Why Human Emotion, Touch, and Art Are More Vital Than Ever
We live in what many call the Information Age, a time defined by rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence, and instant access to knowledge. The world has never been more interconnected through data, yet paradoxically, people have never felt more isolated. COVID accelerated this disconnection, forcing society into digital interactions where physical touch and human presence were restricted. Now, with the exponential rise of AI, our reality is shifting faster than ever before…
The rate of technological change is frightening. What once took decades to develop now evolves in a couple months. We used to marvel at the leaps between industrial revolutions; now, we barely have time to process one massive shift before another is upon us. AI models improve at an astonishing rate: faster, smarter and more integrated into our lives. We went from basic chatbots to human-like conversations in a handful of years. Creativity, thought, and even companionship are becoming increasingly artificial, raising the question: Are we heading toward a future where AI shapes not just how we work, but how we love, how we believe, how we parent?
And then, there’s Elon Musk’s offer to buy OpenAI—a move that underscores how AI isn’t just a tool anymore; it’s a battleground. Whether he succeeds or not, the very fact that the conversation is happening reveals the weight AI carries in shaping the world ahead. Will it be open-source for all, or controlled by a few? Is AI going to be a liberator, or a force that consolidates power in the hands of the wealthiest, dictating not just markets but human behavior itself?
It feels like we’re chasing down iRobot and Wall-E and even Terminator: stories we once thought were fiction but now eerily resemble our present trajectory. We imagine AI as the loyal assistant (iRobot’s Sonny), but what if it becomes the controlling force that decides what’s best for us? And what about Wall-E, where humanity has become so dependent on automation that they’ve lost touch with the world itself? Are we so obsessed with optimizing and automating that we’re forgetting to actually live? And then please don’t even get me started on the new ATLAS movie with JLo.
As a dad, these questions weigh heavily on me. I want my kids to grow up in a world where they still experience wonder in nature, where they don’t measure their worth by algorithmic validation, where they develop real resilience, not just the ability to outthink a machine. Maybe that means doing something radical, like selling everything, buying a boat, and sailing around the world for a few years. Maybe the only way to truly give them a childhood free from constant digital noise is to step away from the grid entirely.
Because at the heart of all this, in between all the algorithms and automation, is the simple truth that human emotion (heart), touch (caring), and art (soul) remain fundamental to our existence. More than ever, these aspects of life aren’t just important; they are the only things that make us human. And if we don’t fight to preserve them, we risk losing something AI can never replicate: the beauty of simply being alive.
“Beauty will save the world” – Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Pandemic and the Loss of Physical Connection
During the pandemic, society experienced a forced detachment from human touch. Suddenly, shaking hands, hugging, or even sitting close to someone became a potential threat. This had profound psychological effects—studies show, and I have experienced it firsthand, that the lack of physical touch leads to increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. We are are wired for connection, and deprivation of touch disrupts our ability to regulate emotions and find comfort in others. When I was a pastor in the Methodist church, in the traditional service, the older community, wouldn’t move during worship. But then. When it got to the benediction, they would hold hands and sway and swing together. It made no sense to me as a 21 year old pastor who knew everything. When one day I spoke to a lady, who told me her story, her husband passes away. And no one touches her anymore. When she comes to church, someone holds her hand.
In Biblical narratives, Jesus’ miracles often involved touch. One particularly striking instance is in Mark 8:22-25, where Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida. Unlike the other healings, this one required two touches before the man’s sight was fully restored. This passage is deeply symbolic—perhaps a reflection of how healing, both physical and emotional, is often a process rather than an instant event. It suggests that touch is not merely a physical act but a conduit for transformation and restoration. The pandemic revealed how much we rely on these physical interactions, not only for health but for our sense of being fully human.
This passage also invites us to reconsider how we engage with others. In a world where people are increasingly overlooked, we need to take the time, often twice, to check in with people. True care involves noticing when someone is struggling, asking if they are okay, and following up—not just once, but twice, maybe even three times. Jesus’ second touch suggests persistence in healing and restoration, a reminder that our first attempt to connect with or help someone may not be enough. The first time we ask, someone might say they’re fine out of habit, but asking again, showing genuine concern, and taking time to truly listen can create space for deeper healing and connection. In this fast-paced digital age, where interactions are fleeting and surface-level, we must be intentional about seeing people—not just glancing at their social media posts but truly seeing them, engaging with them, and being present in their lives.
The Healing Power of Touch: More Than a Sensory Experience
Research has long supported the idea that human touch is fundamental to emotional well-being and physical health. Unlike technology-driven interactions, which are primarily cognitive, touch-based interactions stimulate deep emotional and neurological responses that are essential for human flourishing.
A groundbreaking study by Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, has shown that physical touch, such as hugs, hand-holding, and even a pat on the back, releases oxytocin, the “love hormone” (Field, 2010). Oxytocin plays a crucial role in social bonding, stress reduction, and overall emotional resilience. Moreover, touch decreases cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone, helping to regulate emotions and reduce anxiety (Drescher, 2015).
In infants, touch is critical for development—premature babies in NICUs who receive skin-to-skin contact through “kangaroo care” show higher survival rates, improved weight gain, and stronger emotional bonding with caregivers (Feldman et al., 2014). In adults, studies have found that massages, hugs, and affectionate touch can lower heart rate, boost immune function, and improve mental well-being (Ditzen et al., 2007).
Yet, despite this wealth of evidence, we live in a world where physical touch is becoming increasingly scarce. Remote work, social distancing, and digital communication have led to a world in which many people, especially those living alone, experience “touch starvation”, a term used by psychologists to describe the emotional distress caused by a lack of physical connection (Von Mohr et al., 2020).
When we prioritize efficiency over intimacy, we inadvertently starve ourselves of one of the most fundamental forms of human connection.
Reclaiming the Heart in an Efficiency-Driven World
We stand at a crossroads. While technological advancements continue to propel us forward, we must resist the temptation to prioritize efficiency at the cost of emotional depth.
- Prioritize in-person interactions whenever possible—whether it’s a dinner with family, a coffee catch-up with a friend, or simply being present without digital distractions.
- Reintroduce physical touch into daily life—hugs, handshakes, and even a reassuring pat on the shoulder carry immense emotional benefits.
- Create intentional spaces for community—whether through faith groups, sports teams, neighborhood gatherings, or shared creative endeavors, meaningful relationships must be nurtured.
- Set boundaries with digital communication—use technology as a tool rather than a substitute for real connection.
As we navigate a future shaped by AI, automation, and digital spaces, we must remember that the mind and the heart must work in harmony. Progress should not come at the cost of losing what makes us truly human. The challenge is not rejecting technology but ensuring that we do not forget the irreplaceable power of love, touch, and community in the process.
As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:2, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” Knowledge alone does not sustain human existence; love—expressed through relationships, care, and understanding—is what gives life meaning. In a society that values intellect and data above all else, we risk losing the essence of what makes us human.
HE(Art) and Soul: The Forgotten Necessity
Art has always been an essential part of the human experience, reflecting our deepest joys, sorrows, and spiritual longings. Throughout history, art has served as a means of expressing the inexpressible. Whether through music, painting, literature, or dance, art allows us to connect with ourselves and others in ways that words often fail.
Yet, in an age where productivity is prioritized over presence, and where content is consumed in bite-sized digital formats, art is often reduced to mere entertainment rather than a profound means of connection. The psalms of David, the parables of Jesus, and the stained-glass windows of medieval cathedrals all remind us that art is a bridge between the seen and the unseen, the mind and the soul. Without it, we risk becoming a society that is intellectually advanced but spiritually hollow.
In our modern world, where efficiency is king and stillness is rare, we may have forgotten the necessity of art. We treat it as a luxury when, in fact, it has always been a lifeline. Art is not just decoration for life—it is an essential thread woven into our very being. When we lose sight of this, we risk losing something vital: the ability to feel deeply, to question boldly, and to imagine freely. We risk losing the soul of our culture.
Perhaps, just maybe, the most beautiful things do come from the most difficult places. And if that is true, then our moments of hardship are not just to be endured but to be transformed. Through music, poetry, painting, and storytelling, we shape the pain into something more—something that lasts beyond us. In doing so, we remind ourselves that even in darkness, beauty is still possible, and perhaps, it is there that beauty is most necessary.
May you hold onto the things that make us deeply and beautifully human—love, touch, art, and presence. As we navigate an increasingly digital and automated world, may you resist the pull toward efficiency at the cost of intimacy, and may you fight for the moments that truly matter. May you embrace the power of human connection, the wonder of creativity, and the sacredness of simply being alive. And in the face of uncertainty, may you always find beauty—especially in the places you least expect it.
D.C.
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