I have a new book coming out next year, with an accompanying website. So I may be more active on social media than I have been for some time. No idea who will read this stuff, but that doesn’t matter… What I haven’t cracked to do is work out a workflow for posting on the blog and cross-posting to Mastodon and Bluesky. So let’s see what happens here.
An intelligent, humane critique from some mathematicians.
The most precious resources of our profession are students and ideas, and these we nurture with great care. We feel responsible to let them grow to their full potential, until they can live a life of their own in the mathematical world. For students we often suggest problems with the core intention of developing skills making them well-positioned for advances in research and elsewhere… These processes invariably take time and are based on human interaction.
As a Japanese proverb says, ‘the journey is the destination’.
The task of a scientist or a writer or any kind of maker, really, is to think. And it is in the thinking that the real work takes place. The importance of the work lies precisely in the fact that the creators do not take shortcuts.
But the issue with AI is that it is all shortcut.
We are witnessing a general threat to intellectual work, with misalignment between the outcome of the use of AI and its initial purpose.
Out now
Mid-faith Crisis 384: The stuff in our spiritual attic
We’re coming to the end of our season of spiritual decluttering, and taking a look at some of the things that we have hidden away in the attic. What practices have we stored away up there, hoping they might come in useful again some day? Also, we check in on our themes and Nick has been thinking about the topic of maintenance. Thrilling stuff, I’m sure you agree.
Out now
Mid-faith Crisis 383: Communion - ritual and grace
In a slightly unexpected moment, we delve into the ritual of communion. Last week we talked about it as a key Christian activity, but what is our understanding of it? We discuss the importance of ritualism, but also the dangers of exclusion. Also, we announce new ways of supporting the podcast, and Nick may or may not be able to balance on one leg and be a tree.
Out now
Mid-faith Crisis 382: Decluttering church
We continue our journey unpacking the rooms of faith by looking at ‘church’ – a big word, with so many meanings. But what is it really? Is it just people talking about God? What about things like communion? We discuss the necessity of community, the fundamental practices of faith and, most importantly, reflect on what Christian Gandalf has to say on the matter.
Out now
Mid-faith Crisis 381: Jesus is my drinks package
More on the theme of worship, but this week we focus on the why. Why do we worship? What is the role of gratitude? Is God really that needy, or are there other gods who are a lot more needy than the Divine? Should worship songs be sea shanties? We explore what the Bible actually says about worship, and how it might be more of a choice of direction than just saying nice things about God. Also, keep your diaries free, folks – we’ve got news of an event in 2027.
Out now
Mid-faith Crisis Bonus Episode: A Summer Repeat with Brian McLaren
So, Joe is still away, but here’s a little something from the vaults – an interview with Brian McLaren about his book Life After Doom. Given all the extreme weather we’re experiencing at the moment, this seemed like a good episode to revisit! We’ll be back with you next week. In the meantime, remember, humans are a mess, but the birds are awesome!
Out now
Mid-faith Crisis 380: Decluttering Worship
This week’s episode brings us to worship. How do we define it? Is it just music, or does worshipping God involve more than just warbling? What are our places of worship, and do we still have to sing? Also we talk about death and head injuries, just to cheer everyone up a bit.
Out now
Mid-faith Crisis 379: The Bible might come in handy some day
We’re back in the library as we continue to sort out our house of faith. This time we’re thinking about books we don’t use as much, and why it’s worth keeping old bits of the Bible around, because you never know which bits are going to come in handy. Also, Joe has had some issues with paint, and Nick has been giving martini recipes to medical staff.
Out now
Episode 378: The big MFC bookshelf
As we continue our journey around our house of faith we’ve come to the library. And this week, we’re restocking the shelves with book recommendations from the listeners. There’s a full list on the website.