Monday, April 16, 2012

A 12-Hour Media-Peek Into Culture. . . .

Culture is best described, I think, as "the soup we swim in everyday." We don't just swim in it. We marinate in it. It gets into our pores and flavors who we are. . . our beliefs and behaviors. . . how we live. . . etc.

Culture is powerful. That's why we need to stand back and look at the soup. We need to get the big picture. In this morning's paper a sports reporter wrote these words about the great hockey player, Wayne Gretzky, and what it was that made him so great: "It's said that Wayne Gretzky, while playing in a hockey game, could view the game like he was looking at it from above the ice. In other words, he saw plays a move or two ahead of everyone else." That's who we in the church need to be. . . like "the men of Issachar who understood the times and knew what Israel should do" (I Chronicles 12:32).

So I got to thinking this morning about some things I've watched over the course of the last 12 hours. It's all stuff that we need to watch, process, think about, and talk about. It's soup-stuff. It's not only shaping us. It's also reflecting who we are. Give it all a look.

There's the news about Brangelina. Engaged. After 7 years and 6 kids. Take a look at the first minute of this clip from The Today Show. Then discuss this question: "Is marriage important to kids?"

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There's this story about social media, webcams, and chin implants. Yep, more crazy plastic surgery trends fueled by our growing appearance obsession and looks-based-identity. Give it a look.

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And how about this story in a similar vein. . . more stuff on our appearance obsession and insanity. Here's what some brides are doing to look "good" on their wedding day. Yeeessshhhh. . . .

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And then there was this little commercial clip that kicked it all off for me last night. Thanks to my son and daughter-in-law for pointing me to this commercial. Thanks. . . I think. This is a commercial for a drain cleaner folks.



It's no wonder we are who we are. Is this what it was like in Rome?

1 comment:

Faith and Mark said...

That Liquid Plumr spot is so far past the line that I'm pretty sure they haven't seen the line in a few years. Wow. Sometimes I wonder if it's soup or acid we swim in. Anyway, I am intrigued by the Brangelina engagement and know that the reasons for it happening are likely far more complex than the media portrays or either person will reveal - celebrity relationships do so much to shape adolescent perspectives on sex, marriage, intimacy, and companionship. And what people won't change about themselves for a few dollars to feel differently or change others' perspectives on them.

Thanks for your diligence, Walt and family.