Evangelical Christian Author Questions if Technology Is Good for the Soul
Technology provides convenience and allows us to perform daily functions at record speed, but even as it allows us to attain maximum proficiency and provide connections to thousands of people, is technology able to connect us to our souls?
In his book The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion, evangelical author and blogger Tim Challies writes:
"Even the least technical among us are being pressed from all sides by advances in digital technology. We rely upon computers, cell phones, and the Internet for communication, commerce, and entertainment. Yet even though we live in this 'instant message' culture, many of us feel disconnected, and we question if all this technology is really good for our souls."
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It is an ironic question: how can technology provide the ability to connect with so many people, and still leave the connected witch such frequent feelings of loneliness and in some cases isolation?
The Daily Mail, in a 2010 year, formulated the point that despite having hundreds, if not thousands, of friends on Facebook, the number of true friends might actually be less than the number fingers on one hand.
We have the benefit of tremendous technological gifts; many are thrilled, for example, with the breakthroughs in wireless technology, such as the iPhone, which genuinely allow us to communicate more easily. Still, according to an article by Science Daily:
"Combined with increasingly hectic work, school and extracurricular schedules, the advent of wireless technology has led to less quality time between parents and children."
University of Missouri human development specialists say less utilization of digital devices is a vital step in maintaining family relationships and health.
In the article, Kelly Warzinik, Extension associate in the College of Human Environmental Sciences, said: "Husbands and wives who are working and raising kids may need to be even more intentional about nurturing their relationship as a couple."
Despite the varied intriguing potentialities of the iPhone, in terms of couples, Warzinik stressed the benefits of keeping the lines of communication open throughout the day, “and after children are asleep, put down the iPhone, turn off the television and just focus on each other."
