Being a Catholic myself, and a sinner, but still someone who attempts to follow the faith as closely as possible, this message hit home for me. Without being too cliche, New Media is the way of the future. Not that it is the case with my site, but the idea that one person can speak (write, perform) and thousands for people that are geographically separated can nearly instantly share the experience is incredible.
I found one paragraph particularly important, and one of many reasons I strive to keep my sites PG rated:
Those who are active in the production and dissemination of new media content, therefore, should strive to respect the dignity and worth of the human person. If the new technologies are to serve the good of individuals and of society, all users will avoid the sharing of words and images that are degrading of human beings, that promote hatred and intolerance, that debase the goodness and intimacy of human sexuality or that exploit the weak and vulnerable.
I think that The Holy Father says it better so I will stop talking now and just give you the like to his talk. Holy Father Pope Benedictus XVI talks about new media
I would love to hear your thoughts about this.
Jeff
3 comments:
I can appreciate a site that works to keep their content on a PG level. That being said, I can also respect the sites that warn you about the type of content you may find and give you the opportunity to browse elsewhere. I, for one, am not easily offended by language of any type. If I find something a little too over-the-top, I know how to shut down my broswer and walk away.
The same goes for print media. I am an adult and I am capable of choosing what forms of entertainment I find acceptable. If one were to cross of the list everything someone of the Pope's stature might find offensive, I don't think I'd find reading nearly as enjoyable as I do now.
I agree with you. I too am an adult, and I can enjoy something that had a bit more than a PG rating, but at the same time I feel like if I am publishing something I feel like I should do my part to keep it clean.
Here is my deal and this is less of a response to you and more of a general statement. I think you can have violence in a story, I think you can even have sex in a story, but I think that both can be done tastefully. I have written stories for greathties that have both. At the same time keeping a story PG is not always necessary, because there are adult subjects that need to be discussed. I choose not to have those stories on my site.
That being said that does not mean that are not good stories. There is a time and a place for all of it. What I don't think is necessary, and again this is my opinion not that of any organization, is the use of sex and violence, to shock and awe the audience. If those things are there because they are part of the story and they need to be told to make the story work, then by all means. But, If I need to have those things just to get your attention, I don't want your attention.
Sorry Krista, this turned into a rant, and was not directed at you. But thanks for bringing it up.
Last, I don't think that you have cross off your list everything that the Pope would not read. I think, and again that is an I think, that you have to read / listen to / consume responsibly. If something is offensive, put it down/ shut it off.
Folks, I am not easily offended. I am comfortable enough in my beliefs that I can look at want someone else believes and be okay with that. If you show me something that I would not normally publish on greathites because of the rating here, it does not mean that I won't like it. I won't promise that I will either but... In the end I think the Pope made a good statement that boils down to this. (and this is very much an over simplification) those of us that publish in this new media, have a responsibility to respect human life. What that means to each of us is up to us. I know what it means to me. You (a collective you) need to figure out what that means to you, and then live with those choices.
Don't worry, I'm not offended. I appreciate different values and belief systems because they are, in my opinion, what makes us human. Not to mention interesting and unique.
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