Chosen by Algorithms?

This week I stepped on stage to perform a cameo role in the annual Creative Arts Week Staff Drama. The adapted storyline of ‘The Little Mermaid’ presented Ariel’s encounter with the human world, ‘shellular devices’, social media and a band of superheroes obsessed with curating their online presence, not fighting crime. A fun story with a more profound message.

Whilst concern over implications of smart phone usage among children and adolescents continues to build, I’ve became aware of a new voice calling for adult intervention.

I find it remarkable that social psychologist and self-proclaimed atheist Jonathan Haidt expresses a spiritual perspective in his recent book*– 

The phone-based life produces spiritual degradation,

not just in adolescents, but in all of us.

Haidt details how spiritual practices are contradicted by a phone-based life. These practices include embodiment; stillness, silence and focus; being slow to anger, quick to forgive; and finding awe in nature. He supports abundant evidence that keeping up certain spiritual practices improves well-being and fills a ‘God-shaped-hole’ within us.

In a phone-based life, we are exposed to an extraordinary amount of content, chosen by algorithms and pushed via notifications that interrupt our personal routines, good intentions and family lives. If that God-shaped-hole isn’t filled with something noble and elevated, content that pulls us downward quickly will.

It matters what we expose ourselves to. It changes the way we think, feel, judge and relate to others. It calls to mind Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians: 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4: 8,9

As we continue to face into rapid societal change I remain steadfast in the hope we have in Christ. As a College, as parents united, our influence remains powerful. The light shall shine brightly in the darkness as we reinforce boundaries and model kingdom values to our children that bring life. A flourishing life in community, empowered through His Spirit.

May the term break bring opportunities for rest after a long term filled with great learning across a range of activities. 

*The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness