Dr. Jean-Claude Larchet, renowned for his examinations of the causes and consequences of spiritual and physical illness, here tackles the pressing question of the societal and personal effects of our societal use of new media. The definition of new media is broad—from radio to smart phones—and the analysis of their impact is honest and straightforward. His meticulous diagnosis of their effects concludes with a discussion of the ways individuals might limit and counteract the most deleterious effects of this new epidemic.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Jean-Claude Larchet holds a Ph.D. from the University of Strasbourg, and is the author of Therapy of Spiritual Illness. Prof. Andrew Torrance graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1968 and obtained a Ph.D. in 1971 from Imperial College, London.He joined the teaching staff at Trinity College, Dublin in 1980.
1 review
-
A must-read for anybody desiring to navigate the noise.
As I recommend this book, it is perhaps incumbent upon me to remind readers that on the surface, it's really quite simple: If one desires to spur hatred and division, new media can prove to be a powerful arrow to have in one's quiver. If one desires to spread goodness through new media, they should expect to infuriate those who weaponize it, and anticipate attacks on their efforts. However, it would be remiss to forego reading Larchet's book based on such a rudimentary presupposition.
In this age of instant gratification, we often fail to look beyond the surface of most things, neglecting to carefully consider both the merit and the risk.
New media is no exception.
While our own goal may be to leverage these resources for good, it's naive to believe we can do so without being subjected to, much less influenced by the opposing noise. Thus, it's imperative to have an understanding of how new media can impact our lives long after we've logged off.
Read with balance and context, Larchet's book proves to be a thought provoking, if not invaluable resource.
