Chapter Three of Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation continues with a look at the digital environment. You can access the full document on this link at the Vatican site.
We start with a statement from the synod’s final document:
86. “The digital environment is characteristic of the contemporary world. Broad swathes of humanity are immersed in it in an ordinary and continuous manner. It is no longer merely a question of ‘using’ instruments of communication, but of living in a highly digitalized culture that has had a profound impact on ideas of time and space, on our self-understanding, our understanding of others and the world, and our ability to communicate, learn, be informed and enter into relationship with others. An approach to reality that privileges images over listening and reading has influenced the way people learn and the development of their critical sense”.[FD 21]
Individuals might choose to refrain from social media, or even their computers. But many people do not, including nearly all of the First World. The effect on everything is undeniable. Not just our use of time, but how we interact with each other and how we gather and absorb information about the world around us. Any comments?
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Catholic Sensibility 