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If you listened to our most recent Brink Podcast , you heard us discuss a new genre that is developing in Christian publishing. It’s actually being called “Christian Vampire Fiction.” If you listened you also heard some strong opinions come out and heard things get a little bit fiery. If you haven’t listened, I encourage you to do so. You can visit www.thebrinkonline.com/podcast or find us on iTunes.

I’d like to add a few more comments and maybe clarify a few things with this post.

First of all, I understand that the vampires in Twilight are not the typical vampires we’ve seen in literature. They have morals, practice abstinence (even if it’s not for the right reasons), and are like “normal” people. But here’s my problem: Vampires have long been considered mythological creatures that represent some type of cultist activity. And as we know, they survive by feeding off the blood of living creatures. So how does that line up with Christian value and virtue? It doesn’t.

Regardless if the vampires are moral human beings or not, when we start mixing elements of mysticism in with Christianity, we’ve created a syncretic approach. Essentially, we are blending 2 systems of belief that do not need to be blended.

So let’s look at this even deeper. What happens when a Christian parent tells his or her teen she can’t read Twilight but she can read the Christian alternative? Essentially that parent is saying “Since this is Christian, it’s okay.” In reality, the parent is telling that teen “If it’s labeled Christian, it’s acceptable.” And the truth of the matter is, something labeled “Christian” could be far misleading than the original brand.

The danger of labeling something as “Christian” is that many people in our world aren’t able to discern things from a biblical worldview. They see the Christian label and accept everything at face value, never once thinking to question what the author might be saying. This has led to a lot of “Christian stuff” that is garbage. From Christian music to Christian publishing, there is a lot of stuff out there that has the “Christian” label but is far from biblical.

Christian Vampire Fiction exemplifies that. Mixing Christianity and mysticism is not acceptable. Parents may think this is harmless, but it’s a gateway to other things.

Look at books like The Secret or The Shack. These books have ideas that actually go against the words of Scripture. However, people in our society read the words of these books as Scripture, accepting everything as truth, simply because it’s labeled “Christian.”

To be honest, if I had a teen who was wanting to read Twilight, I would probably prefer my teen to read Twilight instead of the Christian alternative. Here’s why: I could use Twilight as a teaching tool. We could read the book together and discuss the truth in the book, and also where the book falls short. However, things become much more complicated with a “Christian” version. Not only is the quality of the writing typical poorer, but you also have a “Christian” version that is not quite Christian at all.

We have to be very careful and discerning. “Christian” does not mean God-honoring or even biblical. In fact, it even seems like some “Christian” things are more a mix of religions than anything. And the truth is, we cannot mix religions and worship God.

It starts small, even with a simple book. We HAVE to compare what we do and what we read to the Word of God. We must give it a test and see if it holds up when we look at things through a biblical lens. Even if it’s labeled “Christian,” if it does not fall in line with a biblical worldview, it’s not very “Christian” at all.

If you have a comment or a disagreement or agreement, I ask that you tune into our podcast at www.thebrinkonline.com/podcast first and hear our full argument.

This post might offend some people. If it does, just try to hear me out before you get angry and vow to never read my blog again. I have this theory that there are a lot of things that are popular in this culture simply because we think we’re supposed to like those things. For instance, when I was in high school, some friends and I made up a fake band and started raving about them to some of our other friends. Within a short time, some of our oblivious friends were raving about how awesome that band was. They even claimed to have all their albums and songs. Unfortunately, that band was made up. They simply liked them because some of their friends did.

Just because something makes this list does not mean that you’re a poser and only like it because your friends do. In fact, most things in life are “liked” because of a chain reaction. I truly believe that there are genuine fans of these shows, movies, products, etc. The following list (in no particular order) contains things that I think our society has overrated, simply because people think they’re supposed to like those things.

1. Coldplay
And here come the hateful comments. I do think a lot of people like Coldplay for their music. However, I think a lot of people buy into Coldplay because “everyone” thinks Coldplay is “cool” and let’s face it, we all want to be cool.

2. Dane Cook
He’s not funny! But somewhere along the way, someone really popular said he liked Dane Cook. And the snowball effect has taken place.

3. Lost
Too soon? I will admit that I’m a fan of Lost. However, sometimes I think Lost gets overhyped because people think they are supposed to be obsessed with it. It’s a great show…but some go just a little bit overboard with it.

4. The New York Yankees
You either love them or hate them…and a lot of people that love them came to love them by jumping on the bandwagon. They’ve almost become more of a fashion accessory than a baseball team. If you see someone wearing a flat-billed cap turned sideways, chances are it’s a Yankees hat.

5. Avatar
It was in 3D. It featured blue people. But is it really a “great” movie? Is it Golden Globe worthy? Academy Award worthy? I think the media made a lot of us buy into this one.

6. Lady Gaga
People call her a freak, yet her music sells. Someone must be buying it. I guess she could be the very opposite of this last and everyone buying her music is a closet fan afraid to admit it.

7. The North Carolina Tar Heels
This one is tough to put on here because I’d like to think of myself as one of the biggest Tar Heel fans on the planet. (I even came home from the hospital wrapped in a Tar Heel blanket when I was born.) However, much like the Yankees, the Heels have become a bandwagon-ridden team. This is mostly in part to Michael Jordan. Nonetheless, there’s a lot of Heels fans out there who are Heels fans simply because they want to fit in with their peers and culture.

8. Kim Kardashian
I’m pretty sure she’s only popular for being popular. Yet Kim, as well as any other “reality-TV” celeb on the E! channel have become overnight sensations. Their shows and stories are pitiful, materialistic, and vain, yet their popular keeps growing. Do we really like this people, or do we simply like them because our friends like them?

9. Hot Wings
This probably applies to guys more than anyone. Wings are a “guy’s” food. And to be honest, they’re good. But there’s a level of pride in guys that says they have to eat the hottest wings possible to keep their standing as “one of the guys.” Anything mild makes them a wuss. So even though they’re mouth is on fire, they’ll swallow their pride (literally) and pretend like everything is fine.

10. Rap music
A lot of people truly enjoy rap music. But a lot of people only listen to it because their friends are listening to it. You know who I’m talking about too. They’re very easy to spot.

11. Alcohol
If none of your friends drank alcohol, would you? Even more, if all of your friends thought alcohol was disgusting and detestable, would you touch it? Probably not. You’d have no need to.

12. The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is much more than a game these days. It’s 2 weeks of media coverage, and a 3 hour social gathering for most people. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s fun for people to get together for the game, even if they care nothing about the game. But since a lot of people show interest in it just to blend in with the crowd, it makes this list.

13. MMA
UFC has a huge following, as well as the rest of MMA. It’s a sport that’s on the rise. But in a sport that’s becoming so popular, you know there has to be a large chunk of the audience that only watch because it’s the “cool” and “manly” thing to do. Also, wearing Tapout and Affliction t-shirts fits in here too.

14. Abercrombie & Fitch
Why do people buy overpriced clothing? Because they’re friends are buying overpriced clothing and because the media says that is what we need to wear to be cool.

15. Dave Matthews Band
See Coldplay

16. American Idol
For many of us, we watch because our friends and co-workers watch. After all, we don’t want to be left without a word during the talk around the water cooler.

17. Political Activism
Whether it’s a fight for social justice or politics, a lot of people take a side they know nothing about and march, protest, complain, etc because that’s what everyone else is doing. This really seems to spring up around election time. If you really want to see it in action, wait until October 2012. Whether people love Obama or hate Obama, they will be out in full force…with absolute ignorance as their guide. Any guesses on how many of those people actually read the newspaper or watch Fox News and/or CNN regularly?

18. President Barack Obama
I’m not bashing or endorsing the president here. However, in many circles, it’s fairly obvious that people make up their opinions about the president based on the opinions of their friends or others in their “social group.” Very few people actually know how to think politically for themselves. Instead, they either hate or love the president based on what they think they are supposed to do to be accepted in certain circles.

19. Twilight
Need I say more?

20. Michael Jackson
It’s sad that Michael Jackson died at an early age. It’s amazing how many people became fans after he died. Some people just couldn’t stand to fall behind a trend.

Thanks for those that contributed. I want to give you credit, but I don’t want to put your name down if you wished to remain anonymous. So, feel free to claim your submission. If there’s anything to add, feel free. If you disagree, I would love to hear about it.

I know this is probably 1 date late and now considered outdated, but sometimes it takes me a little longer to collect my thoughts than most people.

Sunday night was the Grammy Awards. It featured some of the biggest names in music (as well as many actors and actresses from CBS shows) presenting awards, receiving awards, and performing. Awards shows seem to bring out the best and worst in people. Also, they seem to tell us a lot about where our culture is and where it’s headed. No matter if it’s the Grammy’s or the MTV Music Awards, it seems like a lot is said on these star-studded nights.

Here are a few of my thoughts. If I offend you or your favorite artist, I apologize. I’m just speaking my mind:

- First of all, I was glad to see Taylor Swift win the biggest award for Album of the Year. Did she deserve it? Maybe. Maybe not. Did Kanye help her win it? Possibly. But nonetheless, I’m glad she won. Here’s why: the other nominees were Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, and the Dave Matthews Band. While Beyonce has a beautiful voice, she’s marketed through sex appeal. While the Black Eyed Peas create catchy songs that get stuck in your head, some of their lyrics are profane and just like Beyonce, Fergie is marketed through sex appeal. Then there’s Lady Gaga. Sex appeal? Maybe. Shock value? Absolutely! If she was still Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta would we even know who she is? Probably not. As for DMB, I’m not a fan, but I do respect their talent and think they were a worthy nominee. But shockingly, Taylor Swift, in all her youthful innocence, took home the award. You could tell she was sincerely shocked to win. At this point, I think she has been a better role model for young girls that most artists that were at the Grammy’s. Hopefully the wholesome image continues.

- The Michael Jackson Tribute confused me. I felt like I was watching a scene out of Avatar. I also felt like the vocalists were up there to worship Michael Jackson. For a tribute, I expected artists to cover some of his most famous songs. Instead, I heard a great vocal performance that centered on nature/MJ worship. As a kid, I was a big Michael Jackson fan. I still love his music. However, I feel there was a lot of hypocrisy at the Grammy’s. Many people talked about how Michael was supposed to be there, and Michael would be performing his song if he was still alive. I don’t believe that. Before MJ died, he was considered a freak. The music industry shunned him and so did most of the country. If he was alive today, I don’t believe he would have been invited to the Grammy’s even to sit in the audience. I believe he would have been shunned. However, now that he’s dead, the same people that cursed his name now praise him. Something about that doesn’t seem right to me.

- To Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Drake: If half of your performance has to be censored by CBS, what’s the point? The best part of your song was Travis Barker on the drums. Unfortunately, that had to be censored out too because of your language. Also, pull up your pants. And CBS, do you really want Lil Wayne performing on your show when he’s supposed to report to prison next week? Great message you’re sending.

- I don’t understand how the Silversun Pickups were nominated for Best New Artist. Their debut album landed in 2006 and their most famous song, “Lazy Eye,” has been around since 2007. Nothing new about that.

- The performances were hit or miss. In a world of mediocre studio-produced talent, Andrea Bocelli stands above all. Incredible! Like I said, I’m not a DMB fan, but that was an incredible performance as well. Loved the 30+ people on stage all playing different instruments. Great blend. Fun song. Sounded great. And while on the positive side, how bout Bon Jovi? Those guys are 75 years old (jk) and still rocking! I thought the entire set was great…especially the finisher with “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Great stuff! Unfortunately, the Taylor Swift/Stevie Nicks performance was really really rough. Yikes. And Pink’s performance…well…let’s just say it wasn’t family entertainment and maybe made CBS reconsider the TV-PG rating for next year.

- Thank you for changing the landscape of music Les Paul. A legend!

- I first started listening to Green Day when I was in 5th grade. Now I’m 25 and they’re still winning awards and reinventing themselves. Who would have thought a punk band would have such staying power? Do you remember when people accused them of selling out with “Good Riddance”? Now they’re the ones setting the standard.

- I’m really sick of the whole Lady Gaga charade. I really don’t care if she can sing or write. She’s trying too hard for attention, and unfortunately people are giving it to her. We may criticize her antics, but we still buy her music. We may think she’s a freak, but we can’t wait to see what she does next. We’ve essentially created the monster that is Lady Gaga.

- Is Katy Perry talented? I’m not so sure. When she was Katy Hudson, she couldn’t even make it in the Christian industry. However, she changed her name and wrote a song about kissing a girl and now everyone loves her? This confuses me. Just like Lady Gaga, I think fans flocked to her because of her shock value and not because of her talent. Now that she’s made a name for herself, unfortunately, I think her staying power and influence is here for awhile. It’s really sad when people have to become something they’re not to get recognized and noticed. Very few artists stay true to themselves today. They’re only allowed to stay true to their label. And the label seems to be pulling all the strings.

- Last thing…did you know they give away a Grammy for Best Album Notes?

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Have you noticed the words that come out of a Christian’s mouth when he or she wants to add emphasis? They’re not the typical “four letter” words we’re used to hearing. Typically, the “f-bomb” isn’t included in the mix.

However, it seems Christians have their own sets of words. They’re not necessarily “cuss” words…but they’re our own set of cuss words. What am I referring to?

Ever said “That sucks!”? How about “That’s a load of crap!”? Ever tell someone you’re really “p*ssed off”? I’m guilty.

Whether or not we think those words are wrong, the truth is some of them offend others and we know that. However, we say them anyway. We could debate that “words are just words” and “words aren’t inherently evil” all day. But have you stopped to take the time to think about the connotation behind a word like “sucks”? When you say something “sucks” or tell someone they “suck,” what are you really saying? Sure, you may have your own interpretation, but think about what the connotation that the word came out of.

We often throw around our Christian cuss words like “sucks” and “crap” and “OMG” and “freakin’” without even thinking about it. It’s almost become second nature for us to say things like that. Sometimes we do it because we want to sound cool or rebellious…without really going all the way and saying the “bad” words.

What do our words say about us?

Ephesians 4:29 makes it very clear that no unwholesome speech should come out of our mouths. Rather, we should build one another up so that we may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 5:4 tells us there should be no filth, foolish talk, or crude joking. Those things are out of place.

As Christians, is our speech any different than the rest of the world? It may be different in spelling, but is it truly any different in meaning?

The US News and World Report released a study last week that says 1 in 4 teen girls have STDs (The results from the study showed 24.1% of teen girls in the study to be exact). Among teen girls who were sexually experienced, 37.7% had STDs.

Among the diseases, HPV was the most common infection, followed by chlamydia.

Some experts are calling for young teens and tweens to get the HPV vaccine to prevent the disease, especially cervical cancer, from occurring. Others are calling for sex education to begin at an earlier age.

Maybe we’re preaching the wrong message here. Whether we come out and say it or not, when schools teach messages about special vaccines, pills, or various uses of contraception, many of them do so in a way that says “We’re not going to discourage you from having sex; we just want to teach you some safety precautions.”

If you look online, you can find plenty of websites that teach people how to pass sobriety tests if they’re drunk. Sounds stupid right? Why should these sites even exist? We don’t want drunk people on the road at all, do we?

The same could be said about sex education and all of the “safety precautions.” Schools and experts have no problem telling teens how to take precautions. However, if you drive drunk enough times, you’re bound to be in an accident sooner or later. The same can be said for teenage sex. No matter how “safe” you try to be, you will have to face the consequences at some point, whether physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, etc.

From that study, it appears that at least 1 out of 4 of teen girls would agree.

Sex education isn’t the answer. Contraception isn’t the answer. Pills aren’t the answer. Vaccines aren’t the answer. We may think they help a little bit, but judging from numbers, it doesn’t seem to be much. It seems the only true answer we should be teaching is abstinence.

If 24.1% of girls 13-19 have STDs, can you imagine what that number will be 10 years from now…right about the time those girls are getting married…

[You can read the full story by clicking here]

This article comes from Aaron Kuriloff of Bloomberg.com. You can find the full story by clicking here. My thoughts are after the story.

Nov. 9 (Bloomberg) — Playing team sports increases teenage boys’ likelihood to binge drink and fight, while reducing unhealthy behavior in girls, a study found.

Teen girls who played team sports said they fought less, were depressed less often and didn’t smoke as much, according to a study presented today at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting. Male athletes who played team sports also reported some benefits, such as less depression and smoking, the organization said in a news release.

“Sports team participation appears to have both protective and risk-enhancing associations,” said the study’s author, Susan M. Conner from the Injury Prevention Center at University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, in the release. “These results indicate that healthy lifestyle benefits are not universal and do not apply equally across genders.”

The study surveyed 13,000 U.S. high school students to evaluate links between team sports and risky behavior. About 60 percent of the boys reported they played team sports within the last year, compared with 48 percent of girls.

The boys playing team sports reported binge-drinking rates 40 percent higher and fighting 30 percent more often than nonathletes, according to the news release. The athlete boys also showed 30 percent lower rates of depression and 20 percent less smoking.

The girls showed no link to drinking in the study, the research reported. The athletic girls showed 10 percent lower rates of fighting, 30 percent less depression, 50 percent less smoking and 10 percent less unhealthy weight loss habits compared with nonathlete girls, the study found.

This study doesn’t come as a huge surprise to me. I think parents, teachers, coaches, and teenagers have had a pretty good idea about these results for a long time. For many teenagers, especially guys, sports is associated with popularity and popularity is associated with alcohol. In my high school, many of the popular guys were athletes who also drank.

Less smoking among both genders seems obvious as well. It’s difficult to be an athlete at the top of your game if you’re smoking.

It’s also no surprise that sports seems to boost or at least sustain self-esteem. When teenagers have a hobby or something they can spend time doing, it helps self-esteem, especially when a teen can find reason to feel good about sometime. Self-esteem is also built when relationships are built through activities such as sports.

The increase in fighting among athletes vs nonathletes doesn’t seem to be surprising concerning boys. I’ve seen fights break out among fans at hockey games. Guys take a lot of pride in their teams, even if they’re not the ones playing. If guys are playing, that pride increases even more. When someone talks bad about their team, they take it personal. That’s when fists get thrown and fights ensue.

Although much of this information may seem obvious and predictable, it is saddening and scary and something parents should take note of. While athletics can have many positive effects on the lives of teenagers, it can also lead them to take part in things that are unwholesome.

Teenagers will do almost anything to be liked, popular, or just fit in. For some, this is turning to sports. If sports was as far as this went, the problem would not be so complicated and detrimental. Unfortunately, the drive for popularity leads many teens (especially guys) beyond the field and to the bottle. Maybe the boys should take a note from the girls on this one…

By now you’ve probably heard the answer to the question. Marge Simpson will be featured on the cover and in a centerfold of Playboy magazine. If you’re asking, “That Marge Simpson?” the answer is, “Yes, that Marge Simpson.” The cartoon character on The Simpsons.

According to the Associated Press, the average age of Playboy readers is 35. The purpose of putting Marge Simpson on the cover of the magazine is to try to appeal to younger audiences. most particularly the “20-something crowd.”

When this news first broke on TV, Internet, and print, it first came across as humorous. People found it funny that the cartoon mom off one of the highest rated TV shows was going to appear on the cover of Playboy.

But can we really look at what’s happening here? A “men’s” magazine is marketing itself by filling its pages with a naked cartoon character. Does that sound sickening to anyone else? I don’t care what your argument is, Playboy is pornography. And Playboy exists because lust exists. As if naked women didn’t do enough to sell the magazine, the company is trying to bring in a younger audience by including pictures of a naked cartoon character. Something is terribly wrong!

And do you think Playboy is only trying to market itself to the 20-something crowd? Do beer companies only market themselves at people who are over 21? Does Seventeen magazine actually try to target girls who are 17? No way. The target audience may be younger, but Playboy knows very well the idea of a naked Marge Simpson appeals to even young teen males. It may be illegal for them to get their hands on the issue, but Playboy knows they’ll find a way, whether through a friend, family member, or the Internet.

Ricky and Lucy couldn’t even sleep in the same bed together on TV. Now we’ve become desensitized that we have to put nude cartoon characters from prime time television in magazines. Ugh…

I just read about a new product on the market. It’s called “Blow.” It looks like cocaine, it’s packaged like cocaine, and in some ways it has the effects of cocaine. What is it? A new energy drink…or at least that’s what they say. The mix is sold in a small vial and is measured in grams. A small mirror is actually included in the package so buyers can grind the mix down to a powder before pouring it into a water bottle. The caffeine content is equivalent to 2 Red Bulls and 3 cups of coffee.

Hearing about that brought this question to my mind: Why is our culture so obsessed with “imitating” things that seem taboo?

For instance, when you were a kid did you ever buy candy cigarettes? If you had them, what’s the first thing you did? I bet it wasn’t throw them in your mouth and chew them up. I bet you put the stick between your fingers and pretended to smoke.

Ever known anyone who bought root beer in bottles because it resembled real beer bottles? It’s almost like that bottle of IBC gave them credibility (in their own eyes) and made them appear rebellious and cool.

Whether it’s snorting Smarties, drinking “Blow,” smoking candy cigarettes, saying words that “sound” like cuss words, or trying to appear “cool” to others buy drinking root beer out of a bottle, our culture really seems to enjoy dabbling in the thought of rebellion without completely crossing that fence.

Any ideas why? Your comments are welcome!

(Thanks to nbclosangeles.com for info)

Kayne West has been called a lot of things in the past 2 days, including a “choice name” by President Barack Obama. The man who was once notorious for writing “Heartless” is now notorious for destroying the acceptance speech of Taylor Swift at the VMAs. And as far as Kanye is concerned…it’s been tremendous!

Have I caught you off guard yet? Maybe. Let me explain what I’m talking about. When Kanye stepped out during the VMAs and grabbed the mic away from Swift, it first probably seemed like a publicist’s nightmare. “He’s drunk!” “He’s gone nuts!” “What is the crazy idiot doing?” Like I said…nightmare, right? Maybe not.

Two days after the incident, EVERYONE is still talking about Kanye West and Taylor Swift. What should be a publicist’s nightmare has turned into a publicist’s dream. EVERYONE is talking about Kanye…even more so than Taylor Swift. While his stupid antic should be something that should bury his career, it won’t! In fact, I believe it might take it to new heights.

Right now, everyone thinks he’s a total idiot. Everyone “hates” Kanye West. But will that be longterm? Doubtful. Back in 2005, NBC aired a telethon to raise money for the Katrina victims. West appeared with Mike Meyers. Going completely offscript, Kayne uttered these words: George Bush doesn’t care about black people! Whether you like George W. Bush or not, those words should have killed Kanye’s career. Instead, all it did was temporarily cause outrage, yet make Kanye’s name even bigger and recognizable.

Honestly, I think Sunday night is an example of the same thing. The media and fans will be angry at Kanye West for a short time. However, once he produces his next album and big hit, all will be forgiven and his success will be taken to new heights because his name is more recognizable than ever. What he did to Taylor Swift was dirty. However, with all the media attention, appearances, and public apologies, it may actually help his career in the long run.

How can this happen? Simple! We can easily overlook the faults of celebrities as long as they keep giving us albums, movies, championships, etc. that make us happy. Fans in LA love Manny Ramirez despite his 2x (at least) steroid use. Why? He’s a great player. Rock fans overlook their favorite artists’ multiple trips to rehab and multiple relapses simply because they put out great music. When someone does something to please us, their faults don’t seem so big. As long as we are happy, everything else is excusable.

In this twisted world, maybe Kanye was “right” after all.

–

“LOL Idk brb”

Does that look familiar? If not, it’s time to enter 2009. If you have a phone or have been online for a brief second, you’ve seen that language.

When we text, use Facebook, and update Twitter, we’re likely to use “cyber language” (or abbreviations) to say what we want to say. It’s been happening online since AOL introduced their Instant Messenger.

However, is it possible that using these abbreviations is damaging our intelligence, or even stunting our intellectual potential?

Maybe you think I’m being ridiculous, but consider the facts. Many teens (and adults) spend more time on a computer for leisure than for work or school. It’s very rare for people to use proper spelling and grammar when sending a text, updating Twitter, or posting a new status. Granted, some people do, but not all.

People chat in “shorthand cyber slang” that produces “sentences” that look like “just wanted 2 say ur great i luv u ttyl lol.”

I can’t help but think with so much time spent online and texting, this HAS to crossover into other areas of life. Hopefully most adults have had enough grammar ingrained in their minds to avoid this problem, but with teens it’s a very real issue.

Do teens know when to use there, their, or they’re? What about you’re, your, and ur? (One of those doesn’t belong.) Do they even care? Maybe not.

Sometimes I wonder if our advancements in technology are actually advancing a need to dumb down the rest of society. Why read a book when you can take a quiz that tells you what classic novel you are? Why watch the news and think about difficult issues when you can watch “real life drama” on Gossip Girl?

Are we becoming dumber from all this? Idk.