World Wide Web

My father, Ron Russell, who is currently 59 years old and who grew up in the farmland of Missouri can recall a time before the world was dependent on communication through the World Wide Web. Living on his own since he was 16 years old, my father has always understood the significance of communication and hard work. Growing up without computers and without most technology, he explained that research was more hands-on; as in, actually having to travel to the library to do extensive research. He said that people didn’t communicate as well before the Internet simply because it was more difficult “There was no Facebook or Twitter, if you wanted to talk to someone, you had to call them which was expensive, or you had to write them a letter” (R. Russell). In the 1970s my dad used his first computer and first email at the age of 29. The differences between email/internet back then and now are substantial. He explained how when people first started using the Internet, it wasn’t as sophisticated as it is now. He used the analogy of a baby learning to walk, and having to take small steps before getting to the big ones. My dad explained that instead of people just being able to hop on the Internet, that there were actually separate networks that the different workplaces used and that the computers were tied in through work and hardwired through terminals.

I asked him when people started to use computers at homes and he explained that when the work environment started to have computers, people wanted them at their houses too. Mostly to be used as a word processor to replace the typewriter. People were excited to be able to have something fix their spelling mistakes before it was printed out. An interesting fact the my dad mentioned was that Personal Computers did not initially have a lot of space back then, and that you can buy a general calculator at the store now, that has a significant amount more memory than what a PC did back then.

My dad’s favorite thing about the Internet today would be the available research he’s able to find online. He specifically talked about how neat it was for people to be able to even do genealogy researches to learn more about their family’s history. He also talked about how great it was to be able to look up companies you needed to find out about them he said, “It’s the ease and speed of finding something.”

When asked what he thought the technology of the World Wide Web would look like in the future, my dad explained that it’s like an evolution. He talked about the historical aspect of the Internet and compared it to what an automobile was like 100 years ago “The first automobile is almost unrecognizable, without windows, heat, air-conditioner, and with solid rubber tires” (R. Russell). He compared the old automobile to the way cars today function with climate control and concert quality sound systems. He said, “What will it be like in a hundred years? The technology is always new. To imagine what it will involve into is almost incomprehensible.”

Besides a few negative connotations, my dad believes that overall, the World Wide Web has helped increase and develop communication skills. His final thought on this historically changing aspect of communication was, “I am 59 years old and proud to be this age. I’ve been a science fiction reader all of my life and I’ve always believed: If we can dream it we can achieve it. God has given us talents and abilities and we can either choose to use those, or not” (R. Russell)

Christian Journalism?

In the communication industry it is often a controversial subject to whether or not Christians should take part in the various concentrations of communications. Generally speaking, from broadcasting and journalism to public relations and advertising; the communication industry is seen as something strictly secular. In broadcasting, stories are generally either cooked up or received through deception. In advertising, as my communication professor puts it, you are generally talking someone into buying something they don't need. Is that not a lie? How can Christians be apart of these industries when they are generated around such character?

In the article, "Toward A Compassionate Press" written by David Aikman, he explains that, "An important element in journalism, and indeed a frequently mentioned motive among young journalists for their decision to enter the profession, is the belief that exposing wickedness in society can lead to beneficial social change." Not only does Aikam mention the desire for young journalist to draw up the wickedness in their reporting, but he later describes that self promotion and self awareness in the industry takes away from what the profession originally was itself. Which was simply, "To report and interpret the news" (Aikman). If this is the case with journalism and other branches of communication, where do the Christians in the industry fit in? As a Christian, to bring about wickedness and dwell on the negative, and to promote one's self worth are not considered enriching and pleasing to the Lord, how can Christians find a place among those who do not share similar morals and ethics? Aikam goes onto explaining what it means to be a Christian in the industry. He says, "First, Christian journalism should more than anything be about truth. As Clifford Kelly has said, "Truth is the Christian journalist's best friend""(Aikam). Although generally speaking, the industry of communication is seen as secular, that doesn't have to be the case for a Christian individual working in the industry. Aikman later uses the verse Ephesians 4:15 which talks about speaking the truth in love. No matter the circumstance Christian individuals are called by God to speak the truth in love. Whether that means not covering a story because it has false facts, or advertising a product that is known to be faulty. Christ is sovereign and is thankful for the Christian who lives above reproach by holding His commands. Jerry Falwell used to explain that anything that is Christian, should be the best. Reporters, advertisers, journalists who are Christians should be the individuals who are the best. They should be the ones with high morals and sound ethics. Those individuals should be the ones speaking the truth in love by providing the best truth to the best of their abilities to their customers and readers. The last point Aikman shares about the Christian journalist is, "Finally, a Christian journalist will always be only as effective for the Kingdom of God as his or her degree of godliness extends." However much the Christian journalist is willing to humble themselves and allow God to work through them by living above reproach, is how effective that Christian individual will be to their ultimate goal in furthering the kingdom of God.