CAN WE TALK!

In early history our ancestors would huddle around a fire under the starry sky or deep within a cave somewhere, safe from predators, and tell tales of previous hunts and the bravery and agility of their finest young men. Perhaps stories were told explaining the objects in the sky above them. Possibly stories were passed on to the next generation, eager to understand the cycle of life and death.

The ancient Romans loved to throw dinner parties where their guests, who were required to bring their own napkins, would be served a wide array of delicacies, many of which would not necessarily appeal to our more modern tastes.  Either in between courses or after everyone had partaken as much as they could that evening, entertainment would be offered that might include musicians playing the top ten of the day, dancing women, acrobats or someone reciting poetry or popular literature. Table top discussions would probably revolve around sports figures, popular performers of the day and, after a few more drinks, politics.

Family histories were passed down through generations by means of the spoken word.  Experiences were retold that were either pleasurable or of a more dangerous nature which others might learn needed to be avoided.  Thoughts were able to be exchanged and ideas expanded upon or challenged by means of verbal communication. Understanding each other brought us together and we became part of an expanding civilization.

Once the written word became commonplace, our world was opened up for us to explore.  A thought could travel around the globe; histories of different cultures gave us a better understanding of what makes up our planet through ideas and poetry and literature that were now available to all.  We could read the plays of Shakespeare, follow dissertations of religious leaders and even try to understand and discuss the writings of influential political activists of the day. 

The next great creation that made our world significantly smaller and more accessible is the telephone.  The very idea of being able to pick up a plastic device, dial or tap in a set of numbers and then talk to another human being anywhere on the planet is just mind boggling!  In the few seconds that it takes to make that call you can make the recipient happy or sad, exchange important information, start a relationship or any number of things.  You can hear each other’s voice.  You have made a human connection.

The next major progression in communications would be the internet.  All the information known to mankind is now just a click away as long as your provider is available.  Google can answer any question you can think of and then a lot more.  There’s more information ready to be obtained than you can possibly use or even need.  There’s a lot of misinformation out there that you shouldn’t use but, many time, sounds much more interesting. 

Facebook and Twitter are our modern social clubs where we show pictures of our kids and grandkids, discuss our aches and pains and surgeries and give out more about ourselves than we should let people in on. I think this means that we have come full circle from the non-verbal communicator striving to make his ideas known to the tribe.  We have the knowledge and the ability to put forth our wildest ideas and deepest thoughts.  Then will you please tell me why we have lowered ourselves to communicating via happy and sad faces pasted onto wordless messages???

Sharon