David Webster, Author at 1Africa

The relevance of consistency

David Webster

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September 21, 2016

Today everyone is looking for something new. Technology development has given us a constant craving for the next best thing. Unfortunately, that has also redefined our concept of relevance. The relevance of the Walkman in the ’90s is no longer what it is today. The rate at which iPhones are being disregarded for their younger models has reached a feverish state.

But I have found that when it comes to actual human life – to interaction and development, relevance has little to do with what is coming up next. If you want to be effective in your relationships, trying to chase after the next best thing doesn’t work. The whole concept of peer pressure is as modern as the age of technology is. If you constantly need to “keep up” with whatever version of the Kardashians you have in life, then you are denying yourself from having an impact of your own. Placing yourself under full submission of people who probably don’t care about you as much as they should is probably one of the most dangerous ways to live your life.

So are you relevant? Be honest – no one has to hear your answer. I can say I definitely didn’t believe that I was relevant to peoples’ lives for a considerable part of my life. Social anxiety had all but suffocated me as a teenager. Being irrelevant – “under the radar”, people pleasing, fake in humility, and conversation – is sometimes easier than being relevant. But you will end up driving yourself into the ground while no one around you notices, because they have never known who you truly are.

So how do you become relevant? It is definitely not in trying to “keep up”. It lies in something quite the opposite: consistency.

I was recently on a breakfast date with my girlfriend where we ordered the American pancakes (don’t judge). I was having a great time until I took my very last bite, where a large unmixed ball of baking powder and salt exploded in my mouth. It made the meal a memorable experience for all the wrong reasons and I am not sure if I will ever go back to that restaurant.

The problem was not in the presentation of the plate. It wasn’t with the service, or the surrounding environment. It was that the pancake batter was not consistent. Its consistency was not consistent throughout. Some of the ingredients were not completely present in every spoonful, resulting in an uneven mixture that couldn’t be trusted.

When we as people are inconsistent in character and action, it is much the same. It doesn’t matter what we look like; it doesn’t matter what we say or offer; it doesn’t matter what environment we hang around – we won’t have the lasting relevance we were made to have. Consistency of self is constant. It means that “all of you” shows up to every conversation. It means that you haven’t compartmentalised your ideals, your character, your personality, or your gifts – that you are 100% you, 100% of the time.

Of course, this is completely impossible without help. I have always struggled when people describe themselves with the phrase, “What you see is what you get.” The problem with that is that everyone sees you differently. It is you and you alone who knows the state of your authenticity. But others around you will sense whether you are consistent over time – and that is the key to true relevance. In a world full of changing situations and fevered squalor, the consistent friend, the consistent leader, the consistent son or daughter, is where people will turn for comfort, guidance, and true change.

I have found only one way to truly be consistent. It lies in the foundation of how I live. Everything in this world will change. There is no person, situation, television show, technological device, or organisation that will not falter at some point in their consistency. But the Bible says that Jesus is the same always (Hebrews 13:8). The only way that I have found myself consistent – truly authentic – is by tying myself to One who is more real and authentic than anything else I will ever encounter. My relationship with Jesus has not only changed the way I see myself, but also the way I see the world around me.

If you are desperate to find the hope waiting in your situation; if you are longing to be relevant – memorable for the right reasons; if you desire to believe in yourself completely, then choose to believe Jesus. Click on the link below to find out more.

Grace VanderWaal: The power of authenticity

David Webster

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September 16, 2016

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Grace VanderWaal: The power of authenticity

Talent shows have become a new staple of our culture. But with multiple versions of The Voice, X Factor, and the numerous ‘Got Talent’ franchises, it’s rare to find an act that truly stands out from the rest.

This year, however, there has been one girl that has taken the world by storm. At the tender age of 12, Grace VanderWaal entered America’s Got Talent with her ukelele and an original song. But this wasn’t just any song… The catchy tune and slightly obtuse lyrics, combined with her raspy indie vocals took YouTube by storm. As a vocal instructor, it is rare to have the same song requested by most of my students. But everyone wanted to sing this one. Her original audition has recently hit over 35 million views. Check it out below:

Unlike many singers in the ‘Got Talent’ franchises, she continued to captivate her nation through the following three rounds. Last night, after singing with one of her musical heroes – Stevie Nicks – she took home the title, scoring a whopping $1 million and a headline show in Vegas.

Two elements of Grace truly stood out throughout the competition: her character and her skill with lyrics. In a rather crazy variety of characters that rang rather empty, Grace’s genuine spirit struck a chord with her audience. The honesty and simplicity of her songs are also a breath of fresh air. You can check out a few more of her original songs below:

It is pretty remarkable how people can identify authenticity even when bombarded with all the talent, production quality, and loud colours. In a world that can seem so fake, I believe it is important to find a way to stay grounded – at peace with who you are before the opinion of others. In a world that is trying to make everything a popularity competition, people are desperate to be real and have real people around them.

Nothing keeps you grounded more than recognising that there is a God who is way bigger than any part of this world. If you would like to find your way and know who you are before others tell you, find out what God intended for you.

Click on the link below to find out more.

The danger of self-defining

David Webster

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September 14, 2016

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Never has there been a generation like ours – that is more obsessed with “why” we live. There is an inherent attitude between those considered millennials – a mutual understanding that we want to find purpose – a specific meaning that we can tie to our lives.

As noble and truly aspirational this is, there is something else that comes with that. There is an urgency to define yourself. Gone are the days of conformity, where everyone had to wear the same brands and do the same things.

Being unique is now the new normal. It’s the ultimate for us as young people –to have our own voice. Our own thoughts, our own style, and our own opinions.

But when there is so much pressure to be yourself, what do you do when you don’t know who you are?

I can tell you now, as a 24 year-old, there are aspects of myself that I am still freaked out about. In my short lifespan, I have not been able to experience every situation possible. And situations are what reveal what you are really made of. So in a world where there is value placed on knowing your “labels”– whether it is your personality type, your skillset, your life experiences or your identity – I want to highlight the dangers of defining who you are too quickly.

You see, if you decide that you are “this kind of person”, there is no longer an avenue for development. Anyone who may want to help you – to encourage you to grow – will all of a sudden have no way to get through to you. If they address a behaviour or mindset that might not be healthy for you, you then react out of offence. Defining yourself by ways of actions, desires or what you have experienced immediately makes you defensive. If any wise person were to come along and want to help you – you would take their words as an attack on yourself, not simply guidance regarding your present state.

Self-defining is also like asking a sapling what kind of fruit it will produce. Personally, if I had to tell you who I was seven years ago, I wouldn’t have got half of it right. I had no idea what fruit lay dormant within me. Defining yourself too soon will only result in opportunities missed. For a long time, I defined myself as “a musician”. Today, music is simply a skill in a whole arsenal of different abilities that enable me to communicate effectively. I would have classified myself as an extreme introvert at one point in my life. Today I thrive on working with people and seeing them find where they thrive.

The danger of defining yourself can also be in listening to others’ opinions. If I had allowed others to define who I am early on, I would have the labels “coward”, “gay”, and “boring” on my life to this day. The thing is that other people cannot know what lies within you – unless God tells them, and even then you should test it. Other people will try to classify you so that they can be comfortable. But what they see is a work in progress. Don’t let anyone else’s opinion stunt your growth. You may be placed in a “box” by people so that their worlds make sense, but if you commit to keep growing, their box will break as you grow stronger.

So am I saying that we should not chase after our purpose? No. Am I insinuating that trying to find out who you are is harmful? No. I simply want to make sure you know that you’re still very much in a process. Where defining your style, sexuality, identity or social preferences may make you feel safe, it also forces you to limit how you can grow and develop.

There is only one opinion I trust 100% when it comes to who I am – and that is God’s. He knew me before I knew myself. He made me with intention. And so if there is any desire for affirmation, I turn straight to His opinion first. When Jesus died for you on the cross, he died so that you could be who you were created to be. God sees all of who we are at once. He knows all the unseen factors that have resulted in our present existence. But He also sees us whole and fully developed and will always encourage us to grow towards that.

If you want to truly know who you are, let God define you. Let His Word shape you and direct your opinions about yourself. He is alive and ready to work with you.

Click on the link below to find out who He is.

And Me (Too)

David Webster

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September 9, 2016

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On the 5^th of September, a Cape Town choreographer posted his new dance video on YouTube. Just one hour later, it had twenty-nine thousand views. Hitting viral status and gaining international interest within less than 24 hours, this video garnered some awesome attention for local South African talent.

Rudi Smit, the choreographer, has been a known talent for a while, with some really impressive videos behind his name. But the pure scale of this latest one, with arguably the best dancers in the country, has catapulted it into a world-class status in more ways than one.

Using a relatively mainstream song, Meghan Trainor’s hit Me Too, was something that definitely helped. When approached for comment, Rudi said the main goal was that he wanted it to reach Meghan. And two days ago, that is exactly what happened – with Meghan tweeting the video to all her fans, with the caption “wow wow wow unbelievable… slay my life!” By 10pm on Wednesday night, it had hit over 378 000 views.

This is an awesome example of how the young people of Africa actually have a valid place on the world stage. I have been a long believer in the talent in Africa. Musically we boast some of the best singers and producers in the world. Being part of a few global productions, I have seen how the standard of dance in our nation is something to be proud of as well. And when a few passionate young people come together with a dream to impress the world, it can actually happen.

It is about time that our continent shrugs the idea that our creativity has no place on the world stage. Yes, the industry needs a considerable makeover in ideology and level of excellence, but with independent directors and editors like those on display in this video, I have no doubt that we will make an impact. If not through television or official channels, then YouTube.

One of the main things that I find awesome about this specific video is the conviction of the choreography and the character of the dancers. There is no question that they believe in what they are doing. In an industry that needs a whole lot more belief, it is going to take people like this – artists that believe in themselves – to truly make a contribution to the world.

Some industry bigwigs would probably pose the question, “But is it African?” I am a true believer that African art does not need a talking drum or traditional clothing to be authentic. The music is not African, yes. But the dancers – their ethnicity, style choice, attitude and choreography – are home grown. Is it unique? Then it is African. It stems from our environment. It includes our people. It makes our people proud. It features some awesome mountain vistas.

I am praying for the day that people open themselves up to genuine expression rather than idioms that harken to the past rather than pushing forward. When honesty and authenticity are at the heart of any piece of art, it is worth lauding and promoting. Big ups to Rudi and his crew! You guys just proved we can do it.

Living in the deep end

David Webster

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September 7, 2016

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We are made to be different.

In a world that is going to try and classify you – by your behaviours, your preferences, your ability and your looks – I feel a deep sense of urgency to proclaim that your life is unique and needs to be different.

Google and other online platforms have been monitoring the searches we make for years, trying to formulate and tailor your search results according to what you have searched for in the past. It’s a technological forefront of anthropology, as we study what each person wants.

But what makes me worried is that all these kinds of advances do is encourage you to be more of the same. As much as you are made to be different to everyone else (and unique searches would support that), you also need to allow yourself to differ from who you are right now as you grow.

I see this a lot with young people once they have finished studying. As well as teenagers who have a rather limiting friendship circle. You have no obligation to the world to be exactly what you were a few days ago. If you liked avocado and decided you don’t like avocado anymore, it should not be an earth-shattering problem for anyone around you.

But we lock ourselves into personalities and roles that keep everyone happy while we slowly lose grip of our souls. I’ve known what that feels like. And I just want to let you know that on the other side of that sense of obligation or fear is a whole lot of God-given freedom.

So how do we know who we truly are? How do we find out what we are made of and how we differ from everyone else? There is one way that has been the most effective to me. It has shown me time and time again what I am truly made of. I like to call it “deep end living”.

There was a time when I was extremely insecure and my self-esteem was sub-zero. Fear had overtaken most of my life and I really struggled to wake up and face the day – purely because of social anxiety. It was only when I walked into church and found people who loved me despite all this that I started to be open to the idea of being myself.

Others started to believe in me more than I believed in myself and I began to consider that maybe I was capable of more than I thought possible. All God needs is a thought like that to completely change how I saw myself.

When I talk about being thrown in the deep end, I am referring to the fact that you get placed in situations that you will either sink or swim in. It’s a place where you have no option but to decide either to be a victim and give up or fight with everything you have to stay afloat.

My first deep end was leading a small gathering of people mid-week. All of them were older. All of them had been in the same group for months – it was my second time. I remember slowly dying inside thinking I could never make it. But I found something in me that I never knew possible – I had the stubbornness to fight. And I fought. It was a terrible evening, but I didn’t drown in despair.

Since then I have been thrown into many different “deep ends”. And I have learnt a whole lot about my character – what I am good at and what I need to work on. I have learnt about honour and respect for others. I have learnt how to lead. I have learnt how to apply my knowledge to practical situations. I have learnt to communicate effectively. I have learnt to laugh at myself. I have learnt how to encourage and include others.

But above all, I have learnt how to include God in the impossible moments of my life. There was nothing more crucial for me than recognising that I could not be who I am made to be without God’s support and involvement.

He made our legs to kick and our arms to pull against the currents of life. He has enabled you to swim through storms – not to sink, or tread water or flail in panic. I don’t know what the “deep end” looks like for you, but I want to encourage you to embrace it. Experience will bring out your true identity. We need people that would rather be strengthening themselves through the struggle than people hiding in their comfort.

If you want to know God – who comforts you while you live in the deep ends of life, check out the link below.

Nerve: Masterful in expression

David Webster

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September 2, 2016

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It has been a long time since I have watched a film that has lived up to its hype (which was surprisingly minimal). And to be honest, this alternative, edgy film has done more than promised. Simple in execution. Masterful in expression. This movie is thought provoking without being pretensive. Throughout the narrative, you wonder if things could possibly be “pushed” a bit further. But you leave with a cohesive picture that highlights the storyline as much as the moral behind the story.

So before we go any further, check out the trailer.

Set in 2020, with the teen-film old-schoolers Emma Roberts and Dave Franco at the forefront, this is a movie that rides scarily close to reality. Basically, if you took Pokémon Go, Facebook, Periscope, and added a payment system – you have Nerve. But even without the payment system, I think that we already have a version of this fabled game in our lives.

Our currency may not be cold hard cash, but the lengths that people will go to to get recognition isn’t far off of what these characters are willing to do. Instagram and Facebook likes are currency to a large amount of our generation – especially teenagers. The need to fit in, while also being your own person, has resulted in a very dangerous digital reality.

Allowing the general public to nurture your actions – first through your online presence and ultimately your whole life – enforces an existence that is reliant solely on the opinions of others. The modern day mob is not only those standing in the streets shouting for blood. It is the millions sitting behind the comfort of their screens – anonymous and therefore more wicked.

Just because people have an opinion doesn’t mean it needs to be published. And these days, it has resulted in a hypersensitivity around polarising issues on social media. Never before has it been so easy to victimise people. Never before has it been so easy to become a victim.

Nerve simply explores a life where people online define the reality of an individual. Not far off from what’s happening to young people today. If you have found yourself looking to apps on your phone for affirmation; if you have allowed what someone has said online to affect you; if your perspective of life has been marred by the general public’s obsessions and ridicules, may I encourage you to take a look at where you are living from?

God is our source. God is our solution. God is the ultimate authority on every part of who you are. You might not think so, but I can say from experience that the more I have sought to know God, the more I have become my true self – healthy and unaffected by the fickleness of other broken people.

If you want to hear an opinion that will grow your life rather than limit it, click on the link below.

The opposite effect

David Webster

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August 31, 2016

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Have you ever wondered why the opposite of something good exists?

Before you dismiss the question into the realm of philosophical complexity, I want you to think about why bad things exist – especially within the context of God and faith. Why does depression, or sorrow, or loss, or violence operate in a world God created and called “very good”?

I have met many people who have turned away from faith because of this very question. I definitely don’t think I have a perfect answer. All I can do is talk from my experience.

Recently, I have gone through a phase where I was struggling with irrational disappointment. Life right now, is actually more than I have ever dreamed it would be. Yes, there are areas where I definitely am not fulfilled yet – but, I have found myself seeing progress and at a level of success in my personal life as well as in work and ministry. But I have had this inner turmoil – a struggle to understand why I keep feeling let down. The anti-climax in my soul is no reflection of my situation, so I had to address it – with the help of the Holy Spirit.

What I have found is that there is an opposite of disappointment – appointment. It is not fulfilment, or joy, or satisfaction. Appointment is the direct opposite of disappointment and all that stands between the two is that one preposition: “dis-“. In the dictionary this “dis” means – “apart”, “away” or “having a privative, negative or reversing force”. So disappointment is a sense of being “apart” or “away” from appointment. It refers to a perceived process of the reverse of appointment. And it is a lie from the pit of hell.

God is very clear in the Bible that He has chosen you. He has intentionally created and appointed you for the life you lead. Ephesians 2:10 is one of many verses that directly indicate this. The forethought that He has put into each of our lives is unprecedented. No one could come close to planning our future better than He already has.

So how can disappointment exist, when God has called us “appointed”?

Why does the opposite of God’s goodness exist?

Well, in my situation I found the answer in the preposition “dis-“. Bad things are not a directed enforcement from God. They happen in the absence of Him. “Dis-” means “away”. It is very interesting that I began to struggle with disappointment the moment I started seeing my appointment unfold before me. And what I have realised is that the presence of God in one area of my life, which is the presence of good (among a whole lot of other things), reveals areas in my life that do not have Him.

When your life becomes effective – when you do what you feel you’re created for – it is hard not to recognise the areas that don’t line up with God’s will. In your “appointment” you recognise the existence of the reverse in other areas of your life.

So I had to allow God into my disappointment. I did not have to understand it fully. I just had to believe that with God, I am chosen and am worthy of his intention. I’m sure that you probably can think of an area where you could allow God’s presence to change you. It may be the first time you consider his opinion of your situation. It may be something you have done more than a hundred times. But as humans, we will never have a limit to our need of God in light of our existence. God made and chose us to be with Him. If your soul is crying out for something, that’s just a reminder of who you need to turn to: the loving God who knows exactly how to comfort you and grow you.

We all need God. It’s an eternal dependance that is extremely freeing and empowering. You don’t have to believe me. Try finding fulfilment in God yourself.

Click on the link below to find out more.

What is your culture?

David Webster

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August 26, 2016

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Before dating, I had no idea that I had a specific culture. I expected things that were normal to me to be normal for everyone around me as well. But, I’ve learnt very quickly that there are some very defined differences when it comes to “normality” in our lives.

The first thing to identify is what culture actually is. The scientific term for culture refers to the growth of bacteria. A bacteria culture grows when the environment is conducive for it to do so. In the same way, your personal culture is what has grown because of the environment you have allowed to affect you. In its simplest forms, your culture will be grown through what your soul responds to. We return to what we like. We do what pleases us. Our actions become culture when we repetitively reach for the things that have “positively” affected us. That is a passive way your culture has grown. But there are better ways to live.

Now bacteria is as good as it can be bad. It all depends on how it grows and what it is used for. In the same way, culture can be harmful or helpful to you – it depends on how you engage with it.

I have seen culture form more divides than anything else. Growing up, I had the privilege to travel extensively. At a very young age, I was made aware of the difference between people’s opinions and beliefs. Once you have lived in urban China for six months, everything that’s considered “normal” in South African suburbia is the exact opposite to your experiences. Once your eyes have been opened to the way of life for the Malagasy people, you cannot easily return to the day-to-day trivialities of Western culture. It has been so easy for me to see how culture has divided us as humanity.

When people are passive in building culture, they only do what they see. There is not much intention behind these peoples’ actions, it is just a default way of living that no one is questioning because “it’s always been this way” and “everyone does it”. Isn’t it funny how those two phrases are used by different generations on the spectrum of society? Personally I want to run a mile from that kind of living. If my life looks like a .2 upgrade of that of my parents, I know for a sure I’m missing out on making a difference in this world. Especially in Africa.

My girlfriend is Zambian. Her culture is very different to mine in many ways. But what is awesome for me is learning about it and seeing the value of the traditions her family uphold. If you are able to step back and look at culture from an outsider’s perspective, I believe you will find gold in the way different people live. Traditions that have remained intentional normal hold a whole lot of meaning and it is important to appreciate them for what they are. But just like I cannot randomly swap my culture for my girlfriends’, we cannot simply amalgamate different cultures without being intentional.

Africa has a very diverse range of people. The amount of cultures, ethnicities and shared history on this continent is staggering. This is where I believe the second way of growing culture could be so powerful. The fact is, if we stopped fixating on a specific way of life and allowed ourselves to experience how other people think and live, we would be able to move past our ‘normal’ and pioneer a better way of living. In the context of the ‘global village’ this generation is finding themselves in, we have more opportunity than ever to learn from other ways of life.

But it’s not just learning. It’s application. I want to challenge you to look at how you live. What you consider as “normal” is completely foreign to a considerable percentage of this world’s population. When you understand that “different” is not bad, and could hold the answer to a better future for us all, you can actually be effective across cultural lines. I’m asking our generation to think bigger and see better. To not only look at how something is different, but live with their hands open – willing to adjust the passively formed culture they find themselves in so that something new and vibrant can be formed.

Culture is only king if you allow it to be. You will miss out on a whole lot of friendships, futures, opportunities and adventures if you only stick to what you know. I believe Jesus is the most uniting factor when it comes culture and society in Africa. The church is growing and thriving in many different cultural settings. It is when the church is not limited by culture – but rather transcends it – that God’s intentional culture is revealed. God has a way of life that was custom-made for humanity. Culture is one of the most powerful aspects of your life. Click on the link below if you want to learn how to move past your passive ‘normal’ and actively build a future that is free and limitless!

Why prayer works

David Webster

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August 24, 2016

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I have recently been reminded by how powerful prayer is when it comes to our lives. So often, it can be seen as some random mutterings of a monk that has nothing better to do. We can get familiar with the words of repeated texts. But, there is true transformative power in setting time aside to speak out your desires with God.

I think prayer needs to be demystified a bit. It is not a rehearsed set of words. It does not have rules. There is no “right way” when it comes to words or posture. The only two elements that need to be present is sincerity and faith. Here are a few logical points about why prayer works:

Focus

a) Prayer makes us put into words the things we are going through. It helps us define our situation, our past and our future. It forces us to express what we might be feeling. It helps us verbalise the dreams and hope we have for our future. It helps expose the struggle to ourselves. It is an avenue for us to “let out” what is happening internally. Without prayer, a person can internalise things to the point of explosion.

b) Prayer acknowledges there is something greater than our situation. In speaking to God, we have to begin to think about His perspective of our circumstances. Personally, it helps me see my emotion and internal life in the context of the world and in the context of history. God sees it all – the beginning of time and the end of it. He sees my issues, as well as the reasons why I have those issues. He sees the whole picture and how I fit into it. The moment I speak to God about my life, I find myself growing out of the confines of myself – understanding that I’m not the only factor in play.

Companionship

God said, “I will never leave you”. But we tend to feel lonely. Unfortunately it is a human tendency to retreat and hide and wait for God to find us. Just like Adam and Eve did once they had disobeyed God. We have access to God all the time. He is attentive and ready all the time. As you speak out and share your concerns and experiences with God – whom you cannot see – you will start to sense His presence. It may take some time. Sometimes it is really hard. But I always experience less loneliness coming out of prayer.

Significance

Communing with God automatically means that you come away stronger. In the Bible Moses climbs a mountain to speak with God and comes back with a face that shone so bright people couldn’t look at him. Thankfully, we don’t have to climb a mountain to speak to God. Jesus climbed the cross so that we all have free access to God. So when I connect with the One who designed and created me, I cannot help but leave being more of myself. There is a stigma about prayer – a notion that it is about fitting in to a formula. Prayer is not about changing yourself to fit a mould. It is about your soul returning to its original intended existence. Each day my desire is to become more like who I was intended to be. The only things between who I am and who God created me to be are sin and bad decisions. Both lose power in the presence of God. The only place we can be transformed is in prayer.

Power

Prayer is the frontier between the physical and spiritual world. There is nothing more assuring or exhilarating than seeing prayer answered. When things look impossible in the physical world, we have no choice but to believe for spiritual intervention. I have hundreds of stories in my own life of how God has intervened and changed the physical circumstance. Prayer is not meant to be something that is just one way. God responds. There is nothing better than experiencing God’s direct answer to your prayer.

Our prayers will define us. Our prayers will be the difference between our lives and those who are going through the same situations without God. Prayer works. God cares. Knowing him through daily conversation changes everything.

Techno takeover

David Webster

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August 19, 2016

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As technology development settles in at a pace that is continuously revolutionising our world, there is a new wave of entertainment that has changed the narrative to address how differently dangerous life has become.

Last night was boys’ night, which meant watching a movie that had some serious violence and car chases. Jason Bourne was an obvious choice. The franchise so far had produced some of the most raw and understated, but brilliant action. But this time the narrative was remarkably different. There was a distinct sense that the world of Jason Bourne had moved on – or rather had caught up – to the present reality we face today.

From the start, the film shows how surveillance had improved with the help of technology. There was no question that the US government could find anyone anywhere in the world without much concern for jurisdiction or private privacy. This isn’t much different to the surveillance of the first three films. It presents itself as a natural progression in a world that operates in the shadows. But as the film progresses, a larger, more realistic form of surveillance is revealed.

Cell phones and laptops are becoming essential to life as we know it. And if they are connected to data or wifi, the likelihood of them being hacked is higher than we might think. This new Bourne offering pivots around this reality.

How are we able to ensure our privacy?

As the general public we are asked to blindly trust the technology developers – hoping that they are protecting our freedom, not exploiting it. It is a very satisfying movie, with some great fight scenes and stunts. But that wasn’t the only movie that addressed the issue of technology’s dangers last night. The previews before the film showed two movies that are releasing in Africa today: Nerve and Cell.

The first – Nerve – has a cast of young actors that explores the danger of social media. The concept runs as a game that people play in real life while others watch, daring players to do specific things for money. I can already see some pretty freaky parallels in real life. With the teen-dream tainted actors Dave Franco and Emma Roberts, it promises to be a salty sweet adventure with some biting bitter notes that might hit too close to home for comfort. Cannot wait.

As technology development settles in at a pace that is continuously revolutionising our world, there is a new wave of entertainment that has changed the narrative to address how differently dangerous life has become.

The second film released today is the Sci-fi thriller Cell. Based on a novel, the story looks very similar to that of the epic World War Z. Humanity is attacked through the frequencies on their cell phones and those using their phones at the time end up “evolving” into ruthless killing machines. This may be a stretch too far from reality to make a social comment, but the concept of our cell phones being the danger does make one realise how dependent we are on them. What would life look like if we had to press a giant reset button and scrap technology all together? I will definitely have to be in the mood to watch this one, but with the driving narrative of a son and his father seeming to run throughout, I am hopeful that the story will be compelling enough.

Today, we are seeing a new generation growing up with technology and adapting very quickly to the new developments we encounter every few weeks. Within 30 years, we have gone from no access to the internet, limited use of cell phones or computers – to viewing all three of these things as basics to how we live. As technology becomes “normal”, I think we need to consciously look at how we can strike a balance that keeps us as humans grounded. One thing that I believe could do that is getting out into nature. Appreciating the world through a screen may seem convenient, but it will never be as fulfilling as actually being there. Another way I think we can strike the balance is by reading books – tangibly feeling the paper and reading wisdom that existed long before the craziness we face every day.

The best way to truly stay grounded for me, however, is by engaging with God. Reading the Bible and acknowledging Him throughout the day changes everything. In a world where we are able to access almost anything online, I believe we can forget to monitor the health of our souls, but God is not surprised by technology or our misuse of it. He is concerned about us, regardless.

If you want to find out more about his take on your life, click the link below.

David Webster

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