“OF THE MANY ENTRENCHED BARRIERS TO POSITIVE CHANGE, communication is one of the most intractable. Language has evolved over centuries through ages of scarcity, superstition, and social insufficiency; and it is continuing to evolve. However, language often contains ambiguity and uncertainty when important issues are at stake, and fails to use a precise and universally intelligible means of conveying knowledge. It is difficult for the average person, or even those considered above average including leaders of nations, to share ideas with others whose worldview may be at considerable variance with their own. Also, because of semantic differences and different experiences, words have various shades of meaning.
“Even in the United States, supposedly the most technologically advanced country in the world, we lack a unified, definitively-stated direction. Our policies and goals are fragmented and contradictory. The Democrats cannot communicate meaningfully with the Republicans. Elsewhere, the Israelis oppose the Arabs, the Irish Catholics clash with the Irish Protestants, and the Serbs clash with the Muslims. Everywhere there is interracial and interpersonal disharmony, an inability of husbands and wives to communicate with each other or their children, labor and management strife, and communists differing with capitalists.
“Most world leaders seek to achieve greater communication and understanding among the nations of the world. Unfortunately, their efforts have met with little success. One reason is that each comes to the table determined to achieve the optimal advantage for his or her own nation. We talk a lot about global development and global cooperation but the "global" in each case reflects the individual nation's interests and not those of all people.
“In addition, we are trapped within old ways of looking at our world. While most agree change is necessary, many limit change if it threatens their advantage; just as on a personal basis, they seek change in others but not in themselves.
“Many of us lack the skills to communicate logically when we are emotionally invested in an outcome. If a person or group has difficulty in communicating a point in question, rather than seek clarification, they will raise their voices. If this does not produce the desired effect, they may include profanity or intimidating language. If this doesn't work, they may resort to physical violence, punishment, or deprivation as a means of achieving the desired behavior. In some instances, deprivation of the means of earning a living has been, and continues to be, used.
“These tactics have never produced a heightened level of understanding. In fact, many of these attempts to control behavior actually increased violence and drove the parties farther apart. It will be difficult for a future historian to understand why the language of science and technology was not incorporated into everyday communication.”
Excerpts from the third chapter of THE BEST THAT MONEY CAN’T BUY (Eighth Edition), by Jacque Fresco
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Originally posted on our website here.