Pope Leo Schooled the Tech Bros on Tolkien

It was expected that Pope Leo XIV would reference esteemed saints and previous popes in his inaugural encyclical, "Magnifica humanitas," released on Monday.

However, the mention that caught many readers off guard was that of J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned Catholic author of The Lord of the Rings.

Leo's encyclical centers on the imperative of "safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence," a recurring theme throughout his first year as the head of the Catholic Church. Echoing his predecessor, Pope Francis, he voices concern regarding "the growing dominance of a technocratic paradigm," one that has the potential to "reduce creation to an object of exploitation and human beings to mere cogs in a system driven toward ever greater efficiency." He draws parallels between the rise of artificial intelligence and the Industrial Revolution, which unfolded from the mid-18th century to the early 20th century, reflecting the teachings of his namesake, Pope Leo XIII. In his own 1891 encyclical, Pope Leo XIII emphasized the significance of workers' rights and dignity during a time marked by technological transformation and the expansion of capitalism.

The comprehensive nature of this encyclical further cements Leo's position as skeptical of AI. The reference to Tolkien is particularly relevant in light of the distorted interpretations of Middle-earth mythology by right-wing billionaires such as Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, which have often been criticized by fellow fans of The Lord of the Rings. It might even be interpreted as a subtle retort to the tech elite regarding their misinterpretation of Tolkien's works.

Undeniably, the pope expresses concern regarding the intentions of tech oligarchs who are racing to create artificial general intelligence that could surpass human abilities. Are these leaders genuinely aspiring to utilize such technology to remedy diseases and combat climate change, or are they erecting mechanisms for limitless profit and cultural hegemony? In addressing our collective responsibility to confront these ominous trends, Leo invokes a poignant observation from Tolkien's iconic wizard, Gandalf: "It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till."

This fundamental lesson diverges significantly from the perspectives held by Musk and Thiel regarding Tolkien's narrative.

Thiel's data analytics company, Palantir, is named after the mystical seeing stone utilized for espionage by the treasonous wizard Saruman in the story. He has also reportedly referred to his venture capital firm, the Founders Fund, as "the precious," a term used by the covetous character Gollum to describe the One Ring, a symbol of totalitarian power. The underlying message in Tolkien's work—the corrupting influence of power—is evident to nearly anyone familiar with his literature; the novels illustrate that the temptation to exert control ultimately consumes those who succumb to it. Yet, Thiel appears to revel in the very authoritarian possibilities that the antagonists embody.

Musk, similarly, has framed Tolkien’s saga as an anti-immigration narrative, asserting that the hobbits represent the genteel populace of the English shires, oblivious to distant atrocities. He posted in October on X that "they were able to live their lives in peace and tranquility, but only because they were protected by the hard men of Gondor." This misinterpretation was offered as a rationale for the Islamophobic views of far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.

In reality, Tolkien's portrayals of invasive forces stem from his contemplation of the horrors wrought by militarization and industrialization—realities that were starkly evident to the English during Tolkien's lifetime. His personal experiences of mechanized devastation in World War I are widely recognized as a significant influence on Saruman's destructive campaign, which depended on the eradication of ancient forests for energy and the exploitation of oppressed orcs.

In this view, the narrative serves as an allegory that aligns more closely with Pope Leo's critique of the tech elite, who perpetuate division and inequality, allocate resources toward warfare, degrade the environment, and pursue power relentlessly.

Thiel demonstrates at least some self-awareness given his choice of Tolkien references and Palantir's partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Musk, despite perceiving himself as a heroic character within the story, has played a role in the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), leading to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths globally, with the potential for millions more in the future. Both continue to support a Trump administration that has exploited AI for purposes ranging from racially charged propaganda to strategic military planning—including decisions about attacks in Iran—and have, notably, employed The Lord of the Rings to justify and laud the actions of ICE.

Within this context, Leo’s invocation of Gandalf may be interpreted as a calculated remark.

Citing a beloved character from a narrative that critiques a society that prioritizes efficiency and concentrates wealth and power among a select few appears to deliver a clear message—whether intended or not. However, given their reading abilities, it remains uncertain if this message will resonate with them.