Phones, computers, ipods, ipads. The American culture seems to be addicted to technology; however, the frequent use of it seems to be cautioned seldom. David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, spoke on the effects of technology through two speeches: "Things as They Really Are," and "Sweep the Earth as With a Flood." While both of these speeches embody the use of technology, they focus on the two different groups affected by it -- the user, and the bystander.
In Bednar's first address -- "Things as They Really Are" -- he focuses on how the use of technology can blind the user from seeing reality. Stating that Lucifer wants us to "disconnect gradually and physically from things as they really are," Bednar highlights technology as one of the major ways Lucifer pulls us from reality. A study done by a Ph.D. graduate student from Stanford University concluded that of online gamers, approximately 40% of men, and 53% of women regarded their online friends equal to, or even preferred their online friends to their friends in reality (Bednar, David A. "Things"). This is just one example of the many ways in which technology is replacing real life experiences with virtual ones.
Years after giving this speech, Bednar revisits the topic of using technology in his address "Sweep the Earth as With a Flood." Rather than speaking of the affect technology has on the user, he speaks of how to combat the common detrimental use of technology by flooding social media sites with positive messages. Bednar states that modern technology and inventions "have enabled and accelerated the work of salvation," and goes on to outline how to keep social media posts positive by making them authentic and consistent, using edifying and uplifting messages, respecting intellectual property, and being wise and vigilant (Bednar, David A. "Flood"). While in his first address, Bednar focuses solely on the positive and negative effects of technology on the life of the user, he broadens the view through his second speech by envisioning how social media posts by one person have a significant impact on all who see them.
Technology is a major part of today's society and can be used for many things, good or bad. Technology is a double-edged sword affecting those who use it, and the internet bystanders receiving the messages.
Bednar, David A. "Flood the Earth Through Social Media." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day. Provo. Aug. 2015. Web. 2 Sept. 2015. <https://www.lds.org/liahona/2015/08/youth/flood-the- earth-through-social-media?lang=eng>.
Bednar, David A. "Things as They Really Are." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day. Provo. June 2010. Web. 1 Sept. 2015. <https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/06/things-as-they-really-are? lang=eng>.
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