Grappling with Our Relationship to Technology

Technology isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s all about how we use it. At its best it can reveal hidden truths, build community, and serve as a tool for living. How can we navigate the increasingly interconnected relationship between technology and humanity in ways that harness its beneficial potential?

For centuries people have turned to the image of the Wheel of Life to better understand cause and effect and the very nature of existence. The section of the Wheel depicting the human realm is the focus of this episode’s exploration of technology.

This episode features transmedia artist and professor Stephanie Dinkins. AWAKEN season 5 is hosted by singer, songwriter, and artist Devendra Banhart. Other guests in this episode include social scientist, physician, and professor Nicholas Christakis, professor of Buddhism and East Asian religions Annabella Pitkin, and Tibetan Buddhist meditation teacher and author Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Read a transcript, learn about the Rubin, donate, and more: https://rubinmuseum.org/grappling-wit... ( https://rubinmuseum.org/grappling-wit... )

Tell us what you think of AWAKEN! Complete our listener survey for a chance to win two free tickets to the Rubin’s Mindfulness Meditation program in person or online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M3TV8MT ( https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M3TV8MT )

Awaken
Episode 6, Season 5
September 23, 2025

★ Additional episodes: https://rubinmuseum.org/spiral/awaken/