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If this were a religion—it is, I think!—what would be its hymns?

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· Apr 19, 2020

Scientists and engineers, like those listed, are the heroes who will get us out of this mess. Here's to them, to discovery, and to progress. (Build!)

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maran

@marannelson

Apr 19, 2020

This movement has very little to nothing of the religious in it... it lacks religion's core function: "relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, or spiritual elements." It is for precisely this reason that we cannot imagine any of its hymns.

Andy Matuschak

@andy_matuschak

Apr 19, 2020

This is an important criticism! Part of why I'm wondering about hymns is that much of my favorite work along these lines really *does* relate humanity to transcendental elements. e.g. I love that Cosmos unites a celebration of human achievement with a religion of natural wonder.

maran

@marannelson

Apr 19, 2020

Totally. That "goosebumps" feeling is a precious thing. The existence of hymns is an interesting litmus for effective ideology. Hymns are worshipful and emergent; they require objects worthy of adoration. If you don't have them, you just have rationalism.