Scrolling Ourselves to Death Part 2 with Brett McCracken

Michael Easley inContext

Summary:

In this thought-provoking follow-up conversation, Dr. Michael Easley welcomes back Brett McCracken, senior editor at The Gospel Coalition and co-editor of Scrolling Ourselves to Death. Together, they explore the cognitive and spiritual costs of living in a hyper-digital world—highlighting a recent MIT study showing a 47% drop in neural connectivity among heavy AI users. Brett echoes these concerns, drawing parallels between the atrophy of our cognitive muscles and the slow erosion of deep thinking and spiritual formation.

The two unpack the historical role of technology, likening today’s AI revolution to the disruptive power of the printing press, urging Christians to approach emerging tools with discernment, not blind adoption. They delve into the "information-action ratio," a term coined by Neil Postman, explaining how modern digital overload floods us with global crises we cannot act on—fostering anxiety and detachment from our local communities. Brett emphasizes the need to reconnect to embodied, local ministry and to resist the curated echo chambers of social media. For both pastors and congregants, the call is clear: return to real relationships, physical Bibles, and rooted discipleship. This episode is a timely challenge to think deeply, live locally, and be formed more by truth than by trends.

Takeaways:

• MIT found a 47% drop in neural connectivity in AI users—proving our brains are thinking less.
• Technology is not neutral; it forms us and often distorts how we read, think, and relate.
• The "information-action ratio" explains why we’re more anxious than ever—we're informed but powerless to act.
• Christians must focus on embodied, local ministry rather than digital distractions and global noise.
• The church should reclaim sacred spaces—encouraging physical Bibles and device-free worship.
• Social media forms us into echo chambers, but the church should form us into Christlikeness through challenge and community.

Links Mentioned:

Scrolling Ourselves to Death by Brett McCracken

The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCracken

Uncomfortable by Brett McCracken

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