Graceful Atheist Podcast

The Consciousness Delusion
In this solo episode I discuss Artificial Intelligence. Should we agree with Richard Dawkins that Claude is conscious? Probably not, for several reasons. I talk about how LLMs work, why I don't think they are conscious and how a humanist should respond.
Topics:
(Semi) Technical description of how Large Language Models work
LLMs are trained on the sum total of human hopes and fears
Why all the intelligence in AI systems is from human sources
Why I do not believe LLMs can be conscious in principle
The Hype problem
The Humanistic response to AI
Links
Show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/06/07/humanism-and-ai/
Here are several source material links from my research for this episode:
When Dawkins met Claude Could this AI be conscious?
https://unherd.com/2026/05/is-ai-the-next-phase-of-evolution/?edition=us
ELIZA and the missing secretary
https://theconversation.com/my-search-for-the-mysterious-missing-secretary-who-shaped-chatbot-history-225602
Alan Turing and the Turing test
https://academic.oup.com/mind/article/LIX/236/433/986238?login=false
Metaphors for how the brain works
https://mechanism.ucsd.edu/bill/teaching/w14/phil151/metaphorsandconceptionsofbrain.pdf
Alison Gopnik on Sean Carroll’s pdocast
https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025/03/17/308-alison-gopnik-on-children-ai-and-modes-of-thinking/
Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Late Show with Steven Colbert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qon72VKH30
AI as normal technology
https://knightcolumbia.org/content/ai-as-normal-technology
Interact
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/

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Liam is a friend and a colleague of many years. He is a member of the Religious Society of Friends often called Quakers. Liam and I have shared deep conversations before and after my deconversion. I respect the way Liam holds and lives out his beliefs.
You might be surprised. The British Liberal Quakerism Liam lives out on a daily basis is very close to my version of Humanism, Secular Grace. He is a great example of a religious humanist who cares about people over dogma.
Links
Quakers in Britain: https://www.quaker.org.uk/
Quaker Faith: https://www.quaker.org.uk/faith/read-about-quaker-faith
Quakers in USA: https://www.fgcquaker.org/
American Friends Service Committee (Charity): https://afsc.org/
Interact
Show Notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/05/24/liam-a-friend-and-a-friend/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist

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I recently read Antimemetics: Why Some Ideas Resist Spreading by Nadia Asparouhova and it blew my mind. Just reading the intro I knew I needed to do an episode on the subject. Almost everything about deconstruction and deconversion is antimememetic. It is a significant idea that resists spreading. Listen to the episode to find out how.
All of the following are antimemetic:
Doubt
Deconstruction
Deconversion
Atheism
Humanism
Secular Grace
Links
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/05/03/doubt-is-antimemetic/
SNL Skit: Mom Confession
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wQhY5CMMl4
Amazon Paid Links
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon #CommissionsEarned:
Antimemetics: Why Some Ideas Resist Spreading
There is No Antimemetics Division
Interact
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations

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Mark Anthony Diaz is the author of Reedkeeper's Journey and one of my best friends. Mark and I grew up together. We had the same sarcastic friend group in high school. We did ministry together. Crucially, Mark stuck with me after my deconversion.

Mark is a person of deep conviction, and while he's a talented EMT, author, and podcaster, it's his personal journey that truly resonates. Growing up with severe asthma made for a challenging childhood, but Mark's story is one of overcoming.

Mark is very much a believer and I respect Mark's faith. Mark lives up to the honesty contest ethos of the podcast. I wanted to have him share his life's story with us because I believe every human being's story is powerful.

Search for his serial podcast "Readkeeper's Journey" wherever you get your podcasts.

Links

Read Keeper's Journey: The only way back is forward

https://www.reedkeeper.com/

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reedkeepers-journey/id1529380366

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5echbOBs2MXtlHolNMe0rz?si=e06f0385c8d94cad
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/04/19/friends-and-family-mark-anthony-diaz/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations

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Welcome back Colin Ryan, author, storyteller, comedian and survivor of Bipolar 2, OCD and ADHD. Colin has written Epic Tiny Victories: A hopeful story about depression anxiety and reframing your life. It is hilarious, honest and poignant.
Colin describes in the book growing up Evangelical, purity culture and his deconstruction process.
Join us as we catch up on where Colin's deconstruction journey is at. We discuss his mental health journey. Colin tells stories from the book.
Get Epic Tiny Victories today.
Links
http://www.epictinyvictories.com/
https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/
2020 Deconversion Anonymous episode of GAP
https://gracefulatheist.com/2020/11/29/colin-deconversion-anonymous/
Chapters
00:00 Graceful Atheist Podcast Intro
01:36 Welcome back Colin Ryan
03:50 Deconstruction Journey since 2020
15:27 Epic Tiny Victories and we were all 11
29:44 Impact of therapy on Colin's Life
47:49 Mental Health takes work
52:36 The book process and how to get ETV
64:40 Final thoughts on the episode
66:43 Secular Grace thought of the Week
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/03/29/colin-ryan-epic-tiny-victories/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy