Memes, Prophets, and Trolls

[joshuabgood]

Relying on visual communication indicates a collapse of conceptual thought life and an inability to communicate effectively using words. It is interesting that both Jesus and Paul relied almost entirely on verbal or written rhetoric - although sometimes accompanied by physical acts, including performing miracles.

But they did not use drawings or images to communicate, that being associated by the 1st century as being the hallmark of heathens by Judaism at that time.

Jesus did draw/write something on the ground at one point...

[Josh]

Relying on visual communication indicates a collapse of conceptual thought life and an inability to communicate effectively using words. It is interesting that both Jesus and Paul relied almost entirely on verbal or written rhetoric - although sometimes accompanied by physical acts, including performing miracles.

But they did not use drawings or images to communicate, that being associated by the 1st century as being the hallmark of heathens by Judaism at that time.

Jesus did drew/wrote something on the ground at one point...

Whilst we don’t know what it was, it’s safe to assume it was words, not an 800x800 JPEG.

[Dan Z]

Thinking about memes as a medium: Here's the first meme from my Facebook thread this AM (not a DKCM). It's got all the meme elements - humor, satire, visual appeal, critique, pith, insight, bite.

This is typical of the type of memes that flood my Facebook feed all the time - and I bet yours as well. What is it's purpose? Who is it aimed at? How does it help enlighten or uplift? What is its effect on the attitudes of those of us who read it? How will it contribute to the worldview of its viewers? How does the prevalence of memes like this impact the purpose and effectiveness and perception of DKCM? What is an Anabaptist response to these?

[Dan Z]

Just to be an equal opportunity poster...here's a second meme from a bit further down my thread. Same questions. What is it's purpose? Who is it aimed at? How does it help enlighten or uplift? What is its effect on the attitudes of those of us who read it? How will it contribute to the worldview of its viewers? How does the prevalence of memes like this impact the purpose and effectiveness and perception of DKCM? What is an Anabaptist response to these?

Both memes posted by people of Mennonite background FWIW.

[ABC 123]

Relying on visual communication indicates a collapse of conceptual thought life and an inability to communicate effectively using words. It is interesting that both Jesus and Paul relied almost entirely on verbal or written rhetoric - although sometimes accompanied by physical acts, including performing miracles.

But they did not use drawings or images to communicate, that being associated by the 1st century as being the hallmark of heathens by Judaism at that time.

Jesus did drew/wrote something on the ground at one point...

Whilst we don’t know what it was, it’s safe to assume it was words, not an 800x800 JPEG.

You really hold to that, don't you?

Compiling sundry things you have posted lately, I gather you have more of a problem with wedding *photos* over a marriage that other Anabaptists (who you dismiss as being less than...) would have a problem with.

[joshuabgood]

Interpretation 1 - Leftists are lazy and don't like to work.
Interpretation 2 - Rightwing Trumpian Stormtrooping brownshirts are coming for you.

[Josh]

Jesus did drew/wrote something on the ground at one point...

Whilst we don’t know what it was, it’s safe to assume it was words, not an 800x800 JPEG.

You really hold to that, don't you?

Compiling sundry things you have posted lately, I gather you have more of a problem with wedding *photos* over a marriage that other Anabaptists (who you dismiss as being less than...) would have a problem with.

I hold quite strongly that Jesus didn’t post images of memes like happens on social media these days.

If you’d like to start a separate thread to criticise me about other things, feel free to do so, but I don’t think this thread is the right place to discuss divorce and remarriage.

[Bootstrap]

Relying on visual communication indicates a collapse of conceptual thought life and an inability to communicate effectively using words. It is interesting that both Jesus and Paul relied almost entirely on verbal or written rhetoric - although sometimes accompanied by physical acts, including performing miracles.

But they did not use drawings or images to communicate, that being associated by the 1st century as being the hallmark of heathens by Judaism at that time.

They didn't use Internet forums, either. Maybe we should limit ourselves to text on papyrus?

What did Jesus post on Facebook?

[Josh]

Interpretation 1 - Leftists are lazy and don't like to work.
Interpretation 2 - Rightwing Trumpian Stormtrooping brownshirts are coming for you.

Both of them portray someone with different political views than you as the “other”. Someone to either be mocked or someone to be afraid of. There is no call for reasoned discourse or trying to understand the other side.

As a former leftist, the first image would not have persuaded me at all. (I worked a lot, and so did my fellow leftist friends.)

Notice in the second image how the soldier is dehumanised, covered up in a mask (which leftists want everyone covered up in), and the viewer is encouraged to think of them as the “enemy”, instead of a public servant charged with helping keep the peace.

All these images do is divide and sow discord. Left or right, there seems to be one common theme and one common author of such things.

[Dan Z]

Whilst we don’t know what it was, it’s safe to assume it was words, not an 800x800 JPEG.

You really hold to that, don't you?

Compiling sundry things you have posted lately, I gather you have more of a problem with wedding *photos* over a marriage that other Anabaptists (who you dismiss as being less than...) would have a problem with.

I hold quite strongly that Jesus didn’t post images of memes like happens on social media these days.

Jesus didn't wear polyester either - not because he was opposed to it, but because it simply didn't exist at the time.

Jesus told stories, used object lessons, drew on ancient wisdom, wrote, doodled, quoted poetry, was silent, creatively used virtually every communication medium available to him at the time. Perhaps you have a leg to stand on if you argue this point on style (e.g. satire, snark), but not on the type of medium.