On Tuesday, February 2, 2016, I participated in my first ever “Media Fast.” A Media Fast is a period of time spent disengaged from all types of media, including things such as computers, television, newspapers, magazines, cell phones, or radio. I tried to ignore any medium that distributed information to the masses. However, in this modern culture, I found it extremely difficult to completely isolate myself from the influences of media. For example, I take notes on my laptop for some of my classes and sometimes I download the lectures used in those classes. Accessing my laptop and downloading those lectures was a form of media consumption.
I also found it very difficult to fight the urge to use my cell phone. My cell phone is the fastest, easiest and most used method of communication for me. Conversely, it is the medium that most people use to communicate with me. I decided to turn my phone off for this time period because that was a simple way to disengage myself from media. I found that even though I was content only communicating with others face-to-face, I missed out on a lot of communication through my cell phone, such as missed text messages, a few unread emails, and a missed call. I hadn’t known before this that I used my cell phone as such a primary means of communication.
Overall, what I learned from this experience is that it is extremely difficult to completely isolate oneself from the influences of mass media in this modern society. Our lives are so saturated in the media, especially social media such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, that avoiding them is like ignoring a whole thriving facet of culture.
This leads me to wonder about the difference between being “in the world” verses being “of the world.” As Christians, we are told to be in the world but not be of the world. Does this mean Christians shouldn’t engage in mass media (or at least attempt to avoid it) in an attempt to not be “of the world”? Where do we draw the line? Should we draw a line?
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I like how you ended this with some thoughtful questions. I don’t think Christians should completely dismiss the media, because there are good uses for its, such as spreading His word. What I think we need to be cautious with, is the more social types of media such as Facebook. We miss a lot of God’s natural beauty laid out before us when we are too invested in our own media filled devices.
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I like how you compared the media to a faucet…and I completely agree. Its interesting how the media is its own culture and develops those that are around us.
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Love the title of this post. I felt the same way during my media fast. I feel that there should be a line drawn between media usage and Christianity. Too often, we see Christianity marketed as a brand on various social media platforms. It’s important to stay rooted in the Gospel and acknowledge that Christianity is much more than that.
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It definitely takes a fast like this to show you exactly how much we rely on something, like our phones. It’s also interesting to see how we’re all so addicted to them, yet the generation before us didn’t have this aspect of culture when they were our age. It’s crazy to see how much culture has changed in 40 years.
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Not using my phone wash hardest for me too! I felt so disconnected to everything! I wonder if we would spend more time with people in person if we didn’t have cell phones?
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I really appreciate that at the end you tie in a Christian worldview, and especially that instead of asserting a strong opinion, you ask questions instead. Really good food for thought.
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