Saturday Side Quest - What You Get Is No Tomorrow
Where has faith and fandom intersected this week?
A few weeks ago, I found myself particularly flummoxed by a creator on TikTok who was sharing their opinion that “TikTok is a platform for people who would never be allowed to teach in a church.”
I agree. But I also find it troublingly reductive. As a United Methodist, I believe we generally need far more accountability, regardless of platform or size. The process of ordination in the UMC is notoriously daunting. But I didn’t mind. It took time, sure, but it was thorough. And rewarding.
I rarely find myself asked a question I don’t have an answer to or at least know where to look. Even better—I often get asked unanswerable questions and know how best to respond gracefully. I learned that during the process.
Should we all have a platform? Should anyone have a platform?
It’s certainly not my end goal.
I don’t want the fame I see in the celebrities I follow. It seems overwhelming. Being noticed is nice, but I’ve been noticed by millions before, and it doesn’t feel even better… it feels worse. The videos I’ve made that go ‘viral’ make me feel weird.
Why did that go viral?
Why not the thing I work x number of hours on longer than that?
Am I this person now?
Do I need to make the 7-Eleven my whole personality now?
No thanks.
This week has been an overwhelming one, as I’m sure we all know well. On top of the existing stressors, my medicine had a mix-up, and I am still feeling the mental health ramifications of that. I’m also preparing for a week away in Colorado, so my schedule is about to be borked for seven whole days, which can prove extenuating to a solo church planter.
Alas, I’ve been particularly encouraged by the documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. The film's thesis inspires me, and I want to find new ways to tell others they must watch it. It is my film of the year and one of the most influential films for gamers.
In the opposite direction, I finished reading Digital Liturgies by Samuel D. James (one of my Substack peers). I found it so disappointing. It was reviewed exceptionally well, but barely a few chapters in, I discovered James to be precisely the skeptical Luddite he proclaimed not to be in the opening. His writing was weighed down by heavy prejudice—against younger people, those with different belief systems, ideologies, and, most shockingly for me, digital natives. He seemingly denied the existence of the digital native, as best as I could tell.
As someone doing the work of forging authentic and intentional leitourgia in online spaces, I found it discouraging to hear that someone could write a whole book, denying the possibility of such a thing.
In offering grace to James, I would offer up my existence. I am not addicted to social media. I am not a doom scroller. I live online, but I am not miserable, nor am I disconnected from the community. He posits that the online experience is itself pornographically shaped—as in bad for you and desensitizing. I am terrified this is the normative assumption of me and my work.
I wish I could help others understand that I’m not posting to Instagram and calling it Church. I’m not sharing videos on YouTube and asking them to smash that like button for Jesus.
I’m connecting with other living, breathing human beings on the World Wide Web mission field.
There is little difference to say that the mission field I serve is innately problematic as it was to call our colonialist tendencies to be ‘saving’ the ‘savages.’ We repented for such behavior. But here we are, repeating our historical shame. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
I would welcome a conversation with James. I don’t think he means the harm he is causing, but I am also quite concerned by the lauded reviews he has received. His arguments are legitimate to others—which is part of the problem. I worry I won’t be heard or respected. I will one day write a book (if not many) presenting the findings of Checkpoint and my work in the space. I only lament the harm done while I put words to the page.
Until then, my refrain will echo: Digital lives matter.
Will It Preach?
I finished many things this week and will reflect on them in this space. Would they preach? See if you agree with my take.
Wild Strawberries (1957)
This was the first of two Bergmann films I watched this week. I liked both of them well enough, but their avant-garde would make them challenging watches for any congregation. I think Wild Strawberries is probably more familiar. Who doesn’t have regrets? There is a moment at the end where, after the whole film, our main character has been traveling to this award ceremony, and the Criterion version of the film doesn’t translate the words of the ceremony, deepening how meaningless empty awards are. Will preach.
Persona (1966)
The second Bergmann was a bit more disturbing and heady. It is so very clear that Bergmann’s work inspires Sam Barlow with this one. The game Immortality is such a delightful continuation of this one. In all honesty, I like this one the more I think about it. We see ourselves reflected in others. We desire to be known, seen and heard. But what will we find when we face that mirror? Will preach, but already has.
Cries and Whispers (1972)
My final Bergmann of the week, and hopefully for a little while. Also probably my least favorite. Broken women incapable of caring for their dying sister due to their shortcomings. All dressed in pure white or black, they pop impressively off the bright red walls. I can only imagine seeing this one in theaters. I’m not convinced it can’t be preached, but I’d have even to understand half of what I watched first. Will preach but garner even more blank stares than usual.
Parasite (2019)
I missed the hype with this one due to having just welcomed our daughter into the world. I kept waiting for the right time to watch it, and—wow—it is that good. I think this movie is rife with preaching connections. The most notable (and one I may use) question is who the Parasite is in the film. Upper-Class debutantes will think the people living in the basement are leeches. But the director says the rich are the parasites—they can’t cook, clean, or raise their kids, relying on service-based occupants. Will preach.
Red Notice (2021)
It seems silly to even talk about this one as preaching fodder. This is a silly jaunt into a heist movie with Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, and The Rock. I suppose there are elements in this one of… teamwork? I’d steer clear of something so vapid, I’m afraid. Will not preach.
The Weekend Away (2022)
This was not a good film, but it was a fun story. Despite plot holes and moronic characters, the plot of affairs, divorce, happiness, and friendship are great conversation starters. A very cathartic movie to watch if you want to be upset with men in general. They really are all terrible in this one. Will preach.
Do Revenge (2022)
Now, this was a great movie. I’m reminded of the first time I saw Legally Blonde. Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes have fun chemistry and explore the #reallives of teenagers and young adults in Gen Z and college culture. Both leads play morally wrong people well and consistently remain likable despite their naughty actions. I could think of a few dozen teachings of Jesus with this one—speck, meet plank. Will preach.
Rebel Ridge (2024)
I’m conflicted with this one. On the one hand, this one is pulpy and action-heavy in a way that could open some interesting conversations around dirty cops and race conflicts in the United States. On the other hand, I do wish it were a bit less surface-level. It would demand deeper diving into the nuance to find the best bits. Stellar performances from the whole cast—I’m a sucker for anything with Don Johnson in it. Will preach.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Hah—what can I say about this film? It’s a classic. And I now understand why. I think it’s probably been done better by this point, but it seems to have originated plenty of the tropes of the coming-of-age Americana experience. I wonder if this could be an excellent chance to discuss the ‘good ol’ days’ as a diversion from allowing generations to connect. This movie just felt like high school, and I graduated in 2012. The 30-year difference wasn’t that much. Maybe we’re more alike than we realize. Will preach, but maybe don’t.
Collateral (2004)
Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx are cool for a couple of hours. It’s pulp and fun but not much more than that, theologically. There are some interesting conversations on harming people and the capacity to harm. I changed my own mind. Sure, it Will preach.
Aftersun (2022)
Not only will this movie preach, but I wish someone would. This was an unbelievably powerful film. Following a girl as she recalls a vacation with her now-deceased father is as heartbreaking as it sounds. I’m not sure I’ve seen a film that honestly presents the pressure of being a parent and the awkwardness of having a kid entirely, as this one does. I wanted to crawl out of my skin at times. That’s a cathartic reaction that doesn’t happen too often. Not to mention the lack of reliability we have on our memories of our childhood. Ugh—tearing up just thinking about it. Must see and will preach.
Clockwork Orange (novella) (1962)
Hyperviolence? Brainwashing violence out of someone? Changing who we are? Redemption? Involuntary grace? Hoo boy, did this book present a whole lot between its garbled words. I’ve yet to watch the movie, but I’m curious how Kubrick can capture the themes. Will preach.
The Credit Roll
These are some of the things I found this week that I am sharing as a bonus. Enjoy my custom For You feed.
IRL Mario Kart happened as a turtle flew through this person's windshield (turtle is okay)
Maybe meme, maybe real - The Mindful Gamer launched The Church of New Game + on Tiktok this week. I’ve followed Derrick for quite a while and appreciate their perspective.
Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins, known for Fortnite gaming, proclaims Jesus is King on a livestream
Did you get the reference in the title of this one? I was proud of the pull. Let me know how you’re enjoying the Saturday Side Quest! I’d love ideas of how to make it even better for those of you who generously support my work.
Statements like the Tiktok and digital native erasure, ugh... these feel like the same folks who will continue to wonder why others turn away from them, probably frame it as such others outside their flock (because surely they couldn't be in it! /j) somehow being more stuck in their sins than they themselves are and unwilling to hear a person who themselves appears uninterested in listening. At this point, for my two cents, all I can say is their loss. We will do our utmost to respect the insights that can be gleaned from their povs (appreciated the part about how your church schooling aids you!) and treat them with grace yet not let their harmful speech go unchallenged in the spaces where we live out the gospel with those around us they filter out of their sight.
All that said -- was funny to juxtapose your comments about celebrity to then close on that bit re: Ninja. Doesn't super surprise me with the vibes around him, but cynical aspects of that aside I can at least pray as with Checkpoint that it leads to something meaningful for God's work.