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adamrshields's review
5.0
Short Review: great exploration of philosophy using TV and movie criticism. This is a book to read if you like tv and movie criticism. This is a book to read if you want to learn about modern philosophy (especially Charles Taylor). This is a good book to follow up with if you have read James KA Smith's How (Not) to be Secular (both are exploring Charles Taylor, but come at it from very different tacks.)
And no you do not have to have watched the movies or TV shows referenced to get something out of it. The basic concepts of the shows (which are explained in the book) is good enough. I have only seen a couple of the shows/movies that were explored.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/how-to-survive-the-apocalypse/
And no you do not have to have watched the movies or TV shows referenced to get something out of it. The basic concepts of the shows (which are explained in the book) is good enough. I have only seen a couple of the shows/movies that were explored.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/how-to-survive-the-apocalypse/
reinhardt's review against another edition
5.0
Alissa Wilkinson and Robert Joustra take us on a tour through contemporary apocalyptic TV and movies. They also discuss why apocalyptic themes have become ubiquitous in modern media. The sensibility is not limited to material apocalypses but also what they refer to as moral ones - the complete destruction of moral mooring points.
They begin the book with a brief introduction to Charles Taylor’s framework and his idea of the social imaginary, the “series of pre-theoretical understandings and practices we acquire from the families, communities, and countries into which were born.” And the Secular age where human florising is the only conceivable goal of life. In this age meaning must be created, it is not ‘out there.’ Another key concept Alissa and Robert do an excellent job explaining is the buffered self in contrast to the pre-modern porous self. A porous self is an identity that is not fully distint from the environment. Hierarchy, place, family, spirits, institutions all play a defining role in creating identity. The buffered self places a layer between the environment and the self and inserts the idea of choice of identity.
They then proceed to give a summary of apocalyptic stories as stories that “expose hidden truths, wipe away the veneer, push past the superficial ... and get to the reality of things.” Apocalyptic stories blow up contemporary conventions and recreate a world without institutional restraints. These settings allow the raw human condition to be explored.
The heart of the book is a discussion of different contemporary media that fits these descriptions. We visit Battlestar Galactica, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, Scandal, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Her, and an number of Zombie films.
Along the way we see how identity is formed in relationship with others. The drive to recognition is pulled out as a key motivator. We see the all to tragically not just in fictional media, but when crazed gunmen initiate their own apocalypse for the sake of recognition.
These apocalyptic films explore moral territory. What is right when all restraint is removed? Is raw self interest the only option? Are others nothing more than tools for my own survival? Apocalyptic stories are inevitably political. How should society re-form itself? “Abstract solidarity of humankind is a tough sell in the zombie apocalypse.”
The last chapter explores how Christians can faithfully engage with the Secular Age. The Age of Anxiety has migrated from ivory towers into the suburbs. The question of “Who am I?” is on everyone’s mind. But identities are not created from scratch. A better question Alissa and Robert propose is “What story or stories do I find myself a part.” We can choose the story, we can choose to eliminate some stories we don’t want to be a part of, but we are forced to chose from an existing set of stories.
In faithful witness, we must first look at what stories we have chosen to be a part of, which ones have we rejected. What repeated gestures have become our postures (Andy Crouch). What cultural litergies are we participating in that are shaping our desires (James K. A. Smith)? Where is our love disordered? We need to examine ourselves and our institutions first.
Using Daniel as a model, Alissa and Robert propose “faithful comprise” as the best option to engage culture. This oxymoron simply means supporting society, supporting the exploration of questions of meaning in a pluralistic environment while remaining a faithful disciple.
In summary, this book is a valuable tool to decrypt modern media. It provides a guide to the multitudes of questions raised by the Apocalypse, Zombies, Cylons, Faith and Politics. To top it off, the book is transparently written. Most books at the intersection of faith, politics, art, and culture are cryptic, confusing, and halting. With this book, you get more meaning with less effort, because of the smooth writing.
They begin the book with a brief introduction to Charles Taylor’s framework and his idea of the social imaginary, the “series of pre-theoretical understandings and practices we acquire from the families, communities, and countries into which were born.” And the Secular age where human florising is the only conceivable goal of life. In this age meaning must be created, it is not ‘out there.’ Another key concept Alissa and Robert do an excellent job explaining is the buffered self in contrast to the pre-modern porous self. A porous self is an identity that is not fully distint from the environment. Hierarchy, place, family, spirits, institutions all play a defining role in creating identity. The buffered self places a layer between the environment and the self and inserts the idea of choice of identity.
They then proceed to give a summary of apocalyptic stories as stories that “expose hidden truths, wipe away the veneer, push past the superficial ... and get to the reality of things.” Apocalyptic stories blow up contemporary conventions and recreate a world without institutional restraints. These settings allow the raw human condition to be explored.
The heart of the book is a discussion of different contemporary media that fits these descriptions. We visit Battlestar Galactica, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, Scandal, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Her, and an number of Zombie films.
Along the way we see how identity is formed in relationship with others. The drive to recognition is pulled out as a key motivator. We see the all to tragically not just in fictional media, but when crazed gunmen initiate their own apocalypse for the sake of recognition.
These apocalyptic films explore moral territory. What is right when all restraint is removed? Is raw self interest the only option? Are others nothing more than tools for my own survival? Apocalyptic stories are inevitably political. How should society re-form itself? “Abstract solidarity of humankind is a tough sell in the zombie apocalypse.”
The last chapter explores how Christians can faithfully engage with the Secular Age. The Age of Anxiety has migrated from ivory towers into the suburbs. The question of “Who am I?” is on everyone’s mind. But identities are not created from scratch. A better question Alissa and Robert propose is “What story or stories do I find myself a part.” We can choose the story, we can choose to eliminate some stories we don’t want to be a part of, but we are forced to chose from an existing set of stories.
In faithful witness, we must first look at what stories we have chosen to be a part of, which ones have we rejected. What repeated gestures have become our postures (Andy Crouch). What cultural litergies are we participating in that are shaping our desires (James K. A. Smith)? Where is our love disordered? We need to examine ourselves and our institutions first.
Using Daniel as a model, Alissa and Robert propose “faithful comprise” as the best option to engage culture. This oxymoron simply means supporting society, supporting the exploration of questions of meaning in a pluralistic environment while remaining a faithful disciple.
In summary, this book is a valuable tool to decrypt modern media. It provides a guide to the multitudes of questions raised by the Apocalypse, Zombies, Cylons, Faith and Politics. To top it off, the book is transparently written. Most books at the intersection of faith, politics, art, and culture are cryptic, confusing, and halting. With this book, you get more meaning with less effort, because of the smooth writing.
davehershey's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fun and philosophical, enjoyable and thought-provoking. There is certainly a market for Christians analyzing movies and pop culture, finding spiritual lessons in our entertainment. While this book could fit into that, it is much more. The first couple chapters are an extended summary of the philosophy of Charles Taylor, specifically focusing in on his book A Secular Age. That book is a behemoth, one of my all-time favorites and incredibly influential in philosophical circles. Starting this book with Taylor shows this is not your garden variety "let's get a Jesus-y lesson from a movie" kind of book.
The rest of the book does analyze a variety of TV shows, putting them in conversation with Taylor and others. They begin with Battlestar Galactica and what it means to be human. It makes me want to go back and watch that show. Then they move on to a discussion of anti-heroes in Breaking Bad, House of Cards and Mad Men. Eventually they get to Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, the Hunger Games and a few others. If you like those shows, its worth the read. Ultimately, these shows reflect the secular age we live in, when we are surrounded by choices and options to make our head spin. With diminished horizons out there, the sort of exterior traditions and truths that guided our ancestors, we are left as individuals to validate ourselves and create who we will be. Will we become Walter White and contribute to the destruction of the world in the zombie apocalypse? Anything's possible, but this book gives a more optimistic view.
Things can go bad, but they do not have to. We can choose to live in a secular age by faithful presence (James Davison Hunter). We can live faithfully, becoming people of love by internalizing and living out the Christian story (after all, the story we believe we are a part of is what most influences us, to paraphrase Alasdair MacIntyre). In contrast to those who enjoy trashing millennials, we can realize that millennials face more choices at a younger age than previous generations. The hope is that millennials make the best of the secular age, finding the best, and choosing to create the best.
Overall, a great book.
The rest of the book does analyze a variety of TV shows, putting them in conversation with Taylor and others. They begin with Battlestar Galactica and what it means to be human. It makes me want to go back and watch that show. Then they move on to a discussion of anti-heroes in Breaking Bad, House of Cards and Mad Men. Eventually they get to Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, the Hunger Games and a few others. If you like those shows, its worth the read. Ultimately, these shows reflect the secular age we live in, when we are surrounded by choices and options to make our head spin. With diminished horizons out there, the sort of exterior traditions and truths that guided our ancestors, we are left as individuals to validate ourselves and create who we will be. Will we become Walter White and contribute to the destruction of the world in the zombie apocalypse? Anything's possible, but this book gives a more optimistic view.
Things can go bad, but they do not have to. We can choose to live in a secular age by faithful presence (James Davison Hunter). We can live faithfully, becoming people of love by internalizing and living out the Christian story (after all, the story we believe we are a part of is what most influences us, to paraphrase Alasdair MacIntyre). In contrast to those who enjoy trashing millennials, we can realize that millennials face more choices at a younger age than previous generations. The hope is that millennials make the best of the secular age, finding the best, and choosing to create the best.
Overall, a great book.
42andyjo's review
4.0
This was a great about how a Christian should engage with culture. The authors do this through looking at popular TV Shows and Movies through the lens of the ideas of Charles Taylor(Who I feel I need read after this). They are able to make complex ideas of a philosopher come to life. I was able to see how I have let the ideas of culture impact more than Christ. Overall, it was fun and worthwhile read and will look forward to rereading it.
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