Habits of the HIgh-Tech Heart: Living Virtuously in the Information Age (Baker, 2002)

Selected by the Librarians Book Club, 2003

Awarded "Book of the Year" by the Religious Communication Association in 2002

"Schultze has succeeded where even the great Jacques Ellul failed: he's crafted a critique of our technological conceits that is at once lucid, humorous, philosophically nuanced and accessible to the masses. Because Schultze understands how real people operate in the world, he's able to outline strategies for maximizing human freedom in the face of relentless marketing, mechanization and manipulation."
          — Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Schultze's book has the great benefit of identifying and describing an extremely important cultural question and the way of thinking that has framed the question.... With great learning and accessible thoroughness, he describes our technological culture, bringing his points to life with examples and stories. He also draws on a lot of contemporary writing about the information age, making this book a handy summary of many perspectives. Because each chapter addresses a moral challenge and a corresponding virtue, the book serves as a practical guide and lively companion."
          — Paul J. Soukup, S.J. , Interpretation, January 2005, p. 104

"What a delight! On every page I found insight, depth, and compelling thought. With moral and ethical integrity, Schultze cuts through the Internet hype and vapid online culture. Next time you're stressed out by your computer, refresh yourself with a chapter of this book."
          — Clifford Stoll, Author of Silicon Snake Oil

Schultze "knows more about the kind of thing he writes about here than anyone else we know...."
          — Martin Marty, Context (June 1, 2003, p. 6)

"Schultze ... develops an authoritative and well-researched argument that identifies the many pitfalls waiting for the unwary in cyberspace." The book "provides a healthy counterbalance to one of the prevailing ills of our time."
          — Donald E. and Rachel T. Keeney, The Clergy Journal (January 2005, pp. 45 + 46)

"Schultze's book serves as a thoughtful companion on the kind of contemplative journey he advocates, and this book goes a long way toward the goal he sets for all of those who would minister in the cyber age."
          — Lynn Schofield Clark, Calvin Theological Journal (2003)

"One does not have to be heavily into computers to profit from this work.... The volume is well written. It should be read with much contemplation and its thesis taken to heart by each of us."
          — Byran Snapp, PCA News/Chalcedon Foundation (2003)

"Schultze fears—and not without cause—that over-reliance on technology will lead people away from faith and communitarian habits."
          — Mark Kellner, Ministry (November 2003, pp. 30-31)

"[T]he author raises needed cautions about what is often a mad rush to embrace whatever new technology comes rolling out of the pipeline."
          — Richard C. Stern, Homiletic (Vol. 27, Winter 2002, pp. 39-40)

"Habits provides a rich, provocative discussion of the necessary conditions for optimal use of cybertechnology."
          — Daniel A. Stout, Journal of Media and Religion (Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, pp. 183-5)

"Schultze clearly continues a conversation in text about the impact of technology on human life and relationships that is worthy of further serious consideration in our homes, churches, and schools."
          — Robert Kistler, Religious Studies Review (Vol. 29, No. 2, April 2003, pp. 185-6)

"Schultze's argument about real community may be compared profitably with The City of God....."
          — Megan Maloney, Journal of Markets and Morality (Vol. 6, No. 1, Spring 2003, pp. 264-266)

"[This] book should be read by thoughtful Christians who strive to cultivate godliness in a computerized culture."
          — Douglas Groothuis, Moody (Author, The Soul of Cyberspace)

"Schultze does not advocate giving up information technologies. He says, instead, we must make a self-conscious effort to cultivate Christian ideas about virtue and community. And only then can we avoid the cyberculture trap."
          — Chuck Colson, Breakpoint, March 4, 2003

"This book is quite a tour-de-force. Its subtitle says it's about living virtuously in the information age, and that's right. It's a critique to jolt us out of technological complacency and to rethink our priorities. Habits of the High-Tech Heart speaks to an audience that should perhaps know better—it's a warning; yet in the best prophetic tradition, Schultze identifies with the audience, seeing himself as one who's deeply involved in the very world he questions."
          — David Lyon, Author of Jesus in Disneyland: Religion in Postmodern Times

"Habits of the High-Tech Heart addresses cyberculture with insight, humility, humor and solid grounding in the biblical metanarrative.... In so doing, Schultze draws us back to the age-old questions: Where did we come from, where are we going, and what constitutes a good life along the way? What makes an individual or a society virtuous? How do we develop ethical character in ourselves and shape it in our children?"
          — Chris Thyberg, Congregations (Winter 2003, pp. 38-39)

"Schultze's scholarly examination of the influence of technology on society and its correlating rhetoric provides an important and necessary critique of the growing techno-optimism, which is presented to the general public as fact."
          — Heidi Campbell, Interact (Summer 2003, p. 6)

"'Luddite!' 'Reactionary!' I will not be surprised if such abuse is hurled at this important book, but the hurlers will have entirely missed the point. The point is that putting excessive hopes in a computer upgrade may degrade our humanity. The point is that the techno-utopian promise of a global village may lead to a globe of village idiots, especially moral idiots. To really get the point, get, and read, this book."
          — Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, Editor in Chief, First Things

"Building communities that transform culture often means using methods and technologies that eventually undermine those efforts.... Schultze is not against technology—he's not a Luddite—but is for moderation and wisdom."
          — Michael Metzger, The Clapham Institute, "Deliberations that Renew Society—Part 2" (select "February 20" issue)

"Rapid technological change is wonderful, scary, liberating, confining, upsetting, and enabling—all at once. What is the responsible Christian to do in the face of such bewildering change? For a start, read this book by Quentin Schultze, and it will be a lot clearer what we should welcome, what we should oppose, and why."
          — Mark A. Noll, Notre Dame University

"In a study that is long overdue, renowned media studies expert Schultze provides a clear-eyed critique of the perils of being seduced by the flash and glitter of information technology.... Schultze's book offers a clarion call to create an authentic moral discourse about technology."
          — Publishers Weekly (July 15, 2002, page 70)

"This book is an open-eyed, mind-boggling, soul-piercing look at what we are doing to ourselves when we are not alert to our society's informationism and the symbol brokers' cyber-myths of progress. Quentin Schultze asks all kinds of faithful, wise, crucial questions—and thereby offers gifts of humor, contemplation, cultural and historical memory, integrity, true justice, hope, and the right kind of fear to help us 'fall into humility.' This book is a must read for those who love, resist, or merely use technology."
          — Marva J. Dawn, Teaching Fellow, Regent College, and author of A Royal "Waste" of Time

"Technology promises virtually anything and everything. This same technology endangers virtually everything it touches. Quentin Schultze's wise and comprehensive assessment provides essential Christian discernment as we negotiate this glittering and danger-fraught landscape."
          — Eugene H. Peterson, Translator, The Message, and author of Subversive Spirituality

"What are the new information technologies 'doing' to us as human beings? Quentin Schultze's exploration of this question has amazing breadth and offers profound insights. This is a virtuous book about cultivating the virtues in an information age."
          — Richard J. Mouw, President, Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Uncommon Decency

"Schultze has a wise appreciation of the permanent things that must engage the new things, critically discerning both promise and threat. Every age is rightly described as an age of transition, and the author offers a clear view that resists both the hype and the denial of change."
          — First Things (March 2003, p. 67)

"Habits of the High-Tech Heart is an erudite manifesto to virtuous living in an age of technological savvy. This beautifully written book is a testimony to the ancient proverb it quotes: 'Ask radical questions but act in the real world.' Schultze is one of those rare bilingual authors who is such a pleasure to read—a master of both the digital life and the life of goodness. With wall-to-wall argument and dazzling research, we're shown the path of moral discernment. This book's luminous wisdom shines a spotlight on our bandwidth envy and lights up our mind and heart at the same time. A superb book and compelling read from beginning to end."
          — Clifford G. Christians, Professor, Institute of Communications Research — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

"There are those who worship technology, and there are those who hate it. There are even people who still think media are neutral and do little to shape the culture that flows through them. Then there are Quentin Schultze and the people who have been lucky enough to tap into his writings during the past generation. Anyone who followed his work knew he would one day write about the World Wide Web. Turns out, the Web is both glorious and fallen—like the rest of God's good creation—and Schultze has produced a provocative, balanced, witty look at both sides of that equation. Habits of the High-Tech Heart is a must-read for church leaders and others who want a sane guide in this minefield."
          — Terry Mattingly, Associate Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic College, and columnist, Scripps Howard News Service

"Quentin J. Schultze ... cannot be dismissed as a mere Luddite unthinkingly opposed to any new technology. His book is filled with telling quotes and ideas from articulate spokesmen representing many points of view—such as this from Archbishop Charles J. Chaput: 'We certainly want salvation ... but for many of us tools function as a pretty good insurance policy, just in case. ... We’ve learned to trust our own ingenuity because it works. Unfortunately, the construction crew at Babel felt the same'."
          — Lane Jennings, The Futurist (January-February 2003)

"I've been reading this phenomenal book, Habits of the High-Tech Heart by Quentin Schultze. I have been convicted on so many levels by this book. It is essentially trying to get behind our quest and thirst for technology and information and to critically assess whether or not these desires are good and how well technology and information contribute to propelling us towards what we were created for. Instead, Schultze argues that these things are actually detracting from what we were created to be and live for."
          — Christian Cryder, See Life Differently Blog (April 13, 2006)

"There is much profit to be gained in the world of cyberspace and Schultze has provided some wise counsel for those who would seek it. He offers a needed corrective to our frenzied, immoderate pursuit of technology. Schultze has clearly written to benefit all citizens of the cyber-world...."
          — Richard K. Hiers, Presbyterion: Covenant Seminary Review (Vol. 30, 2004, No. 2, p. 122)

"Schultze's important book, based on careful research of current trends and developments in information technology, offers rare insights.... It does not only warn against the dangers of the Internet and other media, it also shows what we may accept or oppose, and why."
          — Johan Tangelder, Christian Renewal (April 26, 2004, p. 38)

"The combination of excellent research and careful writing makes Habits one of the must-reads of the year."
          — Mark Y. Herring , Libraries & Culture (Vol. 39, No. 4, Fall 2004, p. 453)

"Habits of the High-Tech Heart is a provocative and engaging book that will foster dialogue among philosophers, theologians, technology experts, and all those concerned with the impact technology has had on our society. And while is both comprehensive and scholarly, Habits of the High-Tech Heart is engaging and accessible enough for the thoughtful lay reader."
          — Business Reform (July/August 2004, p. 68)

"It is a needed book... I thank Schultze for this book, and I hope it will be widely read and will spark thoughtful discussions among evangelicals."
          — John S. Hammett, Faith & Mission (October 2003)

"Reading this book helps readers see clearer what is and what is not acceptable about rapid technological changes ."
          — Journal of Christian Nursing (Fall 2004, p. 47)

"Schultze ... is no Luddite, nor does he counsel a retreat from the information society. He does, however, pose crucial questions that are seldom asked and, perhaps more importantly, reminds us of the perennial wisdom available in venerable traditions, which can guide sojourners to be engaged in an increasingly technological society without being defined by it.... Schultze's exceptional meditation provides a rare opportunity for campus-wide conversations on these matters, not just cross-department, but between faculty and administration, between tech department staff and students."
          — Michael C. McKeever, Teaching Theology & Religion (Vol. 7, July 2004, pp. 174-5)

"This is a book worth listening to as we enter a broader discourse about technology.... It is neither the ramblings of a Luddite nor a paean of wild-eyed utopianism. It is, rather, a well-written call to name and tame this latest development in the march of human inventiveness, before we are made into the image and likeness of the machines we have created."
          — John Fruend, CM, Theology Today (October 2003)

"Schultze has boldly set forth a prophetic warning against the pervasive influence of information technology."
          — Michael Sleasman, Trinity Journal (Fall 2003)

"A well-researched and much-needed counterpoint to the prevailing enthusiasm about information technologies' potential to improve the quality of our lives, Schultze's book is a comprehensive, complex, and nuanced critique of information age culture."
          — Mark Scrimenti, Salt (May 5, 2003)

"This is clearly needed. Our society is troubled; wisdom and hospitality are neglected virtues. But technology is not wholly to blame. But for all who use technology, the call for moderation and a caution against depersonalisation is timely. As Schultze concludes, "Otherwise we will lose track of the crucial links to the past that can illuminate the path to goodness."
          — Chris O'Sullivan, National Institute for Christian Education (2003)

"This book is well targeted and superbly up-to-the-minute, calling attention to an urgent issue of our present age. Distracted by our high-tech skills, we can fail to note that they do not make obsolete or negligible human, moral values. If our high-tech societies do not attend vigorously to matters of virtue, we will betray the whole human race, which of course includes ourselves. This is the only world we know, and for it we must exercise what responsibility we can. Quentin Schultze's book is a guide to doing what we can do, not irresponsibly but responsibly—which means virtuously, with patience, kindness, and the hard work demanded by wisdom, under God."
          — Walter J. Ong, S.J., Professor Emeritus, Saint Louis University, and author of Orality and Literacy

"Quentin Schultze's new book warns us that the age of technical information is becoming an age of moral ignorance, and its appetite for data is replacing concern for character. Firmly based on a well-informed diagnosis of our technological times, Schultze's book is likely to be one of the most important published in the year 2002. Woe to those who ignore its message."
          — Lewis B. Smedes, Professor Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary, and author of A Life of Distinction

"An important, measured response to the hysterics of cyber-utopianism. Schultze deftly maps out the tricky new terrain, and helps us to begin shaping a new morality for our fast new world."
          — David Shenk, Author of Data Smog

"Schultze ... brings a perspective seldom heard in the public critique" of new technology.
          — Jeffrey MacDonald, The Online Standard (October 17, 2003)

"A person is hard pressed to find a more relevant, useful, and challenging statement about American life and culture today."
          — Branson Woodard, Professor of English, Liberty University

"Schultze aims to warn users of new technologies that, if unchecked, they will subtly lead people to adopt a morality of mediocrity. New gadgets from e-mail to cellular phones promise convenience and power above all else, he argues. So unless human beings make a point to cultivate such higher virtues as loving, self-restraining and truth-telling, we will come to adopt the low-level ethics of our machines."
          — G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Religious News Service

"For a wise word on technology's tangles with truth, read Quentin Schultze's latest book.... Schultze puts forth a compelling case."
          — Cliff Vaughn, EthicsDaily.com

"Schultze raises the right and often uncomfortable questions about the distinctions between information, knowledge and wisdom; about the lack of authenticity and faux community that cyberspace has fostered; about new moral and ethical dilemmas posed by an impersonal, utilitarian technology. To force questions about the good life onto the euphoric enthusiasm about the hi-tech life is necessary and painful, and without such integration we are threatened with an ever-widening chasm between our human virtues and our technical expertise. The ultimate questions are about who we are and what happens to us when we are harnessed by technology instead of harnessing it. A must read."
          — Dick Staub, CultureWatch and The Dick Staub Show, dickstaub.com

"Schultze scrupulously documents the baleful effects of technology upon many areas of human life, including personal responsibility, civility, education and community, but he is especially convincing in his descriptions of how it trivializes and ultimately undermines religion.... Schultze has ... demonstrated conclusively that the worth of any tool, however sophisticated, depends entirely upon the character of the person employing it. Like his equally enlightened predecessor Thoreau, Schultze knows that on many occasions it is the individual purportedly using the cyber-tool who is, in fact, being used."
          — Robert Neralich, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

"This impressive book shows that although our information technologies enable us to gather and transmit data at incredible speeds, too often we find ourselves walled off from intimate contact with others."
          — Kenneth Wray Conners, ReporterInteractive.org

"Schultze's book is accessible, rich with resources, and prophetic for our time."
          — Peter Schuurman, Christian Educators Journal

"Read Habits of the High-Tech Heart more than once. First to learn from a godly mentor, a scholar who has thought deeply about what it means to be faithful in our pluralistic world. Read it a second time too see how Schultze thinks the issues through and unfolds his argument, because the book is an exercise in Christian discernment."
          — Denis Haack, Critique

"The important book contributes what is nearly always lacking in discussions of cyberspace technologies: (1) a strong sense of moral order as it impinges on our informational habits, (2) the cruciality of character and community for all our communicative endeavors, (3) the need to critically assess the nature and effects of new technologies instead of merely ratifying their innovations and their potential to "change everything" (supposedly for the better), (4) the theological imperatives regarding our souls, beliefs, and behaviors. Let us hope that this book will open up the moral, philosophical, and theological discourse so sorely needed in our understanding of cyberspace technologies."
          — Douglas Groothuis, Denver Journal (Vol. 6, 2003)