Rebooting Our Faith: How cell phones, Facebook & text messages alter our

fundamental operating system.

Dr. Peggy KendallDepartment of Communication Studies

Bethel University

How is life today different?

GoalSee the impact

Become intentional

OverviewWeek 1:• The reality challenge

Week 2:• The value challenge

Week 3:• The friendship challenge

Week 4:• The faith challenge

For every good thing technology

gives us, it also takes

something away.Neil Postman

The Alias Factor

Second Life

Second Life• 21.3 million registered accounts in 2010• At any one time, there are approximately

40,000 people logged in.• 2008 Gross Resident Earnings = $55 million,

total economy = $567 million

Classrooms

Churches

Love

Second LifeBenefits• Be yourself• No limitations• Meet new people

Problems• Deception• Not “real”• Disembodiment

Mediated Lives

What parts of your life are mediated?

Why do we choose a mediated option?

Photo: “Romantic Evening, Technology-Style” by Mrs. Maze, Flickr.com

Convenient Controllable

Results?

Real Friendships

Real Adventure

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your

mind.”

Discussion Questions

• What do you think you miss when you aren’t living in the here and now?

• What parts of your life are most mediated?• How can you add a little real adventure into

your life?

Homework Assignment

Technology Fast

Discussion Questions

• Share with your group the types of communication technology you use (i.e. Facebook, texting, Skype, etc…)

• Pick one or two types of technology and brainstorm all of the positive things about that technology

• Then brainstorm all of the negative things about the technology