“The medium is the message” said philosopher Marshall McLuhan, and the idea that the way we receive information is likely more important and influential than the information itself, is now truer than ever. Because of social media, our world has changed far more than we realize. For Orthodox Jews, who have lived behind literal and symbolic walls for the past 2000 years, the change is one that may completely upend the way we understand the world at large and even the Torah itself.
Some communities have responded by rejecting everything associated with the new media landscape; or at least they’re trying. Others welcome it with open arms and perhaps throw all caution to the wind.
On this episode, Dina Rabhan offers a broad overview of the social media landscape, and its potential dangers and genuine opportunities for people in general, and for religious Jews in particular. In a fun, informative, and important conversation that cites philosophers from Henri Nouwen (“What is most personal is most universal”) to Michael Scott (“Wikipedia is the best thing ever!”), Dina provides information about what social media can offer us, and what it can and does take away.
Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108).
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Music: “Happy Rock” by bensound.com