Book Review: The Hyperlinked Life {BookLook Bloggers}

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About the book {from BookLook Bloggers}: It’s an age of accelerated information and information overload. The rate and way in which we receive information has changed dramatically: from newspapers and radio and a few nightly news programs to constant news online. We have made our lives available to the world in “tweetable” moments. As much as we try to stop consuming the vast amounts of info coming at us, we wrestle against a paranoia of ‘missing out’ on important information or being out of the loop on something. How can we rest from information, take a Sabbath for our technology or information use? How does this help us to become the right kind of factivist? The onus is more and more on us to find "the truth" and to be aware of our own biases in what we share and don't. 

More from Zondervan: In an age of accelerated content, how do you process and filter information well? What if we could read less, but know more? When it comes to being stewards of our information streams and discerning truth, we often need help in learning how to become a steward of information. Part of that is even knowing how to say “no” and “stop” to the vast amounts of info coming to us. If you feel burdened by information overload, then this softcover book is for you.

In this Barna Frame, Jun Young, an award-winning entrepreneur and communications strategist, and David Kinnaman, the President of Barna Group, wrestle through what our responsibility looks like in how we read and disseminate information.

Purchase the book from Amazon*. Paperback, 96 pages. Publisher: Zondervan. Retail: $7.99
*affiliate link

My thoughts: A short book on how technology is influencing our lives? Of course I wanted to review it! What got my attention right off is the page count is 96 pages. How can a book possibly cover enough of this topic in such a short space? 

The book starts with some questions to get the reader thinking about just how much technology- and by that I don't mean surround sound or the latest medical gadget- affects their life. 

"How many times, on average, would you say you check your phone in a given day?"

 "What is the first word that comes to your mind to describe how you feel when you leave your phone behind for any length of time?"

While I was reading I was a little smug {shame on me} for thinking, "I don't check my phone hardly ever! No one has to say 'can you put down your phone for a minute'. It's more like, 'don't you ever check your phone?'" As if the only way to have a hyperlinked life is via a phone. More common than my own hyperlinked life possibly but not the only way. Eh hee, I am guilty of doing just about everything that they suggest on my laptop if not my phone.

I mentioned that the book is short. It's written that way on purpose. It's like the way we receive our information via technology these days: in 140 characters of less {give or take a character or two}. Facebook and Twitter, not to mention the many new apps and gizmo programs that have come out that I don't even know about. The book mentioned something called WhatApp that I've no idea what is. Anyway, the book does cover a lot of ground in a short space but it's just a beginning. Neil Postman is quoted twice in the book, along with McLuhan.

When the book started, I thought for sure it would be just a small bit of what I'll call negativity followed by "let's all get wired!" mentality. But it doesn't. The negativity, imho, follows through the whole little book. That's saying something. This 'hyperlinked life' isn't going anywhere but it's necessary to understand that while it can be either good or bad, it's primarily how we let it be.

71% of adults admit they're overwhelmed by information.
54% of adults say there are times they think they actually have too much information.
35% of adults feel that their personal electronics separate them from other people {49% of Millennials feel this way!}
6% of all adults check their phones in the middle of the night. {12% of Millennials}

They do offer 'wisdom' for the digital age:
1. Get the big picture of the digital knowledge revolution.
Some of us need to be reminded that technology is not something to fear, hate, or reject. Others have to be reminded that technology should not define our lives nor be the center of them. (p. 64-66)

2. Find your own place in this revolution, your own unique relationship to technology.
One of the most direct ways to do this is to go on a digital detox...be completely unplugged from your favorite gadgets. Pay attention to your reactions and feelings. (p. 66-67)

3. Practice digital Sabbath.
This is the ancient concept- one of the Ten Commandments we often ignore- of taking one day a week to rest (see Exodus 20:8-10). Shoot for a full day a week when you turn off all your digital devices. (p. 68)

4. Develop hyperlinked habits that define the real you, and the you that you want to be.
Don't cultivate two different versions of ourselves: our online self versus our off-line self. (p. 70)

5. Mentor (and be mentored by) the next generation.
We can help them step back and realize the implications of a hyperlinked life- both the realities of what is and the potential of what should be. But we also need to be humble enough to listen to the next generation and realize staying up to date with new technology does have real advantages. (p. 72)

6. Redefine stewardship to include technology.
This suggestion is based on our belief that one of the most important aspects of hyperlinked living is to enlarge our definition of stewardship- from time, treasure, and talent to also include technology. (p. 73)

7. Be more discerning about whom and what to trust.
Ask questions! (p. 75)

Because technology as we know it is here and it will keep getting bigger. We need to be wise and considerate of how we utilize it. And this is a book published by a "Christian" company but the book can be appreciated by anyone, I think.

***Disclaimer: I received this book free from BookLook Blogger for the purpose of an honest review. No compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***