Social Media & Imagination Fr.

Social Media & Imagination Fr. Adolfo Nicolas in his address to representatives of Jesuit Universities in Mexico City in 2010 puts forth the argument that instant and global communication technologies impede serious thought, tending to reduce intellectual contemplation and stifling imagination. Fr. Nicolas's contention is that "when one can access so much information so quickly and so painlessly" critical thinking gets short circuited. He calls this the globalization of superficiality.

The danger of this globalization is many ideas which are inherently shallow, or promote fundamentalism, fanaticism, or various ideologies often go unchallenged. Moreover, the ability to think creatively, imaginatively, and apply critical analysis to a problem is becoming lost. Unfortunately in today's world, with the multitude of issues we now face, merely following slogans or repeating rhetoric will not bring lasting solutions. Creative and imaginative thinking is needed to inspire active dynamic responses to real questions. Discussion This assertion is especially alarming if one interprets Fr.

Nicolas's remarks as a warning about the establishment of a herd mentality among the people. We are in an age of flux unlike any in the past. Fear and greed have spawned such things as the "Patriot Act" and our current global economic crisis. Individual freedom is becoming overshadowed by the need for state security, and few are questioning this process. This is dangerous for when a society overlooks the needs of the individual justice is at risk.

In an Egalitarian Theory of Justice (1971) John Rawls discusses the elements necessary for a society to be just for all. He begins with the supposition that in a just society the liberties of equal citizenship are not based on social circumstances, financial position or authority. Rawls defines society as an association of individuals who recognize certain rules of conduct and behave accordingly in order to advance the good of the participants. This arrangement harbors an inherent conflict.

On one hand social cooperation makes it possible for individuals to live a better life than if they were to live solely on their own efforts, on the other hand because individuals are not indifferent as to how these greater benefits are distributed they will naturally pursue a larger share. Rawls claims that this phenomenon requires that a set of social principles be established to ensure justice so that the advantaged do not unfairly gain by their position.

He goes on to say that these principles must be chosen "behind a veil of ignorance" so that "no one is advantaged or disadvantaged in the choice of principles by the outcome of natural chance or the contingency of social circumstances" (p. 675). However, in America today the richest 1% now own 35% of the nation's wealth and the top 20% own 89% leaving the bottom 80% only 11% (Domhoff, 2012).

One may argue the reason this has happened is due to a dearth of concern by the majority of people and that this lack of concern is enhanced by time spent on social media. This is not to imply that social media is responsible for our current issues. However it does not take a great leap of the imagination to see that society is becoming reconnected in a different, electronic way, and personal connections and interactions are suffering. Fr.

Nicolas asserts that because of a lack of imagination empathy is lost. One can also see this as a manifestation of greed and situational ethics as in the Bart Simpson school of morality, "I didn't do it; you didn't see me; you can't prove it anyway!" Or in the philosophy "It's not cheating if you don't get caught" which evolves into "If you're not cheating you're not really trying." Unfortunately, these attitudes are becoming more prevalent in our world. The irony of social media is that it fosters less sociability.

We become technologically insulated from each other. As Fr. Nicolas pointed out, "When one can become 'friends' so quickly with mere acquaintances or total strangers on one's social networks -- and if one can so easily 'unfriend' another without the hard work of encounter or, if need be reconciliation -- then friendships can also become superficial." The truth of the matter is relationships are everything. It is only through relationships that we can truly define ourselves. It is the depth of these relationships that works to identify our character.

And it is the content of our character by which we will be judged. Conclusion One way for a college student to.