Rocks, Phones and Elephants

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Yesterday…

…Reading about Sisyphus: In Greek mythology Sisyphus, king of Corinth, upset Zeus, king of the gods. When he died, Sisyphus was condemned to eternally roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top.

The picture is still used today to describe difficult duties or responsibilities that require a huge amount of effort, that can’t be escaped from, that seem never ending.

…Reflecting on friends: Keith cares for his elderly mother; her illness requires 24/7 provision… George’s wife died unexpectedly; he’s still grieving her loss… Charlie’s financial worries continually get him down…  Each faces Sisyphean tasks and situations – heavy, all-consuming, apparently endless…

…Watching Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement: Under-16s in the UK will be banned from using social media by spring next year.

I heard opposing arguments. A government consultation shows that a large majority of concerned parents and carers strongly support this legal minimum age for social media access.

Parents who blame social media for the deaths of their children were interviewed; they’ve been calling for this ban for many years. Doubtless they will continue their Sisyphean campaign.

…Reading about ‘One in Four’: This charity supports survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, and child sexual abuse (CSA). ‘One in Four’ highlights the fact that one in four people will have experienced sexual abuse by the age of 18.

One in Four use the symbol of an elephant with one of its legs tethered. CSA is often ‘The Elephant in the Room’; it’s hard to talk about traumatic experiences. They work with survivors of CSA so that they no longer feel tethered by their past abusive experiences. Another Sisyphean task.

…Musing on my Christian response: Challenges involving endless effort with Sisyphean boulders…

Paul: ‘…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’

James: ‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life…’

9 thoughts on “Rocks, Phones and Elephants”

  1. I think it would be reckless to not feel that children shouldn’t be allowed to access certain websites.  However, knowing how completely computer literate my 13-year old grandson and 15-year old granddaughter are, I wonder how effective it will be.  Their father is a coder and taught both how to code and construct programmes at an early age

    Needless to say, both parents have spent long hours explaining the dangers online.  But, boys and girls will be boys and girls.  Julie and I are quite aware how both grandchildren seem rather immature compared with us at their ages.  As I’m sure many young people who are expected to remain in a classroom until 18 are.

    So, if these immature young people aren’t allowed to access a lot of what is happening in the world I wonder how on earth, they will be able to formulate an opinion in order to cast a vote at 16.

    Obviously, I realise the Machiavellian reason why Labour wants to give 16-year-olds the vote.  So, will Labour make provision in the social media ban to allow access to politically informative material?

    Perhaps teachers should be given the role of giving political advice to the young people in their charge?  I would have loved to have been in a staff-meeting when that was put to the staff.  Oh frabjous day

    I think young people can’t go far wrong with

    Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

    The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

    Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

    The frumious Bandersnatch!

    At my age now I just say

    Oh Frabjous Day! Callooh, Callay

    …..and chortle in my joy

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    1. Perhaps, Alan we all need to return to the jabberwock, the jubjub bird and the frumious bandersnatch for greater wisdom. I have mixed views on the decision, and questions as to how it will operate and be managed. I wonder how those youngsters already with tik tok and snapchat accounts will respond, or those with older siblings already busy on social media.

      But I’m just an old fuddy duddy!

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      1. I am Mr Fuddy Duddy incarnate.

        Julie and I seem to have opinions about world events but are more and more inclined to think that we won’t live to see “it”, whatever “it” is, and become more and more insular.

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  2. The character of those who oppose limits on social media shouts so loud I can’t hear a word they’re saying. It’s easy to know the truth and not call evil good. All one has to do is read the discoveries from the many legal actions. Then, you’ll see repeated instances where the social media industry chose profit over child safety.

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    1. Sadly, profit will always be ore important than child safety , Grant, and a coherent moral compass is hard to find. It seems that the voice of of good people in general, and good Christians in particular need to be part of the ongoing debate and decision making.

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