Information Age Casualties, and How To Reclaim Them. Why is it that the more digitally connected we become, the more we feel disconnected from the things that matter most?
Picture the following scene, played out many evenings in typical American homes. The father is on his computer in the office, finishing up some last minute work details and 
reading up on the latest election news on the internet, while the mother is watching TV in the living room. The son is downstairs playing video games while the daughter listens to music on her iPod in her bedroom while instant messaging with friends online.
As you picture this scene (and ponder what’s wrong with it), try to comprehend the magnitude of what we’ve accomplished in the Information Age, the ability to bring the entire world into our living rooms and bedrooms, the ability to connect in real time with almost anyone across the globe.
Want to learn about Zambia? A quick Google search brings up 124 million sites. Want to download the latest song from an obscure artist in Australia? You’re about two clicks away. What’s the current price of crude oil? Who won Academy Awards? How many delegates does Barack Obama currently have? How can you defeat the final challenge on your favorite video game?
Whatever is on your mind, in whatever corner of the globe or concerning the most esoteric and specialized concepts, you have almost instant access to your questions. Technology has given us a brave new–and small–world, with more information, opportunity, and connectivity than our ancestors could even dream of.
And yet, in an age largely defined by connectivity, we’re losing our lifelines to the most important things. Specifically, there are three main connections that, ironically enough, are being systematically severed the more digitally connected we become.
What are those three connections, and how can we strengthen them in our own lives? The three most important connections we can have are with God, family, and nature. These three life-saving links provide the context in which technology, and every other aspect of the modern world, is given proper meaning and priority. They make up a foundation that, when lost, will plunge us into the emptiness of entertainment, the sterility of science, the cynicism of forfeited faith, and the hollowness of hedonism. 
We can have computers, the Internet, iPods, instant and text messaging, TV, radio, blogs, podcasts, and videos pouring out of our homes, while emptying our lives of true meaning in the process.
A person with a deep and lasting connection with God, family, and nature understands the purpose of technology and how to interact with and use it properly. A person who maintains those three connections, despite anything else happening around them, will not be swayed by opinion polls, tainted by compromise, numbed by information overload, or corrupted by exploitive greed.
God, family, and nature are rocks that the sand of modern technology rests upon; when those rocks are removed, the sand quickly collapses, losing all sense of structure, balance, and perspective.
How to Stay Connected
Considering their critical nature, how can we build and strengthen these connections? As with any relationship, for these connections to be deep and sustainable requires ongoing communication and quality time.
God
As counter-intuitive as it seems considering His omnipresent Hand in our lives, it’s actually quite easy to lose connection with God. We become busy, overwhelmed, complacent, and forgetful.
The two best ways to maintain a firm connection with God are to pray and meditate daily. Prayer is when we speak with God; meditation is allowing God to speak to us.
As our creator, God knows us intimately, far more than we know ourselves. He will guide us, protect us, unlock our potential, teach us lessons uniquely suited for our particular situation and stage of development. He will do these things and more, that is, if we let Him, if we allow Him into our lives and seek and follow his guidance.
Make the commitment now to pray and meditate daily.
Family
All of us know the cliche that when we’re on our deathbeds, we’re not going to wish we spent more time at the office. Sadly, however, few of us live its meaning in our daily lives. 
Do you know your children? Is your love for your spouse stronger than it was on your wedding day? Are you creating memories that your family will cherish for years to come? Is your home a sanctuary, a refuge, an escape from and defense against destructive people, thoughts, materials, and substances?
Now, more than ever before, our homes must protect ourselves and our children from the overwhelming forces of destruction.
Make two commitments now that will make all the difference in achieving this goal: religiously have a date night once a week with your spouse, and set aside at least one evening per week for your family to play, study, learn, and grow together.
Nature
This is perhaps the most difficult connection for most people, since much of our modern world is designed to help us escape from nature. While comfort is certainly nothing to avoid, consistently spending time with nature helps us appreciate comfort, escape Information Age noise, and stay balanced. 
Intuitively, although perhaps subconsciously, when in nature we seek to emulate its design–the strength of the rocks and mountains, the cleanliness and vibrance of the rivers, the peacefulness of the lakes, the determination of the wind, the perseverance of the trees and plants, and the submission of the animals to their divine place in creation.
It’s hard to do and you will find every excuse not to, but it’s critical that you commit to at least one meaningful excursion into nature per month. Go hiking, camping, backpacking, mountain biking, canyoneering.
Get out into nature, breathe her in deeply, honor her, and make yourself whole in her presence. She is, after all, the source of all the material blessings you enjoy.
Conclusion
The rise in digital connectivity has been largely accompanied by a decline in and stagnation of our connections with God, family, and nature. By maintaining and strengthening these three critical connections, we avoid the dangers of the Information Age and become a rock to rely upon, and a standard to follow.
Commit now to stay connected with God, family, and nature by praying and meditating daily, holding a weekly date night with your spouse, setting aside at least one evening per week for nothing but family activities, and going on at least one nature excursion monthly.
Will you serve technology, or will it serve you? Will you be more connected to your cell phone than to the most important things and people in your life? Will text messaging replace meaningful conversations with the ones you love? Stay connected with God, family, and nature, and answering these questions will never be a struggle for you.
Stephen Palmer is a freelance writer, entrepreneur, scholar, and teacher. As a graduate of George Wythe College with a degree in statesmanship, Stephen is devoted to moving the cause of liberty worldwide. He serves on the Board of Entrepreneurs of George Wythe College.Stephen resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Karina, his son Alex, and daughters Libby and Avery. He loves reading, basketball, and canyoneering. For more information on Stephen and to contact him, visit The Cause of Liberty and subscribe to his free newsletter.
