We live in a rapidly changing world. Fortunately, we trust in a good God who holds the future in His hands. From that position of strength we can discuss what it looks like to prepare for this new world our generation gets to live in. We don’t normally recommend families watch YouTube videos during dinner, but this short video would be an excellent conversation starter.
The Rebelution, Defined:
The Myth of Adolescence:
Do Hard Things:
Why Do Hard Things?
Keep Moving Forward:
The Importance of Character:
The World Is Flat:
The Rise of the Kidult:
Brothers & Sisters:
Modern Day Chivalry
Teens In The News:
Teens and Technology:
Rebelution Videos:
The Modesty Survey:
Real Men, Real Women:
A Teenager's Resolutions:
Comic Strips:
Movie Reviews:
Independent Guest Articles:
Independent Posts:
Créme de la Créme:
Great Blogs:
Rebelutionaries:
Magazines and Webzines:
Websites and Ministries:
Tools and Services:
Other Websites:
March 5th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I just finished a very thought-provoking book called You Are Not a Gadget by the father of virtual reality Jaron Lanier. I highly recommend it as an inside (and at time frightening) look at those who are developing this technological power and its unforeseen effects on humanity and spirituality
March 5th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Wow.
A lot of those statistics were mentioned in the book “Hurtling Toward Oblivion” by Dr. Richard Swenson.
How assuring it is to know a God who really does know what it all means.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Wow…
And that was 2 years ago…
It blows your mind.
GOD IS BIGGER!
GOD IS GREATER!
March 5th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
It’s sad how media saturated our culture is. I don’t think our natural bodies were made to live in that kind of environment.
I was a bit irritated at the part that said that computers would exceed the computation capabilities of the brain. While computers certainly can (and do) do things that we don’t really get or can’t do in our heads, I don’t think you could ever get something as complex as a brain created by God.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Some thoughts:
Technology merely means ‘new thing.’ There has always been technology, and always will, and it will always change. God commanded this. We need to use this technology for God’s glory.
Not let it go to the devil like we did with politics, science, education, family, literature, media, etc.
We let them go, and it is excruciatingly hard to win them back.
We can’t make that mistake again with technology, but we already are tending in that direction.
We need to be an example of how to use technology for the glory of God. Eradicating and eschewing its self-centered tendencies, and lifting up, maximizing, and using its strengths just like we would anything else.
The point of the matter:
Glorify God…
Come What May.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
WOW! I am speechless. Thank you for sharing this video- I will be passing it on to my friends and family.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Wow! This is such an amazing Video. I knew China and India were growing but i did not know that they were growing so fast. Thanks For posting this video. The World is definitely changing quickly.
Noah Olmstead
March 5th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Wow. That’s so amazing. Pretty sad in a lot of ways though. I don’t get the part where it said that in 2049, there will be a $1000 dollar computer that exceeds the knowledge of the entire human race? I mean, who invented the computer anyway??
The world is changing so fast…maybe and I think faster than is good for us. I hope that us Rebelutionaries will step up and make it change for the better. =]
Christ is All-
Rachel
March 5th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
My head is still swimming. Those numbers hurt.
What does it mean? That’s a hard question. We live in rapidly changing times, but Christians have a heads up as to what the end of it all will be, that is, in the coming of our Lord to set up a kingdom that far exceeds anything that we can come up with now.
Wow, great video.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Those are some very eye-opening numbers. Are there any similar statistics available for 2009? (or even beginning of 2010?)
We live in interesting times, and I suspect that it just gets more interesting from here on out.
March 5th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
WOW!!
March 5th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Oh my goodness!!! Those are some mind-boggling statistics! But as technology increases though, the lazier I think we become! I mean, back in the 1980’s and even the 1990’s, people had to drive around to libraries looking up info in ENCYCLOPEDIAS for reports, etc. Now we just hop 10 feet to the nearest computer and get it all online.
Hannah:
I agree with you, too. God has made the human brain (and the whole human body) so amazing and fascinating!! I don’t think any technology could compare with what God has created.
March 5th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Wow! That leaves me speechless!
It pretty much scares me. We definitely live in changing times.
So….What does it mean?
Thanks for sharing
March 5th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Hm. How can computers exceed the human brain’s computational ability? They can’t be any smarter than the person who programmed them, correct?
March 5th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Hannah G: “Computational Ability” doesn’t measure smartness (as a computer programmer, I can confidently say that computers are as dumb as bricks most of the time); it measures a computers calculation-performing capacity. In that sense, I can well believe those statistics.
However, a computer can do things better than the person who programmed them. For example, I have no clue what, say “67.9423 × 4594.34″ is, but as long as I know HOW to figure out what it is, I can make a computer do it for me. That’s the key really.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Ugh! That just gives me a headache! I feel bombarded! My senses are overstimulated! I think we are getting way too much information at one time. I’d love to go back to simpler times!
March 5th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I think my 2 year old computer already far exceeds my brain’s computational abilities (not sure about “capabilities” though… waiting for a restored body on a restored earth)! The comment about how a week’s worth of New York Times contains more information than a 17th century person would ever come across in their whole life was scary. We are addicted to knowledge and, hence, the internet. We know everything there is to know about… everything! Yet I suggest that we don’t even really know our own family, much less our God. Humans were designed for ‘relational knowledge’ and intimacy, not entertainment. We are bored not because of enough action, drama, or romance in the film, but because we can’t see what’s in front of us (not on a screen).
1 particular passage comes to mind:
“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.” (1 Tim. 6:20-21 nasb)
Ahh, stay away from empty chatter! 99% of the internet is empty chatter. GUARD THE WORD OF GOD.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Very thought provoking.
I actually did know a lot of that already! (Not the exact figures.) But what does it mean?
Well, a)this is a information saturated age. Using the internet, we can learn just about anything under the sun. Our job is to discern which info matters, which would be the info about the Son. We are welcome to learn anything else we choose, but we have to hang on to the central truth of the Gospel, which will never change, no matter how the times change.
b)It is an age of prodigious connectivity. We can connect with anyone on the planet, regardless of distance. Again, we have to remember what really matters, a relationship with God. When we relate to others through technology we need to keep in mind that we are representing Christ, and our goal is to show them what He is like.
On a side note: even though I’m American, it doesn’t bother me that India and China are gaining on us. In the eternal perspective, it doesn’t matter to me whether my country is the leading world power or not.
Thanks for the post, Alex and Brett!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Becca
March 5th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
One thing that I think is so ironic, is that technologically we’ve advanced so fast in the past 30 years, yet, as far as morals go and religion, i.e. Christianity, goes, we’ve seemingly regressed.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
It’s not possible to go back on technology - it will keep getting better and bigger and more efficient. I think it’s cool though - I mean, the Rebelution campaign wouldn’t probably have been as big as it is with out the internet.
The numbers are just numbers - it won’t kill anyone to have China surpass us. If anything, it will offer more opportunities to help spread the gospel, because countries will no longer see us as the overwhelming controlling government.
I’m also excited for the part about preparing students for non-existent jobs - I plan to be filling one of those jobs!
The world is progressing like it has in all of history. Why is that such a big deal?
March 5th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
That is frightening. I don’t know what it means. But…it was frightening!
@Emily: I’m not sure it’s Progress that is so frightening as it is the Speed in which we are going!
March 5th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
This generation is learning more and more every day. We need to build more intelligence and willingly learn alot more. Today schools are doing enough to get kids by. We are all going to fail at what we’ve accomplished if we do not learn more than we need to just get through today. I believe this is what God wants us to do- to learn as much as we possibly can about his creation and use our intelligence for a good purpose- spreading the gospel and reaching out to others. This website is a perfect example of this.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Wow. Some things in this video are scary ( computers that have a capacity above the human brain!) and I would stop them if I could (food for thought?) . One thing, though, that I disagree with is the comparison of America to other countries all the time- a lot of people expect America to be top in most things, and seem frightened when America isn’t.
Thanks for sharing,
Emunah
March 5th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
so, we’ve made all these technological advances in the last 50 years or so like computers, internet, cellphones, texting, facebook, etc… but are they really progress? or are we on a downward spiral of pseudoreality? sure emailing/texting/facebooking is revolutionary in communicating quickly… but how about effectively? personally, i think we were much more advanced in our communication skills before all of our brilliant advances in modern technology. don’t get me wrong… i think technology is fascinating and very useful in many things, but i think we need to be careful in how much we rely on it all. we have to rely on God for our every need and want and stay in constant communion with Christ to survuve pysically, emotionally, and spiritually in our ever-changing world. these statistics should spur us into action and not take root in our hearts and grow fear in us. we have courage and peace because we know Whose we are and Who controls all technology, no matter what man thinks.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
wow.
that’s about all I can say. although in light of tons people did anyone else notice that in just 24 comments there were three hannahs??? talk about alot of people talkin’ via internet.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
I would not be surprised if America is not the leading power in the world by the time I have my own kids. Every great country falls at some point. God raises leaders up and takes them down too.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
In a way this is soo scary, but it is also really interesting. I mean if you think about it, we are the FIRST generation with this kind of technology at our fingertips. Think what our generation could do for Christ if we were willing to. I mean, we can communicate with people around the world anytime we feel like it. Our resources are virtually endless.
I have heard it said (I can’t remember who said it) that our generation is the first generation that could wipe out EXTREME poverty. Not poverty, because Christ said the poor would be with us always (Matt. 26:11), but EXTREME poverty. That may be an exageration, but we certainly could do alot.
So yes these stats are scary but at the same time they are empowering.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
These facts and statistics are very scary to think about…I’m so thankful that God is always in control. We are in desperate need of true set-apart godly leaders who will not compromise the truth…may God bless you, Alex and Brett, and the others who are striving to make a difference for Him, and may He help more of us to be leaders for Him!
March 5th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
This video was really interesting and thought provoking. I am definitely going to pass this onto my friends and family, and hopefully hear some responses from them as well. The part I found most fascinating to think about, was when the video said that 1/2 of the information you learn during your first year of college will be outdated by the time you are in your third year of college! Think of what that means for your whole college degree just a few years after graduation! That’s some challenging statistics to think about, especially for me, as a high school senior. I am still undecided about my major, and where I am even going to go for college. One thing that the whole college statistic presented in the video reminded me of, is the fact that God’s word will never change or become outdated. His word is still practical and useful for our lives over 2,000 years after the book was completed. I think that is awesome, and so encouraging to me.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Wow.
That makes me sad…I’m part of those numbers, and what does that say about me?
Like many other people have said, though, God is bigger than these problems with our society and all these problems with me. Thank you Lord! There is hope.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Wow i had no clue technology was that advanced right now i thought it would take at least for more years for some of that to happen.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:26 am
That is amazing what our God can do! WOW! Those statistics could change some one’s life around if they saw this video for the first time!
March 6th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Truman Faulkner: I completely agree with you! Half the stuff on the internet is completely empty chatter! That and we always seem to want more and more knowledge, but that the cost of what? We really do tend to over look what is right in front of us and that makes me sad. It frustrates me that people don’t see it, and I can even say that sometimes I guilty of it too, though I wish that weren’t so! All I know is it will definitely get worse before it gets better, but God will see us through!
God Bless,
Amanda
March 6th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Interesting.
It’s seems (like some people have already posted) that technology is advancing while faith is diminishing. How many people with an Ipod do you know? Facebook? And how many heart-for-God sold out Christians?
As Christians we MUST come up with a way to link, and reverse, this trend.
God bless.
March 6th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
all i can say WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Whoa.
What it all means is that God has given humans an incredible amount of responsibility. We need to seize all this technology and use it to glorify Him and witness to other people. We cannot let it be turned into some sick tool of Satan’s, b/c he “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” And technology can definitely help him do that. Looks like we have more hard things to do!
March 6th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Just because we can do more with less effort does not mean that we are lazy.
By no means!
It means that we can do more, more efficiently. More for God. More for His glory.
And Jonathan is absolutely right. Although it is conceivably possible for computers to surpass us in computing power (in much the same way that we can create a robot that is stronger than us or faster than us), that does not mean that it is superior to us. We are created in the image of God, capable of reason. Computers can never do that.
But.
I do not believe that computers will be able to surpass our brain’s computational capacity. Just seeing alone requires a level of computational ability that puts all the computers of the world put together to shame.
March 6th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Wow, that was very informative! Thanks for sharing that, guys.
March 7th, 2010 at 10:10 am
In ancient times people had no computers. They used their brains for whatever they had to do. Think of it, they built the tower of babel and designed it from sheere genius. The egyptians built pyramids with their minds, castles were built by the human mind. They have even unearthed ancient artifacts that are belived to be batteries and power sources and generators. So how far will God let us go before we conceive so much technology that we begin to gain more knowledge from it than God? God scattered the people of Babylon because they were growing greater by the minute. Man is dumb enough to think that he can achieve greater wisdom by his own efforts and beliefs without a God. He thinks he too can have unmatched power. That’s what Satan has tempted man with since the fall of Adam; power.
So how far will God let us go before he puts a stop to what is happening?
March 7th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Sir Emeth Mimetes,
I do agree that Christians can and should take advantage of technology to glorify God, but I think the trend is that teenagers use technology as a source of entertainment and thus become lazy.
What thoughts come to your mind?
Questions for discussion:
1. Where do we find the balance between keeping in tune with the culture and not becoming addicted to speed and knowledge?
2. What are the pros and cons of the speed at which technology is developing these days?
March 7th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
@ Sarah Beth
very good point…:)
March 7th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Wow, that’s overwhelming! Almost scary! But God is greater than anything technology can do. He put the idea of that technology into man’s mind Himself, and that’s really comforting!
March 7th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
That was really neat, I liked it. I didn’t really think it was scary though. It’s not like the computers are going to take over the world…haha, you should be scared of all the people making the computers :p
I thought it was funny at the end of the video when they talked about how many babies had been born, then how much music had been downloaded illegally. Talk about a non-sequitor.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Wow, scary and thought-provoking video. Here are my thoughts:
Technology can be beneficial or detrimental depending on how we use it. Let’s take the Internet for example. The Internet carries the capabilities of storing vast amounts of information that can easily be read by millions of people. Libraries are great, but they cannot keep up to date as easily as the Internet. On the other hand, the Internet also has the capability of wasting our time. There are numerous opportunities to check Facebook pages, play online video games, read your collection of blogs, watch videos, or just general surfing. While none of those things may be inherently evil, they tend to addictive.
This was not in the video, but here is what I think is the number one thing that reflects our American culture: people have significantly less knowledge of the Bible and its truths today than they did in 1900. Technology, media, movies, video games, and music have most of our affection today (me included). We need to read our Bible and dig into God’s Word more than we spend time on the Internet.
“What does this all mean?” It means that we have a lost, corrupt, selfish world out there that is obsessed with entertainment, and I need to stop sitting around, read my Bible, and witness to the world. That is what I believe it means from a Christian perspective.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Thanks for sharing this video, guys!
This reminded me of a video I viewed at a FIRST, a program that inspires teens to become leaders for the next generation of engineers, robotics competition this weekend. Praise be to GOD my team, 1519 Mechanical MAYHEM, a homeschool Christian team, was able to be a witness & bring home the gold in the final matches. It was incredible & all because of an AWESOME GOD!
Doing hard things really is rewarding if you are brave enough to give it a shot! (: Thanks guys for all your hard work.
1 Peter 5:5, 6 - “God opposes the proud, but lifts up the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
March 8th, 2010 at 11:50 am
I thought I’d seen this video, but I hadn’t - I saw a shorter version a while back. It’s staggering.
But what does it mean?
It means information isn’t what we need now. We don’t need to know more - we need the courage to follow-through with what we already know.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I am so proud of you and all you have been willing for God to do in you. I just finished reading your book “Do Hard things!” I passed it on to my teenage daughters 18, 13! It is exactly what I have wanted to for them! As a parent it is hard to ‘push’ your kids to be or do more..it is something you want to come from within, from God, otherwise it is all meaningless!
Thank you so much! I look forward to see who among you and your fellow bloggers will one day run our country! Hopefully sooner than later
March 8th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
My reaction is . That’s scary…
March 8th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
1 week of the New York Times is more info than people in the 17th century were likely to come across? that is scary and illustrated this point: we’ve got information and knowledge at our fingertips. but when it comes to knowing what is important, when it comes to WISDOM, we’re horribly lacking.
Newton came up with the law of gravity and with calculus, all before complex computers.
Einstein came up with the theory of relativity, without some crazy computer.
Computers haven’t answered one problem yet. AIDS? Cancer? Alzheimer’s? you’d think that the computers we have today would be enough to figure out how to cure some of these, but no. all the research is still carried out painstakingly by humans, and computers then keep track of what’s done. bigger and better computers are cool, but what is the practical purpose?
March 8th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
*Sigh* The world isn’t what it used to be when I was a kid — and I’m only sixteen! =P
It’s increadible how exponentially our society is growing, from technology to jobs and more, our culture is becoming more and more engulfed in the world around them. As Christians, it’s not wrong to stay updated with the world and understand the world, we just need to make sure that we’re IN the world yet not OF the world. (John 17:14-16)
Camden
March 8th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
How could a computer exceed human mental powers? Someone would have to program it…
When the video said where were those questions asked B.G. (ha-ha), I bet a lot of people asked their parents. It is scary how we “talk” to computers more than other people.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:29 am
I have to agree with Collin. So much info and yet such a lack of wisdom that we possess. I am no spring chick, I am 66, and I sometimes don’t know how to relate to this generation. I love all the info, even if it was available when I was younger I probably would not have been ‘into’ it. Now with time in my favor I love the availability, yet I see that only God’s knowledge gives us wisdom. I see that it is difficult for younger people to see the absolutes - there are black and whites.
Two years ago I purchased 5 of your books and gave them out - to youth leaders. Not much response - what a disappointment. They didn’t see it. You are even studying in our area and still they are not utilizing you two. It is very sad. Keep on keeping on - without getting commercialized to the world’s extent. Bless you guys!!!
March 9th, 2010 at 7:38 am
“I think the trend is that teenagers use technology as a source of entertainment and thus become lazy.
…
Questions for discussion:
1. Where do we find the balance between keeping in tune with the culture and not becoming addicted to speed and knowledge?
2. What are the pros and cons of the speed at which technology is developing these days?”
Marie: True, people can wrongly use technology (you can murder with a gun, you can waste time with a video game, etc.).
People can also be lazy without technology.
Technology is merely the exercise of our creative minds to extend our natural capabilities. Animals were made with particular skills (elephants are stronger, cheetahs are faster, etc.) that are better than us. But we are able to invent ways to extend our abilities (cars to go faster, cranes to lift bigger things, internet to communicate better, etc.). That is part of our uniqueness, part of being made in the image of God.
Technology does not make people more lazy: it only facilitates their laziness: makes it easier to be lazy. If no one wants to be lazy, then technology will not make people lazy. Period.
1) I have no interest in being in tune with culture. I merely want to be able to serve God to the fullest of my ability. I would be crippling my ministry and career and my spiritual life if I banned myself from the written word (which is a form of technology, although it is very old). Using a car aids me to do more for God. The same thing with cell phones, the internet, etc. The balance is the give-and-take factor. Is the benefit worth what I have to give for it (stress and time discovering and learning how to use it, and the money needed to purchase it)?
2) The pros are as numerous as there are ways to do anything good in the world. The faster computers are, the more able we are to do everything else.
The cons are as numerous as there are ways to do anything bad in the world. The faster computers are, the more able we are to do everything else.
Get my point?
March 9th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
I think it is amazing what Alex and Brett are doing. I mean i think they are totally true and i think it is awesome that they are encouraging kids like me and you to do harder things and to take challenges.
Noah out!!
March 9th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Very interesting video. We do seem to be accelerating don’t we.
So here are just a couple of thoughts. That thing about computers becoming better than a human brain. It really kind of freaked me out at first, as I am sure it did to some of you. But then I thought about what it would be that would design that computer? The human brain. It is really no different than a calculator or math chart, we might not know right off hand what the square root of 2346 is, but that is okay somebody has come up with a great way of finding out. Computers are just machines.
As to the internet, I think it is an amazing gift from God. Of course like all gifts it can be abused. But that does not mean we need to stop cold turkey. It means us (Christians) need to flood the internet. What do suppose Paul would have done if he had such a thing?
Colin, though they have not solved those problems, they have many practical purposes. All you have to do is visit your local hospital or clinic to find that out. And without them I fear the world would suffer a rather bad collapse.
In Christ
Chip
March 10th, 2010 at 1:19 am
Good video. Exciting stuff! If you want to know more about the future of technology in the coming decades, follow the research of Ray Kurzweil. A brilliant man with an incredible track record, and some BIG predictions for the next 20-30 years. All I can say is, I’m glad to be alive to take part in all the cool stuff that’s happening right now
March 10th, 2010 at 1:26 am
Oh, a response to Collin’s comment, “Computers haven’t solved one thing yet.”
Are you sure about that? Computer technology is overcoming a lack of educational material in third world countries, we have instant communication, relationships, and commerce around the world. Much of current scientific endevours would be impossible without computers or super-computers. Think about the human genome project that is helping us to understand our DNA and VERY soon, will allow us to actually correct our weaknesses and rid ourselves of many forms of cancer, diabetes, heart disease etc. Scientists (by aid of technology) have cured diabetes in rats already, and humans aren’t far behind.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:06 am
I thought it interesting how they could give such predictions about the computers exceeding the human brain. To me that seems a very arrogant statement, as if they already know all there is to know about the brain. They predict that in 2013 the computer will exceed the computational capabilities of the human brain. But I think that as technology advances so will our knowledge of the brain.
Some of you may have heard that we only use about 10% of our brain. This is not quite true. Something that is closer to the truth would be that we only use 10% of our brains potentiality. This figure is considered to be very generous though, since many believe that the potential of our brain is infinite. Sir John Eccles, a Neurology scientist says “”How can you calculate a percentage of infinity?” He also says that “The brain indicates its powers are endless”
Another good thought is that “humans have an unlimited capacity to learn. Unlike computers, no human brain has ever said: “Hard drive full.”
March 10th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
That video was…wow.
I see every single day how close we’re getting to the end times but that video showed even more it’s closeness.
I am encouraged by all of these signs, however. I can look forward and know that my Jesus is coming back for me. I know it. And it’s encouraging. The Bible says that we are to remind and encourage each other often of this fact - that Jesus is returning for us.
I also encourage all of you to be bold in your faith! Shout it from the mountain-tops that He’s real and He lives inside of you! Wake up and wake others as well! The world NEEDS to know and we NEED to tell them. Don’t say to yourself “I’ll do it tomorrow” because, what if Jesus comes back before then? What if we don’t have another chance but today?
If you had just gotten a new laptop, wouldn’t you tell everyone you knew about it? Jesus is better than a laptop.
What if we talked about him like we talk about movies, video games, cell phones, iPods, concerts, or our fave bands? Don’t you think more people would know about Him?
We have to stop saying “someone else will” because, what if everyone said that? No one would speak up. We don’t have any valid excuses. So what are we waiting for?
Jesus is worth it.
In Christ,
~Alesha
Gal 1:10
March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
“…So you want to change the world. What are you waiting for? Say, you’re gonna start right now. What are you waiting for? It only takes one voice, so come on now and shout it out…What are you waiting for?…”
March 11th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
That is something to think on. But I am so thankful that NO MATTER WHAT, God is in control and He knows everthing that will happen and He has us in His hands. The most incredible computer packed with more info than the whole human species doesn’t even compare to the mind of our Creator! Praise God!
March 11th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
This COMPLETELY blew me away. You guys have lived up to the expectations that your first book sets irreputably, and this post has only furthered my compassion for your work. Thank you so much. This is like other videos I’ve seen, except it is completely understandable. WOW. God bless you guys.
March 11th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Whoa! Those statistics are totally huge! Our world really is changing. I have one question though, anyone want to share what they think it all means?
March 11th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Amazing what us humans can do if we put our minds to it. These stats are unbelieveable, super crazy, but probably are true. And we can only thank Him for everything that he has gave us.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THat’s all I can say
March 12th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Wow! Amazing amazing amazing. But I, for one, am excited about the technology of this generation. While a lot of aspects of it are wicked, and can be used to promote wicked things, I beleive it can and should be used to spread the gospel! The Great Commision is sorely overlooked these days, which is terrible because this generation has the most resources and the most need! I think this generation can do a whole lot for the Lord with the technology He has allowed us to discover! By the way, yes, He has allowed us to discover these things so that we will use them for His glory. And no, never will a computer surpass the mind of God. What we know is simply a drop in the bucket compared to His infinite knowledge. It may seem like a lot, but it’s really not!
March 12th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
What does it all mean? Welll… to me it meant, the world’s changing and daily changing, and there’s only one thing that lasts. The one thing that stays the same. That won’t grow inferior and oudated with all the rest of our technology and data. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. And somehow… the way that this one thing will always be, is ten times more mind blowing than the way everything else is changing.
March 12th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
And I think it’s interesting, what some of you are discussing, namely the argument: “Computers exceeding the capabilities of the human brain? They… came from the human brain.”
March 12th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
To make my previous point clearer:
When i said, “computers haven’t answered one problem yet,” i didn’t quite mean that literally. Of course, they are useful for scientific research. And of course, they provide communications opportunities where there couldn’t be any otherwise. And of course, they facilitate speed and efficiency of many things.
However, too often these things are used badly, or evilly. People in third-world countries can access information today easier than ever if they have the right tools. But if a computer with the ability to connect to the internet via satellite costs $1000, how many people can afford one? Many third-world countries have an average income (per family per year) of about that. And if people do get a computer, and are using it to take online classes to help them better themselves and their country, bravo! But 90% of the internet is nothing worthwhile, and 5% or more is downright evil.
Also, with the human genome project: we can understand our DNA perhaps. What then? We want to understand it so we can change it, and make ourselves better. Who knows? Maybe we’ll figure out which one is the ‘God gene’ that makes us into the perfect (not fallen) image of God. Maybe we will cure diseases with this potential tool, or maybe we’ll just worry about how we look. Maybe what we do with our knowledge will be guided by wisdom, but knowing our world, it won’t be.
Sorry to be such a pessimist! but this is really how i see these things.
ColinD
Have thy tools ready. God will find thee work. ~Charles Kingsley
March 13th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Colin D.:
So you claim that computers are used evilly because the people who could use them best don’t have them? That sounds more like that computers aren’t being used fully rather than being used evilly. And the cost of computers goes down and down; you can now get a netbook for $200 US, and many areas have (free) municipal WiFi now.
And good has indeed been by computers even to those who don’t have them; for instance the internet kept the outside informed of political trouble in various countries when traditional media was not allowed in, and corruption has been exposed in many governments and corporations because of the Internet.
While indeed only a small portion of the internet may be worthwhile, collaborative technology allows the portion that is worthwhile to be found and accessed quickly. The internet is no longer the dead collection of pages it once was.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Wow AMAZING video
Hey Guys!
I just wanted to invite you to my blog, I read your book and it really inspired me to begin writing. Check it out, it’s http://theriverjordan.net
If you visit, leave a comment and let me know! God bless you guys!
March 13th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
I think that many of us are developing the wrong attitude about computers and the internet and the age that we live in. Unlike Alesia I do not think the end of the world is close. I think when Jesus gave us the great commission he was not giving us an impossible task. We must go into the flawed world we live in and spread the gospel and if necessary use words. So I think that the world is not getting worse and worse, but better and better. Sure there is still sin, but look at the amazing blessings we have in our modern world. So sure Colin, is the fact that 90% of the internet is useless, mean that if we have something useful to add, we should avoid it. That does not seem logical. We need to change the statistics. God has given man so many blessings, and we have so much trouble using them rightly. This must be our prayer that as God gives us more blessings, we may use them to his glory. This may be a little to positive, I think that the world will be filled the knowledge of Lord as the waters cover the earth. The devil loves to make us worry about blessings. God is in control, and I am so glad he placed me where I am in history. Onward Christian soldiers!
In Christ
Chip
March 14th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Wow, some of those large numbers are hard to grasp!
It really opens your eyes to how much time is wasted in media, particularly by young adults. We should take advantages of the ways we can use media for good, not waste God’s time on worthless things such as games, texting, and so forth. It’s sad that, in our world today, Christians take such a light view of the time we have been given here on earth. Time is short and we are only passing through this life as sojourners. May we not waste it. God’s time is precious.
Kelsey
March 14th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Okay, that’s just eerie.
At the end, when it was naming how many babies had been born during the presentation, I couldn’t help but wonder if the fact that America’s number was so small was because of the insane amount of abortions. That’s really sad.
On a sidenote, I just want to thank the Harris brothers for Do Hard Things. I read it recently with a friend, and it inspired me to do something that for me, was rather hard.
http://siblings-as-friends.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Harris brothers. And thank you, God, for the Harris brothers.
God bless,
~Laura
March 14th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Those statistics are very overwelming. why, if the jobs aren’t there yet, are we training people for them? are we sure that they will be there? And why go to four years of college like that if by the third year the stuff you learned in the first year is outdated?
March 14th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
WOWWW!! i saw this video last year in my math class and i never took it into thought, but know i am. i never realized how fast our world is changing-some for the better and some for the worse. we all just have to be careful about what we say and do. i am going through some really hard times in my life right now and trying to get myself straight. I’ve been reading the Do Hard Things book and its really inspirational. i have many questions about what our purpose in life is, but i think its to worship and follow God. Thank you Alex and Brett for showing me that
March 17th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Wow. Ouch. Unthinkable. So much. I had to watch it three times just to get it all. It sad, scarry, heart breaking, jaw dropping, unsettling, and TRUE. The saddest part for me is that we are living those fact and we don’t even know it. they fly by so fast and all I can think is ‘THAT’S ME!!!’
March 17th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
That was so shocking, i was gripping the chair the whole time
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:05 am
That is absolutely horrible! Even with the estimated 54-120 children aborted each day in the U.S. that is still nothing compared to the number of people we should have. Yet another unforeseen result of pushing marriage back to the late 30s, people can’t have children. Somehow I get the idea that war is going to be the norm for the U.S. for a very long time.
March 25th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
This video is a true representation of our information age. It can be exciting, but at the same time immensely overwhelming. How can we keep up in times of exponential growth? I need to be both flexible and well-informed in order to keep up with the times and be able to reach the world around me.
March 29th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Lord, come soon.
March 30th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
We live in a world today that thinks that life revolves around electronic devices. If you sit down and think about the video and what the true meaning of it was, you realize that you add to those numbers every day. In fact, I am adding to those numbers as I am writing this!
March 30th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
We live in a world today that thinks that life revolves around electronic devices. If you sit down and think about the video and what the true meaning of it was, you realize that you add to those numbers every day. In fact, I am adding to those numbers as I am writing this! and so are you, sitting there reading this.
April 13th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
My initial reaction is actually being speechless. Its taken me a second to understand. Even as i type now i have to stop and think. Our world, is a different world each day. But our God, is the same God everyday. And for this, I am, and can not be, grateful enough.
April 18th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
man this is wonderful, soon computers will be able to solve equations that would take humans years to do in just a few minutes.
i for one think that computers are great.
April 26th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Yo this is sort of both a positive and a negitive because all this tech will help solve things but they also take away the chance of some one using there brain to figure things out so then soon we might end up like the humans from Walle
June 6th, 2010 at 4:53 am
I cannot comment on a video that has been removed… Whats up with that eh?
June 8th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
I just recieved Do Hard Things as a summer reading assignment and i am so happy that i did!!! It is a great book an a great idea that will go sooo far… I know that teens will want to change how society thinks of us, well at least i do, and showing that God is the reason for all of it is even better! Great job Alex and Brett for starting what all teens needed!!
June 11th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Wow!!! Great books, i love them both! You should make a iTunes podcast! I would totally subscribe!!!!!
God bless! : )
June 16th, 2010 at 9:34 am
I just went to recommend this to a friend and noticed it has been taken down. Hmm… maybe it has a new link?