It was interesting to see Pope Benedict speaking today about communications, in advance of the 20 May World Day of Social Communications.
We are all in the business. From bloggers like me, to Foreign Ministries striving to get their “angle” across, from the frenzied activity of Twitter, to the simple conversation on the mobile. We often talk of information overload, as we struggle to take in the white noise of endless communication. And that leaves little time for reflection. As Pope Benedict says, silence can be as powerful as noise.
The Pope’s message also demonstrates how the Holy See is engaging increasingly with the digital media. The longevity of any institution is, in my view, based on two essential characteristics. The first is a clear identity and message. The second the ability to keep up with the times. Her Majesty The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee this year, and the monarchy is an example of a venerable institution that has had to adapt to the times to continue to flourish into this 21st century. By contrast, we have all heard the last week of the example of Kodak, a more recently founded organisation that failed to anticipate the surge of the digital age. There is no inherent contradiction between age and modernity. The trick is being heard above the din. And listening to the silences in between.