[Offtopic] Pope on the net

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/012309-pope-praises-potential-of-
new.html?hpg1=bn>    By Philip Willan , IDG News Service , 01/23/2009 


Pope Benedict XVI marked his debut on YouTube Friday by releasing a 
speech in which he praised new communication technologies as powerful 
instruments for good, while also warning of the potential pitfalls 
associated with their misuse. 

 http://au.youtube.com/vaticanit

In a speech entitled "New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a 
Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship," released Friday ahead of 
the Catholic Church's World Social Communications Day, scheduled for May 
24, Benedict said digital technologies could be remarkable instruments 
for dialogue (and) friendship ..

"These technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavor to 
ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human 
individuals and communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged 
and vulnerable," the 81-year-old German pontiff said. 

Mobile phones, computers and Internet had contributed to social progress 
by facilitating dynamic forms of learning & communication, the Pope said. 

The desire to communicate with others was imprinted in our nature by 
God, "the God of communication and communion," the Pope said. 

The Pope urged people of good will engaged in the digital communications 
sector to promote a culture of dialogue and respect.

"If the new technologies are to serve the good of individuals and of 
society, all users will avoid the sharing of words and images that are 
degrading of human beings, that promote hatred and intolerance, that 
debase the goodness and intimacy of human sexuality or that exploit the 
weak and vulnerable," the Pope said. 

The Pope also warned that Internet friendships should not displace 
friendships in the real world and time-consuming navigation in cyberspace 
should not isolate us from real life. 

"If the desire for virtual connectedness becomes obsessive, it may in 
fact function to isolate individuals from real social interaction while 
also disrupting the patterns of rest, silence and reflection that are 
necessary for healthy human development," he said. 

But, delivered on the same day that the Vatican launched a dedicated 
YouTube channel to disseminate the Pope's messages, the tone of his 
speech on new technology was overwhelmingly positive .. (c) IDG News 

--
Cheers people
Stephen Loosley
Victoria, Australia