It’s Jump Time
Help me SPARQ curiosity, change and growth
The video you just watched was created with Jean Houston, reading her poem Jump Time
And we are in the midst of a jump.
The Age of Aquarius is said to be a time of advancing our communication, consciousness, connection, and technology.
Looking back at the past few decades, we can see how our awareness of the impact of our actions on this planet has fluctuated. This presents us with an opportunity to recognize that we are being called upon to elevate our consciousness and understanding of what it means to be human in this time of heightened division and disconnection from nature and each other.
How did we get here?
Over a century ago. In 1909, E.M. Forster published "The Machine Stops," a short story envisioning a dystopian world controlled by a mysterious machine.
Forster's prophetic tale presents a chilling vision of a society controlled by a mysterious machine. Here, all communication is conducted remotely, and face-to-face interactions are mere relics. However, when the machine inevitably falters, so does civilization, underscoring the delicate balance between humanity and technology.
Doesn't this narrative strike a familiar chord in our modern world?
This cautionary tale raises timeless questions about the influence of media and technology on our consciousness. It foreshadows the digital age we find ourselves in today, where screens mediate our relationships and virtual realms blur the lines between reality and simulation.
“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind”
- Jim Morrison
Media wields immense power, a power to shape beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. It serves as a mirror reflecting societal norms, aspirations, and anxieties. Research suggests that media influences through both individual and social mechanisms, shaping how we perceive and navigate the world around us.
The use of propaganda isn’t new; the idea of swaying a certain portion of the population is as old as time and became easier to disseminate with the invention of the printing press and now the internet.
All one has to do is reflect on our most recent history and how a simple meme on social media can inspire fear and violence in a large group of people.
A pivotal moment in the tone and language of our media occurred in the late 1970s. Here, we witness a shift in the dissemination of news and information.
Opinions begin to eclipse facts, and narratives are molded to fit ideological and political agendas. This phenomenon persists today, as media outlets prioritize sensationalism over substance, and truth becomes a casualty in the pursuit of clicks and views.
It wasn’t just in how we were delivered the news of the day; music, cinema, and even art shifted as well.
A recent study analyzed over 12,000 English-language songs from 1970 to 2020 revealed that Song lyrics are getting simpler, more repetitive, angry, and self-obsessed, revealing a tapestry of societal trends, emotions, and themes. From anthems of rebellion to ballads of heartache, music serves as a conduit for our collective consciousness, a mirror reflecting our joys, our struggles, our dreams and our fears.
Yet, amidst the melodies lies a complex narrative, a narrative that influences our perceptions, emotions, and ultimately, our mental well-being. The rise of digital streaming platforms has democratized access to music and media, but it has also commodified creativity, reducing art to mere data points in algorithms and playlists.
Not only in music but in the digital age, media consumption has reached unprecedented levels, revolutionizing societies worldwide. Digital media has become an integral part of modern life, from smartphones to social media. According to data collected by regulatory agencies, nearly 95% of people aged 16 to 24 own a smartphone, checking it on average every 12 minutes.
Estimates suggest that 20% of all adults spend more than 40 hours per week online. Once hailed as a beacon of connectivity and knowledge, the internet has morphed into a double-edged sword—a source of information, misinformation, connection, and isolation.
It has been noted that the Flynn effect which describes the increase in average IQ observed in the 20th century due to better nutrition and education, may be reversing. Recent research in Denmark and the United Kingdom indicates a significant slowdown and even a reversal of IQ. This means that, despite the incredible advancements in technology, IQ scores have actually decreased.
Emotional intelligence (EI) has four key components: self-management, self-awareness, social -awareness and relationship management.
Technical stimuli and the shift in our discourse are challenging each of these as well.
Research has linked intensive digital media use to a myriad of psychological issues, from depression and anxiety to sleep disorders. Excessive exposure to violence and negativity in media content can exacerbate these problems, fueling societal unrest and polarization.
Turn on any media outlet or streamer, and you are more likely to find programming focused on dystopian narratives, true crime shows depicting violence against women, and films portraying stereotypical villains as whatever current adversary the West is battling. Is this life imitating art? Are we programming our own demise, or are we reflecting our feelings about the state of humanity through our media and entertainment?
These days, it’s almost impossible to fund and distribute media that doesn’t fit into a genre or category that has already been proven to succeed. Stories are redundant, being retold, and entertainment focuses on tried-and-true brands and IP’s – creativity is being marginalized. I mean, I love a good Marvel movie, but do we need 5 of them a year? Aren’t they all basically the same story over and over again?
Scrolling through playlists on any platform begins to feel like I am being told to mistrust and to fear almost everything and everybody.
Does this constant borage of negativity impact our global consciousness? Is our media making us less conscious? Less Compassionate,and more divided, frightened, angry? Or is the media and entertainment we consume a reflection of our true nature and reality?
Do our thoughts create our reality or is our reality making us think the way we do? It’s the age-old question, the chicken or the egg.
In the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we adopt a critical mindset towards media consumption. We must cultivate media literacy skills, discerning between truth and falsehood, and actively seek out content that uplifts and inspires.
Moreover, addressing the root causes of societal issues such as inequality and injustice is essential in creating a more compassionate world. By advocating for media representation that amplifies diverse voices and experiences, we can foster empathy and understanding.
People aren’t going to put down their phones and turn off their reality shows any time soon. And I am not one who believes watching TV is all bad or one should only watch boring documentaries and educational pieces.
People want to escape, feel, be inspired, be scared,they want to think, and be in awe of a superhero now and then, as a content creator, it’s my job to create media that shifts the narrative while also be entertaining.
As media consumers, we must start elevating content that achieves these goals. Focus on creating and sharing content that allows viewers to grow emotionally, spiritually, and consciously. Higher consciousness begins when humans feel connected, to nature and to each other, they feel empathy and compassion first.
How do we “program” compassion and empathy back into our media without boring audiences with preachy, teachy content?
Audiences crave new, entertaining, and inspiring stories that challenge perspectives and expand horizons.
I am creating a new way to be entertained with SPARQ
A Unique streaming platform where audiences can be entertained while also being inspired and uplifted, expanding their worldviews, and evolving into a higher and happier state of being.
But SPARQ is more than just a streaming platform it's a movement. A movement towards a more compassionate world, where diversity is celebrated, and empathy is the currency of change. Through partnerships with media creators, activists, and thought leaders, we amplify voices that challenge the status quo and champion causes that matter.
Join us on this journey of discovery, as we explore the depths of human potential and the boundless possibilities of collective evolution. Together, let's SPARQ curiosity, ignite inspiration, and illuminate the path towards a brighter tomorrow.
Are you ready to elevate your consciousness? Dive into SPARQ and unlock a world of infinite possibilities.
Media can and should SPARQ curiosity and provide opportunities that inspire, expand, and evolve humanity towards higher collective consciousness.
Watch the trailer of The Galileo Project