Throughout our daily lives there are many environments where
we conduct ourselves in a silent manner.
We go about our daily routine and or interaction with society in the
absence of sound. In some cases we
make a conscious choice to be silent and in other cases we move through our
existence in a silent manner without choice. There are instances where silence is interpreted as abstaining
or being disinterested, however your communication is still perceived and interpreted.
Modern technology has created whole new ways of
communication. We text, we email,
we direct message, we utilize social media, and we respond or not respond to
all of these influences. As a
result we are automatically included in the conversation whether we remain
silent or we speak out. So the
question is: Do we make a sound
with our silence? Is being silent
communicating? Do the recipients of the conversations in which we are
automatically included as a result of creative technology effectively interpret
that communication? I have taken
extreme interest in the intentional communication or lack thereof in social
media. Using Facebook as an
example we are given multiple ways of participating in the conversation, but I
point out that opting out of the conversation is not an option. You have the opportunity to “Like” a
posting, you have an opportunity to “comment” on a posting or you have the
opportunity to ignore the posting.
All three of these options are a form of communication and though one
may perceive that ignoring is not participating, it is not silent.
Are we fearful of controversy or is it easier to just
embrace happy. How come Facebook
postings with dogs and smiley faces get hundreds of “Likes” and a serious world
issue or humanitarian crises can barely get a single “Like”? Do my friends feel
by remaining silent on an issue is not communicating their opinion? Do we think that not communicating our
position absolves us from responsibility?
Most of us have heard the term “Silence is Golden” and when one is
receiving information, watching a movie, listening to a speech, taking a test
or evaluating a process this may very well apply. But when one has been communicated with and uses silence as
a response, your communication or intention can be horrifically
misinterpreted. In addition,
through silence your position may be spoken for you and you may not be in
agreement with the outcome. By
remaining silent your position may be interpreted as meaning in disagreement
with what is being said when you actually might fully agree. Is our silence a method to avoid the
wrath of critics or opposing opinion?
Unfortunately this is an ineffective option as your critics will respond
to your silence and choose your opinions for you. Is our silence a method to hide our secrets, our innermost
personal positions or the very core of who we are as human beings? Again, our friends, our family, our
acquaintances will define us if we choose not to define ourselves and they will
judge us for who they have defined us to be and not who we are as we define
ourselves. Modern communication
has reduced our ability to abstain from communication through silence. The world continues to evolve toward a
future where our participation is no longer optional but compulsory. There is a world of people who are
willing to not be silent for you, to express your thoughts and opinions for you
and to influence the growth of society for you and through your silence you are
communicating to them that you agree with their process. Do not be silent in life, communicate
your thoughts with an audible sound or action and be heard. Communicate your
position, communicate your emotions, communicate and participate! Every human being on this earth was
given a voice or a method of communication, use it…….do not allow it to be used
for you. Communication is
golden! Silence……it’s the absence
of sound.
In complete agreement.
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