Our homes are overrun by machines. Our days are filled with the digital. The real is replaced by the virtual, and the natural by the artificial. Our situation is serious.
One might ask: but what is really wrong here? And why do you call this ‘serious?’ In short, I’d put it this way. We have missed a key truth about ourselves. Human life is better in person, in the context of the real and the natural. And this truth has concrete implications.
Does this mean technology is bad? Technology in itself, of course not. But technology should serve true human life. So when it runs amok and in fact undermines the real and natural rather than serving it, it has become a problem; perhaps a very serious one.
This problem can be addressed. It’s a matter of choice. This choice needs to be informed, savvy, and strong-willed. It will also have to be realistic and flexible. We could call it a preferential option for the real and natural. This requires a shift in our thoughts and practices. I think there are two parts.
Step One: Start by taking a skeptical stance toward anything that in the name of efficiency, ease, or comfort would replace the older way of doing something.
This skeptical stance is not a rejection of the new but rather an application of a higher level of scrutiny. It means taking a hard look and really considering the pros and cons, bearing in mind the bigger life picture.
This stance is not against appropriate ‘innovation’ and ‘improvement.’ On the contrary. It will empower us to discern the good from the bad, to distinguish real improvement from its counterfeit. Our current practice has swung to an extreme of unthinking acceptance and indeed prejudice toward the new and ‘efficient’—an approach that often undermines quality of life. In our rush forward we have lost basic forms of rich human life (think, among many examples, of shared work of the home, and porch time with family, friends and neighbors). Taking a skeptical stance toward the new is not going to the ‘opposite extreme.’ Rather, it is an exercise of a great Aristotelian principle: if circumstances push us toward one extreme, then we prudently lean the other direction, precisely to achieve the golden middle. This is no ignoble retreat; it is a movement to higher and better ground, a place from which really to move forward.
Step Two: Prioritize the in-person and the natural. This positive step can take myriad forms. It means choosing certain practices or activities precisely because they are in-person, in-the-flesh, engaging body and mind, especially in interaction with natural substances and natural world.
Here are two examples. Make a fire; grow a garden. From time immemorial these could almost be called standard features of human life. They are deeply real and natural. They engage primordial powers of the human soul and of the earth. They bring people together in meaningful and pleasant engagement. They also enhance silence and solitude. They have multiple and diverse fruits, and many forms of enactment. They are right there for the choosing. Yet in our modern context we could easily skip them both, permanently.
I am well aware that this two-step preferential option for the real and natural might be harder than it sounds. But I am convinced it is a fitting and very practical response to our current situation. I also know that it is in our power, each according to his own circumstances, to make real strides, even if by baby steps. And the fruits will be well worth the effort. ~ ~ ~
Here is a little peek at the gift of fire:
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I much prefer a real fire in our wood-burning fireplace to say, a gas fire – one that requires merely the flip of a switch, but denies my children the satisfying and simple, time-honored skill of making their own fire, and the rest of us from enjoying said fire, ashes, soot, charred wood chips and all. Bonfires in the backyard are also a tradition for our family – especially if they involve s’mores!
I also prefer a real, old fashioned hold-it-in-my-hands – though it may sometimes be dog-eared and musty smelling – book to digital reading.
I abhor zoom meetings, and avoid them when I can.
Having had my dryer die recently, I found I rather enjoyed hanging up my laundry (though I am glad we got a replacement for all the socks and underwear!) I hope to get a laundry line this coming spring and be able to partake in the experience of hanging out the laundry (some of it, at least!)
Four of us in my family have insulin-dependent diabetes, and though some have tried pumps and glucose sensors, I find I’ve held back on those, preferring instead to inject insulin the old-fashioned way*, and pricking my finger (it doesn’t hurt as much as one would think) to having some device attached to my body. I may change my mind someday, but I just don’t like the thought of having something attached to me if there’s an alternative. (Plus, one still has to have back-up if something goes wrong…)
* Okay, so maybe it’s not old-fashioned, but you get the idea: it’s something that requires a person to perform it, and maybe that’s the point: this out-sourcing of duties to machines of things that were previously done by humans as though we could be so easily replaced. We are embodied, incarnate creatures – not disembodied spirits!
Just some ramblings of mine…
I enjoyed reading your reflections on this topic.
God bless!
Melisa
Melisa, I enjoy your ‘ramblings.’ I think they give evidence of a very healthy sense of the rich embodied-ness of human life!
Who knew I kind of started this many years ago…21, we didn’t have a microwave. Family of 6 with 4 daughters aged 2-6. When the girls were in school I had to show their friends how to heat up leftovers on the stove or oven. They were amazed!
Also very rarely do we use paper and plastic. Real glass dishes all the time. I have used glass dishes and china (.bought from resale stores ) for gatherings of up to 35 people. People love real dishes and glassware. And I did begin those things to get away from “if it is more efficient then that is what must be done”. My adult girls have mostly adopted using real dishes in their homes. And real candles, no battery operated ones.
Therese, I applaud these efforts, and I know they take extra effort. Sure, not everyone is in the position to do this. But I think this fits very well with a preferential option for the real and natural. Thank you for the examples.
Dr. Cuddeback, I have been thinking these ideas often but you put words to my thoughts. Thank you!!
I am grateful when I can express what someone was already thinking…
I love a fire. I learned a great lesson about God’s mercy because of a fire. I still love fire and gained much respect for it…
A lesson learned if you are interested…. sorrry, it’s long.
Suffering and Mercy.
The day God honored my free will and my stupidity all at once.
It was 6 p.m. and I was in my backyard preparing to barbecue 30 pounds of chicken to celebrate my son-in-law’s college graduation party the next day.
This was going to take a long time so I invited my son to come over and hang out, enjoy a cold beer and do the cooking together.
It was getting cool out that evening and I decided a nice bonfire would be in order.
So while the coals for the grill were getting hot, I grabbed some logs and put them on the fire pit. I got a small but inadequate fire going – very little flame.
So I thought… “ I need to juice this thing!”
Yep… Here comes the stupid part….
I went to the garage and got out my 5 gallon plastic gas can. It only had about an inch or two of gasoline in it. I thought this would be just enough to get a splash of gas on the fire to get the flame up and roaring.
Deep down I knew I did not want my wife to see me do this – she might think it’s not safe.
(Brothers- lesson #1: don’t ever hide anything from your wife. You might think you got away with something – you didn’t and with God, nothing is ever hidden).
Little did I realize that I held, right in my hands, a highly explosive bomb. Just enough gas; lots of vapor; compression and heavy air of the cool evening.
I leaned over the fire pit, can in my arms and shook the can to splash a little gas onto the slight flame.
What resulted was a massive explosion!! The bomb went off in my hands, right toward my chest and face. The explosion was so loud it almost sounded like a power transform- er blew up. It blew the can out of my hands and it landed on the side hill near where I stood. A flame shot up as high as our neighbors two-story house.
I was knocked back but kept my footing. I was disoriented and shocked.
I then realized that I was on fire.
Both pant legs from my shoes to my waist and both of my bare hands were aflame!
(No…. I did not flash back to 4th grade and think stop, drop, roll. Trust me, it just does not occur to you when you are in this condition).
I ran towards the sliding kitchen door it was locked. I pounded on the glass and my horrified, dear wife quickly opened the door and I ran inside the house.
(Yes – more stupidity, I know, but give me a break- I was on fire!)
My wife told me to roll – I hit the floor and rolled to no avail and realized that the house could catch fire, so I stood up and ran back outside which further fanned the flames. I rolled on the grass and was able to finally put the fire out.
I think this all lasted about a minute – maybe less.
I peeled off my pants, shoes and shirt and only by God’s grace, miraculously, only my hands and one leg were burned. No burns to my face, neck, chest or arms. I did not gasp and breathe in the vapor, which would have burned my lungs out. Remember, this ex- plosion happened in my face!!
My son and a neighbor came in the house – we quickly ran water on my body, wrapped the burns in wet towels and drove to the hospital emergency ward.
I can’t describe the immensity of the pain I was feeling.
We arrived at the emergency room and I still reeked of gasoline.
I answered the battery of questions before they hooked me up to an I. V. with some really serious pain killers so they could begin to treat my injuries and reduce enough pain to hold me until the next mornings trip to the burn center.
Again, it was miraculous that I was not killed or burned even more severely. I did not require any skin grafts.
The treatments that followed for the next several weeks were extremely painful and difficult.
This experience was actually a great gift of God’s mercy to me.
As I reflected on this incident I know for certain it was of God’s providence and that He gave this to me for a purpose. During this time of my healing, I read from the diary of Saint Faustina regarding Divine Mercy.
Entry #57 from her diary:
“Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering the purer the love.”
God showed me enormous mercy; miraculous mercy and protection.
Permitting what by His grace, allowed for purification of my very being. In my soul He in- creased the capacity to love and to share in the mystery of His redemptive act of salvific love from the cross. I cannot describe it.
He permitted it. It is not by chance but by the grace of the merciful God who gives all as gift. I was by His grace ready for this gift. Yes; I can thank Him for what happened and for an ocean of countless graces He has given me.
I was brought to a joyful well-spring of tears as the way my body could express gratefulness to God, coupled by sorrow for my sins and of those I love and the sins of others; my fellow brothers and sisters in the world who sometimes repel Love itself and choose destruction over life.
I learned in a real way that mercy and suffering are inseparable.
Suffering is the very means by which God Himself manifested His mercy for His children in all of creation. Offering Jesus on the cross as the means of salvation for the world.
Mercy and suffering are BOTH love.
He is Mercy – He is Love.
He accepts suffering and in that suffering, when united to the cross of Jesus, the Heart of redemption is found. It is what He chose.
Why? I do not know; but He did and He is. He is!
My brothers, if and when you experience any difficulty or suffering do not run from it. Do not run from Love. Do not ask WHY this is happening. Ask HOW?
How can I use this gift that You have given for the glory of God and the salvation of souls?
My wounds were completely healed and I am scared only with the mark of His love which I pray I never waste.
I thank God for giving me this story of His Mercy to share with you. Please share it with others, because it is not about me. It is about His love and mercy.
Michael, This is simply amazing. What a testimony! (And what a story!) I join you in praising God and in giving thanks for His love and mercy. You are now in a special position to be able to be a witness, and I pray that your witness will be a light for many. Thank you so much for sharing!