The Scent of Lemons

In 'The Scent of Lemons', Jonah Lynch proposes a fast from social media technology as a means of cultivating real relationships with real depth and meaning.

Technology, he argues can’t transmit the joy, meaning and intimacy of the three fifths of human sensitivity in communication: You can’t send touch, scent or taste by mobile phone! We losing 60% of our reality when we rely on technology alone to express feelings and build friendships.

This book is an invitation to ask if relying on social media technology is stealing something essential from us in return for all its life changing gifts. In his book, the seminary teacher and lover of technology writes: “I feel the urgent need to clarify my relationship with the technologies which in ever more elegant and hidden ways accompany our lives.”

In a world where the greeting of many is: “See you on Facebook,” and the machine dictates the terms and conditions of the relationship, Jonah Lynch explores, starting from his own experiences, how way we see the world and construct relationships uses - or is used by technology. “Every place is singular, and every person is unique,” Lynch writes, “and to re-learn this truth it might be necessary to do a little technological fasting. Not to eliminate our freedom, but to joyfully rediscover it.”

Jonah Lynch was born in the United States and now lives in Rome. He is a seminarian and an avid technophile. This is his sixth book.

"- It shows us how we can both get on in a modern world full of diversions. Quite simply brilliant. Well done the author!"