"What is a word? It is the copy in sound of a nerve stimulus. But the further inference from the nerve stimulus to a cause outside of us is already the result of a false and unjustifiable application of the principle of sufficient reason. If truth alone had been the deciding factor in the genesis of language, and if the standpoint of certainty had been decisive for designations, then how could we still dare to say "the stone is hard," as if "hard" were something otherwise familiar to us, and not merely a totally subjective stimulation! We separate things according to gender, designating the tree as masculine and the plant as feminine. What arbitrary assignments! How far this oversteps the canons of certainty!"
I am aware of my reality being different when I ride the bus to Towson. I can't explain it, but life on the bus and life at school are like parallel universes. The bus rides feel like a means of survival, while school feels like a privilege for people who are fortunate enough to attend. What I mean is that people who I usually ride the bus with never attend college. I am a rare exception, and my stop at Towson makes me feel like I am taking the long journey alone.
At what point in our daily lives do we realize that our reality is not the same as others- during work, school, while we're at home watching television? Is it a conscious thought or do we accept everything we see as the real world and never have a moment where we see something from another's perspective?
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ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the discussion in our last class about competing realities existing in the same room. In the workplace we often find ourselves being forced to interact with diverse groups of people. My reality is shaped by my cultural background, my role as a grad student, my age, my salary and many other factors. Some of my colleagues have children, are married, are older than I am and/or have different political views. We view many of the same issues from another perspective.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, I think this diversity is wonderful. In meetings, a diverse group is helpful in problem-solving. When multiple people examine one problem, they can each produce a solution tailored to their own sense of reality. Generally, by the end of the meeting everyone highlights an issue that may have otherwise been ignored or unresolved. Carl Rogers would say that “Real communication occurs… when we listen with understanding… [when we] see the expressed idea and attitude from the other person’s point of view, to sense how it feels to him, to achieve his frame of reference in regard to the thing he is talking about” (Rogers, 2-3). I agree with Rogers. As long as we attempt to really listen to, and understand other people’s opinions, diversity remains positive.
Often times after a long day of talking to undergraduate students, I feel drained. I feel like they ask questions without listening to the answers. I also become aggravated when I sense a lack of appreciation for the services I have provided them. After the tenth self-entitled or rude student (sometimes these types of days exist), I find myself reading Reddick for my exposition class while I am on the phone with a student. I have to remind myself that it is a two way street. If I expect the student to really listen, I have to snap out of the midday blues and give them the same level of attention. Normally, it works. Just when I convince myself to give up, that I am too nice and no one appreciates it; I get a phone call that changes my mind. A student that hears my desire to help through my voice (smiling when you talk really helps) really listens and then actually ends the call with a “thank you”.
I am really shocked by level of disconnect exhibited by some students. I wonder, ‘Am I really that much older? Did I act like that when I was in undergrad?’ Maybe communication that occurs over the internet or via text messaging has fostered a lack of communication skills. Regardless, I will admit that when I make an effort to listen, it often increases my chances of being listened to in return.