Did Jesus dream of Electric Sheep?  Probably not.  But how should Christians think about their relationship to technology in an age of mass distraction? In this episode, Justin Lee (contributing columnist for the Independent and Literary Editor for ARC Digital) and I sit down for a candid conversation about attention, screens, device addiction, social media, passive consumption, and all sorts of other things that can distract us to death if we are not thoughtful and intentional about our practices.  In this first part of our conversation, we focus on children, parents, and families before broadening the connections to everyone and everyday life. This is a practical, honest conversation I think anyone can benefit from.

 

Warning for Parents: We touch (very briefly) on some heavy things like adolescent suicide, bullying, and pornography use. So maybe listen first before deciding if your children should hear these things.

 

Here's a reading list:

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport

The Shallows: How the Internet is Changing the Way We Think, Read, and Remember by Nicholas G. Carr

The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch

Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter

iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood by Dr. Jean Twenge