By Zelda Caldwell
New York City, N.Y., Feb 15, 2025 / 17:16 pm
During a recent panel at New York Encounter, Paolo Carozza, a law professor at Notre Dame, expressed concern that technology is making us lose touch with our humanity. He described a trend where people are becoming “disembodied” minds, focusing more on convenience than human connection.
This idea might have seemed far-fetched in the past, but it resonates in today’s world. Carozza emphasized how technology encourages a culture where we forget the importance of our physical bodies.
He moderated a discussion that included Christine Rosen, author of “The Extinction of Experience,” and O. Carter Snead, a bioethicist and professor. They explored how modern experiences often feel isolated.
Rosen painted a vivid picture of our desire for convenience, saying, “I’d rather summon a car with a button and never speak to the driver. I prefer my food delivered without interacting with the delivery person.” This shift towards convenience impacts how we view ourselves and others.
Social media, according to Rosen, hinders genuine connections. She noted that we often seek approval through online likes rather than trusting our own feelings. “Our daily interactions are affected by this mindset,” she said, pointing out the roughness often found on subway platforms. People can seem ruder and less patient.
Indifference to Vulnerability
Rosen highlighted how society’s most vulnerable—like the elderly and children—suffer the most from this disconnection. She shared examples of a robot delivering bad news in hospitals and nursing homes using robotic pets for companionship.
According to Snead, this focus on convenience can hinder our ability to truly flourish as human beings. He emphasized the need for virtues like generosity and compassion. “If we view life as mere consumers, we forget the importance of unselfish giving and support during tough times,” he stated.
He also warned that this selfishness leads to troubling outcomes, such as choosing embryos based on their perceived worth or encouraging vulnerable patients to end their lives instead of receiving proper care.
Live in the World You Want
Despite these challenges, both Rosen and Snead believe there is hope. They argue that we can regain what we’ve lost by being more thoughtful about our choices. “We need to be more aware of the world we want to live in,” Rosen advised.
She encouraged people to prioritize face-to-face interactions, even if it means dealing with inconveniences. “Greet people in person on their birthdays, not just through social media reminders,” she suggested.
Inspired by St. Teresa of Calcutta, Snead added that caring for others is vital to overcoming our disconnection. “We must recognize our shared humanity,” he said, urging everyone to engage more genuinely with those around us.
Ultimately, he believes that fostering deep, human connections can help us rediscover the true meaning of friendship and compassion.
Zelda Caldwell is News Editor at Catholic News Agency based in Washington, DC. She previously worked for Aleteia, as News and Culture editor.
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US, Catholic News, Technology, humanity, New York Encounter, Virtual Reality
