Rejecting the primacy of productivity
“Quakerism allows us to remove ourselves from the cycle of quicker work: making more work for the sake of more work, with productivity as king. What I’ve learned working in a Quaker environment is the real power of reflection, of silence, of taking time to discern. I feel like when I do so, decisions are more thought-through, more grounded in reality, and more inclusive of the voices of others.”
— Adena Dershowitz, 2026
Director of the Fourth Century Center at Abington Friends School
Quakers and AI
Reader Responses
How do you make space to hear the still, small voice when technology constantly demands your attention?
The still, small voice is not in competition with technology — it is in competition with our need to fill the silence. Technology is merely the latest tool of a very ancient fight.
Francois M., Québec, Canada
Sometimes, God speaks to me through the technological noise. He can make a way anywhere. I often put questions to Him and get an answer or guidance through audio books which I listen to while doing chores. We need silence too and breaks from the input, but God will out in all circumstances; He is faithful all the time.
Karista H., Overbrook, OK, USA
I physically switch my phone off and look outside or go outside to look at what a tiny corner of nature is doing; which cats are crossing the garden at certain points of time, which birds drop in and when - are they the same birds? Are they different - have they noticed me? Do they see me as a threat or am I that 'safe' human that doesn't worry them...
I look at the trees, how are they changing... can I see a face, or a 'personality' in a tree...
I just try and notice - and wonder at just how much is unfolding - in spite of technology and of the angst in the world.
Chris L., Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
Follow the truths as they are revealed to you across the world wide Web of virtual space. The Divine exists in all things even those created by human artifice.
Graham H., Beverley, New Malden, Surrey, UK
1) Sometimes the "still small voice" is neither still nor small and can override our distracted attention.
2) The Daily Quaker Message, brought to me by technology, is a helpful way to quiet down for while and listen. Sometimes the voice comes then. I also use a little book that has a daily quote from the writings of George Fox.
3) I just learned a new phase, attributed fallaciously to Francis of Assisi, but still very relevant: "On any given day you may be the only encounter with Christ a person has." When I can bring this to mind, it centers my attention on what is eternal over or through whatever technological fascination or personal aggrandizement is trying to control me. In that state I may be able listen to/hear that Voice.
Joe S., Portland, Oregon, USA
Kill your TV or at least put it away for the summer. Handwrite a letter. Make bread, no not by machine. Make love, no not by machine. Bring lunch to the unhoused person panhandling by your grocery store. Give yourself a foot massage after a good hot soak.
John C., Putney, VT, USA
This Week’s Messages
Mon Jun 08
The Quaker alternative to “move fast and break things”
“When it comes to tech, billions of lines of code have been open-sourced. The same cannot be said of the decisions that led up to them. What might a Github for choices and insights look like? How much better would actors act if they knew others could see — and how much more would we trust if people could see the inner workings of why, not just how, technology works as it does?” …
Tue Jun 09
Building the capacity for boredom
“What does it look like for us to build a capacity for silence? What does it mean for us to exercise that muscle, to not be afraid to be bored, to let our minds wander without having input constantly? How could that shape us and help us to feel better, to be able to focus better, and be able to be present with ourselves and with one another, with the Spirit?” …
Wed Jun 10
Transforming ego into collaborative wisdom
“It is becoming clear that the exponential growth in the power of AI promises not only extraordinary wonders but serious dangers as well. These include complex ‘wicked’ problems and perhaps even existential threats just as significant as climate change, the sixth great extinction, and nuclear war.” …
Thu Jun 11
Quaker spirituality is incompatible with hurry
“No clear impressions, either from above or from without, can be received by a mind turbid with excitement and agitated by a crowd of distractions. The stillness needed for the clear shining of light within is incompatible with hurry.” …
Fri Jun 12
A well-balanced mind does not come naturally
“It is a blessed thing to possess a cool, well-balanced, pure, healthy mind. But, it may well be asked, who does enjoy this noble possession? None, we may boldly affirm, by nature; for nature sends us perpetually streaming out on the surface of things, and wandering for the gratification of our senses by the way-side, where we are sure of being taken captive by every passing thought and thing.” …
Sat Jun 13
Quaker silence is the answer to the attention economy
“What ChatGPT can do is a marvel. We are at the dawn of a new technological era. But it is easy to see how it could turn dark — and quickly. A.I. systems like this make the production and manipulation of text (and code and images and eventually audio and video) functionally costless. They will be deployed to produce whatever makes us most likely to click. But these systems do not and cannot know what they are producing. The cost of creating and optimizing content that grabs our attention is plummeting, but the cost of producing valuable and truthful work isn’t. These are technologies that lend themselves to cacophony, not community. I fear a world in which the business models behind them run on our attention or profit off our anger. But other worlds and other models are possible….” …
Read the source of today’s quote
