Looking Out : 16.7.23

 I read a commentary from Scotland this week which likened the story, or parable, of the Sower to the current world experience of the internet. From the Biblical story, we have tended to focus mainly on the seeds that fell in the good soil and became productive. In an effort to improve productivity through scientific developments, modern farm methods have not paid a great of attention to concerns about eco-diversity. As a consequence, we have tended to focus less on the seeds that fell elsewhere which has led, in the context of modern farming techniques, to the loss of hedgerows, a huge decline in insects and birds, a decline in nature’s pollinators and so on. When we consider the parallel with the internet today, we can see that information is spread in many different ways. Much of the information disseminated is good and this was observed as the Coronavirus pandemic spread around the globe. The benefit of being able to communicate with loved ones and friends from a distance was invaluable in maintaining the fabric of our society and relationships. But not all messages on the internet are good. Messages can become corrupted, lies can be spread easily as truth and vulnerable people can be abused and exploited using the same tools that spread good news. This is life in the 21st century. In the example of the internet, it is up to us to create the best possible regulatory environment supported by community moral and cultural standards strong enough to deal with the negative aspects of the internet.  We seek God’s guidance in creating this environment.

NRM