Here’s what stood out this week:
(1) “Maps of Meaning: Is ideology more than just an orienting worldview?” by Alexander Stern, Commonweal Magazine (September 23, 2024)
Stern explores Jason Blakely’s approach to ideology as laid out in Lost in Ideology. The piece challenges the notion that ideology is merely a worldview to be transcended, arguing instead that it is an unavoidable aspect of modern political life. Ideologies function like maps, shaping not just how we see the world but how we act within it. Blakely emphasizes that while all ideologies distort reality to some extent, we can't live without them. Instead, the task is to carefully analyze and critique them.
Blakely highlights that ideologies replace religion in giving social meaning but are fluid and often combine in unexpected ways. However, Blakely avoids hands-off relativism, acknowledging that we can still judge ideologies by their internal contradictions and falsehoods. Some ideologies, like Locke’s liberalism, have been instrumental in shaping political realities, often justifying unjust power dynamics under the guise of "natural" truths.
Stern raises concerns about how power influences ideology, cautioning against reducing it to merely a cognitive map. Ideologies often serve to maintain dominance, and dismissing power from the equation risks depoliticizing the issue. Ultimately, Blakely’s work offers a way to navigate ideologies critically without falling into dogmatism or relativism, but Stern argues that the role of power should not be overlooked.
(2) “Is digital technology leading us to the ‘extinction of experience’?,” by Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post (September 27, 2024)
In her new book, Christine Rosen says yes, but is imprecise about exactly how and why -- and what exactly we’re losing
Christine Rosen argues that digital technology is eroding our connection to sensory experiences and reality. But as Becca Rothfeld highlights in her review, Rosen’s thesis, while intriguing, is imprecise. The book presents a broad critique of modern technology—smartphones, virtual realities, and surveillance systems—but never quite defines the exact nature of what’s being lost or how technology undermines our human experiences.
Rosen raises familiar concerns: social media promotes self-obsession, screens distract us from real-world relationships, and digital surveillance intrudes into our lives. But the book often reads like a collection of dystopian anecdotes rather than a cohesive argument. Rothfeld suggests that while Rosen touches on the idea that digital interactions lack the richness of physical life, her reflections are superficial. For example, she acknowledges the importance of physical pleasures—like eating, travel, and art—but fails to evoke their sensory richness or celebrate the tactile joys of being human.
Rothfeld concludes that the book misses the mark in explaining exactly why digital technology feels uniquely demoralizing. Instead of condemning technology for augmenting reality (as art does), Rosen might have explored how it denies us the tangible joys of physical existence—the feel of a peach, the warmth of sunlight, the cold sting of a winter day. These, Rothfeld argues, are the very experiences we risk losing in our increasingly disembodied world.
(3) “Men experience stronger social disconnect due to smartphones than women” by Eric W. Dolan, PsyPost, October 3, 2024
A new study, published in Technology, Mind, and Behavior, reveals that smartphones are having a greater negative impact on men’s social connectedness than on women’s. Conducted by researchers Matthew Leitao, Jason Proulx, and Kostadin Kushlev, the study explores how smartphones reduce feelings of connection in various real-world situations—especially during meals, conversations, or while waiting with others.
This research is particularly important for teen boys, single men, and married men, as it shows that men experience three times the social disconnect from smartphone use compared to women. The study suggests that men may use their phones differently or less consciously during social interactions, which leads to a stronger feeling of isolation.
Across several experiments—such as dining with friends, navigating new locations, and waiting in public spaces—the presence of a phone consistently diminished feelings of connection. While women seem more adept at balancing phone use with social awareness, men appear to suffer a greater loss of connection in these moments.
This issue is particularly pressing for men, as social isolation is already a growing problem for many, especially teen boys and single men. The digital habits we develop may be subtly undermining our ability to form meaningful connections, both with friends and in romantic relationships. Even for married men, this disconnect can erode bonds over time.
The message is clear: if we want to preserve and deepen our relationships, we need to rethink how we use our phones, particularly during face-to-face interactions. By becoming more intentional with technology, men of all ages can protect their social well-being and foster stronger, more meaningful connections in their daily lives.
(4) “Screen-heavy households linked to poor language development in kids,” by Angharad Brewer Gillham, PsyPost, October 3, 2024
A recent study by Estonian scientists, published in Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, shows that high screen use in households can negatively affect young children’s language development. This study is particularly important for parents to consider when using screens during everyday moments like car rides, church services, or airplane trips.
Researchers surveyed over 400 families and found that when parents use screens frequently, their children tend to follow suit—and this leads to poorer language skills. Children in high screen-use households scored lower in both grammar and vocabulary. The findings indicate that no form of screen use had a positive effect on language development, and time spent on video games had the most notable negative impact, regardless of whether it was the child or the parent playing.
The study underscores the importance of face-to-face interaction, especially during the early years when language development is most critical. Everyday conversations expose children to vocabulary and grammar in ways that screen interactions simply can’t. When parents reach for their phones in casual settings—whether checking notifications while waiting in the car or keeping kids entertained on a flight—it often disrupts those important moments of verbal exchange.
This research is a reminder to parents that even in mundane settings like the car, church, or while waiting in line, meaningful conversations can happen that support children’s language growth. If screens are constantly present, these opportunities are diminished, and children miss out on crucial language-building experiences.
As the study shows, reducing screen time and increasing quality interactions is essential for fostering stronger language skills in young children. It’s something to keep in mind the next time you reach for a screen while spending time with your child.
(5) New Therapy Improves Depression in Fathers, Neuroscience News, October 2, 2024
A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Psychiatry shows that a group parenting program significantly reduces male postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers, with over 70% experiencing full remission of symptoms. This study highlights the critical need to address men’s mental health—an area often neglected—and is particularly relevant for churches seeking to better serve fathers in their congregations.
The program, called Learning Through Play Plus Dads, combines cognitive behavioral therapy and parenting skills. It not only improves the well-being of fathers but also enhances child development and strengthens family relationships. This research is especially important for churches, as it underscores how improving men’s mental health can positively impact entire families, reducing intimate partner violence and fostering healthier emotional connections.
With male PPD affecting about 10% of fathers globally—and even higher rates in traditional societies—churches have a unique opportunity to offer support. By addressing mental health in men, churches can play a pivotal role in strengthening families and helping fathers navigate the emotional challenges of parenting.
Fathers in the LTP + Dads program were provided with calendars detailing child development stages and activities to encourage parent-child engagement. They also attended 12 group sessions led by community health workers and psychologists.
These sessions combined cognitive behavioural therapy to help manage depressive symptoms with life skills training in topics including time management and emotional regulation. Sessions took place weekly for the first two months, then bi-weekly.
Programs like Learning Through Play Plus Dads can also be a model for church-based initiatives that provide men with the tools and support they need to thrive in their role as fathers.