The controversial iPad ad proves that technology can indeed flatten—or crush—what is real.A recent advertisement from Apple for the new iPad Pro has somehow managed to existentially disturb me. Titled “Crush!” it shows an ominous hydraulic press above a platform filled with symbols of humanity, creativity, and joy: a metronome, guitar, classical statue, piano, analog cameras, books, paint, and more.The metronome starts, and the press descends to Sonny & Cher’s “All I Need Is You,” slowly obliterating everything in high-def slow motion, before rising again to reveal only a “thinner than ever” iPad Pro. “Just imagine all the things it’ll be used to create,” Apple CEO Tim Cook posted on the social platform X.I am not alone in my revulsion. Actors Hugh Grant and Justine Bateman join me, as do apparently thousands of vocal people on the Internet and what appears to be the entire nation of Japan. The backlash, particularly from the “creatives” that Apple was courting for their product, was so pronounced that the company issued a rare apology, saying they had “missed the mark.”But what mark did they miss? More than missing just the tastes of their buyers, they missed the mark of reality—both of the creative process and of the goodness of the embodied nature that is essential to our humanity.I see why Apple produced the ad. There is tremendous economic incentive for tech corporations to replace previous, more embodied experiences and tools. Apple Music will never scratch like the fragile grooves of a vinyl record (also, it contains most of the recorded music in the world). GarageBand can’t go out of tune (and its digital “instruments” can mimic the entire orchestra). One can “paint” all day on ...Continue reading...

Howdie NsBc youth! Check out the calendar for updated summer meetings, outings, and activities. Let’s look forward to “The Summer of Love” here in Bayside! READ THIS IF YOU DARE: This Friday’s 7-11 Meeting actually starts at 6pm with a BBQ on the church lawn. Come hungry & invite friends. Nick Pilato on lead guitar… you’ll [...]

This past weekend at our church they held a performance Friday and Sunday pm of the cantata “The Christmas Rose.” Our son-in-law David had invited Marvin, his guitar student, and Marvin showed up Friday night. He sat with us since David and Kristin were both in the performance. He seemed under conviction at the invitation, [...]

Sunday services at Heartland were very good. The attendance in the morning was such that the main room was nearly full. Sunday night was very well attended, with a special treat with Bro. Watson adding his guitar to our congregational music. During the last two days, several of our folks have been attending the preaching conference in Canton, IL with the Gray Brothers. I had jury duty up until last night and worked tonight, so I could not go. I am looking forward to getting the cd's for sure. Tomorrow night is Bible study. Sure hope to see you then.