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Stepping Stone: Digital Hypocrisy

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Stepping Stone: Digital Hypocrisy

In the river of life, few stepping stones reveal our shared human vulnerabilities quite like our relationship with technology. This stone emerged from a striking observation: older generations (Boomers) spend countless hours glued to their phones, addicted to the very same algorithms that ensnare young people (Zoomers), yet they freely criticize the younger generation for wasting their lives on digital devices.


Generational Digital Paradox

We live in a time when it's common to see a Boomer scrolling endlessly through social media feeds or watching online videos while simultaneously complaining about how Zoomers are "always on their phones" and "addicted to social media." The irony is palpable, as both generations are consuming digital content designed by the same engineers, using the same psychological triggers, yet one generation feels entitled to judge the other.

"Why do you look at the speck of dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3)

This verse perfectly captures the generational hypocrisy I've observed. The plank in the Boomer's eye is their own digital addiction, yet they focus on the speck in the Zoomer's eye.


Digital Hypocrisy

The examples of this phenomenon are numerous and revealing:

  1. The News Addict: The Boomer who spends hours each day consuming partisan news sites, sharing conspiracy theories, and getting angry at political posts, then complains that young people are "wasting time on short-form video platforms."
  2. The Social Media Scroller: The grandparent who can't put down their phone during family gatherings because they're scrolling through social media feeds, then lectures their grandchildren about "being present" and "not living through a screen."
  3. The Gaming Grandparent: The retiree who plays mobile puzzle games for hours each day, then criticizes young people for "wasting time on video games."
  4. The Online Shopper: The adult who spends hours browsing shopping apps, then expresses concern about young people's "consumerism" and "materialism."
  5. The Binge-Watcher: The parent who watches streaming services for hours each evening, then tells their children they should "be productive" instead of "wasting time on screens."
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36)

This verse reminds us that the addiction (news, social media, games, shopping, entertainment, etc.) comes at the cost of our soul, regardless of our age.


Engineered Addiction

The truth is that phones and apps are engineered to be addictive, like digital drugs. Tech companies employ teams of behavioral psychologists, neuroscientists, and addiction specialists to design products that capture and keep our attention. These algorithms are specifically created to exploit the human brain's dopamine reward system, creating compulsive usage patterns that are difficult to break.

Variable rewards, infinite scrolling, personalized content, and social validation triggers are all carefully designed to keep us coming back for more. As former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris noted, "Your phone is a slot machine."

Research shows that digital addiction is widespread, though statistics vary depending on methodology and what exactly is being measured. Studies indicate that anywhere from 10% to over 50% of users show signs of problematic digital use, with global prevalence estimates ranging from 17% for social media addiction to 27% for smartphone addiction. I believe the actual percentages to be much higher. Regardless of the exact percentage, it's clear that a significant portion of the population struggles with digital addiction.

The reality is that these technologies are designed to be highly compelling, and most people will develop some level of addictive patterns if exposed to them long enough. It's dependent on willpower or character, but on basic neuroscience and psychology. The human brain simply isn't equipped to handle the supernormal stimuli that modern technology provides.


Vulnerability

If the Boomers were in the shoes of the Zoomers today, they would be just as bad or even worse off than the Zoomers themselves. Why? Because they would face these addictive technologies without the benefit of:

  1. Growing awareness of digital addiction
  2. Digital literacy education in schools
  3. Public discourse about screen time and mental health
  4. Parental guidance on healthy technology use
"If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)

This verse serves as a warning against the pride that leads us to believe we are somehow immune to the temptations that ensnare others.


Ancient Perspectives

The ancient Greeks recognized the human tendency toward hypocrisy and self-deception.

Antisthenes (c. 445–365 BCE)

"It is better to fall among crows than flatterers; for those devour only the dead, but these the living."

Antisthenes warned against flattery and false praise. Today we might say it's better to face uncomfortable truths about our habits, than to surround ourselves with people who reinforce our hypocrisy.

Crates of Thebes (c. 365–285 BCE)

"Pay no attention to the faults of others, but consider your own."

Crates emphasized self-examination over judgment of others as a direct challenge to those who criticize others while ignoring their own habits


The Biblical View

The Bible consistently warns against hypocrisy and emphasizes self-examination:

"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5)
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2)
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46)

These verses emphasize the importance of self-awareness and humility before judging others. They remind us that we are all subject to the same human vulnerabilities, including addiction to technology.


Conclusion

This stepping stone teaches us to:

  1. Recognize our own digital addictions before criticizing others
  2. Understand that technology is engineered to be addictive for everyone
  3. Approach the issue with humility rather than judgment
  4. Remember that if roles were reversed, we would likely face the same challenges
  5. Focus on solutions rather than blame, recognizing this as a shared human problem
"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

This verse captures the spirit with which we should approach addiction that affects all generations is not with judgment, but gently, all while being aware of our own vulnerabilities.

As we continue our journey, this stepping stone reminds us that we are all subject to the same human weaknesses, regardless of our age or generation. The path forward requires humility, self-awareness, and compassion for all who struggle with addiction, including ourselves.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This verse offers hope that we can all be renewed and transformed, finding freedom from our addictions and moving toward a healthier relationship with technology, regardless of our age or generation.