My friend Doug has written a book about social media. Like The Rule of St Benedict it tackles some of the issues about how we live in our age. Here’s my review
Posting Peace: Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do about It by Douglas S. Bursch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Written with passion and energy about Christian engagement with social media and especially about our need to ‘Post Peace’ rather than contribute to the increasingly divisive nature of the world of the internet. It’s a worthy project, both in the US where the book originates and in other parts of the world like the UK, where I live. We can, all too easily, find examples of increasing hostility, hate and division, fed by social media. And some of them we write ourselves.
It is to this that the author, with his experience in things techy has paid attention. He has reflected on the bible and shared his testimony in the hope that we, his readers, will take up his challenge to Post Peace.
The book is full of sound material and each chapter ends with helpful questions for the reader’s reflection as well as two challenges to Post Peace. Although I’ve not yet tried any of them, I have been changed and challenged by the book. Firstly, I am more attentive to the thoughts and feelings that my engagement with social media evokes. I notice what makes me sad, angry, confused or hopeful. I enjoy being part of Mushroom Twitter and have learnt how to recognise many fungi as a result of my engagement with social media. But is that enough?
Here in the UK we also have #BLM and #MeToo. Recent examples of violence against women, particularly the death of #SarahEverard mean I cannot with integrity remove myself from social media use. Doug has helped me to consider how God is calling me to use the space for reconciliation: it’s a work in progress as far as I’m concerned. In this respect I’d have found it more helpful to have chapter 10, on justice and reconciliation, nearer the front of the book.
During the COVID19 pandemic the global connections of social media have enriched my life. I will continue to reflect on the need to Post Peace and enjoy following the author and others, not only people I agree with. If you are also concerned for the polarisations seen on social media and are looking for a nudge towards a greater awareness and practice of reconciliation on line, then I commend this book to you.
@Bambigoesforth
From the remembered bible: Go out joyfully, advance with peace.
Peace be with you
From a Friend of Scholastica and a Member of the Lay Community of St Benedict.