Tom Cruise's Body of Work (with Aled Maclean-Jones)

The modern human experience increasingly suffers from alienation due to technological insulation, creating a profound disconnect between our mental lives and physical reality. Tom Cruise’s recent filmography, particularly *Edge of Tomorrow* and the *Mission Impossible* series, serves as a lens to examine the value of "embodied knowledge"—the tacit, physical mastery acquired through trial and error rather than abstract study. While modern life prioritizes security and convenience, the enduring appeal of high-stakes physical competence, whether in aviation, navigation, or manual labor, highlights a lingering human desire for self-sufficiency. By contrasting the "brain-in-a-vat" nature of digital existence with the visceral reality of physical challenges, this conversation argues that reclaiming manual competence and embracing the "unknown thought" are essential for navigating a world increasingly mediated by screens and artificial intelligence.