The Human Voice with Bob Hutchins

Bob Hutchins
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Bob Hutchins- Digital Marketing OG, Cultural and media theorist, and Organizational Psychologist talks about all things human and restorative. Tech, Psychology, Spirituality, Change, Mental and Social Well Being.

  1. JAN 9

    The Water We Swim In: When Technology Becomes Environment

    Episode Summary: In this episode, we move beyond the common debate of whether technology is "good" or "bad" to explore a more fundamental reality: technology is no longer just a tool we pick up; it is the environment we inhabit. Drawing on the prophetic work of French sociologist Jacques Ellul, Bob explores how we have migrated from a natural wilderness defined by seasons and storms to a "silicon wilderness" defined by algorithms and efficiency. We look at the anxiety of the disconnected screen, the illusion of being a "user," and why the human soul-which thrives on inefficiency and imperfection-truggles to breathe in a system designed for zero error. If we build the house, and the house eventually builds us, what kind of humans are we becoming inside this machine? And where do we find the "glitch" that proves we are still alive? Notable Quotes: "You can put down a hammer. You cannot put down the weather." "We do not navigate by the stars anymore. We navigate by the blue light of the screen." "The machine forces us to develop a mechanism of perfection. The soul thrives on the glitch." Mentioned in this Episode: Jacques Ellul (1912–1994): French philosopher, sociologist, and lay theologian. The Human Voice on Substack

    14 min

  2. 09/22/2025

    Baratunde Thurston on Life With Machines, Language as Culture, and Staying Human in a Tech-Driven World

    In this episode of The Human Voice, Bob Hutchins sits down with Baratunde Thurston—Emmy-nominated host, writer, comedian, and creator of the podcast Life With Machines. From his roots in Washington, D.C., shaped by a mother who was a computer programmer and activist, through Harvard philosophy and a decade of stand-up, Baratunde has built a career at the intersection of culture, technology, and storytelling. Their conversation ranges from the everyday signals of progress—like coffee shop Wi-Fi and subway calls—to deeper questions about authorship, language, and governance in the age of AI. They explore what it means to share creative space with an AI collaborator, why indigenous languages reveal new possibilities for machine learning, and how democracy might draw wisdom from traditions that put nature and future generations at the center. Baratunde also shares the simple practices that keep him grounded: meditation, meals with people, moving his body, and spending time in the natural world. Together they sketch a vision where technology doesn't replace our humanity but presses us to return to it with more intention. Themes Infrastructure is culture. Machines can help us think, but they can't carry grief. Language encodes imagination and culture. Governance should begin with shared values, not with chasing releases. Embodiment is non-negotiable for a human life. Where to find Baratunde Life With Machines on YouTube and podcast platforms Website - https://www.baratunde.com/

    1h 5m

  3. 07/09/2025

    When Machines Imitate Art: What a 1930s Philosopher Saw Coming

    In this episode, I step back from the hype and headlines around generative AI to reflect on something deeper: what's actually happening to our experience of art, creativity, and meaning when machines start making things that feel human. I draw from the work of 1930s philosopher Walter Benjamin—who never saw a chatbot or image model in his life, but somehow understood the psychological and cultural impact of machine-made creativity with stunning clarity. What's lost when everything becomes a copy Why "aura" and authenticity still matter The shift from ritual to exhibition in creative work What the Jason Allen AI art controversy reveals about our values How new forms of creative labor are emerging—and what that means for writers, artists, educators, and makers Why transparency might matter more than purity in a world of machine collaboration This isn't a takedown or a celebration of AI. It's a reflection. A pause. A reminder that we're not just building tools—we're reshaping what it means to be human. If you're a teacher, a marketer, a business leader, a parent, or just someone trying to stay grounded in a rapidly changing world—this one's for you. Resources Mentioned: Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction The 2022 Colorado State Fair AI art controversy Stephen Marche's AI-assisted novella Death of an Author Artwork- James Allen's - Théâtre D'opéra Spatial Stay Connected: Want more thoughtful takes like this? Subscribe to the Substack → https://bobhutchins.substack.com Or find me on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/bobhutchins Let's keep asking better questions. —Bob Hutchins

    23 min

  4. 06/26/2025

    The End of Writing? AI and the Future of Human Expression

    In this thought-provoking episode, Bob Hutchins explores a radical possibility: that we may be witnessing the beginning of the end of humanity's 500-year relationship with the written word. Drawing from media theorists Walter Ong and Harold Innis, Bob examines how generative AI might fundamentally transform not just how we communicate, but how we think and connect as human beings. Since Gutenberg's printing press, we've been compressing the entirety of human experience into alphabetic symbols—a constraint that has both liberated and limited us. While we've become virtuosos of written expression, creating symphonies of meaning from simple letters and punctuation, we've also lost touch with the immediacy and embodied richness of oral culture. Bob argues that AI could serve as more than just a writing assistant—it might become the bridge technology that frees us from the cognitive overhead of translating experience into symbols, allowing us to rediscover richer, more authentic forms of human communication. Key Topics Explored The Gutenberg Legacy How the printing press fundamentally altered human consciousness The trade-offs between abstract thinking and embodied presence Walter Ong's insights on orality versus literacy Media Ecology and Communication Bias Harold Innis's theory of communication bias How different media favor durability versus immediacy The space-biased nature of written civilization The Translation Problem The cognitive burden of converting lived experience into symbols Why meaningful moments often "die in translation" The gap between what we experience and what we can express AI as Liberation Technology How AI might reduce the overhead of symbolic communication The possibility of universal translation between experience and expression Moving beyond AI as writing assistant to AI as cognitive scaffolding Post-Literate Communication Immersive storytelling and embodied performance Collaborative creation and real-time narrative improvisation Visual, spatial, and archetypal forms of expression The return to mythic and symbolic meaning-making The Promise and the Peril Democratizing eloquence for those who struggle to articulate rich inner lives The risk of losing essential cognitive muscles developed through writing Questions of authenticity in AI-mediated communication What happens when written language becomes optional? Two Possible Futures AI as bridge to richer human communication AI as communicative prosthetic leading to human atrophy The importance of conscious navigation during this transition Key Insights "Even at their most transcendent, words remain what they've always been—ghosts of experience, shadows cast by the real thing." "The deepest insights seem to emerge in conversation rather than through explanation, in the spaces where we're figuring something out together rather than delivering prepared thoughts." "How we communicate shapes who we become. If we want AI to help us recover more embodied, authentic forms of expression, we need to be clear about what values we're optimizing for." Questions for Reflection Are we trying to become more efficient communicators or more fully human ones? What would it mean to communicate primarily through embodied presence again? How do we maintain authentic connection when our communications increasingly flow through AI mediators? What practices keep us grounded in embodied experience as AI handles more symbolic communication? About The Human Voice The Human Voice explores the intersection of technology, human flourishing, and authentic communication. Host Bob Hutchins brings together insights from media ecology, contemplative spirituality, and organizational psychology to examine how we can navigate technological change while preserving what makes us most human. Connect with Bob Website: http://www.humanvoicemedia.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobhutchins/ Resources Mentioned Orality and Literacy by Walter Ong The Bias of Communication by Harold Innis Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan The Gutenberg Galaxy by Marshall McLuhan

    16 min

  5. 06/17/2025

    Wisdom Weavers & Media Ecology: A Conversation with Dr. Tom Cooper

    🎧 Show Notes (The Human Voice with Bob Hutchins): In this special episode, Bob Hutchins sits down with Dr. Tom Cooper—media ethicist, scholar, and former assistant to Marshall McLuhan—to unpack the lives and legacies of two of the most influential (and often misunderstood) thinkers in media history: Harold Innis and Marshall McLuhan. Dr. Cooper shares insights from his new book Wisdom Weavers, offering rare stories from his time at the University of Toronto, reflections on the inner lives of both men, and how their ideas help us understand our AI-saturated, media-driven world today. We explore: Why Innis and McLuhan still matter in 2025 How their contrasting backgrounds (a stoic economist vs. a poetic provocateur) converged into a shared vision The quiet presence of women behind their work What McLuhan might say about AI, selfies, and the illusion of intelligence How both thinkers anticipated today's blurred line between human and machine communication Whether you're new to media ecology or deep in the trenches, this episode is a rich entry point to understanding the patterns behind the platforms—and why awareness, not alarm, might be our most important tool. 📚 Mentioned: Wisdom Weavers: The Lives and Thought of Harold Innis and Marshall McLuhan by Tom Cooper The Toronto School of Communication McLuhan's The Gutenberg Galaxy The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Pinocchio, and other McLuhan metaphors AI, ethics, and modern-day media fasts   Tom Cooper is a media scholar, author, and former assistant to Marshall McLuhan. He earned his doctorate at the University of Toronto, where he studied with leading figures in the Toronto School of Communication, and later taught media ethics for decades at Emerson College after earlier roles at Harvard. He is the founder of the Association for Responsible Communication, which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and previously served as an assistant speechwriter in the White House. Over his career, he authored more than ten books and 300 published articles and reviews, weaving together scholarship, ethics, and global engagement. Cooper's sabbatical work as a guest scholar took him to Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Stanford, Berkeley, and other leading institutions. He is also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do—a reminder that his commitment to discipline and balance extended beyond the classroom.

    56 min
  6. Faisal Hoque, author of Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI

    05/05/2025

    Faisal Hoque, author of Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI

    🧠 Episode Overview: As someone who works at the intersection of AI, media psychology, and leadership, I'm not just interested in tech—I'm interested in the human behind the tech, and those who think similar. My guest is Faisal Hoque, a three-time founder, Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner, and author of the deeply timely and thoughtful book Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI. We explore what it really means—not just to be human, but to stay human—as artificial intelligence reshapes our decisions, our creativity, and our society. This episode blends deep reflection with practical insight: from AI as mirror and partner, to frameworks for responsible experimentation, to what we must protect—and reclaim—in a world of machine intelligence. 🔍 What We Cover: Why Faisal wrote Transcend and what "transcendence" really means in the AI era How AI subtly rewires our language, habits, and emotional lives What autocomplete and generative tools are teaching us about ourselves The danger of outsourcing too much—and the power of asking better questions The OPEN and CARE frameworks for individuals, organizations, and governments How to "catastrophize" with wisdom, not fear Why creativity and authenticity are making a comeback The moral imperative of AI kill switches, regulation, and restraint A hopeful closing: how we can lead with both care and courage 📘 Get the Book: Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI Available wherever books are sold → https://amzn.to/432sWwK

    47 min

  7. 03/29/2025

    The Soul in the Machine: A Spiritual Reflection on Artificial Intelligence

    This is a read of my latest article- The Soul in the Machine: A Spiritual Reflection on Articficial Intelligence. https://bobhutchins.substack.com/p/the-soul-in-the-machine-a-spiritual The following reflection is taken from my latest Substack piece, The Soul in the Machine, A spiritual reflection on AI. Lately, I've been sitting with some deeper questions—ones that don't always make the headlines but seem to live just beneath them. We're in a strange, significant moment. AI is evolving fast, yes—but so are we. Or at least, we're being invited to. This isn't a post about tech hype or fear. It's about attention. Presence. What we lose or forget when we rush ahead without asking: What is all this doing to us? Not just cognitively, but spiritually, emotionally, relationally. I wrote this as a kind of pause. A chance to reflect—not on whether machines are becoming more human, but whether we're remembering what it means to be fully human ourselves. Thanks for listening.

    10 min

  8. 03/18/2025

    The War of Words: Why Our Labels are Destroying Our Humanity

    Online conversations have become a battleground—cheering certain words, booing others. Ideas and nuance are lost to labels that divide and dehumanize. When did we start trading dialogue for definitions?  In "The War of Words: Why Our Labels are Destroying Our Humanity," I explore how we've replaced genuine communication with tribal jargon and reactive outrage. More than ever, it's crucial to reclaim empathy, curiosity, and humility to bridge divides rather than deepen them. The words we choose shape our world. Let's choose wisely. I honestly would really love to hear your thoughts on this. #communication #words

    7 min
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About

Bob Hutchins- Digital Marketing OG, Cultural and media theorist, and Organizational Psychologist talks about all things human and restorative. Tech, Psychology, Spirituality, Change, Mental and Social Well Being.

Information

  • Creator
    Bob Hutchins
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024- Human Voice Media. All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    The Human Voice with Bob Hutchins