Crossroads: Digital Cocaine on the Brain
Special Guest Brad Huddleston, This Weekend,
or Online HERE Anytime
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“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are good, and I will not be brought under the power of any.” (I Cor. 6:12)
“Therefore, come out from among them and be separate. Don’t touch anything that is unclean, and I will receive you.” (II Cor. 6:17)
“Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you might know the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
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Background: The Dark Side
This is Part II of a two-part series featuring Brad Huddleston, TV star, radio personality, world traveler and speaker, highly acclaimed author, revivalist, and above all, a great champion for Biblical Virtue, Decency, and Morality in our culture.
In Part I last week, Brad discussed a book he wrote six years ago entitled The Dark Side of Technology: Restoring Balance in the Digital Age. He reviewed the alarm bells that are going off as people of all ages – churched and unchurched – are drawn into immoral and highly risky internet exchanges, intimate relationships, and violent fantasies.
Many of them become “hooked” by the false allure of shows involving pornography, fake reality programs like “Second Life”, and video games. They are addictive, they are progressive, and they are often destructive – not only to themselves but also to those around them.
Therefore, armed with degrees in both Computer Science and Bible, Brad took on the challenge of first exposing the dangers and then offering practical remedies for overcoming them. If you missed it, or would like to listen to it again, you can find it on our home page at www.valleyfamilyforum.org.
Digital Cocaine on the Brain
In this Part II, Brad will review his second book entitled Digital Cocaine: A Journey Toward iBalance. The book has a very provocative cover, showing a boy snorting a line of cocaine from his smart phone. As an introduction to his book, we asked Brad what prompted that image. Isn’t it a little extreme to suggest that cocaine and technology can have similar effects on our brains?
We also asked Brad to explain the effects on the brain of excessive internet use. For example, we are often expected to “multitask” as proof of our hi-tech competence. Yet, he said that can be very harmful, inducing what he describes as “Extreme Brain Stress”. What is that all about?
He also refers to “anxiety disorders” and personality changes that neuroscientists are seeing as a result of the misuse and overuse of technology. Again, what is that all about?
In addition, Brad writes about “Self-Harm” induced in many young people by this obsession with the digital screen. How serious is that, particularly in the form of “cutting” and even of suicidal tendencies?
On the academic level, educators understandably encourage greater and greater use of hi-tech devices. Yet, studies show that this can induce “Attention Deficits” and that, as a consequence, grades often drop in such situations rather than improve. That seems counter-intuitive. How can this be?
On top of all that, we are seeing growing concerns about cyberbullying and the devastating impact it can have on its victims. Is there also a connection between these activities and the effect of this “Digital Cocaine” on the brain?
Our Response to the Digital Crisis
The alarm bells are ringing, but how should we respond? For example, how can we tell if our children are developing an unhealthy dependency on and even addiction to this “Digital Cocaine”? And if they are, what can we do to help them recover and to achieve a better “iBalance”?
Finally, Brad refers to all of this not only as a physiological or sociological problem but even more fundamentally as a “Moral and Spiritual Crisis” in our culture. What does he mean by that, and what can the church, parents, and particularly youth leaders do to address it?
Those are just some of the questions he will be answering for us this weekend. For more information about Brad and his work, including how to get copies of The Dark Side of Technology, of Digital Cocaine, of other resources, or invite him to speak at an event, go to www.bradhuddleston.com.
Crossroads with Brad: Where Faith and Culture Meet
For all of this and much, much more, please join Rita Dunaway and me with Brad on one of the following Valley radio stations: WBTX (1470 AM and 102.1 FM) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and again on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., followed by WSVA (550) and WSVA/FM (92.1) at 8:30; and on WNLR (1150) at 11:30.
If you miss the broadcast, or would like to hear it again, go to www.valleyfamilyforum.org and click on the Crossroad’s link entitled “Digital Cocaine” located on the home page.
We deeply appreciate your prayers, your encouragement, and your financial support of these programs. All gifts are tax-deductible and can be sent by check to Crossroads at PO Box 881, Harrisonburg, 22803.
Stay Strong, for God and Country!
Dean