Conspirituality Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Brief: Tech-Bro Mormonism (w/ Blair Hodges)
Hosts: Matthew Remsky
Guest: Blair Hodges
Release Date: January 18, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Conspirituality, hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remsky, and Julian Walker delve into the intriguing intersection of technology, religion, and conspiracy theories. The episode titled “Brief: Tech-Bro Mormonism” features Blair Hodges, a religious studies expert and host of the Relationscapes podcast. The discussion centers around Brian Johnson, a prominent figure with deep ties to Mormonism and transhumanism, exploring how his spiritual background influences his pursuit of longevity and technological enhancement.

Brian Johnson’s Mormon Background and Transhumanism

Matthew Remsky introduces Blair Hodges and sets the stage by mentioning Brian Johnson’s significant investment in longevity protocols, aiming perhaps to achieve immortality. Derek Beres previously examined the dubious science behind Johnson’s extensive regimen, which includes taking numerous pills daily and engaging in radical gene editing practices.

Blair Hodges shares his insights based on his shared Mormon heritage with Johnson:

“Brian has the affect more of a tech bro right now than a Mormon to me.” [05:07]

Interestingly, Hodges had not previously heard of Johnson until watching the Netflix documentary Don’t Die the Man Who Wants to Live Forever. He notes that while Johnson’s voice and his son’s unique name, Talmadge, signaled his Mormon roots, Johnson now embodies a blend of wellness guru and tech entrepreneur.

Mormonism’s Wealth and Institutional Growth

The conversation shifts to the substantial wealth accumulated by the Mormon Church, estimated at $250-260 billion. Blair Hodges explains how this wealth was amassed through rigorous tithing (members donate 10% of their income) and strategic investments in various for-profit businesses and land holdings in Utah.

“The church stopped publicly publishing an annual financial statement... but now it's ballooned to over 250, 260 billion.” [07:43]

Hodges contrasts institutional wealth with individual prosperity, noting that wealthy Mormons often take on significant roles within the church, benefiting from both tithing and personal success. He cites examples like Mitt Romney as affluent members who rise through church ranks, leveraging their financial stability and professional acumen.

Mormon Teachings on Wealth and Ethics

Despite the accumulation of wealth, Mormon scriptures such as the Book of Mormon caution against the perils of greed and inequality. Hodges highlights a key passage:

“Behold, I see you do love money and you love your substance and your fine apparel and the adorning of your churches more than you love the poor and the needy...” [12:56]

This duality reflects a tension within Mormonism: while wealth is seen as a sign of righteousness and divine favor, excessive accumulation can lead to societal and personal corruption. Hodges discusses how this paradox potentially influenced Johnson’s path towards transhumanism, as he seeks to perfect humanity through technological means, aligning with early Mormon transhumanist ideals but diverging from mainstream church teachings.

Materialism and Scientism in Mormon Beliefs

A significant portion of the discussion addresses Mormonism’s materialist worldview, where both spirit and matter are seen as interconnected. Hodges elaborates on how this belief system underpins the feasibility of transhumanist pursuits within the Mormon context.

“Everything has some sort of material substance behind it and therefore a causal explanation.” [19:11]

Johnson’s meticulous approach to health and longevity reflects this materialist ethos, likening his body to a temple that requires constant maintenance and improvement. Hodges draws parallels between Johnson’s methods and the Mormon Word of Wisdom, a health code originally revealed in the 1830s emphasizing physical well-being as part of spiritual duty.

Relational Struggles and Individualism

The episode touches on the personal costs of Johnson’s pursuits, including his estrangement from family members. Hodges discusses how Mormonism’s emphasis on family can make deviations from church norms particularly painful, leading to isolation and relational difficulties.

“Family separation in Mormonism can be extremely painful... seeing Brian disconnected from his family this way.” [36:23]

Johnson’s focus on individual health and technological enhancement may exacerbate these tensions, reflecting a shift from communal to individualistic values within certain Mormon circles. This isolation mirrors broader themes in Conspirituality, where personal quests for truth and improvement can lead to detachment from traditional community structures.

Politeness, Appearance, and Affinity Fraud

Matthew Remsky and Blair Hodges explore the Mormon emphasis on politeness and appearance, noting how these traits can mask darker undercurrents such as affinity fraud—exploiting communal trust for financial gain. Hodges warns that the outward friendliness and success often displayed by Mormons can conceal unethical behaviors, emphasizing the complexity of distinguishing genuine faith-based initiatives from manipulative schemes.

“Politeness can definitely cover up really dark things... it's Utah’s affinity fraud capital.” [47:46]

This dual nature underscores the podcast’s theme of conspirituality, where spiritual movements can intersect with conspiratorial behaviors, often obscured by charismatic leadership and polished public personas.

Conclusion: The Intersection of Faith and Technology

In wrapping up, the hosts reflect on how Brian Johnson embodies the convergence of Mormon values and transhumanist ambitions. His pursuit of longevity through technological means, rooted in a materialist and progressive interpretation of Mormonism, highlights both the potential and the pitfalls of such intersections.

“If you do it right, you will reap the benefits there. There's got to be this algorithm that's going to solve the puzzle of health.” [32:07]

Blair Hodges emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics within broader societal contexts, warning against oversimplified stereotypes and advocating for nuanced analyses of how faith and technology influence each other.

“Be careful about how they talk about Brian and folks like Brian... we slip into territory that I don't think we want to go to.” [41:06]

Notable Quotes

• Blair Hodges on Materialism:

  “Everything has some sort of material substance behind it and therefore a causal explanation.” [19:21]

• Blair Hodges on Wealth in Mormonism:

  “Money is sort of a neutral thing as long as you use it to build up God's kingdom on earth.” [12:46]

• Blair Hodges on Individual Health Pursuits:

  “He is doing that sort of, to me, a very Mormon approach to his physical health and physical health.” [33:03]

• Blair Hodges on Politeness and Affinity Fraud:

  “Politeness can definitely cover up really dark things. You can play the part of a Mormon and behind the scenes, not be that.” [47:46]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Conspirituality offers a deep dive into the complexities of modern Mormonism as it intersects with transhumanism and personal quests for immortality. Through Blair Hodges’ expert analysis, listeners gain insight into how traditional religious values can adapt and sometimes clash with contemporary technological ambitions, highlighting the ongoing struggle between communal ethics and individual aspirations within spiritual landscapes.

For more episodes and in-depth discussions on the intersections of conspiracy theories and spiritual influences, follow Conspirituality on Instagram, Threads, or subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Spotify.