VFTB 190: Transhumanism and Anime

THEOLOGY IS far too important to learn from fiction, but sadly, that's how far too many of us do it. Psychologists know that we absorb ideas presented as compelling stories more easily than we do when they're presented as fact.
One of the most popular forms of entertainment for teens and young adults is anime, Japanese animation. Pop culture critic Taylor Kent, host of the podcast Snark Infested Waters and a staff member on a pair of anime fan conventions in the Twin Cities, discusses the appeal of anime, the transhumanist and theological themes common in the genre, and how those concepts might influence fans without a solid grounding in faith.

Also: Closing comments on the violence in Ferguson, Missouri sparked by the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, 2014. Here is the link to a cell phone video shot minutes after the shooting that inadvertently captured a conversation with a witness — a description of the shooting that puts a different spin on the event than the one that's been reported by the media all week.
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