Comments on: Unplugging http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/ theology. church. culture. life. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:10:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Josh http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3671 Josh Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:32:58 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3671 Yup. I did the same thing this Summer and it helped...well it helped everything. Glad to hear it. Josh Yup. I did the same thing this Summer and it helped…well it helped everything. Glad to hear it.

Josh

]]> By: Terry http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3670 Terry Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:59:11 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3670 I read in one of the publications that I scan from time to time that many companies have instituted a no-email Friday having found that by and large people who leave their e-mail program open spend 1 1/2 hours a day maintaining it. And suprisingly, many people have in-boxes full of stuff they haven't attended to yet. A year ago when I upgrade my Mac system, the IT guy told me to do this or that and when I did, I lost 3 1/2 years of stuff that I would occasionally reference. Printer's quotes and mail dates and so forth. I called these people and re-constructed the rest of what I needed and really didn't miss the rest of the 9 or 10 thousand e-mails I hadn't deleted for one reason or the other. It's like magazines you mean to read and months go past and still you can't throw them away because there is lots of good stuff in them. I will say this: my job won't wait for me to read them. I will find the info I need to make the decisions I need when I need it. When my e-mails got washed away I felt like a giant weight had been lifted off of me. Did I learn something—yes and no. My current in-box has several thousand e-mails in it. Every now and then I take the time to delete some old stuff but then get back to the real world of busy, busy, busy. I used to love to read the paper at lunch. I even went so far one day when someone I knew invited me to their table to decline in order to catch up on the news. Th Holy Spirit got me later and said that live is always better than canned and now I look for opportunities to eat with those who are so inclined. Keep up the good work. I read in one of the publications that I scan from time to time that many companies have instituted a no-email Friday having found that by and large people who leave their e-mail program open spend 1 1/2 hours a day maintaining it. And suprisingly, many people have in-boxes full of stuff they haven’t attended to yet.

A year ago when I upgrade my Mac system, the IT guy told me to do this or that and when I did, I lost 3 1/2 years of stuff that I would occasionally reference. Printer’s quotes and mail dates and so forth. I called these people and re-constructed the rest of what I needed and really didn’t miss the rest of the 9 or 10 thousand e-mails I hadn’t deleted for one reason or the other. It’s like magazines you mean to read and months go past and still you can’t throw them away because there is lots of good stuff in them.

I will say this: my job won’t wait for me to read them. I will find the info I need to make the decisions I need when I need it.

When my e-mails got washed away I felt like a giant weight had been lifted off of me. Did I learn something—yes and no. My current in-box has several thousand e-mails in it. Every now and then I take the time to delete some old stuff but then get back to the real world of busy, busy, busy.

I used to love to read the paper at lunch. I even went so far one day when someone I knew invited me to their table to decline in order to catch up on the news. Th Holy Spirit got me later and said that live is always better than canned and now I look for opportunities to eat with those who are so inclined.

Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Step Away From the Computer « Pursuing the Truth http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3669 Step Away From the Computer « Pursuing the Truth Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:18:39 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3669 [...] Away From the Computer 9 10 2007 Joe Thorn has written a nice article on unplugging from the internet, cell phones, and other forms of technology. Technology is a wonderful thing. We [...] [...] Away From the Computer 9 10 2007 Joe Thorn has written a nice article on unplugging from the internet, cell phones, and other forms of technology. Technology is a wonderful thing. We [...]

]]> By: Todd http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3668 Todd Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:18:24 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3668 Sometimes when I see a gentleman at church with a cell phone attached to his hip, I ask him if he is expecting a phone call, and he will say something like it is for work. But, if the phone is off, which it should be during worship, then why not leave it in the car? We give a powerful message about our focus when we bring these toys with us. Ladies, you aren't off the hook either. Do you bring your huge purse with you into church? Do you keep it hooked to your shoulder while singing the hymns? It is a good thing to leave our worldly interests in the car, so as not to be distracted from the world of Sunday around you. Sometimes when I see a gentleman at church with a cell phone attached to his hip, I ask him if he is expecting a phone call, and he will say something like it is for work. But, if the phone is off, which it should be during worship, then why not leave it in the car? We give a powerful message about our focus when we bring these toys with us. Ladies, you aren’t off the hook either. Do you bring your huge purse with you into church? Do you keep it hooked to your shoulder while singing the hymns? It is a good thing to leave our worldly interests in the car, so as not to be distracted from the world of Sunday around you.

]]> By: Jim Pemberton http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3667 Jim Pemberton Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:23:16 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3667 I agree. I have a wife and kids and am active in various ministries in my church. There must be a boundary to keep these things in balance. On the flip side, I type much better than I speak and have difficulty communicating vocally. People tend to ignore me or interrupt me when I speak. Conversations tend to be monologues and group discussions tend to leave me utterly out of the loop. Consequently, I don't develop meaningful relationships offline like I can online. It's a wonder that I got married. Before the advent of the Internet, I had to be satisfied with a lack of close friends. Face to face, I'm certain that most of the people who read this would have interrupted me after the first sentence if they allowed me to begin at all. If we were to poll most overactive Internet users, I suggest that we would find many who are plugged in because they lack the social skills to interact effectively with others. That stated, if we wish to admonish people to unplug, how are we to encourage healthy face-to-face discourse where close relationships can be developed offline? I agree. I have a wife and kids and am active in various ministries in my church. There must be a boundary to keep these things in balance.

On the flip side, I type much better than I speak and have difficulty communicating vocally. People tend to ignore me or interrupt me when I speak. Conversations tend to be monologues and group discussions tend to leave me utterly out of the loop. Consequently, I don’t develop meaningful relationships offline like I can online. It’s a wonder that I got married. Before the advent of the Internet, I had to be satisfied with a lack of close friends. Face to face, I’m certain that most of the people who read this would have interrupted me after the first sentence if they allowed me to begin at all.

If we were to poll most overactive Internet users, I suggest that we would find many who are plugged in because they lack the social skills to interact effectively with others. That stated, if we wish to admonish people to unplug, how are we to encourage healthy face-to-face discourse where close relationships can be developed offline?

]]> By: Jeff Lash http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3666 Jeff Lash Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:19:55 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3666 Good stuff Joe. I heartily agree. It seems like a lot of people have been coming to same realization at the same time. It certainly becomes an issue because you end up spending more time online than you do reading good books, having conversation, spending time with people, or serving in your community. So thanks for the challenge...I am often in need of a good butt kicking. Good stuff Joe. I heartily agree. It seems like a lot of people have been coming to same realization at the same time. It certainly becomes an issue because you end up spending more time online than you do reading good books, having conversation, spending time with people, or serving in your community. So thanks for the challenge…I am often in need of a good butt kicking.

]]> By: bookdragon http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3665 bookdragon Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:24:55 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3665 I'm a techie (got an advanced degree in engineering to prove it), but I unplug. I have kids and a husband and a real life that has to take priority. I was never a cell-phone person since I have some hearing loss that makes in general difficult for me, but internet communication is so easily absorbing. Part of the solution was to consciously take a Sabbath rest from it. I starting not logging in on Sundays and then extended it to the whole weekend (most of the time). I’m a techie (got an advanced degree in engineering to prove it), but I unplug. I have kids and a husband and a real life that has to take priority. I was never a cell-phone person since I have some hearing loss that makes in general difficult for me, but internet communication is so easily absorbing.

Part of the solution was to consciously take a Sabbath rest from it. I starting not logging in on Sundays and then extended it to the whole weekend (most of the time).

]]> By: The Boar’s Head Tavern » Mid-life mumblings http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3664 The Boar’s Head Tavern » Mid-life mumblings Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:39:23 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3664 [...] talk between Denise and I about Christian community and the feeling of significance. Joe Thorn’s post really has me thinking. If I were to stop blogging, stop my adult Bible study class, and give my ministry what the [...] [...] talk between Denise and I about Christian community and the feeling of significance. Joe Thorn’s post really has me thinking. If I were to stop blogging, stop my adult Bible study class, and give my ministry what the [...]

]]> By: Frank Turk http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3663 Frank Turk Mon, 08 Oct 2007 01:58:19 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3663 Joe -- I think you're about right, but I think if you drop the cellphone and got to a paper planner I'll bet the rest of your tech dependency will dwindle. Give yourself one access point for e-mail/the web (your office, not home) and I'll bet you clean up real good. Haven't stopped by since Founders -- how's things? Joe –

I think you’re about right, but I think if you drop the cellphone and got to a paper planner I’ll bet the rest of your tech dependency will dwindle. Give yourself one access point for e-mail/the web (your office, not home) and I’ll bet you clean up real good.

Haven’t stopped by since Founders — how’s things?

]]> By: The Boar’s Head Tavern » http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3662 The Boar’s Head Tavern » Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:24:32 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/10/03/unplugging/#comment-3662 [...] Joe Thorn has some very pertinent and needed worlds today on tech slavery. [...] [...] Joe Thorn has some very pertinent and needed worlds today on tech slavery. [...]

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