Transcript Powerpoint #1 - Technology and Faith

Rebooting Our Faith:
How cell phones, Facebook
& text messages alter our
fundamental operating
system.
Dr. Peggy Kendall
Department of Communication Studies
Bethel University
How is life today different?
Goal
See the impact
Become intentional
Overview
Week 1:
• The reality challenge
Week 2:
• The value challenge
Week 3:
• The friendship challenge
Week 4:
• The faith challenge
For every good thing
technology gives us,
it also takes
something away.
Neil Postman
The Alias Factor
Second Life
Second Life
• 21.3 million registered accounts in 2010
• At any one time, there are approximately
40,000 people logged in.
• 2008 Gross Resident Earnings = $55 million,
total economy = $567 million
Classrooms
Churches
Love
Second Life
Benefits
Problems
• Be yourself
• No limitations
• Meet new people
• Deception
• Not “real”
• Disembodiment
Mediated Lives
What parts of your life are mediated?
Why do we choose a mediated option?
Convenient
Controllable
Photo: “Romantic Evening, Technology-Style” by Mrs. Maze,
Flickr.com
Results?
Real Friendships
Real Adventure
“‘Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.”
Discussion Questions
• What do you think you miss when you aren’t
living in the here and now?
• What parts of your life are most mediated?
• How can you add a little real adventure into
your life?
Homework Assignment
Technology Fast
Discussion Questions
• Share with your group the types of
communication technology you use (i.e.
Facebook, texting, Skype, etc…)
• Pick one or two types of technology and
brainstorm all of the positive things about that
technology
• Then brainstorm all of the negative things
about the technology