In our latest episode, we welcomed back author and philosopher Steve Cinelli for his third appearance. What began as a conversation about his latest books quickly evolved into a profound exploration of human belief systems, the philosophy of everyday life, and a strategic look at the global shifts awaiting us in the next decade.
From Banking to the Biblical Cadence of Pasta
Steve’s literary journey is as eclectic as his background in finance. He shared insights into his work, The Book of Pasta, which he describes as a food philosophy book. Written with a biblical cadence—starting with “in the beginning there was egg and flour and water”—the book explores the reverence of Italian cuisine, which recently received UNESCO heritage recognition. Beyond recipes, it examines the “perfectly imperfect” friction between the traditional methods of the Italian Nonna and the technology-driven approach of the younger generation.
Paradise Found: Deconstructing Organized Religion
A significant portion of our discussion focused on Steve’s upcoming book, Paradise Found. Inverting John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Steve presents a 12-pillar evidentiary scaffolding to argue that organized religion is a man-made construct designed for social control and economic stability.
Key observations from this deconstruction include:
- The Axial Age: Most major religions were established within a narrow 1500-year window, despite humans existing for hundreds of thousands of years prior.
- The Knowledge Ceiling: Steve points out that religious texts often lack knowledge that predates or post-dates the era in which they were written, suggesting they reflect human understanding of the time rather than divine revelation.
- Geography as Destiny: Statistically, one’s specific faith is determined more by their place of birth than by a personal quest for divine truth.
Living in the “Waking Dream”
The conversation shifted toward finding “paradise now”. Steve argues that by over-focusing on an uncertain afterlife, many miss the inherent divinity in nature and the present moment. Drawing on Baruch Spinoza’s philosophy that “God is nature,” he encourages listeners to find paradise in everyday experiences—the forest, a six-hour family meal, or simply holding a child’s hand.
Looking Toward 2036: A Changing Global Landscape
As we looked toward the next decade, Steve highlighted several critical shifts:
- The Rise of Theocracy: He noted a growing trend toward theocratic influence globally, from Islamism in Europe to Christian nationalism in the West.
- Demographic Inversions: Many developed nations are facing birth rates below replacement levels, making immigration a critical, though sometimes socially complex, economic necessity.
- The Farming Crisis: A major concern for the near future is the aging demographic of the farming community. In the U.S. and Europe, the average farmer is approximately 60 years old, with fewer younger people stepping in to maintain global food security.
A Socratic Challenge
Steve concluded with a strategic question for the audience: “Where do you really want to be?”. In a world of rapid technological transfer and shifting geopolitical alliances, he urges individuals to think critically about their own location and purpose as the global landscape continues to evolve.
Whether exploring the depths of a pasta bowl or the foundations of faith, this episode reminds us that the most important tool we have is the word “Why?”.
