Tags» technology, time
Backfired
Do you remember thinking how our…
Cell Phone
Laptop
High Speed Internet
were supposed to somehow help us lead saner lives????
Something went really wrong.
Instead technology has led us to expect more of ourselves and to try to cram in more. All of this “convenience” is slowly chipping away at our quality of presence.
The so called “speed” seems like a drug that helps us escape seeing our empty, meaningless, task driven lives.
While I know there is a big difference between using technology and being used by technology sometimes I wonder if I know where the line is.
Any thoughts?
50 Comments:
Pete,
I have seen technology divide my family relationships. At times I have allowed it to trump my kids and have prioritized it over my wife. My wife has even called it “the other girl” before….
I manage it w/ more wisdom now than before, but unchecked it not only zaps time, but can trump the most important relationships in our life.
great reminder, tell Bergstrom I said hello! he is an amazing friend!
chris
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Great word Chris. I really appreciate your authenticity!! Hope things are going well.
[Reply]
Chris Spradlin
5:37 am
I see the good and the bad. The good is it is easier to connect to people and know what is going on in their lives (chat, fb, twitter, etc). However there is an assumption that you should be accessible no matter what you are doing. I refuse to get a smart phone or any phone with internet. I don’t want to feel like I have to reply to a person the second they contact me. I also don’t want anyone thinking I will do that. I will get back to you when I get back to you. Usually I am pretty quick, but I want to have my space. I have text messaging and voicemail, and that’s it. Makes life a little less chaotic because I don’t know the second someone e-mails me until I turn on my computer in the evening.
Jessica´s last blog ..Nashville Flood 2010
[Reply]
Michelle Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 5:51 am
I agree with you. I also don’t have the internet connection on my phone, because I don’t want the hassle of being on call all the time.
I have even been known to leave my phone at home! I refuse to be controlled by the computer or phone (I sometimes even let the house phone go to the answering machine if I am doing something and don’t want to be interrupted).
[Reply]
Jessica
5:48 am
Pete, I do not take a lap-top with me on the road, I do use business centers, the next person in line keeps me online only for a few minutes a day. I am not connected with a wizmogizmo phone yet, but I think that has to come for work soon. I struggle with addiction in everything, facebook, the games whatever, it is something I am completely aware of in everything. It isn’t so much the addiction it is the presence of me being absent from where my heart needs it. I still show up, and in a big way for big stuff, but perhaps not as complete as I am able. It is sad how half of me is thinking about something else, when all of me is in need.
[Reply]
Lance
5:54 am
I find that I spend more time on facebook… on yahoo answering emails… and watching tv that I do connecting with people and even worse on connecting with GOD. I could be so much more productive with my evenings after work if I just ignored all that stuff.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 10:35 am
I’m with you Jennifer!
[Reply]
Jessica R.S. Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 10:06 am
It’s not as bad, though, if you can remember that you could affect these people that you’re talking to online in a positive way. Do you have conversations about God w/your friends online? I do and it always seems to go relatively well.. but then… it’s important to understand the Bible first and what God would do in each situation… otherwise, what do you have to say, right?
[Reply]
Jennifer
5:56 am
Gotta wonder pete what we ever did without these things. I told my wife just the other day that sometimes I rue the day I let her talk me into getting a cell phone. (I needed to blame someone for my use of it you know?)
Fine line indeed.
Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Milestones
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Ally Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I remember being a little girl & going with my mom to the bank on Fridays because there weren’t atm’s. No cell phones, home computers, etc. We ate dinner together every night as a family. We spent the weekends together as a family, always in church on Sundays & with my grandparents for lunch afterwards.
That was in the mid-late 80′s. Not that long ago. I’ll trade my atm access, cellphone & laptop for that lifestyle again.
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Bill (cycleguy)
6:14 am
I don’t know but I leapt right over it
Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Being Made More Fully Alive
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Lindsey Nobles
6:31 am
Is it the technology that is bad?
Or what drives our use of it?
Think about it.. are we REALLY so important that we need to be able to be reached anywhere or all the time?
I think technology has given us another way to feed our egos and ego trips have a way of being very addictive.
Tony York´s last blog ..Merely Reading
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Michael Lane Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Tony,
I think your right on with your comment.
Facebook comments, E-mails, @ replies via Twitter — these small technological features have all been very influential on our perceived self worth.
It’s the affirmation factor too — Technology has turned us into affirming people who long for a comment of confirmation, or an @ reply from the_real_shaq ..
Realizing that our self worth comes from the One above is KEY — especially in this technological era that we’re in.
[Reply]
Tony York Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Thanks, Michael.
Yes, those ‘social’ networking tools can be detrimental to self-worth… .especially for young people who are still developing their sense-of-worth.
By the way… I noticed you are from (or were from) Oklahoma City. My family just passed through there on the way back from vacation in June. We visited with a pastor from Moore who I had only known from the blogosphere. His name is Randy Morgan and his blog is at http://randymorgan.wordpress.com/
I say that to give an example of when technology is pretty cool. I would have never have known Randy except through the weird workings of the web. And I was blessed to have spent time with him. Shoot.. for that matter, I would have never known about Pete Wilson either.
Tony York´s last blog ..Merely Reading
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Faye Bryant Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Ouch. I think you could be onto something here.
On the flip, I have a friend in ministry who took a part time job and was essentially drawn & quartered when she didn’t return that person’s call. It was as if in that person’s mind she “owed that” to them.
Faye Bryant´s last blog ..Prayers of the Heart
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Tony York Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 8:05 am
She was drawn and quartered by a ministry related activity or an activity linked to the part time job?
I know that there are certain vocational fields where communication is essential for support or emergency reasons. Still, there needs to be separation of self from work so that work does not become who we are.
Tony York´s last blog ..Merely Reading
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 10:43 am
So glad we met here Tony!!
Tony York
6:33 am
It’s a fine line. Time to frequently ask ourselves if technology has become an idol in our lives. We can’t serve two masters!
JD´s last blog ..Sponsorship Changes Hair Color
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JD
6:34 am
As with anything this world has to offer…moderation is the key. I limit the amount of time I utilize technology each day. There are blocks of the day where I shut it all off…hang out with people…journal…read the Bible (actual paper Bible), pray…etc.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I think this is the key Chris. Moderation. Pacing.
[Reply]
Chris Elrod
6:43 am
Man, I hear you on this!!
I really attempt to check my “social networking” life in the morning, answer emails, fb, twitter, check a few blogs, then shut it off.
My days are filled with travel, running kids here and there…keeping up with the hubby, writing, and of course, there is LAUNDRY!!
I will get back on at night after the kids are in bed…well except for my teens… I have locks on their computers and Tom and I will be putting timers on the computers, right now we just do it manually with us saying 30 minutes and then tell them they have to get off… We do this so they are not sucked in to the land of FB, Youtube, music, and flickr…
I use FB to plan parties where we have face time!!! I do love it for that! Our Dysfunctional Small group is a medium group so I have a page for that, it’s a great tool, if attemped to be used wisely…
I don’t play any games on FB. Many years ago I got the game Rollercoaster tycoon, and was addicted to it. Taylor built my parks and I ran them. We were a great team…But after a month or so, I couldn’t sleep, I would think, if I hired more maintenance workers, or if I put more bathrooms there…It was NOT real! I took the game out of my computer and don’t touch them…
I SEE the damage the internet has on families! It has the ability to divide them, if not in check.
As with LIFE it self, there just has to be balance!!
I don’t get updates on my phone…too dangerous. When Tom and I are out at dinner, I turn the ringer off and put the phone in my purse…focus on him. I may check it, only to see if one of my kids are on fire or something, and need me….
I have a few friends that are going “off line” just for this reason…I am not ready to do that. I don’t think it is necessary for me at this point in my life.
I just want to be aware of the balance.
Lorrie Harden´s last blog ..4th of July
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Lorrie Harden
6:50 am
My husband isn’t into all the technology, but he is a guy who is always doing something — usually for someone else. We have recently been making it a priority to just stop it all just to recess to the front porch to sit in our rocking chairs and talk. To wave at the neighbors as they go by, to visit across the street.
Great thoughts here. I think we just have to remember who’s the boss.
Faye Bryant´s last blog ..Prayers of the Heart
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Faye Bryant
7:20 am
What is supposed to be a time saver is actually a time drainer. Backfire for sure.
Rodney´s last blog ..Summer Summer Summertime
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Rodney
7:34 am
I had this same conversation with a friend when driving back from a *girl’s weekend* in Austin. While having GPS on a cell was GREAT to help us locate *fun*, I was rather proud of the fact that I refused to check email (work and personal), Facebook or Twitter the entire time I was gone. Not to mention, for the first time in the thirteen years I’ve been in corporate America, I didn’t boot up the laptop once last week while taking much needed PTO! Back to basics, I say!
[Reply]
Bree
7:45 am
I do know it seeps in and becomes the be all end all.. I follow a few simple rules.
1. Unless I have finished the self alloted things/chores for the day done, dont sit at the puter.
2. When we are having lunch/dinner – no TV, no laptop, no cellphone. I wont pick up if the phone rings.. This is family time, the rest can wait.
3. No TV/cellphone/laptop in the Bedroom.
4. We wont take any calls from Work while we are on Vacation. Not because they arent important, but because we are important RIGHT NOW.
5. Keeping track of Screen time(tv,video-games,puter/cinema), that isnt related to work. Keeping it below 24 hours/week.
6. When we leave the work place, leave the work behind too. Dont carry work, home.
So far its been alright, with an occasional slip up.
[Reply]
Mysoul
7:49 am
I find that since one thing has not changed…which is you have the choice to spend your time as you choose….things like Ipods, Laptops, cellphones, social networking etc. are a positive….they allow me to stay in touch with family and friends and to stay connected with Crosspoint when I’m over 2000 miles away. I have podcasts I can listen to at any time, your blog I can choose to read, the bible on my ipod touch and a lot more opportunities to learn and experience things I would have otherwise never had the chance….it’s being able to shut it off that’s important….to walk away and still enjoy the quiet of the lake, or a hike outside or dinner with family and friends while your phone sits elsewhere….don’t worry it will still be in the same spot you left it when you get done
[Reply]
GaNe
8:41 am
We’re horrible at using stuff – we’re great at letting it use us.
Hello, victimization. :>)
-Marshall Jones Jr.
bondChristian´s last blog ..Is &8220ownership&8221 keeping you from serving
[Reply]
bondChristian
8:59 am
For me I have always had technology (computer cell phone, video games) so it was never an idea that it was going to bring sanity to my crazy life.
What I do know is that it has brought an addiction to the conversation. Now most I think would say that is good that you want to have conversations, but my problem is that I get sucked into wanting more and more and more, and honestly, I look to technology to give me those conversations. the problem is that it is quick 10 second type conversations and therefore it renders me about 10 inches deep in my thought and conversations.
So really I have become an addict to the noise and conversation.
Kyle Reed´s last blog ..Why Mediocrity is Addicting
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Kyle Reed
9:03 am
Sometimes I wonder if I am the last remaining person on this planet without a cell phone? Or cable? And still without these I find that the internet can be consuming. Blog, Facebook, Twitter, email; my days can get away from me. Can I really unplug and set my priorities straight? Some days I find it very difficult.
What did we do ten years ago? Or Twenty? When cell phones weren’t at our finger tips? When email was an idea? When cable was the rabbit ears attached to the top of our tvs? Are we living life better or just more consumed with stuff? Having either material things or information.
I know I cross the line and have to be pulled back on a regular basis.
Jessica´s last blog ..Rebellious Streak
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 10:46 am
You don’t have a cell phone? Yes, you are the last person on the planet.
[Reply]
JD Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
No, you’re not the last person without a cell — I’m right there with you!
JD´s last blog ..Sponsorship Changes Hair Color
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Jessica
9:20 am
Amazing how much time goes into blogging, twitter, and facebook… I’m so guilty of trying to “build a brand”, contributing conversation to others, conceptualizing useful information to others, and passing along interesting info.
I rationalize the investment into my future while protecting my family time too. Finding the balance is the key… then I got an iPhone.
Any place, any time, I can access technology time suckers. Whether at a ball game, church, coffee shop, or grocery store, I can jump into cyber world while lapsing the real world.
It’s a struggle for balance.
Angus Nelson´s last blog ..One Step Back- Two Steps Forward
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Angus Nelson
9:28 am
I remember when we got our first computer with internet – it actually happened at the same time. I was 17 and spent way too much time on it then. Same goes for now until we moved it into a rarely used room. Cell phones became “affordable” when I was 18 and I’ve had one ever since. The really awful thing about cell phones is that now my husband won’t let me leave the house without it. No, really… not allowed to go to the store because the kids tossed my phone somewhere – it’s as if technology always existed and isn’t a luxury.
[Reply]
Sarah
9:30 am
Been thinking about that this morning. I find it difficult to start my day focusing on relationships (God, my wife and kids) without feeling pulled to my laptop and my email and so on. And even as the day goes on I’m distracted.
I find it more difficult to “draw the line” than I like to admit.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 10:45 am
I”m with you bro. Thanks for your honesty.
[Reply]
Georges
9:51 am
I think parents have to lead by example on this one too. Can I insist my 20 year old put the permanently attached phone out of sight for a few hours when ‘my 50 year old’ has trouble being more than arms length from his? We agree as a family that there are times we will be technology free. I also recognize the stress of my husband’s job and he is better able to relax sometimes if he just empties out that inbox. Clears his mental inbox too.
Anyway, I do love technology and particularly with our kids off at school in another state it is a good thing, a blessing. It allows us to communicate about a lot of life’s small moments and I think that makes us feel more connected to one another. I guess like most things…’Everything in moderation.”
joyce´s last blog ..The Tattooand I dont mean ink
[Reply]
joyce
10:50 am
Pete, Drawing the line is hard and I am a political junkie so – I hate to admit this – I am at the screen before I am at my Bible.
I think you have it right in your response to Chris: “Moderation. Pacing.”
Some years back we served with a pastor who had a rule he kept for his family’s sake – no interruptions from the phone or anything from 5:30pm to 7pm – that was ‘family time.’ He even had his answering machine with a message that said, “if you are calling between 5:30 and 7:00pm, we are intentionally out-of-touch enjoying our family time. Leave a message… etc.”
I think there may be a pattern there for managing the iMonster! The ability to be so inter-connected and do our work at such high-speed can easily lull us into a sense that THIS is more important than THAT. And when THAT is closeness with God and family, it’s a problem for sure.
[Reply]
Mike in Milwaukee
11:02 am
I was once out to dinner with about 7 or 8 other people and the table had gotten very quiet. A friend spoke up and said “I’m so glad we could all get together tonight so we could text other people.” How sad is that?? Even this past Sunday after church, a large group of us sat at dinner, some on our phones, and the rest of us with our phones within reach all sitting on the table. The blessing was completely overlooked.
I think we’ve become a society addicted and dependant on technology. I have no doubt that people have to want to change their habits and consciously turn away and turn off their “toys” so the proper focus can be put in place.
Morgan´s last blog ..You’re Stuck With Me…
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Morgan
11:55 am
I think I remember where the line is, I passed it a couple of years ago.
It’s WAY back there, out of site.
I need to find my way back, if someone could give me directions that would be very helpful!
Peter P´s last blog ..Trey Morgan – a Modern Day Hero of the Faith Part 2
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Peter P
12:05 pm
That’s a question I often ask myself. In some ways I’m it’s slave!
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lori
12:06 pm
I agree, sometimes it seems like our increased connectivity has kept us from making real, lasting & meaningful connections. The more we are connected the less we truly connect.
Terry Ward´s last blog ..Random Thoughts
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Terry Ward
12:09 pm
This is a tough one. I think we can become too connected at times yes. Lord knows I am with my iPhone, TweetDeck, blogs, 2 monitors on my desk and etc. And I am very guilty of having my phone out too much around the kids. So much so that my wife had to have a talk with me and ask me to really think about the image it is giving to the kids. So it stays on the desk during meal times, movie time, play time and etc now. I’ll admit it’s hard to not look at it though.
People have this massive desire to connect though and always have. I mean when I was a kid my dad was a trucker and we had 5-6 CB radios around the house and loved to talk with the truckers passing through. It was addicting. Just like technology today..
But, we have to make sure it doesn’t interfere with our relationships with our family members. And at the same time I think we shouldn’t discount the relationships made via social media. They are real relationships, even if they aren’t in the flesh…
Love God. Embrace Beauty. Live Life To The Fullest.
Scott
[Reply]
@scottayres
12:15 pm
We have wonderful tools for our convenience and we can use them to escape reality or make our reality what we hope it to be.
I don’t think technology plays a different role than other things have for past generations. If we don’t let God control our lives, something else will. Technology, work, “serving”, leisure, addiction.
It’s just the same song, second verse.
Great discussion…
Kat @ Inspired To Action´s last blog ..Fearless Motherhood- Comfort is the Enemy of Change
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Kat @ Inspired To Action
12:21 pm
Agree! The infrastructure that we built we cannot now afford, and the lifestyle we try to uphold leads to loss of our very life. In this hyper-connected world, we are losing real human connectedness. In this striving for a better life, we are leading faux lives. There were two unrelated stories which point out this theme, I believe. Read http://bit.ly/blgYFJ
Thin Difference´s last blog ..Build your mentor montage
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Thin Difference
12:29 pm
how bout when you’re halfway to your destination and realize you forgot your phone? That panic of What will I do? should I turn back and be late? what if my car breaks down or someone’s trying to contact me about something important or I miss a gig?
I’ve definitely had those times, sitting across from my husband in a restaurant, and we’re both checking emails. (we’re better about that now)
I do love newspapers online.
single downloadable songs.
being able to find out ‘hey what was that actor’s name in that movie with Matt Damon? or if it’s ok to take excedrine past it’s expiration date- in just seconds.
I’m not sure if I spend less quality time with friends or family, it seems like I’m able to quickly send out a quick email or respond to a facebook post -and it makes me feel like I’m more in touch with their everyday life.
[Reply]
britt
12:35 pm
I just dread the day my boy grows up and says, “You used to have a cord attached to you phone… and it stayed in your house! And only made phone calls! WHY?!? BAAHAHAHAHA!”
Aaron Shaver´s last blog ..Life…Right Now
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Aaron Shaver
12:36 pm
I am all too guilty of being sucked into the black hole of technology. I will often use the YouVersion app on my phone to read my morning scripture, but I often get side tracked by facebook, twitter, and email which are also right on my phone. But then there are times when technology is a lifesaver… like using the AroundMe app to find the nearest Panera or Rugged Warehouse on a whim. Ok, that last part was a joke (sort of), but I think it’s about knowing your own limits. What works for one person, might not work for someone else.
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Jessi
12:36 pm
I think this conversation for me always comes down to how I define Sabbath. I am terrible at that in the first place, and I see that lack of rhythm carry over in to how I use technology, books, tv, etc. I think instead of firguring out where the line is drawn (that certainly didnt work in my relationships in high school) we (and by ‘we’, i mean ‘i’) need to be more intentionally about how we sabbath. Just a thought.
[Reply]
...adam
12:44 pm
We have allowed technology to increase the tyranny of the urgent by making everything immediately accessible all the time. Urgent has replaced important as the key factor in deciding responsiveness. It used to be you used an overnight service to be quick in responding to something; now you can blurt it out 140 characters at a time, real time, with pictures and/or videos attached.
I think our real issue is that technology is changing but we basically are not. We are still the same social animals we were, but the speed of our tools have now caught up with the speed of our tongues.
Andy Coticchio´s last blog ..Ancoti- When is Evangelism a Bait and Switch Evangelismnet http-bitly-brAiXt
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Andy Coticchio
12:53 pm
Here’s another side to the benefit of technology:
It gives me access to the whole world (Matt. 28:19) for sharing the gospel and a word of encouragement to people who are hurting.
This past weekend I was in Memphis, attending a benefit concert for a family in Nashville who lost family members and their house in the flood. During the downtime between the musician’s sets, I was able to check email and Facebook. In a few keystrokes on my iPhone, I was in contact with a lady from Canada who needed immediate encouragement and promise of a phone call in a few days, and a missionary from the Philippines who was sending me a prayer update to distribute to his contact list. Another missionary friend in Uganda sent an email to let me know he was safe after the recent bombings, and to continue praying. And then the highlight of the day was a phone call from a friend whom I had never met, but had provided her ministry to abused women with free resources from my ministry (http://brokenpeople.org). When she found out my location in Memphis, she drove from Mississippi to meet me. We had time to talk in between sets at the concert about future ministry together. She uses my written materials to help women in South Africa.
I enjoyed the day listening to my very favorite musicians (Todd Agnew and Joy Whitlock) and sharing hugs and encouragement with them in Memphis, while at the same time ministering to people in Uganda, Philippines, Canada, and South Africa, and talking face to face with friends from Mississippi, Memphis and Arkansas.
That’s the positive side of technology.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
So true!!
Pete Wilson´s last blog ..Backfired
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Brenda Branson
1:00 pm
We had to start a “no phone zone” at the kitchen table and now turn the tv off for all meals! I care a lot about what my husband has done during the day. I don’t care what someone just posted on Facebook, and I feel certain that the breaking news will still be breaking when dinner is over! It would drive me crazy when he pulled that stinking phone out at the table, so after a few heated discussions…we now have the “no phone zone.” I also think children imitate everything we do, so we need to make sure we are acting in a way we would want them to imitate! I so love all the technology I use! Setting the boundaries for the technology use can be very difficult!!
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Did you record that “heated” discussion? I would pay big money to hear that one.
Pete Wilson´s last blog ..Backfired
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Jennifer Pettus
1:13 pm
I spend so many hours keeping all my ‘time savers’ up and running. I used to have a Treo which was, in my opinion, one of the greatest machines ever invented by man. But it became no longer ‘cool’. Now I have the Palm Pre which was supposed to be an improvement over the Treo. When I’m not trying to get it to work (and failing) I’m cursing it because the battery is dead. But it looks so cool and it has aps! Who can say no to that, right?
Who’s fault is it that I still have a half-functional Pre and find my self angry any time I try and use it…when I didn’t have those problems with my ‘outdated’ Treo that wasn’t as cool but was completely functional? y’know vanity really sucks sometimes, doesn’t it?
[Reply]
cshell Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I have a Pre also…cursing also, on my 3rd one. You check out the EVO yet? it’s a must have
Now what were we talking about again?
[Reply]
Bill Renfrew
1:28 pm
The day I prefer talking to someone on the computer/iPhone versus talking to someone face to face will be the day I know it’s time to say enough. I love to connect with people. Technology allows me to connect with folks I may have never met in person, but face to face is always my preference.
katdish´s last blog ..Procrastination
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katdish
1:29 pm
Like having a 24hr buffet of new choices, a 24hr stimulous package…
Some pick their favorites n have a lovely meal.
Others get caught up in sampling it all; easily addictive; makes them long for a simpler life…and not, so they’re stuck.
[Reply]
Candace
1:59 pm
for example..I’m on vacation in Florida, checking your blog and leaving a comment…what is that about??
Blake Bergstrom´s last blog ..The adventures of being a Shepherd…
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
You’re STUPID.
Hope you guys are having a blast.
Pete Wilson´s last blog ..Backfired
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Blake Bergstrom
3:04 pm
In the very recent past, I’ve had to talk to my 22 year old and my 19 year old about putting down the cell phone and the laptop and walking away in order to get some much needed space and distance in their girlfriend/boyfriend relationships. They look at me with unbelieving eyes as I tell them when I was growing up, there was one phone line per household, and your phone was only as portable as far as the wall cord would stretch (and it was amazing how far we could get those things to go). Everyone in the house had to share and so, in a healthy balance, you talked to your respective love interest, oh, maybe a half hour a night max and usually in a room next to where your parents could hear everything you said. I am convinced that today’s trend of constant availability can be a relationship killer. As I often quote to my daughter, “How can I miss you if you never go away?”
Beth Coulton´s last blog ..moving ahead and forward
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 7:03 am
Great point Beth. I do think it’s going to have a huge impact on the quality of relationships. At least most of us can remember a time when it wasn’t like this and seek to find balance. The next generation has never known anything different and I’m afraid will assume this is “normal”.
[Reply]
Beth Coulton
3:36 pm
Pete,
I have been working through a “Simple Living Manifesto” I read and one of the steps was to minimize my media intake. After setting down and deleting all the useless media (mostly from the internet) that I consumed on a daily basis, I freed up almost two hours of my life. Two hours I now spend with my wife, my family, my friends, my church. Also I feel less “insane”!
Rich Grasso´s last blog ..Simple Living Manifesto- Idea Four- Five- and Six
[Reply]
Rich Grasso
4:16 pm
While reading your blog I had to jump up and answer my cell phone.
[Reply]
Rick Herrin
4:28 pm
Just read another post about this this morning – about why someone has foregone the smart phone
http://ryanspilhaus.com/2010/07/why-i-dont-own-an-iphone-or-any-other-smartphone/
I’m wondering if y’all are on to something
Jenny´s last blog ..The Partnership of Healing
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 7:01 am
Thanks for sharing the other link Jenny.
[Reply]
Jenny
4:47 pm
I think when we get to the point of becoming obsessed with technology, it has its fingers tightly woven around us. When it becomes an obsession, it’s time to re-examine ourselves and see where and how we can prune it in our lives. Hope this makes sense!
Shelley´s last blog ..Update
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Shelley
7:20 pm
I think we should learn how to live simply lives with technology.
How’s it work?
I don’t know.
David Knapp´s last blog ..The Courage To Listen On Purpose
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David Knapp
3:02 am
I think it depends. There are REAL people behind the emails, tweets, and facebook links. Communicating with people in these new ways is a blessing.
What is not a blessing is the temptation to look up insignificant things with google just because I can. Or to play pac man or other computer games.
Helen´s last blog ..Happy Anniversary- Bob and Me!
[Reply]
Helen
6:46 am
Compliments to all the commentors – this has been a very interesting group to read! You all did good.
My first encounter with this kind of technology was back when the first computers appeared. We all talked about how they’d give us a “paperless society.” Of course, then some unthinking person invented the printer, and we just produced paper far faster.
My family, too, is among the remnants of the “cell-phone-free society.” We’d love one, mostly because we like to go hiking out in the country 60 to 80 miles from the nearest phone, gas station, or house (you can do that here in Wyoming). And we’d love to be able to call for help if we had trouble. But a cell phone wouldn’t do any good, because you have to get back within about 5 miles of town before there IS any cell service. So we just leave maps of where we’re going with the family, drive carefully, and pray a lot.
[Reply]
Pete Ahlstrom
11:12 am
This is just the beginning of the constant noise/bombardment of social/consumer media.
Teach the children for what it is.
Let GODS WORD be the filter/barrier.
[Reply]
truefreodom
4:53 am
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