Letters | 2 June 2012

Faith and addiction

Sir: How right Damian Thompson is (‘Addict nation’, 26 May), and how shrewd of The Spectator to put the growing human disaster of addiction on its cover. We seem all too obsessed with euro crises and media intrigue to notice the even more ominous changes in our world. We are addicted to satisfying our impulses instantly. Mr Thompson steers clear of the language of religion, perhaps for sensible reasons. But it should be acknowledged that, while our moral collapse is facilitated by technology, the problem is spiritual at root. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and other religions teach self-restraint. Modern life does the opposite.
Charles Taylor
London SW15

Sir: Damian Thompson’s article rang true to me. Blackberries and iPhones have turned me into a junkie — I give in to my every whim, buy things I don’t want at the touch of a button, and cannot rest five minutes without reaching for my gadgets.