theo|digital

Our conventional response to all media, namely that it is how they are used that counts, is the numb stance of the technological idiot. For the “content” of a medium is like the juicy piece of meat carried by the burglar to distract the watchdog of the mind.

The effects of technology do not occur at the level of opinions of concepts, but alter sense ratios or patterns of perception steadily and without any resistance. The serious artist is the only person able to encounter technology with impunity, just because he is an expert aware of the changes in sense perception.

Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man : Critical Edition

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
“Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!”

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
Once you know there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People could not believe what I’d become
Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringings
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh

What does it mean?

G.K. Chesterton, the English novelist and theologian, was rather influential in Professor Marshall McLuhan‘s conversion to Roman Catholicism in the early 1930s. Originally drawn to Chesteron while still a university student in Manitoba, McLuhan later wrote a defense of some of Chesterton’s way of thought which he liked so much. The article was published in the Dalhousie Review in 1936, entitled “G.K. Chesteron: A Practical Mystic.”

The background isn’t completely necessary, though to appreciate these two Chesterton quotes, as selected by McLuhan:

Real mystics don’t hide mysteries, they reveal them.

The highest use of the imagination is to learn from what never happened.

Hiking trip to Bridal Veil Falls. My friend Shalom took most of the photos, but she let me snap a few too.

This is another treading water post, but so-be-it. I’m planning on climbing the high-dive into Marshall McLuhan later this week, so we’ll hit some pool-grate content then. That’ll be good for me too… it’s funny how my brain feels right now… like I was hitting the gym five times a week and suddenly just stopped for the last month. No heavy reading, discussion, writing. It’s been great, but I’m ready to start the lightweight Keep Those Mental Muscles Warm workout.

I just returned from a 4-day jaunt to Chicago to stand beside my friends Mark & Nicole as they got married. Both were in an I-Team/small group I led lots of years ago when they started dating, and I had lived with Mark in the DawgHaus for five years—my longest roommate outside my buddy Tim. These weddings are always the tears-kind of happy and have the habit of feeling like a short-term museum of relationships arranged nicely at banquet tables. I hugged many I-Life friends and alumni, although I was most warmly surprised to see my friends currently living in Germany: Abby (though no Jeff) and Nate and Steph.

There’s something about the honor of having a had small effect on many people in the same place that made me take a couple seconds near the cheese and fruit table to shed a few tears and thank God for a good life. A gratitude of Now that hasn’t always come quickly this year.

In random thought land:

• United Airlines should be given an award for consistent awful service, and a real bonus should be given to the three total employees they hire to service hundreds of people at a time at large airports: the poor folks are set up to fail. I’ve always usually bought tickets mostly by price and itinerary, not by brand, because they’ve seemed mostly the same. But while a brand has never garnered a positive enough reputation to get my loyalty (possible exception: Southwest Airlines back when they were funny and felt different), United has now succeeded in gaining my negative respect. I’ll be excluding them from future ticket searches, and will be willing to pay more to avoid them, sad to say. ps—as of last Friday, they’ll be charging you any time you check a bag. Really.
• In political poll world, Gallup’s perception polls are interesting. Regardless of who people actually support, Obama leads significantly in who people think will win. The breakdowns are predictable (less Republicans think he will win), but Gallup seemed suprised that the 18-34 crowd—by far Obama’s best demographic—was actually less likely to think he’ll take the Presidency. But this fits the profile: the current post-mod gen is diverse and engaged, but typically cynical (read: roll-eyes despairing) about future goals actually happening, despite the enthusiasm.

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Now playing: Gomez – Cry on Demand
via FoxyTunes

It’s been a bit since I’ve commented on politics, and a lot has happened. Most notably, this past Saturday was Hillary Clinton’s official concession speech for the Democratic nomination, though conciliatory hasn’t been her hallmark adjective. Meanwhile, here are some random notes I’ve been reading:

• The Wall Street Journal notes the immense difference in crowd draw between McCain and Obama. McCain on average draws 600 people to rallies, often held in restaurants or high-school gyms. The largest rally the reporter can recall was about 1,400 people. Obama, on the other hand, has held more than a dozen rallies with over 20,000 people attending. Two dozen in the 10,000 range. His small rallies, writes reporter Laura Mecklor, are 2,600-ish. The difference is striking, a massive disparity in celebrity. It also doesn’t necessarily transfer to votes, a theme she explains in her article.
• Laura Bush again as how to be gracious. In an interview with ABC News, Jonathan Karl questioned her on women in Afganistan (more donors needed), her legacy as First Lady (“the most popular figure associated with the Bush administration” – but she won’t be running for office), and her comment on the women in the presidential race. Though she stuck by her party, she graciously complemented Hillary Clinton’s hard campaigning, and chose to interrupt Michelle Obama’s comments in the best light, noting how quickly verbal missteps are pounced upon. Nice job, Mrs. Bush (ps – Cokie Roberts thinks so too)
• Vice-presidential picks. Most interesting one I’ve heard for McCain? Colin Powell. Takes (some) of the steam from Obama breaking barriers for a black man, and adds a moderate feel to McCain’s take on the war.
• Obama won’t pick Hillary.
• The innocently titled www.meetbarackobama.com is funded by the Republican National Committee.
• Examples of the poles in Christian politics. Brian McLaren writes of younger evangelicals who don’t want political culture wars at the center of their faith. The same factor, viewed from the other side, is “seeking safe ground from difficult issues,” guilty of hiding the “offensive truths of the gospel.”

Last Monday, I grabbed my first short “above-treeline” hike with both new and old friends here. Estes Cone is a small summit best used for a great view of Long’s Peak, which is right to its south.