Media Influence - Part 2

“Seeing is believing”… are we over stimulated and/or too desensitized?
 
In’flu-ence (noun) “the effect of something on a person, thing or event; the power that somebody has to affect other people’s thinking or actions by means of argument, example or force of personality”
Cinema, radio, television and print analysts bring their views to you and me.  How do we filter all the bombardments of data, images and view points?  How does it affect our thinking, actions and reactions?  When is the last time we really thought through media's effects that are ever before us?
 
Some media researchers defend that media does not directly influence behavior such as bullying, violence, sexual misconduct, political persuasion or the demeaning of the family unit.  However, critics beg to differ due to the increased appetite for violence; often violence is linked to a scene from a movie, show or video game.  It was reported that images of the The World Trade Center towers falling were referred to as a “movie”, as were the images of the devastation of The Columbia Space Shuttle.  Today, “seeing is believing.”
 
I encourage you to read Mark Sayers’ book “The Vertical Self: How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are in An Age of Self Obsession.”  This straight forward view is a good template for parents and teens to navigate our highly charged celebrity fixation that impacts our behaviors.  His chapter “Life, the Movie” suggests that we recognize faces of celebrities, we see them as close friends, yet have trouble discerning real relationships.  We think that “we are all stars,” embracing celebrity culture as if we really knew the actors, athletes and stars.  Sayers goes on to describe how today’s teens turn on / off erratic behavior at the click of a camera button … which becomes uploaded and goes viral within minutes.
 
Your family needs a foundation to discern and translate what is real and true.  Jesus, Himself, said “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free,” John 8: 32.  The real truth is that, “every good and perfect gift is from above,” James 1:17.  Media has plenty of venues for excellent learning, adventures, and discoveries that can enhance our lives.  Discernment and moderation are key.  Use media as a resource, not as your authority or as your family’s chief instructor / child-sitter.
 

---

Camper Corner
In what ways has media become your source of identity?  How do you redirect highly charged sexual innuendos?  How do you separate entertainment and reality when it comes to  intense scenes of violence, murder and suicide? 
 
You can have a HUGE influence on everyone around you; consider directing it to a constructive advantage for all - including yourself.  Be willing to be uncommonly uncommon – you’ll be remembered and respected for years to come.  Be a game changer!