MediaTag Archive -

Books, The Printing Press & Facebook

March 10, 2011 in Current Affairs,Hospitality,Web/Tech,Weblogs with Comments Off

I. In an aural/story telling culture knowledge was tied to relationship, experience & time
(the teacher passed on what he or she knew through time spent together)
(there was interaction around a shared experience or task)
(there was mentoring and apprenticeship)

II. The book captured knowledge & allowed it to be transferred without relationship, mentoring or discussion.
(the author/teacher did not have to be present)
(only content is presented)
(you can glean knowledge without relationship or synthesis through discussion)
(you get a slice of the author’s meaning; without direct interaction you only have
your perspective of what the author is saying; you cannot know for sure…at every level)

III. The printing press extended this
(knowledge > w/o interaction)
(interpretations change as contexts effecting the reader vary widely)
(with travel limitations & sheer #’s of people there is no way that everyone can get to the author)

…discussion declines
…civility declines
…relationships decline
…the ability to mentor declines.

*Discussion didn’t go away but it seems that it had/has to at some levels be worked for. Interaction around knowledge takes determination and intent. (book club, small group, seminar, class)

*Could the book/printing press in some ways have helped  give rise to the importance of the charismatic speaker (especially in the church world)? Is there a longing for learning/knowledge that is tied to a personality? Is this really a longing for mentoring?

? My Main Question: Does Social Space Help Bring These Things Back?
1. Today, people get a book or get interested in a book and connect with the author through a blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
2. Authors often respond and discuss with their followers/commenters/readers.
3. Affinity groups are all over the internet…everything from groups that gather to discuss trading cards, novelty cars, 0r _______________ (your hobby…I bet there is a group out there.)
4. Facebook and Twitter make gathering geographically or in social space really really easy. Discussion is almost asked for on Facebook by it’s structure.
5. We now have a generation where 84% have immediate access to devices which allow for connection.
6. We are surrounded opportunities to interact and collaborate.

So…If Discussion and interaction is making a comeback, how do we ensure that there is also civility and hospitality. Are there ways to foster relationships and mentoring?

30 Seconds of Reading & I NEED Your Thoughts! (Please :)

March 7, 2011 in Current Affairs,Web/Tech,Weblogs with 1 Comment

If a 1st Place is where you live,
(personal space)

a 2nd Place is where you work,
(productive space)

And a 3rd Place is where you hang out or play
(neutral space),

What is Social Space?
(i.e. Facebook, Twitter or a blog)

Is it a 4th Place or is it a cross section of some or all of the first three spaces?

Ready? Go!

 

What Are You Afraid Of?

October 29, 2008 in Current Affairs with Comments Off

(The video was causing me some problems so I moved it.  Here is a link to it.)

Here's yet another video that someone has sent me dealing with the election.  At first I thought it was kind of cute but the more I've sat here and thought about it, the more it bothers me.  What bothers me is the level of fear that we walk around with and how easy it seems for people to be manipulated.

Where does it come from?
What are we watching that drives it?
Are scenarios and stories fed to us daily to keep us listening or watching? (living in a state of fear)
Does the news media use fear and the hook of the unknown to keep us coming back for more?
How does this affect our worldview?
How does it affect the way that we interact with our neighbors?
Are we closed off to each other because we have just learned to be suspicious and afraid?
Do we purchase out of fear?

I came across this quote in a book I read recently:

"Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany.  That is understood.  But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship…The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.  That is easy.  All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.  It works the same way in any country." (emphasis mine)

- Reishchsmarchal Herman Goring, in the Nuremberg Diary.

And I guess there are all kinds of fear.

Fear of being different, Fear of being harmed, Fear of not being able to have what we want, Fear of change, Fear of life becoming tougher, Fear of being hurt emotionally, Fear of having to put others first, etc.

So…what are some other kinds of fear being perpetuated in our society?

Who or what is driving them?

What does it mean to be a Christian and live without fear?

Should fear of a changing world or nation change our worldview when we are called to do what Jesus would do before any allegiance to another group, organization or nation?

I have caught myself saying over and over again that, "The beauty of the kingdom of God is that it doesn't matter who is in charge.  We are called to do the same things no matter when or where we live."

So what are you afraid of?  How does it effect your decision making?

Peace ~

William