Alexandra Mann Wirzba Reading In Class Discussion

In class, Grant lead a discussion about icons within Wirzba’s book, From Nature to Creation. A question that Grant asked, “Is our social media preventing us from viewing the world with our own eyes?” In the remainder of this post, I would like to present my opinion on social media and its effect on our relationship to nature.

As we spend many moments throughout the day scrolling through our newsfeed on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, we are seeing people from all around the world travel. When people have traveled and posted pictures from their experiences, we are looking at incredible creations. If we have already seen a picture of all of the beauty within nature, then we might not be in as much of a shock if we were to see it for the first time face-to-face. Seeing creation face-to-face verses looking at nature in a picture are two different concepts. There is something special, unique and beautiful, when you dwell in a part of nature. According to Wirzba, the presence of God resides within His creation. So, when we dwell within nature, God is there. I think our connection and shock factor, in relation to nature, has diminished. This is because most of the time we have previously seen it.

Another aspect of media and nature is that our technological devices are taking us away from nature. When we are constantly looking down, in order to stay connected. During this act, we are missing what is right in front of us.