I finally subscribed to Paste Magazine, and from this issue’s editorial alone, I subscribed way too late. Chief editor, Josh Jackson pens a concise, thoughtful, and engaging editorial on the violence in the media (the whole issue is devoted to this topic). Jackson struggles with the glorification of violence in our media, from games to films, while also confessing his tolerance for it in other areas. Where do we draw the line? To jettison death and violence from our art and conversation all together would be naive (often mistake for purity). This Sunday I addressed the nature of good stories, stories that acknowledge conflict and attempt solution. Jackson says something similar:

At Paste we talk a lot about signs of life in the world of entertainment, bet we’re also drawn to signs of death. From the Bible to the work of Cormac McCarthy, the best stories are filled with conflict, and often that takes the form of violent antagonists and heroes who fight for justice.

The whole editorial is worth the read, the magazine for that matter, and they have a super cool online viewing feature here.

Nearly one in five internet users (19%) has downloaded a podcast to listen to or view later — up from 12% in 2006. But podcasting has yet to become a fixture in the everyday lives of internet users, as very few download podcasts on a typical day. Yet, podcasting is on the rise among all ages under 50. See Pew Foundation research here.

How will podcast proliferation change the way we think? Podcasters pull down audio from reliable and unreliable sources. Will this medium, coupled with the internet, actually decrease reliable, accurate knowledge? Or will it increase specialty understanding? Do you podcast? What kinds of programs?

A study from the Pew Foundation reveals that most middle-class Americans believe they are not “moving forward in life.” The article notes: “For decades, middle-income Americans had been making absolute progress while enduring relative decline. But since 1999, they have not made economic gains.” Part of the reason for “bad times” is the borrow/spend habit that middle class Americans have developed. Again, “For the past two decades middle-income Americans have been spending more and borrowing more. Housing has been the key driver of both trends.” However, despite current feelings about personal progress, many of “the American middle class are optimistic about the future. Most are confident that their quality of life in five years will be better than it is now. And, gazing farther ahead, most expect their children to do better in life than they themselves have done.”

Yes, Starbucks has finally shaken the shackles of T-Mobile to catch up with the rest of the coffeeshop world in offering free WiFi. This Spring 2 hours of free WiFi will be available for any Starbucks card holder (you know, those gift cards you can recharge?). I still say, support local business and bypass the corporate coffee when you can. But, unfortunately, that’s not always an option, certainly not always a palatable one.

Now, if Barnes & Noble and Borders would just get on board, we could all be jacked into the Matrix even more of the time!

It appears that the Dark Knight was darker than anyone could have imagined for Heath Ledger. Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment today, surrounded by sleeping pills. At age 28, with a promising career, his death is especially tragic. What was going on in this young man’s soul?

Here is the story from the Times. Pray for the family. Pray for the silent hurting in Hollywood.

Here is an Acts 29 link to three MP3s that cover the history, lexicography, and good/bad/ugly of Emergent Church movement.

That’s right Don Miller is taking his writing to the silver screen. The details are pretty hush-hush, but an interview with Don regarding the forthcoming movie (2008) can be read here.

Check out the new online magazine from NY Times, the electronic upgrade of their print magazine (which often has great articles and book reviews). Here is their description of T:

“T translates the print magazine content and sensibility into an immersive, online experience. T is not your conventional online magazine. It is full of visual surprises…”

With the theatrical release of The Golden Compass, all kinds of rumors and reviews are floating around about Philip Pullman and the Golden Compass. Opinions and convictions are being formed left and right, some informed other in ignorance. If you are remotely interested in forming an informed opinion, read the books and see the movie. If you are looking for some discernment before plunging in head first, here are a two excellent resources:

• Mars Hill Audio piece on Philip Pullman (w/ excellent literary critique from Alan Jacobs).
• Atlantic Monthly article entitled “How Hollywood Saved God.”

April Deconick ,professor of Biblical studies at Rice University, has an excellent piece on Judas in the NY Times Op-Ed column today called “Gospel Truth.” In it she offers more accurate translations of the so-called Gospel of Judas, exposing poor and slanted scholarship of the National Geographic project, which was the first to release a documentary and book on the subject.

She writes: “While National Geographic’s translation supported the provocative interpretation of Judas as a hero, a more careful reading makes clear that Judas is not only no hero, he is a demon.” Adducing her evidence she correctly comments:

the National Geographic transcription refers to Judas as a “daimon,” which the society’s experts have translated as “spirit.” Actually, the universally accepted word for “spirit” is “pneuma ” — in Gnostic literature “daimon” is always taken to mean “demon.”

She also notes various other omissions and errors in the work of NG. Whoever wrote the gospel of Judas, it is clearly gnostic in slant. As Deconick points out, Judas sacrificed Jesus not to God, but to the demons. As chief of demons, he is depicted as a counter Christ, mocking the sacrifice of Jesus in his offering, as a parody of the central event of Christianity.