The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Hidden Price Tags
C.J.S. Hayward
C.J.S. Hayward Publications
cjshayward.com
9798366654579, $11.99 Paper/$2.99 ebook

https://cjshayward.com/hpt1

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Price-Tags-Technologys-Technology/dp/B0C2SG3Y=
VJ

"Hidden Price Tags: An Eastern Orthodox Look at Technology's Dark Side and = Its Best Use: Volume One: Start Here..." is not only unlike any prior book = that C.J.S. Hayward has written about Orthodoxy, but offers a serious piece=
of wisdom about technology that outlines a problem many authors have addre= ssed, but resolutions few have proffered.

It comes from one who owns and uses this technology, but has successfully r= eined in its employment and filled the gap created by its absence with stra= tegies for cultivating a more meaningful grip on life, spiritual reflection=
, and activities far from technology's allure or grasp.

Following "The Luddite's Guide to Technology" and "How Can I Take my Life B= ack from my Phone?", this new book both embraces and expands the contention=
s of both as it reflects further and deeper on the hidden price tags of tec= hnology, how to limit and alleviate them, and (perhaps most importantly) ho=
w to replace them with approaches to life and spiritual thinking that embra=
ce Orthodoxy beliefs and approaches to better living.

Although much of the material is reflected in the prior books and represent=
s typical Hayward theological inspection, this contribution to the series o= ffers a far richer vein of argument that makes the case for reasoned abstin= ence and a better utilization of the time and space created by the absence =
of technological devices.

Discussions refer to C.S. Lewis and others and evolve on levels of historic=
al reference, psychological inspection, social issues, and spiritual impact=
as they invite thought-provoking responses from readers. From the perils a=
nd place of social networking to how human connections are made, Hayward of= fers an all-inclusive grasp on the nature, impact, and methods of technolog=
y as they reflect and extend human nature, often creating the very division=
s they were meant to alleviate in the human condition.

Hayward's reflections and connections, scholarly and heavily footnoted as t= hey are, offer much food for thought and ideally will be utilized as fodder=
for debate and discussion in all kinds of groups, from everyday readers to=
Orthodoxy followers. His insights on technology offer new, powerful grasps=
on the finer art of its deployment and unexpected impact: "There are many = things whose marketing proposition is escape, and they all peter out and le= ave us coveting more. They are spiritual poison if they are used for escape=
.. There may be other uses and legitimate reasons - iPhones are, besides bei= ng "avoid spiritual work" systems, incredibly useful - but the right use of=
these things is not found in the marketing proposition they offer you."

Hidden Price Tags contributes to a series heralded by "The Luddite's Guide =
to Technology" and "How Can I Take my Life Back from my Phone?", both conta= ining and expanding on the initial concepts presented in these books to foc=
us on strategies for injecting meaning and spiritual foundations back into = life after the vacuum is created by tempering and limiting technology's all= ure.

Libraries interested in expanded Eastern Orthodoxy's applications to readin=
g groups of all kinds, from philosophy to spiritual thinkers, will find "Hi= dden Price Tags: An Eastern Orthodox Look at Technology's Dark Side and Its=
Best Use: Volume One: Start Here..." encourages many opportunities for deb= ate.

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