General Discussion

Scuba

(53,475 posts) Sun May 4, 2014, 09:55 AM May 2014

"Language is the greatest obstacle to communication."

My sister sent me a graphic, which I posted here ... http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024904169

I got a number of replies in a tone I hadn't anticipated, and in trying to better understand why, I sent the DU link back to my sister to get her thoughts. She's an Episcopalian Minister, a self-described feminist, and one of the smartest, and wisest, people I know. Her message back to me helped me understand things just a bit better ...

Interesting! And kind of humorous: As Hobbes said to Calvin, "Language is the greatest obstacle to communication." I understood it pretty much as Mister Ed does, but it could have been worded more like he did and still have generated a lot of heat. We all bring so much baggage to whatever we encounter, it's not surprising that 1) we understand things very differently, and 2) we're constantly at some kind of war with one another.

That's because we're so reactive, ruled by our limbic systems -- we don't allow those 'fight or flight' hormones to calm down, move our thought processes into our neo-cortexes and analyze not only what's really being done/said/thought, but why we react the way we do: "What kind of unresolved issues are triggering my initial reaction?"

We are not very evolved creatures.

7 replies

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Highlight:

"Language is the greatest obstacle to communication." (Original Post) Scuba May 2014 OP

Some of those relies really were quite stupid matt819 May 2014 #1

You do understand that you're compounding pscot May 2014 #2

I'm pretty sure these aren't MY troubles. Scuba May 2014 #4

Language is how we keep reality at bay. nt bemildred May 2014 #3

And when the grid goes down, a good joke. Eleanors38 May 2014 #6

meh... yes and no. there were valid points brought up, using the word "handle" in both historical seabeyond May 2014 #5

Thanks, I appreciate your comments. Scuba May 2014 #7

matt819

(10,749 posts)

1. Some of those relies really were quite stupid

Reply to Scuba (Original post)

Sun May 4, 2014, 10:29 AM

May 2014

Your sister's comments are excellent. And our reactive nature is exacerbated by the nature of an online forum. Think the worst. Type. Move on.

pscot

(21,024 posts)

2. You do understand that you're compounding

Reply to Scuba (Original post)

Sun May 4, 2014, 10:58 AM

May 2014

your troubles with this post? Doubling down, as it were.

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

4. I'm pretty sure these aren't MY troubles.

Reply to pscot (Reply #2)

Sun May 4, 2014, 11:05 AM

May 2014

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

3. Language is how we keep reality at bay. nt

Reply to Scuba (Original post)

Sun May 4, 2014, 11:05 AM

May 2014

Eleanors38

(18,318 posts)

6. And when the grid goes down, a good joke.

Reply to bemildred (Reply #3)

Sun May 4, 2014, 11:24 AM

May 2014

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)

5. meh... yes and no. there were valid points brought up, using the word "handle" in both historical

Reply to Scuba (Original post)

Sun May 4, 2014, 11:14 AM

May 2014

content and control/oppression reality. i think it was important that it be pointed out, how "handle" was one of those words that should not be a go to word, discussing mans relationship with woman.

i also understood your intent in putting up the post. intent is great. it is very important understanding intent, when addressing soemthing like words matter, and why handle was not a good choices.

as far as your sister. i feel she kinda did exactly what she was defining, and defining well, defending her position send that graphic, without calling out the handle. so i think she could have been more open to what happened on that thread

all that being said. .... i only read for a while in that OP. i do not know how it has progressed. so everything i express is when the thread was about 25 replies.