1014: Was Lord of the Rings a Warning About AI?

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September 8, 2025 • 50 mins

Was Tolkien warning us about the rise of AI and transhumanism? What if The Lord of the Rings wasn’t just a fantasy epic, but a prophetic story mapping out the dangers of machines, digital power, and a world losing touch with virtue? This episode will change the way you see both Tolkien’s work and the world we live in today. Studio Sponsor: Cardio Miracle - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": CardioMiracle.com/TBNS In today’s conversation, we dive deep into Tolkien’s mythology and explore how his Catholic worldview, his skepticism of machines, and his vision of the “One Ring” eerily line up with the rise of artificial intelligence. Is Sauron more than just a villain? Could he represent the machine itself — an all-seeing force built on binary code? My guest, Paul List, author of Mount Doom: The Prophecy of Tolkien Revealed, walks us through a mind-blowing breakdown of Tolkien’s characters and symbols — Gandalf, the hobbits, the Ringwraiths — and how they connect to virtue, vice, and the spiritual dangers of our technological age. You’ll never look at Frodo’s journey the same way again. We also tackle today’s AI race, where governments and corporations pour billions into building smarter machines. But are we building tools that serve us, or a beast that will one day demand our worship? Paul makes the case that Tolkien saw this exact danger nearly 100 years ago, warning us through myth before it became reality. Most importantly, we talk solutions. How do we fight back? It starts with cultivating virtue, clinging to faith, and refusing to hand over our humanity to the machine. This isn’t just literature or politics — it’s about the future of our civilization. Buckle up, because this conversation will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about technology, freedom, and the stories we tell. ❤️ Order Cardio Miracle (CardioMiracle.com/TBNS) for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being! 📧Submit Listener Questions to brian@briannicholsshow.com to hear your questions and perspectives answered and shared each and every week! 🎙️ WATCH The Brian Nichols Show, available on YouTube & Rumble. With over 1010 episodes featuring local candidates, elected officials, economists, CEOs, and more, each show educates, enlightens, and informs. 🔗Follow Brian on social media: X.com/Twitter (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/twitter) & Facebook (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/facebook) 🔔 Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to The Brian Nichols Show for more captivating interviews and insights into common sense solutions for local problems! 🌎 Don’t miss the Expat Money Online Summit (Oct 10–12) — a free online event on protecting wealth, lowering taxes, and securing a Plan B. Get your ticket at ExpatMoneySummit.com and use promo code TBNS for 20% off VIP access! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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