The podcast explores the challenges of the digital age, including comparison, contempt, and the impact of social media algorithms. It also discusses the polarizing effects of political division and the connection between hate and hurt. The erosion of truth in the digital age and the importance of wisdom and truth are also explored.
The disembodied nature of social media perpetuates comparison and contempt in online interactions, requiring Christians to approach social media with intentionality and redemptive engagement.
The digital age erodes the sense of connectedness to the past, emphasizing the need for Christians to prioritize faithfulness over cultural relevance and to seek understanding of history for calm and perspective.
Deep dives
The Impact of Social Media in the Digital Age
Jay Kim discusses the influence of social media in the digital age, highlighting the disconnect between intellectual knowledge and emotional responses. He explains that the disembodied nature of social media platforms makes it difficult for our bodies to navigate and respond to the curated feeds we encounter. This, combined with the tendency for humans to assume the worst about others and the best about ourselves, perpetuates comparison and contempt in online interactions. Kim emphasizes the need for intentionality and redemptive engagement when using social media, urging Christians to examine their motives and strive for fruitful, loving interactions.
Navigating Political Division in the Digital Age
Kim explores the rise of political division and the challenges it poses within congregations. He introduces the concept of motive attribution asymmetry, where people tend to assume the worst about others and the best about themselves in online interactions. The algorithms of social media platforms capitalize on this tendency, amplifying division and polarization. Kim advocates for empathy and recognizing that hate is often rooted in deep hurt. He promotes engaging in disagreements with compassion, kindness, and the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.
The Pitfalls of Chronological Snobbery and Cultural Relevance
Kim discusses the eroding sense of connectedness to the past in the digital age, attributing it to chronological snobbery. He highlights how online platforms often prioritize the latest ideas and ideologies, causing a rapid turnover of cultural trends. Kim suggests that cultural relevance should not outweigh the cost of faithfulness, and encourages a deeper understanding of history to bring calm and perspective in the storm of ever-changing cultural fads.
The Importance of Analog Experiences and Embodied Relationships
Kim stresses the significance of analog, embodied experiences in contrast to the digital realm. He emphasizes the need for in-person relationships and genuine connections, stating that meaningful relationships always outweigh mere relevance. Kim argues for the redemptive engagement of online spaces, offering kindness, compassion, and truth in discussions. He also discusses how churches are re-evaluating the role of online services, recognizing the importance of embodied gatherings while using online platforms as a means to engage newcomers and offer additional content.
In the digital age, it feels like life moves too far, too fast.
That’s why we need wise guides such as Jay K. Kim, author of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age. Jay writes, “This is where we are in the digital age, existing in an untenable state of unceasing connection to the curated lives of others—all of their highlights, none of their low-lights.”
Perhaps the simple solution would be to spend more time offline. But our colorful smartphones make the real world look grayscale in comparison. Jay writes, “Because much of life in the real world is uncomfortable, awkward, or boring, so we opt for digital escape. We increasingly prefer and default to worlds of our own making.”
You might know Jay from his previous book, Analog Church. He is lead pastor of teaching at WestGate Church in Silicon Valley and teacher-in-residence at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California. Jay joined me on Gospelbound to discuss comparison and contempt, love on the move, the design of social media, hate and hurt, chronological snobbery, and more.
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