WeeklyTech #96

Balancing Our Uneasy Relationship with Technology After the Pandemic

Just as the shutdowns began in March 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, I distinctly remember tweeting how encouraging it was to see a number of pastors and ministry leaders jumping on social media to update their people on church gatherings and to encourage them in that time of uneasiness. 

Throughout the pandemic, pastors across the nation (and world) sought to navigate the unknown, and many picked up a new set of technical skills as they sought to take their church gatherings online for the first time and connected to their people, albeit digitally.

During this pandemic, we had technology forced upon us in order to stay connected with one another, and we became inundated with resources, online gatherings, and options in our digital culture. While this season has been extremely difficult for everyone in different ways, technology has been an amazing gift from God where countless people have heard the gospel for the first time, and many more have deepened their relationships with God, the church, and their families through discipleship.


The Rundown

Resurgence of “conspiracy theories” humbles misinformation police – Neal Rothschild | Axios

Many of the most controversial, polarizing topics that animate internet discourse exist within factual gray areas that allow wide latitude between unknowns and misinformation.

As the Coronavirus Fog of War Clears, What Have We Learned? – David French | The Dispatch

At the risk of dramatic oversimplification, Instagram is more prone to make you insecure about your appearance, Facebook is most likely to make you angry at your uncle, and Twitter is the place where the elite often discredits itself.

Federal facial recognition ban will be reintroduced ‘soon,’ Sen. Jeff Merkley says – Hayden Field | Emerging Tech Brew

This time last year, tech industry heavyweights announced they would stop selling facial recognition tech to law enforcement until Congressional oversight caught up. One year later, Congress still hasn’t regulated the tech.

Windows Is No Big Deal. That’s Huge. – Shira Ovide | The New York Times

Not so long ago, a fresh model of Windows software was a marquee tech moment. Now, a Windows debut is basically a nonevent. This shows technology has evolved from a succession of Big Bang moments to something so meshed into our lives that we often don’t notice it.

The bottom line is that a lot of technology has become no big deal. And that is a very big deal.

Nigerian government wants to suspend Twitter indefinitely – Hirsh Chitkara | Protocol

Nigeria’s Ministry of Information and Culture announced on Friday an indefinite suspension of Twitter. The Ministry said the suspension was made due to Twitter’s “persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

Facebook pleases no one with Trump decision – Sara Fischer, Ashley Gold | Axios

Facebook’s decision to ban former President Trump for another two years is drawing ire from both sides of the aisle, showing that the tech giant can’t please anyone until the former president is either permanently banned or allowed back on the platform.