The week after Atonement we'll discuss television as part of our ongoing reflection on communications technology. Is is a harmless way of relaxing and sharing in a culture, or is it a pernicious way of controlling our minds?
Could it be argued that television keeps us all from thinking about what's really important by getting us hooked on fantasy and escapism? If we didn't all settle unthinkingly in front of our sets each night, would the effect on us be positive or negative? Would there be trouble in the streets or more time to think and act on issues of social injustice?
I wonder too, how much of our thinking and our sense of how we define ourselves is shaped by what we watch.
And how much our sense of belonging as members of British society comes from the broadcasters' chosen output. I mean, is 'Britishness' summed up in Last of the Summer Wine, The Vicar of Dibley, Graham Norton and Britain's Got Talent?
And do we get childlike reassurance from hearing the familiar voices of our BBC newsreaders every evening? Do we find comfort in the repetitive action of settling down for the latest installment of our favourite soap, when, as Christians, we could maybe find that reassurance elsewhere?
How often do we get so caught up watching something on telly that we don't give our full attention to those around us, or even find them irritating for interrupting us? Can the TV be like another person in a room/relationship/family?
And how healthy is it for kids to have the telly on in the house near permanently? How might their creativity and sociability and development generally be affected?
The week after Atonement we'll discuss television as part of our ongoing reflection on communications technology. Is is a harmless way of relaxing and sharing in a culture, or is it a pernicious way of controlling our minds?
3 comments:
I take it the reference to the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy is intentional? Good song... HERE.
Can't be there for this one...
You beat me to it by a few minutes, Tim.
A few thoughts as they occur to me...
Could it be argued that television keeps us all from thinking about what's really important by getting us hooked on fantasy and escapism? If we didn't all settle unthinkingly in front of our sets each night, would the effect on us be positive or negative? Would there be trouble in the streets or more time to think and act on issues of social injustice?
I wonder too, how much of our thinking and our sense of how we define ourselves is shaped by what we watch.
And how much our sense of belonging as members of British society comes from the broadcasters' chosen output. I mean, is 'Britishness' summed up in Last of the Summer Wine, The Vicar of Dibley, Graham Norton and Britain's Got Talent?
And do we get childlike reassurance from hearing the familiar voices of our BBC newsreaders every evening? Do we find comfort in the repetitive action of settling down for the latest installment of our favourite soap, when, as Christians, we could maybe find that reassurance elsewhere?
How often do we get so caught up watching something on telly that we don't give our full attention to those around us, or even find them irritating for interrupting us? Can the TV be like another person in a room/relationship/family?
And how healthy is it for kids to have the telly on in the house near permanently? How might their creativity and sociability and development generally be affected?
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