Torch, Spring/Summer 2011

12 TORCH | Spring–Summer 2011 be bored if the spiritual power to be leisurely has been lost.” Almost two decades later, as television became a way of filling that vacancy, Ellul charged it was an empty substitute. His critique sounds much like the current discussion of social media: “TV, for example, creates feelings of friendship, a new intimacy, and thus fully satisfies those needs. But such satisfactions are purely illusory and fallacious because there is no true friendship of any kind between the TV personality and the viewer who feels that personality to be his friend.” Increasing calls to “unplug” from the media implicitly recognize the need for intentional rest, contemplation, and worship. Recently, a Cedarville University chapel speaker suggested a “technology fast,” and separate stories in a local newspaper and TV station both suggested taking breaks from social media such as Facebook and Twitter (though not from newspapers or television). Dalton Conley, a sociobiologist, wrote an article in Time in February about the effect that being “constantly wired” has on the development of children’s brains, including that of his own 11-year-old son. “There’s no downtime, no alone time for him to develop his own sense of self,” he wrote. “So what’s a good dad to do? I’ve set some rules that are designed to aid his social and cognitive development: no Facebook during school, and no electronic devices after 9:30 p.m.” All of this suggests more than just a need for balance in the way we spend our time. There is a fundamental need for a timeout to regain a connection to things likely to be lost in the constant flow of information in our new media environment. What we stand most to lose in all of the words, sounds, and images is silence. This would be a devastating loss, since it is only in silence that we can hear the “still, small voice” that urges us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). In-demand M.Ed. and M.S.N. programs available Convenient on-campus and online* course options Competitive tuition you can afford Cedarville’s Christ-centered focus, exceptional faculty, and practical approach — no surprise at all ! Apply today for summer or fall classes: cedarville.edu/graduate *M.Ed. courses only. M.S.N. program plan includes future online courses. Cedarville’s Graduate Programs May Surprise You!