The Hyperlinked Life

The Way We Were and Are

"We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works." 

Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

   The transmission of technology has forward gears only... there is no reverse; digital natives have no problem accepting this concept, but digital immigrants (like myself) often 'kick against the goads.'

For a near-future scenario, watch this-

           

     The Internet of Things (IoT) is the next Big thing, and humans love the next big thing, tho' nostalgia seems to be a close 2nd. So, what's a person of faith to do in a world turned virtual? The Hyperlinked Life by Jun Young and David Kinnaman offers help.

The Hyperlinked Life

A Few Questions To Begin With

from The Hyperlinked Life, Live with Wisdom in an Age of Information Overload

   -How many times, on average, would you say you check your phone in a given day?

   -Where do you get most of your news information?

   -What three words would you use to describe "life today"?

   The Hyperlinked Life is from the Frames series by Barna Group; a collection of survey-based, data-driven books designed for 21st Century Christians. Being an info-junkie, I like the format- compact, with infographics and practical advice. Here are a few suggestions the book offers for living well in a hyperlinked world:

1.   This is an incredible time to be a part of. Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are, be all there!" We are here, in the midst of available information, but we need to remember our calling- technology should not define or control us.

2.   We need to ask God, "What is my role in this time?" 

3.   Remember the Sabbath!

When the Lord God said, "Remember the Sabbath", He meant more than- "Oh, and stay home from work one day a week." To 'set apart' means, in part, to be 'different'... to have different thoughts, to do different acts, to refrain from usual acts... i.e., unplug and recalibrate.

   These are busy times...but then, I suppose people have been saying that for a long, long time; one reason why books like The Hyperlinked Life serve as reminders to stop and survey the landscape on occasion. The pixels are rising.

                  

You can download one free copy from

the Frames collection here.

The Hyperlinked Life trailer CHURCH VERSION from Barna Group on Vimeo.