Update and Clarification…
I have been busy visiting with family, and have been unable to post a personal update in a while. I spent the first half of the weekend with Grandma, and the second half at the Washington National’s last game in RFK Stadium. Following the game, I went out to eat with my parents and some friends from RFK — the same friends that helped me get my job with Arlington County.
Tuesday, I went out to dinner with my parents as our last big thing before leaving DC.
Wednesday was my last day at work, and they treated me like a “king”. They wrote me a card, brought me amazing cupcakes, and gave me an Arlington County mug. From work, I picked up my car from the service shop (the electrical wire to the horn was broken), and I drove to my sister and brother-in-law’s for some amazing Mexican Casserole (leave me the comment if you want the recipe). The food was great, and the conversation was better. A wonderful end to my time in DC.
I’m now in Chicago, trying to making the most of my visit. I’m staying with my best-friend from high school and his wife. Today, I’ll meet with Bruce Howard (Wheaton Finance Prof) and Roy Joseph (Wheaton Communication Prof, UNLV Alumnus). Then I’ll spend time with people from my church in Carol Stream.
Now… for clarification, I received an e-mail from Rex Miller yesterday about this blog and the summary that I made of his book…
I’ll let you read it in his own words…
Nice job with Jim and a brief review of my material. Actually Ong was more influential than McLuhan with his emphasis on orality. Jacques Ellul is also a larger influence.
I need to do more research about Ong, but I read some Ellul during my independent study with Roy. Ellul wrote a book called “The Technological Society” which argues that our desire to control techne (the emergence of technology and the scientific understanding) is unrealistic and drives us to a dictatorial state. When we want to control the forces of revelation — a power beyond our control — we tend to seek control of everything else within our reach. As a Christian anarchist, this conclusion was quite upsetting.
Postman quotes Ong as saying: “[Cultural proverbs and sayings are incessant. They form the substance of thought itself. Though in any extended form is impossible without them, for it consists of them.” (Amusing Ourselves to Death, pg. 19)