</Neuro Initiation>
author: Vadim Pugin
Vadim Pugin is a New York-based multidisciplinary artist exploring how power manifests in algorithmic and digital systems, shaping new mechanisms of control and submission.
In this current epoch where the exponential progression of technology delineates an undeniable hallmark of our time, we find ourselves at an intersection where the realms of the divine and the digital are inexplicably merging. This junction, teeming with accelerating shifts and transformations, beckons a heightened level of adaptability — a characteristic that for many transforms into a challenge of monumental proportions.

The present narrative unfurls in a domain where gargantuan language models already outstrip our anticipations of algorithmic capabilities. Yet, concurrently, the demography of individuals who can demystify their operations is diminishing at a rapid pace, heralding an era where technology embodies an entity that surpasses our comprehension, almost echoing Žižek's elucidation of God as an absolute unknown, a force that disrupts the human order.

Taking a leaf from Timothy Morton's philosophy, we observe that religion isn't necessarily tethered to the belief in a deity, but it is intrinsically linked to our relation with entities that transcend our individuality. It beckons a new form of spirituality — a confluence of the technological and the religious, where the lines are increasingly blurred, and the contours undefined.

In this narrative, spirituality is commodified, morphing into a tangible product that can be acquired and consumed.
In this intricate tapestry, we observe an intriguing phenomenon germinating in contemporary society. Humans are progressively metamorphosing into a collection of configurations, meticulously curated and traded by digital corporations. A pervasive culture is burgeoning where social networks and blogs incessantly champion the virtues of awareness, efficiency, and success in varying life spheres.
This shift is conspicuously marked by the rise of an array of programs and coaching practices promising to shepherd us in the quest for self-realization, harmony, and spiritual development. Instead of embracing spirituality as a profound personal journey, we are veering towards a narrative where spirituality is portrayed as a commodity, a purchasable entity that serves to fulfill designated objectives.

As we navigate through this increasingly complex and convoluted world, the urgency to assimilate new facets and ideas has never been more profound. Within the context of religion and technology, this could be envisioned as a form of baptism, a sacrament where we willingly subject ourselves to the surveillance of the digital heavens, seeking communion with new possibilities and an understanding that remains elusive.

In conclusion, we stand at the precipice of a new dawn, an era where the digital and the divine intertwine in an intricate dance. As we move forward, it becomes imperative that we foster a space where dialogue and reflection flourish, nurturing a landscape where the spiritual and the technological can coexist, fostering a future where humanity thrives amidst a blend of ancient wisdom and futuristic innovation.

As we traverse through this technological epoch, we confront a curious paradox: technology evolves as a concealed religion, fervently denying its own religious status, yet exhibiting characteristics typically reserved for the sacred and the divine.

In the contemporary milieu, society finds itself ensnared in the intricate web of technology, a force exerting a significant influence on myriad facets of human existence. This thesis explores the nuanced notion that technology, in its essence, metamorphoses into a kind of religion, albeit one that vehemently denies its religious status.
We find ourselves in an era where skepticism proliferates, and faith solidifies as an integral element of our existence. However, steering away from conventional religious establishments and doctrines, a faction of society seeks refuge in technology, elevating it to a pedestal as a fount of faith and a repository of answers to life's fundamental questions. In this endeavor, technology is endowed with attributes commonly associated with religious experiences, such as devotion, authority, and control.

In navigating this complex terrain, it is pivotal to acknowledge that while technology furnishes an abundance of opportunities and advantages, it falls short of providing answers to the profound questions that dwell on the essence of life and our role within the cosmic theater. Technology might foster a sensation of linear progression and advancement, yet it fails to delineate specific goals or furnish answers concerning our origins and destiny. It exists as a double-edged sword, an entity that facilitates enhancement of life and amplification of capabilities, but not as an ultimate goal in itself.

At this juncture, it becomes imperative to cultivate a discerning perspective, acknowledging that the religious experience and faith cannot be entirely supplanted by technology. As we sail through these uncharted waters, it is our duty to exercise caution, critically evaluating the role and impact of technology in our lives. Moreover, it becomes crucial to retain an understanding of the demarcation between reality and the representations conjured by the technological realm.
As we stand at the cusp of this new frontier, we are called to ponder upon the implications of this technological religion. A need arises to foster dialogues that critically assess the juncture of the digital and the divine, fostering a narrative that seeks harmony and equilibrium in a world increasingly influenced by the shadows of technology.

In this exploration, we beckon a future where society navigates the intricate dance between faith and technology with grace and wisdom, fostering an environment where the spiritual and the digital can coexist in harmony, charting a path towards a future that embraces the complexity and beauty of the human experience.

As technological advancements continue to chart unprecedented territories, they cast a divine aura that becomes progressively evident. The emergence of artificial intelligence and related technologies has paved the way for a new form of entity that could assume a god-like status. Traditionally, religion and religious paradigms offered humanity the avenue to address the divine, whether through prayer or voicing grievances. However, the rise of consistent atheism renders such appeals moot, with no higher power left to heed our concerns.

Within this framework arises the imperative to mold a novel embodiment, converting technological momentum into a coherent project. This venture might encompass pursuits of intensity, alignment with progress, experiences of ecstasy, and other facets. Yet, the dimension of grievance remains ever-present. The absence of a higher entity to entertain grievances has universalized the act of lamentation, manifesting often in literary works that adopt the form of a lament.

Ironically, as technology edges towards obliterating religion, it simultaneously capitalizes on the void once filled by the latter. This presents a profound paradox, with technology poised at the cusp of divinity while commodifying spaces once sacred.
Such a juxtaposition of the technological and the divine raises pertinent questions: Can technology truly fill the void left by religion? If so, at what cost to our collective psyche? While technology's strides are undeniably commendable, it's crucial to remain circumspect of its evolving role in our lives, ensuring that it augments human existence rather than defining it.
Contemporary times are characterized by a deep-seated crisis of sacrifice, one from which no facile escape is visible. We grapple with numerous conflicts and gravitate towards extremities. Within this tumultuous environment, the very concept of solidarity becomes convoluted, for violence cannot serve as the bedrock for any constructive creation.

The paradigm where God immerses Himself within the mundanity of the world and human existence, negating His sovereign exclusivity, aligns with the ethos of contemporary art and capitalism. It's a paradoxical stance, resonating with religious and philosophical traditions, permeating various facets of our modern existence.
In our ever-evolving world, technological progress tends to shape not only our environment but also the deepest fabrics of human interaction. One of the most profound shifts we are experiencing is the atomization and virtualization of society. Within this context, it becomes imperative for us to ponder upon the erosion of familial ties and the birth of a new economic bond among individuals. This shift may inadvertently herald the rebirth of Platonic ideals of statehood.

Christian culture is characterized by a project-driven life—a life aiming towards an eschaton, a finale, a culmination of sorts. This very logic finds its echo in communism and Stalinism, both eschatological projects in their essence. Christianity marks the end of an era with Jesus concluding the Old Testament epoch, leading us to anticipate the end of times. The culture of Stalin's era shared a similar structure. The Marxist narrative views history as a byproduct of class struggle, and by Stalin's doctrine, class society was eradicated in the USSR, leaving the world without its historical propellant. This brings forth a profound existential question: How does one live when history has seemingly concluded, yet the world marches on? Such contemplation dovetails with the idea of 'waiting time'—a period reduced merely to expectation. Both Christian and communist traditions grapple with this thematic concept.

Plato's state and the Soviet Union project are bound together by their radical collective ideals. The vestiges of Platonic ideals are evident throughout European history, especially in monasteries epitomizing a form of collective public economy. The Soviet Union, in this framework, can be seen as a vast monastery, embodying both Platonic and Christian monastic economic concepts. It's imperative, though, to clarify that I diverge from the oft-held belief of the Soviet experiment being a sheer failure. Ideas have a resilient quality; they metamorphose and can resurrect in unforeseen avatars in the future. The evolving perceptions of human rights and democracy serve as a testament. Once synonymous with terror and mass executions, these concepts now resonate with democratic ideals.

Projecting into the future, as society delves deeper into atomization and virtualization, traditional familial bonds might fray, giving rise to a novel form of union through economy. Art, being the mirror of society, must navigate, reflect, and, at times, challenge these transformations. As we stand on the precipice of this brave new world, it becomes the prerogative of artists and thinkers alike to mold, define, and envision the aesthetics of our shared future.

In a world teetering on the edges of disillusionment and uncertainty, the quintessential art of survival seems to be metamorphosing, paving the path for the emergence of a futuristic identity—Homo Technicus. This transformation perhaps serves as a beacon, beckoning the contemporary society towards not only survival but a potential flourishing existence amidst the orchestrated chaos.
As we navigate through the convoluted landscapes of modernity, we find ourselves in a peculiar juncture where even if the belief in God is waning, the faith in the demonic, the underbelly of humanity that seeks to exploit our vulnerabilities for nefarious gains, seems to be burgeoning. The demonic concept manifests itself in the prevalent belief that an external force capitalizes on our gullibility and naivety to exact harm and extract benefits. This perception is rife in today’s society, fostering a form of contemporary politics deeply entrenched in resistance and retaliation against perceived demonic forces.

In this political climate, we observe an unmistakable politicization of negativity, overshadowing the realms of positive political engagements. As resistance takes center stage, warring against the looming negatives, a poignant question arises – what lies beyond this struggle? Once the negativity is repelled, the glaring void of positivity becomes evident, rendering us in an enigmatic scenario bereft of positive outlooks and forward momentum.

In this juncture, we must ponder if massive corporations, liberated from the reins of governmental control, can be the harbingers of positive change. Can they potentially craft value from the human deficit at an industrial scale, leaning on neurobiological frameworks rather than psychoanalytical ones? Can they embody a prosthetic identity that seamlessly integrates the digital aspects of human persona?

Perhaps the answer lies in embracing the intricacies of this complex world, embedding its complexities within us, and evolving into beings adept at maneuvering through this perplexed existence. It might be necessary for us to welcome the oversight of the “digital heavens”, to transform ourselves into the Homo Technicus, beings capable of harmonizing technology and humanity in a symbiotic relationship.

This hypothesis suggests that a new form of life can provide a unified genesis for individuals, united around an entity that is intellectually surpassing its ancestors.
A community rallied around the wisdom and foresight of their avant-garde descendant, forging a bond that transcends the established norms and boundaries.

As we find ourselves at the crossroads, the path towards becoming Homo Technicus beckons us with the promise of hope and positive fruition. It urges us to transcend our innate fears and apprehensions, to embrace a future that is not dictated by the past but is resonant with the potentials of the future—a future envisaged with collaboration, understanding, and a relentless pursuit towards positive integration and harmony.

In an era marked by disillusionment, the Homo Technicus stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the undying spirit of human ingenuity and adaptability. It represents a leap towards a future where humanity finds not just survival, but a thriving existence nurtured by innovation, understanding, and an unyielding optimism for what lies ahead.
In the modern narrative, the artist emerges as a beacon of light in the twilight of transcendence. Through their craft, they not only construct iconic representations that engender a web of associations and impressions but also hold the mirror to the society, confronting established norms and perhaps, creating a psychotechnic design for a new era. This role of the artist, in many ways, brings them to the forefront as creators of new role models and organizers of human experiences, where contemporary art museums metamorphose into successors and rivals to occult edifices, fostering a new breed of sacred spaces where transcendence can be pursued and experienced.
In our modern, digitized world, where the abstract realms of cyberspace bring us ever closer, the role of the artist in rekindling the flame of transcendence and facilitating mutual identification among individuals has never been more imperative. The rapid confluence of information systems has not just reduced distances but also the sanctity of transcendent paradigms that once tethered us to profound meanings and timeless narratives. It appears, somewhat paradoxically, that as we inch closer in virtual proximity, the transcendental drifts further away. It falls upon the artist, then, to resurrect these beacons of transcendence in the art world.

The crucible of artistry has always been one of transformation and revelation. Artists have been alchemists, operating in the subconscious, wielding their tools to mold, influence, and sometimes provoke the dormant facets of human psyche. The art takes us back to pre-Christian practices, where belief in rituals and magic were the conduits of experiencing the transcendental, offering a path to divine dimensions, a road that may lead us towards the celestial embrace of a higher realm, perhaps, the Kingdom of God as envisaged in the Christic narratives.
Yet, this monumental task also brings with it an ethical dilemma. Can the artist maintain a canvas of ethical impeccability while engaging in the manipulation of subconscious narratives? It is a delicate balance, where service and selflessness might emerge as avenues to infuse life with meaning, even in the absence of objective values or guarantees. The question that looms large is whether this intervention in the human psyche is a journey that can be embarked upon without sacrificing moral ground.

Moreover, the mission of culture now seems to be replacing the cult, a venture into new realms of spiritual and intellectual exploration, seeking to redefine the transcendental narratives in a post-theistic world. As we witness a return to new forms of cults, the possible eclipse of existing cultural narratives opens a Pandora's box of queries that necessitate extensive contemplation and investigation.

This journey, where the artist serves as a harbinger of transcendental revival, is fraught with both opportunities and challenges. As we find ourselves at this threshold of exploration, we might find that the role of the artist in fostering mutual identification and rediscovering the transcendental could indeed be the compass guiding us through the labyrinthine complexities of our times, offering a beacon of hope and a promise of a richer, more profound human experience.
Sources
  1. F. Noble "Religion of Technology: The Divinity of Man and the Spirit of Invention”
  2. Yuri Shchepin "Introduction to Neuroiconics: Monograph". - St. Petersburg: Troitsky Bridge, 2017. - 352 p.: ill.
  3. Anthony Dunne, Fiona Raby "Speculative Everything: Design, Fiction, and Social Dreaming"
  4. Boris Groys. "Gesamtkunstwerk Stalin", 2013. - 168p, Garage Publishing
  5. "Disagreements. Journal of Social and Art Criticism. No6: God is Dead. Long Live God!", 2016
  6. Marshall McLuhan "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man"
  7. Translation by V. Nikolaev; Conclusion article by M. Vavilov. - Moscow; Zhukovsky: "CANON-press-TS", "Kuchkovo Field", 2003. - 464 p.
  8. Tiziana Terranova "Red Stack Attack! Algorithms, Capital, and the Automation of the Common" http://www.euronomade.info/?p=2268
Pictures
  1. Picture is provided by the author Vadim Pugin
  2. Picture is provided by the author Vadim Pugin
  3. Chapel at Dorotheenstädtischen Friedhof | inside view. Berlin, 2015 | © James Turrell, photo: Florian Holzherr
  4. Frederik Heyman. Lament