Day 13: Technology: Friend or foe?

It seems incomplete to have a discussion about finding peace in politics, without addressing one of the primary ways in which that peace is interrupted. There’s no question that the way we experience the political season is dramatically different than it was a decade or two ago. And it’s important to recognize that this change has a measurable impact on how we consume information, hear opinions, and process events in our world.

Let’s think for a moment about how this political season would be playing out if it happened forty years ago. The 24/7 news cycle was a brand new venture. The iPhone was decades away. Even home internet wasn’t yet a possibility. It was basically the stone age right? It’s quite difficult to imagine this political season without Twitter drama and cable news feuds. 

The changing technological landscape has not only had an effect on the world at large, it has impacted our hearts, minds, and emotions. We are more informed, yet more stressed. We are more connected, yet more divided. In many ways, the more advanced we’ve become technologically, the more our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness have moved in the opposite direction.

It seems possible that discovering peace in this season involves a healthy disconnection from the things that stir up our anxiety and fear. Perhaps we need to make space for the things that bring us life. Let’s look at some specifics.

24/7 drama

On June 1, 1980, CNN launched the first news channel that would exclusively broadcast news at every hour of the day. For the first time in history, you could turn on the TV at any moment and discover the current breaking stories. And it proved to be a profitable venture. So much so, that more networks continued to launch their own competitors to CNN.

I actually don’t have anything against 24/7 news. It can be really informative, interesting, and honestly, entertaining. It is, however, important to recognize that the ultimate goal of cable news is not to better the viewer. Its main objective is to generate ad revenue. And how do they do that? By producing content that keeps us watching. 

Can you imagine any of the news networks leading with a story like the one below? 

“BREAKING NEWS—THERE’S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY.”

It wouldn’t make for great television. 

For better or worse, the news thrives off of drama. Drama increases viewers, viewers increase ratings, ratings increase ad revenue. This truly is not meant to be an indictment on television or cable news. But it is important to understand that we are not likely to find a greater sense of peace by obsessing over the news. 

If you’re feeling anxious, fearful, and stressed about current events, consider a hiatus from watching the news. If disconnecting completely feels too extreme, consider choosing a single daily time to seek updates. 

Social Media

“Social media brings out the best in people.”

Try saying that with a straight face! Unfortunately, the truth is much different. We previously discussed how loving our enemies is critical when it comes to finding peace in politics. Social media seems to be the place where this is most difficult. I’ve witnessed many kind and loving people type hurtful and angry things on social platforms. In some cases, my peers’ vehement words have caused me to question if I even know them at all. 

Social media has a way of reducing people’s filters. It seems to give us a boldness to say things that we would not normally say. At face value, this could sound like a positive thing. But in reality, it rarely translates to bolder love, compassion, and empathy. Behind screens, we tend to become more vocal about our opinions and less willing to listen and understand others. 

When politics enters the equation, we’re quick to share articles and opinions that support our existing viewpoints. We are also often quick to shoot down those that differ (potentially after only reading the headline).

If we’re to find peace in this political season, we must be willing to perform an honest examination of the effect that social media is having on our hearts and minds. 

Is social media leading you to love more? 

Is social media leading you toward humility? 

Is social media leading you toward peace?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then you may be able to move on to the next section. My point here is not to vilify social media. It is to help us recognize an area that may be leading many of us away from peace. Personally, I found a great sense of peace, trust, and compassion when I took a break from a social media presence. 

Later, in our practice section, we’ll take some more time to reflect on this subject. 

To take a deeper dive into how social media has shaped the political landscape, I’d encourage you to read Jaron Lanier’s, Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now. It includes an entire chapter on the consequences of social media on politics worldwide.

Do Not Disturb

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

The last thing I want to mention, in reference to technology, is that phone notifications are much less benign than they may seem. 

When you allow a social media provider, news app, or even your email account, to notify you on your phone, you’re essentially giving them a free pass to interrupt your life. Whenever they choose, they can pull your attention away from the physical world and into their world. You are giving them permission to direct your attention to wherever they’d like. 

This may sound incredibly dramatic or even bordering conspiracy theory level skepticism, but I’d encourage you to engage in additional research on the science behind the “attention economy” and how our capacity toward giving something our attention is a finite resource.

Again, if you’re struggling with anxiety in this season, consider disabling your notifications for your social media accounts, news apps, and email. Give it a solid week and evaluate if things have changed in your heart and mind. 

PRACTICE

1. Take a moment to reflect on the role of technology in your life. Where is it helping your heart, soul, and mind? Where is it having a negative impact?
2. Reflect on your engagement with others on social media. Are your conversations aligning with the heart of God?
3. Ask God what a healthy engagement with the news looks like for you.
4. Ask God what a healthy engagement with social media looks like for you.
5. Take a moment to make changes to your devices that will help you walk in peace.
6. Spend some time thanking God for the blessing of technology. Ask him to help you use it in a way that draws you and others toward him.