Ideas Have Consequences: Chapter 5

This is part of the book discussion sponsored at Simply Convivial.  Check out all of the good thoughts there.

Growing up one of my best friend's father held the title of "futurist".  It was his job to help a high end technology company figure out what the future might hold.  In some ways, I feel like Weaver was a moral "futurist".  I have to keep reminding myself that he wrote in 1948- before my parents were born - because his comments are still so timely.  Although the type of media he discussed may be outmoded his comments are still insightful.  I won't delve into his thoughts because honestly they are now commonplace concerns about media and its influence over us.  I do want to note what he sees as a few antidotes to this enculturation.

I do think it is crucial to note that Weaver sees the primary message of media being that of "comfort leading to happiness".  He discusses how media ignores or belittles any person or group that might counter this overriding philosophy.  In part it is because "not only is the philosopher a notoriously poor consumer, he is also an unsettling influence on societies careless of justice."   Does our comfort make us careless of justice?  Does our consuming mean we extend less mercy?   These are some questions I am pondering.

Now on to his way to counter the flood.

The first is literature.  He talks about a new type of literature that I honestly don't have enough background to grasp exactly what he is referring to.  He does mention Hemingway and I have read some of him once upon a time.  His primary point is that literature can lift up the veil and deals with the blood, guts, glory and pain in a way that these new media don't or won't.  Weaver expects that these novelists of reality won't be highlighted in the media - but their presence is a way to combat their influence.

Secondly he encourages us to have an historical memory.  The constant influx of information and new news makes the current seem so urgent.  It gives us a short memory.  He pities the person who uses the phrase that's "ancient history" because "the man of culture finds the whole past relevant".   He also mentions the accompanying statement "creeds must go".  This is one reason I so appreciate the classical tradition because it intentionally cultivates this memory and grounds students in the past - not just the here today/ gone tomorrow world of the media.

I appreciate that he points to these two areas - literature and history - as ways to overcome the media because I feel like these are two things that are crucial in my own schooling efforts.  It just bolsters my resolve to introduce my sons to the saints and sinners of history and literature.

I look forward to reading the next chapter - the spoiled child.  It is SURE to be interesting - if people coming out of the depression and WWII could be spoiled we are in TROUBLE!