The Perfect Storm - Part 7

Starting in 1997 with the wide availability of digital technology, we have now entered the Fourth Media Age or the Digital Age. This age is categorized by satellite television, cell phones, the internet, the DVD player, HD (high definition) television, social networking and mobile media devices. It is fueled by information and the need to connect and be part of something. When and where the media church started is a matter of debate. But it certainly found it’s place in the Fourth Media Age.

George Miller, the director of Mel Gibson’s Mad Max movies was quoted in 1998 as saying, “I believe cinema is now the most powerful secular religion. And people gather in cinemas to experience things collectively the way they once did in church. They are doing a lot of the work of our religious institutions, which have so concretized the metaphors in their stories, taken so much of the poetry, mystery and mysticism out of religious belief, that people look for other places to question their spirituality.”

Miller offers insight into how and why the church of media and entertainment has grown quickly. Today’s generation is asking questions and searching for spirituality. But they are not finding answers in the traditional church. But today’s media, especially movies, is meeting the need for spirituality. Where the church has withdrawn from art, poetry and the mystery of life, Hollywood’s screenwriters are more than willing to embrace the supernatural, mystery, mysticism and other forms of spirituality that can lead viewers to a new self-realization of truth.

The Fourth Media Age is defined by technology. There have always been technological advances, but this age is characterized by constant, rapid, and evolving technology. It seems like every month there is something new and exciting in the marketplace from iPods to iPhones to iPads. And every new product is a “must have” to the members of this church. As technology has evolved, it has led to lower prices and accessibility to more users. Today everyone under the age of 25 has some form of a mobile media device. For most people, it is impossible to go ten minutes without texting, checking messages or surfing the web. There is a need to be constantly plugged in and accessible to one’s media.