Avatar

This past Thursday, my friends and I went to see Avatar at the IMAX in 3D. Fourteen dollars to pay for the ticket to see a 3D movie in the IMAX was well worth it, especially because Avatar is so well known for its outstanding graphics and cinematography. After seeing the movie twice, I realized that it had many similarities and parallels to the tragic history of the Native Americans in North America. An evil group of people, the American military, who are very powerful through military enforcement, decide to occupy some land on a planet called Pandora, which is the planet of the Avatars. The whole purpose of the American military being on Pandora is because of a type of rock that is found deep underground which costs 20million per kilo. From this I learned that money was what drove these people to wipe out an entire culture, people and habitat. The main character, Jake Sully, replaces his dead brother’s job, which was to help find a diplomatic way to move a tribe called the Na’vi out of their habitat, which is built right above the ground where the 20million per kilo rocks are found. After a series of events, Jake Sully finds himself learning the ways of the Na’vi and becoming one of ‘The People’. The Na’vi culture is very different from the American culture. Seeds of Eywa, very pure spirits, help guide the people to be good to mother nature and its creatures. With this outlook on creation, every time someone kills an animal for food they are supposed to pray over it and say, “Thank you brother, for providing us with your body as food. Your body is dead left here, but your soul is with Eywa.” There is another scene that best describes the Na’vis outlook on life and creation, it is when a clan member passed away and while burying him, Jake Sully says, “The Na’vi say that the energy that we are given by Ewya is only to be borrowed, and one day we must give it back.” With all of this in mind, the movie portrays the human purpose as being good stewards of nature and its creatures. While evil still lurks around, as seen through the American military, redemption is found when the victory is won by the oppressed. The movie ends with triumph over evil through revenge which is what the empire professes as true triumph. I imagine the Kingdom of God being more like the culture of the Na’vi. The Na’vi were very respectful of nature and its creatures around them, they always knew that Ewya was the one who provided and kept nature in a balanced state.
Discussion questions:
-If you could change the ending of the movie in light of Shalom and the Kingdom of God, how would you do that?
-What do you think about the US military? Do you think the movie did well in terms of how they portrayed the US military?

My Trip to the Mall

The men gathered together on comftorable chairs, chatting in the middle of the mall actually reminded me of my church back home. I am assuming that at least some of those men were taking a moment to sit and relax while their wives shopped (that's what my dad does, anyhow). But anyways, at my church we have "work days" a few mornings a month. Women of the church gather in the basement in order to make quilts, diapers, health kits, and school kits for an organization called Lutheran World Relief while they talk with one another. Meanwhile, many of their husbands gather in the parlor to sit and talk and do Bible studies. For lunch, everyone gathers together for a potluck meal before going home. I've found work days to be very enjoyable, productive, and social. These men reminded me of the men sitting and talking in the parlor while their wives worked together, or in this case, shopped together. The mall has become a place of 'work' for the women and a place of fellowship and socialization for their husbands. (That's not to say that men never shop, this is just one observation I had today.) I found it interesting, as I had never thought of the mall in that way before.

My photo of the play area is interesting to me for two reasons. The first reason for my interest is because I come from a very small town with a practically non-existent mall (it literally has 2 places to eat, if you count ice cream as food) and it doesn't have any play areas, let alone a play area made of food! The second reason is because as I looked at it today, it reminded me of a church nursery. It's a place to enertain your kids so that hopefully you'll be able to stay at the mall a few hours longer. It made me wonder, how long will it be before the mall provides someone to watch your kids, like in church, so that you can even more fully focus on your shopping experience?

GAP says: Break the rules our way

Today in class, we watched two GAP ads from the past holiday season--one featuring mostly adult clothing and one featuring all kids. Both attempt to appeal to the self-image of a free spirit who bucks trends, breaks rules and does "what just feels right"--all the while promoting GAP's cute boots and sexy lumberjack motif as the way to achieve liberation. I have to admit: the dancing is fascinating to me and I like the funky cheer leading motif. But the flippant embrace of whatever-the-heck-religion-you-practice and the see-through attempt at packaging rebellion and selling it back to us--especially using kids--is disturbing.

Think we're taking these ads too seriously? Well, think whatever you wannakuh.

"Normal" Hair from Sociological Images

As we proceed through the next couple of weeks together with more of a common language for understanding Kingdom and empire, you're encouraged to post things here when you find something that sparks a connection. For example, here's a link to the "normal" hair post from Sociological Images blog that we talked about today.

Welcome to the blog! + some film suggestions

Hi, folks. You're all going to be getting a bit more familiar with this blog verrrrry soon, so I thought I'd break the ice. Need some guidance on how to create your artifact analysis post that's due on Monday? Check out this sample analysis I put together last year about Geez Magazine. Don't forget to use the questions for approaching artifacts (posted in our class Wiki under "Tools" in KnightVision) for guidance.

In case you're hanging around this weekend, casting about for a film to watch for your blog post, here's a running list I've been keeping:

Documentary
Affluenza
The Gleaners & I
Conviction
What Would Jesus Buy?
Food Inc.
The Future of Food
Maxed Out
Favela Rising
The Merchants of Cool
America the Beautiful
Supersize Me
Bowling for Columbine

Fictional
Network
District 9
Blood Diamond
The Devil Wears Prada
The Constant Gardener
The Matrix
Dances With Wolves
Shawshank Redemption
The Village
The Mission

Enjoy!

Inauguration

I attended the inauguration of President Obama, in Washington D.C.. The road trip there was a lot of fun, as road trips often are. I had the chance to do one of my favorite activities, create a themed playlist. The playlist for this occasion was called 'Inauglebration', the combination of inauguration and celebration. This playlist included classic road trip songs such as George Thorogood's One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer, there were also a few Obama specific songs including Will.i.am's Yes We Can, and of course we needed some tunes to pump us up. What song could better perform this task for a car full of single ladies, than Beyonce's Single Ladies!? 

When we finally arrived in Washington, there was still a long, long walk ahead of us. While walking around the city, with a seemingly endless crowd of people, I felt like I was in the middle of a mass migration. If someone were filming it, the shots could easily be used for the next 28 Days Later type film. I have not experienced the kind of energy and excitement shared by such a large group since I attended a Stanley Cup finals game. As a proud Canadian, I am a little reluctant to say that the inauguration may have out done the hockey game. 

A few things really stood out to me during the walk. Most of all, Pepsi did some very effective advertising. They had been giving out bags with the new logo, and words like 'HOPE', 'JOY', and 'YES YOU CAN' printed on them. Everywhere you looked, someone was wearing a bag. I can't remember a time when I craved Pepsi so badly. This experience reminded me of Gap's Red campaign, specifically when Bono was a guest on the Oprah show, to promote the campaign. After watching that episode of Oprah, I craved Gap. I felt like I had been brainwashed, but I suppose that is just remarkable advertising. I think these two examples of advertising were so effective because they strongly associated the product with emotions. 'HOPE' although and inspiring idea, is not very meaningful on its own. But, when you hear Obama say 'HOPE', it gives you goosebumps. Reading the word 'HOPE' on a Pepsi bag at the inauguration also resulted in goosebumps, and a very thirsty Kerry.

Is it unethical for corporations to use human emotions in these ways to sell their products? I would say not, it's just good strategy. However, I am very surprised that corporations do not do this more. I am surprised that companies that use television ads don't purchase airtime specifically to shows, and then imitate the television program in their advertisement. The only occasions I have noticed this is the airing of sporting events, especially the Olympics, and most obviously the Super Bowl. I think Cadbury Chocolate should advertise at the end of The Bachelor, to use the 'past break up' emotions. Monster.com should play their commercials during The Office, when people are reminded how much they hate their job, because of the 'Dwight' or 'Michael' that works there. And everyone/anyone should advertise after President Obama's addresses; because even a Canadian, more importantly, an Albertan (the most conservative province) gets excited when she hears him speak.

Beyond Interim

Hi, folks.  Just wanted to write one last post here regarding some volunteer opportunities to use your newfound awareness of the empire at Calvin in the coming years.

• Student Activities Board: help plan and staff concerts.  Weekly hour-long meetings.  Contact Rob to be put on the e-mail list.
  
• Cultural Discerners: continue to study the "spirits of our age" and how they emerge in popular culture...then coordinate events in your dorms and on campus.
  
• Multicultural Student Development Office: Jacque Rhodes, who was on our panel, is the director of MSDO, which has a lot of opportunities to get involved in multicultural and anti-racism activities.
  
• Fashion Advisory Board: Fashion shows and fashion magazines around the ideas Erin O'Connor-Garcia talked about in class.  Contact Erin to be a part of it.
  
• Service-Learning Center: Remember what our panelists said about connecting with people who are different from you?  Use the SL-C web site to search for opportunities that fit your interests and skills (or keep the SL-C on your radar for student employment)
  
• Barnabas Team: Organize dorm bible study and worship activities.  Barnabas needs people who are passionate about "double immersion" in scripture and culture and have an expanded definition of discipline.
  

This list is certainly not exhaustive and whether you take advantage of these activities or not, we encourage you to put ideas into practice (that's true knowledge, remember?).  In addition to considering these activities, seek out mentors and models in person and in books and other media who can help you continue to learn about the goodness of God's Kingdom.  And if you get a chance, stop by our office and say 'hi' sometime.  Thanks for a great experience!

Good food

Someone asked for more details about the snacks we had in class yesterday, so here's a listing in case any of you wants to learn more.  Everything came from The Green Life Market or the Family Fare two blocks from where Rob and I live:

• El Matador corn chips (made in Grand Rapids)
  
• Herdez salsa (made in Mexico without preservatives or additives)
  
• Raisin bread from Little Rooster Bread Company (here in Grand Rapids)
  
• Organic apple butter and natural peanut butter from The Green Life Market
  
• Cookies from Back to Nature and Newman's Own
  
• Apple Cider from Aseltine's Cider Mill in Comstock Park, Michigan
  
• Milk from Moo-ville dairy (regular 2% and non-homogenized whole)
  

We went to the places that were closest to our  house, but here are some other sources where we could have found local and/or organic foods:

• Horrock's Market
  
• The Fulton Street Farmer's Market (open May-December)
  
• Harvest Health Foods
  
• Trillium Haven Farm (where Rob and I participate in CSA--they take summer interns! :)
  
• Mud Lake Farm (we get greens delivered from them on a regular basis--a greens-only CSA)
  
• Global Infusion (fair trade coffee, chocolate, chocolate chips, hot cocoa, baking cocoa and very unique looseleaf teas that combine Michigan fruits and flowers with fair trade green and black teas)

If you want to try restaurants that incorporate local and organic foods, here are a few (certainly not exhaustive):

• Marie Catrib's
• The Green Well
• Restaurant Bloom
• Electric Cheetah (opening soon--the owner has been taking his time finding as many local sources as possible for his ingredients)

Let me know if you have any other questions about locally grown (or other kinds of) foods.  I love a good food mystery and would be happy to help you find answers!

Heaven is not my home

Several of you seemed surprised and intrigued yesterday by the idea that heaven is coming to earth some day and that the Kingdom of God will be embodied here, in this tangible place.  I'm going to try to put together a bible study time on this idea for those who are interested.  Until then (and beyond that), here are some books you might like to check out if you want to learn more:

• Heaven is Not My Home:Living in the Now of God's Creation by Paul Marshall--Doesn't go into the theological ideas very deeply or academically, but explores examples of how God is redeeming specific areas of life, such as rest, play, work, imagination, learning and more.
  
• Heaven is a Place on Earth: Why Everything You Do Matters to God by Michael E. Wittmer--A good introduction with well-explained theological ideas, lots of scripture references and pop culture examples.  Includes a discussion guide with questions.
• Bringing Heaven Down to Earth: Connecting This Life to the Next by Nathan Bierma--Author works at Calvin in the Worship Institute and has taught a DCM course on his book.  Check out the slide shows his students put together illustrating ideas from the book.
• Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright: Wright is a friend of Walsh & Keesmaat's and there's definitely a congruity and influence in their ideas.  This relatively new book has been getting rave reviews.  Check out the author on Stephen Colbert.

Heaven has in some ways been hijacked by ideas that have little merit when held up against the arc of scripture.  For myself, understanding that the eternal Kingdom of God will have something to do with the earthly creatures we are now makes it a much more exciting reality.  It also helps balance my sense of urgency ("I need to change the world and experience everything it has to offer NOW!  Before I die!") with a sense of trust and rest ("I can honor my limitations and the call to Sabbath in the hope of eternity on a renewed, restored earth").

GQ Magazine

GQ Magazine is a magazine made for men who want to better themselves in their appearance. In the magazine there are pictures to show off new trends in clothing and accessories. They also have articles explaining why people should wear certain clothing. Some articles are just random and talk about a certain issue or event that has happened. Appearance is key when giving a first impression. Clothing is one of the first things that people look at when they see you. What you wear is key to show who you are and what you stand for. GQ magazine also shows men how to dress themselves for professional occupations, as well as just wearing something causually. What you wear with your clothing such as watches, belts, hats, shoes, is also explained in some of GQ's articles. Most of the clothing in this magazine are particularly expensive, and directed toward people with high income. There are many pictures of models showing off clothing, as well as just random advertisements of different products.

What you wear, or fashion, is important because it expresses who we are and how we present ourselves to other people. Not only for ourselves or for other people, but how we present ourselves in Gods eyes. I don't think that spending alot of money on clothing is a bad thing because if you work really hard and receive alot of money, why not spend it on what we want? However if you are greedy and only care about money and status, and spend tons of money on clothing one week, and throw away clothing the next week to buy other clothes, then to me that is wrong. This would not bring any glory to God and is very selfish. However having alot of money and spending it on useful things to me, isn't a bad thing. People should spend money on what they want as well as what they need because they have worked hard to get all that money, and some people might have inherited alot of money, however the way you percieve money is a big part of determining whether money could be evil.