Comments about ‘I'd rather eat potato chips — avoiding the distracted and diluted life’

Thanks for this insightful article. I know many people who struggle with making technology and media work for them instead of against. It's wonderful to see tips and suggestions that make sense. Thanks again! I'm off to watch a documentary.

Thanks for the ever so important reminder that life is not virtual, and especially for mentioning Elder Bednar's talk. It is one of the most powerful talks I have ever read and it sent lightning bolts through me. He also talked about (and I paraphrase) the idea that by not using our physical bodies, because we are living "virtually," Satan has gained a victory. A physical body is the one thing Satan doesn't have, and if he can convince us to not use ours, he has won a victory of sorts. Also, some great Apostolic warnings in that talk.

I also loved your mention of encyclopedias. I am an older Mom, and have been concerned about where and how my children access information. I wanted them to know that not everything on the Internet was "true" or equally valuable or reliable. And with that in mind, I purchased a set of encyclopedias a few years ago. We use them all the time. We all could look at a screen all day, but who wants to?

Your article reminded me of the pictures my father took when I was a little girl. There was a set of encyclopedias in the background in their own bookcase, which I am almost positive my parents bought in anticipation of their coming parenthood--beginning with yours truly. I sent for a small notebook personalized with a favorite photo, since I loved reading those reference works as well as the other books that my parents had in our home. Books were like furniture, they were necessities in my parents' home. They were everywhere. And it began before we could read. They were there. Perhaps it's how we knew why reading was important. Mom and Dad knew we would value what we lived with, and we still do.

Where's the Like button?