Nathaniel Givens

Portrait of Nathaniel Givens

Nathaniel Givens is a multifaceted individual—a writer, entrepreneur, and tech worker with a diverse academic background. He holds degrees in mathematics from the University of Richmond, systems engineering from the University of Virginia, and economics from the University of Michigan. Givens’s work explores the intersection of technology, faith, and society, particularly within the Mormon Transhumanist Association (MTA) context.

Givens is an active blogger, operating “Difficult Run,” which focuses on politics, policy, and philosophy, and “The Loose Canon,” dedicated to science fiction. He also contributes to various publications, including Times and Seasons, First Things, Real Clear Religion, Meridian, and Utah Politico Hub, sharing his insights on a range of topics. His talks at the MTA conference explore themes like the nature of Zion in Mormon scripture and community, which suggests an interest in how transhumanist concepts may align to theological concepts.

In the tech industry, Givens demonstrated entrepreneurial skills as a co-founder of a mobile software development studio in 2011, which was successfully sold in 2015. Currently, he serves as Director of Client Solutions for a boutique software development consultancy, showcasing his expertise in software development and client relations. He resides in Williamsburg, Virginia, with his wife and two children.

Videos by Nathaniel Givens

Zion: Some Assembly Required
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Nathaniel Givens

Zion: Some Assembly Required

Nathaniel Givens examines Zion through the lens of systems complexity theory, arguing that building a Zion society requires tools rather than blueprints—decentralized, flexible approaches rather than rigid, centralized plans. Drawing on the concept of superorganisms, he explains how unity and altruism emerge when individual agents overcome coordination problems and the “prisoner’s dilemma” of self-sacrifice for collective good. Crucially, Givens contends that humanity’s “broken” ultra-sociality is a feature, not a bug: if we were perfectly aligned like ant colonies, we would lack love, empathy, and individuality. True Zion requires “mindful altruism” and “heterogeneous unity”—giving consciously to others while tolerating diversity on non-essential issues.