Days of Present Past; Conclusion

Part 4. Originally posted Feb 4, 2014

Today, we live in a culture that is being trained to think for itself by being told what to think.  We are taught to “think outside the box” by jumping into a different box that sometimes, isn’t even any bigger than the last one.  After decades of postmodern thinking, we no longer know how to analyze the reasoning and purpose behind our thoughts and actions.  We don’t choose role models based on merit anymore.  We choose them based on media and social networking hype.
 

I remember when I first learned this fact.  I was attending a leadership meeting for the college group I belonged to in 2007.  We played a game that was intended to be a team-building exercise.  Two teams were formed on opposite sides of a large room. each team chose an individual and blindfolded them.  They then placed three colored balls randomly across the floor.  The teams had to effectively communicate to their blind teammate where the correct balls were so that they could retrieve them.  They also had to ensure that their teammate didn’t collide with the person from the other side.  I remember the clock starting and everyone shouting over each other in an attempt to give the most accurate instructions to the poor blindfolded people feeling their way around the middle of the room.  At one point in particular, I remember shouting to my teammate to walk towards me while the person standing next to me told him to go the opposite way.  I realized later that the person next to me was attempting to guide our teammate to a ball that was actually much closer than the one I was leading him to.  However, since my voice was louder and carried more than his, my teammate listened to me.  

The truth of our society, now more than ever, is that we don’t always follow the most accurate voices; we follow the loudest ones.  Theology graduate students beg for analysis and critique of their dissertations while mega-church pastors publish dribble that makes the New York Times bestseller list.  Scientists and theologians alike struggle to answer the deeper questions of our culture and existence while society obsesses over reality show redneck pastors and comedic science television show hosts.  Our only hope of moving beyond these shallow, pseudo intelligent trends is to simply start raising our standards.  Should we refuse to listen to anyone who wishes to instruct or sway us?  Certainly not.  If you never follow anyone else’s instruction or advice, you will never make a decision that is beyond your own intelligence.  If, however, you don’t set standards for what you are influenced by, you will inevitably default to popular opinion and be forever be at the mercy of the loudest voice.  Must we really be reduced to following “Duck Dynaminations” and listening to “Bill Nye, the Sagan Guy”?  In a rapidly changing culture, we can and we must do better.  On that, note, I have to go tune into “Dr Oz” so I know what to eat for lunch.







(end of part 4 and Days of Present Past)