You don't realize it, but the words we speak still pack a punch in 2022. People are tuned in to the words we speak or type more than ever. Don't believe me? Be bold and share an unpopular opinion. In any setting. In person or online. Shock waves will occur in someones brain. It may be easier to lose friends now more than ever. They may not openly comment but they are marginalizing you the moment it happens. We have been conditioned to cancel each other.
Bravery is at an all time low. Silence is becoming the rule. It is palpable. A heavy sense of mistrust and frustration is hanging in the air. The hounds have been set loose for the hunt. People are waiting for one verbal misstep and out comes the handcuffs and duct tape. A good public shaming will follow in high profile situations. Lives and influence will never be the same.
People have always been subject to scrutiny over their opinions. It is healthy for everyone involved. How do we understand each other if we do not engage in a conversation? Are you so insecure that even the speaking of a contrary opinion makes you curl into a ball and need a therapy puppy? After all they are only words, right. If you hold the proper opinion on any topic in your mind, why would you feel upset by a person who disagrees?
The fact is words carry power. Words spark revolutions. Words make war. Words motivate soldiers. Words make peace. Words calm insurrections. We elect the people that make the best connection with voters. We buy things from salesman who speak to us in a successful way. We believe the things told to us, we learn by listening. All words. The power of words.
How many lives have been ruined by a steady diet of negative words as a child. You don't have to beat a child physically to ruin its life. What they are told can ruin them just as fast. Our minds are a powerful engine in our life. It can propel us to great heights or drag us into the depth of despair. Listen to the wrong input and you may never be healthy mentally. Feed a young person the right words and the sky is the limit. Still think words don't matter. Do you believe the words you speak don't have any power. Lives depend on the things we say.
In my line of work I have heard some crazy thoughts. People are relaxed while they get their haircut and they trust you over time. So they feel the liberty to share what is on their mind. I enjoy this part of my work. I love honesty. I appreciate the bold and brave sharing of ideas. I don't judge them. I just listen and talk. Maybe I add fuel to their fire or I stray away from a topic. This is how we grow together as people. Finding common ground while never being completely in agreement. Sharing our human struggles.
The conversation is being stifled and that is not good for our country. Division is ever increasing. The never ending assault of information and breaking news will not allow for a break. Take a break and figure out why you believe what you believe. But we are not allowed a break. All decisions are to be made on the fly. Like, thumbs up, sad emoji, smiling emoji, several laughing tearful joy emojis--then we move on. Next topic to conquer. On to a funny meme about a guy we hate--laughing emoji. Somebody drives by in a car alone with a mask on--Facebook post about how stupid they are--counting likes and emojis, feeling good. Today was a good day, pour a little out for my dead homies.
We are not engaged in a sharing of words with each other. That is not allowed. The war of ideas is brewing. Sides are being picked and lines are being down in the sand. Yes I understand this is full of cliches. The world is a cliche. The world is a meme world. Our Overlords have won. People are staying silent. People are afraid to say what they think. So we communicate with memes and gifs and video clips. Some are very entertaining. While they are good at building a consensus, without conversation this can be dangerous.
I find it interesting when I hear stories where people want to keep conversations from occurring. Recently big recording artists want a podcaster taken off of Spotify where their music is sold. It's him or me. Some of these same recording artists fought for freedoms decades ago but now are fighting for censorship. Why? They perceive what is being shared is wrong, or dangerous or it goes against their political ideals. Maybe they think their fame and wealth entitles them the ability to censor others. What are they afraid of? Words? You better believe they are afraid. Afraid of a conversation. Afraid of the power of words.
The other day I was talking with a customer who knew I was a military veteran. We had a nice conversation about many topics. Then the topic of today's military versus the military when I served came up. Things were different. Women didn't go into combat when I was young. I mentioned how the fact we send women into combat doesn't seem right to me. It was a passing comment. Not a declaration of disagreement. My wife is a veteran. I understand this debate is settled and women do heroic things in our military. This gentleman is a veteran and his former spouse was a female combat veteran. He diplomatically disagreed with me. I could see he had a different military experience than I did and he passionately defended women serving in combat roles. It gave me a lot to think about. I may or may not agree with him in the end but it doesn't matter. Neither of our opinions will change the situation. He did give a grumpy old guy some good points to think about. It's the conversations like this that make us more able to get along. Not arguments and canceling each others validity as a man. Silence will ruin us much faster than sharing powerful words in our relationships.