Technology is killing us. Now what? (w/ Marc Barnes)

[@pintswithaquinas]

Marcy marc!

[@GospelSimplicity]

Wonderful guy

[@TheClements-DL]

I grew up in a super small town in the Adirondack mountains of New York. It was my father’s dream to live up there and I would love to continue that legacy, raising a family on that homestead. But I also would love to start an Orthodox Church up there too, nestled in the mountains. There are churches near by within 45 to 60 minutes away. But after living in a city where I am only 10 minutes from my church community and can spend time and participate in its life more intimately, I don’t know if I would like to move to the mountains and be that isolated from a church community. It would be such a dream come true if we could start a small little parish in the Southern Adirondacks. Wish I could have my cake and eat it too.

[@hehreideen8054]

May I ask you where in the Southern Adirondacks you’re looking to build a parish? I travel to NJ from Lake Placid to attend the divine services on a monthly basis and would love it if there was at least a chapel nearby. Thank you.

[@jacob5283]

This is a super important topic. Very excited to hear this conversation! I think the place to start is to implement healthy boundaries with technology, starting with removing internet access from your pocket. I recommend switching to a Light Phone 2 or Sunbeam F1, or even a Nokia feature phone or something if you're tight on cash. It really helps give me some peace when I'm not constantly battling an army of programmers who are trying to addict me to their platforms.

[@elKarlo]

Problem is, it is not just you. My kids, they are 8 and 10, and basically everyone around them in on their phone or Switch all the time. It makes it hard to socialize tbh. My kids are allowed only a bit per day, but basically it is our family and one other that isn't deep into being total zombies.

[@jacob5283]

@@elKarlo yeah that's really tough. Not sure what the answer to that one is, my kid is still young enough that I haven't had to deal with that as much yet. But I've definitely heard from friends who are dealing with that right now, and I don't think there's an easy answer.

[@elKarlo]

@@jacob5283 Thank you. Yes, for adults we can avoid these things, but with kids, it is basically everywhere. I live in Japan and outside a small city, but even here my daughter's 4th grade class, only one other kid doesn't have a smartphone. Kids don't play outside, or they simply bring their switch or phone. I wish I had an answer as well.

[@cosmicenigmarevealed]

This is a culture now that I don't want to fit in. We are in the age of the machines, ai. Technology will be the death of us all. Elon Musk is a monster with his over inflated being killing ideas. He wants to populate Mars?! What bs! Let him go and take the other 1% with him. Everyone dam near needs to go off grid now because this B's is only going to get worse, inflation, less jobs, higher wages that cripple and destroy small companies. To much, how can anyone think healthy in this chaos.

[@catholicguy1073]

Hey I like Hallow. That one is a keeper! My job requires the use of platforms and LI as well because I’m a head hunter. And I use YT for educational purposes and listening to podcasts because I like to learn and doing so audio wise I can digest information much faster. So I try and use technology for the good and to avoid evil. Beyond these things I don’t use any other SM and I limit myself to no more than 1 hr of TV per day at most. On the weekends we may go catch a movie if there is an interesting one out. My daughter does not have a phone much less access to SM.

[@PaulTheHermit77]

I went off grid and it nearly killed me. Slight exaggeration i guess. I went off grid living in ths woods 6years ago. 4 months ago caught covid. Now im deaf in one ear. Constant ear infections and sinus infections. Two weeks ago i woke up unable to walk, talk or see properly. Into hospital. They send me home to the woods. I get worse. And worse. So i have had to retreat to a hotel to recover from infections. No electric no hot water no proper bed (bamboo planks with blankets over) no indoor toilet 5 mins walk to get cold water and having to chop firewood and be outside in cold wet weather was running my body down and not letting it heal. Now i await brain scan / c.t scan to see if sonething bad is happening.... Off grid is awesome but it takes it out of your body and when you get sick it is alot worse. Hopefully after few weeks with modern things again, first t.v in 6 years and first time having hot bath and warm proper bed i can return to my woodland lair. Its fun. But can be very hard if it goes wrong!

[@Btn1136]

That’s not going off the grid that’s being homeless in the woods.

[@Hallelujah247]

Fun story.

[@diarmaidoconghaile184]

Hope you are feeling better soon and make a full recovery. St Francis ora pro nobis.

[@j.harris83]

The Amish feel completely justified in their life choices.

[@ryanocomment373]

Great guest

[@Arminius420]

I just cannot see an end game for all this technology. What good is all this tech if we're not happy in our lives.

[@aisforamerica2185]

Perhaps Women by Sherwood Anderson. Fascinating read.