Mark Hurst on AI, Power, & the Future of Being Human

In this wide-ranging conversation, Stephen welcomes tech veteran and radio host Mark Hurst to explore what artificial intelligence is really doing to us—far beyond the hype. Mark traces his journey from early optimism about the web to outspoken critic of the “techno-feudalism” created by today’s Big Tech giants, and explains why he believes the harms of AI vastly outweigh its benefits.Together, Stephen, Mark, and producer Brandon dig into the hidden human and environmental costs of generative AI: from mental-health crises and parasocial “relationships” with chatbots to massive data centers that devour electricity and water while citizens foot the bill. They name the religious language and fantasy behind transhumanism, the lure of power in Silicon Valley, and the temptation to treat our devices as modern idols.Amid all this, the conversation keeps circling back to the heart of Living in the Meantime: how do we live as fully human, relational, grounded people in a tech-saturated world? Mark offers practical ways to reset our relationship with our phones, seek out healthier communities, and “look to the helpers” who are building humane alternatives—while Stephen connects it all to the ancient warnings against idolatry and the call to authentic, compassionate life together.Chapters 00:00:00 — Introducing Mark Hurst: Friendship, Career, and Tectonic00:02:00 — From Optimistic Technologist to Big Tech Critic\00:04:37 — What AI Actually Is: Clearing the Fog00:08:23 — The Hidden Human Costs of Generative AI00:11:48 — Environmental Consequences: Power, Water, and Data Centers00:15:01 — Economic and Political Manipulation Behind AI Expansion00:20:05 — The Mythology of AI: Hype, Hope, and Harm00:26:15 — Living with AI: Boundaries, Search Engines, and Agency00:30:36 — Finding the Helpers: Real Community in a Digital Age00:35:46 — Tech as Modern Idolatry & Returning to Human Flourishing Get full access to Living in the Meantime at livinginthemeantime.substack.com/subscribe