The Atlantic published a large article called "Anti-Social Century" which spurred on a conversation with Gretchen and Katie on why this generation of people is anti-social, and what to do about it. There's a rise in what they called "secular monasticism" with rigid morning routines, cold-plunge, meditation, gym time, and every angle of self-optimization. The attitude toward others isn't so much for the purpose of community building, but removing people from your life that does not assist with that optimization.

The rise of "digital friendships" while often can be real, often lack the opportunity to give and receive forgiveness, or agree to disagree. Algorythms highlight commonality, and remove those who believe differently, and doesn't provide the sitting with those who are different that often is demanded from location-based friendships. The value of humility and vulnerability gives depth to friendships.

There was a lot of this heafty article that we didn't even get to cover, but the discussion of how grace and forgiveness impacts community life in tangible ways remains.

Show Notes:

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What's New from 1517:

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Gretchen Ronnevik

• Katie Koplin

From the Atlantic: Anti-Social Century