How much do you text?
Do you text and drive? (I hope not.)
A recent study by psychologists show that those who text 100+ times per day are more interested in wealth and image. Not a good sign. Even if you “don’t mean to” or just need to stay “connected,” this kind of research should definitely lead to some soul searching, especially when you consider its effects on our minds:
“According to the theory, the heavy use of texting and Twitter — both ultra-brief social media technologies — has made people’s thought processes more superficial because it encourages rapid and relatively shallow thinking.”
Ouch.
“…encourages rapid and relatively shallow thinking.”
Kind of puts a damper on the whole tweeting in church bit, doesn’t it?
“The values and traits most closely associated with texting frequency are surprisingly consistent with Carr’s conjecture that new information and social media technologies may be displacing and discouraging reflective thought.”
It would seem that meditating on scripture may be more important now than ever before. I’ve never been a huge “meditator on scripture,” but in light of this kind of research, I think it may be time to pull-up my spiritual boot straps a little further. The last thing the I want to be doing is becoming more shallow! I am all for the Church promoting social media and hanging-out with the masses, but certainly not at the cost of becoming shallow.
Now, before you throw away your smartphone and delete your Twitter account, keep in mind that despite these finding they have not found any scientific data that supports the next generation will be “morally shallow” as they call it.
Like many things, having some self-control and keeping things in moderation is a good strategy. Besides, if you’re hanging with your friends or worshiping God, you’ll get more out of your life if you’re fully present and get your phone out of your face.
(Now go ahead tweet this blog post.)
[via CBC News | HT Joe Rohrs | Image via kevin dooley via Compfight cc]
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