Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps
April 10, 2009 | 2 Comments | Leadership, Marketing, Technology
One of the most intriguing and challenging books for me in recent years is Shane Hipps’ Flickering Pixels. It takes a fascinating look at how media affect content and faith. It is a bit of a big concept, so I will use some of Shane’s words to give you a glimpse of what is all about.
It is commonly assumed that as long as we protect the unchanging message of the gospel, the method of communicating doesn’t much matter.
The logic is pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it true.
If the first truth is that our methods necessarily change, the second truth is whenever our methods change, the message automatically changes along with them. You can’t change methods without changing your methods – they’re inseparable.
Throughout the book, Shane discusses the complexities of how the medium affects the content and the audience. For example, Shane writes:
Images focus our attention on the realm of cosmetics. Often, it is for the sake of showcasing beauty and talent.
The radio returned our culture to the experience of the tribal campfire with its shared stories, songs, and banter.
The Internet has a natural bias towards exhibitionism and thus the erosion of real intimacy.
Printing put the left hemisphere of the brain on steroids.
If you communicate with people through any medium, you need to understand the pros and cons of that medium and how it influences your communication. You are just as much responsible for the medium you choose as you are for the words you use (or whatever content you communicate).
