This is a problem with blogging because words are all we have, and it usually takes a lot of words to effect the same accuracy of appraisal as can be made remarkably quickly on a face-to-face meeting. It’s why I like plain speaking, and it’s also why I’ve come to feel closer to certain bloggers, despite some initial misgivings.
And it isn’t ever thus. Just occasionally, the first few words can tell you all you need to know.
5 comments:
Most of the time I think, people are what they present themselves to be. There are people out there however, who want to fool you and in this they probably succeed in person as well as in writing. Of course, if you let people talk long enough they will eventually reveal themselves, no matter what they set out to do. Don't you think?
Long answer wanting to be made, Della, but I'll keep it short.
I agree, but I think body language is much more difficult to control than words, and gives a more accurate picture quickly if you become practised in reading it.
I was actually thinking more along the lines of how the English language (the only one I know well) can be shaped into different meanings even using the same words and all with honest intent.
I agree. That's why I don't like social online sites- like msn and facebook- except i like blogger, because i kind of blog more for myself and my own memories than for others, to be honest.
i like speaking to people face to face better because you can read their body language and you can actually tell what they're thinking- at least, better than if you were to read their words.
I see, yes. Probably because we all project or interpret so differently. I'm reading an interesting book called "The Stuff of Thought (Language as a window into human nature)" by Steven Pinker. It draws on all kinds of philosophy and science-based theories of language. Parts are fascinating but it's a little heavy on the intellectualizing I find, and would've preferred something a little more suited to the layman. But okay. Maybe you'd like it.
Della: Even the different national idioms can lead to serious misunderstanding sometimes, as I discovered when I first started contributing to American writers' forums. I'm getting the hang of it now, and am better prepared. It also means I know how to be mischievous better! The book sounds immensely interesting, but needful of the right frame of mind.
Lucy: For some reason, your comment only came into my inbox. It hasn't posted on the blog. Yes, you're right. And I think the blog format is (or at least can be) a bit deeper than other networking sites. I think it's more individual, less chatty.
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