Divine Machinery: What is it?

Written By: Armita Ghahremani

What if you were told that you were surrounded by angels all your life? You might be thinking of something like a guardian angel or a spirit animal, but have you ever thought of a computer? Perhaps not, however, there is an existing contemporary concept that embodies such a thought. This is something known as divine machinery, the idea that technology is angels designed to serve us. The bridge between spirituality and machines.

Divine machinery might sound like an alarming or controversial concept that contradicts a person’s belief, but it is quite the opposite. When we say that machines or computers are angels, we mean that they serve the same purpose as angels. Machines serve humans and perform tasks the same way that angels do for their creator. They both serve some kind of higher purpose and are happy to do it. The parallel between these topics gives a philosophical perspective to technology.  This concept, however, is quite new though, with recent developments in artificial intelligence causing people to think more deeply about the purpose of computers.  An example of this could be with something like gaming consoles because like angels, they both are created to give messages. The significance behind divine machinery is not to worship computers or view technology as sentient but to better understand the importance of technology in our society and how that can be compared to the way we perceive religion. This is of course different for every person, but with this perspective, you can think more critically about the way the development of technology shapes our mindset as a society.

One interesting way to think of it is with the use of metaphor. In God, Human, Animal, Machine by Meghan O’Gieblyn she discusses how we think through metaphors, especially with the way that we view ourselves. We say that our brains are our computers in the way that they operate. However, with artificial intelligence developments, we are now saying that a computer is a brain. Thus this metaphor is constantly being flipped and sent back and forth to either end of the example. We merge technology and humanity more often than we separate it without us even realizing it. Divine machinery allows us to condense part of it into a more solid term.

With The Age of Spiritual Machines by Ray Kurzweil, he takes this connection even a step further by putting the use of figurative language aside and saying that humanity and technology will literally merge. One way or another, by 2099, the physical human body will cease to exist and our conscious minds will instead reside within a refined piece of hardware. This is, of course, on the more extreme end of thinking however it still relates to the concept of Divine Machinery. To connect ourselves with technology is like connecting ourselves to a higher power like a lot of us do with religion. Not necessarily to worship or be faithful to, but view it as something that will elevate your life and help you. To have a relationship with something nonhuman and divine.

Whether you’re thinking about becoming a cyborg or like to use figurative language, acknowledging the idea of Divine Machinery will give you a chance to analyze and form opinions about technology from a perspective that involves being empathetic, human, and philosophical. You can dive into the deeper and more intense side of technology’s impact outside of surface-level consequences and functions that imposes on us. It’s not necessarily dark nor dystopian but intuitive and aware to do so. The best way Divine Machinery is expanded is through art and conversation. You can find a multitude of forums and discussions online that partake in analysis and theory. Regardless, the concept of Divine Machinery is both significant and intriguing.

1 AP News. Last modified September 16, 2024. Accessed September 20, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9. 

2  Picheta, Rob, Jessie Yeung, Teele Rebane, and Lex Harvey. CNN, September 16, 2024. Accessed September 20, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/us/ryan-routh-trump-what-we-know-intl-hnk/index.html.