Any TC readers brave the rabid hordes of Mac addicts enthusiasts to pick up an iPhone? Back when the iPod achieved ubiquity, some people wondered if the very nature of the device threatened the relationships and interaction that underpin society, and possibly also encouraged a spiritually destructive focus on ourselves.
Bruce Weinstein at Business Week resurrects some familiar but quite serious charges, this time about the iPhone. He’s not mincing words:
Our social fabric is in danger of being ripped to shreds as we swap electronic connection for personal relationships. The very nature of community depends upon us being connected to one another. Being civil means, or at least used to mean, valuing our relationships beyond our immediate circle of family and friends. If upon leaving home we immerse ourselves in idle chatter on the phone, listen to music nonstop at volume levels that preclude hearing the world around us, read every piece of e-mail sent since the last time we checked, or hunt for bargains on the Internet, we miss the chance on the way to work to make new friendships, renew old ones, or simply say hello to a stranger. A community is not merely a collection of individuals. It is a web—the kind with a small “w”—of interconnectedness, and this web cannot exist for long if each of its constituents is concerned primarily or exclusively with itself.
At The Point blog, J. Clinton has some good commentary on Weinstein’s essay.
What do you think? Does Weinstein make a good point? Or is this the modern equivalent of yelling at those whippersnapper neighborhood kids to get off your lawn?
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July 3, 2007 at 19:00
I’ve been wondering if the spiritually destructive force isn’t just using an iPhone, it’s wanting to be part of the $600-phone-using crowd. It’s about Christians techno-lusting and wanting a latest-and-greatest gadget.
How they use it and the effect is has on their relationships with each other all falls out of that.
How can wanting the newest expensive toy not be being “concerned primarily or exclusively with itself.”
What does it mean when we as Christians, looking at the world around us, can honestly say “Yes, I think this is a good thing for me to put my money on. Yes, I think standing in line for a $600 phone clearly show the priorities in my life.”
We aren’t called to be luddites, but technolust is undefendable.
July 3, 2007 at 21:35
The iPhone may give people the opportunity to be walking cocoons, but that doesn’t mean everyone that owns one (myself included) is trying to shutout the world. Every new technology always has its naysayers, but when was the last time you read about the threat the written word poses to society? “THese people, they sit on the train or bus, just staring at words and pictures, ignorant the the beauty around them.
There is also a simple fact that by putting “Apple”, “iPhone” or any related term in a headline (or on a magazine front cover) almost guarantees an increase in sales or page views. A little punditry on a popular subject is good for business.
And yes, I stood in line. And you know what? It was a social event. Yeah, some people were sitting on their own, or only talking to their friends, but by and large people were interacting. Imagine that. Me? I read a book
July 3, 2007 at 22:09
Back in 1999, Douglas Adams (of Hitchhiker’s Guide To the Galaxy fame) made some observations about the internet that I think can apply here to the iPhone as well.
“How to Stop Worrying and Learn To Love The Internet”
http://www.douglasadams.com/dna/19990901-00-a.html
In summary, we are and always have been communal people. New technology just adds a global dimension to that community. The VAST majority of people with e-mail still chat face to face.
Aside from the article, I remember reading about how the plain old land-line telephone would do the same thing…cut off face to face connections and isolate people. I’d bet we all think that’s a silly observation in retrospect.
July 4, 2007 at 06:51
This is nonsense. Science, technology has always provided a better way to do things. How we use it depends on the priority we give things. Technology is only as good as you make it. It has helped the way we evangelize, the way we do our devotionals, sermons, Bible studies, keeping connected to someone thousands of miles away, how we appreciate creation’s beauty, etc. Just like everything else on this world, Technology is only as good as we make it to be. It all lies in the person using this technology.
I have an iPhone. I got it on Saturday at an at&t store. I now have one device for keeping in contact (we all have cel phones), emailing, going online, etc. Now I don’t have to carry 2 or 3 devices. As one of you commented, that $500 or $600 on an iPhone is not the Christian thing to do, is a weak argument. I have always argued that us in America live in a land of riches. Whether that means buying an expensive gadget or an expensive dinner. Don’t question my iPhone purchase if you spend good money on shoes, dinner, vacation, etc. Instead of questioning people’s spending habits, why don’t we just work to do good and glorify God in all we do, whether you own an iPhone, an nice car or such. We all have great commodities, just remember the poor.
July 4, 2007 at 11:12
These are all good comments. They make some very good points. Nothing can be said about iPhone that couldn’t be said about iPods, the internet, Walkmans, telephones, or even books. People still only have 24 hours in a day; just more choices of ways to isolate themselves if they want.
MrPages has a very good point about technolust. I don’t have an iPhone, but I might someday when the price comes way down. I can wait. I don’t even have my own cell phone yet. The iPhone is the first phone with enough features in one gadget to make it worth carrying around (but not for that price). Patience always pays off with these gadgets. The price will come down and the capabilities will increase and become more reliable. I think my money is going to go into a MacBook Pro. I’ve been waiting since they were introduced for Apple to start making the one I want and they’re getting pretty close.
The thing about the iPhone, iPod and other Apple products is that they really do stand out in the world of gadgets. The attention to design and detail that Apple puts into its products makes it more than just another technology company trying to make a quick buck. It’s obvious that they put a lot more time into designing products and software that people can easily use in ways that are natural to them. This helps keep technology in its place, as the servant of humans, rather than making humans the servants of the technology buy making them use it the way the product was easiest or cheapest to make. As an engineer, I respect the emphasis on excellence and quality in design that so many of Apple’s competitors can only cheaply imitate.
I’m not saying that Apple is a godsend. It doesn’t do what it does from God honoring motives. Some of their business practices have given me pause. But on the whole their success has been based on the outstanding quality of their products, not deceptive or heavy handed business practices. Creativity is an attribute that we humans share with God as his creatures. I see excellence in creativity as honoring to God and reflective of is image in us. If only Steve Jobs knew it.
July 5, 2007 at 02:15
No technology will ever substitute for relationships. It may, however, keep us from exercising the muscles required to build vulnerability. It may “developmentally delay” us from getting into healthy and mature relationships.
July 5, 2007 at 09:35
I agree that “techno lust” is a real issue to consider. With the money I spent on this phone (plus my wife’s) we could have contributed a lot of good to the world. Instead, as have an expensive gadget that is part toy and part productivity enhancer. But in the end, was buying it an example of Christ-like living? Certainly not for me. Not sure where i am going with this, other than to say there is a real human at the end of every gadget. We all have personal reasons for our sins.
July 5, 2007 at 12:05
Because I am on the road or on location quite a bit, I depend on a cell phone, which the company pays for. It’s getting to the point now where I am going to have to be intouch with my e-mail more frequently now as well. So I could buy a Blackberry or an iPhone. I bought my first Apple Macintosh in 1985 and for the last 22 years have avoided all the wintel nonsense, complexity and viruses that most computer users suffer. Apple understands people and sets the standard for intuitive design. It’s no wonder that people wait in line for it. I suppose that if you had no compelling, legitimate reason reason to own a cell phone, (?) or the internet services of an iPhone, that its purchase could be considered wasteful. But, they really elevate technology to a fine art.
Also, what’s the price point for sin? Maybe we could define that and help everyone.
July 5, 2007 at 14:27
These things only matter if you let them. And there is nothing inherently wrong with any of it.
I have chosen (up to this point) not to even have a cell phone because I don’t like the sharpnell that comes with it.
Choices
July 5, 2007 at 16:24
In my Heart,I think these gadgets are corruptive and damaging to the social unit of our Society;
What happened to the “Family table”, when you sat around and had a discussion about day’s events? Those “Leave it to Beaver” and “Brady Bunch” ties are only a fake front to how the family structure has broken down. We replace close bonding with gorey video games and other things.
July 5, 2007 at 21:22
Community and real relationships require authentic, open relationships. The web, iPhones and the like pull us away from that, and into self-centered me-ism.
Community and real relationships also require LOVING SERVICE to others. The web and to a lesser extent the iPhone rip that element to shreds. You don’t practically do loving things (hold a door, do a chore together, work on a project,....)
You don’t need to mix it up in the real world, listen to a boring story told for the fourth time, put up with someone’s rant, let them cry on your shoulder. No, you can just hang up and find more entertaining conversation.
Finally, we all have a tendency to HIDE our skeleton in the closet, our hard-to-share fears or doubts or sins. Neither the web not a phone can replace eye to eye confession, prayer hand in hand, a shoulder to cry on, or a kick in the butt and a loving rubuke.
July 6, 2007 at 15:51
Interesting.. seems I’m not the only person who thinks along these lines…
Here is what I wrote about it:
http://www.brandonrichards.com/journal/entry/apple_iphone_meets_idol/
Let me know what you think.
July 7, 2007 at 15:46
I did not buy an iPod. I received a nano as a gift. The Blackberry appeared to be too complicated for me. I have been a Mac user from its beginning and believe that the iPhone could be easier for me to operate. It is definitely “senior citizen” friendly and useful for me since it is a combo iPod and phone. I felt comfortable making the purchase. This has not taken away from my church tithes, offering, charity giving, or random acts of financial kindness. I have not had a vacation in two years, don’t spend much on entertainment,etc. I did not stand in line, however, I ordered from Apple and the iPhone is scheduled to arrive in a week or so.
July 9, 2007 at 09:22
Listen, I’m a pastor and I’m only 24, so you know that I’m all about the iPod world of music. I have a couple iPods that were given to me throughout the years and I enjoy loading all my worship on them. Biblically, we know that the world is already coming to destruction. Regardless of the iPhone, money, cars, cameras or whatever the issue at hand may be. We live in a world that has mastered how to worship any and everything; if it’s not an iPhone they worship it’s the television or the sun as they lay on the beach.
My only concern would be this; Christians do you love God enough to say that no phone, no gadget, no car, or even person could be allowed to tamper with your relationship? As a Christian could you purchase an iPhone and let it be just what it is; a phone with music? Not your best friend, not your wife, not your child, and definitly not your God? This is where our focus should lie, becuase we can’t begin to even worry about society if we ourselves have no self-control. But praise God that he is merciful, and if we just ask for him to heal us and ask him to penetrate our hearts and purify them; we’d be okay.
July 9, 2007 at 15:31
Technology can ruin lives, and families, but only if you let it. To be afraid of it is nonsense. The invention of postal roads was a bad thing, right? Look how awful, you could send a letter and be pretty sure your recipient was going to get it. No thing, especially something like a ridiculously priced cellphone, can destroy society, only people can. When people forget God, that’s when a society is destroyed. I kinda like the idea of a Righteous, God-fearing nation, all toting Macbooks and iPhones, I’m just sayin’, a Christian nation with good taste in tech
Calm Down.
July 9, 2007 at 23:49
I think the thing to keep in mind is that the iPhone (and phones in general) are tools. Like any other tool (man made object, etc.) you shouldn’t let it consume your life. The way we use tools reflects our priorities. You can use the iPhone to shut out the world or to open new possibilities for communicating with friends and family while enjoying the world around you. It’s up to you. If our society does become isolated it’s because we allowed it. No device can destroy society. It’s people stepping away from what God wants us to do that will destroy it.
July 10, 2007 at 01:49
It sounds like excessive paranoia to me. There were always be people taking something to an extreme. It doesn’t mean we should start running around calling the doom of our society because some guy won’t listen to me becuase he’s too busy stuck in his iPhone.
If it’s not an iPhone it’ll be something else. You can be sure of it.
Furthermore, comments regarding the price tag. My question to you is, so what? I spent quite a bit on my computer a few months ago. I could have done anything with my money. I could have gone with a lesser computer. It’d still have done everything my old one did but for half the price. But honestly, the Lord blessed me with the money and the Bible is pretty clear that each of us are individually responsible for what we do with our money AND we individual have the freedom to spend our money.
I mean who among us hasn’t spent money on a piece of technology to make our lives better? Air Conditioning is a big one. Most of us could probably get away with fans and wet wash cloths if we really had to. But instead we get the A/C when other people in the world don’t even get to drink. Is that unchristian? In of itself, no. The Lord has blessed us to use those blessings. Sometimes the Lord blesses us for us to use on ourselves. Other times to bless other people.
The iPhone is neutral. It is a piece of technology created for entertainment and making life easier. It’s up to each individual to work out with God whether it’s something they should or should not have. If you have no qualms and can afford it. Go get it. (although I’d still wait a few months for the price to go down). If you don’t have the money or it’d hurt your family spending that money there…don’t get it.
If you’re prone to blocking out the rest of reality…block it out. But hey…sometimes blocking out things isn’t so bad. How many of us have ridden a bus and been exposed to some nasty conversations? Wouldn’t it be nice to have an iPhone or an iPod or gasps a walkman to drown out the noise with some nice Christian music?
Really this is paranoia. We have a lot more things to worry about than Macintosh and it’s iPhone. cringes one word: Microsoft.
July 10, 2007 at 02:10
battery powered radio – walkman – iPod
coin operated public phone – brick mobile – digital mobile – iPhone
Nothing new here, and nothing that rips the heart out of inter-personal relations…
I’m a little more worried about Second Life: it promises annonymity, but is effectively limited by the input from real people on either side: in a sense all it does is mimic real life but in a contrived and falsely-free way.
July 10, 2007 at 12:06
This is silly. Anything can destroy your relationship with God. Anything can become your God – reading, politics, blogs, videos, movies, music, et al, etc, ad infinitum, ad nausum (did I spell those correctly?!).
Each technological breakthrough also has an equal ability to reach out to others and expand your relationships with others, and in a larger sense, create the ability to expand others relationships with God by encouraging others that are far away, in distant countries in fact. Because distance today is measured by the length of time it takes someone to respond to an email, a phone call, a blog comment, etc.
What I’m saying is this: Technology can help encourage others and improve their relationship with God. It may not help improve YOUR relationship with God. But in fact, it can help, through downloading a audio Bible, or sermons, or books, or music. But one must be careful of the uses of it. All of these things can become the “candy” that sweetens the relationship, but they should never substitute for the MEAT of the relationship – which is a personal, one-on-one, day-to-day, meeting with Christ in prayer and supplication and adoration.
‘nough said? yeah, I guess. Now, I gotta go me something to eat. I got the shakes from too much coffee!