Seeing responsibly?

What is the connection between sight and responsibility?

Here’s some lyrics from Brooke Fraser’s recent album, from the title track, Albertine; “Rwanda… now that I have seen I am responsible“.  How does this connection work?  And how – and is – this complicated by communication technologies that enable us to see without being in relative proximity to something?

Perhaps this what aid groups are seeking to call upon when they televise images of malnourished children? What is the difference between seeing something and viewing an image on something else (ie. TV, billboard etc)? Should we be careful as to what we see?

Incidently, Brooke Fraser’s music is fascinating. For a pop artist (although to be fair she has a lot more musical depth than the average pop artist), she carries a lot of startling philosophical and theological reflection. Check out some lyrics and clips – I highly recommend her latest album.

Filed under: Brooke Fraser, ethics, music, responsibility