As I drove through our quaint little harbor town the other day, the radio was playing away (Ah, radio – the nearly forgotten technology!). The hosts on National Public Radio talked about two websites. These sites are pitiful, yet are huge hits. I believe their existence says something about the human spirit. They expose our cultural deficits of genuineness, connection, and Agape love.
Here they are – see what you think:
We Are Organic Beings
Something about digital is too clean, too slick. Without dispute our tools have extended our abilities and knowledge. They are draining, though. We are not binary, even when behavior sometimes says otherwise. We need touch, connection, interaction. Analog is more complex and slower, but it’s warmer.
I’m a fairly early adopter, not a Luddite by any means. Yet, I see why Luddites exist. Human need for connection is the same everywhere.
The Church Is About Connection
The glorious Trinity is all about relationship. He made us in His image, so we are too.
There is such hunger for connection and affirmation. Sure, we have the snazziest technology ever, yet people are hungry and lonely. People want relationships.
Maybe we worship our screens. We can accomplish much but are often in isolation while doing so. Not every need can be met with another piece of technology.
I have the kind of relationships in my life that make these two websites utterly irrelevant and even silly to me. This means I am extraordinarily blessed. However, many obviously do not have what I have. Many do not have what you have. So, the sense of human need that drove the creators of these websites is not the tiniest bit silly.
Go analog. Go talk to someone. Go hug someone. Go give a due word in season. Stop typing and start talking once in a while.
Go analog today. And tomorrow. And don’t stop.
[Images via EveryStockPhoto & FreeDigitalPhotos]
Ben Miller says
Emergency Compliment was really nice, until I realized that my computer was being sarcastic and was mocking me.
Ken says
In a way, that is what that site does. It may be tongue-in-cheek, but I don’t think anyone would have thought of it if the deficits I describe did not exist.
Thanks for the comment!
Eric Dye says
LOL
Jose says
Great article, I understand the need for connection.
I just started in this web design/ development arena and that has been one of my concerns, eventually having not much interaction with other people or distancing myself from people. But, soli deo gloria, you know. Ima do all things as onto The Lord. Thanks for your article.
Kathleen Ward says
Nice post, Ken.
In many ways, I think the addiction to screens is driven by the hunger for connection. Most young people spend more time online than watching tv these days – connecting through social media, or interacting with people and their opinions through blogs, YouTube, etc. it’s a strange world that we live in – more connected than ever before, yet more disconnected than ever before.
Kathleen
Curtis says
Yes, connection is important. And given the popularity of social media, it seems people are hungry for it. However, as you state, online presence never satisfies this hunger for connection. We get closer to satisfying our need when we meet in community, face-to-face. Like in church.
But if church is a face-to-face connection tool, what makes church any different than a coffee shop, or a health club, or the office? Those are all good for face-to-face connections too. What makes church different from other face-to-face meetings? Or is it not different at all?