Category: Culture
Sifting through the Debate
I noted on my Facebook feed this morning that it seems that Mitt Romney must have forgotten that there is video tape of him contradicting much of what he claimed he would do if elected and what he supports. We watched a real “etch a sketch” moment for 90 minutes last night and maybe that is why President Obama appeared amused from time to time as well as surprised. The President was not nearly as blunt as I would like him to be about the environment in which he is trying to govern, but as I reflect on last night I think the President didn’t attack because there is so much information out there that he doesn’t think he needs to “correct” Romney’s misinformation. It is pretty obvious that Romney is a “flip flopper” to get elected. Was he treating the electorate as adult? Yes, I believe he is though that presumes that the news media, main stream and alternative, are going to continue to ask questions of Romney and call out his inconsistency. Think Progress is a left leaning website, but I think their “myths” report on Romney last night is pretty straight forward and on the mark.
At Last Night’s Debate: Romney Told 27 Myths in 38 Minutes
by Igor VolskyPundits from both sides of the aisle have lauded Mitt Romney’s strong debate performance, praising his preparedness and ability to challenge President Obama’s policies and accomplishments. But Romney only accomplished this goal by repeatedly misleading viewers. He spoke for 38 minutes of the 90 minute debate and told at least 27 myths:
1) “[G]et us energy independent, North American energy independent. That creates about 4 million jobs”. Romney’s plan for “energy independence” actually relies heavily on a study that assumes the U.S. continues with fuel efficiency standards set by the Obama administration. For instance, he uses Citigroup research based off the assumption that “‘the United States will continue with strict fuel economy standards that will lower its oil demand.” Since he promises to undo the Obama administration’s new fuel efficiency standards, he would cut oil consumption savings of 2 million barrels per day by 2025.
What can technology Do?
Again, an article that I would not have seen had I not purchased my local Sunday paper, The Tulsa World, yesterday, “Technology: Finding a Voice for Eva.” This story about a young person and her disability has an interesting ending that I’m going to give away trusting that you will go read the entire, short, story.
“This is, in part, the response she got. “Eva, we hired you because of your ability, not your disability. Everyone’s disabled in some way. I think you will find this environment supportive and welcoming.”
That kind of pushed the cynical mood out of me for a bit about business, politics, and religion. I think about this today as I prepare to do a “Show & Tell” for the faculty at Phillips Theological Seminary about the tech my peers [nPartnership] and I are using to teach a class about Youth Ministry at PTS this fall. It is a class that most of the students are participating in by live video feed from their home or office for 75 minuts each week.
Technology is not “the great savior,” for institutions seeking more students, but in the case of Eva, and many others, it has saving qualities that connect her to the world in ways she could not without it. She uses it to connect beyond her isolation. Much of the tech we interact with in daily life “uses” the user through to connect and isolate through advertising and marketing. We’ve evolved from a “make it to last” economy to a “make it disposable or quickly obsolete” economy. Technology has helped drive the culture of consumption and innovation. It’s a balance that takes intentionality on the part of the user. I may have to start buying the local paper again, at least on Sunday.