Key Concepts

Erik Davis: Techgnosis: Magic, Memory, and the Angels of Information

The Art of Memory or Ars Memorativa (“art of memory” in Latin) is a general term used to designate a loosely associated group of mnemonic principles and techniques used to organize memory impressions, improve recall, and assist in the combination and ‘invention’ of ideas. It is sometimes referred to as mnemotechnics. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Memory)
Gnosis is the common Greek noun for knowledge (in the nominative case γνῶσις f.). In the context of the English language gnosis generally refers to the word’s meaning within the spheres of Christian mysticism, Mystery religions and Gnosticism where it signifies a ‘spiritual knowledge’ or religion of knowledge, in the sense of mystical enlightenment or ‘insight’. Gnosis taught a deliverance of man from the constraints of earthly existence though ‘insight’ into an essential relationship, as soul or spirit, with a supramundane place of freedom. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosis)
Further readings on Gnosticism can be found at here
Hermeticism or the Western Hermetic Tradition is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs[1] based primarily upon the pseudepigraphical writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. These beliefs have heavily influenced the Western esoteric tradition and were considered greatly important during both the Renaissance[2] and the Reformation.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism)
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as “drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational psychology, holistic health, parapsychology, consciousness research and quantum physics”.[2] It aims to create “a spirituality without borders or confining dogmas” that is inclusive and pluralistic.[3] It holds to “a holistic worldview”,[4] emphasising that the Mind, Body and Spirit are interrelated[1] and that there is a form of monism and unity throughout the universe.[5] It attempts to create “a worldview that includes both science and spirituality”[6] and embraces a number of forms of mainstream science as well as other forms of science that are considered fringe. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age)

The Flesh is Willing but the (Virtual) Spirit is Weak : Franc Feng & Stephen Petrina 

Technosectarianism, according to Feng and Petrina (2009) refers to the concept that technology and religion are intrinsically linked although “in technosectarianism it is always unclear whether the new gospel restored technology or whether it was the other way around, or both” (p.2).

 

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