In a well meaning post on X, Elon Musk stated, “It increasingly appears that humanity is a biological bootloader for digital superintelligence.” Musk’s ingenuity and technological innovation have rekindled American idealism. He is a problem solver at a time when troubles abound, whether it comes in the form of saving stranded astronauts or slashing government waste with DOGE. Yet, for all of his zest, his post indicates that he is at odds with conservative culture.
If you ever have the opportunity to stand up close to Van Gogh’s painting “The Night Café,” you will see a depth of detail that goes beyond the rich, lustrous colors. The thick oil paint sits heavy on the canvas, creating a minuscule but noteworthy third dimension. Each stroke of Van Gogh’s brush is clearly visible, with the curves of the bristles and the pressure of his handiwork. From certain angles, different shadows are cast. In Ernest Hemingway’s semi-fictitious novel A Moveable Feast, he writes about visiting the art museums in Paris in the late afternoon and being captivated by how the paintings looked in that special light.
These are some of the certain splendors uniquely afforded to the human experience. They are mostly indescribable and usually unreplicable — standing at the foot of one of the Old Masters’ paintings, or entering a centuries-old cathedral, or reading a story that was written long before electric cars or moon landings all stir up these emotions. These creations are tethers to the whole of humanity, and they lead us back toward the very things that conservatives seek to preserve.
Perhaps Musk is standing too close to the painting, and as he studies each individual blot of color, he forgets to look at the whole picture. He has been putting out the fires of anti-free speech censorship and government corruption with a great deal of intensity. Adding onto that is the personal backlash that Tesla has received from angry leftists looking for a bone to pick. But he seems to have lost sight of some of the magnificence of mankind.
Musk’s creativity serves a decided purpose. His projects’ aims are solutions, often technological or mathematical in nature. The tasks Musk takes on can be measured, marked, and dealt with via spreadsheets. This is an incredibly useful skill, but one that needs to be supplemented with the artistic, poetic attributes of civilization.
America has developed a sense of identity that sets it apart from Europe and the rest of Western civilization. Europe was built in historic places and had a heritage that was evident through its buildings, literature, and customs. America was not endowed with this cultural infrastructure and had to slowly build its identity as it expanded its borders. The 20th century saw the rise of Hollywood and movies, the introduction of jazz and rock music, and the advent of architectural styles such as art deco and mid-century modern. The public took the Western heritage and used it to build a cultivated, expressive style.
There is no scholarly study or calculation that can explain the feeling of watching a great touchdown pass or a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. These are goosebump-inducing moments; these are the moments that people speak fondly of for years because they are crucial parts of a person’s spirit. These things are experiential and inspired; they can’t be found in a lab or distilled into a pill.
The fundamental question that lies behind conservatism is What are we conserving? It may seem paradoxical to consider pushing for innovation while pulling back on certain aspects of artificial intelligence. The aim is not to demolish the act of creation in favor of a technology that, while new, is still only artificial.
The human imagination is no accident. Mankind was lovingly designed by a creative God, intentionally made in His image. The result is that all of God’s people, too, are deeply creative, whether they understand the root of their passion or not. Musk’s drive toward superintelligence glosses over this fundamental truth. It is not a criticism of his work, but rather a reminder that there is more to the American experiment than can be found in books.
Conservatism is rooted in the key principles of Christianity. It seeks out biblical truths about the nature of man before it succumbs to the faux dogma of the internet ether.
New technology has always frightened people. This, too, seems to be a part of mankind’s nature: an inability to get with the times. After all, 19th century civilians cried apocalypse when the light bulb was first invented. Americans should not be afraid of progress, as it is a healthy sign of a clever, inspired society. But neither should they forfeit their purposeful composition in favor of mechanical development. There is something important and charming about writing a handwritten letter instead of sending a text or driving the long way home to get a better view of the sunset.
Humanity is so much more than a “biological bootloader.” It is the group that stands with their noses close to the painting, trying to see where the shadows fall on “The Night Café.” It is the group that smiles as they realize no one else might ever see these brush strokes in that very same way.
Brooke Brandtjen is a writer and journalist from Wisconsin who focuses primarily on culture, politics, and religion. She is extremely passionate about the arts and history, and is honored to write for a variety of distinguished publications.
Jesus Christ is King
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