View source for Being Human in a Technological World

<p>We live in a world fascinated by the idea of magic:</p>
== Expectation vs. reality ==
What co-writer of ''2001: A Space Odyssey'', futurist and science fiction author, Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) dreamed technology would enable: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
[[File:Enhanced High Alchemy RuneScape 3.gif|thumb|none|The RuneScape Wiki. (2024). ''Enhanced high alchemy animation''. <nowiki>https://runescape.wiki/w/High_Level_Alchemy</nowiki>]]

What being a person in our world is actually like... We’re behaviourally constrained, enabled or induced by four forces: architecture, the law, the market, and social norms. … And sin: we’re inclined to prioritise self and reject God.
[[File:Lessigs-pathetic-dot.png|none|thumb|Lessig, L. (2006). A Dot’s Life. In ''Code'' (2.0, pp. 121–125). Basic Books.]]

== Tricky situations ==

=== Social norms ===
Social norms can be helpful because they guide us on how to conduct ourselves in a way that others will understand and appreciate. However, certain norms, like widely accepted opinions, can be smothering. These kind of social norms can skew our understanding of what being a good human being means without us even recognising it.<blockquote>[Society] practices a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression, since, though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties, it leaves fewer means of escape, penetrating much more deeply into the details of life, and enslaving the soul itself.

— John Stuart Mills, On Liberty, 1859: 9.</blockquote>

=== Feeling trapped ===
Sometimes we feel trapped in our circumstances. The architecture and the market categories in Lessig’s figure include opportunities and lack of opportunities. The Devil lies and deceives (1 John 3:8), and tries to trap us (Heb. 2:14-15; Eph. 6:11-12, 16; 1 Tim. 3:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:26; 1 Pet. 5:8). Most people are lost in sin and blind to its reality (1 Kgs 8:46; Ps. 143:2; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:1–12; Gal. 3:22; Jas. 3:2; 1 John 1:10), some can try to trap us or lead us astray (Prov. 1:10, 16:29). Sometimes we won’t know why God let us be in a given bad situation until we see Him face-to-face in heaven. '''God gives us forgiveness''' through faith in Jesus that covers all our foolish decisions and mistakes (1 John 1:9), '''supernatural peace''' to sustain us in dark times (Luke 2:14; Rom. 14:17; Col. 1:19-20, Phil. 4:7), '''eternal hope''' because of Jesus’ finished work (Rom. 15:13, Eph. 1:15-21, Heb. 6:17-20, 1 Pet. 1:3-5), '''church communities''' for substantial fellowship and prayer support (John 17: 6-11; Eph. 4:4-6; Heb. 10:24-25), and our '''restored relationship with God''' means that we can talk to Him anytime in prayer knowing that He always listens and cares and promises to answer in a way that is for our good (Matt. 6:9–13; Phil. 4:6–7; 1 Thess. 5:16–18; Heb. 4:16).<blockquote>God will either give us what we ask for in prayer or give us what we would have asked for if we knew everything he knows.

—  [https://twitter.com/timkellernyc/status/531906966550228993?lang=en Tim Keller]</blockquote>

=== Feeling lonely ===
Sometimes existing social norms can lead you to feel isolated in a community. For example, some communities expect people to dress and act in a certain way. People can avoid such communities because they feel that they don’t fit the existing social norm and they make them feel uncomfortable. In such situations, you can feel like a black sheep. God cares about you even if you don’t fit in. Make sure at least one trustworthy friend knows about when you're experiencing such a dilemma.

=== Books for further reading ===
Crouch, A. (2022). ''The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming relationship in a technological world''. Hodder & Stoughton.
[[Category:Scientific Observations]]
[[Category:Practical Wisdom]]