I love technology blogs. I’ve been following Engadget and Gizmodo for over 6 years now. It’s to the point that I have difficulty buying anything of the electronic persuasion that’s currently for sale, because I’m already vaguely aware of what the next generation will bring. And with E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) going on this week, they’re all abuzz with the latest announcements and speculations.
But it’s Bill Weir’s video blog “This Could be Big” that got me thinking yesterday.
Way back in February, Bill highlighted a pair of high-tech ski goggles that have a heads-up display built in that gives you live information like your altitude, average speed, instantaneous speed, etc on a digital display built into the lens. It looks as futuristic as you could imagine. (Yes people, we are most certainly living in the 21st century.) Yesterday, when I was walking to work from my stop on the MetroRail, they came to mind.
Personally, I like to spend this commuting time observing my surroundings, having a conversation with God. The thought crossed my mind to put on my headphones and get lost in my own little world, like so many other people do. And I thought of those goggles.
How must more will we as a people continue to isolate ourselves from each other – and God – with the advent of such technologies? As they get sleeker and more intrusive into our everyday lives – on windshields, glasses, and more – it will be harder to stop ourselves enough to really develop a relationship with God through prayer. Will our children remember when glass was something we only looked through, not at? 
The Bishops of New Zealand already foresee a potential problem with the invasiveness of digital distractions and have banned the use of iPads in the liturgy.
So while I continue to look forward to all the Jetson-ness the future has to bring, and the potential good it can do to help the world, I pray that we remember the importance of turning off all the screens that take our focus from the true Light of the World. As technologies progress, it will prove to be harder and harder to do.
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
-John 8:12
Photo via blue_j on Flickr.
