Know Jack #448 We Were Warned

“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Over the course of the last month, I’ve heard multiple people refer to television as “the one-eyed monster”, a “programming” tool, a time thief, and the cause of our cultural decline. I find it interesting that today’s so-called conspiracy theorists blame television for spreading political, racial, and cultural lies. It is interesting because these same folks had such a great laugh at the preachers of my youth who prophesied the many evils of television.

I’ve spent very little time watching television over the last five years and what I do watch is as ancient as I am. However, I fear the damage has already been done. Television is to blame for my twisted values.

I just watched my favorite movie for maybe the one hundred and first time. Darned if I didn’t come away from it with the same willingness to discard success for principle, cling to patriotism over authority, and self-sacrifice as preferable to indifference.

Another favorite taught me that it is possible to wrestle with reality and win out over it. The same movie influenced my writing career by teaching me the value of an invisible friend. The movies I grew up on gave me an appreciation for the ability of science to solve problems (like giant ants). It also taught me science was usually the cause of that trouble in the first place.

Like the Staler Brothers, I’ve often wondered Whatever Happened to Randolf Scott, that do the right thing at any cost, gun-toting champion of justice for the underdog. Tonto taught me that you can do all the work without recognition and still be proud of who you are.

I’m not ashamed to admit that MacGyver inspired me to think outside the box back when the box was all there was. I’m all but convinced that imitating Flip Wilson’s character, Brother Leroy resulted in my call to the ministry as a sort of divine retribution.

I am without a doubt the product of a mixing of my parents' personalities, my experiences, and life choices. However, there is no discounting the influence of the invasive appearance of television in my home. Well, I was warned. Here let me give you one of my cards.

Maranatha