Project Cosmos: Conversations on the Future of Civilization
Project Cosmos: Conversations on the Future of Civilization
Podcast Description
Project Cosmos is a new series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that brings together leading thinkers for candid, in-depth conversations about politics, culture, history, and the fate of the American regime.Hosted in an informal, living-room setting, each episode feels less like a panel discussion and more like stepping inside a private exchange among some of today’s most influential intellectuals. Together, they explore urgent questions:What is the common good in 21st-century America?Has liberalism failed, and what comes after it?Can the administrative state be reformed—or must it be dismantled?Should Americans embrace a stronger executive power?What lessons can we learn from Rome, the Founders, and modern history?From executive authority and Caesarism to community, culture, and the role of elites, Project Cosmos offers unfiltered discussions at the highest level.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on critical themes in politics, culture, and history, addressing urgent questions such as the role of executive power in the common good and the future of liberalism. Examples of episodes include discussions on the administrative state, the implications of bureaucracy, and historical lessons from American founders. Central topics also delve into community and cultural dynamics, exploring the lessons of Rome and the contemporary elite's role.
Project Cosmos is a new series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that brings together leading thinkers for candid, in-depth conversations about politics, culture, history, and the fate of the American regime.
Hosted in an informal, living-room setting, each episode feels less like a panel discussion and more like stepping inside a private exchange among some of today’s most influential intellectuals. Together, they explore urgent questions:
- What is the common good in 21st-century America?
- Has liberalism failed, and what comes after it?
- Can the administrative state be reformed—or must it be dismantled?
- Should Americans embrace a stronger executive power?
- What lessons can we learn from Rome, the Founders, and modern history?
From executive authority and Caesarism to community, culture, and the role of elites, Project Cosmos offers unfiltered discussions at the highest level.
In this episode of Project Cosmos, host Johnny Burtka is joined by Ross Douthat, Aaron M. Renn, Michael Miller, Matthew Walther, and Frank Hanna for a profound roundtable on one of the most urgent questions of our time:
👉 What does it mean to be a techno-optimist? Can technology serve the common good, or is it leading us toward dystopia?
This wide-ranging conversation explores:
The promise and peril of AI, biotech, and digital innovation
The tension between faith, tradition, and technological progress
How technology shapes culture, politics, and the future of America
The moral and spiritual challenges of the digital age
Decentralization, blockchain, and the search for community
The role of leadership, witness, and spiritual renewal in a technological society
Global competition, China, and the future of Western civilization
The importance of subsidiarity, education, and local solutions
⏰ CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Introduction: Technology and Conservative Perspectives
40:46 – The Virtues and Pitfalls of Modern Technology
55:02 – Hyper-Politics and the Failure of Political Solutions
1:06:28 – Global Competition and China's Technological Rise
1:19:59 – Ameliorating the Worst: Limited Reforms and Class Divides
1:26:34 – Christian Anthropology and Decentralized Solutions
1:32:44 – Personal Witness and Spiritual Awakening
📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political, philosophical, and cultural challenges facing America.
Guests:
Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI)
Aaron M. Renn – writer, urban analyst
Michael Matheson Miller – social philosopher, Acton Institute
Matthew Walther – editor, The Lamp
Ross Douthat – columnist, The New York Times
Frank Hanna – entrepreneur, philanthropist
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, technology, and society meet.
ProjectCosmos #JohnnyBurtka #AaronMRenn #MichaelMiller #MatthewWalther #RossDouthat #FrankHanna #TechnoOptimism #Technology #Society #AI #Faith #Decentralization #Podcast #FutureOfCivilization #Leadership #Philosophy #Culture #America
Learn more about ISI’s educational programs: https://isi.org
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.