Posts

THINGS HIDDEN 66: Battling to the End III

David Gornoski and Craig Stewart continue their study of Rene Girard’s last book Battling to the End. The discussion, delving into chapter 3 of Girard’s book, revolves around regulated reciprocity in markets; the physical component of desire; differences in Hindu and Greek myths; the obsession with “winning” in politics; the evolution of war; whether a complete […]

THINGS HIDDEN 65: Battling to the End II

In this continuation of the discussion surrounding Rene Girard’s last book Battling to the End, David Gornoski and Craig Stewart explore chapter three of Girard’s book while asking important questions about the theories of evolution and creationism; the heavy-handed preaching in modern movies; trade warfare and the hidden violence in capitalism; whether economic pacifism is […]

THINGS HIDDEN 62: Battling to the End with Craig Stewart

In this episode of THINGS HIDDEN, David Gornoski is joined by the returning Craig Stewart for a conversation on Rene Girard’s enigmatic last book Battling to the End. How did Girard gain his special insight into the mimetic nature of human beings? Did religions like Jainism and Buddhism also expose the mechanism of violence as […]

David Gornoski on the Mad Ones Podcast – Scapegoats and Substitutionary Violence

David Gornoski was recently interviewed on the Mad Ones podcast. You can watch the video above or go to this link for the audio. Show description: This week, we are joined by David Gornoski of A Neighbor’s Choice joins us to talk about human nature, mimetic theory, and the role of the scapegoat in society. […]

THINGS HIDDEN 60: Mattias Desmet on Mimesis and Mass Formation

David Gornoski is joined by Professor Mattias Desmet, psychologist and author of the upcoming book “The Psychology of Totalitarianism.” What is “mass formation” theory and why is it being brought up in light of the pandemic? How is mass formation perpetuated? What are some of the differences between a totalitarian state and a classic dictatorship? […]

THINGS HIDDEN 59: Zak Slayback on Mimetic Forces in Research and Culture

David Gornoski sits down with returning guest Zak Slayback, investor at the 1517 Fund, for a conversation that revolves around the corruption of institutions and the monopolization of innovation. How do we keep from getting marginalized when pursuing scientific and technological discoveries? Would people like Galileo and Thomas Aquinas be allowed to thrive in today’s […]

THINGS HIDDEN 57: Richard Koenigsberg on War as Sacrifice

David Gornoski sits down with Richard Koenigsberg, psychologist & historian from the Library of Social Science, for a discussion on sacrifice, violence, and war. Mr. Koenigsberg starts the discussion by describing his interactions with Rene Girard. The conversation then moves to the psychology of Hitler, the purpose of political violence, male aggressiveness, the Ukraine war, […]

THINGS HIDDEN 56: Fr. Turbo Qualls on Mimesis, Repentance & the Royal Path

David Gornoski sits down with Fr. Turbo Qualls of the Royal Path podcast for a fascinating conversation centered around leaving the occult and entering the world of Christ. Do we encounter the demonic from copying other people’s desires? When is confession appropriate and when is it not? What do we make of Napoleon Hill’s concept […]

THINGS HIDDEN 55: The Third Temptation

In this edition of THINGS HIDDEN, David Gornoski sits down with Michael Gibson, venture capitalist and co-founder of the 1517 Fund. Is the cultural conflict in America a battle between Christian sects? What are conservatives getting wrong in their reaction against the Left? What does the Gospel reveal about human power? How has the Gospel […]

THINGS HIDDEN 54: Rene Girard and the Resurrection of Jesus

In this special Easter edition of THINGS HIDDEN, David Gornoski and Shannon Braswell have a fascinating conversation on the resurrection of Christ. Why would God choose women as witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection? How did Rene Girard make his case for the resurrection of Christ? Did Jesus make it possible for Elephant Man to get an […]