iGods: How Technology Shapes Our Spiritual and Social Lives

Detweiler (A Matrix of Meanings), who teaches communication at Pepperdine University, in Malibu, Calif., examines today’s technology, from Apple to Instagram, and its impact on Americans’ spiritual lives. He knows the literature, organizes it as a good information curator should, and cites the provocative and deeper thinkers such as Jaron Lanier and Kevin Kelly. He does forget that not everyone is on Facebook and that smart phones are common but not universal, which is understandable given that he teaches and so is surrounded by the wired generation. The balance between theological reflection and simple background reporting could be better tuned. Most of today’s technology writers don’t understand the lure of iDols. An excellent conversation starter recommended for classroom use; Detweiler has made a solid contribution to the growing literature about religion and technology. (Nov.)