Christ and Pop Culture

Drew Dixon says:

In reviewing a pair of books on Facebook and the landscape of social networking, Charles Peterson of New York Review of Books has written a fascinating history of Facebook and social networking.  He talks about how the site was essentially stolen and has now evolved into the most widely used social networking site on the web.  He also explains Facebook Connect and its potential to forever change the way that we use the web.  As one who has been on Facebook since 2005, I think this account is accurate and the social commentary Peterson shares concerning Facebook is apropos.

In the end, however, what he says is Facebook’s greatest is also its greatest strength:

It’s true that Facebook can lead to a false sense of connection to faraway friends, since few members post about the true difficulties of their lives. But most of us still know, despite Facebook’s abuse of what should be the holiest word in the language, that a News Feed full of constantly updating “friends,” like a room full of chattering people, is no substitute for a conversation. Indeed, so much of what has made Facebook worthwhile comes from the site’s provisions for both hiding and sharing. It is not hard to draw the conclusion that some things shouldn’t be “shared” at all, but rather said, whether through e-mail, instant message, text message, Facebook’s own “private message” system, or over the phone, or with a cup of coffee, or beside a pitcher of beer. All of these “technologies,” however laconic or verbose, can express an intimacy reserved for one alone.

Drew Dixon says:

Bioshock 2 comes out tomorrow, the first game was one of the most haunting, intriguing, and memorable games I have ever played.  Lauded for its art deco style but remembered for its presentation and haunting humanistic speeches from Andrew Ryan and Frank Fontaine, Bioshock remains a game whose story and message will always loom large in my mind.

Is Rapture worth visiting again?  Much of the allure of the original lies in its unique underwater world which celebrates human acheivment and consequently human moral failure.  The shock of this world is what made the game such a powerful piece of art alongside a very uniquely told story.  I am not sure the second installment can impact me as profoundly as the first.  What do you think?  Will you pick up a copy of Bioshock 2 tomorrow?

In the meantime, you can read or watch a review of the game at IGN.

David Dunham says:

The Economist is furious that the Tebow ad got air time and Man Crunch didn’t…what do you think, was this justifiable discrimination?

Richard Clark says:

Here’s the story behind that Leno-Letterman-Oprah Super Bowl promo.

David Dunham says:

Christianity Today’s Jedd Medefind has a new article on some lessons we can learn from the arrest of the Christians in Haiti for trying to take orphans out of the country.

David Dunham says:

The Gospel Coalition Blog posted this excerpt from D.A. Carson’s For the Love of God about assessing reality rightly:

Because human beings are made in the image of God, there is much that we can do that is worthy and admirable. Theologically speaking, this is the product of “common grace.” But it is possible to be far too impressed by wealth, power, architecture, fame, learning, physical prowess, and technology, with the result that we do not think through the moral and spiritual dimensions of the world around us. We may see the glory, and overlook the shame; we may detect human accomplishments, and neglect the undergirding idolatry; in short, we may be impressed by all that impresses God’s fallen image-bearers, but fail to assess these realities in the light of the cross and in the light of eternity.

[For the Love of God, February 10 entry based on Mark 13.]

Drew Dixon says:

According to the New York Times, apparently there is a small but growing trend in churches promoting mixed martial arts–ranging from hosting MMA pay-per view parties to churches doubling as fight training centers.  One pastor is also the team coach for a faith-based MMA fight team!

Is this a good idea?  Owen Strachan says no and mostly summarizes what I think about this development.

Drew Dixon says:

David Brooks, writing New York Times, looks at the history of athletics and how the American “sporting mind” developed from the earliest mindsets on sports from ancient generations leading up to the current state of American college athletics.  He speaks candidly about both the dangers and benefits of the American sporting mind:

The crowds at big-time college sporting events do not sit passively, the way they do at a movie theater. They roar, suffer and invent chants (especially at Duke basketball games). Mass college sports are the emotional hubs at the center of vast networks of analysis, criticism and conversation. They generate loyalties that are less harmful than ethnic loyalties and emotional morality plays that are at once completely meaningless and totally consuming.

There are the obvious recruiting scandals and greedy coaches, but for all the sins, big-time college sports have become emotional reactors, helping to make university towns vibrant communities. Gillespie is right to appreciate the moral power of sports. But bigness has virtues as well as vices. Big-time college sports are absurd, but we would miss them if they were gone.

Richard Clark says:

If Filmmakers Directed the Super Bowl – The Wes Anderson one is by far the best.

Richard Clark says:

Here’s a fascinating interview with Lost executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse about last night’s series premiere.

Richard Clark says:

Here’s a handy Lost Timeline, brought to you by the New York Times.

Richard Clark says:

God at the Grammys: When winners forget to give thanks – This can only be seen as a good sign, right?

Richard Clark says:

You can expect a lot of these today:  The one Lost scene you MUST watch before tonight’s premiere

Richard Clark says:

Forcing Amy Grant to apologize for her divorce. – By Matthew Paul Turner

Richard Clark says:

Life Starts Here is a series of twelves stories inspired by the culture of video games, and the first one, currently the only one available to read, is marvelous.