedozturk2723
      @ahmedozturk2723 Před 5 měsíci +10

      Recommend checking out his channel. It's good.

  • @alandiaz5184
    @alandiaz5184 Před 5 měsíci +27

    Big congrats Alex. This is one of the best interviews of Jonathan I have seen. Sad to see it end. Hope there is a part 2

  • @ThatJetstream
    @ThatJetstream Před 5 měsíci +110

    Absolute lad bringing on Pageau

  • @danielharri5245
    @danielharri5245 Před 5 měsíci +37

    Haha I met Alex in a spoons once in London and we chatted for about an hour almost exclusively on art and our favourite paintings. Think this is what he’s actually passionate about so glad to see him having talks on the topic. Found it interesting that his favourite painting is the prodigal son👀

  • @louismarx8269
    @louismarx8269 Před 5 měsíci +29

    Alex, please please please try and get Fr. Stephen DeYoung on your show, he's a friend of Pageau and has perspectives on religion (especially the Old Testament,) that I'm sure will be completely new to you. He has a podcast called 'Lord of Spirits' that you should check out.

  • @blondetapperware8289
    @blondetapperware8289 Před 5 měsíci +35

    Thanks for having Jonathan Pageau on! He's awesome. I'm always interested in hearing what he has to say.

  • @BeyondDentistry
    @BeyondDentistry Před 5 měsíci +78

    I just heard Jonathan mention this on Paul Vanderklay’s podcast; thank you for having this conversation with Jonathan. Alex, you should definitely talk to Paul if you are able.

  • @canonkeith5629
    @canonkeith5629 Před 5 měsíci +28

    This was an incredible conversation. Hope there is another one somewhere down the line 😊

  • @Popopopopopopipopipipip
    @Popopopopopopipopipipip Před 5 měsíci +16

    Great conversation. Alex, I am impressed by your willingness to listen to people who think differently to you. I think this conversation is a good example of how, often, someone who we think we will strongly disagree with is actually just thinking about things in a different way than ourselves, and it turns out that not only do we agree on many things but that we actually gain a lot from adopting their different perspective. I wonder have you heard of Daniel Schmachtenberger? If not, you should look him up. He's someone who I really think you should talk to.

  • @gracejh33
    @gracejh33 Před 5 měsíci +10

    A little surprised that Roger Scruton’s The Face of God and The Aesthetics of Architecture are neither mentioned here when discussing such a topic. All points covered in this conversation are beautifully elaborated in those two books.. Glad to see JP here with his usual open-mindedness and sincerity, binge watched many of his videos a couple of years ago, very interesting contents.

  • @Buttterscotch
    @Buttterscotch Před 5 měsíci +50

    Great conversation. As someone nearing the end of my architectural training I would add though that most of the qualms relating to contemporary architecture raised in the discussion are not really to do with secularisation or even aesthetic judgments by architects, more so the economic model architects operate within. Take the Walkie Talkie raised by Alex, the bulbous form is simply to maximise the area of lettable floor plates.
    Rem Koolhaas’ idea of “Typical Plan” and the skyscrapers that are ubiquitous with central business districts have more to do with economics than belief or lack of belief in God.
    When contemporary architecture is given the ‘space’ to be about people, atmosphere and landscape, and not profit or efficiency, we can find examples that are awe inspiring whilst still reflecting our modern sensibilities.
    Peter Zumthors work is an example. He’s designed many incredible chapels, churches, memorials and museums that are seminal works - what these buildings have in common with medieval cathedrals are wealthy patrons to bankroll them…

    • @Andrew-AJNES
      @Andrew-AJNES Před 5 měsíci +15

      This is the point Pageau was making. Economic concerns are not merely a limiting factor, but rather the ultimate.

    • @Bookswinters
      @Bookswinters Před 5 měsíci +5

      It comes off as a bit of double speak for JP to complain about ubiquitous economic pressure ruining architecture and at the same time blame "leftists", who generally define themselves as opposing the flows of economic pressure.
      I'm sure he has some rationale that makes sense through his mental contortions. Same way he rationalizes "you shall not make a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" as meaning simply avoid representing God the Father.

    • @egonomics352
      @egonomics352 Před 5 měsíci +11

      Except this "economic model" absolutely has to do with God or lack of God. Constructing the tallest structure in the center of city dedicated to ultimately...finance. Any pre-modern would understand that the people of that city are idolizing finance

    • @Fheflan11
      @Fheflan11 Před 5 měsíci +9

      As another architect-in-training, I have to disagree. A simple google search for the works of Peter Zumthors' works makes it clear they are, though better than most of the modernist profit boxes, lacking in its formal composition. And why is this? Because the founders of the modernist movement rejected beauty as even relevant to architecture and hence also formal composition. Many of my professors and teachers explicitly teach that beauty is not even relevant to architecture at all, and those who do not say it outright, act and talk as if it is. The "B-word" I've heard someone call it, for it should not be even uttered.
      The problem with contemporary archtiecture is that it is largely modernist, and the problem with modernism is the rejection of beauty and formal composition.

    • @acex222
      @acex222 Před 5 měsíci +2

      @@egonomics352 idolising finance? They need a building to work from. Making it look nice is secondary.

  • @maninironmask7925
    @maninironmask7925 Před 5 měsíci +13

    That was the best “where do you go for wisdom” response I’ve heard yet.

  • @calebirishi12
    @calebirishi12 Před 5 měsíci +30

    I'd like to see Alex have another dialogue with Jonathan to understand his religious view. I suspect Alex could clarify it (it can be abstract and hard to comprehend) and Alex may also find it interesting since I think it is very different from other religious people Alex has spoken with

    • @coreyander286
      @coreyander286 Před 5 měsíci +4

      At the end of the day Pageau does believe in an old man in the sky, despite his protestations, it's just that he adds a lot of philosophical-sounding word salad to justify believing in an old man in the sky. Search "jonathan pageau decoding the gurus".

    • @feliped2443
      @feliped2443 Před 5 měsíci +17

      @@coreyander286 Strawman

    • @larryjake7783
      @larryjake7783 Před 5 měsíci +7

      ​@@coreyander286 man you love straw-manning smh

    • @bradleyperry1735
      @bradleyperry1735 Před 4 měsíci

      @@coreyander286No.

    • @bradleyperry1735
      @bradleyperry1735 Před 4 měsíci +3

      He’s an Eastern Orthodox Christian. I think you might find a great deal of this sort of thinking there.

  • @soozofay1825
    @soozofay1825 Před 5 měsíci +23

    I think the implication that modern architecture is worse is based on the strange assumption that functional, everyday architecture should live up to the standard of a chapel that probably took decades to build. Not all old shit was stunningly beautiful, they had their own share of strictly functional buildings. If you expect everyday buildings to look like a gothic cathedral or a decadent palace, you're kind of asking to be disappointed imo.

    • @friendlybane
      @friendlybane Před 5 měsíci +7

      Completely agree.

    • @lampad4549
      @lampad4549 Před 5 měsíci +2

      Based comment

    • @bradspitt3896
      @bradspitt3896 Před 5 měsíci +11

      He never said that. First, the church does serve a function, and he would say the church should be the most beautiful thing.
      His point is that we don't care about anything that binds us universally, so the public buildings have been reduced to universal function. All we get is idiosyncratic "beauty" that sucks. Like the bean.
      The only thing that would bind us is entertainment, and barely. Look at the Vegas sphere.

    • @curmudgeon1933
      @curmudgeon1933 Před 5 měsíci +3

      @@bradspitt3896. It might be more helpful for the future of all people, if the buildings could be beautiful and functional, without having to adhere to one particular ideology. Whether church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or whatever, it does assume that everybody believe in the same idea of 'universality'. Beauty is subjective. Personally I find many religious buildings either austere, brutalist, 'overegged', or sickeningly gaudy...but that is just my opinion.
      The large investment of resources could surely be better utilized to be inclusive, rather than divisive. You've only got to look at Jerusalem to see that religious buildings have less to do with people's personal spiritual connection with existence, and more to do with political pissing contests, and power.

    • @bradspitt3896
      @bradspitt3896 Před 5 měsíci +3

      @@curmudgeon1933 If beauty is subjective to them how can we make it universal?

  • @winterphilosophy3900
    @winterphilosophy3900 Před 5 měsíci +1

    Fantastic conversation! I look forward to hearing you two talk again!

  • @YSLRD
    @YSLRD Před 5 měsíci +6

    Jonathan made me think about big picture societal relationships. If reproduction is essential to species survival, ( " Be fruitful and multiply...") respecting the wisdom of elders ("Honor your father and mother that it may be well with you ... ") and permitting them to share knowldege to be built on by following generations would be just as essential.
    Deconstruction is a survival threat.

  • @brunoserra4344
    @brunoserra4344 Před 5 měsíci +32

    Alex is rocking out of the park. Picking great choices to talk to. And they all seem quite content and entertained in the conversations, with 2 or 3 exceptions.
    You're being an awesome voice of discussion, Alex. Great job.

    • @hciuahwuiwa
      @hciuahwuiwa Před 5 měsíci +14

      lol one pretty big exception

    • @brunoserra4344
      @brunoserra4344 Před 5 měsíci

      @@hciuahwuiwa yes, one of them quite expressive kkkkkk

    • @MrSplonger
      @MrSplonger Před 5 měsíci

      Besides the obvious, which are the other exceptions?

    • @brunoserra4344
      @brunoserra4344 Před 5 měsíci +1

      @@MrSplonger stopping to think about it, I didn't remember one that had a guest arguably discontent. What I can recall coming close someway was the discussion with Shapiro, which although Ben seemed outwardly enthusiastic, it was clear in his contrived demeanor how shattering to his intellect Alex's part on it was.
      I saw Constantin personally displeased in some lines of questioning with him as well.
      And recently saw Alex himself getting visibly annoyed (but composed) by the obvious dishonesty and manipulation of a guest. That guest being the skeptic who was modified genetically.

  • @AFringedGentian
    @AFringedGentian Před 4 měsíci +1

    That was such a rich conversation. Alex, I sorely misjudged you- you really are a seeker. You brought out the best in Jonathan. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful conversation with us.

  • @m0rgentraum
    @m0rgentraum Před 5 měsíci +1

    I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation. Thanks Alex!

  • @suzanneforsyth9059
    @suzanneforsyth9059 Před 5 měsíci +4

    An exceptional conversation, thank you.

  • @D4n1t0o
    @D4n1t0o Před 5 měsíci +16

    37:46 - "People think they're engaging in progress, but what they're actually doing is engaging in fashion."
    👌💯

  • @KG-gv7qy
    @KG-gv7qy Před 5 měsíci +1

    Thanks for the wonderful interview Alex. It was insightful and eye opening to me.

  • @kronk2294
    @kronk2294 Před 5 měsíci +1

    This is a combo I didn’t see coming! Definitely saving to watch

  • @Suggsonbass
    @Suggsonbass Před 5 měsíci +58

    This is such a fascinating and refreshing change from the usual boring old atheism vs religion debates that illumintate nothing and only serve to further entrench already entrenched views

    • @Aaron-SLC
      @Aaron-SLC Před 5 měsíci +1

      exactly.

    • @mkm1015
      @mkm1015 Před 5 měsíci +2

      They are boring because religious people don't have any good answers and solutions to anything that is better than secular morality.

    • @Aaron-SLC
      @Aaron-SLC Před 5 měsíci

      boy are you stupid @@mkm1015

    • @coreyander286
      @coreyander286 Před 5 měsíci +3

      I don't think this interview did much to un-entrench Pageau's beliefs in literal demons, possession, and exorcism, except insofar as it sets a precedent for future conversations that go beyond his vague commentary about architecture.

    • @Suggsonbass
      @Suggsonbass Před 5 měsíci +3

      @@coreyander286 I don't think the point of the interview was to un-entrench Pageau's beliefs. Extremist beliefs aside, I don't know why anyone would want to do such a thing. Besides, it's a futile endeavour. Nothing's more effective at further entrenching someone's deeply held beliefs than the act of trying to un-entrench them.
      I found his comments very clear, especially regarding the distinction between idols and icons and the error of religiously minded people using quasi scientific discourse.
      It is possible to appreciate what he says without believing in god. We need more of that in today's world

  • @jessezandee9282
    @jessezandee9282 Před 5 měsíci +36

    Alex, I appreciate you having Jonathan on. Also, the questions you asked Dawkins were great. Keep it up.

  • @mikelion2743
    @mikelion2743 Před 5 měsíci +2

    Such a wonderful and insightful conversation.

  • @benry007
    @benry007 Před 4 měsíci +2

    Really enjoyed this conversation. No one was trying to score points or make the other person look bad. It was a pleasant listen and thought provoking.

  • @bradspitt3896
    @bradspitt3896 Před 5 měsíci +13

    A talk with Seraphim Hamilton will push you to your limits if you want an apologetics conversation with an Orthodox guy.

  • @reuben.l.murray
    @reuben.l.murray Před 5 měsíci +8

    Wow! Jonathan Pageu is really interesting. Great episode. Thank you Alex.👍🏻

  • @sanityscove8917
    @sanityscove8917 Před 5 měsíci +5

    I like Jonathan. Truly unique voice in many of today’s discussions. His comments on sexuality were great

  • @matthewslade6694
    @matthewslade6694 Před 5 měsíci +1

    That was actually very pleasant. I think you did a splendid job of facilitating the conversation and exploring a topic from your guests point of view.

  • @jakobdowney355
    @jakobdowney355 Před 5 měsíci +6

    A note on the pyramids. The great pyramid was originally capped in perfectly smooth limestone blocka to give a perfevtly polished finish. It takes up over 30 acres of land and is built to perfection and alligned to the celestial bodies to an awe inspiring degree. So it seems unfair to try and put the pyramids in same vane as skyscrapers ect.

  • @jcontraros
    @jcontraros Před 5 měsíci +5

    So happy Jonathan decided to do this interview! Alex is the best atheist to watch, he's honestly searching for Truth and it is refreshing.

  • @Mcphan9946
    @Mcphan9946 Před 5 měsíci +1

    I really enjoyed this conversation.

  • @darrenpenley9601
    @darrenpenley9601 Před 4 měsíci

    Love Jonathan Pageau. Thanks for having him on. Respectfully done and informative.

  • @Joefrenomics
    @Joefrenomics Před 5 měsíci +3

    Huh, this is definitely unexpected. I’m happy to see you guys conversing!

  • @RevolverOlver
    @RevolverOlver Před 5 měsíci +9

    I have been following you both for years so it's great to see you two together! I hope to see more of you two coming together like this!

  • @maxfunk5773
    @maxfunk5773 Před 5 měsíci +1

    The crossover I was not expecting but I'm so glad.

  • @JasenRobillard
    @JasenRobillard Před 5 měsíci +1

    Beyond expectations on all fronts. Well done both of you on a predictively deep, yet surprisingly intriguing exploration. Left me thinking about the implications of our social choice architecture and how we might improve it by applying some of the systemic, life pattern language of Christopher Alexander and others. I eagerly anticipate round 2.

  • @brunosm.l2267
    @brunosm.l2267 Před 5 měsíci +8

    19:25 It would be great to see another conversation of you guys and get more into detail and deep about some of Jonathan's ideas, more specifically about christianity. This was a great coversation but very general as well. There is the potential for more.
    Cheers

  • @Paraselene_Tao
    @Paraselene_Tao Před 5 měsíci +6

    Jonathan's way of thinking about worship, idols, and icons is a very different way of looking at them than I'm used to thinking about. Honestly, it's confusing me. It's like a different language with the same words.

    • @brando3342
      @brando3342 Před 4 měsíci

      @Paraselene_Tao One thing to keep in mind while listening to Jonathan is "fractals". Always imagine whatever he is talking about can be zoomed out to view it on a bigger scale, but have the pattern appear the same.

  • @dandare1001
    @dandare1001 Před 5 měsíci +1

    Well done for asking the correct questions, Alex. A good exposé.

  • @rachelbassett4942
    @rachelbassett4942 Před 5 měsíci

    Really enjoyed the conversation and what lovely interesting guest

  • @SirKneht
    @SirKneht Před 5 měsíci +26

    Wonderful job interviewing as always. I had no idea who Pageau was before this but found him to be very interesting and great at expressing his ideas. Thank you for this introduction Alex.

    • @coreyander286
      @coreyander286 Před 5 měsíci +1

      I haven't finished the interview, but if Pageau doesn't explain why he believes in demons and exorcisms before it's done, then I don't really think it was a great introduction to Pageau. I remember also hearing him describe Alex Jones as a shaman. (That was before the QAnon shaman became famous.)

    • @unduloid
      @unduloid Před 5 měsíci +1

      @@coreyander286
      Yeah, this discussion was pretty weak-sauce and disappointing.

    • @SirKneht
      @SirKneht Před 5 měsíci +3

      @coreander286 I was focusing more on the opinions expressed regarding primarily art and architecture (since that was the primary conversation), as such I don't expect someone to explain their fundamentals in this type of conversation. The things I think he could have explained more which would be more relevant would be specific Marxist ideology (like maybe a quote or specific line of reasoning) which lead to it causing people to be treated as robots. Even though I agree with him on that, I I don't actually understand why it happens.

    • @NathanPK
      @NathanPK Před 5 měsíci

      Consider something psychologically overwhelming, like an obsession with an idea or emotion. Someone who is captured by rage, responds to everything with anger. Or someone who is obsessed with how others see them to the point of madness. These obsessions are not unique, they recur at different times and with different people, because they are part of our psychology. The most infamous is the obsession with blaming others: anti-semitism, witch trials, etc.
      I think that’s something like a “demon.” Someone can be so captured by an idea or emotion that it takes over their rational faculties such that they respond as if that idea or emotion had “possessed” them.
      It’s a hypothesis.

    • @user-br6ve4lz6n
      @user-br6ve4lz6n Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@coreyander286 Pageau is effective in these sorts of discussions because he doesn't jump into the deep end with people who aren't there yet (something I fail at all the time). I think if future discussions happen they can go deeper, but it's hard to start talking about demons and principalities with someone who doesn't believe in the supernatural to begin with.

  • @user-ld4yi2ki5k
    @user-ld4yi2ki5k Před 5 měsíci +5

    13:50 If I may insert a minor points of subconscious importance: imagine a typical medieval peasant looking down at plants and rocks and hands and feet all day and then having the opportunity on whatever is the service to enter into a church with holy sounds and lights and scriptures and actually rest for a few hours and look up at those dazzling lights. That enough could induce a trance like religious state and someone overworked and always looking down

  • @WhiteStoneName
    @WhiteStoneName Před 5 měsíci +1

    This was excellent. Thanks, Alex.

  • @maninironmask7925
    @maninironmask7925 Před 5 měsíci +9

    I felt the same way about Paris’ Notre-Dame as you did about the Sistine Chapel. Even though I loved the experience, even went twice, but it was more of a touristic excursion. As soon as you walk through the doors they sell coins and stuff lol

  • @seantoal5261
    @seantoal5261 Před 5 měsíci +27

    One of your best podcasts yet, really getting to the bottom of things. Would be great to hear you two talk again!

    • @clorofilaazul
      @clorofilaazul Před 5 měsíci +1

      Why? This guy is so mediocre. He’s above average when it comes to Art knowledge and history. Most people really seem to know little about the art world…

  • @RykerMusic
    @RykerMusic Před 5 měsíci +11

    Probably the best conversation so far. Please keep bringing him in!

    • @coreyander286
      @coreyander286 Před 5 měsíci +2

      Next time Alex should ask Pageau what he thinks about demons and exorcism and Alex Jones.

    • @tombrown9679
      @tombrown9679 Před 5 měsíci

      @@coreyander286 That's what I can't shake. I consider Alex Jones to be an evil PoS. It should be bloody obvious to anyone that he is. A greedy liar, narcissist & a sociopath. I can't get over Jonathan making excuses for him. If I believed in demonic evil, I'd say that was demonically evil. And ugly in the extreme!

  • @nigelnyoni8265
    @nigelnyoni8265 Před 19 dny

    43:30 this whole segment about ordering a hierarcy of purpose so that things are serving a higher good, and are not the end in themselves, is brilliant!

  • @aaronclarke1434
    @aaronclarke1434 Před 5 měsíci +29

    Alex, DW has a whole documentary on how St. Peter’s was designed and made by a succession of architects and Popes. Well worth a watch.

  • @soggycheese8485
    @soggycheese8485 Před 5 měsíci +15

    Glad this conversation ended up happening

  • @geekexmachina
    @geekexmachina Před 5 měsíci +22

    I really enjoyed this it is quite clear that you attract in guests by meeting them where they are rather than forcing conversations, talking where there maybe commonality.

  • @el88997
    @el88997 Před 4 měsíci +2

    i could listen to jonathan for hours.

  • @rylewx
    @rylewx Před 4 měsíci

    Sensible and valuable discussion. Appreciate it!

  • @ArtemMalian
    @ArtemMalian Před 5 měsíci +8

    Lovely episode, I wish it were longer, would've loved you guys to go more into detail on some of those topics.

  • @westcoastramen
    @westcoastramen Před 5 měsíci +31

    I can appreciate Pageau's passion for religious iconography, art, and architecture. Still, as a former Christian turned agnostic, the conversation feels wanting when he doesn't just answer straightforwardly what God he believes in, why he believes in that specific God, and why anyone else should believe in it either.

    • @Wolfboy607
      @Wolfboy607 Před 5 měsíci +6

      Yep, not 2 minutes after saying how normally he dislikes such interviews as they consist of two people talking past each other, he immediately ignores and non-answers the very first prompt. I guess this is going to be something.

    • @Dioliolio
      @Dioliolio Před 5 měsíci +21

      Did you not listen to him at all? He clearly stated he’s uninterested in such a conversation. If you’re interested in his views go watch his videos.

    • @Fernando-ek8jp
      @Fernando-ek8jp Před 5 měsíci +17

      I mean, he did say he was Christian Eastern Ortodox, for one.
      For another, that wasn't the point of this conversation, this isn't Atheist Experience.
      That being said, I don't find it a particularly interesting discussion either.

    • @wingamwila4113
      @wingamwila4113 Před 5 měsíci

      @@Wolfboy607 It has gotten to the point that believers have carried upon themselves the burden of convicting others. It's like the believer should believe on behalf of the unbeliever and should go out of their way to do the work that they should be doing themselves. Christianity works on principles that most people are not willing to go by until it gets real dark. I love it here.

    • @westcoastramen
      @westcoastramen Před 5 měsíci +1

      Come to think of it, perhaps I would have more enjoyed: "your ass is on mute. . . no no no, you're done!"
      lolol

  • @iraklimgaloblishvili7047
    @iraklimgaloblishvili7047 Před 4 měsíci

    Great Interview! As questions are good, answers are better,. better way to say it, Question engages answers.

  • @concernedcitizen5988
    @concernedcitizen5988 Před 2 měsíci +2

    The main issue here is conflating modern architecture’s hostile design with “secularism” when it’s more of a political issue rooted in concepts such as authoritarianism and capitalism than it is in religion

    • @concernedcitizen5988
      @concernedcitizen5988 Před 2 měsíci +2

      This is abundantly apparent when you consider the religious views of nzi’s as well as their contributions to architecture/design

  • @theowlsarefun
    @theowlsarefun Před 5 měsíci +5

    A lot of new skyscrapers are quite beautiful. Vancouver's new Alberni tower is an example.

    • @Bookswinters
      @Bookswinters Před 5 měsíci +1

      Yeah in a lot of ways this while conversation seems like a bit of a made up problem... Like sure we have ugly utilitarian buildings but that's what humans have lived in since time immemorial. There was never a time when all the buildings were beautiful cathedrals and suddenly now we build ugly ones. We have preserved the cathedrals because they are the exceptions.

    • @fus132
      @fus132 Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@Bookswinters It wasn't always like this.

  • @aeiouaeiou100
    @aeiouaeiou100 Před 5 měsíci +13

    HOLY SHIT IT'S HAPPENING. I was hoping for this conversation for a long time! I'm hyped.

  • @amal-ti2zz
    @amal-ti2zz Před 5 měsíci

    Loved this- really nice venn diagram overlap of two very different thinkers

  • @wessexexplorer
    @wessexexplorer Před 5 měsíci

    Great conversation.

  • @EarnestApostate
    @EarnestApostate Před 5 měsíci +3

    I think this fit well with a recent humanist talk I went to about "recapturing awe" and how we still need to feel this even as secular people. Architecture is a key place where this can happen.

    • @newtonia-uo4889
      @newtonia-uo4889 Před 4 měsíci

      Become a scrutonite, seek BEAUTY, beauty leads to Truth, and Truth is Him

  • @mirceanicula9198
    @mirceanicula9198 Před 5 měsíci +7

    I think Alex is a good listener and that Jonathan can open his eyes and show him what the symbolic view of the world is and how reality functions. I know that it's possible because I was an atheist and Mr Pageau made a believer out of me. It was a pretty fruitful conversation a part two would be very welcomed.

  • @TomAbbott-gg6gy
    @TomAbbott-gg6gy Před 5 měsíci

    I love both of you guys. I've been smelling this one cooking for a little while now. Thanks.

  • @brendonhill
    @brendonhill Před 4 měsíci

    This is the one I sub for... Well up Alex, God bless 🙏🏻

  • @laurajarrell6187
    @laurajarrell6187 Před 5 měsíci +5

    Alex, you're a good interviewer! 👍💙💙💙🥰✌

  • @patrickwilkerson6303
    @patrickwilkerson6303 Před 5 měsíci +10

    Love the final question about wisdom, please keep it going!

  • @jordanring-sakabe3773
    @jordanring-sakabe3773 Před 4 měsíci

    This was extremely enjoyable. Thank you so much for this.

  • @kellybrown7671
    @kellybrown7671 Před 4 měsíci

    Love this! Thank you!

  • @j.v.5499
    @j.v.5499 Před 5 měsíci +9

    @Alex O'Connor - if you have to ask the question, the answer is money. It costs so much money to create "beauty" above "functionality."

    • @stevenlight5006
      @stevenlight5006 Před 5 měsíci

      Touche

    • @Flamable1
      @Flamable1 Před 5 měsíci

      Why though, are the religious more willing to sacrifice money to fund beautiful buildings? They sacrifice it for the common good and to partake in something unifying to the collective.
      Modern people are atomised individuals with no strong connection to a unified collective so are not willing to sacrifice for it

    • @Foogi9000
      @Foogi9000 Před 5 měsíci +3

      There's plenty of billionaires who could do it, and governments could easily make it.

    • @JohnSmith-oe5kx
      @JohnSmith-oe5kx Před 5 měsíci +2

      @@Foogi9000Governments do not make money. They print it. Not the same thing.

    • @JohnSmith-oe5kx
      @JohnSmith-oe5kx Před 5 měsíci +1

      Billionaires would be criticized for such ostentatiousness, rather than putting the funds to better use

  • @jerrytyrell
    @jerrytyrell Před 5 měsíci +50

    These conversations are so interesting and important. Thank you, Alex. As much as I love Hitch, you’re proving to be a more open minded successor. I’m a non religious theist and I think you’re the strongest atheist online

    • @stevenlight5006
      @stevenlight5006 Před 5 měsíci +2

      Cheers

    • @redmed10
      @redmed10 Před 5 měsíci

      So you're a deist.

    • @jerrytyrell
      @jerrytyrell Před 5 měsíci

      @@redmed10 not exactly

    • @redmed10
      @redmed10 Před 5 měsíci +1

      @@jerrytyrell i'm really not interested any more. You could have just explained but you chose not to and who knows if you ever will. Life's too short.

    • @jerrytyrell
      @jerrytyrell Před 5 měsíci

      @@redmed10 I never cared whether you were interested 😅 was just letting you know you jumped to a conclusion

  • @ClassicalMontessori
    @ClassicalMontessori Před 2 měsíci

    Good question from Alex, and great answer by Johnathan: "Worship is the highest point of your attention." Thank you for hosting this conversation!

  • @Domesticated_Ape
    @Domesticated_Ape Před 5 měsíci

    Fair play your content goes from strength to strength. Love it 👍

  • @Hailfire08
    @Hailfire08 Před 5 měsíci +5

    I disagree that beauty is just or largely from something being old; for one, there are things we consider beautiful that are very modern (lots of people in the modern day make art, after all). Secondly, some older Medieval art is, well, _bad._ Creatures with weirdly human faces, no foreshortening, awkward poses, and so on. We appreciate the history of it, but oftentimes the art itself is not very beautiful.
    Overall a very good and interesting discussion!

  • @NotBlandBlandina
    @NotBlandBlandina Před 5 měsíci +28

    Alex should interview Dr.John Lennox

    • @stevenlight5006
      @stevenlight5006 Před 5 měsíci

      To bad , can't have a interview with John Lennon .

  • @fritzco55
    @fritzco55 Před 4 měsíci

    I love Jonathan Pageau. He has definitely opened the way I think about things. So glad to see him here.

  • @robertsmith4474
    @robertsmith4474 Před 5 měsíci +6

    Mr. O'Connor seems to be on some kind of journey. I've subscribed to see where his journey takes him.

  • @ParadoxProblems
    @ParadoxProblems Před 5 měsíci +6

    Definitely echoes of Jordan Peterson's calling "religious" the people who call themselves "atheists" but who have 'correctly' ordering their levels of meaning and desire to avoid idols.

    • @coreyander286
      @coreyander286 Před 5 měsíci +3

      Yeah, I somewhat remember half-watching Pageau's videos and talks around 2019-2020, he pretty much rode the wave of the Peterson craze. Using Jungian ideas and pseudo-psychology to take a very long time coming to the conclusion that "demons are real, how else can you explain murder and porn".

    • @markk6151
      @markk6151 Před 5 měsíci +2

      @@coreyander286 i dont think Jung is much of an influence on Pageau at all. He's much different than Jordan, who has a big psychology background, where Pageau has an art and theology approach. Pageau would be closer to Heidegger or Rene Guenon

    • @user-py9lb6uf2h
      @user-py9lb6uf2h Před 4 měsíci

      Interesting. May I ask for your position on the subject?

  • @saibharathan531
    @saibharathan531 Před 5 měsíci

    Brilliant! The shortest hour that has been in a while

  • @matthiasaldorf5701
    @matthiasaldorf5701 Před 5 měsíci

    Awesome Episode!

  • @boombam5214
    @boombam5214 Před 5 měsíci +6

    I enjoyed hearing new views as always, but couldn't find myself agreeing with much of what this guest said. Would like to see more on this topic though.

  • @OptimalAlpha
    @OptimalAlpha Před 5 měsíci +5

    There was a pyramid built in the Las Vegas Strip back in the 1990s

  • @elisabethloxley6124
    @elisabethloxley6124 Před 11 dny

    Very very interesting. Thanks for this information. Enlightening.

  • @MrAchile13
    @MrAchile13 Před 5 měsíci +2

    Talking about the Vatican Museum and great art, I strongly recommend the Borghese Galey in Rome, it won't disappoint. Not only it displays the best works of Bernini, but they used the light so efficiently, that the marble almost glows. Photos don't make it justice.

  • @suppression2142
    @suppression2142 Před 5 měsíci +19

    Johnathan is brilliant I loved this, look forward to seeing more conversations between you two :)