![\"Paul](\"https:\/\/stuorgs2.gcc.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/09\/2025-10-10-23-kingsnorth-leads-conference-1-v2.jpg\")
Paul Kingsnorth, author of “Against the Machine,” headlined the Christian Writers Conference at Grove City College on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kingsnorth spoke at three events promoting his new book, “Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity.” Published Sept. 23, the book argues against the rise of what he says is “the techno-industrial culture” that “is destroying the Earth itself, and is reshaping us all in its image,” according to Kingsnorth’s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kingsnorth was an atheist for most of his life before converting to Christianity, which changed him for the better in ways he could not have imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Now, I sort of accidentally had a public conversion,” Kingsnorth said. “I’ve been a writer for all of 30 years, but I’ve only been a Christian for five or six years. … Didn’t expect it to happen, didn’t really want it to happen for a while, and then it did, so like C.S. Lewis, I just had to deal with it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And now I ask myself whether I’m a writer who’s a Christian or a Christian writer, or whether there’s a difference between those two things.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kingsnorth opened his visit to campus by participating in an interview with Professor of English Jeffery Bilbro in front of students, professors and visitors in the Great Room in Breen Student Union. Bilbro interviewed the English writer for the first half hour of the discussion, with attendees able to ask questions for the remaining 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s an absolute boon to have a speaker of such caliber and reach,” English Department Chair Joshua Mayo said in a speech introducing Kingsnorth before the discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the conversation in the student union, Kingsnorth lectured in Harbison Chapel about the themes and details found within the new book and held a book-signing reception in Rathburn Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I think language has to be used in a way that connects us to the meaning of humanity,” Kingsnorth said. “What does it actually mean to be a human? I would say the age of the machine is dark and depressing, but it also, at its root, is asking us that question.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bilbro said, according to a college news release, the conference was moved up to the fall to be a part of Kingsnorth’s ongoing North American book tour. It is typically in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kingsnorth has written works of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, including the novel “The Wake,” which was a finalist for the Booker Prize, an annual award honoring the best original English-language novel published in the United Kingdom. Before becoming a full-time author, the Ireland resident worked as a journalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If you listen to the people who are creating AI systems, they all talk about how they’re making God, or they’re building God or they’re summoning entities into the world. They talk about creating intelligences that are greater than us, supersede our evolution, that will replace us,” Kingsnorth said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This stuff is very, very open. … They’re very clear about the fact that they’re doing something that’s actually quite religious. It’s a spiritual story that they’re trying to create.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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