Laudato Si' provides hope for an AI doomer

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April 5, 2024

An often overlooked component to Catholic Church teaching on integral ecology is its critique of what Pope Francis in Laudato Si' calls the "technocratic paradigm." Talking about technology as both "creativity and power," Francis says:

"Humanity has entered a new era in which our technical prowess has brought us to a crossroads. We are the beneficiaries of two centuries of enormous waves of change: steam engines, railways, the telegraph, electricity, automobiles, aeroplanes, chemical industries, modern medicine, information technology and, more recently, the digital revolution, robotics, biotechnologies and nanotechnologies. It is right to rejoice in these advances and to be excited by the immense possibilities which they continue to open up before us, for 'science and technology are wonderful products of a God-given human creativity.' ...
Yet it must also be recognized that nuclear energy, biotechnology, information technology, knowledge of our DNA, and many other abilities which we have acquired, have given us tremendous power. More precisely, they have given those with the knowledge, and especially the economic resources to use them, an impressive dominance over the whole of humanity and the entire world."

Noting "the globalization of the technocratic paradigm," he continues, saying,

"There needs to be a distinctive way of looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, an educational programme, a lifestyle and a spirituality which together generate resistance to the assault of the technocratic paradigm."

In a two-part commentary at EarthBeat this week, Scott Hurd shares how even though Laudato Si' was written before the most recent advancements in artificial intelligence, it provides him with hope and a positive way forward amid the anxieties that such technology brings.

What else is new on EarthBeat:

Jose Aguto to step down as leader of US Catholic climate organization

by Brian Roewe

Jose Aguto has resigned as executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant. Dan Misleh, founder of the U.S. Catholic climate organization, is set to become interim executive director.

COP28 challenged this young Catholic and confirmed her climate work

by Precious Donna Gift Jayno

COP28 showed Precious Jayno the complicated reality of fighting climate change. But most importantly, she says, it confirmed her Catholic obligation to care for the environment.

Eclipse seen as a way to pray, 'engage with the work of God's hands'

by Mike Latona, OSV News

An astronomy buff since childhood, Father Robert Schrader anticipates quite a birthday present when he turns 75 April 8.

Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries

by Deepa Bahrath, David Crary, Mariam Fam, Associated Press

Throughout history, solar eclipses have had profound impact on adherents of various religions around the world.

The blessing of rain dampens Holy Week in drought-stricken Spain

by Bernat Armangue, Associated Press

Some much needed rain was not going to ruin Holy Week for Alfonso del Río Martínez and his fellow Christians in the southern Spanish village of Quesada.

What's happening in other climate news:

Just 57 companies linked to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions since 2016 —Jonathan Watts for The Guardian

Biden administration approves eighth US offshore wind project —Valerie Volcovici for Reuters

EPA awards $20 billion in green bank grants for clean energy projects nationwide —Alexa St. John for The Associated Press

Biden Issues First-Ever National Building Decarbonization Plan —Stephen Lee for Bloomberg Environment

2024 hurricane season forecast includes the highest number of hurricanes ever predicted —Dinah Voyles Pulver and Doyle Rice for USA Today

Meet the writers pitching Hollywood studios on climate change stories —Sammy Roth for the Los Angeles Times

These bedtime stories help kids process climate disasters —Ariel Wittenberg for Politico Pro

Final Beat:

On Monday, April 8, the path of a total solar eclipse will cross North America. Over the centuries, different religions have responded to such a phenomenon with both awe and dread.

For Fr. Robert Schrader, who will celebrate his 75th birthday on Monday in Rochester, New York — in the eclipse's path of totality — it offers "an experience of God's creation of the universe and how the sun, the moon and the Earth are working together that day."

For Michelle Francl-Donnay, who will facilitate an eclipse-themed retreat in the days leading up to the cosmic event, "It's a way to pray — it's a way to engage with God's creation, the work of God's hands."

Thanks for reading EarthBeat!

Stephanie Clary
Environment Editor
National Catholic Reporter
sclary@ncronline.org
Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr