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Using Technology Does Not Prove You Have Community

Posted by John Saddington on Feb 9, 2009

picture-32This article here is sad on a number of different levels, but I think there’s a small takeaway here.

Essentially, a man “divorced” his wife by changing his Facebook status.

From one perspective it’s just sad that he decided to use Facebook to tell his wife that it was all over. From another, there’s something to be said why he made it first public to the masses before his beloved bride.

But a small “nugget” of wisdom might be the reminder of the fact that just because you use web technology, engage with others in the digital world, have “conversations” all the time, and feel like you’re building “community,” none of this proves that you have real community at all.

It may suggest it, strongly perhaps, but it doesn’t prove anything.

There’s something about community offline that’s important for us to remember. Community online will never and cannot ever fully and completely replace community offline.

Your thoughts? If you want “another interesting thought” perhaps you should consider Facebook Suicide.

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John Saddington

John is the Chief Editor @ The 8BIT Network and Senior Blog Junkie here at ChurchCrunch.He enjoys Triple-Tall Americanos, developing Wordpress Themes, and a few other Random Things.

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11 Responses to “Using Technology Does Not Prove You Have Community”

  1. NicCharalambous
    Monday, February 9, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Absolutely true. Community is a heart condition. That's why only Christ-centered community can ever be full community. The word "community" was stolen from the church … We need to reclaim that word by showing the world what it really means.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 7:33 pm

      dude. LOVE your latest posts man. rockon

      Reply
  2. Ancoti
    Monday, February 9, 2009 at 10:25 pm

    This has been my big concern from the beginning of my using these services, being an inch wide and mile deep. One has to be aware of that and wary of letting relationships develop that foster just that.

    Facebook suicide might be drastic. i would recommend a Facebook coma (deactivate) for a month or two first.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 7:32 pm

      hahaha. i've taken one… i'm almost never on facebook… sometimes i click my link accidentally…

      Reply
  3. -David
    Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 2:06 am

    Good point to keep in mind, as good as technology gets, it cannot fully be a replacement for (in person) relationships.
    Well…thats my opinion anyway…

    Reply
  4. Matt Harrell
    Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    Amen! Sometimes, I feel like Facebook is all about taking your offline life and putting it online. It certainly can enhance the times when you're together cause you know more about the people you're interacting with online, but REAL community takes place in person. I couldn't agree more. Any software that can enhance the times when you're together is good, but it can't replace the need for togetherness in person. I'm not sure Jesus said anything about being there when 2-3 people gather in His name, online. Kidding, but you get the point. ;) .

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 7:26 pm

      hah. good one. there's a great article about the “enhancing” part about facebook from fermi… gotta look into that.

      Reply
  5. human3rror
    Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    i agree. there's something “missing” with tech… only a shadow, as they say? hm

    Reply

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