The Upper Paleolithic, that is the period  dated from around 50-11 thousand years ago, reflects a period of cultural, behavioral and technological change that distinguishes modern humans from earlier homo species.

Four examples of the earliest archetypal images, beliefs, and practices are given and for which we have hard evidence taking us back many tens of thousands years deep into the last ice age. These are 1. burial practices; 2. images of the Great Mother; 3. cave paintings, rock-art, figurines, and statues;  4. shamanism. Their relevance to the contemporary world is indicated - a theme of great importance and to be taken up as this mini-series progresses.

This episode explores:

The first archetypal images of humanity for which we have evidence.

The areas of the world where this evidence is found: South Africa, Indonesia, India, Australia, the Americas, Siberia. We leave the famous cave paintings of France and Spain until next episode.

The dates of the cave painting and rock art that have survived and recently been discovered. These stretch back into pre-history for tens of thousands of years.

What are the links between these early images and shamanism?

The ten archetypes underlying the book "Archetypes at Work" have an astrological basis in the ten heavenly bodies (including sun and moon) in our solar system - each with their archetypal nature and their influence upon human character and destiny ... "the planets are around us and in us".
Dr Laurence Hillman explains how at birth a unique blueprint forms the basis of human character and this is laid out in the astrological map - the configuration of the planets at this unique point in time. Also explained are planetary conjunctions, oppositions and the like. Further explained are personal and world transits in which planetary configurations at later points in one's life or in the history of civilizations are shown to have deep influence. Aligning oneself to one's true nature is vital. A deeply informative and enriching interview.

Exploring how archetypes—rooted in mythology and Shakespearean drama—can revolutionize leadership, organizational culture, and personal growth.

Key highlights include:

• The Power of Shakespearean Drama: Uncover how mythological and archetypal elements in Shakespeare’s plays illuminate leadership dynamics and human potential.
• Peak Performance and Inner Essence: Learn how embracing archetypes allows acting in to unlock authentic leadership.
• The Ten Archetypes Framework: Discover a transformative tool for understanding and developing leadership capacities and individual transformation. Identify your dominant archetypes, awaken dormant ones, and address shadow elements that may hinder growth.
• A Path to Growth and Resilience: Explore how balancing archetypes fosters personal development, strengthens organizations, and offers a lens for navigating the crises of our time.

This is a rare opportunity to delve into the intersection of myth, leadership, and psychology, with insights that resonate across industries and individual development alike. Whether you’re a leader, psychotherapist, coach, or simply curious about the stories shaping our lives, this conversation promises to be both profound, unique, and practical.

This is the final episode of this miniseries  on Transhumanism and Artificial Intelligence. Many authors, filmakers and the like point to the great dangers of  Artifical Intelligence - to no avail. Warnings of great danger are no deterrence for the advance of technology. Fascinated by wealth and infatuated with power, we complete the Faustian bargain that was struck at the beginning of Business Civilization – we forfeit our soul for power, wealth and knowledge.

The archetypal roots of Transhumanism are explored. The Book of Genesis presents this in symbolic and mythical form: humans are caught in a dilemma between staying in the garden of unconsciousness or making a bid for freedom from nature and the unconscious though the awakening of self awareness and pursuit of knowledge. In doing this we become aware of death and are destined to attempt to overcome this trauma by seeking the tree of everlasting life – to become as gods.

This is the metaphysical background to transhumanism which in its radical form wishes to move at least some humans to a post-biological state that overcomes ageing and death. However the history of utopias – and Transhumanism is definitely one - is that they have a dystopian underside. This can be even be presented metaphysically as a movement from the Luciferian to the Satanic. There is a Faustian pact at the origins of business civilization. The pursuit of Artificial Intelligence and the movement to Transhumanism are its consequences. The myth of Dr Faustus is explored.

We examine  a very recent international report on AI safety. In the face of possibly the most powerful, disruptive, and existentially threatening technological revolution in our history. Regulation is notably absent. We stumble into the unknown.

This episode considers the speed, extent, and dangers of the AI technological revolution. The dreams of radical transhumanism depend on this transformation. I  use 2 sources, both highly recommended reading:

1.  Megathreats  (2022)  by Nouriel Roubini  especially ch8.

2. The Coming Wave  (2023 ) by Mustafa Suleyman.

The episode ends with a warning dream of mine about AI …

An expedition of Western soldiers in India stumbled on an unusual tomb. It is like a big room which is guarded by a living demon, whom the soldiers decide to execute perhaps by burning. They walk backwards to the place of execution while the blue demon walks forward in a sinister, elegant kind of dance.

A cautious interpretation is offered.

I review the history of the relationship of technology and human consciousness and explore the implications of the division of the brain into a right and left hemisphere.  AI is not only going to take over most  jobs in the economy, it will take over our consciousness and we are surrendering it willingly. At root, having been convinced of the idea we have no soul and that we are simply code, we are wide open for takeover by forces, many malevolent,  we might otherwise be able to withstand.  And if I am asked what is the soul I reply:

The essence of this precious life

The seed upon the flower,

The scent within a perfume

The light that is a star;

The freedom of the wild west wind

The mist on mountain side,

The thought before you think it

She knows you from inside.

The sweetness of the desert breeze

You can’t hold in your hand,

She’s like the waters of the Nile

She comes from other lands.

Transhumanism believes in a transition of Homo sapiens into a trans-human and even post-biological state made possible by accelerating technological progress, for example Artificial General Intelligence.  The recent emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs) not only push the boundaries of AI but may also play their part in the Transhumanist enterprise. In reply to the question what are the dangers of such technologies to human consciousness, Gemini, one of the well known LLMs, gave a very frank and disturbing reply. All is revealed in the episode!

A mini series on Transhumanism

Transhumanism divides into moderate Transhumanism which believes in an enhanced human condition, and radical Transhumanism which envisages a profound alteration of our bodies and minds, even to the extent of abandoning our biological inheritance and becoming a designed new species. Both visions envisage accelerating technological change. But humans are not in charge of their technologies, rather technology itself is in the driving seat. While the record so far of a highly improved human condition looks good, for example increased life span, as well as impressive increases in GDP and the standard of living, on closer inspection the contemporary situation looks fraught with difficulty and the world economy could well be at an inflection point. Thus, the moderate Transhumanism project would be stalled, even endangered. However, as further episodes will argue this does not apply to radical Transhumanism which  is set to proceed regardless of economic conditions.