This week's question was inspired by Dr. R. Albert Mohler's Radio Program (07-25-2008) entitled "Is Technology Distracting Us to Death?" In this particular podcast, Dr. Russell Moore is moderating during Dr. Mohler's vacation.
So, back to the question: Is technology (like Blackberry's and other PDA's, mp3 players, text messaging and email) taking over [our] life?"
I have heard of people who have seemed to be obsessed with their PDA's and/or text messaging. I, personally, have sometimes wondered if I have that struggle as well. In reflecting over my life, I have discovered that I have disciplined myself to use these technologies differently, depending on the scenario.
For my mp3 player: I use it while I work (a menial paper-pushing task) for listening to worship/praise music and catching up on news and podcasts (like the Albert Mohler Program!). I have found many times that the news items contained within podcasts are news items which many of our news media just doesn't cover! Sometimes, I listen to it while driving (using a FM transmitter!) and sometimes while I am grocery shopping or having to stand in long lines.
For email, there are two instances: for my job and the particular position, most of my email is demanding immediate responses and actions needed to be taken. In disciplining my productivity, I created a some folders so that emails can be separated into "notices" (just need to be read) and "to do" (where action needs to be taken). Additionally, I check my email about once an hour. For my personal email (which I check at home), during the week, I check it when I get home and right before I go to bed. Most of my friends know that if they need to get ahold of me, my cellphone is on 24/7.
For my cellphone and voicemail - A couple of things: my cellphone is my sole phone at the house. My voicemail (like my personal email) is treated a lot like the old-fashioned answering machine: it's there for MY convenience! Secondly, at work and worship services, my cellphone is on "silent" because it can be a distraction for other employees (and myself!). After service and on my breaks and lunch during the week at work, I check my voicemail and for "missed calls" and return messages. For emergencies, my closest Christian community and my parents know my office desk number.
A couple of interesting articles to read:
