There have been a few significant articles of interest, namely the Wall Street Journal’s article about the death of email, that have gotten a few people shouting “amens” and a few others saying “heresy“!
I can understand both sides of the fence as I have naturally had to play nicely in both camps for so long. On good days I think email is the bomb and on other days I really, really don’t like it.
But I’m not fully sold out on Twitter, Facebook, and I think the generation of “instant-ramen-noodles-with-soy-sauce-mix” isn’t really healthy for us.
I think, at least for myself, I want to be a champion of being present wherever I am and whatever that requires. What that means to me specifically is that I don’t want to be a slave to technology: Technology should serve me not I to technology.
I want to be a champion of “disconnection” in a world craving for constant connection. I need more times in solitude and silence, especially with the Lord my God.
We all serve a master. Unfortunately (and fortunately) we get the option and opportunity to choose. Twitter, Facebook, Email… Your move, your choice.
[Image from ParadigmShifter]
"…be a champion of disconnection in a world craving for constant connection." – awesome post John!!
just been on my heart I guess. Thanks man.
I too love that comment John…great stuff.
not easy when you can just check yer email/twitter/stats b4 your time with God (in the morning, evening, whenever),
"let me just tweet what I am reading" bam you have disconnected with God and lost precious time with the Lord
Great post. Really great. Echoes what many of us are thinking/feeling and challenges us at the same time. Thanks.
Love it, thanks for the reminder John.
I often can get caught up in making sure I am plugged in to all technology. I often get upset because someone has not responded to me fast enough. But I never take in the idea that they should be allowed to disconnect for a time and do not have to respond immediately.
What I see as a danger is that in actual conversation we are able to walk away, have time to ourselves, etc…in social media conversation we are always present and expect it to be on our time table. This in turn becomes more about me than anything else. it is a tool not a necessity.
1 – Email is not going away anytime soon. It may morph into something a little more awesome though *cough* [google wave] *cough*.
2 – You're absolutely right. Technology should serve us… not the other way around. Otherwise we'll end up with some company called Skynet and they'll rule us all! :0
I just spent a fairly delightful weekend on the Oregon coast with my inlaws who are ministry leaders for the Canadian branch of an international missions organization. In general they are wonderful people, but very used to going full bore into anything and everything. With precious little time, they wanted to pack as much into the two days with family, as possible. It was funny though, the most notable moments were the chances to just sit and enjoy being around each other.
You don't have to be doing something to create quality time, just simply be there….and as John has mentioned on numerous occasions be fully there….
A loud AMEN from me, John. We could all use a little disconnection.
Pen and paper still rock, right John? The few times I've gotten to hang out with John, he gave me his full attention, took notes on pen and paper, and just disconnected for the length of the conversation. It told me a lot about you, you do champion being "present". Good stuff.
Amen and alleluia! I once ran an ad for a retreat that said, "Don't just do something, sit there!" This gives me hope.