*DING*

I recently read the book 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke. Tony examines the ways our smart phones are changing how we behave, communicate and participate with those around us. This book is extremely convicting and eye-opening. He does not take the position that our phones are bad, or using them is evil, but in fact quite the opposite is true. He clearly flushes out the usefulness of our pocket computers. These high tech devices help us to spread the Gospel, be more productive, educate, and much more. Unfortunately, our constant connectedness can distract and distance us from those whom we are closest too. Essentially, the more connected we become the lonelier we feel. Where we used to go to the movies with friends, we now stream movies to our living room.

The book's chapters dig deeper into to each of the 12 ways Tony Reinke sees our phones impacting us individually and as a society. The titles of the chapters give a sneak peek as to what you will find inside:

1. We Are Addicted to Distraction
2. We Ignore Our Flesh and Blood
3. We Crave Immediate Approval
4. We Lose Our Literacy
5. We Feed on the Produced
6. We Become Like What We "Like"
7. We Get Lonely
8. We Get Comfortable in Secret Vices
9. We Lose Meaning
10. We Fear Missing Out
11. We Become Harsh to One Another
12. We Lose Our Place in Time

The book is well researched, and well written. It does not condemn technology, or our use of it. It does, however, point out real and present dangers that we should all be aware of. The book points out our Pavlovian dog response to the buzzes and beeps emanating from our devices. Our phones (and as a result we) are "on" 24/7. We are afraid we will miss something. We enjoy getting "likes". This can all be used in a way that can bring glory to God, but frequently it is used to distract us from our boring lives. It might be an escape for us. Our phones and computers provide an atmosphere in which we can portray our lives as something other than what they truly are. We feel jealousy and discontentment as we think we are truly peering into the lives of our neighbors and friends, but in reality seeing only small glimpses into reality.

Technology is a good thing. It is a gift from God, from whom all knowledge originates. Computers and internet have enabled me and others to blog, to share our stories, and the Gospel with people a world away. We have been given an opportunity to use a new, and advanced medium to reach others we would likely never meet face to face, and because of that, it comes with a great responsibility. We will give account for every idle word we have spoken (or written) one day. The distance the internet creates makes us feel safer to be harsher with people. We say things that we would never say if we were standing in front of a group of people. We watch things that we would never consider watching if it weren't from behind the anonymity and privacy of our own screen. This book gives us reason to pause, consider and evaluate our phone usage.

The book is well worth reading, and although it is written by a Christian author, and has a Christian bent, it's research is solid, and the message behind why we respond the way we do is important to reflect upon. You won't be disappointed, and quite possibly you will have your eyes opened wider, like I did.

Wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
Until Next Time~
Shari