Interviews

Hear conversations exploring Mormon Transhumanism, human flourishing, and the future of science and technology.

These interviews explore Mormon Transhumanist perspectives on human and technological development. Selected entries also highlight additional themes and notable quotations.

• Starbase Kolob: Transhumanism Zion Upgrade, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Andreas Xirtus on Xirtus podcast, 10 Feb 2024, 69 min, video. In the conversation, Lincoln addresses questions such as “What can we do to shape the trajectory of technology and humanity and create beautiful, exciting futures?” and “What is Mormon Transhumanism, how did you encounter it, and why does it appeal to you?” The discussion also considers the future of humanity and connections between Mormonism and transhumanism.

• The Mormon Transhumanist Movement, Interview of Carl Youngblood and Lincoln Cannon by Simone Collins and Malcolm Collins on Based Camp podcast, 5 Jan 2024, 75 min, video. The conversation addresses:

  • If Mormonism is fundamentally transhumanist, why create the Mormon Transhumanist Association?
  • A conception of ‘spirit’, in relation to matter, as aesthetics and information.
  • A brief description of the New God Argument.
  • The rise of Mormon Transhumanism in Africa.
  • The possible creation of a formal religious order associated with Mormon Transhumanism.
  • The relationship between compassion and decentralization of power as it relates to human development and our potential future as part of superhumanity.
  • Notable quotation: “We can only inherit the kind of glory that we have personally and collectively worked to establish.”
• The Future of Mormonism with Lincoln Cannon, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Steven Smilanich on This Saint’s Theory podcast, 21 Nov 2023, 76 min, video. A conversation inspired by the publication of Lincoln’s book, The Consolation, a transhumanist version of Joseph Smith’s last general conference sermon (often called the King Follet sermon). The discussion addresses the transhumanist character of Joseph Smith’s teachings in the context of human development towards a divine community⁠—superhumanity, godhood. It begins with Lincoln describing his path from Mormonism to atheism and then to Mormon Transhumanism. The discussion also addresses individuality, resurrection, responsibility, the Atonement, consolation, possibilities for the future of the Church, and other topics⁠—all in the context of human development. Notable quotation: “Science itself is the formalization of epistemic atonement⁠—that science is a way of saying that I value your experience and observation as much as I value my experience and observation, so together we need to contribute those experiences and observations, formulate a hypothesis that accounts for both of them, and then test it together to see if we’re right or wrong. Science is a form of atonement, so I think we have a moral obligation even to engage in science….”

• Transhumanism - A New Religion?, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Brittney Hartley and Bill Reel on The Almost Awakened podcast, episode 152, 23 May 2023, 85 min, video. In this conversation, Lincoln addresses:

  • What is transhumanism, why is it gaining traction, and is it a religion?
  • The nature and implications⁠—beneficial and detrimental⁠—of a technological change.
  • Intelligence and Consciousness.
  • Human longevity, Jesus’ command to raise the dead, and ‘technological’ resurrection.
  • Ethical implications of longevity.
  • Notable quotation: “Transhumanism… says… you can still pursue those [traditionally religious] aspirations in a real, substantial, practical way. Suddenly, our heart and our brain get realigned in a powerful way and that changes us⁠—it transforms, as it always has.”
• Mormon Transhumanism, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Andreas Xirtus on Xirtus podcast, 28 Jan 2023, 68 min, video. Notable quotation: “Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from God”
• What Is Mormon Transhumanism? and Talking Mormon Transhumanism, Interview of Carl Youngblood and Lincoln Cannon by Steve Pynakker of Mormon Book Reviews and Nathan Smith of Mind Makes This World podcast, 18 Aug 2022, 69 and 73 min, video. In these conversations Carl and Lincoln also discuss the paths that brought them to Mormon transhumanism. Other topics include the nature of the Atonement. Notable quotations: “Mormonism mandates transhumanism.” “Cooperation pressed to its practical limits becomes indistinguishable from compassion.”
• Mormons in the Metaverse — A Conversation with Carl Youngblood, Interview of Carl Youngblood on Faith Matters podcast, 2022, 56 min, video. A conversation inspired by Facebook’s rebranding as Meta. More broadly, the discussion considers the context, meaning, and implications of technological development. It situates technology within human progress and considers how that perspective can encourage engagement, optimism, and responsibility.
• An Introduction to Mormon Transhumanism, Interview of Carl Youngblood and Lincoln Cannon on Mormon Stories podcast, 2022, 167 min, video.
• Salvation Through Technology? Lincoln Cannon on Transhumanist Religion, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Vijak Haddadi on Ultrasapient podcast, 21 Apr 2022, 67 min, video.
• Religious Transhumanism: Mormon? Yes, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Ted Peters on Public Theology, 15 Mar 2022, text.
• Decentralization of Power, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Gennady Stolyarov on U.S. Transhumanist Party Virtual Enlightenment Salon podcast, 13 Mar 2022, 116 min, video.
• Lincoln Cannon: Mormon Transhumanism, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Peter Xing, Stefan van der Wel, and Jonathan Woods on Transhuman Coin podcast, 15 Jan 2022, min, video.
• Nootropics & Mormon Transhumanism, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Lorenzo Barberis Canonico on The Swarm podcast, 28 Sep 2021, 76 min, audio.
• Conversation on Religion and the Future, Interview of Lincoln Cannon and Micah Redding by Giulio Prisco on Turing Church podcast, 19 Sep 2021, 74 min, audio.
• Mormon Transhumanism (Part 1 and Part 2) with Lincoln Cannon, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Luis Acevedo on Minds of Tomorrow podcast, 16 Aug 2021, 207 min total, video.
• Lincoln Cannon, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Joseph Dewey, 9 Feb 2021, 97 min, video.
• Turing Church Meeting, Interview of Chris Bradford, Lincoln Cannon, and Micah Redding by Giulio Prisco, 17 Jan 2021, 67 min, video.
• Step 7: Lincoln Cannon – Provoking a Communal Strenuosity, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Brandon Dayton on How To Be An Artist podcast, 11 Sep 2020, 69 min, audio.
• A Technological Resurrection, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Interview by Blaire Ostler, Sunstone Fireside podcast, 1 Jul 2020, 85 min, audio.
• Thrivous and Christian Transhumanism, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Steele Archer on Debt Nation podcast, 7 Nov 2019, 93 min, video.
• Special: Controversial Religious Debate, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Steele Archer on Debt Nation podcast, 23 Aug 2019, 112 min, video.
• Emerging Culture and the Role of Spirituality and Belief in the 21st Century, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Johannon Ben Zion on Futurist New Deal podcast, 25 Jul 2019, 100 min, video.
• Humanity is screwed without Transhumanism. Transhumanism is screwed without Religion, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Jonathan Roseland on Limitless Mindset podcast, 25 Jul 2019, 77 min, video.
• Catholic vs. Other - Lincoln Cannon, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by David Ross on Catholic vs. Other podcast, 12 Jan 2019, 54 min, video.
• Lincoln Cannon on Mormon Transhumanists, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Skyler Baird on Mormonfan podcast, 26 Jul 2018, 84 min, video.
• Transhumanism: Are cyborgs and robots the future of mankind?, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Tahir Khalid on Voice of Islam podcast, 13 Jun 2017, 106 min, audio.
• Fusing Faith, Science and Technology, the Mormon Transhumanist Association Has Grown Mightily, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Rhett Wilkinson on The Good Men Project, 8 May 2017, text.
• The Future May Be Limitless, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Matt Swayne on Longevity, 5 Jan 2017, text.
• Lincoln Cannon, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Agah Bahari on Neohuman podcast, 29 May 2016, min, audio.
• The Intersection of Tech and Church, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Sanjena Sathian on Ozy, 7 Jan 2016, text.
• Faith and Transhumanism, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Derek Bunker on View from the Bunker podcast 26 Apr 2015, 73 min, audio.
• Mormon et Transhumain? Entretien avec Lincoln Cannon, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Nootropik on Confirmez Que Vous N’êtes Pas Une Machine, 14 Jul 2014, text (French).
• Hi. I’m Lincoln Cannon, President and Cofounder of the Mormon Transhumanist Association. Ask Me Anything, Lincoln Cannon. AMA /r/latterdaysaints. Reddit. 20 Mar 2014, text.
• Mormonism: The Most Transhumanist Religion?, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Ben Goertzel, recorded as a chapter in Between Ape and Artilect: Conversations with Pioneers of Artificial General Intelligence and Other Transformative Technologies, 3 Mar 2014, text.
• Unscriptured Lincoln Cannon, Interview of Lincoln Cannon on Unscriptured podcast, 12 Jun 2013, 32 min, audio.
• Transhumanism and Mormonism (Part 1, Part 2A, Part 2B, and Part 3), Interview of Lincoln Cannon on Science, Technology, & the Future podcast, 5 May 2013, 261 min total, video.
• I am Lincoln Cannon, President of the Mormon Transhumanist Association, AMA, Lincoln Cannon. AMA /r/transhumanism. Reddit. 11 Apr 2013, text.
• Transhumanist Philanthropy?! Yes! MTA Sets up KIVA Account, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Hank Pellissier on Transhumanity.net, 31 Jan 2013, text.
• Mormon Transhumanism, Interview of James Carroll and Lincoln Cannon by Clay and Heather on Mormon Expositor podcast, 16 Jan 2013, 88 min, audio.
• What Phone Makes a Better Transhumanist?, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by David Kelley on Tired All Over podcast, 28 Dec 2012, 11 min, audio.
• Reach Out to Religious Transhumanists and Are Science and Religion Mutually Exclusive or Complementary? and Interviews of Lincoln Cannon by Nikola Danaylov on Singularity 1 on 1 podcast, 17 & 25 Dec 2012, 73 & 60 min, video.
• Lincoln Cannon: ‘Le Transfigurisme est un Transhumanisme Mormon’, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Théodore B. Ferréol on Tryangle, 8 Oct 2012, text (French).
• Polygamous Future? Now that Gay Marriage is Inevitable, will Plural Unions next be Legalized?, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Hank Pellissier on Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technology, 1 Oct 2012, text.
• Mormon Transhumanism in a nutshell, Explanations by Lincoln Cannon for Giulio Prisco, 26 Apr 2012, 3 min, video.
• Mormonism and Transhumanism, Discussion with Chris Bradford, Lincoln Cannon, Tyson Jacobsen, and Dan Wotherspoon (interviewer) on Mormon Matters podcast, 13 Mar 2012, two parts 75 & 60 min, audio.
• A Mormon? For President? Who are these people?, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Hank Pellissier in Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technology, 14 Oct 2011, text.
• Mormon Transhumanism: Eternal Progression Towards Becoming Like God and Mormonism: The Most Transhumanist Religion?, Interviews of Lincoln Cannon by Ben Goertzel in H+ Magazine, 22 Aug 2010 & 9 May 2011, text.
• Seminar on Transhumanism and Religion, Interview of Lincoln Cannon by Qyxxql Merlin, 18 May 2007, text.