Torch, Spring/Summer 2011

Spring–Summer 2011 | TORCH 13 CHAD JACKSON | CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY Thinking About Technology • Practice “present presence” by giving your full attention to the people you are with. Honor them and the gift of their presence by turning off the cell phone and sitting so you’re not facing the TV. By minimizing those distractions, you can make best use of the “divine appointment” that has brought you together. • When using “lean back” media such as TV, be careful to break out of the passivity it can produce. Think about the messages it is sending, and take time to evaluate and reflect on their implications. • When using “lean forward” media, such as computers and cell phones, seek time away from the constant stream of messages and consider what information is being marginalized. • Leisure, rest, and contemplation are necessary for worship. Time, space, and quiet attune us to the “still, small voice” of God. Dr. J. Wesley Baker is a distinguished professor of communication arts at Cedarville University. With more than 40 years of experience in the broadcasting industry, Dr. Baker has a specific interest in social responsibility of the media and the role of technology in teaching and learning. He received his M.A. in journalism from the University of South Carolina and his Ph.D. in communication from The Ohio State University.