Room to Resist Technology

Dear Friends: As an “older Quaker” I had a visceral response to Friend Bob Barnard’s contribution to the July/August 2024 issue. I resonated with his description of the liminal time we inhabit, between two stages of technological development. However, I found some unsupported assumptions in his prediction that older Quakers will continue to resist technological changes. This broad generalization plays into stereotypes.

What troubled me most was the statement that older Quakers must adapt or be left behind. That feels like a “my-way-or-the-highway” statement. How does this reflect our commitment to an inclusive community? I personally would leave the meeting, start my own worship group, or worship alone, rather than be told I must adapt to younger Friends’ use of technology. Surely there is room in the tent for less computer-literate Friends. Older Friends may have many reasons for resisting technology, such as consciously choosing against full immersion in so-called smart devices, having difficulty learning, wanting to spend their time in activities other than learning how to manage and maintain devices, or lacking the resources to support the cost of such devices.

I hope that we use our discernment practices to reach a place that is more inclusive, honors the reasons that people of all ages resist technology, and not assume the technology train has left the station. ~~~

– Elaine Granata, Mountain View Friends Meeting (IMYM)