The Omni-Tasker

In the lexicon used to describe household appliances, utensils and assorted gadgets, there’s a neologism being used today, “Unitasker.” A unitasker is something that only does one thing. Some famous unitaskers: the pickle picker, snow cone makers, butter cutters, apple corers. The people who label things as “Unitaskers” like he good folk at unclutterer.com generally use the label in a pejorative way. Unitaskers tend to take up necessary space on counters and in cabinets, they clutter up things like utensil drawers, and they can be costly. Alton Brown of Food Network seems to have a vendetta against most unitaskeres--especially knife sharpeners. Of course, a unitasker may be valuable to people who use them frequently. My Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker is technically a unitasker but don’t try telling me that my life would be better off without it. Unitaskers are good for making you wonder what’s necessary and not in your life. And some, like the kitty wig, are great for a chuckle. But what about the other side of the spectrum.

What about the omni-taskers? What’s an omni-tasker? Well something that will do everything. I’m not talking about a Leatherman Multi-tool or even a Swiss Army Knife--even though a Swiss Army Knife is really cool. I’m talking about a technology that touches every part of our lives--work, play, travel, cooking, home repairs, scheduling, relationships. I’m talking about the Internet. The internet has changed the way everything is done today. Wikipedia has practically replaced encyclopedias, Google Docs is a fair replacement for a type-writer, Blogs are the modern-day soap box, and Facebook is the resurrection of Pen Pals. Even for people who do not use the internet, its presence and its effects are unavoidable.

When we look at Internet technology, what we see is a map of people’s priorities. Every internet program is a virtual reflection of a deeper human need. Scripture is concerned about human needs--the basic human needs that the hungry are fed, the thirsty given drink, the sick cared for, and the vulnerable clothed and sheltered. Scripture is also concerned with other human needs like the need for connection and belonging, the need for empowerment and freedom, the need for knowledge and wisdom, the need for a balance between work and rest. As these needs are both expressed and attempts at meeting them are made through internet applications, it is appropriate to think about how successful (or not) the internet is at helping us with these needs.