Some “Magic Eye” images were included for fun as well; maybe someday I’ll be able to decipher them. In any case, Hipps is careful to mix up his carefully constructed philosophical ponderings with a splash of fun and kept me moving quickly through his brief work.
Flickering Pixels could have sported a possible alternate subtitle: Media 101 for Christians. Enough material is provided to stir the thought processes, prompt conversation, and provide a broad overview of the topic, while failing to deliver concrete suggestions and applications of the knowledge shared.
While lauding a discrete set of benefits that advances in media have provided, Hipps seems more concerned with pointing out the danger and the warning signs surrounding each technological advance and then recommending readers think about the impact these technologies have on their lives.
Maybe I’ve missed something here. Yes, I realize media changes us, and I agree with the many, valid, well-phrased explanations of such changes. The question remains, though, have Hipps exhortations to examine our media choices impacted my life significantly? I’m afraid not.
No matter how often I roll these thoughts around in my mind, I come to the same conclusions: I love being able to communicate and receive knowledge through a variety of formats while seeking to shield my family from any inappropriate uses of these tools. Perhaps it’s due to our somewhat abnormal use of media that I find little encouragement here, or the open-ended, one-sided discussion without a clear position.
Whatever the case, media buffs aside, I doubt this work will capture the imagination of the work-a-day Christian reader.
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