Tech Talk

by Gary Miller

Digital technology is both helpful and harmful, delightful and dangerous. This presents a challenge compelling godly youth to make difficult choices. Peer pressure is powerful, and no one wants to be left behind. How are youth going to survive this enticing world of technology? This book offers Biblical principles, practical guidance, and a group study guide to help young people make hard choices in a soft society.

Genres: Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very wise. Wiser, in a way, than Kingsnorth. Whole essays I have read on tech are here, neatly summarized in single paragraphs. Gary Miller always starts his chapter with a story or example, and on the whole they are the pertinent illustrations.

Miller points out that the Fall brought about the need for technology. Before, nature worked together with man. It may be only after the fall that he needed to till the ground.

The author brought a couplet from Alexander Pope to the discussion:
Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
Well said.

Miller has a quirk of using symbolic names, like Ben Borrd or Incee Kure. I identified most with Kaz Uaal, the one who feels he has received, on the whole, more good than bad from technology.

Miller replies to Kaz Uaal by observing that the shift in values which comes from using technology can be just as insidious as the more obvious dangers of violence and pornography found on the Internet. Termites are just less sensational than tornadoes, even though termites cause far more damage.

[Emilie Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tech Talk provided well-researched insight into the dangers of becoming addicted to modern tech, providing relatable examples as to how even intentional use can quickly segue into reliance. There were points in the book where I felt the warnings became a little heavy-handed, despite my own misgivings about an industry designed to be addictive. Although the book will best be appreciated by Christians (given the frequent Bible references), there is also plenty to take away even for those who may not share our faith tradition. I would recommend this book to anyone with a desire to think more deeply about how and when they choose to engage with mobile technology.

[Trish Boese · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* Required reading for every young Christian who owns a smartphone! This book helped me understand what is inside us that by default gets addicted to technology and entertainment. Very solid biblical teaching necessary today because of the devices everywhere. Any age can read this book. Thanks to Gary Miller for his work and writing.

[Josh]

I appreciate Gary's honesty and love his call to spiritual disciplines in this book.

[Caitlyn Unruh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!! Should be required reading!

[Aubrie Shank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book!! It was written in a way that was easy to read while still giving good information.


For future reference; This would be a good book for youth group

[Ryan J. A. Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work.
Gary has hard things to say to us - but things we need to hear.