The beautiful thing in some ways about the smartphone, for example, is that my robotic vacuum will never do anything but vacuum instead of me. But my smartphone can be an instrument in that I can decide every time I pick it up whether I’m going to use it in a way that actually develops my heart, soul, mind and strength that is subordinate to and for the purposes of love.
If I pick up my smartphone and I develop a relationship with people I’ll never meet — influencers and celebrities — by watching videos, that diminishes me. But if I pick up my smartphone and I call my daughter or FaceTime her, that activates love and relationship. Basically, it’s using the thing to more deeply engage with the world rather than to retreat from my investment in the world.
— Andy Crouch, from “Nurturing Our Relationships in a Digital World” (The New York Times · Interviewed by Tish Harrison Warren · June 4, 2023). Crouch is the author “The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World.”
Entire article is worth a read here.
an excellent way to look at it. with all of the pull that the phones have on us, we still have the power to choose what we use them for.
Exactly. Reminds me of this quote:
It is in your power to direct your thoughts; it is in your power to keep your soul in peace.
― Joseph Murphy, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind (1963) (Way to Success, October 11, 2019)
Great quote David. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Paul
PS: I’m on a kick of changing avatars regularly recently. It’s critical that you know that you are looking at a Porsche 911 GT2 RS. You can pick one up cheap for about $500,000 :-). Just a little trivia from an Audi/Porsche fanatic. Have a great one!
Wow! That’s not cheap! 🙂
Wow! That really makes sense.
Agree!
Ok, I’m a Luddite – but what’s the point of squinting at a tiny screen for any reason other than calling family or friends? I know that people play games on their phones, engage in a lot of ‘it’s about me’, etc – I’ve just never seen the pleasure…And with all of the recent articles and interviews about AI, I refuse to give my smartphone too much of my time.
You are so far ahead of 99% of us! Bravo!
Hardly…but thanks
Reblogged this on Bright, shiny objects! and commented:
“If I pick up my smartphone and I develop a relationship with people I’ll never meet — influencers and celebrities — by watching videos, that diminishes me. But if I pick up my smartphone and I call my daughter or FaceTime her, that activates love and relationship. Basically, it’s using the thing to more deeply engage with the world rather than to retreat from my investment in the world.”
It’s all about awareness and choosing our intention. A good way to approach life.
That it is. Now only to execute!
Actually, that’s obvious, isn’t it?
Yes, and yet…
Love this insight.