Alice Roberts’ latest book represents a distinct shift. In her earlier works, Basement and Burial, she combined her knowledge of osteophysiology, which examines preserved human bones, with more conventional historical strategies, such as analyzing ancient texts. Her blend of technical science and insightful discussions of historical records aimed to create a multifaceted perspective of past human life and culture.
In contrast, Rule: The Decline of the Roman Empire and the Ascendancy of Christianity largely steers clear of osteophysiology. Instead, it delves into historical documents. This isn’t necessarily a shortcoming; Roberts showcases her keen and deliberate approach to historical analysis, albeit this might necessitate an avid readership.
The focal point of her exploration is the ascent of Christianity from a modest Eastern Mediterranean sect to a globally dominant faith. Amid the disappearance of many other beliefs, what factors contributed to its supremacy?
Central to this narrative is the Roman Empire, which held sway over nearly all Mediterranean territories, extending from Britain to Syria when Christianity first appeared. Although the Romans worshipped numerous deities, Christianity gradually garnered more favor. Key moments stand out: Constantine I’s reign (AD 306-337) saw the decriminalization of Christianity (and possibly his own conversion), although Roberts identifies evidence gaps about this. Theodosius I’s rule (AD 379-395) marked another pivotal moment, as he made Christianity the state religion.
Roberts questions the conventional narrative which suggests Christianity was inherently more appealing or its followers exceptionally devoted. She contends that such assertions are mere Christian propaganda.
“
The eternal truth is not theological: gods rise and fall, temples rise and fall, but business is always business. “
Instead, she asserts that the genuine key to Christianity’s success lay in its rapid infiltration of the upper echelons of Roman society. While Jesus associated with the marginalized, his followers targeted affluent Romans, soldiers, and educated elites for recruitment—this strategy proved tremendously effective. “Early adopters emerged from the middle and upper classes of urban centers, not merely the lower classes of the rural and imperial populations,” Roberts states.
Over ensuing decades and centuries, the church amassed a business empire. As Roberts articulates, “Stripped of religious pretense, what’s revealed is a vast, intricate network of interrelated enterprises: welfare, healthcare, law, agriculture, shipping, education, and beyond.”
The church also undertook charitable initiatives covering various state responsibilities, particularly in addressing poverty. However, this was managed with a clear veneer of cynicism. “Christian charity,” Roberts observes, “was never intended to eradicate poverty.” Instead, it enabled the church to position itself favorably across all societal tiers, suggesting to the poor that they would be compensated in the afterlife, while assuring the wealthy that their donations were the pathway to heaven.
This arrangement thrived amid the glaring social inequalities of the time, drawing parallels to modern billionaire philanthropy.
Ultimately, Roberts argues that the Roman economic landscape was thoroughly reshaped around the church, as educated elites pursued careers within its structure.
When the Western Roman Empire crumbled, the elite aligned themselves with the new leadership but retained existing power structures. “Regardless of the rhetoric or spiritual messaging, the whole system mirrored Roman commerce, as always,” Roberts notes. “The eternal truth is not theological; gods come and go, temples rise and fall, but business is always business.”
The opening of Domination may prove somewhat challenging, with a plethora of names to track and a non-linear narrative. However, once Roberts refines her argument, the narrative accelerates. The outcome is a sharp, thought-provoking, and at times contentious examination of one of humanity’s most significant organizations.
Michael Marshall is a writer based in Devon, UK
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Elon Musk and Donald Trump have ended their friendship. Tensions flared between them mid-week, with both exchanging sharp criticisms. Four days after their public clash, I declare Musk the loser of this battle; the seemingly unstoppable force has met its match with the immovable object.
According to colleagues Hugo Lowell and Andrew Ross: On Thursday, Elon Musk mocked Donald Trump’s bounce by commenting on his connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The US president threatened to revoke federal contracts and tax incentives for Musk’s companies during this extraordinary social media spat that erupted among his former allies. This latest jab at Trump highlights Musk’s criticism of a Republican spending bill.
“Without me, Trump would lose the election, the Democrats would gain control of the House, and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk tweeted on X.
The repercussions were swift. Tesla’s stock, already grappling with difficulties, plunged 15%, wiping approximately $150 billion off the market. The implications for Trump and the Republican Party could take longer to unfold, as the midterm elections for the US Congress won’t occur until later next year.
When Trump and Musk were allies, many liberals predicted a tumultuous public fallout. I didn’t anticipate such an outcome. Musk appeared robust and allied with the formidable Trump. The Republican campaign needed a substantial cash influx, which Musk could provide.
However, Trump revealed last week that several of his closest advisers have left dramatically, victims of what he termed “Trump craziness.” Musk seems to follow a similar pattern. A notable example is Steve Bannon, once a top strategist for Trump, who was ousted from the White House but is now hosting a podcast scrutinizing Trump’s actions. Bannon spent last week calling for Musk’s ousting. Trump, not realizing he is often the common denominator in these fiery departures, appears similar to Musk; by Sunday, he had tweeted about the Los Angeles riots, retweeting Vice President JD Vance with patriotic emojis while targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The conflict between Musk and Trump underlined America’s dependency on a single company for its space capabilities. During his outburst, Musk threatened to dismantle SpaceX’s Dragon Rocket. What would the nation do without him? In a pinch, perhaps another billionaire with a rocket could suffice, even with a pop star on board.
Trump and Musk will shake hands at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship in Philadelphia on March 22nd. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
This spat has also brought to light Musk’s relative vulnerabilities. Musk threatened to dismantle the Dragon Rocket and quickly backed down from his ultimatum regarding requests on X. Meanwhile, Trump has remained silent online, not retaliating against Musk. This indicates the overarching theme of his second administration; Musk often targets those with less power and wealth, but when faced with significant challenges, he retreats. Recall his enthusiastic challenge to Mark Zuckerberg about arranging a cage fight in 2023. Zuckerberg responded, both intrigued and more robust, while Musk seemed outmatched. He eventually backed down. As for Trump, he claims he could save money by canceling government contracts with Musk. Musk replied, “Make my day,” but subsequently scaled back his threats.
In the long term, what does this tragic unraveling of alliances mean for Trump and Musk? To date, Musk has reportedly lost about $90 billion in net worth, an astounding figure according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. He remains the world’s wealthiest individual with nearly $100 billion.
Perhaps the bigger loser is democracy itself. Recently, he polled his followers about establishing a centrist political party he wants to call the “American Party.” He possesses the resources to make it a reality but has not indicated any centrist political inclinations over the past two years. His presence in political gatherings has proven more repulsive than magnetic, significantly affecting key elections like the Wisconsin Supreme Court contest earlier this year.
Read more about how the Trump-Musk feud reveals the perils of concentrating power in one individual here.
Read more about the mutual damage inflicted by Trump and Musk here.
Discover more about the economic consequences of their feud concerning Tesla here.
AI isn’t as capable of making movies as executives claim
Director John Wick and Chad Stahelsky. Photo: David Lee/Thunder Road Pictures/Allstar
Last Thursday, I attended a showcase featuring eight short films generated using the Runway Artificial Intelligence tool. In a pre-screening discussion, Runway’s co-founder and chief design officer Alejandro Matamala-Ortiz stated that the two-hour AI-generated film was “close.” Lionsgate executives explained to New York Magazine that there are many invisible production processes beyond just the final footage shown in theaters. Lionsgate has entered a contract with Runway, using some of its archives to train AI for cutting-edge projects.
The film I observed had a quality that echoed the executives’ comments on AI. Six of the eight shorts evoked little emotion. They lacked character and depth, resembling placeholders. While AI can create any imaginable image, the film lacked true creativity. The smooth, composite textures from multiple AI-generated images rendered them as intriguing and stylish as a basic first draft. If directors don’t take the time to elevate their work beyond a typical mid-journey output, why would anyone want to watch them? One film, an anime revenge story centered around cherry blossom trees, made me chuckle. Another claimed to document the sporadic emergence of cicadas but primarily featured lens flares. It felt reminiscent of a mid-tier student film; most entries were muddled, and the cinematography lacked distinct perspectives. Runway claimed to have received 6,000 submissions from 300 creators in 2022. I shiver at the thought of a Clockwork Orange-style scenario where someone had to view all those entries.
After viewing these shorts, I believed they resembled student films, potentially due to the early stages of production techniques that filmmakers are grappling with. Since its submission to the IT Film Festival in April, Runway has introduced new features to its tools, with Google recently releasing its own video generation tool, Veo 3. The output is more refined compared to what I viewed last week.
The remaining two films ventured into compelling territories. One was a video essay titled Total Pixel Space, which proved to be thought-provoking. This meditation on the nature of AI-generated images emphasized how few images we encounter in realistic situations versus those that never happened, offering unfortunate insights into our visual culture.
“Total Pixel Space represents both ultimate determinism and ultimate freedom, laden with possibilities that await consciousness to shape meaning through choices,” the film’s narration stated. I noted that it highlights AI-rendered images confined to pixel parameters on screens but unable to exist physically. Considering our mortality, the film poses a poignant question: how will you utilize your time and choices? What do you choose to imbue with meaning?
“Total Pixel Space” won the Grand Prize in the contest. While it was a triumph, the film poses a specific challenge to Matamala-Ortiz’s viewpoint. If one extrapolates from the film festival output, will you really witness a two-hour video essay delineating the trajectory AI films will take? It’s rather rare for such a film to maintain interest for that long.
Another editor developed a character and her inner life—a fundamental requirement for live-action films—yet this seems an insurmountable hurdle in AI-produced cinema. AI struggles to recreate consistent facial expressions across various scenarios. Despite these limitations, I still advocate for short films. Occasionally, a surge of creativity produces stunning montages, capable of suggesting interdimensional travel. AI can produce hundreds of diverse backgrounds in seconds, achieving scenes that would otherwise require significant budgets. Editing can utilize these capabilities for impactful effects. Perhaps that’s the ultimate goal of AI: serving as an enhancer rather than a sole creator. Lionsgate’s VP remarked on similar ideas, indicating that AI tools can make a $100 million film appear even larger and more cinematic. “We amplify elements, ensuring a more significant, filmic experience,” he told New York.
This week’s AI News
What do you want to share with us?
Photo: Guardian
The Guardian has introduced a new feature within its app, developed in collaboration with computer scientists from Cambridge University.
The secure messaging function allows you to send messages to Guardian staff directly through the app, presenting a potential channel for news stories. To utilize this feature, tap on the three bars located at the bottom right of the Guardian app, scroll down to “More From the Guardian,” and select “Secure Messaging.” By saving a passphrase—consisting of randomly generated words—you can then create a secure channel for your messages. Sending a message to the Guardian operates similarly to ordinary app traffic, providing a layer of anonymity not found in traditional texting. Unlike conventional messages, secure messaging masks your activity on your device, making it appear as though you’re simply browsing the news.
For more detailed information about secure messaging, click here.
Emotional ads featuring Katie, a young woman diagnosed with a kidney disease at age 19, have been running on Facebook and Instagram for the past month.
She credits a stranger’s kidney with saving her life, highlighting the impact Tiktok has had on people’s lives. The app is positioning itself as a savior and small business supporter amidst concerns about Chinese ownership.
Despite federal laws requiring Tiktok to sell to non-Chinese owners by April 5, the company is pushing back with a new ad campaign emphasizing its role in American lives and businesses.
Tiktok’s marketing efforts have ramped up in recent months, with the app spending millions on ads and working to reassure creators about its future in the US.
In response to legal challenges threatening its existence, Tiktok has dramatically increased its advertising spending and engagement with policymakers.
Experts and creators alike are watching Tiktok’s moves closely as the app navigates uncertain regulatory waters while continuing to operate and advertise in the US.
Tiktok’s future remains uncertain as it faces pressure to sell to non-Chinese owners amidst concerns about data security and China’s influence.
The company is making efforts to reassure users and advertisers while also engaging with policymakers to shape its fate.
Tiktok is positioning itself as a key player in the digital advertising space, with plans to participate in major industry events and continue engaging with creators and brands.
While Tiktok faces uncertainty about its future, the company remains focused on supporting small businesses and engaging with policymakers to shape its fate.
Tiktok’s ad blitz and engagement with policymakers reflect the company’s efforts to address concerns and shape its future in the US market.
The city of Rancho Palos Verdes has already faced setbacks in its potential efforts to mitigate land transfers. Last month, the city Deeper landslides discovered. The region is also experiencing active earthquakes, and officials said earthquakes deeper than 300 feet are fast-moving and penetrate too far underground to dig drains or pumps to remove the water.
Now that a state of emergency has been declared, Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruickshank said the allocated funds will go to support city government and landslide prevention efforts, but won’t go to individual homeowners.
Homeowners whose electricity has been cut off will need to come up with tens of thousands of dollars or more to switch to off-grid alternatives like solar or battery technology, Cruickshank said. He told a local CBS affiliate. He expects the state to cover those costs.
Cruickshank added that typical home insurance policies would not cover the hundreds of landslides, so residents are already responsible for damage to their homes. Documented It is held annually in California.
Tim Kelly, a mechanical engineer who moved to the Portuguese Bend neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes 30 years ago, said he now generates electricity with solar panels and is staying in his home. Kelly attended a rally Tuesday where residents appealed to city officials for a solution.
“We’re resilient,” Kelly said of the community. “We’re not going anywhere.”
Kelly said other homes in the area have shifted foundations and some are cracked and split in parts, but his house is not moving. He added that he and his neighbors have no plans to abandon their homes and are hoping government leaders and scientists can figure out how to best “stop the landslide.”
Kelly said that for decades, local governments have been unable to come up with a long-term solution to stop water from flooding the canyon and flowing into the ocean. Now, the issue has reached a critical point for the city, and time is of the essence.
“Patients are sick,” Kelly said. “You have to do something to bring them back to life.”
CHarless Yeh’s fight against disinformation in Taiwan started with a bowl of beef noodles. It all began nine years ago when the Taiwanese engineer was dining at a restaurant with his family. His mother-in-law began removing scallions from his dish, claiming they were bad for the liver based on a text message she had received. This prompted Yeh to investigate and reveal the truth.
Confused by the misinformation, Yeh decided to expose the truth on his blog and share it with his family and friends via the Line messaging app. The information quickly spread, leading to requests from strangers who wanted to connect with his personal Line account.
Yeh recognized the demand for fact-checking in Taiwan, leading him to launch the website “MyGoPen” in 2015, which translates to “Don’t be fooled again” in Taiwanese. Within two years, MyGoPen gained 50,000 subscribers and now boasts over 400,000. In 2023, the platform received 1.3 million fact-check requests, debunking various myths and false claims.
Several other fact-checking organizations have also emerged in Taiwan, including the Taiwan Fact-Checking Centre, Cofacts, and DoubleThink Lab. However, as these organizations grow, the threat of disinformation also increases.
The growing and changing threat from China
A study by the Democratic Diversity Project at the University of Gothenburg identified Taiwan as the target of foreign disinformation more than any other democracy, with the most significant threat originating from across the Taiwan Strait, particularly during election seasons.
Doublethink Lab monitors China’s influence in various spheres across 82 countries, ranking Taiwan at the top for China’s impact on society and media and 11th place overall.
Despite the increasing threats, Yeh and his team at MyGoPen continue to combat disinformation using a combination of human fact-checkers and AI. They leverage advanced technologies to verify information and educate the public about evolving disinformation tactics.
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