On the Other Hand: The Organizing Power of the Internet

Each week in On the Other Hand, Ben Bartlett defies the common wisdom and identifies the other side of the story of cultural hot-topic issues.

Ok, look.  I’m glad the internet can perpetuate overthrowing a repressive regime.  It’s great that charities are funded, presidents are elected, and people are helped through online interactions.

But the other effect of the internet is that people who used to have dumb ideas that never came to fruition can now make them a reality, or at least begin pursuing it in real terms.

Recently, some jokers suggested and then actually pursued the idea of erecting a Robocop statue in the already maligned and scorned city of Detroit.  Now, others are suggesting film school for M. Night Shymalan.  Funny ideas, to be sure, but it bothers me that people can get real dollars for this stupidity.

It leads me to ask… how do you feel about Christians and the funny things that turn from suggestion to reality online?  Can it have good results?

I guess it just raises a lot of questions for me about where frivolity lies in the life of the Christian interacting with the world.