released 6/26/2026
Writer and Canadian broadcaster David Cayley passed away on June 10, 2026, at the age of 81. This Feature presents part of a conversation Ken Myers had with Cayley in 2024 about his book Ivan Illich: An Intellectual Journey (Penn State Press, 2021). Cayley describes Illich’s insights into the “instrumental attitude” that defines modernity, in particular the blurring of the distinction between mechanisms and organisms. Illich questioned the idea of viewing computers as a “tool” and realized that they actually have changed how we conceive what it means to be human: we now regard ourselves as organic machines. Cayley, an intellectual friend of Illich’s who interviewed him for a series of CBC radio broadcasts in the 1980s (Ivan Illich in Conversation), argues that Illich is not as well read or well understood as he should be, given the depth of his insights into modernity. He says this is due to Illich’s humility and faith; he trusted the fruit of his work to God. This interview was originally published on Volume 163 of the Journal.
Most of David Cayley’s radio work is posted on the podcast section of his website, which also includes various occasional writings. To listen to the radio programs Ken mentions in his introduction, please visit the following podcast links: (1) series on Simone Weil; (2) series on “Origins of the Modern Public”; and (3) series on Ivan Illich.
39 minutes
PREVIEW
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duration 38:42
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