If the book, “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism” by Shoshana Zuboff prompted one practical takeaway (because it is not a very practical book, rather more of a history), it was that prior commitment is one of the greatest tools in the war for your attention in the digital age. If you simply adopt the toolsContinue reading “On Prior Commitment in the Surveillance Capitalism Environment”
Category Archives: Culture
In Praise of (some) Ignorance
The presence of evil in the ordinary and mundane existence of life is itself difficult to ponder. The presence around us of simple horrors and distortions of good is a fear-inducing reminder that somehow, we live among the darkness and that it stalks us, seeking to infiltrate our own lives. Need we ponder more evilContinue reading “In Praise of (some) Ignorance”
Lessons from big towers -Modern lack of agreement
Everything was going so well it seemed until we all disagreed about everything. (Must have been social media…) But everything was not well before that anyway. All people are bound as slaves to sin, a terrible condition that we must take seriously. This means that when we unite together, our evil is generally multiplied (unlessContinue reading “Lessons from big towers -Modern lack of agreement”
The Burning Bush of Individualism
The modern Western anthem of expressive individualism could be summed up in the words, “I am who I am.” To be an individual, and to express your individuality, is to be self-determining, and as far as possible, independent. The scary thing is, or should be, that this motto is how God is described in Ex.Continue reading “The Burning Bush of Individualism”
News Consumption (revisited)
Once upon a time I wrote this (https://bigvaiandshiphrah.com/2021/01/07/no-news-is-good-news/), which I am proud of. It’s a fun read (unbiased and fact-checked statement). But I thought I’d revisit the subject. Because… I’ve relapsed. Into ignorance. And I love it. Take that, Dad! First. Yes, we should care about truth. And yes, news media (of a variety ofContinue reading “News Consumption (revisited)”
The Bondage of Self-determination
As I sat down to write this, the Indian immigrant chef at my café, who serves me coffee every week, came over and asked what I was writing (side note: it is worthwhile going the same place for the same thing, to become familiar and even have the smallest of conversations). We got talking aboutContinue reading “The Bondage of Self-determination”
Formational Hustle
Hustle lifestyle reinforces itself into your being. Enacting the cultural worldview of value in busyness instead of the kingdom worldview of rhythms and Sabbath rest, will lead you to become a kind of person – a hustler. As Christians, it is easy for us to think that formation happens exclusively through the mind. That weContinue reading “Formational Hustle”
Individualism and the burden of learning
No doubt, you know the experience of feeling constantly bombarded by a plethora of sources, opinions, facts, and fictions. I suggest we feel the burden of information more acutely due to our tendency to be individualistic. The weight of responsibility is more keenly placed on our minds because the responsibility is less diffused for theContinue reading “Individualism and the burden of learning”
Horizon: Zero Dawn – Reflection on Themes, Narrative, and Hero.
Modernity retrofitted into a postapocalyptic (premodern) tribal world. A reflection on the themes of tribalism, impossible heroes, the view from nowhere and its subversive fulfilment in a Hero who actually did come from outside our world.
The Almighty(‘s) Government
In a dark world there are many clouds. Concerns about China loom on the horizon. The storm clouds of climate change are always present in the newsfeed. There have been stifling government restrictions brought about by covid-19. There is a general cultural failing at upholding women with dignity, but particularly so in our Parliament. SoContinue reading “The Almighty(‘s) Government”
