Some of you will know the internet slang: ‘TL; DR’. It means ‘Too long; didn’t read’. If we’re honest, it’s how we’ve all found ourselves reacting at times. TL; DR illustrates a shift that’s taken place in the 20th century. Entertainment has shifted how our brains react to politics, education, and religion.
So today, politicians are forced to proffer sound-bites rather than substantial arguments. Children are weaned on a diet of Sesame Street or CBeebies, and the one thing they must not experience is boredom.
Likewise, churches feel pressure to put on a good show. This is shown in the architecture of bigger, modern church buildings, which are more cinematic – with a stage, lighting, and theatre-style seating. Today, more than ever, we need to grab people’s attention. ‘There’s no business like show-business.’
