I came across this amazing story from This American Life that talks about how a bunch of kids with cardboard videocameras end up absolving themselves from humanity. (i’ve perhaps described a bit more bleak than it may be, but from my perspective it is that bleak).
I was talking a.chow about how the advent of the television changed the way people looked at the world. and in other ways how the internet has become an extension of that. In many ways, everyone now has a story worth telling, and somehow being on television, makes that story vital and relevant. Facebook status, and twitter reflect that same reality. The idea that somehow the “I” is the most important element to life.
The article which got me thinking about this was one person’s commentary about the twitter reports coming out from the Fort Hood tragedy. Thought provoking and poignant he perhaps sums up the issue saying:
As I’ve already said – and I’m even starting to bore myself now – the answer isn’t censorship (which won’t work), but rather in our social evolution catching up with the state of technology. We need to get back to a point as a society where – without thinking – we put our humanity before our ego.
The issue of putting our “humanity” as he puts it, before our “ego” has been a long standing issue – probably since the beginning of time. And though he seems to suggest that the answer lies in “social evolution.” I’m more inclined to believe that it begins not out of the goodness of man’s own heart, but rather from the realisation of humanity’s destiny through the revelation of Christ.
The story being told is no different than the story of the Good Samaritan – where one person’s view or lifestyle – prevents him from simply loving his neighbour.
Is mankind naturally good? It seems that when left to their own devices, mankind would slide into a egoism and self glorification. But by the inspiration of God, the hope for humanity is found in the goodness we find in Christ.
ps. illustrations for the animation done by the amazing Chris Ware.
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