Alone Together

… is the name of a book by Sherry Turkle, a psychologist at MIT.  Dr. Turkle has long studied the interaction between humans and technology and in this book she explores the continuing evolution of that relationship.  In 1995 she wrote extolling the virtues of technology empowered communication but in this new book expresses concern that a tool meant to foster relationship with others has in fact morphed into a form of relationship itself.  The concomitant result is that authentic relationship with others suffers, as instead of treating others as subject, we now treat them as object.  This is exacerbated by a materialist culture which judges all things in terms of productivity and profit; we exist not in mutual, authentic relationship but rather in one-way patterns wherein you are only valuable to me in so far as you meet my wants, needs, and desires.

To a certain degree this is not new, as all of us play roles in life; we all have images of how a mom or musician or scientist or pastor is “supposed” to behave.  In that sense we have always objectified others.  The caveat here is that at times the role disappears, the mask drops, and we are able to experience the authentic person, warts and all. 

For example, as a pastor I am expected to be thoughtful, reflective, kind, always concerned, and even tempered.  But speak to my wife or children: I am not always those attributes!  But in the authentic relationship of my family I am allowed to be my imperfect self and am accepted and loved not just in spite of, but in part because of, my limitations.

But in a world constantly mediated by technology, the authentic self can become hidden; the manipulation of information can allow us to hide behind the mask of our fears and insecurities and portray a stylized, but inherently dishonest version of whom we are or who we would like to be.  In the most egregious forms of deceit, adult males pretend to be adolescent boys and troll for sexual contact with underage children.  In far less dangerous but no more unfortunate ways people create false cyber identities – almost avatar like – behind which to hide.  The fear of rejection is so strong that they have no faith in the person God created them to be and instead seek to manipulate their own image.

Now, I am no Luddite proclaiming the end of the world as we know it because of modern science and technology!  There is incredible value in electronic communication and I use it each and every day to develop and deepen relationship, but none the less I take Dr. Turkle’s observations seriously.  Technology is here to stay; we cannot (nor should we) turn back the clock, but we should ask ourselves how we, as a Community of Faith, can help offset this increasing tendency in our society to treat others as object rather than subject.  The very foundation of our faith declares that Jesus, as God-with-us, comes as the one for others.

The vision for Shaping Our Future is not merely about a facility, but about striving to provide a voice for values that is radically counter-cultural, a voice that proclaims each and every human being is created in the image of God and has intrinsic worth and value.  It is a message desperately needed in our day and age and we must determine if we have the courage to shout it from the rooftops.

See you in church.

Kevin