THINGS HIDDEN! David Gornoski is joined by Q from Mimetic Value. How do we get valuable economic insights using the toolkit of Rene Girard’s Mimetic Theory? How much of what we call identity is actually mimetic desire? Does mimesis dictate the value of an object? How has Jesus’ crucifixion led to the questioning of paradigms, […]
In this edition of THINGS HIDDEN, David Gornoski is joined by renowned icon carver Jonathan Pageau, host of the Symbolic World podcast. David and Jonathan talk about the anthropology of Rene Girard as seen from a symbolic perspective. They also cover the peculiar situation of the modern world with its weird shift in narratives, the […]
David Gornoski sits down with academic Leigh Fetter who discusses his journey from secular atheism to Christianity by discovering the works of Rene Girard. David and Leigh discuss a variety of topics such as the Christian undermining of ancient myths; the possibility of Orwellian totalitarianism; the Nietzschean problem of recreating values; how Girard provides a […]
David Gornoski sits down with Andrew McLuhan, director of the McLuhan Institute and grandson of Marshall McLuhan. The two discuss the overlaps between Marshall McLuhan and Rene Girard; how Marshall McLuhan rose to fame; the relation between technology and language; pandemic mask-wearing as a theatrical gesture; how changes in technology impact desire; and more. How […]
David Gornoski sits down with Donald J. Devine, political scientist and author of The Enduring Tension. David and Dr. Devine touch on a variety of topics such as the deep political divide in America, the decline of conservative influence in media, the impact of Rene Girard’s work on anthropology, Dr. Devine’s experience of working with […]
David Gornoski is joined by University of Scranton professor Duane Armitage, author of Big Ideas for Little Philosophers. David and Duane Armitage talk about the work of Rene Girard and apply Mimetic insights to the religiosity of political correctness, the growing undifferentiation in Western society, victim narratives as a pretext for starting wars, the effects […]
What did Caiaphas mean when he said, “it is better that one man die than the whole nation perish?” David Gornoski sits down with writer Michael Plaisted and, together, they attempt to tackle this question for our times. Was there any semblance of socialism during the time of Christ? And if there was how did […]
David Gornoski sits down with Dr. Andrei Znamenski, a professor of history with an interest in anthropology. Znamenski starts the discussion by breaking down the evolution of human society from the Marxist perspective and makes the case that Marxism is fundamentally a religious philosophy. Like all religions, Marxism is based on the scapegoat mechanism. How […]
David Gornoski sits down with podcaster Alex Kaschuta, host of Subversive–”the podcast for outcasts.” David and Alex discuss some of the important topics of our day such as the importance of Rene Girard’s work; growing undifferentiation; the redefinition of the outcast in current society; the mythology behind gender relations; Trump as a scapegoat for the […]
In this brand new episode of THINGS HIDDEN, David Gornoski sits down with stuntman and fellow student of Girard, Eric Jacobus. The two have an exciting conversation on the resurgence of 80s aesthetics in pop culture; our society’s fascination with underdogs; the comedian’s role as a scapegoat; the ancient understanding of catharsis; spirit possession; and […]