Andrey's+Journal

02.11.09. So here I am journalling again. It is something I do not do on my own - I am too busy to stop and reflect, I just run like crazy through my life. My dream is to finish this program (I am closer than ever), and start enjoying life - read, think, write, and get some fresh air. If the Lord extends the days of my life, in a year from now I could start doing that. My last journalling experience is not the best. I did that as a part of a Seminary course, and I spent so much time for that one-hour course doing the best I could. I was graded “B,” and for me it is almost a reason of r a suicide. I was hurt, but as I do it usually, I decided that it is better to accept wrong and let myself be cheated, just like Paul recommends in 1 Corinthians 6. Anyway, enough about sad things. I have another chance to journal, and maybe (who knows?) obtain journaling as my personal spiritual discipline. 02.13.09. I believe at the present time (a few years down the road from the time when Shultze’s book was published) we can get a better picture of how technology works. Technology is not something that comes out of nowhere. Any company creates a product with the purpose of commercial success. Such success is not possible without the consideration of people’s interests. If the first attempts of new products are usually a bit clumsy, the following versions of the same products are much more useful and reliable. 02.14.09. I heard the argument that people’s life gets hectic, despite all the technology they use, sometimes even more hectic than it would be without technology. Let’s imagine for a minute whether life becomes less strenuous if we eliminate technology. If we could find a significant group of people that would agree to live for a long time without electricity (read “without water, heat, conditioner, light, washer, dryer, microwave, fridge, TV, computer, phone, internet, music listening devices, etc.”), cars, public transportation, planes, trains, hospitals,etc., we would see if their life got easier or not. I hardly doubt though that too many would agree to strip their life of technology. A book is a great example of technology - even though it is over 500 years old, it is something people still enjoy. 02.15.09. Let me give you a fresh example of what technology is called to do. This Monday they introduced Kindle 2 from Amazon. It lets you get almost unlimited number of books on your device (their number is limited only by the number of books available for the device on Amazon.com (currently 230000 volumes). You can get any book from the store downloaded wirelessly to your Kindle in less than 60 seconds - no computer and no wires are needed. The device itself holds up to 1500 books, but due to free wireless connection, all the books obtained for the device are backed up on Amazon’s servers. More on Kindle will follow the coming week. 02.19.09. Even if we delete a book from the device or lose the device, the book is always available for us with all the markings and remarks we made in it. Kindle does not get warm, does not make any noise, buzz, or hum, its battery lasts for up to two weeks, and its screen is as good for the eyes as paper is (electronic Ink technology that does not have backlight). Kindle weighs 10 ounces, and also holds newspaper, magazine, and blog subscription (as soon as the new item is available, it is downloaded to Kindle automatically). The books for Kindle are less expensive than paper books, and many Kindle books are available for free. There are a whole bunch of other amazing features of this remarkable product, but I do not want to sound too enthusiastic as if I am Amazon’s sales representative. Potentially this technology can eliminate paper books, and save our trees and forests. 02.20.09. In a few years such devices will be even more environmentally friendly than they are now. I see great potential for the devices like Kindle (I have to admit there are not too many such intelligent products out there). The technology is as good as the people that use it. For example, you can read with Kindle all day long forgetting your direct responsibilities, or you can read when you have time and opportunity. Smart technology is unable to give eternal life, but it definitely can save the life of this planet. Many hope and wait for the transformation of the existing order of things after Jesus comes to Earth, but nobody knows when it happens. Technology can significantly improve and sustain the life on this planet when it is used the right way. MY FURTHER JOURNAL ENTRANCES ARE HERE: