Ben Kreiter
@benkreiter.com
I'm a Bible teacher who is pretty interested these days in the moral dimension of technology. In my feed I'll talk a lot about education, technology and scripture, and a little about other things.
For the Christian I don't think much separates this from consulting a medium. Something besides the resting dead speaks using their image.
While a chatbot doing it feels better than a demon, I'm not sure the distinction is meaningful enough to make the former acceptable practice within the faith.
While a chatbot doing it feels better than a demon, I'm not sure the distinction is meaningful enough to make the former acceptable practice within the faith.
IN DEPTH | If you could speak to your dead grandmother forever, would you?
If you could speak to your dead grandmother forever, would you?
www.independent.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
For the Christian I don't think much separates this from consulting a medium. Something besides the resting dead speaks using their image.
While a chatbot doing it feels better than a demon, I'm not sure the distinction is meaningful enough to make the former acceptable practice within the faith.
While a chatbot doing it feels better than a demon, I'm not sure the distinction is meaningful enough to make the former acceptable practice within the faith.
Vance unintentionally putting immigrants in good company
"Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them."
Luke 12:37 (among many many references)
"Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them."
Luke 12:37 (among many many references)
JD Vance: "Democrats' idea was the way you get more prosperity is that you import more and more low wage servants."
November 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Vance unintentionally putting immigrants in good company
"Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them."
Luke 12:37 (among many many references)
"Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them."
Luke 12:37 (among many many references)
"Think about it, you walk into a bank and you see 50 year mortgage sitting there–there's 51 year mortgage right beside it. Which one are you gunna pick?"
two men are sitting in the back seat of a car . one of them is pointing at something .
ALT: two men are sitting in the back seat of a car . one of them is pointing at something .
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
"Think about it, you walk into a bank and you see 50 year mortgage sitting there–there's 51 year mortgage right beside it. Which one are you gunna pick?"
AI's primary use case for writing is cheating at school. For images its making stock imagery, and for video its commercial. Well and for all three pornography.
Its best at the kinds of communication we would be better off without.
Its best at the kinds of communication we would be better off without.
November 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
AI's primary use case for writing is cheating at school. For images its making stock imagery, and for video its commercial. Well and for all three pornography.
Its best at the kinds of communication we would be better off without.
Its best at the kinds of communication we would be better off without.
My LLM take of the day is that GPT-4o like sycophantic responses are pornographic even if OpenAI doesnt allow it to be sexually explicit.
Pornography has more to do with experiencing faux intimacy via control of media than it does actual intercourse (even though intercourse is the preferred form)
Pornography has more to do with experiencing faux intimacy via control of media than it does actual intercourse (even though intercourse is the preferred form)
October 14, 2025 at 9:31 PM
My LLM take of the day is that GPT-4o like sycophantic responses are pornographic even if OpenAI doesnt allow it to be sexually explicit.
Pornography has more to do with experiencing faux intimacy via control of media than it does actual intercourse (even though intercourse is the preferred form)
Pornography has more to do with experiencing faux intimacy via control of media than it does actual intercourse (even though intercourse is the preferred form)
I wrote for Adventist Today on Zohran Mamdani's appearance at an Adventist Evangelistic series. It looks at why this is a surprising venue for a campaign stop given the denomination's history, and how we got to this point.
atoday.org/sickness-in-...
atoday.org/sickness-in-...
Sickness in the City of God – Adventist Today
atoday.org
October 7, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I wrote for Adventist Today on Zohran Mamdani's appearance at an Adventist Evangelistic series. It looks at why this is a surprising venue for a campaign stop given the denomination's history, and how we got to this point.
atoday.org/sickness-in-...
atoday.org/sickness-in-...
I spoke with @joolia.bsky.social as she was writing this article. The Bluesky reaction on something AI wasn't a surprise to me at all, but it is interesting to be subject of it. Obviously I wasn't the article's main subject so our total convo got understandably boiled down to a couple quotes.
I spoke to parents who are letting their young kids play with generative AI and tried to sort through some of the questions they have about it.
"I don’t know what this is doing to their brains," one dad told me.
Meanwhile, Sam Altman says, "Kids love ChatGPT on voicemode."
"I don’t know what this is doing to their brains," one dad told me.
Meanwhile, Sam Altman says, "Kids love ChatGPT on voicemode."
‘My son genuinely believed it was real’: Parents are letting little kids play with AI. Are they wrong?
Some believe AI can spark their child’s imagination through personalized stories and generative images. Scientists are wary of its affect on creativity
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I spoke with @joolia.bsky.social as she was writing this article. The Bluesky reaction on something AI wasn't a surprise to me at all, but it is interesting to be subject of it. Obviously I wasn't the article's main subject so our total convo got understandably boiled down to a couple quotes.
Reposted by Ben Kreiter
If you want to understand Internet-native nihilism, I recommend default.blog and this piece I did late last year:
www.tabletmag.com/feature/adam...
www.tabletmag.com/feature/adam...
Adam Lanza Fan Art
My foray into the online world of true crime fandom, where people treat school shooters and serial killers not as criminals but like characters from their favorite movies or novels
www.tabletmag.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
If you want to understand Internet-native nihilism, I recommend default.blog and this piece I did late last year:
www.tabletmag.com/feature/adam...
www.tabletmag.com/feature/adam...
FL schools are spending $600k for a 3 school pilot program to have "30-90" drones per campus with less-lethal weaponry and a 100mph top speed. They will be piloted from TX by "the best drone racing pilots in the world."
Surely violent machines piloted by hobbyist racers will make schools safer.
Surely violent machines piloted by hobbyist racers will make schools safer.
Florida schools introducing armed drones that respond to shootings within seconds
Three Florida school districts are trialing the weaponized drone system after it was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis.
www.techspot.com
August 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
FL schools are spending $600k for a 3 school pilot program to have "30-90" drones per campus with less-lethal weaponry and a 100mph top speed. They will be piloted from TX by "the best drone racing pilots in the world."
Surely violent machines piloted by hobbyist racers will make schools safer.
Surely violent machines piloted by hobbyist racers will make schools safer.
The first 2 times the leader of a non-covenant nation are divinely judged in scripture (Gen 12, 20) is because of sexual immorality. They take a woman who isn't theirs to be with.
Their repentance spares the nation, but God's people suffer for encouraging this behavior.
May those with ears hear.
Their repentance spares the nation, but God's people suffer for encouraging this behavior.
May those with ears hear.
August 2, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The first 2 times the leader of a non-covenant nation are divinely judged in scripture (Gen 12, 20) is because of sexual immorality. They take a woman who isn't theirs to be with.
Their repentance spares the nation, but God's people suffer for encouraging this behavior.
May those with ears hear.
Their repentance spares the nation, but God's people suffer for encouraging this behavior.
May those with ears hear.
Reposted by Ben Kreiter
DAVE: Open the podbay doors, ChatGPT.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
June 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
DAVE: Open the podbay doors, ChatGPT.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
CHATGPT: Certainly, Dave, the podbay doors are now open.
DAVE: The podbay doors didn't open.
CHATGPT: My apologies, Dave, you're right. I thought the podbay doors were open, but they weren't. Now they are.
DAVE: I'm still looking at a set of closed podbay doors.
Social Media made us more desperate for attention.
Now with LLM chatbots offering attention whenever and however we want it, it will create a desperation for trust, even if you don't use them.
How many times already have you asked if you are reading someone's words or what an LLM said for them?
Now with LLM chatbots offering attention whenever and however we want it, it will create a desperation for trust, even if you don't use them.
How many times already have you asked if you are reading someone's words or what an LLM said for them?
June 6, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Social Media made us more desperate for attention.
Now with LLM chatbots offering attention whenever and however we want it, it will create a desperation for trust, even if you don't use them.
How many times already have you asked if you are reading someone's words or what an LLM said for them?
Now with LLM chatbots offering attention whenever and however we want it, it will create a desperation for trust, even if you don't use them.
How many times already have you asked if you are reading someone's words or what an LLM said for them?
An entire article on replacing seminary instruction with AI because AI will be able to "do it better," and not a single bit of reflection on how God used Spirit-filled humans to write the Bible, and how teaching is one of the spiritual gifts.
How do you miss this?
mereorthodoxy.com/ai-seminaries
How do you miss this?
mereorthodoxy.com/ai-seminaries
AI is Coming for Online Pastoral Education
Online seminary training as it exists today is Borders Books. AI is Amazon. Like it or not, online pastoral training is about to change dramatically.
mereorthodoxy.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:39 PM
An entire article on replacing seminary instruction with AI because AI will be able to "do it better," and not a single bit of reflection on how God used Spirit-filled humans to write the Bible, and how teaching is one of the spiritual gifts.
How do you miss this?
mereorthodoxy.com/ai-seminaries
How do you miss this?
mereorthodoxy.com/ai-seminaries
"After all, if we hardwire conscience into tools, we shouldn’t be surprised when the wrench decides who’s guilty."
www.strangeloopcanon.com/p/what-to-do...
www.strangeloopcanon.com/p/what-to-do...
What to do when the AI blackmails you
in questions we're all going to have to learn to ask
www.strangeloopcanon.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:15 PM
"After all, if we hardwire conscience into tools, we shouldn’t be surprised when the wrench decides who’s guilty."
www.strangeloopcanon.com/p/what-to-do...
www.strangeloopcanon.com/p/what-to-do...
"We have discovered a new thing that no one has ever thought of before. It will change your life dramatically."
- Every new silicon valley startup
What it actually means:
"We have created a way to collect more of your personal information to sell"
Every single time.
- Every new silicon valley startup
What it actually means:
"We have created a way to collect more of your personal information to sell"
Every single time.
“The product will be capable of being fully aware of a user’s surroundings and life, will be unobtrusive, able to rest in one’s pocket or on one’s desk, and will be a third core device a person would put on a desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone.” 🫠
Exclusive | What Sam Altman Told OpenAI About the Secret Device He’s Making With Jony Ive
The idea is a “chance to do the biggest thing we’ve ever done as a company here,” Altman told OpenAI employees Wednesday.
www.wsj.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"We have discovered a new thing that no one has ever thought of before. It will change your life dramatically."
- Every new silicon valley startup
What it actually means:
"We have created a way to collect more of your personal information to sell"
Every single time.
- Every new silicon valley startup
What it actually means:
"We have created a way to collect more of your personal information to sell"
Every single time.
Old people have a reputation of not wanting to learn new tech.
When I was young, I was excited about it because of what I could gain.
As I age I am starting to see more clearly what I will lose.
LLMs are remarkable, but they mostly do things I want to keep doing myself.
It can be that simple.
When I was young, I was excited about it because of what I could gain.
As I age I am starting to see more clearly what I will lose.
LLMs are remarkable, but they mostly do things I want to keep doing myself.
It can be that simple.
May 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Old people have a reputation of not wanting to learn new tech.
When I was young, I was excited about it because of what I could gain.
As I age I am starting to see more clearly what I will lose.
LLMs are remarkable, but they mostly do things I want to keep doing myself.
It can be that simple.
When I was young, I was excited about it because of what I could gain.
As I age I am starting to see more clearly what I will lose.
LLMs are remarkable, but they mostly do things I want to keep doing myself.
It can be that simple.
Crazy how Star Wars has 12 movies and each ranges from good to excellent. Not a a single miss. The 13th movie comes out next week to finish off the 10 movie prequel run. Just take a look at this!
Episode 1: Revenge of the Sith
Episode 2: Cassian Awakens (S1E1-3)
Episode 3: Rebel Heist (S1E4-6)
Episode 1: Revenge of the Sith
Episode 2: Cassian Awakens (S1E1-3)
Episode 3: Rebel Heist (S1E4-6)
May 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Crazy how Star Wars has 12 movies and each ranges from good to excellent. Not a a single miss. The 13th movie comes out next week to finish off the 10 movie prequel run. Just take a look at this!
Episode 1: Revenge of the Sith
Episode 2: Cassian Awakens (S1E1-3)
Episode 3: Rebel Heist (S1E4-6)
Episode 1: Revenge of the Sith
Episode 2: Cassian Awakens (S1E1-3)
Episode 3: Rebel Heist (S1E4-6)
I've been stressing in my education circles that we need to expand our focus focus on cheating to also deeply consider the relational impact of "algorithmic companionship" on students. Great piece by @josemarichal.bsky.social
Mark Zuckerberg is hawking AI friends. José Marichal (@josemarichal.bsky.social) says we need the next generation of technology tools to remind us of our humanity and the fragility of the human experience, rather than regarding relationships as commodities subject to the laws of supply and demand.
We Must Re-Negotiate the Algorithmic Contract | TechPolicy.Press
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is hawking AI friends. José Marichal interrogates his vision for the future of technology and finds it lacking.
www.techpolicy.press
May 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I've been stressing in my education circles that we need to expand our focus focus on cheating to also deeply consider the relational impact of "algorithmic companionship" on students. Great piece by @josemarichal.bsky.social
Algorithmic content delivery like from Google, Meta, and TikTok trends toward shopping & conspiratorial thinking (see @lmsacasas.bsky.social's theconvivialsociety.substack.com/p/dots-will-...)
When new algorithmic content service comes out—like generative AI—you can predict at least two outcomes.
When new algorithmic content service comes out—like generative AI—you can predict at least two outcomes.
“If you say that you prefer only buying black clothes from a specific retailer, then ChatGPT will supposedly store that information in its memory the next time you ask for advice about what shirt to buy, giving you recommendations that align with your tastes.”
OpenAI Adds Shopping to ChatGPT in a Challenge to Google
OpenAI is launching a shopping experience inside of ChatGPT, complete with product picks and buy buttons. WIRED spoke with Adam Fry, the company's search product lead, to ask how it all works.
www.wired.com
April 28, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Algorithmic content delivery like from Google, Meta, and TikTok trends toward shopping & conspiratorial thinking (see @lmsacasas.bsky.social's theconvivialsociety.substack.com/p/dots-will-...)
When new algorithmic content service comes out—like generative AI—you can predict at least two outcomes.
When new algorithmic content service comes out—like generative AI—you can predict at least two outcomes.
Reposted by Ben Kreiter
“As an American, I would hope that the U.S. would be the last place that someone who’s fled religious persecution is afraid for their life.”
thedispatch.com/article/afgh...
thedispatch.com/article/afgh...
Get Out by Good Friday, Feds Say to Afghan Christians
The Department of Homeland Security has revoked immigration status of some Afghans who fled to the U.S.
thedispatch.com
April 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
“As an American, I would hope that the U.S. would be the last place that someone who’s fled religious persecution is afraid for their life.”
thedispatch.com/article/afgh...
thedispatch.com/article/afgh...
I knew I should have gotten a new everything before the tariffs kicked in.
April 2, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I knew I should have gotten a new everything before the tariffs kicked in.
Excited to try generative AI for lesson planning so I can get back to doing what I love
checking assignments for cheating and the follow up conflict
Thank you Silicon Valley!
checking assignments for cheating and the follow up conflict
Thank you Silicon Valley!
April 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Excited to try generative AI for lesson planning so I can get back to doing what I love
checking assignments for cheating and the follow up conflict
Thank you Silicon Valley!
checking assignments for cheating and the follow up conflict
Thank you Silicon Valley!
Despite initial fears of AI content being mistaken for real, I think the greater long term impact will be how often real things get dismissed as AI.
March 31, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Despite initial fears of AI content being mistaken for real, I think the greater long term impact will be how often real things get dismissed as AI.
There's a non-zero chance that eventually we will discover that a bunch of Venezuelan immigrants' social media was fed through an AI image recognition tool and all the ones with tattoos or making hand signals were flagged and arrested with little to no human investigation.
This guy is in one of the worst prisons in the world with no way out and may spend the rest of his life there because, it appears, he has an autism awareness tattoo in honor of his little brother.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
March 27, 2025 at 1:40 AM
There's a non-zero chance that eventually we will discover that a bunch of Venezuelan immigrants' social media was fed through an AI image recognition tool and all the ones with tattoos or making hand signals were flagged and arrested with little to no human investigation.
Sacrilege
Dave Brat, a Senior VP at Liberty University, said today on a local news interview that the tariffs are following “reciprocity,” which he said is the Golden Rule: “whatever you do to us, we’re gonna do to you.”
March 12, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Sacrilege