In this week’s USA Today, an article entitled “Are Students Today More Narcissistic?” caught my attention. In a survey on “narcissism,” two-thirds of college students said their generation uses social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter for self-promotion and attention-seeking. According to the researchers, the survey shows a substantial increase in narcissism from Generation X.
While I have no doubt the Millennial generation has perfected its own style of self-expression, they are not unique. My generation (Baby Boomers) had its own excesses in self-expression and attention grabbing. Back in the 60’s, everyone must have thought the “cult” of self-expression had reached its zenith, with its unrestrained self-gratification and hedonism.
Come to think of it, the human condition hasn’t changed much, has it? From the time of Babel, self-serving, narcissistic men have been seeking attention and promotion.
Using today’s networking jargon, the Genesis 3 account might go something like this: In the Garden there were two social networking systems—one was called “God-Promotion,” the other “Self-Promotion.” Satan said to Eve: “if you sign up for my “self-promoting” network, you will be able to control your destiny—you will be popular; many people will pay attention to you.” Well, you know which one she chose!
Think about this: Christians began “social networking” 2,000 years ago. By a network of brothers and sisters, an organism called the Body of Christ! And its purpose was to promote Jesus!
(BTW, how many times a day do you check to see if your friends have written on your wall?!)
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