Contexting

Steve Jobs Isn't Steve Jobs Anyway

Investors, Apple fans, and Microsoft's board of directors continue to stew over Steve Jobs' health. Jobs, the CEO of Apple, recently began a six-month medical leave due to undisclosed complications to his health. This has served to fuel rumors about Jobs' future with Apple, and Apple's future without their irreplaceable leader.

I hope Steve Jobs gets well soon.

As a devoted Apple fan and Mac user, I'm a member of the tribe. Somehow, Mac people get more than just a functional and beautiful user experience out of our computers- we get identity. This is bigger than marketing (though it clearly is marketing), bigger than the latest trend. Those of us in the club are smart, unique (just like everybody else!), creative, productive and cool. At least we think we are. (Just try to visit a Mac fanboy site and say otherwise!)

Steve Jobs created the tribe.

Nevertheless, we need to keep in mind that Steve Jobs isn't a real person. No, I'm not one of the conspiracy theorists who believe that Jobs died back in 2004 and that Apple is using a double or clone or robot in his place. But I am realistic about the role one man can play in a thing like this. I know that most of who we believe Steve Jobs to be is projected upon this otherwise normal guy.

Steve Jobs is a pretty private person. Not much is known about his personal life. But that doesn't stop his fans from assuming a lot about him. He gets credit for the hardware, the software, the animated films. He's intelligent, collected, calm, witty, and self-aware. He's a nice-guy multi-millionaire geek hero. He's a genius at design. Brilliant in marketing. He's the type of guy who lives with one foot in the future and one foot in the distant future.

Except he's not.

Jobs works with a team of brilliant people. He's a strong personality. He may be a Buddhist, but he's also been known to blow a gasket every now and then. He can be elitist. He doesn't often mingle with us regular folk. He makes mistakes. He lets us down. Steve Jobs still wears mock-turtlenecks.

The persona of Steve Jobs is projected on him by his fan base and the computer company that built it.

My point is this: Steve Jobs is the creation of the tribe that he created. The tribe decides who gets to be Steve Jobs. Up until this point, that person has conveniently been the actual Steve Jobs. But if, heaven forbid, something should happen to him, the tribe will project the same hero persona on the next guy, too.

Rick Warren is America's Pastor

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in California, voiced the prayer at the opening of Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony. He did a wonderful job. His was a prayer that promoted peace, unity, repentance, and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty.

Many were concerned with Obama's selection of Warren to deliver the prayer. Some on the left were shocked by his (traditional and mainstream evangelical) opposition to homosexuality. From the right, he has been accused of selling out and watering down the gospel. I say that Pastor Rick is obediently using his influence (in the vein of Esther, Daniel, Nathan, Joseph, etc.) to speak God's truth into the leaders of a nation.

Key parts to Warren's prayer:

He included the Shema Yisrael "...the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21, also Mark 12:29). This is a daily prayer for Judaism. It is also similar to the first part of Islam's Shahada "there is no god but God..."  By reciting this brief line, Warren appeals to the monotheistic aspect of these faiths.

In an apparent reference to the controversy surrounding the evangelical disapproval of homosexuality, Warren prayed for "civility when differing."

He noted the significance of the day (and the long line of faithful men and women who prepared the way) by quoting Hebrews 12:1-2 ; "We know today that Dr. King and a great crowd of witnesses are shouting in heaven."

He acknowledged that America is not a "Christian" nation, saying: "We are united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice to all."

He devoted a large and particularly poetic portion of the prayer to confession: "When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect they deserve, forgive us."

He seemed careful to include a personal declaration of faith in Jesus, saying His name in English, Hebrew (Yeshua), Arabic ('Isa), and Spanish (Jesús). Here, Warren makes a bold assertion about the universality of Jesus as savior for people from all religions.

Warren concluded the prayer by reciting the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Known to Catholics as the "Our Father," or Pater Noster. This, again, was a unifying approach to what might otherwise have only divided the American people.

I'm proud of Rick Warren for the boldness and gentleness he demonstrated today. I will continue to pray for him as he uses the influence of favor with our new president to speak truth into the leadership of our country.

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Spiritual Responsibility

People across the country are calling for environmental responsibility. They crusade against pollution, waste, and the abuse of natural resources because they believe that these things have terrible consequences for everyone.

Why aren't Christians doing the same thing, but with spiritual abuses? Why don't we raise awareness about the side effects of dangerous things? Why don't we campaign against spiritual irresponsibility? Why don't we take spiritual responsibility for our communities?

If we believe that everything is spiritual, why don't we demonstrate that to the people around us?

Social Graces

Have you ever been in a situation where someone acted inappropriately? Like when someone yells at a cashier or stands too closely while talking to you? It turns out that not everyone knows those things that a person ought to know about social interaction.

Take, for example, the guy who insists on a high-five for every point of agreement in a discussion. Or the lady who, in the course of everyday conversation shares way too much information regarding her body's, um, rhythms. These people make us uncomfortable. They are blissfully unaware of how awkward they make things.

What if you're one of those people. What if I am? Have you ever stopped to think that maybe your bad breath or mispronunciation of common words or the way you rap your fingers on the tabletop might be agitating to the people around you?

If you're not sure, here are some tips:

Watch for subtle cues. If the person you're talking to backs away, raises his voice, or offers you a breath mint, take the hint (and the mint).

Keep in mind that people usually act the way they want you to act around them. Try to lower your voice around quiet talkers, avoid slang with foreigners, and shake dead-fish hands more gently.

If there's a sudden change in the "feel" of the room- if everyone suddenly gets quite, starts ignoring you, or gets up and leaves, it's safe to assume that whatever you last did was the cause of that. Take it personally, apologize profusely, and never do it again.

Don't ever sit people down and ask if you have offended them. If you have to ask, you probably did.

Search for the Authentic

We're buying HD televisions because the higher resolution makes it feel more "real." Soda manufacturers are dumping high-fructose corn syrup for old-fashioned (and more expensive) cane sugar. We watch reality TV (hoping to get a glimpse of people losing their manners, inhibitions, and common sense)- something that we know we'd never see real actors do.

In the products we use every day, plastic is being replaced with aluminum, glass, and wood. Vintage is valued. Photoshopped images are considered a fail.

Kroger is out. Whole Foods (Trader Joe's, etc.) in. It's not about being first, or even being the best. iPod, Kleenex, Crocs, Dr. Pepper, YouTube, and KFC all established themselves as the originals, and now spend their time defending that title. Their competitors' knockoffs are labeled as "imposters."

We're always looking for what's real, and we're quick to assume that what's presented isn't. Scandals and "shocking" exposés prove it all the time. That's why a good apology is worth more than a cover-up. It's satisfying to be told you were right all along.

When you talk to people, are they seeing the real you? Do you allow enough humility, enough humanity to show through in your personal interactions for people to see who you really are? If not, you should. Others are wary of anything that seems fake, distant, deceptive, dishonest, or inauthentic.

Music You Feel

It turns out that music is more than a catchy way to sell Swiffer dustmops. It can actually help you get in touch with a deep, emotional part of your being that most people aren't even aware of. It's true- listening to music will make you more intelligent, more productive, and (let's be honest), more interesting.

I know what you're thinking: "It's been so long since I've discovered new music, my iPod has automatically put my entire music library into a folder called '90s Music." If your musical tastes are still heavily influenced by your experience in high school (or, worse still, a roller rink), here's some help.

Following are examples of new(er) music that will make you feel something. For tips on how to find more music that will haunt your soul, see below.

Okkervil River

Alexi Murdoch

Gomez

Storytellers know that music opens the path to human emotion. For the last ten years or so, television has done a pretty good job of using powerful music to make poor acting tolerable. (Remember when Dawson's Creek used Paula Cole's I Don't Want To Wait to cover up well, everything?) Movies (both good and bad) have been doing this for years.

My recommendation- when you see a movie that makes you feel (anything), look for its soundtrack. Odd are that you won't walk out of the theater with a song stuck in your head (they don't want the music to be a distraction, after all), but the feeling you're left with is often due to the music that played in the background.

These shows and films influenced my playlist:

• Stranger Than Fiction- Capture's the film's beautifully melancholy feel with a mixture of indie rock, 1960's British invasion feel, and 80's Mall electric synthesizer/organ.
• Juno -Moody indie-pop that makes your problems seem wonderfully bigger than they really are.
• Once -Singer/Songwriter/Actor Glen Hansard writes songs that make you cry. In a good way.
• Garden State -An indie-infused classic. The Shins should be your new favorite.
• Curious George -Don't laugh, I've got kids. Even if you don't, this is music is a great way to relax happily.
• Grey's Anatomy (vol. 2, vol.3)
•  -Somehow this roll-your-eyes soap opera gets all the best music. Maybe it's to cover up the terrible acting. Maybe it's because 30 million people watch religiously.
• Scrubs (vol.2) -This has everything to do with actor/director/producer/blogger Zach Braff's excellent taste in music. 

Coffee Talk

Unless you're living in a third world or just painfully technophobic, you've read your share of blogs. Some are good, others, not so much. One thing has me stumped: what's the connection between blogging and coffee?

I'm no coffee snob (I'm not above gas station coffee in Styrofoam cups), but I do like good espresso. A latte (soy milk, please), a Spanish cortado, a Ginger Spice Cappuccino around Christmastime. As much as I enjoy them (when I can afford to!), I always prefer my coffee with some good conversation. Something about the drink- and the act of drinking- that allows people to open up, share, and listen. 

If you're not a coffee drinker (poor soul), you should try. Remember that it's an acquired taste. Start with some medium-roast brewed coffee. Try it, and if you can't take it, add some milk and sugar. Better coffee is stronger without being bitter. Bad coffee is, well, bad. Drink it hot, too. Lukewarm coffee is never good.

Pour yourself a cup and check out some great blogs: "Caffeinated Thoughts," "Philosophy Over Coffee," Coffee With Drew,"Caffecclesiology." Note the curious reference to coffee in their titles and the (equally curious) lack of coffee-related posts.

Unique (Like Everyone Else)

Hipster is in. Urban, trendy, Mac-using, microbrew-swilling, liberal, angsty, peaceniks are on the move. They're dropping out of their career paths to start new businesses, write smart articles, and look for identity in the global village. You've probably run into them at your local coffee shop. They're the tattooed retro-geeks who sit around and talk politics and philosophy over a cup of sustainable, free-trade organic coffee. They are a tribe. They choose to belong to the thousands of other hip cats that collectively search for culture and identity. The price of admission is a Barack Obama hoodie (one size too small), an artsy side project, and and hour or so listening to NPR. If you're in between tribes right now, you should consider joining. This crowd is where the conversation is happening. It could use someone like you. 

Turnout

Traditionally, low voter turnout is blamed on apathy, laziness, or ignorance. We decide that young people (we typically blame them) are too disengaged to take part in the process. The moral pronouncement usually goes something like this: "If you don't vote, you have no right to complain."

But more and more people are disenfranchised with the system. It's not that they don't like any of the candidates; they genuinely disagree with the premise of American democracy. They look at the influence of money on the process, racial and class incongruities, and the unfilled promise of change, and they decide that the system is corrupt. Refusing to perpetuate the myth  of democratic consensus and “majority rule, their non-vote is their vote against American representative democracy.

For many non-voters, not voting is a moral issue. They see participating in a corrupt system as evil. They choose not to take part. Unfortunately, few of these voters propose a viable alternative to the system they reject.

Today's election has generated more interest and (hopefully) participation than any in recent history. Could this be a sign of renewed faith in the American political system? Or will millions of voters leave the voting booth more ready than ever for a new paradigm?

Donald Miller Is A Liberal

I've spent the last couple of minutes reading through Donald Miller's blog. In case you've been under a rock for the last couple of years, Don is the author of  four books (that I know of) including Blue Like Jazz, Searching For God Knows What, and To Own A Dragon. He's intelligent, articulate, and eloquent, and a generation of Christians across the country are finding their post-evangelical voice in him.

Miller didn't grow up in the evangelical subculture, and therefore doesn't (can't or won't) speak the language of modern Christianity. Because of his willingness to question even the established basics of religion, he (and a crop of wannabes) are viewed with suspicion by many Church leaders who hear echoes of Christian liberalism in Miller's postmodern "Christian Spirituality." Don further convolutes things for the traditionalists by wading into the realm of politics and social issues.

Don Miller led a prayer at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in August, and has spent the last few weeks on the campaign trail with Barack Obama. He is open about the concerns many conservatives have with Obama's political positions. He takes a lot of criticism from conservatives who have love to call him names. (In evangelical circles, "liberal" is worse than "heretic.")

I hear that Don lives in Portland, which is my new home town. I'd love to meet him for coffee. He seems like an interesting person that I might be able to relate to. I respect him for doing what he feels is right, even when it isn't the popular thing.

Don, if you read this, drop me a line.