February 21, 2007Inattention Deficit, Convenient Truth, Silenced by Fear of Political Incorrectness, Pick Up the Phone, Stay on Topic

Filed under: This Week in the World by merylrunion |

Inattention Deficit: If you ever wonder what people are smoking because their perceptions seem so bizarre, here’s a video that illustrates how selective perception is. Watch it just once, and count the number of times people in white shirts pass the basketball to each other. Pay careful attention. Click here and be ready to count.

Once you’ve watched it, (and not before) click here for further instructions.

This is why it is so important for us to listen to each other, even if we can’t understand how they could be saying what they are.

Truth is Whatever is Convenient to Election Needs: I’ve been hearing in the news that those Senators who “want to hold on to their seats” support different policies than those whose seats are assured. This attitude seems to be universally accepted. Wouldn’t it be nice if the guiding principle was what was good for the people they represent, whether they are up for reelection or not?

Silenced by the Fear of Political Incorrectness: There were a couple of comments on the blog about how after reading about sensitive issues, the posters were afraid to say anything to anyone. I understand the sentiment, but I also think the problem isn’t saying too much, it’s saying too little. When we open our mouths and put our feet in, it gives us the opportunity to learn about other people. I think that’s valuable beyond measure, and worth risking ruffling a feather or two.

Pick Up the Phone: My friends and I are working to change the habit of hiding behind email and deciding to pick up the phone and call a little sooner than we used to. It certainly forges a getter connection.

Stay on Topic: I received a few responses to my Dixie Chicks press release from people who wanted to discuss the politics. I like using political examples because politics is a shared experience, but I don’t care for getting drawn into a political discussion when I make a communication point. This week I decided to set boundaries and stay on topic in my responses. When a woman wrote,” I would call your attention to the hysterical and venomous rhetoric of the left as well,” I felt a pull to get into a comparison of left and right, but resisted it. I explained that I wasn’t writing about the Dixie Chicks to say that the right is hysterical and venomous, and I was quite aware that the left has flaws, but that was tangential to my post. My point was a communication point that the Dixie Chicks spoke out of school, paid a price and landed on their feet, and I wanted to illustrate the concept that when we are true to our own opinions we may pay a price but ultimately gain more than we loose.

I found it freeing to choose not to get involved in a tangential discussion. I suggested that if I could help her with a communication issue, I would be happy to provide it.

Have a great week.