I might be off-base. But, it seems to me that the more accessible information becomes- the more blogs, available news, affordable books, active engagement with social media- the more indiscriminately influential all of that becomes. We subject ourselves to a barrage of influences, opinions and shaping conversations every day. There is nothing inherently bad in all of that. In fact, I am contributing to the onslaught in this blog.
But, I have found that discernment does not necessarily rise with volume. People don’t become wiser with more reading. It just does not work that way. In fact, for the undiscerning, the more room for error as information volume increases. Those who are easily swayed become even more susceptible to being swayed, since more effort is being put in swaying opinion. I am not making an “anti-reading” statement. Rather I am making a “choose wisely what you read” statement.
I have often found that clear and thoughtful dialogue has given way among many believers and otherwise bright people to a dumbed-down regurgitation of op eds and pop culture beliefs, simply because that is the preferred diet. This kind of “permitted influence” is creating mindlessness among folks who would otherwise get heavy doses of the wisdom of the ages through the word of truth.
I am not suggesting that people disengage entirely from the world-wide web. Much is found there of great use. I use it all of the time. I am suggesting some personal restraint and discipline in the volume of material, the selection criteria for reading and discourse. I am also suggesting more aggressive and eager consumption of the Scriptures and material that is truth-centric rather than opinion-laden. Permitted influences should be of those things and sources and people which/who Jesus might want to do the shaping and would matter for eternity and would make us more whole as people.
What criteria to you use to determine which influence is permitted? How do you do volume control on the noise and amount of material? Are there addictive inputs that need to be eliminated? Let’s be informed, wise and responsible. Let’s not be saturated, undisciplined and unwittingly controlled.